Mary Balogh: First comes marriage jne.

Mary Balogh kirjoittaa helppolukuisia historiallisia rakkausromaaneja. Juonet ovat ennalta-arvattavia, mutta rakastavaisten onnen tiellä on toki iso määrä haasteita ennen kuin tarina on kerrottu loppuun. Teksti on joka tapauksessa selkeää ja helppolukuista, ja jonkin verran kirjoissa tuntuisi olevan syvällisempääkin sisältöä viihderomaanien kuosissa.

First comes marriage (Bantam Dell, 2009; ISBN 978-0-440-24422-6)

The arrival of Elliott Wallace, the irresistibly eligible Viscount Lyngate, has thrown the country village of Throckbridge into a tizzy. Desperate to rescue her eldest sister from a loveless union, Vanessa Huxtable Dew offers herself instead. In need of a wife, Elliott takes the audacious widow up on her unconventional proposal while he pursues an urgent mission of his own. But a strange thing happens on the way to the wedding night. Two strangers with absolutely nothing in common cant keep their hands off each other. Now, as intrigue swirls around a past secret - one with a stunning connection to the Huxtables - Elliott and Vanessa are uncovering the glorious pleasures of the marriage bed... and discovering that when it comes to wedded bliss, love cant be far behind.

Then comes seduction (Piatkus, 2009; ISBN 978-0-7499-4286-1)

In a night of drunken revelry, Jasper Finley, Baron Montford, gambles his reputation as London’s most notorious lover on one woman. His challenge? To seduce the exquisite, virtuous Katherine Huxtable within a fortnight. But when his best-laid plans go awry, Jasper devises a wager of his own. For Katherine, already wildly attracted to him, Jasper’s offer is irresistible: to make London’s most dangerous rake fall in love with her. Then Jasper suddenly ups the ante. Katherine knows she should refuse. But with scandal brewing and her reputation in jeopardy, she reluctantly agrees to become his wife. Now, as passion ignites, the seduction really begins. And this time the prize is nothing less than both their hearts.

At last comes love (Bantam Dell, 2009; ISBN 978-0-440-24424-0)

Only desperation could bring Duncan Pennethorne, the infamous Earl of Sheringford, back home after the spectacular scandal that had shocked even the jaded ton. Forced to wed in fifteen days or be cut off without a penny, Duncan chooses the one woman in London in frantic need of a husband. A lie to an old flame forces Margaret Huxtable to accept the irresistible stranger’s offer. But once she discovers who he really is, it’s too late—she’s already betrothed to the wickedly sensual rakehell. Quickly she issues an ultimatum: If Duncan wants her, he must woo her. And as passion slowly ignites, two people marrying for all the wrong reasons are discovering the joys of seduction—and awaiting the exquisite pleasure of what comes after.

Seducing an angel (Random House, 2009; ISBN 978-0-440-24427-1)

In a time unlike any other, a family you'll never forget... Meet the Huxtables - three headstrong sisters and their dashing brother - each searching for love thats always a shocking indiscretion away...

In her magnificent new novel, New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh sweeps us into a world of scandal and intrigue - glittering Regency England - and introduces the youngest Huxtable: Stephen, the only son. Here Stephen will risk his reputation and his heart as he enters a scandalous liaison with the infamous beauty intent on seduction. But when passion turns the tables on them both, who can say who has seduced whom? He must be wealthy, wellborn, and want her more than he wants any other woman. Those are the conditions that must be met by the man Cassandra Belmont chooses for her lover. Marriage is out of the question for the destitute widow who stands accused of murdering her husband and must now barter her beauty in order to survive.

Only enchanting (Piatkus, 2014; ISBN 978-0-349-40536-0)

The Survivors' Club: Six men and one woman, all wounded in the Napoleonic Wars, their friendship forged during their recovery at Penderris Hall in Cornwall. Now Flavian, Viscount Ponsonby, has left this refuge to find his own salvation...

Flavian was devastated by his fiancee's desertion after his return home. Now the woman who broke his heart is back - and everyone is eager to revive their engagement. Except Flavian, who, in a panic, runs straight into the arms of the nearest young woman. Agnes Keeping has never been in love-and never wishes to be. But then she meets the charismatic Flavian, and suddenly Agnes falls so foolishly and so deeply that she agrees to his impetuous proposal of marriage. When Agnes discovers that the proposal is only to avenge his former love, she's determined to flee. But Flavian has no intention of letting his new bride go, especially now that he too has fallen so passionately and so unexpectedly in love...