Gallant Officer, Forbidden Lady

by Diane Gaston

Book Overview

The battlefields of Badajoz are nothing compared to the cutting tongues of polite society, but Jack Vernon has never been very "polite." A canvas is this brooding artist's preferred company--having... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373295723
• ISBN13: 9780373295722
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

A gifted author creates another page-turner. I couldn't put it down..

I have been a fan of Diane Gaston's books from the beginning, but even within that body of work I have "desert-island" favorites... The Mysterious Miss M, The Improper Wife, The Wagering Widow, and The Marriage Bargain... this novel is up there with her absolute best, in my view. She creates strong, believable characters put into very difficult circumstances (but completely realistic and true to life for that historical period) and you're dying to see how it will ever work out in the end! Larger forces are at work here, as well -- the sweep of history is definitely an intricate, pivotal 'character' in this novel. That's so true of our lives, whether or not we are aware of it (or acknowledge it). There are forces far beyond our control, war being one of them, and war affects both Jack and Ariana very deeply in the story, but especially Jack. The scene when they first meet is magical, unlike any I've ever read in a romance. I was completely hooked. Gaston's attention to historical detail (notes at the end tell us who was real in the book and what actually happened), her fine writing of love scenes, battle scenes, and street scenes -- but mostly her very real understanding of human nature, of the foibles and faults of all her characters, whether they be main players or secondary -- all of these elements combine to create a fabulous, moving tapestry. I LOVE Jack Vernon and Ariana Blake. I WANT them to be together, at all costs. The author makes it work, and makes the reader glad for having shared their world, for a time. Brava! I cannot wait for more!

Another captivating tale...

Diane possess a true gift for drawing one into the story with vivid characters and real-life settings. Her attention to historical details is evident and rewarding as they create a picture of such depth one cannot help but feel as if they've been transported there. She is also able to take unexpected characters and turn them into the heroes and heroines. This is not the typical Regency tale of lords and ladies but instead, Diane masterfully explores the lot of the lower classes, without drawing in 21st century notions. A captivating page turner because it all seems so hopeless, yet needing to find out how Diane would manage to bring it to a satisfying end. And she did, with a few surprises that were unexpectedly enjoyable. It's also a delight to know that this is only the first in a trilogy, so there's more to look forward to most eagerly. Brava!