Completely unoriginal but exquisitely written historical romance. From the reluctant strangers stranded in an inaccessible but cozy hideaway, through the will-she-won't-she, does-he-doesn't-he dithering development, to the dramatic pistol-packing standoff, this narrative runs on well-worn rails.

So well-worn that the first hint of the eventual outcome jars like a bump in an otherwise comfortable ride.

Some of the dialogue struck me as anachronistic, and the OED would seem to agree, but this is a minor distraction compared to the joyful quality of the writing. Ms Mallory seems to write effortlessly and sweeps the reader along through a rich landscape of vivid, almost tactile descriptions.

Who cares if the story is an oldie-but-goldie -- with a singer of this quality almost any song would sound great. ( )