A Hint of Wicked

No other genre of literature is more misunderstood than the romance novel. The stories, which frequently follow a basic formula, are often disregarded as mere fluff, the literary equivalent of the latest romantic comedy blockbuster. And the cover art - typically brimming with dinner plate-sized man pecs and corset-busting mammaries - certainly doesn't lessen criticism of the genre.

But buying into these stereotypes diverts attention from the often times remarkable aspects of the paperback romance. One of the last bastions of "old school" romance novels is the historical, many of which are far more than cotton candy lit.

They are meticulously researched, historically spot-on accounts of long-distant places and times, with the power to transport the reader through the ages and entertain with a vivid fantasy. And many romances, of any genre, are incredibly well-written.

A Hint of Wicked, by first-time author Jennifer Haymore, meets both of these criteria and more. Haymore takes the ages-old formula of historical romance and crafts a fresh, tricky story that is as inventive as it is entertaining.

Sophie is the Duchess of Calton, recently married to Tristan. Both are widowed when they meet; Sophie's husband Garrett never came back from battle, and Tristan's wife died in childbirth. Just as these two are riding off into the happily-ever-after, Garrett, long thought dead, returns to London alive and well. This sets off an emotional battle for Sophie's hand, with the duchess caught in the middle of two men, both of whom she truly loves.

Sound soap operatic? Well, it is. That's what makes it so highly readable. It's also tremendously refreshing, breaking the usual boy-meets-girl scenario of so many romances. Haymore really gets into the skins of her characters.

She knows they're just a bunch of rich white people in England, and she clearly has fun with them as she sets up this historically rich and poignant drama for their passions to play out. But she taps into their humanity as well, making the characters more seasoned (and likable) than so many textbook heroes and heroines.

All stories, romance or not, need an antagonist. By providing us with such an intimate peek into the lives of this trio, the author does something quite impressive. The most imposing antagonist, for at least a good part of this book, is the situation itself.

We follow these characters with such precision that the only one to truly dislike is not a person at all, but the scenario in which they find themselves.

No romance novel review would be complete without, at the very least, a mention of sex. So...how was it? The love scenes in "A Hint of Wicked" are unabashedly sexy and quite a lot of fun.

Indeed, a soft-core bondage scene goes down in the first chapter. That's reason enough to love this book, isn't it?