Review: A novella that gives a different slant on Regency life
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 26, 2012
"Sinful" is a novella by Sharon Page that explores Regency society from a different perspective. Estelle Desjardins is a successful dressmaker who caters to Society women but finds herself in the unique position of being able to aid those young debutantes who are being forced into loveless marriages but who already have a beau that their guardians/parents would not consider eligible. She considers it to be her mission to investigate the prospective grooms and has both facilitated some escapes as well advised against others. She is startled to discover that the Bow Street Runner Trevelyan (Lyan) Foxton, who shows up investigating her, is none other than the same person she gave her heart and body to when they were both in society's underbelly. The two find themselves forced to be guarded allies but also working at cross-purposes. Current circumstances dictate that Estelle keep even more secrets from the man that she still has strong feelings for but Lyan may never recover from the shock of her betrayal.A wonderfully entertaining vignette that covers an amazing breadth of detail in a very compact tale. The characters have depth and emotion that encompasses both their past and present situations and as usual, Ms. Page explores the roles of those who occupy positions outside of the usual aristocratic echelons that people typical Regency romances. A nicely romantic tale. Night Owl Reviews