"A fine read"

In 1816 widow Laura Gardeyne begins to wonder if her brother-in-law Jack wants her three year old son Harry dead. Laura knows that Jack is a highly regarded vicar who seems to do the right things for his flock and is much kinder towards his wife and child than her deceased spouse Hal had been to her and Harry. Little incidents make her ponder whether the good vicar wants to insure he is the heir to the Skylark fortune and not his nephew.

Stephen Ball has loved Laura seemingly forever though he lost her to Hal. When he learns about her fears, he vows to keep her safe and his dead rival's offspring safe. When another potential heir surfaces with the return of a "slave" from the east, Laura and Stephen conduct inquiries into who this person is and what is their claim. As they work together to uncover the identity of this possible beneficiary and to keep Harry safe, Laura falls in love with her protector. However, paranoia does not exclude that someone wants you dead and even a loving rogue may not be enough to keep mother and son safe.

Regency romance readers will enjoy Jo Beverley's latest historical romance starring splendid lead characters and an interesting villain in sheep's clothing though he is a bit too inept. The story line is fast-paced once Stephen arrives on the scene to the surprise and joy of the heroine. As is always the case with a Ms. Beverley novel, SKYLARK is a fine read.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 1, 2004

Summary

Once she was Mrs. Hal Gardeyne, the darling Lady Skylark of London society, but now Laura is a terrified mother. Hal's death has made young Harry heir to her father-in- law's title and estates, and she fears his uncle wants those prizes enough to commit murder. To safeguard her child, Laura has no choice but to turn to a man from her past...

Not a day has gone by without Stephen Ball thinking of the alluring girl who stole his heart and then married another. Now that she needs his help, he plans to protect her son--and then seize the fiery passion that still burns between them. As Laura and Stephen embark on their daring quest, they'll find themselves on a dangerous journey into their most secret and sensual desires...