A Rogue's Proposal

Demon, another rake in Laurens's line of Cynster family heroes, is determined to avoid the snare of marriage that has trapped other males in his Regency period family--until he discovers that Felicity Parteger, a longtime friend, has blossomed into an attractive young woman. Felicity's charms are somewhat diminished, however, by her disguise as a young male jockey in her effort to identify the ""syndicate"" members plotting to throw races. When Demon agrees to help her, their sleuthing, propelled by Felicity, conveniently presents them with several chances to rendezvous. Unfortunately, the plot (which assumes such a secondary role to the lengthy love scenes that it often seems an afterthought) and historical details are too thin to yield a believable period romance. Moreover, while the 1820 setting classifies the book as a Regency, it fails to fit the formula (for example, no Regency hero would bed a young woman of good family before he marries her). It may serve fans of the genre well to save their time or reread Laurens's earlier titles (Devil's Bride, etc.). (Oct.)