Chemistry Is All

I've tried a couple of Emma Jensen's "humorous" Regencies, and didn't care for them much, but I'd heard that her single titles were more emotional.

Entwined by Emma Jensen
(1997, Regency Historical) 10/20/06
Grade: 4

Blinded in the war and embittered by the loss of his best friend, former spy Nathan Oriel is hiding from the world - until Isobel MacLeod climbs through his window. She’s trying to save her family from themselves, but finds herself drawn Nathan - and he sees her as a chance to return to the spy game in London, where no one knows he’s blind...

Well-written and sympathetic characters make this book enjoyable and easy to read, especially in the first half. Both Isobel and Nathan sparkle, especially when they’re sparring with each other. The plot is mostly a MacGuffin, and the resolution of the spy story doesn’t make a lot of sense (the last third of the book suffers as a result). But when the author focuses on the hero and heroine, the book shines - well worth reading.

I read the first two thirds of this book in one sitting, smiling the whole time. If an author can create great chemistry between the leads, the rest of the plot is almost superfluous. The book just flows. Too many authors think "chemistry" just equals "lust" but that's only a small part of it - it's the way the characters interact, the way their scenes together sparkle and flow - if an author can make me believe in the hero and heroine, then I'll buy any kind of silly spy plot that she wants to dream up.