SEDUCING SIR OLIVER

Author: Nicole Byrd ISBN: 0425210839 7/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: BERKLEY SENSATION
Time Period: Regency

Whisked off to London by her newly revealed half brother, Miss Juliana Applegate is supposed to be looking for an eligible gentleman suitable for marriage. But when she arrives, an illness in her brother's household forces her to stay instead with his friend Lady Sealey—and her handsome godson, Sir Oliver Ramsey. Sir Oliver has always felt clumsy and awkward around the fairer sex, but despite his gruffness Juliana senses a gentleness in the man who seems at first more of a fierce Viking than a shy zoologist. Soon, she has ample opportunity to test her theory about Sir Oliver, as they are thrown together time and again-first by chance, and then to work toward a common goal. Someone is sending Lady Sealey mysterious vengeful letters that threaten an imminent doom. When the attacks begin, Juliana and Oliver are determined to protect her—even at cost to their own hearts and growing passion, as well as their very lives...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

SEDUCING SIR OLIVER is a fast-paced light read that had just as many fun moments as bittersweet ones. Being smack in the middle of a series, this book stood well on its own and I was impressed with how Nicole Byrd worked in the remaining characters, who are sure to have their own books, and the existing characters so that everything meshed very well.

When Lord Gabriel Sinclair comes to Juliana Applegate's home looking to make the acquaintance of the family he has never known and the father who left him, he never dreams that he will be coming away with one of his newfound sisters in tow. Juliana is a beauty and a diamond in the rough, with her outdated clothes and somewhat self-conscious air. When she comes to London to find that Lord Gabriel's house is quarantined and she must stay with friends of Gabriel's family, she is understandably beside herself! Lady Sealey is a wonderful host and does everything to make Lady Julianna feel comfortable, but it is Lady Sealey's godson, Oliver, who captures Julianna's attention.

Sir Oliver Ramsey is a great hero for our little shy Julianna. He is an avid animal and science lover, very clumsy with his hands and a bit of a goofball. I don't know how she does it, but somehow Ms. Byrd makes him seem like nothing less than Fabio. I pictured Oliver as being a gentle giant with a great deal of kindness in him, and his animals certainly made the story come to life! Throw in a loony toon of a wanna-be fiancé, and Ms. Byrd has put together a delightful story in SEDUCING SIR OLIVER.

Oliver and Julianna could certainly hold this book up all on their own. All of their little mishaps and the genuine fun that is found in their relationship, make for great reading. But, the secondary characters bring just the right amount of zing with them to make this book shine and an addition to my keeper shelves.

Kristal Gorman