Tempt Me with Diamonds

November 5, 2018
Turn-of-the-century lovers divided by lies and distrust rekindle their romance in this capable but one-note series launch from Feather (Reckless Seduction). It’s 1902 and Diana Sommerville has just returned to London from her dead father’s gold and diamond mines in South Africa to discover an infuriating situation. Her older brother Jem, killed in battle fighting the Boers, left his share of the family holdings to his best friend, Rupert Lacey, the unfaithful ex-fiancé Diana dumped two years ago in Africa. Now they must share the house and the family businesses—all of them—in what Rupert hopes will be a “civilized arrangement.” To satisfy society’s curiosity, they’ll pretend they’re married when they’re in public. The problem is forgetting they’re not married when they’re in private. Although the premise raises questions about colonialism, Feather sticks to the usual story of former lovers reconciling once they’ve regained each other’s trust. Diana is a strong heroine who’s more than equal to her troubled hero in intelligence—and stubbornness. Feather’s fans and new readers will enjoy this series opener, as long as they don’t expect it to dig too deep.

Rosalyn Landor narrates this turn-of-the-century romance with aplomb. When Colonel Rupert Lacey returns from South Africa, he finds that he must share his home with Diana Sommerville, his former fianc�e. To avert social disaster, they decide to face the world as a married couple. Landor gives Rupert a deep voice that is rigidly controlled until the beautiful Diana leads him astray. Her rich, husky purr still stirs him, and sparks fly. Landor renders their voices to reflect the tender emotions the two hide from others. This well-read audiobook is further enhanced by portrayals of England's working classes, including the distinct accents and tones of characters such as authoritative nursemaid Agnes and Diana's pompous solicitor. A.M.G. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine