A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
One of those dashing rogues too attractive to ignore, Lord Harwell featured largely in Rosalind Lovelace’s fantasies. But she had too much common sense to let dreams color her reality. Harwell was a friend and neighbor–and destined to marry some Incomparable.
However, she was quite aware of his budding interest in her now that her poetry had won the attention of literary lion Lord Sylvester, whose own presence bestowed a grand dose of spring fever on Apple Hill. Love was in bloom. Most passionately in the heart of a rake who never fully appreciated the rose that had blossomed quite literally under his nose!
Rosalind Lovelace turned to poetry to alleviate her boredom while managing her brother’s country home. Submitting under a male pseudonym, her poetry is picked up by publisher Lord Sylvester, who suddenly proposes to billet himself on the poet.
At first surprised that his rising star is a female, Sylvester soon is convinced he can turn her gender to his advantage. Since publishing has not yet been lucrative, he latches on to this as a money making scheme.
Meanwhile, Rose’s brother is engaged to a handful…proud, pompous and a know it all. She dislikes Rose (or at least, wants to manage her). This makes Rose look to Sylvester to provide an out and also provides a great sorta villain to the piece…or at least a bit of a monkey wrench to best laid plans.
These developments rankle neighbor Lord Harwell, who is suddenly looking at Rose in a new way.
Blossom Time is a traditional Reg Rom filled with lots of characters. This generates some great laughs, and helps keep the pace kicking along….as well as the romance.
Both the H/h are likable, if not lovable. Rose is a spinsterish woman of good sense, while Lord Harwell is more of a man-about-Town. The conclusion is completely predictable, but like the traditional H/h it doesn’t undercut the joy of a well written tale. Smith is funny, imbuing her characters with wonderful wit that makes this a fast paced read.
4.25 out of 6 Enjoyable, funny and full of characters, delightful traditional Reg Rom.
| Content Rating/Heat Index | |
|---|---|
| Mature Content |   |
| Limited adult themes | |
| Intimacy | |
| Some kissing | |
| Violence | |
| Not much | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Clean with limited mature content great for most ages. | |
