Patricia Harrison Reviews

Page Two

Added June 12, 2007

Dangerous Deceptions

Author: Patricia Harrison
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Available At: www.amberquill.com
Publishing Date: June 1, 2007
Genre: Romance: Historical/Regency
Format: Trade Paperback and Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $15.50 trade paperback, $4.00 ebook
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-983-4 paperback
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-057-2 ebook
Author Email/Website: www.pharrison.com/
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

Dangerous Deceptions is deliciously diabolical! Wicked schemes, the lure of sensual pleasures and greedy desires all come together in a plot packed with passion and promise. Set in the Regency era, these pages shiver with restrained emotion as the characters stay within the boundaries of a genteel society, while struggling to consummate personal agendas.

Lord Welford needs to marry a rich woman. Miranda Armitage is chosen to be his bride. Although this marriage was made in a parlor rather than heaven, Miranda's youthful innocence entertains visions of a happily ever after ending. Yet, the love of money is a powerful force, causing an enemy to step between this couple with a desperate plan. As the pages turn, the level of tension increases until the full scope of the murderer's intention is revealed. The final pages offer a breathless encounter with evil as hopes are dashed and hearts are melted.

Opening this book is like stepping back in time to an age of grace and gentility. Author Patricia Harrison captures the beauty and the elegance of the Regency period, while adding an intriguing mixture of murder and mayhem. Expertly written, this story transports readers to a society of refinement and courtesy, while highlighting the ageless denominators of greed and lust. The characters, the dialogue and their actions come together naturally and are consistent with this era. The niceties and the naughtiness create a strong contrast, which is superbly shown in sedate walks through a garden one moment, followed by a trail of terror the next. This combination of emotions is both engaging and exciting.

As the final scene closes the curtain on the lovers, the sighs of pleasure will not only be coming from the characters.

Return to top of page.

Added February 4, 2005

An Unacceptable Demise

Author: Patricia Harrison
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Available At: www.amberquill.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Mystery: Historical/Regency
Format: Trade Paperback and Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $15.50 paperback, $6.00
ISBN: 1-59279-808-X paperback, 1-59279-325-8 ebook
Author Email/Website: www.pharrison.com
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

An Unacceptable Demise brings the Regency era to life in this exceptionally well-written story!

Daragh Blackstone returns home to recover from an injury that ended his army career and almost ended his life. His homecoming is bittersweet, as his father recently died. However, Daragh longs to be reunited with Helen, the woman who stole his heart and to whom he pledged his love only months before. When he arrives at Shawnton Abbey, he finds many changes awaiting him. Helen is now wed to his brother, but this was just the first of many dark and painful secrets that prompt him to uncover the truth at any cost.

Author Patricia Harrison has found her niche in the Regency romance genre! As with her previous books, she shows a talent for capturing this era through dialogue, descriptions and an appropriate plot. While books in this genre follow certain guidelines, this author not only adheres to them, but also brings a refreshing vitality to her stories.

Most noteworthy in this book are the excellent characterizations. The leading couple, Daragh Blackstone and Priscilla Coulter, are both strong-willed, yet each possess a touch of weakness, which endears them to readers. Daragh is recovering from a serious injury, while Priscilla is a nurse who has the heart and mind of a doctor, but is of the wrong gender for that profession. The author allows readers to see the humanness of these characters as well as to observe how these limitations motivated them.

The secondary characters were created with a purpose, yet also provide the reader with many pleasurable moments. Lady Dunley is an appealing mix of charm and confusion, and was this reviewer's favorite. The love interest that develops between two of the secondary characters was a sweet and welcome addition. This reviewer believes the author had a smile on her face when she created these delightful characters!

The story line is deliciously dark with hidden secrets and intrigue. When Daragh returned home anticipating his own marriage, the shadow of murder greeted him instead. As he learns more about the sudden death of his father, he realizes that danger still lurks within his family home. As the story races to a conclusion, there is a spiraling release of emotions that will more than satisfy readers.

An Unacceptable Demise is undoubtedly Patricia Harrison's best work yet!

Return to top of page.

This page was last updated on January 1, 2008

This page and all its contents are Copyright© 2002-2008 In the Library Reviews and the individual reviewers. Except where noted, all graphics are Copyright© Eos Development and are used with permission. All book covers are Copyright© their respective publishers and are used with permission. The In the Library Reviews logo is Copyright© 2002 by In the Library Reviews/Sharyn McGinty. Site maintained by In the Library Reviews.