Barbara Pierce, Courting the Countess

Courting the Countess

Barbara Pierce

St. Martin's, Nov 2004, $6.99, 352 pp.

ISBN: 031298622X

In 1810, Lady Brook Meylan has remained in exile, rusticating since her spouse and child died two years ago. Most people assume she mourns the loss of her husband, but she hated him for physically and mentally abusing her; she grieves for her child. She vows never again will a male freely do whatever he wants to do to her under the label marriage. To enforce her edict, Brook only shows up at family events hosted by her blood family and only when they really pressure and coax her.

Artist Mallory Claeg is known as a womanizer who knows how to treat a lady with respect especially in his portraits and his bed. When he meets Brook at a family event, he offers the widow pleasure, but she aloofly rejects his advances though this man is tempting to her. This is a unique experience for a man hitting a home run every time he swings his bat (the anachronism fits). Stunned and already half in love, Mallory begins COURTING THE COUNTESS.

Though on the surface, Barbara Pierce's latest Bedegraynes Regency romance seems similar to many of the sub-genre offerings, the author provides her tale a lift due to the wonderful likable lead characters, who quickly have readers wanting the best for them. Mallory is a delightful rogue who uses his painting reputation to sham an interest in the Cornwell landscape so that he can court the woman who heats his blood with an icy look that would freeze a penguin. Their relationship makes for a fun time for fans.

Harriet Klausner