REVIEW: FOREVER A LORD BY DELILAH MARVELLE

(The Rumor, #3)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb:

He’s a fighter, not a lover.
But that’s about to change…

Lady Imogene Norwood lives a sheltered life of quiet respectability and routine…until she debuts at her first Season. There among London’s elite she meets the wild and broken Lord Atwood. And the very shy English rose suddenly realizes that a little chaos might just be what her heart desires.

Lord Nathaniel James Atwood doesn’t believe true love exists. Since scandal tore him away from his family at an early age, he has spent his life fighting for what he wants. That attitude has made him a rising star in bare-knuckle boxing, and now leads him back to London to reclaim the life that was stolen from him. But upon meeting the innocent Imogene, his beliefs are trounced…as guarding his heart against her proves to be the fight of his life.

Personal Note: This book can be read as a standalone but there are some scenes which are mirrored in Forever and a Day (book 1) and Forever a Lady (book 2) although seen from a different character’s point of view. These scenes might, therefore, seem confusing if you haven’t read the earlier books.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

An enthralling, gritty and emotionally charged story.

This is the last book in the addictive The Rumor series and we finally discover the truth of the mystery surrounding Lord Nathaniel Atwood’s kidnapping and what happened to him during all the years he was presumed dead.

Nathaniel’s experiences…being locked in a windowless cellar for five years, his father’s betrayal and abandonment of him and the years spent surviving the dangers of New York’s notorious Five Points…have left him with deep emotional scars and a scandalous secret he can never share. Caught between two worlds…’He was neither fop nor street boy‘…he has never felt that he truly belongs anywhere. He enjoys sex but love isn’t an emotion he has ever felt or wanted to. Boxing is the only thing in his life that makes sense…it is what kept him alive on the streets of Five Points. Beneath that tough exterior, Nathaniel’s heart is in the right place. Together with his friend, Matthew Milton, he created the Forty Thieves and is committed to protecting those vulnerable people living in the slums.

Imogene is an unusual heroine. The abuse she suffered at the hands of her governess when she was a child has left her with health problems…fainting spells and a stutter. She is tired of being defined by her illness and longs to be independent and, therefore, no longer a burden to her brother, Henry. Imogene knows the sacrifices Henry has made to ensure she gets the medical treatment she needs and she longs to see her brother happy.

Delilah Marvelle’s stories are always refreshingly different and her characters infinitely fascinating. The brawny, tough, bare-knuckle boxing Nathaniel seems an unlikely pairing for the sweet, innocent, fragile Imogene who is twenty years his junior, but Ms Marvelle makes their romance work so beautifully. Imogene reveals a maturity beyond her years when she shows Nathaniel the patience, understanding and respect that he has never known before. I love how protective Nathaniel is of Imogene and how he gives her a sense of worth and confidence in herself so she no longer has to rely on others. Nathaniel’s desire to be in control all the time extends to the bedroom and adds some spice to the love scenes. I enjoyed seeing him come to love and trust Imogene enough to relinquish that control.

The boxing scenes are so visually compelling and Ms Marvelle conveys the brutal reality of the fights so powerfully.

I guessed the reason for Nathaniel’s kidnapping before it was actually revealed but there is a very dramatic scene towards the end of the book which I certainly didn’t anticipate.

The Epilogue provided the perfect ending to the series.

How I Imagine Nathaniel…

How I Imagine Imogene…

Memorable Moments

Everything about him was so beautifully raw and real. She didn’t realize a man could make a woman’s toes curl in her own slippers.
It was divine. He was divine.

♥♥♥

“Now take your fancy prick of a wig and get him before I put your liver into your hand and make you swallow it through your nostrils.”

♥♥♥

“You underestimate a woman’s worth and her ability to redefine a man. A woman can give you hope in a world that has none. She can fight for you when you have ceased fighting for yourself and everything you believe in.”

♥♥♥

“I’m trying to save your pretty ass from getting spanked.”
Her brow creased. “You shouldn’t use words like that. Or tea is out of the question.”
” He rolled his eyes. “Unless tea involves you fully naked with your arms tied behind your back, I’m not interested.”
She gasped. “No waltz for you, either.”

♥♥♥

God, but she was stealing away pieces of his heart. A heart he didn’t know he had to give.

♥♥♥

I am sad to see the end of this series but I will be eagerly waiting to see what other reading pleasures Delilah Marvelle has in store for me.

REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: HOT

Read August 2014

The Rumor series (click on the books for more details):

Important Note from Ms Marvelle’s Website:

Bonus Chapters from Forever Mine that were not included in this Prequel Novella are available for free download. These two bonus chapters are the untold story of what happened to Nathaniel from Augustine’s point of view. The publisher removed these two chapters from Forever Mine, despite my insisting upon their importance to the series and the novella. Which is why I am offering them for free. I feel this story and the entire series is incomplete without them, and in my opinion, are critical in understanding Nathaniel’s story whom the entire series is based on. I have provided the link to her website:
http://www.delilahmarvelle.com/#!forever_mine/c19oc

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REVIEW: VIXEN IN VELVET BY LORETTA CHASE

(The Dressmakers, #3)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb

From the Diary of Leonie Noirot: The perfect corset should invite its undoing . . .

Lethally charming Simon Fairfax, Marquess of Lisburne, has reluctantly returned to London for one reason only: a family obligation. Still, he might make time for the seduction of a certain redheaded dressmaker—but Leonie Noirot hasn’t time for him. She’s obsessed with transforming his cousin, the dowdy Lady Gladys, into a swan.

Leonie’s skills can coax curves—and profits—from thin air, but his criminally handsome lordship is too busy trying to seduce her to appreciate her genius. He badly needs to learn a lesson, and the wager she provokes ought to teach him, once and for all.

A great plan, in theory—but Lisburne’s become a serious distraction, and Leonie’s usual logic is in danger of slipping away as easily as a silk chemise. Could the Season’s greatest transformation be her own?

NOTE: If, like me, you thought this was the last book in the series, you will be delighted to hear that Lady Clara Fairfax will be getting her well-deserved Happy Ever After

♥♥♥♥♥♥

This is the third book in The Dressmakers series and is a delightful blend of engaging story, charming characters and delicious sensuality. Loretta Chase is a wordsmith, par excellence…every word is carefully crafted to produce writing that flows as smoothly as one of Maison Noirot’s exquisite creations and the dialogue sparkles with wit and humour.

Here are just a few of the things that I loved.

Leonie Noirot

Watching the business first, last and always Leonie trying to resist the devastatingly charming Simon was an absolute delight. I love the way Ms Chase describes Leonie’s reactions:

…her usually well-ordered brain was wandering into strange byways and taking excessive notice of physical sensations.

Simon Fairfax, Marquess of Lisburne

Simon finds Leonie’s methodical brain fascinating and there is a very memorable scene where he’s turned on by just listening to Leonie reading numbers from a mercer’s bill!

“One hundred twelve yards of black princetta at twelve shillings nine pence per yard.
She went on reading the bill, while he went on kissing her, murmuring in her ear, encouraging her. ” More numbers,” he whispered. “More numbers.”

The book is rich in Ms Chase’s trademark wit and humour and one of my favourite moments is when Simon is trying to persuade Leonie to go to Astley’s Circus with him rather than listening to his cousin reading melancholy poetry in an overcrowded, overheated room.

“A hot stuffy room, crammed with excitable young women and irritated men, and Swanton and his poetic friends sobbing over fallen leaves and dead birds and wilted flowers,” he said. “Yes, I can understand why you can’t bear to be left out.”

It is also peppered with the most delightful and creative use of words.

…the Fairfax family, to which the Earl of Longmore belonged, was large in its main branch and prolific in its associated twigs and vines.

She had compressed his meandering verbiage amazingly.

The loves scenes are deliciously sensual without even a whisper of purple prose. Look out for the rather wicked scene involving a hat, a naughty, teasing smile and a table!

Of course, the dresses play an important role in the story and I love how they are described in such intricate detail. I could actually see all those ruffles, flounces, immense sleeves and delicate embroidery. What I particularly enjoyed was the way in which Simon views the dresses from a purely male perspective.

The immense sleeves provided the main excitement, slashed to reveal what would appear to be chemise sleeves underneath – a glimpse of underwear in other words.

I appreciated all the research (detailed in the Author’s Note ) Ms Chase undertook to give the story its historical accuracy and she even admits to some anachronisms which were necessary for the story.

There is so much more I loved about this book but I’m hoping that you will discover this delightful, witty, entertaining and romantic story for yourselves.

REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: HOT

Read July 2014

The Dressmakers series so far (please click on the covers for more details):

  

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REVIEW: ECSTASY WEARS EMERALDS BY RENEE BERNARD

(Jaded Gentlemen, #3)

Genre: Historical Romance (Victorian)

Cover Blurb

Like all the Jaded Gentlemen, Dr. Rowan West may have his secrets, but he’s done his best to forgive the ghosts of his past and move on with his life. Until the beautiful Miss Gayle Renshaw appears on his doorstep, jeopardizing his medical practice, his reputation, and, worst of all, his heart.

In her desperation to become a doctor, Gayle uses what she knows of Rowan’s fiancée’s mysterious death to blackmail him into taking her on as an apprentice. With his back against the wall, Rowan agrees, but quickly discovers that Gayle isn’t as heartless as she seems. Captivated by his tenacious and brilliant new student, Rowan finds himself surrendering to temptation, just as the enemies of the Jaded start to encroach. Now, with both their lives threatened, Rowan may be forced to give up the woman he loves to save her life…

♥♥♥♥♥♥

This is the third book in the brilliant Jaded Gentlemen series. Once again, Ms Bernard pens an enthralling, original and passionate love story and the world of Victorian medicine forms a fascinating and refreshingly different setting.

Rowan, with his inherent kindness and compassion, makes a great hero. He has an enquiring mind and, is willing to embrace new ideas in medicine whilst others are firmly entrenched in traditional thinking. He truly cares about his patients and treats them all with respect regardless of their social status. He even treats his staff more like family than employees.

“I strive for balance in my profession. And while some may see the populace as fodder for their laboratories, I refuse to ignore a person’s humanity so that I can feel secure and important.”

Gayle is an unconventional heroine. Although her desire to become a doctor flies in the face of Victorian convention, she is fiercely determined to succeed. Even when Rowan attempts to work her so hard that she would ‘quit after a fortnight of training and limp from the house with her baggage’, although exhausted, she refuses to be beaten and I couldn’t help but admire her resilience.

He’d pushed her harder than any apprentice had ever been pressed, and she’d simply borne it with a grace that often left him speechless.

I love how their romance grows through their love of medicine. It allows each of them to recognise their misconceptions about each other. At first, Rowan sees Gayle as nothing more than ‘a vicious little thing’ willing to destroy his reputation to achieve her aims but, as he comes to understand her, everything changes.

And there he was- inspired by her intense hope and wishing he could shield her from the worst to come and give her whatever she needed to make her dreams come true.

Gayle believes Rowan to be the ‘vile man’ who was responsible for her cousin Charlotte’s death and has no qualms about using a little blackmail to persuade him to take her on as his apprentice. As she watches him with his patients and his staff, she comes to see a very different man.

But the more I know of him, the more I wish to be near him. The way he respects his household staff and the way he spoke to his patients today – my father always said it was how a gentleman treats the common man that betrays the most about his character.

Some of the other Jaded Gentlemen make a welcome appearance and I loved the witty banter between Ashe and Michael. No wonder Gayle is charmed by them! The suspense sub-plot adds substance without overshadowing the romance and, although I didn’t find it difficult to guess the identity of the villain in this particular story, there is still the continuing mystery of who is ultimately threatening the Jaded.

Ms Bernard’s has such a beautiful writing style. It is romantic, sensual and emotional with lovely touches of humour. Here are some of my favourite moments.

He watched her ascend the stairs, as graceful as a duchess despite the awkward load she carried, and marvelled that anyone could be that beautiful and still make a man dedicated to healing consider poisoning her poached eggs in the morning.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

And there it was – that bright, fierce light in her eyes that made him want to kiss her senseless or just laugh and waltz her around the room. Her dreams were spinning out in her head, and he could almost see them, they were vibrant and powerful.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

She was pure innocence and pure passion – the duality of perception and reality collided and a new lesson was initiated, but Rowan knew that he was likely the student.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

“Just one last check for any glass slivers that may have strayed to your stockings.”
  “Oh!” His touch was efficient and feather soft, but the miasma of fire and delight that spread up her limbs to form a molten pool between her hips was intoxicating. Her knees turned to rubber, and she bit the inside of her cheek to stare at the ceiling as a thousand wicked thoughts nearly overcame her. The slay of warm fingers were telegraphing electric sweet storms all over her body, and she wasn’t sure she could survive another pass of his hands without betraying herself with a moan or a sigh.

ECSTASY WEARS EMERALDS is another wonderful addition to what is becoming a highly addictive series.

REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: HOT

Read March 2014

The JADED GENTLEMEN series (click the cover for more details):

     

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REVIEW OF MARY’S CHRISTMAS KNIGHT (A ROUGEMONT NOVELLA) BY MORIAH DENSLEY

Genre: Historical Romance (Victorian)

Official Blurb

Could a rogue be her knight in shining armor?

Mary Cavendish’s corset is already too tight. All the lovely Christmas food is tempting her, and that’s bad news for her dream of attracting a “knight on a white charger” — not that volunteering at the parish hospital is how she expects to meet him. Enter a mysterious Christmas Eve patient, who is none other than the famous Shakespearean actor Sir Wesley Samuel Darcy. Mary finds him arrogant, too forward… and maddeningly handsome.

When Mary learns Sir Wesley has been invited to spend Christmas with her family at Rougemont, she vows to resist the charming London rogue. Wesley thinks finding the perfect present for Miss Cavendish will tempt her — she’s not as prim as she pretends to be. Mary turned down six proposals last Season, and she’s not about to give in to a rake. But if Mary can’t resist the sugarplums, how can she resist the dashing Sir Wesley?

**4.5 Charming Stars**

 I’m always delighted when I discover a new author who captures my imagination with her wonderful writing, her originality and her vibrant characters and Moriah Densley did just that. I loved this engaging novella!

Mary is an unconventional heroine, volunteering as a nurse at the local parish hospital. It is plain to see that she genuinely cares about her patients showing them real kindness, compassion and respect and their love for her in return is obvious.. Her insecurities about her fuller figure are only too familiar and easy to sympathise with. After all, most of us have probably had concerns about our bodies sometime in our lives.

Despite his scandalous reputation and his initial boorish behaviour, I couldn’t help but like Wesley and his droll sense of humour. Of course, the molten-chocolate voice, the remarkable sea-god eyes and the block-shaped pectorals the size of lamb roasts had nothing to do with it. To be fair, he does have reason to be ill-tempered, what with being mobbed by admirers at the train station, waylaid by a stagecoach robber and then, to top it all, having his injury tended by the most argumentative of women. I love that he recognises Mary’s worth and is honest about hiss feelings for her and not willing to give up the chase.

Their romance was an enchanting blend of…

Sharp, witty banter:

She sighed. “Must we do this on the floor, or is there a chance of moving the procedure to the bed, like civilized people?”

He made a sound like humf. “There is seldom much civilized about it whether I do it on the floor or a bed. But I’ve never had any complaints.” His vainglorious smirk turned into a salacious leer, which she found unnecessary.

“My, my. I do believe I’ve just been scandalized by a bawdy joke.” This time she poked him in the ribs with the needle. “Oh, my poor maiden ears.”

Tender, romantic moments:

“What if you’ve enchanted me? Stopped time so that two days feels longer. Long enough to recognize a sympathetic soul. Long enough to know I don’t want to leave you.”

Lush, sensual moments

Her skin shivered with a nervous energy the same time a warmth radiated from the inside out, growing hotter by the minute. The contradicting sensations seemed to pull time in both directions.

Sweet, gentle moments

She returned to find Rebecca Montegue laughing, in magical baby peals that probably summoned pixies and springtime. Granted, she didn’t know any better. Then Mary saw why: Sir Wesley puffed out his cheeks and crossed his eyes, then blew air in a rude noise Rebecca found hilarious.

My only criticism is that the novella ended on a cliff-hanger and it wasn’t until I read more about the Rougemont series at the end of the story that I discovered that Mary and Wesley’s story continues in MARRIED QUITE CONTRARY coming in February 2014. I would have appreciated some indication in the book blurb that this was a prequel which would be continued.

I was enchanted by this sweet, romantic story and will definitely be reading more of the Rougemont series.

REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: WARM

Read December 2013

Rougemont series (click on the book cover for more details):

  

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PRE-RELEASE REVIEW OF A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS BY ANNA CAMPBELL

(Sons of Sin #2)

Genre: Historical Romance

PUBLICATION DATE: 27th AUGUST 2013

Official Blurb 

It Takes A Lady

Brilliant scholar Genevieve Barrett knows how to keep a secret. Her identity as the author of her father’s academic articles has always been her greatest deception—until a charming housebreaker tries to steal the mysterious Harmsworth Jewel from her. She doesn’t reveal that she recognizes her father’s devastatingly handsome new student as the thief himself. For Genevieve, this will be the most seductive secret of all…

To Catch A Thief

Sir Richard Harmsworth has been living a lie, maintaining a rakish façade to show society that he doesn’t care about his status as a bastard. Yet long haunted by his unknown father’s identity, Richard believes the Harmsworth Jewel will confirm his claim as the rightful heir. But when Richard sets out to seduce the bookworm who possesses the stone, he instead falls for its beautiful owner. But even as she steals Richard’s heart, Genevieve will be in greater danger than her coveted treasure…

★✩★✩★✩★

WOW! I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Anna Campbell is known for her intense, emotional, passionate stories but A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS is much lighter in tone. It reminded me of Loretta Chase’s books …romantic, sexy and funny…a winning combination. This book was pure joy to read from the first page to the last!

Oh, how I loved Richard and Genevieve! They were just the perfect match for each other and are definitely joining my list of all-time favourite Romancelandia couples. 

Richard is such a wonderful romantic hero. He’s handsome, tender, kind, clever and brave. His devastating charm and sense of humour just add to his appeal. Richard may appear strong and sure of himself on the outside, but inside he is still vulnerable to the pain and humiliation of being a bastard.

I adore the prim, unworldly, intellectual Genevieve who dreams, not of a husband, but of the freedom to pursue her scholarly ambitions. I admire her devotion to her father although he is unworthy of it.

It was an unadulterated pleasure to share their eventful journey to a Happy Ever After. Experiencing…

Richard’s determined pursuit and Genevieve’s retreat; their growing attraction; the sensuous pool scene; ‘The Kiss’; the villain showing his true colours; the picnic where the appetite is for more than just food!!; the foiled kidnapping; the hero to the rescue; the invitation no hero could refuse; the confession and the quarrel; the dire situation with benefits; the friendly helping hand; two people head over heels in love; All’s Well That Ends Well!

Along the way I enjoyed…

Some delightful banter

(Richard is posing as Christopher Evans)

Mr. Evans, you are presumptuous”
His lips twitched. “Miss Barrett, you are correct.”
“Pray be presumptuous at a greater distance.”
His laugh was low and attractive. “How can I argue when you’re armed?”
She realized that she brandished the needle like a miniature sword. Despite her annoyance, the scene’s absurdity struck her and she choked back a laugh.

Some tender romantic moments

Then she felt the glance of Christopher’s little finger against hers. A brush, almost accidental. He touched her again. Such insignificant contact. Yet she felt it. In a strange way, as strongly as she’d felt those brazen caresses on the river.

Some hot sexy moments

Tonight, praise the Lord, her legs swiftly fell open. She was wet, gloriously, lusciously, sumptuously wet.
He pressed his forehead into her satiny shoulder and tested her with one finger, then two. Yes…

Some funny moments

By Jove, he was in a bad way. The stickler who had scorned a hundred diamonds of the first water was head over heels with a woman who looked like she’d wrestled a mule through a landslide. 

There is a rich array of secondary characters; Dr Barrett, Genevieve’s weak, selfish father, the villainous Lord Neville and the powerful , enigmatic Camden Rothermere, Duke of Sedgemoor (the hero of the next book). I also enjoyed seeing Jonas and Sidonie (Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed) and their daughter. I must mention Richard’s dog, Sirius, who plays an important part in this story and not forgetting the “pregnant elephant”!

The Epilogue is both heartfelt and touching and had me reaching for the tissues.

Enchanting, romantic, sexy and funny! This is definitely a keeper!

How I imagine Richard… 

How I imagine Genevieve … 

REVIEW RATING: STELLAR 5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: HOT 

The Sons of Sin series to date (please click on the cover for more details):

My sincere thanks to Anna Campbell for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Read July 2013

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NEW REVIEW OF FOREVER A LADY BY DELILAH MARVELLE

*Book 2 of The Rumor series*

Setting :  New York City and London, 1830

Official Summary:

TWO DIFFERENT CLASSES, ONE COMMON DESIRE… Lady Bernadette Marie Burton may be the richest widow in England, but like her dreams of finding true passion, her reputation is deteriorating. Cruel gossip, loneliness and hoards of opportunistic suitors have her believing Society couldn’t be more vile…or dangerous. So when an attacker threatens her life, she finds safety in the most unseemly of places: the arms of a mysterious, Irish-American gang leader. His fortune stolen, young Matthew Milton is done playing the respectable gentleman. In the slums of New York, only ruffians thrive. But from the moment he arrives in London and encounters the voluptuous Lady Bernadette, he can’t help but wonder about the finer pleasures he’s missing. Or just how much he’s willing to risk-not only to bed her, but to prove his worth….

★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★

I’m totally hooked on this series!

Forever a Lady is the second book in the Rumor series and, once again, Delilah Marvelle delivers a compelling, exciting and very sensual love story that kept me enthralled.

Matthew tightened his fingers on the rough wool of the sacks weighing each shoulder. He stared up at that looming unpainted building, the acrid stench of piss lacing the heat-ridden air.

I love the realism and social commentary Ms Marvelle brings to this story. She doesn’t pull any punches, whether she’s painting vivid images of the poverty, the squalor, the depravity and the hopelessness of life in Five Points or the horrific conditions for prisoners in Sing Sing.

How I imagine Matthew (without his eye patch) ~

Rise and become the soul you know yourself to be before everything you believe in is vilely effaced.

Matthew is a great hero. He may be rough around the edges but he’s a good man at heart. He cares about the weak and vulnerable of Five Points and, together with his band of Forty Thieves, he dispenses his own brand of justice. I admire his determination to create a better life not only for himself but also for his loyal men and I enjoyed watching his journey to achieving his ambition and rediscovering his true self.

I love that he’s not afraid to show real emotion:

He gasped as he stared down at Ronan’s swollen face, which was practically unrecognizable from the amount of blackened blood, swelling and bruising. Tears blinded him. “Ronan—” he choked. “Jesus Christ.”

How I imagine Bernadette ~

Love was overrated anyway. As was holding on to one’s reputation. Neither allowed a woman a breath of freedom.

I have a soft spot for unconventional heroines and couldn’t help but like Bernadette.  She’s intelligent, strong and independent and makes no excuses for living life on her own terms. What she wants she goes after regardless of society’s censure. I also loved her for seeing what a wonderful man Matthew is and being willing to provide the means of fulfilling his ambitions.

Bernadette touched her hand to the obituary and the newspapers piled beneath it. It was like touching Matthew’s soul. It made her ache. And it also made her soar knowing she was at long last getting to see who he really was. He wasn’t a thief or a criminal. He was a good man. A man worthy of a second chance.

In the scene where her father rejects her, we see how vulnerable she really is beneath that tough exterior. I loved their poignant reconciliation scene.

As I would expect from Ms Marvelle, there’s plenty of sizzling sexual tension and some steamy love scenes…

“Tell me what happens next.”
“I think we both know what happens next.”
…he wedged the tip of the razor between the upper lacings and… sliced.

But my favourite scene is during Matthew’s ‘courting’ when he takes Bernadette ice skating. There’s just something so beautifully romantic about the whole scene and their feelings for each other seem to shine through.

She lifted her gaze to his, still clinging to his coat.
He stared down at her.
A gusting wind blew in around them as snow drifted down from above, quietly falling in large flakes that slowly, slowly gathered against the satin rim of Matthew’s top hat. His full lips parted as if he meant to say something. The air between them frosted against the heat of that mouth.
Being tightly held in his arms and looking up at him like this whispered of unending happiness. She had never known anything like it.
Is this what real love felt like?

I have to admit that the final love scene did contain a certain sexual act that is a real turn off for me. That’s purely my personal taste and I know other reviewers had no problem with it.

There’s an interesting cast of secondary characters and a charming Epilogue. Ms Marvelle also brings us another step closer to discovering the truth about what happened to Lord Attwood all those years ago.

This is another delightful, emotional, sexy romance from one of my favourite authors.

VERDICT:     HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

RATING:   4.5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING:   HOT!

Read March 2013

The Rumor series (click on the books for more information):

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