"An amusing Regency romance"

In 1814, knowing she is broke and soon will be unable to keep up appearances amidst the Ton, Isabel Weymouth decides she needs to marry a wealthy aristocrat. For good luck as she prowls the Ton for a suitable match and wears her grandmother's lucky brooch.

Richard Mallory has just returned home from war to learn his grandfather is dying. His grandmother insists he find the family heirloom the Mallory Heart to give to his grandfather before he dies so he can give it to his spouse and relieve the guilt that he never did so. He has about one month to complete his quest.

In London, Isabel and Richard are attracted to one anther from the first moment they meet. She especially likes that he is unable to stop staring at her bosom; however, what has excited Richard is that Isabel wears the Mallory Heart. Over the next few weeks they steal the gem from one another even as they fall in love.

This is an amusing Regency romance as the two protagonists take turns as cat burglars stealing the hearts of each other and the Heart. The fast-paced plot never slows down as the competition increases until both succumb to their passion. Fans will take immense delight as the matchmaking Mallory Heart fosters a wonderful romance between a likable pair.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 29, 2004

Summary

"And so you must find the Mallory Heart and bring it home at once. No matter what it takes." After this decree from his grandmother,Richard, Viscount Mallory, goes in search of the long-lost family heirloom. Imagine his surprise when he spots the exquisite heart- shaped ruby brooch on the bosom of the equally exquisite Lady Isabel Weymouth! Could this popular young socialite actually be a jewel thief? Richard is determined that the brooch be returned to his family. So when an opportunity presents itself, he pilfers the jewel from the lady's bedroom, but is stunned when she steals it back the very next day! Clearly the enchanting Isabel is a more formidable opponent than he imagined, and the former soldier finds himself battling wits and wills with the captivating temptress. Passion ignites between them as the competition heats up, and suddenly there is more than a ruby brooch at stake in this game of hearts.