How the Marquess Was Won

November 21, 2011
Long adds a sixth volume to her Pennyroyal Green series I Kissed an Earl, etc.) with this run-of-the-mill historical romance. Julian Spenser, marquess Dryden, sets trends that the rest of England hurries to follow, but he meets his match in schoolteacher Phoebe Vale. Julian plans to wed someone else, but he’s so drawn to Phoebe that he asks her to be his mistress. Despite their mutual attraction, she refuses, but others take note of Julian’s interest in Phoebe, and men are soon vying for her attention as part of a series of cruel bets. Snappy, playful banter between Phoebe and Julian will appeal to Regency fans, but despite an opening scene of gunplay, initially slow pacing will frustrate those in search of a livelier tale. Agent: The Axelrod Agency.

June 1, 2012

Nicknamed "Lord Ice" by London's scandal sheets, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, thaws when he shares an impulsive, illicit kiss with schoolteacher Phoebe Vale. What makes his attraction to the bright, witty, and supposedly "unkissable" Miss Vale even more inconvenient is that she's also chaperone to his intended bride. VERDICT Fans of Julia Quinn's upbeat, engaging romances will enjoy Long's (To Love a Thief) appealing characters, witty banter, and comic scenarios.

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