Midnight Rose

Hagan ( Love and Honor ) moralizes tiresomely against slavery in this implausible romance. As the stepdaughter of black-market slave-smuggler Zachary Tremayne, the delectable Erin is a social outcast and thus suitable prey for an invitation to become the mistress of plantation owner Ryan Youngblood. Erin huffily refuses. But when her mother, Arlene, learns of it, she goes to Ryan and insists he turn the proposition into a proposal, and he obliges. Erin consents in hopes that as Ryan's wife she can help her mother escape the abusive Zachary and further her own secret plans to help runaway slaves. But Arlene, who is one-quarter black, is sold into slavery by Zachary in revenge for the marriage of his stepdaughter, whom he desired himself. When Ryan's strong-willed mother learns of Arlene's status, she sells off her troublesome daughter-in-law as well. Things are looking grim for Ryan and Erin as Hagan blithely scampers through a sequence of humorously impossible events, reuniting the lovers and arranging a happy ending for everyone who deserves it. (Apr.)