A Secret Passion
Grade : B-

A Secret Passion is one of the better Regency debuts I've read recently. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece or proclaim Sophia Nash to be the next diamond of the first water, but it's a solidly interesting read.

Jane Lovering arrives on her aunt's doorstep in Pembroke with little more than her mare and the clothes on her back. Her father has precipitously posted an announcement of her engagement in the Times, to a man she can't stand and will not marry. Already a widow, Jane has survived a marriage of convenience to an older man. She has no desire to marry again unless she can find a man who truly loves her.

Soon after arriving at her aunt's home, Jane takes a morning ride and meets up with a disagreeable, inappropriately dressed gentleman who accuses her of trespassing on the earl's land. Since her horse scares off his skittish mount, he insists on riding double with her back to his home. They aren't properly introduced, and Jane is scandalized and appalled. Naturally, when Jane attends church on Sunday she discovers that the scandalous man is Rolfe St. James, Earl of Graystock. When they are manipulated by the vicar's wife into sharing a meal with her, they discover that they are attracted to each other. They also notice that Jane's Aunt Clarissa and Rolfe's best friend Thomas seem to share a history.

The book then takes a shocking turn that I really didn't see coming. It's been some time since I've seen a traditional Regency with actual sex; I certainly haven't seen them on a regular basis since Balogh was writing trads. When they have a moment alone, Rolph talks Jane into having sex with him. He thinks she's a free-wheeling widow who ought to enjoy himself. She's actually a virgin (her husband was older and impotent) and she sees Rolph's proposition as a way to rid herself of her virginity. She's long had a secret fear that one of her late husband's relatives would find out her marriage had not been consummated and demand the property she inherited upon her husband's death.

When Rolph finds out the truth, he immediately thinks that marriage is the only honorable alternative, but Jane has other plans. Her childhood friend Harry, who she has always loved, has just finished university. She wants to marry Harry so she can have the kind of warm relationship she's always imagined. While Jane and her aunt journey to Lands' End, Rolph makes his way to London to meet with Jane's father. This puts Jane in a huge coil: Her father is thrilled to accept Rolph's offer for his daughters hand, especially since he brings a lot of money to the table. Harry is willing to marry her as well, and they make plans to run off together. Jane is, in fact, engaged to two men at the same time. She'll need to find her way out of her mess and into the arms of the right gentleman.

In general, I am a fan of love triangles, and this certainly contributed to my enjoyment of this book. Jane is not an easy heroine to know or understand, and her continued insistence on marrying Harry - a man who is obviously and completely wrong for her - grates at times. However, in instances like this I enjoy the prolonged agony as the heroine refuses to come to her senses. Maybe it's something to do with her power in having two men vying for her affections, but it works for me.

I also found the plot and setting different and refreshing. Much of the book is set in Cornwall, and the author really makes the effort to add little details that make the setting come alive. It could just be that I've overdosed on the London scene and the Almack's lukewarm lemonade, but I truly liked hearing about characters who had summer picnics at the beach and explored rock formations. Similarly, the plot is one I haven't seen in awhile. The early sexual encounter sets the tone for the book, and the palpable longing of both the main characters adds to the dramatic tension. It also sets Rolph up as the pursuer.

There are a few problems which make this book a less than perfect read. The prose is a little clunky at first, particularly when the author tries to insert a lot of description into the narrative. Thankfully, this problem diminishes as the book progresses. A little more troubling for me was the hero's early realization that he is in love. Like Jane, Rolph was previously married, and it ended badly. He seems quite determined to remain single, until he meets Jane and begins his enthusiastic pursuit. I enjoyed the pursuit, truly. But I didn't always buy it. Rolph falls in love quickly, and insists on staying in love, even though Jane continually rejects him. Even though I knew it would end happily, I couldn't help thinking that a real man would never be so patient. Still, it's a fantasy, so I was willing to suspend my disbelief somewhat.

Since I've been disappointed in several of my recent Regency reads, I was thrilled just to read one that wasn't half bad. Sure, no one's going to confuse Nash with Carla Kelly or Mary Balogh, but A Secret Passion is nonetheless an encouraging debut. I hope Regency devotees will give it a shot.

Reviewed by Blythe Smith
Grade : B-
Book Type: Regency Romance

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date : March 23, 2004

Publication Date: 2004

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Blythe Smith

I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
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