From Library Journal
Granted one last chance by divine authority to avoid temporarily an eternity of boredom and return alive to his former dissolute 17th-century life, Valerian Caine is sent into the future world of 1816, charged with ending the family feud that he began inadvertently 100 years earlier. All this, of course, must be done by Christmas-just four weeks away. A compelling, out-of-touch rake and a plain, prickly heroine come together here in a funny, involving Regency. Social history buffs will find the book well researched. Kerstan and Rasley have each written acclaimed Regencies; however, they joined forces via computer to produce this one. Readers will hope the collaboration continues. Kerstan lives in San Diego, and Rasley lives in Indianapolis.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Valerian Caine is stuck between Heaven and Hell. Then he is given a second chance to redeem himself and return to his life by Proctor, a spiritual being who believes he will fail. It seems the Caine family has been feuding with the Sevaric family for the hundred years since Valerian's death. It is up to him to end the feud-- and assure that Max Sevaric, Gwendolyn Sevaric and Dorothea Caine are happy by Christmas Day. The task seems daunting, but Valerian prefers it to the alternative-- Hell. With his guardian angel, Francis, Valerian hopes to succeed. Arriving on earth a hundred years after his demise, Valerian is now Jocelyn Vayle . He immediately runs into Gwen Sevaric and is lucky enough to be in the position of saving her from a runaway carriage. Valerian finds himself the guest of Gwen's brother Max Sevaric and claims he has amnesia to avoid answering questions about his past. It is disconcerting for Valerian to find himself unfamiliar with current styles and customs, not to mention history! But Max seems to accept him, even if Gwen is suspicious of his poor memory. Now all he has to do is figure out a way to meet Dorothea Caine and end the feud. Given only a month to complete his task, Valerian keeps in mind his reward-- life! Once a notorious rake, Valerian is anxious to return to the life he left behind. As the weeks go by, he realizes that the plain, somewhat irritating Gwen is gifted with many fine qualities-- qualities he would have ignored in his previous life. But now, it seems he has been given not only a second chance at life, but a chance at love. Written via e-mail on the Genie Network, Gwen's Christmas Ghost is the second collaborative effort of Lynn Kerstan and Alicia Rasley. Their first, Lessons in Love, was written with Julie Caille.A delicious, delightful romp! A wonderful collaboration by two very gifted authors! Magical! The perfect Christmas tale! Lynn Kerstan and Alicia Rasley have reinvented Regency! Their characters are fresh and fascinating! A memorable book! Guardian angels, mysterious treasures, family feuds and a love that transcends time! Gwen's Christmas Ghost is entertaining from beginning to end!Kristina Wright --
Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved --
From Literary Times
