That Night on Thistle Lane
by Carla Neggers
Product Information
- Reader: Susan Boyce
- Running Time: 9hrs 48min
- Publisher: AudioGO Ltd
- Number of CDs: 8 File
- Quality: MP3 (128 kbps)
- Release Date: 1/29/13
- D/L ISBN: 9781609989941
- CD ISBN: 9781620647103
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0
Book Description
Release date: January 29, 2013 | Series: Swift River Valley
New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers returns with the second book in the Swift River Valley series, That Night on Thistle Lane, following Secrets of the Lost Summer.
More than just make-believe
Librarian Phoebe O'Dunn deals in stories, but her passion for history has taught her that happy endings are rare. Her life in Knights Bridge, Massachusetts, is safe and uneventful...until she discovers the hidden room.
Among its secrets is a cache of vintage clothing, including a spectacular gown--perfect for a gala masquerade in Boston. In the guise of a princess, Phoebe is captivated by a handsome swashbuckler who's also adopted a more daring persona. Noah Kendrick's wealth has made him wary, especially of women: everybody wants something.
When Noah and Phoebe meet again in Knights Bridge, at first neither recognizes the other. And neither one is sure they can trust the magic of the night they shared--until an unexpected threat prompts them to unmask their truest selves.
After all, it takes more than just the right costume to live out your personal fairy tale. It takes heart...and the courage to be more than you ever dreamed.
Review:
Phoebe O’Dunn was abandoned by her college sweetheart so she decided to shelter her heart. She grew comfortable with her single life-style and became a major support for her family and friends. She has recently discovered a hidden room in the library at Knights Bridge. She discovers some beautiful old movie dress replicas which she offers to allow her friends use for a gala masquerade ball. She decides to go at the last minute too as an Elizabethan princess. At the ball she is swept off her feet by a swashbuckling pirate and they share a dream dance until it is interrupted by Noah spotting a man he thinks is following him.
Noah Kendrick is a wealthy business mogul from California. He is wary of women who chase after him for his money or notoriety. He agrees to attend a masquerade ball with his business partner who is engaged to marry the love of his life, Olivia, who lives in Knights Bridge. At the ball he meets a beautiful, intriguing princess but doesn’t get her name.
Noah and Phoebe then meet at Olivia’s home but don’t immediately recognize each other. Noah decides to remain in the Knights Bridge to try to uncover ‘his princess.’ Soon he recognizes Phoebe by her movements and the lines of her face and hips. Phoebe heard a stranger talking mysteriously about Noah. Eventually when they acknowledge each other Noah discovers that his secret follower may have a connection to Phoebe’s hidden library room.
An early note I made about this story is that it has elements I find consistent in Ms. Neggers’ works: well developed characters, rich descriptions and unique, natural influences. The hero and heroine share loneliness, independence and pain. Ms. Neggers uses natural hobbies, goat soaps and essential oils being developed by the Knights Bridge ladies, to add warmth. There are wonderful, rich descriptions showing pluses but differences between the small, close community of Knights Bridge and the big atmosphere of San Diego.
The story has a slow, relaxed feeling as the background it set before the romance blossoms. I have enjoyed several of Carla Neggers' novels and I was expecting this to be a romantic suspense so I was disappointed when I kept waiting for the suspense. Although there is a small mystery with the hidden room and who created the dresses, there really is minimal suspense. But if you are looking for a relaxing and rich contemporary romance this one works as a nice read.
Audio Notes: Susan Boyce does a nice job reading this story. She manages to maintain the pace even with a slowly developed story. It seemed that sometimes she nails the Boston accent but not always. The smooth narration added to the story for my listening pleasure.
I received this audio for review from AudioGo through Audiobook Jukebox.
This is set in Knights Bridge, Massachusetts for my 2013 Where Are You Reading Challenge.
