"Totally delightful romance with wonderful lead characters."

In order to ensure her matchmaking reputation, Meredith Chilton-Grizedale must secure a bride for a viscount with an ominous Egyptian curse upon him. Since the curse dooms any bride he weds, Meredith faces a difficult challenge. However, since she is her family's breadwinner, she refuses to concede defeat. In her usual autocratic manner, Meredith decides to change the scholarly antiquarian into the most marriageable man in London.

A reluctant Viscount of Greybourne, Philip, returns home at his ailing father's request. England holds only miserable memories for Philip, who was a pudgy introvert and never popular. His peers harassed him and he was often the butt of their jokes. He tolerated the slights until his mother's death. In his grief, Philip's father uttered harsh, unforgiving words. Escaping to foreign lands, Philip immersed himself in foreign cultures, returning only at his father's demand. Resigned to wed a suitable wife, the unsuspecting Philip is dazzled by the unconventional Meredith.

Meredith refuses Philip's advances and offers no explanation regarding her mysterious past. Unwilling to accept her refusal, he concentrates on courting and winning Meredith. However, no marriage can take place until he breaks the curse.

A spirited heroine, who creates her own special family, and a cursed bespectacled hero are the ingredients for a thoroughly enjoyable read. A definite keeper.

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted September 23, 2003

Summary

The Wedding of the Year... Philip Whitmore, Viscount Greybourne, has survived desert sandstorms, unearthed treasures of ancient cities, and defeated knife-wielding grave robbers. But when it comes to something as ordinary as getting married, Philip discovers that it's not so easy. He's been cursed after discovering an ancient stone tablet that dooms any woman foolish enough to marry him. Somehow, his fortune, title and dashing good looks no longer seem appealing -- and his carefully selected society bride has left him at the altar. The Scandal of the Season Beautiful Meredith Chilton-Grizedale is determined to find Philip his perfect wife. The abruptly terminated "Marriage of the Season" was going to make her reputation as the Matchmaker of Mayfair, so now it's up to her to find someone to marry the most unmarriageable man in England. Yet from the moment she meets the mysterious viscount, Meredith finds herself falling for a man she should not love. With an ominous curse over their heads, risking her life for passion would be madness indeed...