A LESSON IN PASSION by Jennifer Connors presents a fresh and interesting twist on the time travel genre. In her Lesson series, the main character is catapulted into various romance books, here medieval. I loved the believable characters and witty repartee, and I give it 4 stars.
In this first installment in Jennifer Connors' Lesson series, physician's assistant Ginny goes on vacation, and it turns into the worst vacation ever. She brought some trashy romance novels a friend insisted she take with her for educational purposes. On her return, she gets into a car accident and is transported into one of the romance novels, set in medieval Scotland during a time of unrest among the clans.
Ginny finds herself in the body of Lady Chatham, a hostage of a lowlander clan. She has the woman's memories, but is still Ginny. As Ginny figures out what is going on, how to navigate the story and how to live in medieval times, she makes use of her medical knowledge, and she gets involved with Ian McKenna, the "mega-hunk" Laird of the McKenna clan. Add a pre-arranged betrothal, clan alliances and betrayals, skirmishes, more kidnapping, and rival suitors, and you have a dramatic (and often funny) novel.
I enjoyed this novel and can't wait to read the next. The plot does not disappoint, and the book only rarely succumbs to the cheesy, melodramatic flare of the typical romance book. The beginning isn't slow per se, but it seems to take a long time for Ginny to get to the accident and into the romance novel. The dialogue is witty, and Ginny's comments on daily life in medieval rural Scotland are sometimes downright hilarious. The book is long enough to have realistic character and romantic relationship developments. The romance, while not pervasive, is specific enough to warrant a heat level rating of 3, appropriate for those 18 and over.
There is really nothing better than a romance novel making fun of itself. I highly recommend A LESSON IN PASSION for your summer reading enjoyment.
*Original review revised for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10157.
