Wild Hearts
By Virginia Henley

       I have been reading Ms. Henley’s work for decades. I also had the wonderful experience of meeting her in person at a convention. My overall thought after that chance event and other meetings with her is that her genteel manner is just as marvelous as her writing talents.

       Paris Cockburn, with his newly inherited title of Laird, finds that respectability can and does go hand in hand with his illegal smuggling activities. His household of numerous sisters and brothers herald that he continues to look for ways to provide for their overly rich lifestyle.

       When he finds Tabby Lamont, who he suspects is his uncle’s by-blow, at the brink of marrying a rich old codger, Paris decides to save the beautiful orphan from a fate worse than death. He kidnaps her from her own wedding with the intention of ransoming her back to her bridegroom.

         Tabby is furious. Her lifetime chance of making something better of herself is fouled to the teeth when the exasperating but exceedingly handsome Lord Cockburn spirits her away from her nuptials. When he places her under guard in his highland stronghold, she finds that his sexy and seductive manner causes problems with her body and heart.

        When his attempts to bed her become more blatant, she reminds herself that she is married and that she should just turn a blind eye and deaf ear to his overtures. But when Paris woos her with his heart in his hand, she finds herself falling for the laird without once thinking of the consequences.

        Ms. Henley excels as one of the dowagers of romance with this reprint of an earlier novel. Her style is splendid and her plot is full of spice, conflict and love.