Some Enchanted Evening  
The Lost Princess series  
By Christina Dodd

        In the small country of Beaumontagne in the Pyrenees in the 1700, there are three royal princesses: Amy, Clarice and Socha. When there occurs a revolution, the three are sent to safety to a school in England. When funds are not forthcoming, the three are thrown out of the school.

      To support her two sisters, Clarice, the middle one, claiming to be a princess down on her luck, travels from village to village, selling cosmetics she says are made from the royal recipes. When in Scotland, she attracts the attention of Robert MacKenzie, Earl of Hepburn. He invites her to stay at his manor, purportedly to assist his sister preparing for a large party. Actually, he intends to use her in an elaborate scheme of vengeance to prevent the people of his village from being victimized and exploited.

       Clarice doubts the wisdom of staying at the manor but agrees to do so. She finds herself hopeless attracted to Robert. With the unexpected arrival of Prince Rainger whose mission has been to find the three lost princesses and return them to their country, Clarice finds herself torn between her love for Robert and her loyalty and duty to her country.

      This is the debut of a projected trilogy on the Lost Princesses, and it is an entertaining one. The story is engaging; the dialogue witty. There are delightful scenes of balls and waltzes and beautiful gowns. The two lovers, Clarice and Robert, are warm and appealing, with their struggle to surmount the barriers of custom and obligation. It will be an adventure for the readers to continue the search for the other two princesses and learn their fate.