"Engaging Regency romance"

In 1816 England, James Putney's will assigns sole care of the deceased's five children to his cousin Anthony Elliot, the Earl of Greyley. Though Anthony despised his cousin, he takes the decision quite gracefully. However, James' mother makes a scene until her other son tells her to be quiet. Anthony figures the quintet may have been spawned by the devil and raised as hellions, but how hard can it be with the oldest being only eleven.

A few weeks later, Anthony is at the end of his rope and without a governess as none last very long. He considers buying property in America so he can ship his wards there though he worries about an international incident leading to a third war. Anthony hires Anna Thraxton as his latest governess. However, though she brings some order to the wards and even helps Anthony's reticent fiancee, Anna poses new problems for the beleaguered aristocrat. He wants her by his side permanently even if she meddles in everyone's life because she wants a happy ending for all.

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER is an engaging Regency romance that readers will delight in due to the strong cast. The story line is amusing as Anthony finds love and rescue in the courageous Anna. The characters make the tale with the pranks of the children and the nastiness of their grandmother augmenting the romance. Sub-genre fans will want to read Karen Hawkins' next tale starring whichever St. John sibling gets stuck with "the ring".

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 15, 2002

An arrogant earl looking for the perfect wife; a strong- minded governess determined to transform him into the perfect woman. WHO WILL WIN?

Summary

Saddled with five unruly orphans, the Earl of Greyley, Anthony Elliot, is at his wits' end. Worse than the five terrors who are destroying his peace, is the realization that the only person capable of dealing with them is the one woman Anthony cannot abide -- Anna Thraxton, governess extraordinaire and the most opinionated and beautiful governess in London. She's the exact opposite of the meek and mile woman Anthony believes he wants to marry.

Anna knew this job would be trouble the minute she foot in the door -- but it's Anthony who's the problem, not the children. He's too arrogant, too sure of himself, and far, far too wonderfully big and masculine. Someone clearely needs to give Anthony a lesson -- but when lectures turn into kisses, igniting a passion neither can ignore, how will they resolve the battle between honor and their hearts?