here are some novels I have enjoyed reading almost entirely too much. Before the Season Ends, Linore Rose Burkard’s first Regency Inspirational Romance was one such title. Captivatingly addictive, true to period language and form, the story of beautiful, young outspoken Ariana Forsythe and the wealthy, stand-offish Phillip Mornay quickly became a fast favourite, and prompted an all-night reading spree. When the sequel The House in Grosvenor Square arrived I was almost afraid to open it for fear that it wouldn’t live up to the first book.

As the book opens we find Ariana Forsythe amidst the plans for her wedding to Phillip Mornay. Deeply in love and delighted by her betrothed’s blossoming newfound faith all should be pure bliss. However, trouble stirs – her beloved is distant, his servants are plotting against her, and there are dastardly knaves plotting her abduction for unknown reasons.

Ariana and Phillip’s relationship matures as it goes through trials and temptations. Reading of their deepening attachment and affection for one provided both a warm glow of love throughout the tale, and periods of angst during miscommunications and conflict.

Where Before the Season Ends was spot-on Regency with a distinctive Christian influence, The House in Grosvenor Square strays towards an amalgam of historical romantic suspense. While still set in the Regency period and bearing all of the earmarks of the fashion, slang, and social mores, the novel jauntily heads down a much more modern path of plot development than the ancestors of the genre ever took.

By including multiple kidnappings and one mysterious development after another, Burkard draws her young couple out of the insular dance of courtship, card parties, and gossip and into the realm of mild-mannered adventure. The continued emphasis on propriety, appearances, and purity still provide a small dose of the typical Regency escapism though not as much as the first novel contained. Oddly, the suspense-based plot also resulted in slower pacing than the romantic tension found in the original.

I have just recently noticed a developing trend in Christian publisher Harvest House’s inspirational regencies. Both Linore Burkard’s and Kaye Dascus’ Ransome Trilogy series approach the genre with fairly traditional opening novels before diving into plots that are quite adventurous by Regency standards in the subsequent volumes. I’m afraid that I can’t say I’m thrilled by the change in emphasis in these modern examples.

I’m not about to give up on the new approach however. Perhaps I’ll develop as much of a taste for derring-do in jolly England as I do for stories of adventurous speculative fiction. To be fair, Burkard still includes plenty of loyal butlers, wardrobe changes, and blundering suitors to take us away to another time. Let’s wait and see what she brings us next, shall we?

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com ( )

This book starts right where book one left off. Ariana Forsythe is planning to wed Phillip Mornay, but what a set of circumstances happen before the wedding! Although this book only covers about 9 days, SO MUCH happens in those 9 days that you wonder if the wedding will ever happen. I liked this book better than the first, 'Before the Season Ends'. We had theft, abduction, jealousy, but most importantly, a love for one another that was enjoyable to read about. ( )

Oh the problems of the days before the invention of the telephone! Servants had to scurry, carrying notes in this Regency England romance novel. Like a comedy of errors, the characters in this tale sometimes go round and round trying to get in touch with one another! I found myself chuckling as I read.

More humor is found in the dialogue. Propriety is all-important. Imagine days before marrying, calling your beloved Mr. or Miss and staying apart so as to be able to control your emotions--worrying that there might be a scandal if you are caught embracing.

The characters are richly written in three dimension. Ariana Forsythe stumbles from one misadventure to the next, barely escaping harm, while Philip Mornay dashes about to her rescue. Even the despecible villian, Mr. Whiddington, is so well written that I wish him well. I admire the way Ariana begins to pray when threatened with danger, which seems to be quite often, and it's interesting to watch Philip's acquaintances realize he's a different man now that he's found Christ. Even Whiddington pays attention when talk turns to things of God.

I did not read the first novel in this series, Before the Season Ends, but since this is a stand-alone novel, I had no problems catching on. The plot moves along nicely. Discussions questions and a glossary are included. ( )