"Fine Regency romance"

In 1805, pragmatic and dutiful Helena Nash works as a companion to pompous Lady Alfreda Tilpot since her parents died four years ago so that she does become a burden to her family. Over her personal concerns, the closet romantic becomes the link between Alfreda's niece Flora and the man she loves and secretly married Oswald Goodwin. She becomes further worried because Oswald is a loser trying to obtain a fortune at gambling because he needs to keep his spouse in the style she has grown up in but he can not afford.

Scottish rake Ramsey Munroe sees Helena sneaking about the streets and assumes she is visiting a lover. He is concerned with her safety because he and two other fellows owe their lives to her father, who died freeing them from the French. As Ramsey and Helena fall in love, he worries for her safety because a serpent wanting to destroy him will use his beloved as a pawn to get at him.

Regency romance readers will take plenty of pleasure from the fine middle tale of the Rose Hunters trilogy. Helena learns rather quickly that good intentions is the road to hell as she lands in trouble just because she allowed her romantic nature to open up a can of worms. Ramsey is a wonderful protagonist who feels guilt for the death of her father and further responsibility for bringing the woman he loves in peril from his enemies. Connie Brockway provides an entertaining story that will leave readers waiting for the final novel to complete the passionate miniseries.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 10, 2004