EARL OF HER DREAMS

Author: Anne Mallory ISBN: 0060872950 11/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Regency

Facing the choice of flight or a wedding she cannot abide, Kate Simon has chosen to flee. Disguised as a boy, she takes refuge in a roadside inn, and finds herself rooming with intensely secretive Christian Black. Kate is breathless in the presence of this handsome, mysterious rogue whose piercing gaze seems to strip her naked. But neither suspects that a savage storm and a murder will draw them closer together still. Christian dares not let anyone learn of his haunted past—or that he is, in truth, the Earl of Canley—especially not a slip of a girl whose masculine attire cannot disguise the exquisite female form beneath. But now, that destiny and a dastardly crime have united them, Christian can no longer contain his desire to taste the nectar of Kate's sweet kiss. Danger certainly abounds, but the gravest peril might be resisting a once-in-a-lifetime passion that can heal all wounds.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Anne Mallory weaves together romance and mystery in her new release, THE EARL OF HER DREAMS. It's an extremely entertaining read with an array of diverse characters that really bring this book to life. At times, it feels as if you're playing the board game, CLUE.

Mallory takes us to The Dragon's Tale Inn on the eve of a blizzard. It is there that we meet the guests and servants who are all going to be suspects in this terrible murder. It is also there that we meet Christian Black and Kate Simon. Both are disguised as someone they're not and both happen to be sharing a room together. Christian easily guesses that Kate is a delicate lady, not the lanky lad she is dressed to be. And Kate knows that there is something not quite right about Christian. Together, they are going to solve the murder at the Inn, and at the same time, grow to know each other's darkest secrets.

I am really impressed with THE EARL OF HER DREAMS. Before reading it, I just figured it was another lady-dressed-as-a-boy story. However, it didn't take long for me to realize I was wrong—very wrong. It's a clever mystery, a beautiful romance and a very entertaining read.

If you're in the mood to help solve a mystery and be privy to a blossoming romance, Anne Mallory's THE EARL OF HER DREAMS is just the book for you!

Julie Kornhausl