The Ministry of Marriage

How could one not read a series called The Ministry of Marriage? For me it conjures up an image of a Hogwarts-style benevolent rule that immediately demands a certain rebellion. So it proves. The guardians and parents who make up the Ministry of Marriage aim to ensure the dynastic future of Regency England's best families whilst also securing marriages based on respect for their children. Naturally the children rebel and insist on falling in love.Like all the best series, Christina Brooke's Ministry of Marriage can be read in order – or flagrantly out of order, as I have done. I started with The Wickedest Lord Alive about Xavier, the Marquis of Steyn and Lizzy Albright. Then, having developed a taste for Christina's fine command of the best and worst of human nature, especially as contained within family units, I read his sister Rosamund and Griffin, the Earl of Tregarth's story in Mad About the Earl. Love is at the heart of both of these sexy Regency Romances, threatened by family intrigue, warring factions and internal doubts.The heroes of both the above books are deeply scarred by their childhoods, Xavier emotionally and Griffin both physically and emotionally. Fortunately for them, neither Lizzie nor Rosamund is as sweet and gentle as she looks. Both are prepared to fight for what they want and neither will be deterred by either fearsome scowls or insane and dangerous relatives.I was also delighted to find out that three of the books – The Wickedest Lord Alive, London's Last True Scoundral, and The Greatest Lover Ever (they are nothing if not confident, the Westruther men) are now available as audiobooks in the US. Hopefully worldwide distribution will follow soon.I am not the only one who adores Christine's books. As regards Mad About the Earl, Suzanne Enoch said 'Clever, lush and lovely' whilst Romance Junkies called it 'a true historical gem'. Romance Junkies. RT Book Reviews described The Wickedest Lord Alive as 'Smart, funny and a joy to read'. I think I will tackle Heiress in Love next. Anna Campbell said of the Constantine Black, 'One of the most compelling heroes I've read in years'. Given how much I like Anna Campbell's heroes (watch this space), that lure is irresistible.There are many more members of the Westruther, Black and de Veres families to be married off, so I hope that Christina will not stop at book 6 but continue to write and delight fans like me. In particular, I wait with bated breath for the Grand Daddy of the Westruthers, family protector and arch manipulator the Duke of Montford, to fall in love. He deserves it - and so do his charges!  The Ministry of Marriage books are sexy Regency romances.