This gifted Scots author might as well call her works
Matches made in Scotland, but this new series is
titled Matches
Made in Scandal and seems likely to be her
most ambitious yet. Tales are planned for the great
capitals of nineteenth century culture, from London to
Vienna. The first is set in St. Petersburg, where our
herbalist heroine treks from Hampstead with an offer of a
post as governess. Indeed, her journey may take her FROM
GOVERNESS TO COUNTESS.
Allison Galbraith has had her reputation tarnished. But
nobody knows her in the glittering Russian city. Count
Aleksi Derevenko needs a governess for his brother's three
orphaned children, but he was expecting someone older and a
good deal less pretty. He's a military man, who was too
busy fighting Napoleon to wed. The previous governess,
Madame Orlova, vanished abruptly, and Aleksi feels an
obligation to find her. But the children's welfare comes
first... not that they want a Scottish governess.
I was fascinated by the Winter Palace. With the war over,
everyone feels able to dress in finery and entertain. And
what a ball! As all the Royal Families of Europe were
related, the Romanovs held court on a lavish scale and the
Tsar Alexander had as many mistresses as he wished,
including some from other countries. However, the times
were famous -- or notorious -- for other reasons. As we
learn, Aleksi suspects that an assassin is prowling the
halls and gardens. The Count is staking his all on the
herbalist being able to identify poisons.
I like that each of the characters is at odds with their
own culture. The herbalist is barred from being a respected
apothecary by the fact that she is female. The Count feels
more at home in an army camp than a gilded reception room
in a city built by serfs for vanity. Typically Allison is
shown ministering to all levels of society with her healing
skills. This enables us to build up a picture of the staff
required to support opulent lifestyles.
Boats, barges, sleighs, and troikas are the modes of
transport here, depending on the season. I really felt
transported to St. Petersburg. Love draws the duo together
swiftly, and loving is the same anywhere, with lavish
settings and warm beds. This is an adult romance, between
strong, passionate, mature people who have survived the
worst that could happen and deserve happiness, just as all
of Europe rejoices at the defeat of Bonaparte. Marguerite
Kaye last captivated me with desert romances and now
travels to a northerly setting full of splendor - and
treachery. FROM GOVERNESS TO COUNTESS... well, it won't
happen in two easy moves.
Count Aleksei Derevenko has hired governess Allison
Galbraith for her skills as a herbalist, not a mistress! But
when rumors spread, Allison is more shocked by her wanton
reaction to Aleksei—inscrutable and impossibly handsome, his
icy blue eyes promise white-hot nights of sin. She knows too
well how fragile her reputation is, but will the price of
their passion be worth paying?
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy