Simply Anna

In this shallow but charming sequel to Becoming Lady Lockwood, set in a vague approximation of the Regency era, a lovely young woman with a mysterious past loses her heart to the young English nobleman who saves her life. Lord Philip Hamilton is newly arrived in Jamaica, trying hard to establish himself in the unfamiliar, harsh world of sugar cane and slave labor. Gently born but impoverished Anna is traveling by ship as a lady’s maid when she falls overboard and is swept ashore, more dead than alive. Lord Philip finds and brings her home to be nursed on his estate, with only a necklace inscribed with Anna as a clue to her identity. Restored to physical health but still amnesic, Anna becomes an essential part of Philip’s household, as a brutal former overseer threatens their happiness and safety. Anna yearns for a fresh start with Philip, but once she regains her knowledge of her lowly status, she fears that marrying her would destroy Philip socially. Their romance is refreshingly based on mutual respect and shared interests, including an anachronistic but appealing condemnation of slavery, but it lacks the wit and sizzle that many Regency readers hope for. (Oct.)