Too Wilde to Wed

July 2, 2018
James’s third Wildes of Lindow Castle Regency (after Wilde in Love) is a charming, if uneven, tale of second chances. Diana Belgrave fled her own engagement party, jilting Lord Roland Northbridge “North” Wilde. Two years later, North returns home, tortured by his memories of service in the American Revolution, to find Diana working as a governess to his sister and a boy whom everyone believes to be North and Diana’s son. Without their fine clothing and courting rituals, North and Diana confront each other honestly and realize the spark between them is very real. But Diana is determined to live on her own terms, and she refuses to break North’s heart twice. The open dialogue between these protagonists is refreshing and frequently leads to touching revelations, but that doesn’t make up for the lack of insight into their individual emotional development. The sprightly humor and quirky supporting cast are entertaining, but the romance itself remains superficial to the end. Agent: Kimberly Witherspoon, InkWell Management.

Narrator Susan Duerden does a commendable job using the King's English for both North and his former fianc�e, Diana, who is now a governess. North's voice exhibits the authoritarian tone used to command troops. Diana's is velvety and clear even when she's speaking to her little charges. The sex scenes are hot, with North's voice dropping to a lower octave and sounding like a husky growl. Duerden gives definition to all the nuances in this romantic story. Her addition of a lisp for the young Artie and rendition of a child who talks around her thumb make one smile. This Wildes of Lindow Castle series is definitely worth a listen. A.M.G. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

June 15, 2018

Returning from fighting in the Colonies, Lord Roland Northbridge Wilde is shocked to find Diana Belgrave, the woman who jilted him several years ago, at his family estate serving as governess for his half-sister and a boy society thinks is his child. However, deeply affected by war and circumstance, North and Diana are not quite the same people they once were. Passion simmers between them as a hero who doesn't want to be a duke and a heroine who doesn't want to be a duchess struggle to mesh their feelings with their situations and finally discover the true meaning of love. VERDICT Exquisite character development, breathtaking sensuality, perfectly placed humor, and vivid descriptions of fashion, food, and assorted political detail and current events result in a rewarding romance that is emotionally complex and provides an exceptional sense of time and place. A heartwarming delight. James (Wilde in Love) lives in New York City. [A Spring Editor's Pick, LJ 2/1/18, p. 31.]

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.