I find myself thinking about this book days after finishing it. That's how much I love it. ♥ ( )

The City of Flames series (3 as of 2007) involves the adventures of three cousins, all grandchildren of the Earl of Swiftbourne, from whom they are all alienated. Each involves the love story of a different cousin, but characters repeat and the stories overlap in time. They are best read in order.

Temperance Challinor loses her home and shop in the Great Fire of London. In the stress of the following days, she sleeps with teh charming Jack Bow, who is shortly reported to be dead. Finding herself pregnant, and not wishing to face the dire consequences of being an unwed mother, Temperance seeks out Jack's home, intending to claim that she is his respectable widow. Unfortunately, Jack is not only alive, but turns out to be in actuality John Beaufleur, Duke of Kilverdale. Falsely claiming to be a nobleman's wife has its own severe penalties ... .

A great story and a superior historical novel. The interlocking of the three books adds considerable depth to the characters. ( )

An Excellent story of what happened when a prudish shop owner matches witch with a Duke who likes to travel in disguise in the midst of the London fires which took from her all that she owns. ( )