The days when I might impulsively buy romance novels without the benefit of reviews or online buzz are pretty much behind me. My reluctance is understandable considering that I’ve been burnt w-a-a-a-y too many times when taking a chance on unknown writers and I hate wasting money on books I don’t even finish. But I broke my own rule the other day at Borders, prompted by an intriguing title and a great cover that, for some mysterious reason, merited face-out treatment on the shelf. I’m glad I did.

We’ve all read those stories in which a modern woman is transported back in time and, yep, this is one of those books. But, for some reason, this one feels fresh and, gee, am I the only one starved for just that? Somehow I don’t think so.

Josie Drummond is a 30-year old paranormal researcher brought into an English castle in order to give credence to the claims of the owner, Lady Amelia, that the place is haunted. Lady Amelia’s goal? To give tourists what they want – a haunted castle – so the rapidly deteriorating home can benefit from the desperately needed revenue. But, despite weeks of dedicated usage of her scientific equipment, Josie doesn’t come up with the evidence of a haunting that would aid the kindly old lady.

But, Castle Waite is the real deal, as Josie soon discovers. Not only does a full-out apparition of a sexy Regency lord appear, but Deverell Thornton, ninth Earl of Waite, persuades Josie to travel back in time to expose the fraud who bilked his mother out of a substantial sum. With that money back in the family coffers, Lady Amelia’s financial problems will be solved.

To be honest, the first third of the book in which Josie and the ghost of Deverell spar with each other quite deliciously while he trains the modern American in the intricacies of functioning in Regency society, is better than the remainder. To add to the book’s attractions, I know quite a bit about the period, but I think I learned a few useful factoids from what certainly seems to be comprehensive research on the part of the author.

But once we go back in time, a few stock Regency characters and the author’s insistence on complicating even further her already complicated plot slowed things down. Not to even mention that once Josie begins developing feelings for the real life 19th century Deverell, matters get even more confusing. And then there are some anachronistic language problems that crop up a few times, including one Regency rake telling another to “come off it”. Still, on the whole, I enjoyed this book. Very much, as a matter of fact.

Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake isn’t perfect, but it is a smart, amusing, and fun time travel/Regency tale. I’ll certainly be willing to try author Laurie Brown – and new publisher Sourcebooks Casablanca – again.