Laura Gardeyne was convinced her brother-in-law Jack was trying to kill her three-year-old son. Since the death of her husband, Laura's life had quickly changed from that of a young, beautiful socialite to a mother in fear for her child's life. Her father-in-law, the current Lord Caldfort, was ill and getting sicker by the day. Upon his death, the only one standing in Jack Gardeyne's way of inheriting the title and all its lands and fortunes was the toddler, Harry. Laura's every waking thought was on how to save her son.

When Stephen Ball, a friend from the past, showed up unexpectedly at her door, Laura wondered if his presence was part of yet another intrigue. Sir Stephen Ball, a respected member of Parliament and "elegant, blonde, lean, and quizzical," had once proposed to Laura just after she had committed to marrying her first husband. Laura believed Sir Stephen was still angry from her rejection; he was, after all, the one who had nicknamed her "Lady Skylark" for her flighty and shallow lifestyle, a nickname that had become quite popular among society. At times Laura hated the name while at others she lived to fulfill its prophecy.

Stephen arrived under the guise of a politician needing a discussion with Lord Caldfort, but in truth he still wanted Laura and had come to Caldfort House to court her. He used Laura's obvious distress as a way to get close to her once more.

At her wit's end, Laura confided in Stephen. Together they set out to solve the mystery which not only separated Laura from her son for the first time but which also had Laura and Stephen traveling alone together. Before long, Laura realized how attractive Stephen was and her own desire blossomed. The excitement and uncertainty of their exploits and the thrill of danger brought their emotions to shallow ground, and their mutual feelings and desires for each other, though unspoken, boiled just below the surface. The suspense and contained passion built on a parallel and unwavering course to a satisfying conclusion.

Laura Gardeyne is a delightful protagonist,-no "please…don't…stop" virgin is she. She'd had a more than satisfying sex life with her dead husband. She missed it and wanted it.

"How do you see me, then?" he asked.

As the man I want naked in my bed.

The writing is colorful and entertaining, the characters interesting and believable. The plot does get weak in spots; there is never any real proof that Laura's brother-in-law truly wants to kill Harry. Nor do we ever find out the truth, and the obstacles the author uses to keep Laura and Stephen apart become a bit ridiculous. However the ending of Skylark makes up for any of its shortcomings. It's full of turns and twists that come out of nowhere, pleasantly surprising the reader and keeping them reading at a fast and furious pace.

Reviewed By: Donna Russo Morin
© June 2004