SONS OF SIN #1
Setting: Devon, England, 1826
Will a week of seduction…
Desperate to save her sister’s life, Sidonie Forsythe has agreed to submit herself to a terrible fate: Beyond the foreboding walls of Castle Craven, a notorious, hideously scarred scoundrel will take her virtue over the course of seven sinful nights. Yet instead of a monster, she encounters a man like no other. And during this week, she comes to care for Jonas Merrick in ways that defy all logic—even as a dark secret she carries threatens them both.
…Spark a lifetime of passionate surrender?
Ruthless loner Jonas knows exactly who he is. Should he forget, even for a moment, the curse he bears, a mere glance in the mirror serves as an agonizing reminder. So when the lovely Sidonie turns up on his doorstep, her seduction is an even more delicious prospect than he originally planned. But the hardened outcast is soon moved by her innocent beauty, sharp wit, and surprising courage. Now as dangerous enemies gather at the gate to destroy them, can their new, fragile love survive?
★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★
When Anna Campbell weaves the classic Beauty and the Beast theme into one of her intense, emotional, sensual stories, you know you’re in for a real treat!
When the wind caught her, she staggered. She fought to keep her footing on the slippery cobbles as she looked up, up, up at the towering black edifice before her.
Right from the very first pages, I was completely drawn into the story. The vivid images of the raging storm and forbidding Castle Craven created a wonderful sense of menace. I certainly shared Sidonie’s feelings of trepidation.
Now, even after their short acquaintance, she saw past the scarring to the man beneath.
If anyone is in need of tender loving care, it’s definitely the scarred, reclusive, tormented Jonas. Beneath all that arrogance and cynicism beats a vulnerable heart longing for acceptance and comfort. Discovering how he came to be scarred and the shame and rejection he felt at being declared a bastard was so heartrending.
Sidonie Forsythe was a jewel such as he’d never encountered.
I adore Sidonie. She’s intelligent, courageous and compassionate and spirited enough to stand up to Jonas. However misguided, I can understand her need to protect the sister who was like a mother to her when she was young. She’s willing to look beyond Jonas’s outward appearance and see the honourable, tender, generous man he truly is.
The connection was perfect soul and body.
Ms Campbell certainly knows how to build and maintain the sizzling sexual tension between Jonas and Sidonie. I can only think of one word to describe the love scenes – WHEW!!! Here’s a teaser:
She was panting when he caught her up against him. More kissing. More fevered caresses. She crawled up his body and kissed him. Physical urgency overwhelmed caution. He opened his mouth, ravishing her with lips and tongue and teeth.
Of course, the path of true love doesn’t run smooth and there’s danger, betrayal and heartbreak before Jonas and Sidonie finally get their HEA and a charming Epilogue.
The book also serves as an introduction to Richard and Camden, Jonas’s Etonian friends and future heroes in this series. They’re both intriguing and I can’t wait to read their stories.
VERDICT: CLASSIC ANNA CAMPBELL – COMPELLING, EMOTIVE AND SENSUAL!
RATING: ★★★★½
SENSULITY RATING: HOT
Read November 2012
Rakes And Rascals 
Anna Campbell? Yes! She is already on my list of to-read authors! 😉