For a star rating and complete review, visit Ind'tale Magazine online. November 2012 issue
www.indtale.com

An Unlikely Alliance by Rachel Van Dyken is just that – the romantic escapades of a very unlikely couple. This regency romance follows Evelyn De Jarlais, a southern farm girl suddenly thrust into New York society, and Royce McArthrur, a wealthy merchant playboy used to having his way with women. When Royce sets his sights on Evelyn, he gets more than he was expecting. She is forthright and feisty – characteristics he is not used to, which of course, heightens his attraction. For her part, Evelyn fears Royce’s reputation as a rake, and wonders if she can really trust him. However, the couple soon find that they have another mutual problem on their hands and must work together to discover the truth. The book is short and sweet, with some well written romantic scenes that sizzle. I liked the flawed nature of both of the main characters. I felt like the resolution came a little too quickly after the a moment of potential devastation, but overall, it was a quick and easy read which I enjoyed. ( )

Reviewed by Judy
Review copy provided by author
Take four outrageous characters, place them in a setting somewhere in the past (think carriages and balls), concoct an absolutely unbelievable plot told with pithy, sparkling repartee, celebrate the clever intimations of passion without the graphic descriptions, sigh in relief as no ‘language’ assaults your eyes—and you have arrived at the brilliant sum of An Unlikely Alliance.

Evelyn De Jarlias: beautiful, resourceful, independent—and nouveau riche—is not about to let rakish Royce McArthur add her to his string of conquests. The problem is—he doesn’t want to seduce her. He wants to marry her instead and not just because his widowed mother orders him to get married within the impossibly short time frame of FOUR MONTHS!

Stuart De Jarlias—charming country bumpkin (but don’t discount his savvy side)—meets Royce’s mother on the same night Royce falls head over heels in love with Evelyn—and begins his own courtship. It’s obvious the two courtships are preceding apace, but who’s chaperoning who? And who will live happily ever after?

Rachel Van Dyken has written a rollicking read for everyone who loves a fast-paced, smile-eliciting entertainment. Not one blush on a single page! ( )