In Praise of Younger Men

I don't like short stories or novellas, they are just not my cup of tea but Jo Beverley's novella (110 pages), "The Demon's Mistress", in this anthology is a keeper. I was disappointed that the first story in the Three Georges trilogy (the others are The Dragon's Bride and The Devil's Heiress, and the trilogy is linked to the Company of Rogues series) was issued as a novella and not a full length romance. Luckily the novella length is long enough here to pack in the complexity of a novel (thank goodness it wasn't issued as a 70 page short story!) and I really got lost in the story and felt like I was reading a full length romance. Must have book to fit into the Company of Rogues/Three Georges series. Characters in the other books are met or mentioned also, and it explains some things about the other two Georges books. Goes on keeper shelf and is sure to be reread.

I picked this up because I'd heard of Jo Beverley and Cathy Maxwell and wanted to try them in short story first before buying their regular books. I received a nice surprise -- and a new author to buy -- in the story by Jaclyn Reding, a new name for me. While the Beverley and Maxwell stories (and Lauren Royal's too) were certainly enjoyable, I really liked Jaclyn Reding's WRITTEN IN THE STARS the best. It was clever and unique and uplifting. I am now going out to buy all her backlist. If you've never read this author before, give her a try. You'll become an instant fan. And if you've never read the other authors in this collection, give this book a try. They are all well-written and enjoyable.

Three storys are set in Scotland and in the regency era, one is set in the restoration time. I liked all storys, yet the last one with the wealthy widow who rescued the suicidal Viscount was the best in my opinion, and had more depth than the usual light regency read. Both characters were extremly believable. Maria was a sexual experienced and worldly-wise widow who found her true match in the world-weary viscount who was far too complex and broken for the usual virginical and naive regency heroine. I wished there were more novels of that kind. The other storys were sweet, sexy, entertaining and original, but without the depth of the last one.

"A Man Who Can Dance" by Cathy Maxwell. In Regency Scotland, Graham quits his uncle's business to start work as a doctor. When Graham falls in love with Lucinda, he asks governess Sarah to help him, but will he realize whom he truly loves?"Forevermore" by Lauren Royal. In 1667, Clarise and Cameron first meet at a wedding and are immediately attracted to one another. However, he must go back to the harvest even if he leaves behind the woman he loves."Written In the Stars" by Jaclyn Reding. In 1816 Scotland, Gill informs her niece Harriet that the latter must marry before her next birthday or face unhappiness. Harriet knows that her Aunt's visions always come true. When Gill explains that Harriet must marry, family friend Tristan offers to be the groom, but though Harriet loves Tristan, she rejects his offer."Imaginary Heaven" by Jo Beverley. Lord George finds his estate bankrupt and his father dead. About to commit suicide, wealthy widow Maria hires him to pretend to be her fiance. Van accepts. They fall in love, but she knows that once he learns the truth about her he will want nothing to do with her.IN PRAISE OF YOUNGER MEN consists of four well-written historical romances in which an older woman and a younger man fall in love. Each tale is entertaining because all four couples are charming and easily belong together regardless of the tabboo. Sub-genre fans will enjoy this anthology.Harriet Klausner