Eve Byron
Byron, Eve - MY LORD DESTINY (Avon - 10/99) (4+)
Setting: Wales, 1820
Gavan St. Cloud, Earl of St. Aldan, had led a reasonably sane
and orderly life until his sister, Gwyneth, charged into his office one day and demanded that he accompany her to London on a mission that the Earl was convinced was little more than a waste of time. William Whitmore of London had recently traveled to Wales and obtained permission from Gavan to dig on his property, where he later unearthed an ancient book that was suspected to contain secrets of magic. Privy to this discovery, Gwyneth realized that if the book's existence were made public, it would unleash secrets of spells dating back a thousand years. For
this reason, she was convinced that the only secure way of interpreting the writings was to do so in London under a
cloak of secrecy.
The Earl loves Gwyneth dearly and gives in to her whims easily, although he displays a bored attitude when he agrees to accompany her and William on this mission. The plan is for William to stay with his sister, Priscilla, in London while he translates the book. En route, the threesome meet with danger, however. They come under attack by what appear to be common thieves, and Gavan and William are injured. Seeking medical assistance, Gwyneth directs the coach driver to take them directly to Priscilla Whitmore's country home, where an angry and wounded Gavan first sets eyes on the woman who will change his life forever.
From the start, Priscilla and Gavan are very aware of each other. She considers him to be the most fascinating man she's ever met, and he thinks she's an "impertinent wench." As a rule, men do not have a significant effect on Priscilla, but the Earl of St. Aldan is a different story. His powerfully built, muscled body and his beautiful blue eyes—always glancing at her with fury—inspire "unruly emotions," and she experiences a feeling of warmth and vitality each time she sets eyes on him. Gavan, on the other hand, while admiring Priscilla's quick wit and marvelous talent for making ladies' hats, does not believe in romantic love. Courting and wooing Priscilla is not on his agenda.
Can an arrogant Earl and a gently reared milliner find love and happiness? When Gavin encounters Priscilla's feisty and adventuresome side, will he see her in a tempting new light? Revolving around the Legend of St. Aldan and the documented magical spells created a thousand years ago, MY LORD DESTINY is a warmly humorous and sensitive romance that is packed with adventure and mystery. Eve Byron has a talent for historical intrigue that will keep readers mesmerized, and the sensuous actions of the hero and heroine are an added bonus.
Priscilla was first introduced in the prequel, MY LORD STRANGER, and readers will love how she finally snags a man of her own. MY LORD DESTINY had this reader on the edge of her seat and in love with the Earl of St. Aldan by the second chapter. The author also includes a wonderful secondary romance between Gwyneth St. Cloud and William Whitmore that enhances the charm of this story. MY LORD DESTINY is a definite keeper that belongs on every historical romance reader's bookshelf! ~Olivia Holton for Bookbug on the Web
Byron, Eve - MY LORD STRANGER (Avon - 3/99) (4)
Harriet, Countess Saxon, has loved Drew since she first encountered him when they were both four years old. Through the years they became close friends, and now at age seventeen, arrangements have been made for "Harry" and Drew to marry. Earl Saxon wishes to see his daughter wed to someone who won't squander her inheritance, and Drew is to take the Countess's
name and be known as Drew Sinclair-Saxon. Although Drew
cares deeply for Harry, he is on a quest to discover answers to the questions surrounding his identity and his past, and pride forces him to want to make his own fortune and way in the world. He gives in to the Earl's and his foster father's wishes and marries Harry, then immediately embarks on a journey that will take him to Ireland, the Caribbean, and America.
Drew and Harry are apart for twelve years, but their separation occurs only in the first few chapters, and the reader learns what happens to both of them during this time through actual scenes and letters. Then Drew returns, and he is indeed MY LORD STRANGER to Harry. Now a grown man, he thinks he has learned the truth about his past and identity, plus he has seen the world...and almost died several times, and he has made his fortune by purchasing goods from around the world and shipping them back to England. Drew believes he's sending his business to commercial agents, but in fact, Harry has been handling all of her husband's business ventures—and quite successfully, too.
Drew discovers he doesn't know this new, self-assured young woman with commercial and estate acumen. The girl he remembers couldn't do arithmetic. But passion and a sense of what these two had in the past draws them together again. Will that be enough for a lasting marriage, however? There are some conflicts they must overcome, as well. The sister of Drew's business partner plots to have Drew for herself, and Harry has found out the real secret of her husband's birth.
Eve Byron (a.k.a. Connie Rinehold) presents readers with a poignant, beautifully-crafted Regency historical about a love that was destined to be. I especially enjoyed this book because each time I thought the author was about to employ a typical romance cliche, she gracefully and skillfully avoided doing so. MY LORD STRANGER is a spin-off of ONLY IN MY DREAMS, but it can be enjoyed on its own. Sensually and romantically written, MY LORD STRANGER is sure to please! ~Debora Hosey for Bookbug on the Web
Byron, Eve - ONLY IN MY DREAMS (Avon - 1998) (4+)
Something different and refreshing: a heroine who is not a
perfect ten!
Lorelei has well-rounded thighs, large breasts, wide hips, a stomach that never goes away, and a larger-than-average curved waist. And...she is six-feet tall! Readers are able to relate to the heroine as well as empathize with her. Lorelei, Baroness Winters, has never known the love of a family. She was virtually abandoned by her parents as a young babe and raised by servants and lawyers. Throughout her life she has endured ridicule and rejection; therefore, she trusts no one other than her lifelong friend, Harriet, and her newly-found champion, Beau Brummel.
Lord Adrian Dane, who returns to claim his place in Regency England after being raised in the colonies, is not the usual hero either. Aloof, outspoken, stubborn and determined, this "barbaric American" is suspect by many. Considered a "woolgatherer" as he talks to himself, he cannot keep his spectacles on his nose. And Adrian is a daydreamer—after seeing Lorelei ONCE, he immediately determines she is the woman he wants to marry. What fun to watch this battle of the sexes! Adrian is not an alpha male. He is tender, loving and protective—traits which create a lot of trouble for him, as well as fun for the reader.
ONLY IN MY DREAMS is a well-written romance full of humor, sensual tension, and adventure—a beautiful, moving story about people overcoming problems and hurt. My kind of book! ~Carol Carter for Bookbug on the Web
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