Romance Annotation

 

Author: Lisa Kleypas

Title: Devil in Winter

Genre: Romance, historical romance

Publication Date: 2006

Number of Pages: 368

Geographical Setting: London, England

Time Period: 1843

Series: Wallflowers, #3

Plot Summary: In order to avoid an unwanted marriage to a cousin and to maintain her terminally ill father’s inheritance, Evangeline Jenner proposed a marriage of convenience to the roguish Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. Sebastian had previously kidnapped Lillian Bowman, friend of Evangeline and fiancée of his friend, Marcus, Lord Westcliff, in order to secure money to support his lavish, aristocratic lifestyle. Sebastian and Evangeline escape to Gretna Green in Scotland for a speedy wedding, and discover on the journey that an unexpected and strong attraction exists between them. Upon their return to London to care for Evie’s dying father, Ivo Jenner, former boxer and owner of a successful London gambling club, Sebastian and Evie’s relationship grows deeper, and he is surprised to find that he loves her in a way he has never loved another woman, even willing to risk his own life to save her.

Subject Headings: Nobility - England - Fiction; Victorian erotic tales

Appeals: Pace: Leisurely paced; Tone: Steamy, funny; Writing style: banter-filled; Themes: marriage of convenience; opposites attract

3 terms that best describe this book: humorous, steamy, character growth

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors:

Gretna Green: A Romantic History by Olga Sinclair--this is a history of the common historical wedding destination for English elopers who needed to bypass the rules of marriage that applied in England and Wales.

How to Be a Victorian: A Dawn-to-Dusk guide to Victorian Life by Ruth Goodman--written by a historian who recreated Victorian living conditions to gain first-hand experience of life in the Victorian Era.

Serving Victoria: Life in the Royal Household by Kate Hubbard--a glimpse into life of six members of Queen Victoria’s household, based on letters and diaries of her servants.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:

Someone Perfect by Mary Balogh—both have marriage of convenience as themes, are historical romances set in the Victorian Era, and both deal with persons of nobility.

Marry in Haste by Anne Gracie—both are banter-filled with marriage of convenience theme.

Along Came a Lady by Christi Caldwell--both are steamy historical romances with an opposites attract theme.