Interesting story with characters in disguise. Not as intense as this author can be. There were 2 romances involved which distracted a bit. Cross dressing was involved and kudos to the author for not dwelling on homophobia ( )

Shadow Dance
3 Stars

On the run for a murder he did not commit, Valerian Romney disguises himself as a woman and masquerades as his brother, Phelan's, "wife". The problems begin when Valerian becomes smitten with the charming Sophie de Quincy and Phelan falls for Juliet MacGowan, who is masquerading as a boy to escape an abuser.

A "Twelfth Night" style romance that is cute despite the ridiculous shenanigans.

Phelan and Juliette's romance is far more intriguing than Val and Sophie's which is less detailed and developed.

The villain is a true scumbag and although he receives his just desserts, it is disappointingly anti-climactic.

Overall, not a bad way to spend a few hours. ( )

I love Anne Stuart and read this book years ago and remember liking it a great deal. However my memory must have been kind, because the reread was not as successful. It's a traditional cross dressing romance, where 2 brothers, one running from a murder accusation and the other hiding him, pretend to be a married couple, and one young woman, running away from her abusive new husband, is pretending to be a man. But the brotheres men are never fooled by her, though other men are. (and the open depiction of homosexuality, in a time when men could and were imprisoned for the act, also annoyed me.) There was no tension for me, and I didn't quite believe how quickly the cynical taker charge Phelan fell in love wither her. Valarian's love was more amusing as the girl he is with has no idea he is not a woman and in the end she is the bravest and most radical of them. I don't know if this book will cross my path again, but I'm not keeping it and don't think it needs another reread. ( )

Features two couples and was hot and sensual with some great subtle humor. Really enjoyed it. Grade B+ ( )