Sahara Kelly

Oliver receives a note from a seller of snuffboxes which he collects. Allegra goes to her brother's right before a snowstorm hits on Christmas Eve. Calling for a carriage for Allegra to go home, one stops in front of Allegra, and she enters it. It is she finds Oliver and no handles. Oliver had offered for her hand three years previously, but she turned him down. Now, locked in a carriage until the come to inn Oliver was to go, they have time to think over the past and talk. When they arrive at the inn, there seems to be no one there but the fire is lit and a room is waiting for them. What is going on? Are they being kidnapped? Will the scandal force them to marry?

I enjoyed this Regency tale. I liked Oliver and Allegra. She is very outspoken. Oliver seems staid but there is more to him than Allegra knows. That may be why she turned him down. Now they are presented with a riddle which they must solve. I liked how methodical they were. Sparks of humor flowed from them as did sparks of passion. I enjoyed the inn's visitors. I also liked how Oliver knew exactly where what they were looking for belonged. These two are a good couple.

I look forward to more of the otherworldly tales from Sahara Kelly.… (mais)

I did like this, as there is an older heroine who is a bit insecure about her scars, but it is rather short, and while it cane be read as a stand-alone, I feel like it was missing a bit having not read the series. It’s a sweet story that alternates between domestic scenes and steamy interludes - I suspect the romance may have been set up in previous books as it it taken for granted here. Probably belongs on the abused heroine shelf too, but there really isn’t any angst around that. Speaking of, is murder-suicide a side effect of laudanum dependence??… (mais)