At the same time Prince Lothar was falling in love with Rowena, his Uncle, King Harlan Reinhold, was persuading Prince Lothar’s best friend, Roderic Courtney Trench, the Earl of Campion, to go to London and take care of the naval treaty that Lothar was supposed to be obtaining and get Lothar back to his home to marry his betrothed, Princess Hildegarde.

Ms. Toombs set this work in the early 1800s; she has an excellent way of spinning a story which is both exciting and stimulating. Though this book has many characters, the main four are the two couples obviously mentioned above; the King, the Mother, and all the others are pivotal to the story, but do not detract from the love Prince Lothar and Rowena share. The other couple are as opposite as the Prince and Rowena. Roderic is an Earl; Celeste is penniless. Their personalities are opposite each other, but, of course, the chemistry is there.

This compelling novel is complicated by a threatened loss of funds, a skeptical land deal, and a myriad of other dilemmas. The problems with the princely relationship seem to reach an impasse more than once. What can happen to bring the couple to their final destination? Will they be together? What will happen to the Prince’s betrothed?

And about Roderic and Celeste…will they work together for the good of the country to which Lothar belongs? How many times will they try to disconnect this love match? I admire Ms. Toombs; she is such an accomplished writer that I cannot come up with enough superlatives to describe her. This book is incredible! I loved it. I believe that anyone will love this story, even those who are not lovers of historical romance!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet

Reviewer: Brenda Talley
November 20, 2006