Andrea Kane - Kathleen Kane
Kane, Andrea - GOLD COIN, THE (Sonnet - 8/99) (4+)
In 1803, identical six-year-old cousins Anastasia and Breanna Colby have fun fooling the butler and servants who can't tell them apart. Their pranks take a more serious turn when
Anastasia saves Breanna from a reprimand by impersonating her, and they realize they are able to fool even their parents. As a result, they make a solemn promise to always help each other during times of trouble, even if they must switch identities in order to do so. During the same year, their grandfather gives each child a coin. Anastasia, the bold and confident child, receives a gold coin, while her shy and demure cousin receives a silver one. They agree not to give the coins to anyone...ever.
After their grandfather dies, the cousins are separated when Anastasia's father moves the family to America. Following the death of her parents, twenty-year-old Anastasia returns to England and soon understands the significance of the coins. She receive a huge inheritance and the Marquess of Sheldrake, Damen Lockewood, is appointed as her financial advisor. Shortly after the reading of the will, the cousins find themselves turning to Damen for help when mysterious events begin to occur. Anastasia falls in love with the Marquess, but evil and greed endanger their chance for a future together.
In THE GOLD COIN, suspense, romance, passion, and betrayal merge to create a spellbinding read. I found myself snarling at anyone who interrupted me while I dashed through the pages, eager to know what happened next and curious about the legacy surrounding the coins. I became so caught up in the characters that I didn't want to let them go, and now I'm going to reread this book slowly. There will be a sequel, THE SILVER COIN, which tells Breanna's story, and I'm awaiting that book with great impatience! ~Pat Cavender for Bookbug on the Web
Kane, Andrea - SILVER COIN, THE (Sonnet - 9/99) (4+)
Setting: England, 1817
Lady Breanna Colby is just beginning to enjoy the freedom she
has found since her father was jailed in Newgate for the attempted murder of his niece, Anastasia "Stacie" Colby. While
overseeing the building of Stacie's and Damen's house during their honeymoon trip, Breanna's happiness and peace of mind are shattered, however. She receives a box in the mail that contains two mutilated dolls and a threatening note. To her horror, it is from the assassin her father hired to kill Stacie—the man who escaped after Breanna wounded him in THE GOLD COIN.
A visit to Bow Street yields nothing but frustration. The police are busy investigating the murders of noblemen and the disappearance of their wives, and the Runners don't have time to investigate threats, no matter how terrifying. When the blissfully happy Lord and Lady Damen Lockewood return, they announce Stacie's pregnancy; but their joy turns to fear as Breanna brings them up to date on recent events. Damen hires an investigator he has known since his school days, Lord Royce Chadwicke, and there is an instant attraction between Royce and Breanna. But as the mutilated dolls and threatening letters continue to arrive, and a guard and houseguest are murdered, Breanna's silent strength begins to crumble. Royce and his associate, Hibbert, race to solve the mystery, discovering a tie between the disappearance of the noblewomen and the danger which Breanna and Stacie face.
Continuing the secondary plot that began in THE GOLD COIN, this fast-paced and suspenseful story instantly draws you in. You feel Breanna's and Stacie's fear, and experience their frustration and helplessness as the mystery develops layer by layer. The tension and suspense remain at a high level throughout the book, punctuated by the escalating romance and passionate love scenes. I really hated to see THE SILVER COIN end, but I enjoyed the epilogue very much and closed the book with a smile on my face. Thank you, Ms. Kane, for a wonderful duo! ~Pat Cavender for Bookbug on the Web
Kane, Andrea - MUSIC BOX, THE (Pocket - 1998) (3)
Bryce Lyndley, a well-respected barrister and the illegitimate son of the Duke of Whitshire, is appointed beneficiary of his Aunt Hermione's estate after his father dies. His aunt summons him to Nevon Manor, where he is introduced to her young ward, Gaby Denning, and the servants, a group of social outcasts whom Hermione treats like family. Bryce is a complex man with a kind, but guarded heart, and Gaby's open and loving nature enchants him. She is wise beyond her years (too wise to be believable) and he soon develops a fondness for her because of their common bonds. When circumstances prompt Bryce and Gaby to exchange confidences and reckon with painful reminders of their pasts, the bonds grow stronger. Meanwhile, their relationship is helped along by Hermione's matchmaking. Although THE MUSIC BOX is a bit wordy and fanciful, the author's talent shines through on every page, delivering some pleasurable reading. ~June (bookbug@oocities.com)
Kane, Andrea - MUSIC BOX, THE (Pocket - 1998) (3)
Bryce, the illegitimate son of the ruthless Duke of Whitshire, was secretly raised by servants of the Duke's sister, Hermione. Now that the Duke is dead, she invites Bryce to her home, where he meets her beloved ward, Gabrielle. At first, Bryce is baffled by Hermione's eccentric household, but soon he is won over by them—especially by Gaby, who is still troubled by her parents' mysterious death in a fire years before.
At first, I found THE MUSIC BOX difficult to read. The author's writing style is unnecessarily wordy and complicated. Even the servants speak as if they've been reading Shakespeare on the side. At times, the characters and situations seemed contrived, with too much eccentricity and forced charm thrown at the reader at once. Gabrielle, especially, comes across as too good to be true—an eighteen-year-old who is both sweetly naïve and worldly wise, beautiful, charming, and completely in touch with her emotions. The only character who comes to life is Bryce, whose bemusement at the whole situation seems understandable!
However, as I continued reading, I became more caught up with the characters and the story. I found Bryce especially likable—a hero who isn't afraid to admit when he is wrong, and who is willing to open his heart and mind to new experiences, including love. I also appreciated the way that Bryce and Gaby worked together to solve the mystery of her parents' death, instead of becoming caught up in silly misunderstandings. If you are willing to stick with this book and keep reading past the first hundred pages, you will be rewarded with a warm, appealing hero and a story that I found interesting and enjoyable. ~Karen Wheless for Bookbug on the Web
Kane, Andrea - THEFT, THE (Pocket - 1998) (4+)
In 1869 England, Noelle pleads with her beloved adopted father, the Earl of Farrington, to find out everything he can about her biological father. He agrees on the condition that he reveals what he learns when she turns eighteen. In 1874, Noelle discovers that her father is Franco Baricci, a con artist who has used several alias to seduce women throughout Europe, including Noelle's deceased mother (the Earl's sister). Currently, Franco has an art gallery in London.
When Noelle decides she must meet her natural father, she runs into Ashford Thornton, Lord Tremlett, who is investigating art insurance scams that seem to place Franco right in the center of the action. Ashford and Noelle are immediately attracted to one another and quickly fall in love. However, happiness will have to be held in abeyance until they finish up with Franco, who has plans for his daughter.
THE THEFT is a fast-paced Victorian romance that blends a brilliant subplot filled with intrigue into a typical sub-genre story line. Readers will care for the characters and immensely enjoy the subplot. Andrea Kane proves that she deserves all the awards she has received for her previous novels with this thriller, which will invigorate fans of historical romances. ~Harriet Klausner
Kane, Kathleen - CHARMS (1995) (3+)
I didn't find CHARMS as emotional as some of Kathleen Kane's other books, but I did like it a lot. It is a lighthearted story, set in a small town filled with busybodies. The heroine, Leda, comes from a long line of woman with the "sight," and when she was a girl her mother drew a picture of the man she was going to marry someday. Leda is so excited when she finally meets this man that she nearly knocks him over with her ecstatic kiss. He's an uptight doctor, who is stunned to say the least, and he doesn't want anything to do with this "crazy gypsy girl" who is stealing all of his patients (she's a faith healer). But Leda is persistent and before he realizes what has happened, she has moved her crystal ball and herbs into his office. Soon he wonders how he ever got along without her. CHARMS is a really cute story, with lots of sweet characters—and wow, is it ever sensual. I was pleasantly surprised. ~Laurie S. (shallah@empire.net)
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