Book Review: Secret Vows

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Secret Vows     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Mary Reed McCall
Class/Genre:   Romance   Historical
Avon, Sep 2001, $5.99, 384 pp.

The world seems dismal with no hope for recently widowed Catherine of Somerset. Her depression is not because she grieves her just buried spouse. Au contrarie, his timely death allows her to bring home their twin children who he fostered on other households. Instead, her diabolical brother by marriage Eduard de Montfort causes her woes. Edward's wife hunger herself to escape his evil so she now turns to Catherine to complete his malevolent plan. Failure means he will kill his nephew and niece.

Catherine must get close to Baron Grayson de Camville so that she can help Eduard kill this man he considers his enemy. To her chagrin, Catherine finds the compassionate Grayson treats her with respect and fondness. She begins to fall in love with the person she must kill if she is to keep her beloved children safe.

SECRET VOWS is entertaining thirteenth century romance that succeeds because of the "Lady and the Tiger" dilemma facing Catherine. The story line is fast-paced though the abusive Eduard is too evil of a character having no redeeming qualities. Novels like this one will no longer keep debut author Mary Reed McCall a secret from genre fans, as readers will recall this fine tale for a long time to come.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner