THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION

Author: Lauren Willig ISBN: 052594860 2/2005 CONTEMP/HISTORICAL Publisher: PENGUIN PUTNAM/Dutton

Deciding that true romantic heroes are a thing of the past, Eloise Kelly, an intelligent American who always manages to wear her Jimmy Choo suede boots on the day it rains, leaves Harvard’s Widener Library bound for England to finish her dissertation on the dashing pair of spies the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. What she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: a secret history that begins with a letter dated 1803. Eloise has found the secret history of the Pink Carnation—the most elusive spy of all time, the spy who single-handedly saved England from Napoleon’s invasion. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, a wildly imaginative and highly adventurous debut, opens with the story of a modern-day heroine but soon becomes a book within a book. Eloise Kelly settles in to read the secret history hoping to unmask the Pink Carnation’s identity, but before she can make this discovery, she uncovers a passionate romance within the pages of the secret history that almost threw off the course of world events. How did the Pink Carnation save England? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly find a hero of her own?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I simply don’t know where to begin. This book has so many facets, so many elements, that it is difficult to choose a starting point. A wonderful mix of intrigue, espionage, romance, suspense, mystery, drama, humor…the list goes on and on.

Most impressive is the way this story fused the present with the past. It's a time-travel in a different sort of sense. Think of the movie, Never Ending Story, where the young boy becomes so immersed in the book he's reading, that the story becomes literally real. In THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION, Lauren Willig uses that same concept, switching not only between the past and present and melding the two as one, but switches from first to third person in its telling without missing a beat. I didn't lose interest or become confused as to what timeframe the characters were in, and found myself as fixed on what was happening in modern Eloise Kelly's parallel universe as I was in the vivid life of our Georgian heroine, Amy.

Anyone who is a fan of the Scarlet Pimpernel stories, especially those who loved the adaptation featuring Richard E. Grant on A&E not too long ago, will love this book. While Ms. Willig does take a few liberties with some of the historical facts to better fit into the story (and she does tell you this), readers will recognize many famous historical events and characters woven throughout. Amy, who is Eloise's main "suspect" of being the Pink Carnation, is a woman who acts first and thinks later, much to our benefit and total entertainment. Richard, hot-shot continental spy that he is, seems to be totally bemused by this impulsive creature, who has him utterly smitten and one-ups him more than once. There are also hints at a parallel romance between Richard's modern day descendent, Colin, and Eloise, and I'm so happy to know that a second Pink Carnation book is in the works. I, for one, can hardly wait to see how that part of this story progresses. Finally, toss in a few charming and surprisingly clever secondary characters, and THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION becomes one fun, sexy and action-filled romp.

Being Ms. Willig's debut novel, as a reader I am thoroughly impressed with this book. It was fun, well written, and entertaining. Whether you prefer chick lit, historicals, or have a love for both, THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION has everything it takes to give readers of any romance genre what they crave: an enjoyable and truly memorable reading experience.

Nancy