"Intriguing, well-written Regency romance."

Gemma Smith is a woman with no history. No family, no home, she's not even certain she can claim the name "Smith" for her own. Desperate to find her family and a place to belong, Gemma sets out for London. Her only clue, a letter written by her mother years earlier and delivered to her on her 21st birthday via a third party who refuses to divulge any further information.

Louisa Crookshank might have a little too much history. The pretty daughter of a wealthy merchant, her first season ended in disaster. Keen to start fresh, Louisa makes her way to London in search of a glorious season, her heart firmly set on winning the acceptance of the ton.

These two young ladies meet quite by happenstance at a county inn, complete their journey to town together and, in spite of their differences, become fast friends.

Gemma's search for identity takes her back to a foundling home where she once spent a miserable year. At the home, while breaking and entering, Gemma makes the rather sudden acquaintance of Matthew Fallon. Matthew is on a larcenous mission of his own. He needs the very records Gemma herself is trying to steal. The two soon discover their purposes are one and the same, to decipher the old records that should reveal their secrets to both parties. They also discover an instant, and in the weeks to come, growing attraction to one another.

Louisa, in the meanwhile, is trying her best to re-enter society. Poor Miss Crookshank! Nothing seems to be going her way as one mishap after another keeps her firmly in society's crosshairs. Finally her fortunes change. She acquires a sponsor and her future looks bright. It's then that the dashing but impoverished Lieutenant Colin McGregor enters her life. Louisa now has a difficult decision to make. Dare she risk the ton's censure just when she's on the verge of returning to its good graces?

Ms. Byrd does a fantastic job of balancing the stories of these two couples. Both women are captivating heroines, both men irresitable heroes. VISION IN BLUE is part of a longer series and there's some backstory that's not fully explained, but it's easy enough to pick up the important bits. Byrd is fast becoming one of the best authors of historical romance writing today. Her books have their share of sexual tension, but there's actually an interesting plot involved too. I look forward to the next book in this intriguing, well-written series.

Reviewed by Sue Burke
Posted January 14, 2005

Summary

Who is Miss Gemma Smith? No one wishes to know more than the orphaned Gemma herself. One day, a fateful letter sends her to London where she meets former naval officer Matthew Fallon--who is searching for the sister he lost. So far apart in other ways, the two are soon drawn together by their desperate quests for their lost loved ones--and the blossoming of undeniable passion.