Early Book Review: A Midsummer Night's Sin by Kasey Michaels

A Midsummer Night's Sin by Kasey Michaels is the second historical romance in the Blackthorn Brothers trilogy. It is slated for release on November 29 2011. Each book in the series follows one of the unconventional brothers as they find love. In A Midsummer Night's Sin, readers learn more about Robin "Puck" Blackthorn. The youngest of the brothers is known as the fun loving rake, a foolish but harmless playboy. Regina Hackett has long known that she is a pawn in her father's plan to gain title, wealth, and respectability in society. When her cousin alters one evening's plan, everything changes. The ball Miranda brings her to is scandalous. Regina shares a dance and illicit embrace with a masked man, Puck of course, and during her panicked leave taking discovers that Miranda has gone missing. To her shame and embarrassment, the same masked man comes to her rescue in leaving the ball, and continues to aid in the hunt for the missing Miranda. Together they embark on a dangerous quest to save Miranda and anyone else in her position. Puck is determined to save Regina, while Regina is determined to see if there is more to Puck than the face he shows to the world.

A Midsummer Night's Sin is a fun and engaging read. I really enjoyed the characters. Regina was intelligent and spunky, while Puck was intriguing because of his intelligence and the way he keeps everything so close. Puck is just a very fun character, living each moment and being much smarter than anyone expects. I loved that both Puck and Regina understood, accepts, and worked within their attraction and dealt with the possible issues without the more typical theme of virgin avoiding her feelings that often makes an appearance in romance novels. They each grasp what they have, and take efforts to live life to the fullest while they can.

For those of us that read the first book in the series, there only a couple mentions of Beau, the brother featured in The Taming of the Rake. However, readers do get a second glimpse at the middle brother Jack. 'Black Jack' plays a role in this story, which raises serious interest in his past, his life, and what lies in wait for him. There is a mystery element to the story, discovering who is behind the kidnappings. While I might have figured it out a little too soon, the character interactions revolving around the mystery were still interesting and important. There is some social commentary in the story as well, as characters discover that their life is not nearly as bad as they think it is, especially in light of the lives that others have to live. In days like this, sometimes that is important to remember.

I recommend A Midsummer Night's Sin to all Kasey Michaels fans, and to those that just love a well done historical romance. If you like characters that are smart, witty, and realistic that entertain and thrill you as you go along on their adventures then I highly suggest picking this one up. I am greatly looking forward to seeing the conclusion of the trilogy and getting an inside look at Jack in Much Ado About Rogues .