GALLANT OFFICER, FORBIDDEN LADY
Diane Gaston
Harlequin Historical #972
ISBN:  978-0-373-29572-2
December 2009
Category Romance
 
Jack Vernon is an artist who bravely fought at Badajoz Spain in 1812.  The horrors of war have followed him home but he is now beginning his career as a portrait painter.  One day he goes to a show at the Royal Academy of Art, where two of his paintings are on exhibit, he encounters a beautiful woman who engages him in conversation.  They are separated and he doesn’t see her again until the next year, she is an actress appearing on stage.  Jack is intrigued. 
 
Now readers learn that Jack’s life is a bit complicated.  His mother is a “kept” woman who is the liaison of Lord Tranville, a wealthy gentleman with an adult son who figured prominently in Jack’s nightmares from war experiences.  Jack’s sister, Nancy, is a young innocent being used as a pawn in Lord Tranville’s complicated plans.
 
It turns out that the mysterious young actress, Ariana Blane, is also being used in a scheme that involves her narcissistic mother and Lord Tranville.  When Jack is commissioned to paint her portrait for advertisement of the theater, Tranville is paying for it.  You can bet he wants more than a picture from the process. 
 
This is a wickedly delicious novel, filled with complicated relationships and intrigue.  The author beautifully captures Jack’s post-traumatic stress, his devotion to his mother and sister, and his growing affection for Ariana.  In Ariana we meet a character who is trying to stay true to her values and beliefs.  In contrast is Tranville a truly diabolical, manipulative character who engenders dislike from readers.  I really loved this book and while I’m not an experienced reader of regency romance, this one will stand out as an excellent depiction of the period.   I will definitely be reading more books by Diane Gaston!
 
Reviewed by Jeri Neal
Rating:  4 1/2