The Ideal Husband    by Shari Anton Order:  USA  Can Warner, 2003 (2003) Paperback Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Kim Atchue-Cusella While sailing from France to attend the wedding of his sister, Geoffrey Hamilton meets Leah, who is returning home to Pecham. She is hoping to get back into her father's good graces after she caused a great scandal by leaving with her lover, who eventually deserted her. When the ship catches fire, Geoffrey saves Leah by getting her a seat on a rescue boat. When he is injured soon afterwards, Leah forces the boat to pick him up. Leah brings Geoffrey to the nearest town where she is told that his death is imminent. She decides to bring him home to Pecham and passes him off as her husband. Her brother Odo is infuriated that she came home married, of all things. This means that Odo will not inherit everything as he expected, since Leah's dowry will go to Geoffrey. Odo will destroy anyone getting in the way of his plans. As Geoffrey starts to recover, he remembers nothing of his former life, but gets to know Leah, believing her to be his wife. And Leah, who has fallen in love, is horrified by the realization that Geoffrey may recover his memory and learn that she is a fraud. Shari Anton writes a captivating story that makes you hungrily turn the pages for more. The characters in The Ideal Husband are very realistic. I felt for Leah as her lies were exposed, and pulled for her when it seemed as if her world was crashing around her. I would recommend that readers who love a good historical romance head to the bookstore to stock up on this author. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews