A Week to Be Wicked

Starred review from February 13, 2012
Dare’s delightful second Spindle Cove Regency (after 2011’s A Night to Surrender) unites an unlikely pair as a wastrel viscount comes to the aid of a serious scientist. Minerva Highwood asks Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, to accompany her on a journey from spinster haven Spindle Cove to Edinburgh, where she plans on winning a prize for her presentation to the geological society. The journey will appear as an aborted elopement, but Minerva is willing to risk social stigma to achieve fame. She promises Colin her cash winnings, as the confirmed bachelor can’t access his trust fund until he marries. Minerva and Colin’s mishap-filled trip results in passion that neither expected. Colin reveals a much deeper character than his rakish exterior, and Minerva proves that her bluestocking shell hides a beautiful, shining soul. Lust, love, and witty repartee are perfectly balanced in this seamlessly plotted romance. Agent: Helen Breitwieser, Cornerstone Literary.

Starred review from April 15, 2012

Determined to protect her sister Diana from being married for her money to infamous rake Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, and to get to Scotland in order to present her remarkable fossil findings to the Royal Geological Society, bookish Minerva Highwood takes matters into her own hands. After a good deal of convincing, she strikes a bargain with the sexy lord: he will take her to Edinburgh on the pretense of eloping, and when she wins the competition--which she is certain to do--she will give him the prize money. But the journey is anything but smooth, and between dealing with highwaymen, passing Minerva off as Colin's mistress and his sister, trekking across the countryside on foot, and trying to ensure that they reach Edinburgh in time, they hardly notice they have fallen in love along the way. VERDICT Compelling characters, lively dialog, offbeat situations, and some of the most hilarious romantic scenes written result in a sexy adventure that will have readers laughing out loud and checking Dare's web page for the next title in the series. Dare (Once Upon a Winter's Eve) lives in Southern California.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.