Victoria Alexander, Seduction of a Proper Gentleman

Seduction of a Proper Gentleman

Victoria Alexander

Avon, Sep 2008, $7.99

ISBN: 9780061449468

In 1854 although he won the bet against his three opponents on who will be the last man standing single, Earl Oliver Leighton thinks it is ironic because even he thought he would be first as he was the only one when they wagered who believed in love. However, he toasts his compatriots because in his mind they won and he is the loser of the tontine.

Needing to escape London, Oliver decides to rusticate at his country estate. He is taken aback when he finds an injured woman suffering from amnesia at his door. He takes her in and his staff calls her "Kate". Oliver is attracted to the newcomer, but wonders whether she is hiding something ugly from him; he is ignorant that his beggar is Kathleen Mac David, a Contessa's granddaughter. As they fall in love, she begins to regain her memory in bits and pieces; but remains unaware that her Aunt Lady Hannah Fitzgivens magically sent her to Oliver to break a family curse that only love can sever.

Readers will toast with thirty year old cognac this tremendous historical romantic saga, the Last Man Standing. Each tale contains humor, action and love. The finish is excellent with amnesia and the paranormal playing key 'matchmaking' mechanisms that bring love to the only tontine believer before the bet. Living up to her first name, Ms. Alexander affirms once again she is royalty when it comes to exciting entertaining Victorians.

Harriet Klausner