A Man of Secrets

November 15, 1996
When budding writer Cicely Caldwell agrees to pretend to be the author of a rather awful Gothic novel ostensibly written by "an anonymous lady," she does so in hopes of furthering her own career, never dreaming that she would end up in love with the novel's true writer, the cynical Lord Montaigne. Although the hero's literary motivations are less than credible and the premise a bit unrealistic, veteran Regency writer Smith (Tea and Scandal, Fawcett Crest, 1996) delivers a holiday Regency in her typically straightforward style that will please her many fans. When Natalie Silver ends up in jail as the prime suspect in her ex-husband's murder, she is stunned to find her bail has been posted by the one person who has no reason to help her-Spence Bishop, her former husband's brother and the man she had once loved. But Spence wants the truth, and he figures that having Natalie free will help him find it. However, he bargains on neither the depth of his mother's hatred of Natalie and her determination to gain custody of Natalie's son, Kyle, nor the surprising strength of his feelings for Natalie. The Christmas season adds a special charm to this fast-paced tale of mystery, betrayal, and family intrigue. Stevens is also the author of A Baby's Cry (Harlequin, 1996.)