Madeline Hunter

I have discovered a new writer who I absolutely love:  Madeline Hunter.  I read Ravishing in Red while in Texas for spring break.   Bought the next two in the series while I was there and had been thinking about them ever since.  Finished Provocative in Pearls yesterday and started and am halfway finished with Sinful in Satin.  Dangerous in Diamonds doesn't come out for another month...I don't know how I'll wait to finish this group of books.  Wonderful all around.

They are focused on four women during the early 1800s in England who have for one reason or another come to live together as independent women.  Following the rule that they don't pry into their reasons for being alone, but simply love and support one another, they each grow and find love along the way.  Sinful in Satin is especially interesting because it is about Celia, the daughter of a famous prostitute in London.  Her limitations for moving about in society are painful to read about, but it is wonderful to learn how she has faced and eventually overcome as much as possible those limitations.

In Pearls, I was a little worried because when I started it I really didn't like either Hawkeswell or Verity, but by the end I loved them both and was both sad and happy to see their story end.  Happy because it's such a wonderful ending and sad because I didn't want to say goodbye to the characters.

Hunter's books are rich in detail and character development, and most amazingly to me, carry a very interesting plot.  There are mystery elements thrown in.  The solving of those mysteries is important, but carried off in such a way that it doesn't take over the overarching plot.  AND I didn't solve it before the time necessary nor feel jipped when I did find out the underlying currents.

Really wonderful books.  I highly highly recommend and cannot wait to read the rest of Hunter's works.  These are definitely on my "to buy" list!