Shall We Dance?

Josiah Elliot, a dashing, yet penniless, reformed highwayman, sets out to find proof of his birthright so that he can marry Lady Miranda Wesley, the woman he loves and be accepted into polite society, and Miranda must find a way to convince him that their love is the only thing that matters. Original.

Lansdowne (My Fair Quiggley) once again tries her hand at a lengthier historical with this carefully choreographed, conservative read. Ripe with eccentric characters and quirky humor, this Regency-era romance twirls a myriad of plot threads together but remains focused on the romance between Josiah Elliot, a man with meager means, and Lady Miranda Wesley, the sister of a duke. In the hopes that the Earl of Blazingame, a good-natured dandy, will help him discover the location of his missing brother, Josiah disguises himself as a valet and enters the earl's service. Josiah's brother has information proving his link to noble blood, the lack of which is the only obstacle that stands between him and Miranda. In true Regency form, the relationship between the two is chaste but somewhat undeveloped. While Josiah seeks to solve the mystery of his missing brother, he encounters strong-minded Eleanor Feebes and her brother Donovan. Josiah believes that the unconventional Eleanor may be a perfect partner for Blazingame and, inevitably, he's correct. A cow named Susan, a missing diamond and a greedy villain are only a few of the elements that combine to make this an engaging read, but readers who prefer sizzling romantic tension over witty repartee may be disappointed by this tame, traditional tale.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

To facilitate his search for his missing brother and two nephews, former soldier Josiah Daniel Elliot takes the job of temporary valet to young Lord Blazingame, but Josiah soon finds he is not alone in his investigation when a disparate group, including the woman he loves, Lady Miranda Wesley, lends its efforts to his cause. Lansdowne deftly waltzes readers into an intricately detailed plot, which includes among other things a cursed diamond, a cunning villain, a rescued cow, and several satisfactorily resolved romances, and turns the whole thing into a witty literary confection that is equal parts whimsy and romance seasoned with a dash of danger. Borrowing from her previous book, My Fair Quiggley, the author fashions a sizable cast of endearingly eccentric characters from such figures as a young nobleman with a penchant for bright if mismatched clothes and a young lady who cannot help adopting causes; but, thanks to elegantly clear prose, each character remains distinct and memorable. Thoroughly delightful and devilish fun. John Charles
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When idealistic Eleanor Feebes attempts to rescue a man about to commit suicide, she has no inkling that she will be drawn into Mr. Eliot's desperate search for his missing brother and the lost papers that will enable him to marry his true love, Lady Miranda. Through Mr. Eliot, who is masquerading as a valet, Eleanor meets the inquisitive Earl of Blazingame, and soon the foursome are caught up in a whirl of danger and mystery. Fans of Lansdowne's "Lord Nightingale" series will be eager to read this well-plotted Regency, which sparkles with Lansdowne's trademark humor. The deft interweaving of romance and mystery, a cast of quirky and endearing characters, and two satisfying love stories (with the promise of more) are sure to appeal to readers who like their romance with a twist of fun and suspense. The award-winning author lives in Alabama. Amber Tatnall, York Cty. Technical Coll., Wells, ME
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.