The thing about reviews

Several chapters I know of (including RWAOL) have instituted a program wherein published authors have their books read by someone in the chapter and that person writes a review of the book and posts it at amazon and Barnes and Noble's websites.

Okay, so I'm partnered with Kasey Michaels. I absolutely love her books. She is wonderful with bringing her characters to life. Thing is, she has nine books out this year. Nine! And I want the reviews to be original, like the books. I don't want anyone reading the reviews thinking I've just switched book and character names. But you know, it's not easy because the characters are what pull me into her stories and how many ways can you say that.

Anyway, I finished reading one of her upcoming releases (a re-release actually) last night and felt an inspiration this morning and wrote up the review rather quickly. Normally I have someone review it before I send it to Kasey but this morning I sent it straight to Kasey for review and comment. I haven't heard back from her but here's what I sent her.

When Christian St. Clair talks, people listen. Whether it be on fashion, people or politics, St. Clair has the ear of the ton. Only his support of the Peacock have given them pause.

Gabrielle Laurence’s only hope of saving her home is to marry a wealthy man. Having no dowry - her father has gambled away all their money - she has no choice but to allow Christian St. Clair’s championing of her, raising her to the status of belle of the season.

In public, Christian is a dandy, one whose main interest is in fashion. Simple, but revered. In private, he is the Peacock, fighting to right wrongs against those who cannot stand up for themselves. So different are that personas that no one suspects he is the Peacock, and he intends to keep it that way.

Although Gabrielle appreciates what Christian’s support has done for her, she also resents it. Resents him. She knows that one word from him can destroy her chances of a good match. As such, she forms a plan that will allow her to remain is society’s good graces while removing the need to be pleasant to Christian. She will unmask the Peacock.

As Christian fights to keep his identity a secret and Gabrielle is intent on discovering the identity of the Peacock, they find that it is a fine line between love and hate. Will it be too late for them when Gabrielle, unable to ascertain with any certainty who the Peacock really is, sets in motion her plan to bring Christian down, revealing him as the Peacock?

Kasey Michaels has a knack for writing characters that leap from the page and into your heart. This re-release of The Secrets of the Heart is a perfect example of why, when Kasey Michaels writes, people read.