THE GREATEST LOVER EVER – Christina Brooke
The Westruthers, Book 2
St. Martin's Paperbacks
ISBN: 978-1-250-02935-5
January 2014
Historical Romance

Brighton and Gloucestershire, England, Early 19th Century

Six years ago Georgiana Black broke her engagement with the Earl of Beckenham when he questioned her about how another man, Lord Pearce, came to possess a lock of her Titian hair. A duel was planned for the next morning between the two men. Georgiana was both frightened and furious. She had no idea how Pearce came by the lock of hair, but didn't want Marcus in a duel over it.

Beckenham has recently contacted his cousin Xavier, the Marquis of Steyne, about information on women who would be eligible to become his bride, preferable only those who are biddable and the complete opposite of his former fiancée. His cousin has ignored his letters, so Beckenham goes to Brighton. Unfortunately, Steyne is hosting a bawdy masque party.

Georgie has gone to Steyne's party to retrieve her beloved younger sister Violet, to save her from ruin before her come out in a few months. Violet's mother, Georgie's step-mother, allowed Violet to go with some friends. Her own experience has taught Georgie how headstrong and wild behavior can ruin the chance of a good marriage. Not that Georgie wants marriage now. When she turns twenty-five in a few months, she will receive her mother's large income left to her by her deceased father. When Steyne corners her in a bedroom, Georgie lies and says she is under the Earl of Beckenham's protection, not knowing her former fiancé is present. He soon enters and seems just as dangerous as his cousin, very unlike the remote and unromantic man she remembers. After a passionate kiss, he leaves her. Georgie escapes the house, but she sees Lord Pearce handing Violet up into a carriage. He has returned, too.

So Georgie and Marcus become inharmoniously reacquainted. Georgie and Violet end up attending a house party at Beckenham's manor in Gloucestershire where Violet is one of the young women on his short list of possible brides. How uncomfortable for Georgie!

This is a marvelous story, filled with romantic anxiety, thwarted love, passionate encounters, and many twists and turns. His Westruther cousins are helping Beckenham with their often misguided or unwanted advice. Georgie's dear little sister has tricks of her own, and characters from other stories in this and the previous series ( The Ministry of Marriage ) take part…an all-around entertaining read. Steyne's romance, THE WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE, comes out in July 2014. Another entertaining story to look forward to.

Robin Lee