Customer Reviews

The Dazzle on the Sea (Harlequin Romance, 1540)

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I first stumbled across the Dazzle on the Sea as a
teenager, and re-read it 3 decades later. I am no fan
of the Harlequin genre (and probably no expert either),
but I must say that this early book of Ms. Kidd's is
quite well-written by romance novel standards, and perhaps
by any standards. The plot follows the familiar
Harlequin formula and the characterizations line up along
the usual cliches (e. g., strong silent type meets soft-spoken
innocent young woman, their romance thwarted by
viscious femme fatale). But this book is better than
average for two reasons. First, Ms. Kidd creates
a very strong sense of place (Scotland), and brings
the world of professional horsemanship very much
alive in her plotting. Second, the two lead characters
are sensitive and intelligent, and there is (again,
by romance novel standards) alot of subtle nuance to
their dialogue and interaction. All in all, I found
this an enjoyable read, and would recommend it to a
thinking romance reader. A note: readers in search of
steamy explicit sex scenes should look elsewhere.