Twin of Ice

Jude Deveraux

Houston Chandler was raised to be a lady. Her twin, Blair wants to be a doctor (unheard of in 1892), but Houston just wants to run a home. She is engaged to the local doctor, Lee Westfield and has her life mapped out. Then two things happen.

Kane Taggart, a rough looking new millionaire, arrives in Chandler, Colorado and builds his home there. Houston has trouble ignoring him. Then Blair comes home for college break. Houston and Blair do a twin-switch on a date with Lee. Before Houston knows what has happened, Blair is engaged to Lee. Kane realizes something is amiss and announces his engagement to Houston. No, she had not agreed to any such thing when he makes this announcement. Suddenly she is planning not just her own wedding, but a double wedding. Her sister is going to marry her intended bridegroom and the rich ruffian was waiting for her!

This is the companion novel for Twin of Fire, and the one of the set I prefer. Houston is more realistic in my opinion. I had to laugh when she runs away to let her college-trained sister be in charge of a large party. Houston had been trained for such duties, but dumps it in the unsuspective Blair's lap when she realizes she has to get away. Kane Taggart (part of Deveraux's Taggart/Montgomery clan) is a stronger, more likeable hero than Lee Westfield, as well. I always enjoy a chance to re-read this one.

Notice: Explicit sexual content