Christina Dodd

Historical/Mid-19th Century England

Overall:
Sensuality:
Cover Cheese:

We romance fans just can't seem to get enough of those English dudes.

Whether he's a sexy MI-6 agent or a stuffy duke whose cravat needs loosening, we eat up British heroes with a silver teaspoon, pinkie extended.

Just when did these guys get so hunky?

We're talking England, for God's sake -- land of Monty Python and men who cross their legs at the knees.

And, consummate metrosexual David Beckham notwithstanding, it bears reminding that the English seem to have elevated cross-dressing to a national art form.

Still, if a guy could mince around sporting a sunrise orange waistcoat and shiny white ankle boots -- and at the same time manage to look like the hottest thing on the marriage mart -- we'd forge his name on every line of our dance cards, wouldn't we, girls?

We would if the affected fop were Jude Durant, earl of Huntington, bane of his heir-desirous dad's existence, and hero of Christina Dodd's absorbing and remarkably sensual new release, "My Fair Temptress."

Miss Caroline Ritter of the Distinguished Academy of Governesses has been hired by Jude's father, the duke of Nevett, to teach Jude to chat up the debs.

How fortunate for Jude that Caroline is a flirt nonpareil!

Alas, it's her only marketable skill, so she's determined to succeed in her assignment, and is driven to win the generous monetary reward the duke has promised if she helps Jude snare a bride.

But Jude is turning out to be an infuriating and inept pupil.

Caroline suspects that beneath the dandified wardrobe and pretentious manner, Jude is an earnest man of character and intense passion.

One who is intent upon humiliating himself for some greater good -- one of far more import than his escaping the parson's noose.

This type of intriguing plot, couched in blithe wit and ruthlessly articulate dialogue, makes "My Fair Temptress," really any Christina Dodd novel, a joy to read and read yet again.

And you know we can always count on Christina to show us the love.

Holy moly does she ever get the job done in "My Fair Temptress."

Kind of cool, though, is how Dodd soft-sells the gettin' down to it, making less of the first embrace than the ones aroused in its wake.

But, believe you me, when Dodd decides the moment's ripe for sensual denouement, she leaves one tied in knots and breathless for pages.

Christina Dodd is a stand-out among romance's best writers of historical fiction; she just doesn't disappoint.

I don't suspect you'll be disappointed should you ...

Buy the book.

Visit Christina at www.christinadodd.com and enjoy some nutty fun with Christina and her friends at SquawkRadio.com, www.SquawkRadio.com

Next Week's Review and AuthorView: "Gone with the Nerd," by Vicki Lewis Thompson