Star Sapphire

The ton as it truly was....... From The Back of the book: Lovely Sonia Goldfine lived a quiet life with her Uncle Meyer, making beautiful jewelry for the ladies of high society. Because she was Jewish, however, she was not a member of that group. Then, quite suddenly, the handsome and dashing Alastair Charlton, the Marquess of Fairley, asked for her hand in marriage. She accepted eagerly, not knowing it was her money he was after. Then Sonia finally found out the truth about her marriage and she was shocked. So when she was asked to perform a service for her country, she readily agreed. Her wedding vows would wait. She'd worry about true love when she returned....if she returned. My review: This is one of my top 25 Regencies. This is not a easy book to read as it deals with difficult subjects such as Antisemitism, being married under false pretenses, and mistress keeping. While not pleasant subjects, activities that nonetheless were prevalent in Regency times. Unlike most Regencies I've read, these subjects were covered realistically to the period. Sonia was a wonderful character-very sweet, but strong as well. Alistair's portrayal was true to form and refreshing in what happens when a titled man, in debt to the point of ruin, must marry for money. For a relatively short book (250 pages), this novels spans two years time and has lots of drama and romance-real romance-the kinds that grows over time as a couple learns to love each other. The hero and heroine do have their flaws-but I found that refreshing and more realistic that most Regencies "too perfect" lead characters. There is several "intimate" scenes in this book-more than you'd find in other Regencies, but apropos as the leads are married. As an aside-for those who do not know, Rebecca Danton was a pseudonym for well known write Janet Louise Roberts-who also wrote under the names Janet Radcliffe and Louisa Bronte. A harrowing, unique and realistic portrayal of a Regency marriage of convenience. 5 stars.