The important thing to remember about this book is that it is NON-fiction. While written in a fictionalized narrative (which makes it more entertaining to my way of thinking), this book is an homage to Savannah against the backdrop of a crime that takes place there. I’m glad I visited before I read it. I had a vivid picture of places I’d seen, although people who haven’t visited will also be able to see Savannah in beautiful detail.

The first half of the book acquaints you with the charm of the city, the welcoming diversity of people. The author is quickly embraced by everyone from entertainers to preservationists. He presents the politics that these people engender. I almost didn’t read this book based on reviews I’d read from people who were put off by the diversity of topics covered - until I realized it was the topics that put the reviewers off and not the book itself.

The second half of the book focuses more on the murder trial, which is foreshadowed by everything you learn about the society in the first half of the book. Local politics influence the outcome, and the juries chosen from the encapsulated population are asked to hear the details repeatedly as the trial is appealed and retried. Can justice be reached? At the center of it all is the beautiful city and the unique society that inhabits it.

A Christmas Bride - Helena Stapleton is a proud widow, cleverly hiding deep emotional scars beneath a confident facade. Along comes Edgar, a wealthy merchant and not one of the ton, in search of a titled bride. He has no need for wealth, but his father yearns for him to achieve some level of status as a result of their hard work. When Helena and Edgar lock eyes, sparks fly, but Helena is certainly not loveable, much less worthy of someone's forgiveness. That does not stop her from treating Edgar as if she is far an away his better. Separate from his interaction with Helena, Edgar pursues an eligible bride, but neither of them can forget a night of abandon, which ultimately produces consequences and changes both of their plans for the future.

I am a fan of Ms. Balogh. She writes deeply troubled characters who must struggle to overcome self-inflicted emotional obstacles, and this story is as keenly written as I have come to expect from her. Deeply touching, she instills the sense of hope that is lost when all appears to be bleak.

A Christmas Beau - This one is another tale of redemption, albeit much more active than most of Ms. Balogh's works. She has created an utterly evil hero, which I noticed from someone else's review was very hard to redeem. And yet, this is the type of character one would expect from Ms. Balogh (though usually not on the page). I thought it was well done and just at the moment when you believe all is lost and there is no hope, there is redemption.

I do enjoy the Regency era stories and the happily ever afters. I do not enjoy modern day heroines plunked into a previous time period. These stories ring true to their era and as I enjoy a good old fashioned romance novel, enjoyed these books.

Very slow starting, enough editorial errors that I was distracted. Once I got past the halfway point, it did pick up, but it felt like forever to get to the real story.

Dark

Warning. This novel is VERY dark. I almost didn’t venture past the second chapter, but I’m glad I did. Two VERY broken characters who find in each other a kindred soul.

Merged review:

Dark

Warning. This novel is VERY dark. I almost didn’t venture past the second chapter, but I’m glad I did. Two VERY broken characters who find in each other a kindred soul.

Blaine Meriweather is in a precarious position. When her father and stepmother are killed, her inheritance is tied up waiting for her younger brother to reach majority. So how are they supposed to live until then? She makes a bold move to become an actress, a profession only one step above prostitution, and determines to maintain high moral fiber along the way.

Lord Farrington is enamored of the enigmatic “La Solitaire,” an actress beautiful and talented, but unlike the others in her field, she remains aloof, out of reach, protected. He is determined to meet the enchanting actress, and yet she rebuffs him at every opportunity. He’s not the only one who is infatuated with her . . .

Blaine must play the role of a lifetime to keep the allowance flowing to her family when her aunt dies. Can she fool the men who compete for her into believing she’s an old woman?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The twists and turns take you on a well thought-out journey. A few things to keep in mind – Miss Darcy uses period English. That means while she has diligently endeavored to use the proper terms for the time period, some of them may strike you as somewhat odd and or confusing. One example is referring to a team of horses as cattle. Once you figure out the answer key, however, it isn’t difficult to follow along. She also has a tendency to info dump. Neither one of these presented a major issue for me – the story redeems itself, but it may cause slow going for some readers. I’ve read several of her stories, and I keep coming back for more. This story has everything you’d want in a regency romance, and Blaine’s single-mindedness makes for a very strong character. It’s a departure from your standard impoverished woman turns governess with its own set of obstacles to deal with that I found very refreshing.

Merged review:

Blaine Meriweather is in a precarious position. When her father and stepmother are killed, her inheritance is tied up waiting for her younger brother to reach majority. So how are they supposed to live until then? She makes a bold move to become an actress, a profession only one step above prostitution, and determines to maintain high moral fiber along the way.

Lord Farrington is enamored of the enigmatic “La Solitaire,” an actress beautiful and talented, but unlike the others in her field, she remains aloof, out of reach, protected. He is determined to meet the enchanting actress, and yet she rebuffs him at every opportunity. He’s not the only one who is infatuated with her . . .

Blaine must play the role of a lifetime to keep the allowance flowing to her family when her aunt dies. Can she fool the men who compete for her into believing she’s an old woman?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The twists and turns take you on a well thought-out journey. A few things to keep in mind – Miss Darcy uses period English. That means while she has diligently endeavored to use the proper terms for the time period, some of them may strike you as somewhat odd and or confusing. One example is referring to a team of horses as cattle. Once you figure out the answer key, however, it isn’t difficult to follow along. She also has a tendency to info dump. Neither one of these presented a major issue for me – the story redeems itself, but it may cause slow going for some readers. I’ve read several of her stories, and I keep coming back for more. This story has everything you’d want in a regency romance, and Blaine’s single-mindedness makes for a very strong character. It’s a departure from your standard impoverished woman turns governess with its own set of obstacles to deal with that I found very refreshing.

Tons of fun

A reluctant santa, a mischievous elf. Best friends forever and a family secret. Loved this piece of Christmas cheer, tacky and funny and heartfelt.

Merged review:

Tons of fun

A reluctant santa, a mischievous elf. Best friends forever and a family secret. Loved this piece of Christmas cheer, tacky and funny and heartfelt.

Deliciously erotic

When her boss gets word he's being transferred, Sara indulges his desires, and her own. But rumors tell of a woman in every port. Are the rumors true? Red hot lust fuels this romance.