Beauty in Black (Sinclair Family Saga) - Softcover

The social whirl of Britain's Regency era springs to vivid life in a story that revolves around not one but two beings in black: the titular Beauty, widow Marianne Hughes, and the "Beast of Gillingham," John Sinclair. In need of a wife, the reclusive Marquess of Gillingham, who wears drab attire to draw attention away from his smallpox-scarred face, reluctantly tries to negotiate London's marriage mart. Equally reluctantly, Marianne agrees to chaperon her impetuous niece-in-law Louisa, who immediately targets John. But Louisa seems to be targeted by someone seeking something more sinister than marriage—her life. John, meanwhile, realizes he's less drawn to his new fiancée than to her guardian. Further complications arise when John comes into contact with his estranged brother Gabriel, Gabriel's wife Psyche and her perceptive younger sister Circe, auld acquaintances from Byrd's two previous books, Dear Imposter and Lady in Waiting. This charming, character-driven novel links Byrd's Sinclair series and her newer Merry Widow series, but readers new to Byrd (who's actually the mother/daughter team Cheryl Zach and Michelle Nicole Place) should have no trouble untangling the family relationships. Despite its complexity, the story's disparate plot elements mesh seamlessly.
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Adult/High School–A historical romance with a dash of mystery and a pinch of adventure. Reclusive and scarred by smallpox, John, the marquess of Gillingham, goes to London in 1817 to choose a wife to provide an heir to his estate. Meanwhile, Louisa, a wealthy orphan, travels to London to be brought out into Society under the auspices of her widowed aunt. Having heard of the marquess, she wants him, and they do become engaged, but are they right for one another? The entertaining plot moves forward quickly and easily with unusual twists: someone is trying to kill Louisa, John must ask his estranged brother for help, and the habits of John's father, though long dead, play a part. The details of daily life provide an excellent look at the mores of regency England.–Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA