Who Will Take This Man [Mass Market Paperback]

Ten years ago Philip Whitmore (a.k.a. Viscount Greybourne), and his father made a deal. Philip would go off to exotic locations and indulge himself in antiquarian studies. He was never more happy than when he was holding dusty relics and learning about the people of past civilizations. Upon learning his father's health was failing, Philip kept his end of the bargain and set sail home to marry the lady chosen for him. Just before sailing, Philip located part of the "Stone of Tears". The stone was cursed. Any who read it would lose the one they married within two days. The part with the cure was missing. He could only hope the other piece was among the crates shipped ahead to his warehouse.

Lovely Meredith Chilton-Grizedale was known as "the Matchmaker of Mayfair". Philip's father hired Meredith to locate the perfect match for his son. But on the day of the wedding, Lady Sarah did not show. Philip had told Lady Sarah of the curse and gave her the choice as to whether or not to marry. With the wedding canceled, Meredith's business was in ruins! As for Philip, the gossip papers were having a field day with the curse, but claimed that impotence was the real reason for the cancellation.

Meredith, Philip, and their close friends were desperate to locate the missing stone. This was made harder by the fact that someone was out to harm anyone Philip cared for, including his friends and family members. As Meredith and Philip searched, their attraction for each other grew and Meredith fell under the curse. If they did not locate and transcribe the missing piece of stone within two days, she would die.

***** This is one of my favorite authors. In fact, she can not write quickly enough to suit me. I was ecstatic to find this latest book! This story is full of romance, danger, intrigue, and betrayal ... and very highly recommended to all. *****

Novels can start out in various ways, but for a romance writer, the story's concept usually springs from a romantic relationship, and the background and themes are created as support. The protagonists of _Who Will Take This Man? _ do not have the same degree of romantic chemistry as the couples from D'Alessandro's earlier works-there really aren't any of those romantic scenes that can be read over and over again. But if one does not read this novel with expectations, anticipating the same formula as that employed in this author's previous novels, one can still find a great deal to enjoy in this fun, interesting, lighthearted story.
It's obvious that D'Alessandro wanted to try something new-and that characterization and the development of Meredith and Philip's relationship were not so much the primary focus as her fans would expect. Emphasized is the theme of not believing oneself worthy of love, and also the fascinating study of mythology and artifacts. The latter won my heart immediately, as I am fascinated by the Classics and ancient history. I enjoyed the secondary-character romance, which did not at all detract from the main plot, and I found the main characters quite refreshing. The author at times teetered close to _bathos_ with slight redundancies and a melodramatic word choice here and there, but I never became disinterested in the novel because it was quite original; for a romance, that is. The hero is a bespectacled scholar who grew up ugly and, for lack of a better term, geeky. He was not as endearing and attractive as Amanda Quick's Baxter St. Ives, the scientific hero of _Affair_, but he was sweet and knew what he wanted; and it was nice to have the hero chasing after the heroine instead of denying his feelings. Meredith wasn't quite as interesting, but her past was intriguing-again, not quite the norm for this genre. Some reviewers found her propriety and preoccupation with her matchmaking enterprise annoying, but her background, the three people dependent upon her, and the fifteen years during which she worked to create her own business adequately justify her actions-and really, most of her comments about Philip's unconventional attire were portrayed more as a natural attempt to distance herself from him than as actual irritation. D'Alessandro made use of Meredith's penchant for euphemistically rephrasing Philip's remarks by bringing a circular feel to the conclusion, and their mutual tendency to place people into categories was also well strewn throughout the narrative.
The mystery could have been more engaging-and its resolution less obvious-but the curse was creative, and the doubts placed in the reader's mind kept the suspense from _completely_ deflating. The end left me curious as to Andrew Stanton's story. Will he and Lady Catherine star in D'Alessandro's next book? (Just a hunch.)
This story is yet another case of an author deviating from her formula and trying something new-showing improvement in theme presentation, story organization, and dialogue, but not quite having her heart in the romance or characters as much as previously. This isn't a book one would reread very often, but I'm not sorry I picked it up. It was interesting, and it was as new and different as lighthearted romance novels usually can get. I would rather _own_ D'Alessandro's earlier offerings (_Red Roses Mean Love_, _Whirlwind Wedding_, _The Bride Thief_, and _Whirlwind Affair_), but this is a good read to check out from your library if they eventually purchase it, to borrow from a friend, or to go ahead and buy if you have a few extra bucks in your pocket, as I did. This isn't great romance; but it's not bad, either.

Also recommended (this list will keep you busy for a while): For a witty, lighthearted, humorous romance, try books by Julia Quinn, Amanda Quick, and Sabrina Jeffries, _Educating Caroline_ by Patricia Cabot, and Johanna Lindsey's better efforts (the third and fourth Malory books, _Angel_, _A Heart So Wild_, _Love Me Forever_, and _Fires of Winter_ come to mind). Other good reads include _Flowers from the Storm_, _The Prince of Midnight_, etc. by Laura Kinsale; _Paradise_, _Perfect_, _A Kingdom of Dreams_, _Once and Always_, etc. by Judith McNaught; _Thunder and Roses_, etc. by Mary Jo Putney; _This Time Forever_ and _Sunrise Song_ by Kathleen Eagle; _Shanna_ by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss; and _Sweet Lullaby_, _Always to Remember_, _Texas Destiny_, and _Love with a Scandalous Lord_ by Lorraine Heath (who can be slightly melodramatic, but is adept at making the reader care for the characters).

Ten years ago, Viscount Philip Whitmore struck a bargain with his father, trading in the strict society rules of Regency England for a life as a scholar, enabling him to travel the Mediterranean & Middle East studying antiquities. The price for his freedom? At the end of the ten years he must marry a woman chosen by his father and settle down. It seems that his marriage is is not to be, however, when on the voyage home he is cursed after reading an ancient stone tablet that dooms his bride to a certain death. Matchmaker Meredith Chilton-Grizedale has chosen a woman who should be the perfect bride for the
viscount, but when the curse takes hold days before the wedding, the groom is left jilted at the alter. Meredith must find another bride for Whitmore before her professional reputation is ruined, but it is easier said than done, especially when the attraction between the matchmaker and prospective groom is unmistakable.

The hero and heroine are very likable characters, particularly Philip Whitmore. He is not your typical Regency romance novel rake in need of reform by a good woman, but instead more the scholarly type, yet doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. Also, there is a fascinating love story involving two secondary characters; I only wish it could have been developed a bit more, but that plot line played a clear second fiddle to the Philip/Meredith story.

Bottom line: if you can accept the premise, which seems a bit ridiculous at first, this is a very enjoyable read.