Samantha James, A Perfect Hero

A Perfect hero

Samantha James

Avon, Jul 2005, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060006633

In 1818 Lady Juliana Sterling rides the public coach to her home when the Magpie stops the vehicle to rob it. The driver panics and tries to escape but takes the curve too sharp. The horses and the driver die. Magpie takes the unconscious passenger with him to his hideaway, a nearby isolated hunting lodge.

Magpie, known in polite society as Lord Dane Granville, is attracted to his patient. Not sure what to do with her, he locks her inside the hunting lodge before meeting with Home Office ally Phillip Talbot. They are working undercover trying to trap a killer who they believe is part of their office. When he returns Juliana surprises Dane by grabbing his gun and firing, hitting him in the shoulder. Instead of fleeing, she removes the bullet, stitches the wound, and helps him heal. A few days later, Dane cannot resist kissing Juliana calling her kitten. As they begin to fall in love, she pleads with him not to go out as Magpie, but he knows he must for England's sake.

Regency romance readers will enjoy the courageous antics of the strong lead couple and the return of her brothers; stars of previous novels (see THE PERFECT BRIDE and THE PERFECT GROOM). The interesting storyline grips the audience as Dane must do what he believes is right even though he hates defying his beloved who he thinks the world of. The third tale provides a fine finish to a superb trilogy; still some miniseries readers might object to a major recurring thread not answered though this reviewer thought that was a perfect ending.

Harriet Klausner