Customer Reviews

Buried Secrets (Signet Regency Romance)

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Earl of Corday has bolted! His aunt, Lady Binstead, has set an engagement trap for him, and now he is on the run. Cord has always liked his neighbor, Corisande, but he isn't in love with her, so he heads for parts unknown -- to his relatives anyway. His aunt hires the Bow Street Runner to find him.

Ginny Tate lives with her aunt and uncle in Rose Cottage, on the Earls property. She is trying her best to help her aunt keep Uncle Henry's work under wraps. Her chance at married life was lost with her fiancée in the Battle of Waterloo, and now she is considered a spinster. Here are two people that believe love is for fools for different reasons, and are quite sure they will never fall into the marital entrapment, but alas fate and a rider-less horse are about to change things.

Buried Secrets isn't a romance with a hero and heroine playing a simpletons game of should we or shouldn't we. Embedded in this wonderful romance is a lesson in giving one's self and reaping the rewards. Anne Barbour's regencies are far from quixotic. Her stories are very practicable and reachable. Her readers find themselves surrounded by the storylines with a need to participate in the actions and emotions of the characters. If you don't believe me, read Buried Secrets and see if you don't wipe your brow with relief and cheer the Earl of Corday on as he escapes a near engagement, his aunt's frustration in thinking she is doing the right by the thankless Corday brothers, feel Ginny and Aunt Louisa's fear and worry at others learning their secret, or feel Uncle Henry's obsessive passion to solve the secret. It's a wonderful story that gets to the heart of the matter; people, emotions and voices are always in motion.

(I wish Signet would use larger print in their regency romances.)

What a joy to find a new book by Anne Barbour. They are always superbly crafted and a delight to read. In Buried Secrets she presents not one, not two, but three secrets. Why is Gillian, a beautiful woman hiding in an out of the way village? Why does the intelligent, competent Earl of Cordray refuse to accept the responsibilities of his position? Who will decipher Pepys's diary? As always with an Anne Barbour book, after sighing happily over the very satisfying conclusion, the book goes straight to the 'keeper' shelf.

Anne Barbour has always written interesting books with strong characters. Unfortunately, her recent novels have taken a turn into what might be termed "speculative history." In an introductory note, she points out that her story is "how it might have happened." The problem is that her proposed turn of events doesn't really make sense, and isn't consistent with her characters. I've read two of this new style of Barbour novel, and won't read any more.

Anne Barbour has done it again. I don't think it is possible for her to write a book that is less than excellent. She captures your interest until the last page with an enchanting heroine and a smashing hero in a unique plot. Brava, Ms Barbour!