I read an interesting book last night, I traded books with a lady in Wales, it is THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE by Elizabeth Rolls...this is a Mills & Boon historical romance, 2000 release.

Why it was interesting is that some of the phases that Ms. Rolls used I had never heard before in a traditional regency. In one part the hero's heir/cousin is in debt to money lenders, "The Jews have their claws into him." The other phases are very proper English.

Ms. Rolls is now releasing her M&B books to Harlequin Historical. I've got the M&B copy of THE DUTIFUL RAKE and should receive a copy of the HH later this month. I can't wait to compare them to see if she has changes up her wording.

THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE has a widower the Earl of Darleston needing an heir so he decides to take a wife. He has a wicked mistress that cause havoc trying to get him to marry her, an evil cousin that is his heir now, and bitter past with a wife that cuckolds him while he as away fighting at Waterloo. It doesn't look like he is going to take the news he married the wrong twin and that she is blind very well.

Penelope and Phoebe switch places so that Phoebe can marry the man she loves, since Darleston only ask for Miss Ffolliot's hand in marriage not Miss Phoebe Ffolliot. Darleston warns Penelope just before the marriage never to expect love from him and she never is to pretend to love him. She lets her guard down a few times but after he rebuffs her once or twice she starts to build barriers around her heart. Darleston blows hot and cold throughout the book, being almost loving then hateful to Penny.

I stayed up a late to see how this one turned out, I wasn't disappointed. I think I might start THE DUTIFUL DUKE this afternoon, the July HHs are due any day now.

THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE B+
Elizabeth Rolls
2000
Rom/H-Regency

The Earl of Darleston was in a fix. If he was to cut out his obnoxious cousin from the succession, he must marry. But after a disastrous first marriage, he wouldn't endanger his heart again -- this would be a marriage of convenience only. Miss Phoebe Ffolliot seemed ideal. But after the wedding he was shocked speechless to discover that "Phoebe" was really Penelope -- Phoebe's blind twin....