Welcome to yet another manic Monday. Today I’m starting your week off with a short story by Donna Dalton called Loving Byrne. It’s a nice little story that will start your week off a little warmer than the weather is outside. Since today’s story is so short I’m gonna keep my opening to a minimum. Be sure to read my review after the book blurb.
Book Blurb:
Lieutenant Stephen Byrne stands guard over a British envoy asleep after an all-day drinking binge. So when his fiancee arrives, Stephen feels safe leaving his post for a quick meal. Yet his worst nightmare comes true when the Englishman slips from the room and leaves the hotel.
Victoria Manning will soon have everything she’s ever wanted–a loving husband and a new life at Fort Leavenworth as an Army officer’s wife. When loneliness and a special picnic lunch for her fiance bring her to the Willard Hotel, their meal soon falls by the wayside as their passion ignites and their agreement of abstinence is put to the test.
Stephen and Victoria must put their special night on hold as they search for the fugitive envoy. Can they find him and save Stephen’s commission in the Army, or will their future together be in jeopardy?
Review:
Victoria decides to bring a picnic dinner for her fiancée. Her fiancée is responsible for guarding the room of the English envoy that is due to marry in the morning. Since the envoy has been drinking, Stephen feels it will be ok to steal away some time with Victoria. Soon the picnic is left unattended as things get heated between the couple. When they are disturbed by a loud thump Stephen steals way to investigate what made the noise. When he returns, he informs Victoria that the envoy has escaped and he must go to track him down. This begins a frantic search through the streets of Boston. They must hurry to find him before Stephen is found out that he left his post. If found out he will be court marshaled and possibly given death. Will Victoria and Stephen find the envoy or will their future flutter through their fingers?
I thought this was a great little novella. It was a fully formed story with well-developed characters and story line. The connection between Stephen and Victoria is wonderful. I enjoyed Victoria’s character the most. I thought for the era that was depicted in the story she was a strong woman. You can definitely see why Stephen falls for her. In such a short story Donna Dalton manages to put some really steamy scenes in their. Overall, though this is a very quick read it is highly enjoyable and very steamy at times.