"Engrossing romance with an undercurrent of danger."

After a disastrous marriage, widow Catherine Ashfield, Viscountess Bickley, swears never to wed again. She watched her husband shun her after she gave birth to a son with a clubfoot. Catherine and her son stay on her country estate with few visitors. She ventures into society only to attend her father's ball. Listening to the guests, Catherine is shocked to learn of the popularity of a slim volume of erotic advice to women. Catherine, having read it wholeheartedly, agrees with the anonymous author.

The ton's husbands are not amused with the dramatic changes in their wives as the women embrace the modern- woman advice in the book. The husbands hire an American, Andrew Stanton, to unmask the author. Andrew, a common man with humble beginnings, befriended Catherine's brother and became his business partner years ago. Watching Catherine from afar, he has loved her for years. After her period of mourning is over, Andrew plans to court her. Discovering her firm belief in the shocking book, Andrew struggles to overcome her aversion to marriage and her belief in the nonsensical modern-woman babble.

Andrew aggravates and irritates Catherine, yet she finds him most fascinating. However, she cannot fall in love at this inconvenient time or with this inconvenient man. She will only accept a temporary affair. Andrew accepts her decision while determined to change it. Only his assignment of revealing the author could jeopardize the progress he has made in their tentative relationship.

Ms. D'Alessandro has penned a love story with an undercurrent of danger, which keeps readers glued from the very first page. Catherine and Andrew's chemistry gives added joy, as do the chapter excerpts from the sinful advice book. LOVE AND THE SINGLE HEIRESS belongs on the keeper shelf!

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Posted August 16, 2004