The Naked Baron Book

There are FUN books, and then there are 'fun' books. So far, all but one of the books I've read by Sally MacKenzie have been FUN books. There's no angst, no danger, no see-sawing of emotion...there's just fun regency historical romance! Her first book (at least, that I read) was "The Naked Duke". She has since published four more 'Naked Gentlemen' books, going down the peerage ladder; and there was also one short story contained in the recent 'Lords of Desire' anthology. I don't know where she'll head from here, but her latest is "The Naked Baron".

Grace is excited, and apprehensive, about having a season in London. She knows her father is determined to marry her off to a neighbor, and he's not so bad...really. He's just, well, boring. But Grace also knows that her standing would preclude an offer of marriage anyway--her physical standing that is. She's a bit, ummm, large. Not fat! But not a thin, elfin beauty that's all the rage in the ton either. So she's prepared to enjoy a season in London, have a little fun, and then go home to a life of boredom...uh, calm, yes, calm, with her neighbor.

David, Baron Dawson, is in London to look for a wife and he is, quite frankly, bored. They're all so...small, tiny, petite, whatever you want to call it he knows he needs, well...more. And then he sees her, a goddess who makes his heart, and another organ a bit lower, leap. Now to gain an introduction, and hopefully a wife!

But naturally, the course of love never runs so smooth. You see, Grace's father hates, despises, and abhors anything related to a Wilton in any way...and that would be David. Oh, and David's uncle Alex too who once offered for Grace's aunt Kate and was soundly rebuffed. This, then, is the crux of the story. Love lost, love found, love vs duty, and love vs family.

I enjoyed every minute of "The Naked Baron". There were two, count 'em two, romances for the price of one. Both Grace and Kate deal with their men, but in very different ways, and they each struggle with the compromises love requires. There's no stumbling in the plot or pacing and the passion is a hot PG. Just a delightful way to pass a few hours.