reviewed by
JILL MANGAN
Penelope Jones, looking for work as a governess or companion, interviews for a position with the Silverthorne family. Dangerously attracted to an infamous family cousin she meets at the interview, she decides not to accept the position-- until she sees a picture of Silverthorne Castle. It is the castle that has haunted her dreams since she was a child, and it appears that Lady Silverthorne has had similar torments. Naturally, Penelope accepts the job and heads off to Silverthorne Castle.
This was a pleasant read. Penelope has layers and spunk, but she's not a modern women in old-fashioned clothing; the character is developed believably within the book's time period. Her interaction with Betterton doesn't move too quickly, and you can understand why they fall in love even once the de rigeur immediate physical attraction phase has passed.
Unfortunately, the book tries too hard to be all things to all people. Is it a Regency? A Gothic? It's a bit of both, and the balance between the two isn't always a comfortable one. The coincidences involved in the story stretch believability a bit too much for me, even while I kept reading out of curiosity. The late introduction of one of Penelope's sisters into the plot was awkward.
The Ruby Ghost was enjoyable, but not memorable.
