Sleepless at Midnightby Jacquie D Alessandroreviewed by Kristin YoungJuly 2007, 370 pages, Publisher: Avon, ISBN: 0061231384 Back Cover Blurb: The ladies in London are abuzz over Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, especially Miss Sarah Moorehouse. Her imagination is fired up, so when she spies Matthew Devenport, Marquess Langston, mysteriously sneaking home in the wee hours clutching a shovel, she simply must investigate. Impelled by curiosity, the adventurous lass steals into his bedchamber, only to be caught red-handed by the impossibly handsome and totally naked nobleman.
The Marquess Langston has more important things to worry about than a group of literature-loving ladies. But Matthew's grand plan to rescue the family from ruin could be lost when he discovers Sarah hiding behind his bedroom curtain. What is this meddlesome woman up to? And why are his desires inflamed by a chit who is too inquisitive for her own good? Well, two can play at this game . . . and when Matthew captures the beguiling Sarah in all her naked glory, the night of mischief has only just begun.
Matthew Devenport, Marquess Langston, must marry an heiress within the next few months. However, that is not his only pressing concern. Matthew must deal with a situation that redefines buried secrets. Thus, a trip to London to search for a bride would be inconceivable. His solution is to invite some gentlemen, unwed ladies, and their chaperons to his home, Langston Manor, for a house party. It appears to be the perfect solution to his problem, for Matthew could peruse the available ladies during the day, and devote his nights to finding what he seeks buried in the garden.
However, even the best laid plan has its flaws. Matthew knows that the beautiful heiresses are exactly what he needs, but he can't seem to take his attentions from the companion of Viscountess Carolyn Wingate, Miss Sarah Moorehouse.
Sarah is not only plain, but wears spectacles. While she is the sister to a viscountess, she is but the daughter of a lowly physician, and therefore no heiress. Matthew would never have noticed her were it not for his unexpectedly meeting her in the garden while she was sketching. Their brief exchange is anything but boring and he is amazed by the woman who engages him in a real and intelligent conversation. Before he is even aware of what has been set into motion, Sarah quickly becomes everything Matthew wants, but alas, cannot have.
Sarah is no stranger to secrets herself. While women are widely looked down upon for reading such novels as Frankenstein, Sarah is not only reading it, but sharing it with other women. During a lively discussion, these women decide to fashion the perfect man. Each woman is assigned a specific task and Sarah is to pilfer a shirt from their attractive host, Matthew Devenport. When Sarah spies Matthew in the garden at midnight, shovel in hand, her imagination gets the better of her. Just what mysterious things could he be doing?
While Sarah and Matthew are distracted by each other, someone is watching them quite closely. This mysterious villain wants the same thing Matthew is so desperately searching for in the garden. The stakes are gravely raised by the fact that this someone has already killed once for it, and may very well kill again.
Author Jacquie D Alessandro does it again with Sleepless At Midnight. This book is engaging and highly entertaining. The characterizations and vibrant personalities are brilliantly written. Sarah Moorehouse is unique and a refreshing change from many of the ladies of the ton, and Matthew is dashing and very lovable.
Sleepless at Midnight was so engaging that I found it nearly impossible to put it down. This book has it all: romance, drama, danger, passion, love, and a HEA that was very heartwarming. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great romance.
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