This month, it was my pleasure to read and review two books which, while both in the romance genre, couldn't be more different.

"Scandal" (309 pages, Berkley Sensation; $7.99) by Carolyn Jewel is a historical romance set in England in 1814. The Earl of Bannalt tries to win the heart of the widow of an ex-fellow libertine. Sophie's heart has already been broken by her late husband's insensitive philandering, so she has every reason to doubt Bannalt's declaration of love.

This story has no clear antagonist other than Bannalt's own past, which he must somehow live down in order to earn Sophie's trust.

The story also has no clear climax, if you will excuse the pun (I couldn't resist). Like a real-life love story, it progresses slowly and steadily toward mutual respect, trust and ultimately a love too strong to deny. A solid three on the toe-curling scale.

"Bedeviled" (329 pages, Signet Eclipse; $6.99) is written by award-winning author of more than 100 romance novels, Maureen Child.

This is a paranormal tale set in modern times. If you can believe in Faeries and the Otherworld, you will be delightfully surprised by Child's Faery warrior, Culhane. When Maggie Donovan meets Culhane, she says the only thing that comes to her stunned mind: "Holy hot guy, Batman!"

A woman of few, but very choice, words, she discovers with Culhane's help that she, herself, is part Fae and she is destined to free Otherworld from the clutches of the evil Mab. Culhane and Maggie's fascination with each other must remain on the back burner until Maggie can defeat Mab. Mab can sense Culhane's involvement in the human world and would kill Maggie and her family if she knew Culhane was having an affair with a human.

That makes this only a one on the toe-curling scale. "Bedeviled" is a good read, nonetheless, that leaves the door wide open for a sequel.

Contact Whispering Pines writer Laura Snyder at lsnyder@lauraonlife.com.