WHIRLWIND AFFAIR is the sequel to WHIRLWIND WEDDING, but it can be read on its own. Although I found it hard at first to get a read on Robert, it was quickly clear that he was a sweetheart and a wonderful leading man. He's not one of those cynical anti-love heroes, but rather is looking to find the love of his life and settle down. He's funny, sweet, romantic, possessive - just delicious! I liked Allie, but I found her to be excessively weighed down by the past; I understand that she would be affected by her previous husband's bad character, but the story takes place three years later (four times longer than she was married to him!) and her marraige still casts such a long shadow.

The supporting cast was good and I'm hoping that Jacquie D'Alessandro decides to write a romance for Michael Evers, as I would love to read it! The mystery subplot was obvious and certain twists were done more for effect than realistic practicality (why would the note be taken all the way to Ireland, when there are people in England who can translate Gaelic), but it was still entertaining and added a touch of danger.

CRITICISMS:
This is hard for me to describe, but there was something missing between Allie and Robert. We hear about how highly they think of one another, how attractive they find one another, etc., but for some reason I found there to be a lack of chemistry. I've read this before in other reviews and I never understood what they could possibly mean - "it's a book, words on a page, what do you mean there was a lack of chemistry?" - but now I know.

The constant abbreviations / hyphenations / nicknames were annoying. Also, we don't find out that Allie was married to David for only 8 months until a good ways into the book. We never find out how old either Allie or Robert are and I like to know those kind of details at the beginning.

SUMMARY (from the back cover):
"After the scandalous duel that made her a widow, Alberta Brown was left destitute - and in possession of a cache of ill-gotten goods. Determined to right the wrongs of her thieving husband, she sailed to England to locate the owner of a gentleman's ring bearing an intriguing coat of arms. But a series of mishaps onboard soon convinced Allie that she was enmeshed in a perilous game. Yet none was more dangerous - or irresistibly tempting - than the dashing stranger waiting on the dock.

The marriage-minded Lord Robert Jamison was searching for a woman who aroused that certain something. He never expected to find her in this uncommonly pretty, fiercely independent American he'd been asked to escort back to a splendid country estate. Allie was in grave danger - worse, she vowed never to marry again. Yet Lord Robert's will was just as strong - and he planned to make this maddening creature his wife, even as passion drove them into each other's arms ... and a reckless liaison flamed into the season's most indiscreet and irresistible affair of the heart ..."

BOTTOM LINE:
Worth the read (the hero is wonderful!), so borrow a friend's copy or check it out from the library.

(Written January 26, 2008 on Amazon.com) ( )