"Spicy Twin Romance"

Prolific romance author Johanna Lindsey's latest novel is a sizzling romance with a healthy dose of humor added to the plot. When identical twin sisters Amanda and Marian Laton are forced to move from their Massachusetts home after the death of their father in the late 1800's, they are unprepared for the adventure at their Aunt Kathleen's Texas ranch. Chad Kinkaid, ranch employee and son of a neighboring rancher, escorts the women on their final leg of the journey, convinced that Amanda is the desirable one, while Marian is the bookish shrew.

But Chad's first impression of the two women is categorically wrong, as an unlikely twist finds Marian dressing dowdily so that men won't be caught in the beauteous Amanda's net if they dare to notice Marian first. Add in Chad's confusion over the fact that he thought that he made love to Amanda (though it was really Marian), and he just might be honor bound to marry the self- centered Amanda, unless he can persuade Spencer Evans to beat him to the altar.

Though the plot theme that a young Victorian era woman must marry to claim her inheritance is hardly a new one, Ms. Lindsey has put an interesting slant to this idea with the immense greed of Amanda versus the solitude seeking of Marian. Spicy romance between Chad and Marian keeps that pace at a fast clip, as Chad discovers the beauty and caring soul Marian keeps hidden behind thick ugly spectacles.

Reviewed by Sheri Melnick
Posted July 31, 2003