Penny Vincenzi Into Temptation

Into Temptation

Penny Vincenzi

Overlook, Sep 2005, $26.95, 672 pp.

ISBN: 1585677086

In the Coronation Year 1953 septuagenarian Lady Celia Lytton makes two shocking announcements that everyone who knows her assumes she is terminally ill. After five decades with Lyttons Publishing and known as its life force since her spouse Oliver died, she informs her stunned family and others that she is retiring to marry long time friend Lord Arden. The family members react differently, but all share a stunning disbelief.

Meanwhile Lytton Publishing is in trouble in spite of the efforts of the Lytton next generation to modernize and compete in a new age of book making at a time that they have lost their two symbols, Celia and Oliver in the past year. The only hope of rescue resides in New York where Barty Miller runs her own publishing house while also owning powerful shares of Lyttons Publishing stock. Celia believes her Barty who she rescued from the slums so many years ago will save the firm; other family members know how they mistreated the slum child as beneath them and fear she will retaliate by burying Lyttons Publishing.

The third "Spoils of Time" tale continues the Lytton family saga started with NO ANGEL (World War I) and continued in SOMETHING DANGEROUS (1930s). Whereas the first two dramas concentrated mostly on Celia, this time the plot focuses predominantly on Barty. As with the first two tales, other family members are highlighted just to a lesser degree. Fans of insightful historical dramas that center on people and families will enjoy Penny Vincenzi's powerful 1950s tale that can be read alone, but better when following SOMETHING DANGEROUS as much of Barty's decision making motives are formed in the previous novel.

Harriet Klausner