Celeste Bradley, Devil In My Bed

In 1812 Aidan de Quincy and Widow Madeleine Chandler shared a passionate affair that abruptly ended in an ugly manner leaving him angry and birrer. In 1815 when he arrives at the Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen he is accosted by a small child who says she is three years old and named Melody. She explains to Aidan, his friend Jack and Sir Colin Lambert that she seeks her unknown father who is one of them; her mother is apparently Madeleine though the child implies she is a foundling.

Aidan goes off to confront Madeleine, who still loves him. She dumped him because she feared the scandal her past would cost her noble beloved. He is soon rescuing her and demanding the truth as he sees it in her eyes the wanting, but she still lies about her being Melody's mother.

This is a terrific Regency madcap romance with a great opening that sets in motion a comedy of errors filled with whimsy, money, and love. The lead couple is a delightful pairing while little Melody steals the hearts of the three men, Madeleine and readers form the onset. Fans will look forward to the next rogue Sir Colin's saga after appreciating this enjoyable screwball historical romantic comedy.

Harriet Klausner