The Seduction of the Crimson Rose, Book 4 of the Pink Carnation series
Lauren WilligHistorical romance
Available from Berkley Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-451-22441-5
January 2009
| Eloise Kelly is a graduate student from Harvard. Her dissertation has led her to England in search of the real people behind the Pink Carnation spy ring. Her main focus this time is on the Black Tulip. She seems to find evidence to support the premise that the Pink Carnation, Jane Wooliston, has asked Lord Sebastian Vaughn to enlist the help of Mary Alsworthy. Mary looks like the type of woman who usually attracts the Black Tulip and they need all the help they can get to find him. Mary and Lord Vaughn manage to work together as their initially rocky relationship has its ups and downs.
Lauren Willig has woven a historical romance filled with intrigue during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Mary is painted as a rather jaded woman since her one chance for marriage absconded with her sister. Sebastian has been an agent for the Pink Carnation in the past. He's part of the aristocracy, used to having women at his beck and call. He an Mary are an interesting duo as their word battles and emotions go from cool, calm, and ornery to mutual respect, admiration, and love as they work together. The snips, sniping, and some very dry humor between the characters add an interesting slant to the tale. I have some trouble with the segues between the past and present parts of the story. Eloise's and Colin's relationship is interesting but not nearly as much fun as the historical suspense. I can only assume the author may have plans for them in future books. The story is usually strong enough to support the flashes forward and back but they're definitely the low points that hinder the flow of the plot. The storyline will be much more satisfying if you've read the first three books to fill in details of history and the interaction of the characters up to this point.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Dee Dailey |
