"Enjoyable Regency romance"

In 1814 England, twin spinster Aunts Viola and Letitia worry that their beloved niece artist Eliza Merriweather refuses to marry. Eliza does not want her talent going to waste like her mom's did when she gave it up to marry. The sisters decide it is time to establish the rules of engagement based on the book War Strategies.

The aunts begin matchmaking a stubborn Eliza who acknowledges her mother has been happily married, but questions frittering away her skills over a man, even if that male was her loving dad. The aunts select Magnus Mackinnon as the perfect person for their cherished but obstinate Eliza. One rule at a time they begin assaulting her fortressed heart, but will they and their chosen soldier prove strong enough to win over the stubborn Eliza?

This is an enjoyable Regency romance that engages the reader with a solid cast that makes for a fine read. The lead couple is a charming duet, but the story line belongs to elderly sisters as they deploy the rules of engagement to insure their great-niece finds a happy match whether Eliza wants to or not. Readers will appreciate this delightful matchmaking story and hope these two female general officers take another recruit through basic training.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 18, 2004