Regency England

The motherless daughter of a military man, Miss Larissa Quinn spent the last several years at a ladies' seminary. Now at eighteen and an orphan since her father died a year ago, she is on her way to Westmorland after being summoned by her only relative, an aunt, presumably to care for the elderly, possibly infirm lady. This journey may be the only adventure Larissa will have and she's determined to make the most of it. Arriving at an inn on her first night, there is only one room left and a barn for the weary travelers. Not thrilled at the idea of sleeping on straw, Larissa impulsively claims the room for herself and her new "husband," another sojourner and a stranger, Sir Randall Trent. The baronet is a gentleman and goes along with her ruse and spends an uncomfortable night on the room's settee while Larissa takes the bed. The next day they take passage on the same coach with others who heard her claim their married state. Randall is goaded into showing his bride some affection. Meaning to give Larissa a chaste salute, it somehow turns into a passionate kiss...one neither will be able to forget.

Randall and Larissa part to go in separate directions -- never expecting to meet again -- she to her aunt's humble cottage, he to visit his Uncle Cyrus, the Earl of Rushton. Both have surprises in store. Larissa's Aunt Ivy is neither feeble nor living in genteel poverty. She's a brisk, still attractive widow, the Viscountess Claiborne, all packed and ready to treat Larissa to a Season in London. Randall's uncle has similar plans to move to Town. The earl wants to find himself a wife.

The inevitable happens; Larissa and Randall meet in London. He's determined to ignore the troublesome miss and turns his eye to another. But Larissa liked the way his kiss made her feel, and if he won't kiss her again, she'll find someone who will.

MISS QUINN'S QUANDARY, with its feisty heroine and the early antagonistic relationship between her and the hero almost works. You know they'll be found out, but that's not the problem. This is Ms. Quinn's third book for Avalon Romances, but her first historical, and that shows. The stilted language is presumably an attempt to sound old fashioned and the knowledge of the era appears superficial. Larissa's training in period manners seems faulty, and one wonders why her aunt waited so many years to make herself known to the lonely child with no mother and an absent father. Still, Aunt Ivy and Uncle Cyrus are likable characters who add humor and a sweet side plot to the whole. Other characters are interesting as well, and the plot, while often improbable, has many engaging facets. With more familiarity with the genre and placing more emphasis on showing feelings rather than telling of them, Ms. Marks will have the tools to better underscore her originality.

Jane Bowers