The Return of the Prodigal (The Beckets of Romney Marsh, 7)

This is one of the Romney Marsh series and I have really enjoyed the complete series. It has action, romance and history, all the things I like in a great book.

Over all I liked this book. Ms Michaels did a fine job telling Rian's story. My only critiques would be that I felt that it started too far into their relationship, we didn't really get to see Rian and Lisette fall in love, which for me is part of the fun. Also, the reunion with the family, which was really the theme of the book, was very abbreviated; I felt that I missed something. I liked how she let us know Rian felt about his missing limb and how he was able to still use his mind and body to save the day. I was pleased that Lisette didn't misplace her loyalty, and seemed to use her wit. I liked the struggle she had to overcome the fairytale she wanted to believe she was living, and what was really going on. Also, I liked the clean set up for the next book featuring Courtland and Cassie.

Rian Becket was wounded at Waterloo; he was saved when a stranger removed him from the battlefield and left him with the lovely Lisette to help him heal. As he recuperates physically, mentally he remains despondent over the loss of an arm. Only the innocent Lisette keeps his spirits from crashing. Rian believes Lisette's tale of fleeing a cruel employer because he needs to in order to survive. However, he soon will learn the truth the hard way about his Lisette, who has set him up as a pawn for an enemy, who "owns" her, trying to destroy the Becketts. The adversary failed to account for one minor detail in an otherwise perfect scheme; Lisette has fallen in love with Rian. Readers who have followed this refreshing Regency saga will know that the end is near as the mystery of who wants to destroy the Beckets of Romney Marsh is focusing. The story line is action-packed, but driven by the RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL and the nurse he loves. Lisette steals the show from the Beckett brood as she must decide between loyalties to her father vs. fidelity to the man she loves. Although this tale like the previous ones can stand alone, to understand the flow of the mystery, fans should start with the first book and proceed from there. Harriet Klausner

Rian Becket may have survived the war but not without serious injuries. Having been nursed back to health by Lisette, he finds himself developing feelings for her. But he doesn't trust her. They're living in a manor house and she says she's a housemaid to her mother's childhood friend but something just doesn't seem right. She's too anxious to know things about his family and home. And as a Becket, those are things you don't tell just anyone. Lisette has been given the task of finding out where Rian Becket's family lives. But Rian is not cooperating with her. She knows he is withholding information and being deliberately vague. She describes the manor house owner as a cruel, mean man and proposes a plan of escape, where she hopes he will take her to his home, even as she worries about how she will be received by his family. As Rian and Lisette embark on their journey to Becket Hall, they each discover that things aren't always as they seem. Both being romantics, they are seemingly, inexplicably drawn to each other, despite the fact that neither trusts the other. So, are the developing feelings a result of the nurse / patient relationship or are they real? And if they're real, can they withstand the lies and half truths? The Return of the Prodigal is the sixth installment of the Becket's saga. One of the things I love about Kasey Michaels' books is that she creates things so vividly, yet does so subtly. For example, I could hear Lisette's french accent, visualize Jasper's imposing frame, without being constantly reminded that Lisette was French and Jasper was a giant. I loved that. And I loved The Return of the Prodigal. It is a fast-paced, action packed story. A must read.