The Widower's Folly

by April Kihlstrom and K.J. Charles

Book Overview

A shy, sweet-natured authoress, Theresa Barlow has vowed never to marry. So she is most definitely not interested in Lord Rivendale, a handsome widower. That is, until scandal surrounds her-and he... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451203690
• ISBN13: 9780451203694
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

a pleasurable read

"The Widower's Folly" is the second installment in the series that focuses on the Barlow sisters and the magical locket that allows them to see the face of the man they are destined to find happiness with. This time it is Theresa's turn. The second of the Barlow sisters, Theresa is somewhat shy and prefers to spend her time writing stories for children, to attending fashionable get-togethers and balls. One morning, as she's on her way to turn in her latest book to her publisher, her aunt, Margaret Winsham, gives her the family locket, and tells her the legend behind the locket. And when Theresa opens the locket, she catches a glimpse of the face of a rather handsome gentleman. Imagine her shock when minutes later, she practically runs into him outside her publisher's!William, Lord Rivendale, currently has only one purpose in life: to get his young six year old daughter, Anna, to talk again. Anna had witnessed her mother die in a carriage accident, and she's not spoken word since. The only time she shows any signs of liveliness is when her father reads to her the books by her favourite authour. And when the latest specialist that Rivendale has consulted holds out little hope for Anna's improvement, Rivendale hits on the idea of discovering the identity of Anna's favourite authour, and asking her for her help in bringing Anna out of her shell. Rivendale of course expects this authour to be a grandmotherly old woman. And he's quite surprised when he discovers that the unknown authour is actually a beautiful and shy young woman. Moved by Anna's plight, Theresa agrees to spend time with Anna. And the more time she spends with father and daughter, the more she comes to care for them both, esp Rivendale, with whom she finds herself becoming perilously attracted to, even as she tells herself that nothing will come of her growing feelings for Rivendale, as wealthy men of the ton do not marry shy, penniless young authours. And then Theresa finds herself in the middle of a scandal. Her unscrupulous publisher has used her latest work to lampoon members of society, and he refuses to agree to cease in this activity. Theresa is aghast at this turn of events, especially when no other publisher will accept her manuscripts. What is she to do if she cannot write? And this is where Rivendale suddenly finds himself proposing a marriage of convenience to Theresa. He needs a wife primarily for Anna's sake, however he has no intention of consummating the marriage or begetting an heir. Theresa agrees to marry Rivendale, but she has her own agenda. Somehow she's going to get him to open himself up to the prospect of falling in love again, and with her. Will sweet-natured Theresa succeed in her quest to win her husband's heart?"The Widower's Folly" is a rather fun read. I especially enjoyed the second half of the book that dealt with Theresa slow and steady seduction of her husband, which April Khilstrom handled in a light and tasteful manner. Both the principal characters