Alluring Secrets

Secrets #2

by Lynne Connolly

Severus, Earl of Swithland must settle down and produce an heir. But among the bevy of beauties vying for his attention, none holds his interest except one: Penelope. Clumsy, intelligent, appealing Penelope is the one woman he could love-but she's expected to marry another. Afraid she'll be labeled an unmarriageable bluestocking, Penelope's family forces her to go without her badly needed spectacles in public. Though she has loved Severus for years, the best she can hope for is a loveless union with a perfectly suitable-and perfectly boring-cousin. Except Severus has changed his mind. Hours spent in his rooftop observatory leads to a passion they can't deny. Yet just as their eyes open to lasting love, Penelope is embroiled in a plot to destroy her family and take her away from Severus forever. If he wants to keep his heart's treasure, Severus will have to fight for her.

Genres: Historical, Historical Romance, Romance

307 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

I was born in Leicester, England, and lived in our cobbler’s shop with my parents and sister. It was an old house and most definitely haunted, but I didn’t find out until I left that my great uncle had hung himself in the living room! But I think our ghost might have been older than that. It was built on the site of the old Roman cemetery, and the land had been constantly inhabited, being in the centre of town. Then, when the council bought the house from us to build a road, my grandfather retired and my father went and worked for the Post Office. My mother was a sample machinist; that is, she worked with designers on the prototypes (models or samples) of garments. So I was very well dressed! We bought a relatively modern house in the country, and my mother was blissfully happy. It’s all very well living in a large old house, but it’s a dreadful task to keep it clean and warm!

My mother's side of the family are Romany gypsies, although sadly we haven't any of the old trailers that are so astonishingly beautiful. I was taught to read the Tarot cards, and I usually use two packs; the Rider pack for simple readings and the Crowley Thoth pack for the complex stuff.
I've always had an interest in the paranormal and it's been a delight to be able to put some of this into my novels.

Reviews

[Toula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grabbed the paperback. Had to continue the story in this book 2

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 5 out of 5]

*happy sigh* There are so many things to love about this book. A smart heroine in need of spectacles—but forbidden by her relatives to wear them so she's not taken for a bluestocking. A hero who comes to appreciate substance over appearance. A special license and the 1753 Marriage Act… To name a few.

[Lady of the Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in a trilogy. Fun, fast and enjoyable. Likable lead characters. A sweet romance. Thrown together with a wee bit of a suspense/mystery going on and you have yourself a good time! All in all a heart warming romance, with HEA.

[cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 and a half stars