(Mad Passions, #2)
Genre: Historical Romance (Victorian)
Cover Blurb
The Victorian era was full of majestic beauty and scandalous secrets—a time when corsets were the least of a woman’s restrictions, and men could kill or be killed in the name of honor…
Lady Mary Darrel should be the envy of London. Instead, all society believes her dead. For Mary holds a secret so dangerous, her father chose to keep her locked away…and have a grave made for her near her mother’s. Driven to the edge of desperation, Mary manages to escape the asylum, only to find that her fate yet again rests in the hands of a man…
Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, longs for some way to escape the torment of his father’s crimes. In Mary’s warrior spirit and haunted gaze—which so mirrors his own—he finally sees his path to redemption. He will stop at nothing to keep her safe, even as she seeks revenge. But will the passion they discover in each other be enough to save them from their demons?
(Although this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone)
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**5 Spellbinding Stars**
I was totally gripped by this intense, angsty and dramatic story. Once again, Máire Claremont explores the darker side of Victorian London with graphic realism.
Mary left such a deep impression on me in The Dark Lady. She had selflessly protected her friend, Eva, from the worst of the horrors of the asylum and, when the two of them escaped, Mary’s fate was left in the balance. I was desperate to know what happened to her.
Condemned to the asylum by her own father, Mary suffered unspeakable abuse during those three years incarcerated in that hellish place. But, somehow, she retained the strength and will to survive and make her escape, determined never to return.
Edward has demons of his own to conquer. He has never been able to escape the guilt he feels because he did nothing to save a young woman from his evil father’s clutches. He is desperately looking for some sort of purpose to his life and his greatest fear is becoming just like his father.
Sharing Edward and Mary’s story is a powerful and emotional journey. Ms Claremont writes with such depth that I shared every moment of that journey until they finally discover that only their love can truly set them free.
Her very presence held him with a force that knocked the air out of his lungs.
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She stood in the same spot for several moments, gasping. His very presence had changed how her body felt. She no longer felt battered or afraid. She felt strong and alive. How had he done that?
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“No matter what you do, no matter what you say, I shall always be in awe of your perfect vulnerability, your perfect imperfect soul.”
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“I am still among the ashes. I have not yet flown.”
He lowered his head toward her in careful, slow stages. “But you will.”
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Tears stung Mary’s eyes and she eased toward his naked body, burrowing close. As he curved his arm about her, tucking her to his chest, she did feel safe. Safer than she had felt in her lifetime.
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“Together then. We shall be whole.”
“Yes,” she said with an assurance it never could be gainsaid. “You are my other half as I am yours.”
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I love Edward’s friend, Viscount Powers…so sarcastic, dark and enigmatic and so full of pain. I just know his story is going to be just as compelling and I can’t wait to delve into The Dark Affair.
Ms Claremont doesn’t shy away from scenes that are often harrowing and brutal but I was riveted to the pages desperate to know what happened.
If you enjoy a dark, intense romance with an original and suspenseful plot and unforgettable characters, then you will definitely enjoy LADY IN RED.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
Read April 2014
The Mad Passions series (click on the book cover for more details):
Rakes And Rascals 
No one does dark, angsty passion like Maire! Great review! I also loved this book.
Thank you, Nancy. I totally agree that Máire is the queen of dark, angsty passion!
I adored this book – thought the ending couldn’t have been more perfect. Maire Claremont is becoming one of my favorites.
Bonnie, Máire is now on my auto-buy list.
Wonderful Review, Carol. I am so glad you liked this book. Mary captivated me in Dark Lady and I really enjoyed her story. Wait until you read Powers’ story–Amazing!
Thank you, Lindsey. I’m starting A Lady Undone next and then going onto to read The Dark Affair. I loved Powers in Lady in Red and can’t wait to read his story. 🙂
Yes, this was so good & you will love The Dark Affair. This whole series has strong characters that rip your heart out & they so need their HEA. Powers is amazing. Great review!
Thank you, Sharlene. Everyone is saying how amazing Powers’s story is.
This sounds like a wonderful read!! Tweeted and shared on FB!
Thank you, Ella! You should read the first book, The Dark Lady, before this one. I have reviewed it; just type in the title in the search box. The heroine of this book, Mary, makes a short but significant appearance in The Dark Lady.