DECEPTION

``In romance the success of an individual author is not based on how well she writes by conventional standards, but on how compelling she can create her fantasy and on how readers...can step into it with her.'' Thus Amanda Quick, as Jayne Ann Krentz, in her introduction to Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women (1992—not reviewed), an anthology concerning the romantic novel. Here, in the best-selling paperback novelist's debut in hardcover, Quick has provided an inviting little world of warmth, adventure, mystery, bouncy sex, and a (never oppressive) Regency setting. Olympia Wingfield, alone and vaguely raising three lively young nephews, is glad to hire on as tutor one Jared Ryder—who's not about to reveal that he's a viscount. Jared impresses the intellectual ``spinster'' of 25: ``From his long wind-whipped black hair and velvet eyepatch to the dagger he wore...he was an awe- inspiring sight.'' Jared's real mission is to purchase a secret diary purported to point to a West Indian treasure—a diary that the studious Olympia is deciphering, unaware of its import—but, meanwhile, as part of the household, he disciplines the soon-to-be- devoted boys (and their dogs); runs villains to ground; carries on his own shipping business on the sly; and soon, of course, becomes smitten with Olympia. Amid subplots that flutter around and about like Olympia's chemisette, there's also jolly sex—during which both partners have a wonderful time. A featherlight, warmhearted fantasy with lots besides bedroom frolics going on, and it's all in a modern idiom (only one ``mayhap''). Fans will welcome this perfect little popover of a romance into hardcover circulation. (First Printing of 60,000)