Notorious
Virginia Henley
Signet, May 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 0451221052

Brianna de Beauchamp is betrothed to Lincoln Robert de Warenne so feels somewhat ashamed when she meets father and son Roger and Wolf Mortimer because she finds the young Wolf quite attractive. Still in spite of her urge, Brianna refuses to act on her feelings. However, Wolf desires her and rejects the concept that she belongs to Lincoln. He uses his special paranormal skill to seduce Brianna in her dreams.

Meanwhile as part of the larger scale of conflict between Edward II and his estranged wife Queen Isabelle, her paramour Roger is interned inside the Tower. While Brianna and Wolf fall in love, he fears that his blood association as the son of the imprisoned Roger threatens his beloved at a time that alienating the de Warenne brood can prove deadly.

Nobody consistently combines history and romance into an entertaining mix better than Virginia Henley does. Her latest tale brings to life England during the rule of Edward II through the relationship between Brianna and Wolf. The storyline is fast-paced and stars a likable lead couple, whose hero's paranormal courting method is a unique way to win a lady. Meanwhile the intriguing triangle at court consisting of the king, his estranged queen and his male lover adds a sense of presence to a wonderful historical romance that some might insist is a romantic historical thriller.

Harriet Klausner