I'm a new fan, and I have noticed a dramatic difference in various works by this wonderful author.

     The first Balogh book I got, grab bag style, when I bid on a batch of e-bay books.  A Summer to Remember turned out to be one of the good 5 of 20 in the batch. The story centers on Kit and Lauren, but the fascinating Bedwyn family makes a first disconcerting, compelling appearance.  Nine books later, I'm still an avid reader of anything by Mary Balogh. 

     However, up until One Night for Love, I can't freely endorse the prior novels.  I don't like cruel protagonists, and wasn't at all keen on More than a Mistress for that reason. I was a little put off by Irresistable and Truly because they include moments of heart-shattering betrayal.

     While such drama has a part in the Bedwyn series (all the Slightly) and the Simply series, there is also wit and humor and warmth to offset the wretchedness. Slightly Dangerous is surely the crowning achievement of the series, although Slightly Scandalous had me laughing and crying as well.

     Even in the books that made me squirm and skip to the end (my daughters are appalled) it's hard to beat Balogh's storytelling.  The characters are always multi-dimensional, the mysteries provoking, and the emotions ring true . Even the beautiful women have pain, learn hard lessons, and ponder the wonders of the universe. No one is quite perfect--even Joshua, Freyja's blond giant, has slightly crooked teeth.

     There is explicit writing, but it always comes across as essential to the plot.  I never get the sense that "this part needs a little sex, nothing has happened for awhile." Neither is there the frightening perversion in which some of my otherwise favorite authors seem to need to indulge. (Rapes and such are quite repulsive, an antithesis to all the reasons I read romance.)

     Let me add, though, that this is not writing for teens, and should be considered "R" for explicit content.  
      How are Balogh's tales different from the garden variety of romance writers? Well.  Let me count the ways.  They approach Madeline Hunter's insight into human nature, although they lack her poetic flow.  The wicked, witty diaglogue sparkles.  Backdrops of the Regency era are painlessly painted in. Small details in imagery imbue the characters with realism and tenderness.      Perhaps the most outstanding quality is that the themes explored include forgiveness, tragedy, compassion, even mental retardation, the stigma of being an unwed mother, society's many ills.  And the ability of humans to love, not just Prince Charming, but the members of one's family.      Finally, the stories flow seamlessly into one another, and beloved characters reappear in many books.  I come away from a reading session (coffee and chocoate and an afghan help) feeling the characters grew and learned, and maybe I did, too.   This week is my spring break.  I expect to spend a lot of hours curled up, rereading my favorite Balogh, Hunter, and Kleypas books.  Not to neglect Francine Rivers or Ann Gracie.  Happy reading!