A Lady’s Guide to Ruin

Kimmel’s leisurely Regency-set debut portrays a thief’s metamorphosis into a lady. Joan Price has just escaped from Bedlam, where she was imprisoned against her will. She’s being pursued by her brother, Moses, and his cohort, Hugh, who want to find the diamonds she has taken. She runs into Daphne Hargrove, who asks that she deliver letters to Martin and Elinor Hargrove. But when Martin, Lord Fenbrook, assumes that she is Daphne, she plays the role in hopes of finding refuge in his home. At the Hargrove country estate, Elinor discovers Joan’s identity but allows her to stay, with one stipulation: that she not allow Martin to fall in love with her. The attraction between Joan and Martin builds somewhat slowly, yet is enhanced by the excellent character development. While the pace lags near the beginning of the novel, it does pick up speed as the attraction between the protagonists becomes more evident, providing some hope that future installments will be a little more brisk. Agent: Lisa Rodgers, Jabberwocky Literary Agency. (Dec.)