Petra d’Averio fears for her life, so she flees Italy disguised as a nun.  Having spent years with her mother at a convent in Italy, she is confident that she can pull off the ruse and make her way across the continent to England where her biological father lives.  Petra is positive that once she reaches her father and presents proof of paternity that he will protect her from the danger that has been pursuing her since she fled Italy.

Robin Fitzvitry is a master of disguise as well.  Traveling without the creature comforts of one in his station in life is much safer, as is traveling under an assumed name.  When he meets up with a frantic, cursing nun,  Sister Immaculata, he gives her the choice of continuing on her travels with a shrew and her unruly children, or pretending to be his sister while he ensures her safe passage to England.  Neither are completely truthful with the other and danger follows them across the Channel, which threatens their lives and any romantic feelings developing between the two of them.

Jo Beverly does a superb job of creating suspense in “A Lady’s Secret” such that the reader feels compelled to keep turning those pages long after it is time to settle down for a good night’s sleep.  Her repeated use of double entendres also adds to the story and not in a hokey or overdone way.   As for characters, Petra is a strong willed and resourceful woman and not a wilting flower.  There’s just the right mix of independent spirit to make her a dynamic heroine, but she is not so strong willed that she doesn’t need her hero to save her when she needs rescued.

The storyline is believable from start to finish.  Readers will fall in love with this energetic and mysterious couple as the tangled web of half truths and deceit is unraveled one by one in this delicious romantic mystery.   Regency romance lovers will not be disappointed in Jo Beverly’s “A Lady’s Secret” and will be left hoping the author pens a sequel.

March 15, 2009