"exciting Regency romance"
In 1814 Lord William Ogilvie challenges playwright Edgar
St. John to a duel because the former felt that the latter
made him look inane in the play "He Begs to Differ". By
post Edgar accepts, but informs the English lord that
their matter of honor must happen in Ireland. William
obtains the services of Lucius Ashford as his second and
they trek to the duel rendezvous point where they meet a
woman and a preadolescent lass waiting for them. Lucius
realizes over breakfast not bullets that Edgar is actually
Emily Fairfax. Emily worships Lucius (her Mr. L.A.) because of how he is
always a second at duels at least that is what the papers
say. Lucius explains that duels are not matters of heroic
honor as Emily believes, but stupidity that he tries to
stop before anyone gets hurt. He falls from her pedestal
as she believes he wants her fortune only, but still they
fall in love. When Lucius becomes embroiled in a duel,
Emily reconsiders what is a hero with her beloved at risk. ENTER THE HERO is an exciting Regency romance with a
superb male protagonist who opposes duels and a lead
female character, who in spite of her gender bending
works, glamorizes the often deadly event. Reminiscent in
many ways to a Nixon era song, Billy Don't Be a Hero, the
story line focuses on the two differing perspectives that
Emily and L.A. have on heroism vs. family obligations when
honor is allegedly at stake. Judith O'Brien presents her
beliefs inside a warm historical romance that will leave
the audience pondering the questions the author raises. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 15, 2003
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