The Beckets of Romney Marsh 1-3

A Gentleman by Any Other Name
The Dangerous Debutante
Beware of Virtuous Women
by Kasey Michaels
Sycamore Public Library call number: ROM FIC MIC
Kasey Michaels has a fresh, fascinating series called 'The Beckets of Romney Marsh.' It centers on a family - the Beckets, of course - who live along the eastern English coast. Ainsley Becket was a sailor who, for various and secret reasons, adopted a number of children (in addition to his one natural child). Those children each have a book in the series.

The first is A Gentleman by Any Other Name, the story of Chance Becket. A widower with a daughter, he is concerned primarily with finding childcare for young Alice so that he can get back to work at the War Office, aiding England on the home front against Napoleon. To that end, he needs to hire a nanny and move his child to his family's estate on Romney Marsh, so far off the beaten path as to be described as "in back of the beyond." Happily, though, the best choice for a nanny is Julia Carruthers, a strong-willed and lovely woman. Chance and Julia find more in common than mutual care for Alice, and before long their relationship goes far beyond what either originally intended. Because it launches the series, A Gentleman by Any Other Name is necessarily more broad than any of the others, including enough background information to get one interested in each of the stories. However, it is still Julia and Chance's romance that shines through.

• "Michaels keeps the couple's relationship fresh with their cat-and-mouse mind games throughout as Julia's curiosity and intellect keep vigilant pace with Chance's manipulative efforts to protect the family secrets. Romance is only part of the well-executed plot, and the dynamic among the various Becket siblings is vital, humorous and authentic, making this an engaging beginning to the Beckets' saga."--Publishers Weekly
• "[A] tale filled with mystery, sexual tension, and steamy encounters...a gem from a true master of the genre."--Patty Engelmann, Booklist

The Dangerous Debutante is Morgan Becket, Ainsley's second-eldest daughter. While traveling to London to enjoy a Season under the care of her brother Chance and his wife, she meets a fascinating horse named Alejandro--and his even more engaging owner, Ethan Tanner, the Earl of Aylesford. Although each is keeping secrets, they both find that they are drawn together in ways that cannot be ignored, and that their attraction is more than just physical (although it is obviously that; this is a pretty wild book!). If Chance and Julia's story could be called 'sweet', Morgan and Ethan's is much more 'charming'.

• "The second book...is a must-read for fans of historical romance and all who appreciate Michaels' witty and sensuous style."--Patty Engelmann, Booklist
• "Michaels's enticing hints about the unrevealed origins of the Beckets of Romney Marsh should more than suffice to keep readers tantalized through this book and into the next."--Publishers Weekly

Eleanor Becket's story is called Beware of Virtuous Women. Eleanor is the quiet sibling, the one whose goal has always been to stay at home and keep the family happy. Her plans change unexpectedly when her father's business associate, Jack Eastwood, reveals that there are problems afoot. Someone needs to go undercover to root out their adversaries. That someone is Jack and his stand-in "bride": Eleanor. Little does Jack know, Eleanor has been dreaming of him for years.

• "Although adopted daughter Eleanor has always been reserved and self-sufficient, quietly running the boisterous Becket household, she shocks everyone by volunteering to play Eastwood's pretend wife in London. Jack quickly discovers that Eleanor's fragile looks hide a sharp mind and steely will, making her a valuable ally, but he suspects she is keeping secrets from him about her past."--Publishers Weekly
• "Of all the adopted children living with Ainsley Beckett, Eleanor has always been the quiet and demure one. Now it is her turn for adventure and romance as Michaels continues to entertain readers with the verve of her appealing characters and their exciting predicaments."--Patty Engelmann, Booklist

The first three books in this series are stellar. I can only imagine that the final four will be just as fantastic. A terrific mix of history, romance and intrigue, they make a wonderful winter's day read.

Reviewed by: Grace

Age Group: Adult

Class: Fiction (romance, historical)

Rating: A