Love on a Midsummer Night

July 1, 2013
English (How to Tame a Willful Wife, 2012) presents another fun variation on a Shakespeare play in this historical love story. The death of Duchess Arabella's elderly husband, the duke, leaves her open to indecent proposals from both his heir and Raymond, Earl of Pembroke, the love of her young life. Hawthorne, the heir, tries to violently attack Arabella, and she flees to Raymond. He remembers that she left him for a titled marriage but tries to overcome his bitterness to keep her safe. In their childhood village, Raymond is drawn into the local production of A Midsummer Night's Dream while he and Arabella hide out at his family seat. The chemistry and the dialogue between Arabella and Raymond are honest and open, with plenty of passion. Minor characters Catherine and Anthony as well as Arabella's friend, Angelique, and Raymond's former mistress are feisty and well developed. The theater details add interest to a traditional romance plot. Fans of Grace Burrowes will enjoy English's smart series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)