And the Bride Wore Plaid
Karen Hawkins
Avon, Jun 2004, $6.99, 384 pp.
ISBN: 0060514086

Devon St. John leaves his brother's wedding early to avoid the family talisman ring being dumped on him. However, he failed to leave quickly enough because the ring has been left in his carriage. So far three of his siblings have succumbed to the magic of the ring, which is find and marry your true love. He hopes to slip it to his only remaining bachelor brother before he becomes caught by its charm.

Devon visits his friend Malcolm MacDonald, who is having spousal trouble with his wife Fiona though he loves her dearly. He sleeps in a chamber until a maid arrives and wakes him up. She claims the room is hers as she turns out to be Malcolm's half-sister Kat. As Devon finds he likes the aggressive Kat, Malcolm and Fiona bet on whether his half-sister or Fiona's sister ends up with the handsome eligible bachelor.

The latest St. John talisman ring Regency is a wonderful romance starring a delightful unique lead female protagonist. The story line moves forward rather quickly when Devon tries to gain the attention and ultimately the love of Kat. While Fiona's sister is too devious and nasty of an opponent, readers will appreciate this warm story and look forward to learn whom snatched the ring before the final sibling Marcus can have its magic enchant him like it does sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner