The Redwyck Charm

Marcus Redwyck, the new Earl of Amberley, is the epitome of "grace under pressure." Having inherited a financial disaster from his delinquent father, Marcus is forced to chose between two equally undesirable choices: leave his mother and sister to find gainful employment, or marry an heiress. Though it grates on Marcus to consider a marriage of convenience to someone who might only want him for his title, his family insists he try to make such a match before taking the drastic step of leaving the country in search of a job. His family chides him-of course the woman he chooses will love him! The Redwyck charm is unfailing. Marcus is unconvinced: He has worked his entire life learning to manage his lands and is unfamiliar with the ways of love.Soon an heiress is found who might make a good match for him, but she is consummately unavailable to him. To add to his troubles, he finds he is falling in love with the mysterious (and endearingly klutzy) French opera dancer, Juliette Lamant-a young, restless, beautiful woman who, indeed, seems susceptible to Marcus's emerging charms. He even surprises himself in this regard, enjoying his first kiss. Juliette sparks latent passions to life inside of him. Frustrating weeks pass-the heiress is still nowhere to be found, and Juliette's demeanor confuses him: she seems to want him, but pulls back from their passionate embraces far too often. If she is a wanton, she is also a tease. If she is a maiden, she is fundamentally passionate. Either way, he can't stay away from her. Eventually he learns Juliette is in fact "his" heiress, Juliana Hutton. But instead of everything falling into place, Juliana resists Marcus. It seems she's embarrassed over being discovered and the intimacies they've shared, but she's also angry at him for being what she doesn't want: the man who could truly make her settle down. She fights this with everything in her. She lets her immature nature get the better of her. She rants and raves and says things she later regrets. She won't let him kiss her and tries not to think about kissing him. But how long can she keep fooling herself into thinking she doesn't love him or that she hasn't already succumbed to the Redwyck charm?Readers might not like Juliana's character at times, but what kind of story would there have been if Marcus's task had been to charm an unchallenging heroine? And no matter what, Marcus himself will charm everyone. I love stories about men finding their passion for the first time, and watching Marcus discover his with the tempestuous Juliana was a real treat.

Greene's work only continues to get better. I found the Redwyck Charm a frothy delight of mistaken identity. The hero, Marcus, displays plenty of vulnerability, and it is a tribute to Greene's skill that he is not only sympathetic but downright sexy in a non-alpha male way. The heroine very appealing, and her motives are believable and appropriate. Greene also continues to display a command of the historical period sadly lacking in many regency-era novels. I look forward to her next offering with pleasure.

As a followup to 'The Incorrigible Lady Catherine.' Elena Greene continues her 'three disgraces' series with a charming book, 'The Redwyck Charm.' Both Marcus and Juliana assume disguises so that they can follow their dreams, if only for a short time. Of course, sensuous chaos ensues. I especially liked the hero, Marcus. Miss Greene also has a good sense of the regency period and blends her plot seamlessly. I cannot wait to read her next book with Penelope. I can only assume the hero is bound to be the infamous Lord Verwood. overall, another great story from Miss Greene.