Review: Superb Regency w Naval Setting
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 3, 2012
A delightful ♥ Valentine's Day ♥ Regency! 4.5 stars, rounded up. This Naval romance is short, but I didn't feel short changed. The dialogue is subtly witty and the pace flows along like a sloop in a fresh breeze. ツAlicia Rasley was unknown to me, but she's earned a few awards for her publications -- a mix of romance, fiction, and writing guides.Anyhoo, I really enjoyed this quick submersion into British Naval society, set in Portsmouth in 1811. The Wilder Heart is an original story line about a savvy, attractive widow (Madeleine Gray) who supplements her income by crafting Valentine's Day cards with personalized poems.According to tradition, each officer attending the upcoming ♥-Day Ball must give their chosen sweetheart a card (at the dance). So Payton Wilder, an untamed Naval Captain who'd much sooner give a girl a kiss, reluctantly sets a course for the enticing widow's house, to purchase a card.The attraction is instant.Hoping Madeleine will come along, Captain Wilder invites her eager young son to spend an afternoon on the Mercury (a descriptive scene, raising the sail and setting out to sea). Madeleine enjoyed the view, most especially "watching him swing up into the rigging, as lean and lithe as a jungle cat" -- until sudden danger struck.No spoilers, but the Captain showed cool-headed courage and kind compassion, stealing another piece of Madeleine's heart, while she -- a lady in perilous waters -- maintained her calm, winning his admiration. "She was mesmerized by his warm gaze, captured by his approval."The relationSHIP proceeds to the night of the big dance, but the course of true love never did run smooth -- and likely never will. However, at the British Naval Ball, anything can happen, because this sexy sea captain will not be told which fair damsel is right for him. Nope, not by anyone. ツNo sex, but a hearty ration of chemistry for our sailor boy, with some yummy kissing and canoodling.Lovely story!