Tempting Juliana (Signet Eclipse) [Paperback]

Lady Juliana Chase, much to her brother Griffin's chagrin, seemed to have one goal in mind. That goal was to meddle into other people's lives rather than seeing to her own unmarried state. Due to several years of mourning, at the age of twenty-two this was Juliana's first season and her brother was dutifully looking over the crop of unattached males hoping to get Juliana married off. So far, none of his candidates were passing Juliana's inspection.

James Trevor, the Earl of Stafford was an old school chum of Griffin's and having lost both wife and child two years prior was not looking to fall in love, but as a favor to Griffin would meet and dance with his sister Juliana. Big, dark and handsome Juliana was not impressed but thought James to be perfect to save her best friend Amanda from an unacceptable forced betrothal. While Juliana began her campaign to tutor James in courting Amanda, James would play along with the delightful meddler as he began his campaign to tempt her into falling into his arms.

*** This was a lovely sweet and humorous regency tale with a delightful heroine, a most agreeable hero as well as being filled with a plethora of amusing and original secondary characters. It is sure to charm traditional Regency readers with all of the positively engaging characters from young Emily with her pet snake Herman, to Aunt Frances the spinster who finally finds love in the most unlikely candidate, and a number of equally admirable personalities gracing the pages. Lauren casts a charming story around two protagonists who couldn't be more perfect for one another if only Juliana could stop meddling into other peoples lives long enough to realize the prize she had right under her own nose. While short on suspense the more than adequate dialogs and the humorous machinations of Juliana's efforts to hook Amanda and James together while trying to keep the interest of a stuffy duke made for a vastly entertaining read. Lauren Royal has been a perennial favorite for years and continues to keep a loyal fan base with strong and worthy entries in this readers favorite loved Regency genre.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization and

Official Reviewer for CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

I wanted to like this book, that's why I kept reading instead of giving up. My optimism was not justified, unfortunately. The writing was extremely amateurish. The characters act unrealistically, and their behavior just doesn't make sense. For example, how is it that an upper class regency era virgin finds it completely acceptable to engage in major heavy petting with a man that she not only supposedly is not attracted to, but this same man is also supposed to be courting her best friend - this, all in the name of "practice" for the man, since it's been "so long" since his wife died, he must have forgotten how to make out. Give me a break! *eyerolling* And this is just one example of the characters' actions throughout the book.

There is only so much time to read, spend your time wisely. There are some intelligently written, entertaining romances out there...unfortunately, this is not one of them.

Our story begins in June, 1816, at the Foundling Hospital in London. At the age of twenty-two, Lady Juliana Chase is only now about to begin her first Season in London. She and her sister, Corinna, are late getting a Season due to all the recent deaths in the family. While touring the Foundling Hospital's art gallery with her sister and a little girl who lives next door, Emily, Juliana does what she does best ... meddles. Juliana has a big heart and always wants to help everybody and fix everything. So seeing all the babies Juliana decides she will sew all the baby clothes needed by the hospital for the month. Unable to sew well over a hundred baby items by herself, she must persuade others to help her accomplish this huge task. Juliana has also taken little Emily under her wing. Emily has a pet garden snake that she takes with her everywhere (and I do mean EVERYWHERE). Juliana wants the child to learn that reptiles over five feet in length as pets is not considered acceptable.

Shortly thereafter Juliana learns that her good friend, Lady Amanda Wolverston, is due to marry Lord Malmsey, a man too old for her, within two weeks. It was arranged by her father and Amanda cannot get out of it. So Juliana begins meddling, of course. Juliana and Amanda want to have a younger man compromise Amanda. They choose James Trevor, the Earl of Stafford, who is ready to wed and begin his nursery. Juliana feels badly that Lord Malmsey would be losing a bride, so she simply HAS to match him up with someone else too. For herself, Juliana chooses David Harcourt, the Duke of Castleton. However, Juliana soon finds herself much more attracted to James than David.

James is not only an earl, but also a physician dedicated to wiping Smallpox off the face of the earth. He runs New Hope Institute to tend to the poor and give the children free vaccinations. While Juliana is running around to get James and Amanda together, she learns James cannot seem to keep a receptionist. You guessed it, Juliana meddles. But now that her heart is on the line, Juliana is about to learn that there is such a thing as meddling too much.

**** I could not help but feel that the character of Juliana was a little overdone on the meddling front. And I wanted to see more of little Emily than the author allowed. Otherwise, this story is fantastic, IMHO. To keep the story rolling smoothly, the author has a sub-plot romance between Juliana's brother, Griffin, the Marquess of Cainewood, and another young lady. I look forward to seeing that romance continue in the next sister's story (due for release in Fall 2007). ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.