Two thespians strut and fret and argue throughout their hour upon the stage together.The Honorable Miss Fenella Grantley knows she should be grateful for her life of ease and privilege, but everything feels unrelentingly gloomy to her. Except, that is, when she sneaks out to Bloomsbury for her acting classes. Those classes get even more interesting when playwright Edward Tremayne, by-blow of the Earl of Pendleton, comes to class with a draft of his newest work, Sapphire. She takes an immediate dislike to Edward and his "arrogance and contempt," so he takes her for hot chocolate to apologize for his rudeness. And despite the fact that the two can't go more than a few sentences at a time without bickering, they soon become intimate, and a few days later, they've not only slept together, but Fenella is also concocting elaborate excuses to spend the night at his lodgings. Both are prickly and prone to misunderstandings, but they are continually drawn back to each other and have to decide whether their chemistry can or should survive the tumult of these continuous conflicts. Unfortunately, it will be hard for many readers to look forward to this happy ending. From their first meeting, Edward seems unnecessarily unkind to Fenella, and although this is supposedly because of his nerves and attraction to her, modern sensibilities may find him creepy and overbearing rather than charming. Additionally, his obsession with Sapphire and insistence that Fenella perform her role in exactly the way he's imagined it is an unfortunately timeless example of a male artist who puts his ego before all othersnot exactly the swoon-inspiring stuff of a romance hero. For her part, Fenella is pleasingly independent, which makes her attraction to Edward all the more confusing. The book, second in a series but able to stand alone, may appeal to Feather's longtime fans but is unlikely to work for readers who aren't already inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.An Edwardian theater love story that tests the boundaries of just how unlikable a romance hero can be. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Feather's passionate second London Jewels novel (after Tempt Me with Diamonds) follows the contentious courtship between a noblewoman and a playwright. The Honorable Fenella Grantley studies acting in secret at a tiny drama school in an unfashionable part of Edwardian-era London, knowing her parents would disapprove of such a disreputable interest. Edward Tremayne, the bastard son of an Earl, has been infatuated with Fenella since he saw her during her first London season. When Fenella's drama class decides to do a reading of Edward's new play, Sapphire, Edward insists that Fenella play the lead. Fenella objects, finding the role one-dimensional, but Edward wins her over with his wit and good looks, seducing her both into giving the play a chance and sleeping with him. The pair fall into a steamy affair, despite their differing world views and Fenella's family's expectations that she marry conservative Lord George Headington. Assisted by her friends Petra and Diana, Fenella fends off George's advances and finds time to be with Edward. Feather keeps the actual theatrics largely off-stage, but readers will be pleased with the clandestine trysts and dramatic fights of this romance. (Feb.)

The one thing in the Honorable Fenella Grantley's life that seems to bring true engagement is the acting class she attends in secret. When playwright Edward Tremayne brings his new work to the group, Fenella is intrigued by the role she's asked to play, though she is less impressed with Edward, as his mood seems suddenly to change from open to enraged without warning. Edward is the illegitimate son of an earl who is estranged from family and society. He remembers Fenella vividly. And while the two maintain civility in public, they can barely keep their hands off each other in private, as passion for the play and each other begins to yield amazing returns. But Fenella's first role is in society, and she must consider her choices for her future, leaving Edward to decide if he's willing to face the society he's vowed never to return to. VERDICT Readers who delight in a couple that sparks as much fire outside as inside the bedroom will devour Feather's newest Edwardian romance (after Tempt Me with Diamonds).--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash