THE DIAMONDS OF WELBOURNE MANOR
Diane Gaston, Deb Marlowe, Amanda McCabe
Harlequin Historical (Anthology)
May 2009
ISBN 13:978-0-373-29543-2
10:    0-373-29543-X
Historical Romance

In JUSTINE AND THE NOBLE VISCOUNT by Diane Gaston, Gerald Viscount Brenner has been given the task to inform the grown children of the Duke and Duchess of Manning of their parents' death in Italy--and that he is their guardian. The offspring include The Fitzmanning Miscellany, the three illegitimate children of the Duke and Duchess who had been lovers for over twenty years before marrying, plus the two sons of the Duke's from his first marriage as well as the Duke's eldest, another illegitimate daughter from his liaison with a French emigree. One look at Justine and Brenner is lost...but Brenner can not entertain thoughts of a respectable marriage with Justine...and he can not let go of the hurt of the past--his own parents had divorced years ago and he had not seen his mother since he was ten years old--and his mother was none other than the late Duchess of Manning...can the magic of Welbourne Manor and the joie de vivre of the Fitzmannings heal Brenner and free his heart to live and love?

In ANNALISE AND THE SCANDALOUS RAKE by Deb Marlowe, Ned Milford finagles an invitation to Welbourne Manor and one of its infamous houseparties in hopes of finding fresh material for his broadsheets lampooning the foibles and follies of the aristocracy...but instead he finds artist Annalise Fitzmanning and the possiblity of love--if she does not find out his deception.

In CHARLOTTE AND THE WICKED LORD by Amanda McCabe, the Fitzmanning eldest sons band together to bring together the youngest Fitzmanning, Charlotte, and her heart's desire, Andrew Bassington whom Charlotte has loved forever. Yet Drew has responsibilities now, and he needs a calm, respectable, proper wife--not a hoyden like the delectable tree-climbing Charlotte who always has a rip in her hem and her hair always in disarray. Can the Fitzmanning brotherly matchmakers make Drew see that he and Charlotte are made for each other?

THE DIAMONDS OF WELBOURNE MANOR is a thoroughly enjoyable Regency-set historical romance anthology. Each story is delightful and charming and well-written with more than enough characterization, romance and sensuality to please the discerning reader. Readers will find the Fitzmannings enchanting and endearing, and this reviewer hated to say goodbye to them at the end! Though diamond necklaces have a part in the stories, the real diamonds of Welbourne Manor are indeed, all the
Fitzmannings...

Reviewed by Debora Hosey
Rating:  4 1/2