The Naked Baron & The Naked Viscount by Sally MacKenzie

Naked Nobility, Book 2

Synopsis: Tell Me What You Want

New to London society and rather…awkward…Lady Grace Belmont would just as soon hide behind the palm trees as dance with a man she doesn’t know. But Baron Dawson is on the hunt for a wife. Grace’s generous curves and remarkable height do not intimidate him. In fact, it would be more accurate to describe his reaction to the charming newcomer as lust.

Before Grace can so much as gather her thoughts, she finds herself in his arms, committing one shocking impropriety after another. The Baron’s devilish attractiveness—to say nothing of his splendid muscles—is simply impossible to resist. Her beloved aunt and chaperone advises patience, but Grace is not about to listen. The handsome baron is whispering such delightful things in her ear…

Review: What a joy to read these two other books in the Sally MacKenzie series. It is always very pleasant and is perfect for a light and fun read when I need it. This novel takes place at the same time as the Naked Duke and it was very funny to see the main characters become secondary here. Some places intersect, as well as certain events, allowing us to put us in mind other stories at the same time.

We discover Kate and her niece Grace in London during a bal. Grace is promised to a man she does not love but that does not really bother her… or at least until she meets Baron Dawson. As soon as he sees her, the Baron knows that this woman would be perfect to become his wife and he is determined to make her accept a marriage proposal. Yet it all seems much more difficult with this stubborn young woman. This can’t be because they are attracted because other family complications come into play, too. In parallel to this story, we also follow Kate and the Uncle of the Baron: Alex. These two people have a common past, and when he tried years ago to marry her, her brother refused her hand. But now that they are older, the possibilities are different or that is in any case what Alex thinks. But of course, this is not counting on the determination of the lady.

I loved this story and to follow the two couples staged. The romance between Alex and Kate is obvious, while they waited their whole life for that, some ramparts always arise between them. Yet Alex is determined to make Kate his wife and hope not to have to wait more. He is direct and honest but also susceptive. Kate meanwhile is trying to impose her choices but it is not really her nature so it was quite funny to see their arguments. Despite her age, she is very innocent and very unsure, which puts her in quite funny situations. They perfectly complement one another. Regarding Grace and Baron I must say that they are both very similar. They are determined and are always behaving like they want in society. Yet I loved seeing that Grace despite her attractiveness for the man, always kept in mind that it was not him she was going to marry with. I was curious anyway to see how Kate and Grace would end and it is true that I am happy with the outcome and how everything went. It was again a good story even if I always read everything in disorder.

4

Naked Nobility, Book 5

Synopsis: The Naked Truth…After eight Seasons in London, Lady Jane Parker-Roth is ready to quit the dull search for a husband in favor of more exciting pursuits. So when she encounters an intruder in her host’s townhouse, she’s not about to let the scoundrel escape. Until she discovers she’s wrestling a viscount-Edmund Smyth, the one noble she wouldn’t mind meeting in the dark. And when their struggle shatters a randy statue of the god Pan, even more mischief ensues…

Edmund was indeed searching for evidence of a scandal, but the shocking clues inside the nude statue are far from what he expected. The same can be said of Jane, who shows a talent for interfering in his affairs. And as his quest becomes more than a little improper, he finds the impetuous Lady has a talent for that as well…

Review: After reading the Naked Baron, here I am with the Naked Viscount. I admit that I was immediately intrigued when I saw that it staged Edmund that we discover as a secondary character in the previous book and Lady Jane Parker-Roth, John’s sister, People we’ve heard so much about. In addition, we also meet once again Winifred the Viscount’s aunt with her monkey and parrot that always cause zany situations for our greatest pleasure.

Lady Jane Parker-Roth is now 24 years old and still not married, yet she isn’t really cares about any men, except Edmund, alas, he does not even seem to notice her. However, when one night she finds him in her home, seeking for a drawing, she falls under both his charm and decides to participate in his mission. It would appear that pieces of drawings are hidden in the penis of some unusual statues. And while these drawings can put them in grave danger, Jane is determined to help Edmund to discover the end of the story whatever he agrees or not. And I must say he rarely agrees. And while the plot thickens, our heroes will face many dangers to find the truth. But besides that, now the aunts of the Viscount decide to come visit him to force him to find a wife. And I must say it would be churlish to antagonize these terrifying ladies with their many animals.

It was nice to have a heroine as Lady Jane Parker-Roth. She is very different from the ones we use to see, and although she is still single, she knows more things that any other girl. It was pretty funny to see that she did not hesitate to follow her desires and always does as she wants to. I loved seeing the situations in which she was able to get without realizing it, some also very shocking for this period. And surprisingly enough, she isn’t really looking to marry anyone, but she likes Edmund a lot and would love to know him a little more. Regarding the latter, I think I can say that he is sometimes frustrating as he wants to prevent Jane to do anything. But it’s still very funny to see how she handles him to achieve her purposes. They are really cute together and their relationship evolves gradually during the novel. I was pretty excited to see their progress about the investigation to discover the culprit. And I must say that I was totally surprised when I discovered his identity because of course I asked myself the question several times without reaching about any suspects.

It was a very good new novel, full of humor as always and I was happy to discover these two titles which are very pleasant to read.

4

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An Arranged Marriage by Jo Beverley

Company of Rogues, Book 1

Synopsis: SHE WAS A RELUCTANT BRIDE
Eleanor Chivenbam didn’t put much past her vile brother, but even she bad not anticipated his greedy scheme to dupe a rich earl into mistaking her for a lightskirt! Her reputation in shreds, her future ruined, a defeated Eleanor was forced to agree to a hasty marriage of convenience. But marriage to Nicholas Delaney, Earl of Stainbridge, with his casual elegance and knowing smile was more than she’d bargained for He was a renowned rake and scoundrel, and no doubt be thought the worst of her Yet Eleanor wasn’t sure bow long she could bold out against his undeniable charm-or the secret desires of her own heart.

BUT HE WAS A PERSUASIVE GROOM
For the sake of family honor Nicholas Delaney agreed to marry a wronged young lady. In truth, such chivalry ran counter to his carefully wrought image of carousing, dissolute rogue, the guise so vital to his secret political mission. But if be bad hoped to keep his new wife well in the background, be was sorely mistaken. The chit’s fighting wit and uncanny beauty were impossible to ignore In fact, she presented quite a challenge to his prowess with women; and Nicholas never could resist a challenge.

Review: I appreciate more and more to read historical romances, so when I saw a new release in French, I was intrigued. However, before starting the novel is true that I’ve seen some pretty mixed reviews, so I was a little anxious about my read. It wasn’t that awesome but I still enjoyed reading the whole story.

Eleanor is a young woman who never had an easy life. More than that, she hates his brother with all her heart, however, if she runs away before her 25 years, her legacy will be lost to his advantage. But when he organizes an act of the most malicious, drugging her and orchestrating her rape, the woman no longer has a choice. And after visiting her abuser, he finds the perfect solution, a wedding! However, as he doesn’t want to get married himself, and having a twin brother, he organizes a plan, explaining to the woman that it was his brother who attacked her and explaining to his brother that he should marry the girl. And while her meeting with Nicholas (the brother) is cold enough, she understands very soon after her marriage the truth which makes her very angry. But it allows her to start a new life with her husband, away from mistakes that happened. Yet while they seem to appreciate each other more and more, a distance will quickly appear between them. While trying to do everything to be the perfect husband, he secretly maintains a relationship with his mistress on behalf of the government, in order to update an international conspiracy. But hiding all that from his wife, Eleanor thinks very quickly that her husband doesn’t care for her and even though she knew the consequences of this arranged marriage, she can only suffer from the events. She doesn’t understand the change of attitude of her husband who can be the sweetest and caring person for a moment and coldest and impersonal man others. But the secrets degrade their relationship more to the ultimate point where a decision must be taken.

I was really curious to see how the relationship between these two characters would be. However, it is true that the secrets break our heart and destroy their relationship little by little while the truth might have been able to help them. Eleanor manages to understand some things even if it’s not the whole truth exactly but as neither trusts the other, everything is still very complicated. It is sad to see that misunderstandings will change their like to become a hell. Yet they have many qualities. Nicholas is kind and loving even though he did not ask to be in such a situation. But what impressed me most was his control over his feelings in all circumstances. Conversely, Eleanor is a young pretty impulsive person and she does not hesitate to speak her mind or to spy on conversations when she wants to.

It was an interesting story to read and I was really curious to see how it would end and I admit that I had many questions until the last pages of the story. I just wish that the couple was able to really talk about it before, it would have avoided a lot of trouble for nothing.

3

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Un Mariage Salvateur de Jo Beverley

La ligue des Libertins, Tome 1

Résumé : Eleanor savait que son frère était un scélérat, mais pas au point de la faire passer pour une catin pour duper un riche comte. Son honneur bafoué, elle se voit contrainte d’accepter un mariage de convenance avec Nicholas, jeune homme à l’élégance nonchalante et prodigue de sourires entendus. Cette union a beau être à mille lieues de ses espérances, Eleanor est troublée. La jeune femme ignore combien de temps elle pourra encore résister à son charme dévastateur…

Avis : J’apprécie de plus en plus de lire des romances historiques, aussi quand une nouvelle sort en Français, je suis toujours intriguée. Cependant, avant de commencer le roman c’est vrai que j’ai vu certains avis assez mitigés, j’étais alors un peu anxieuse quant à ma lecture. Moi-même si cela n’a pas été un coup de cœur, j’ai quand même pris plaisir à lire toute l’histoire.

Eleanor est une jeune femme qui n’a jamais eu une vie facile. De plus elle déteste son frère de toutes ses forces, cependant, si elle s’enfuit avant ses 25 ans, tout son héritage sera perdu à son profit. Mais quand celui-ci organise un acte des plus malveillants, la droguant et orchestrant son viol, la jeune femme n’a plus le choix. Et après avoir rendu visite à son agresseur, ce dernier trouve une solution parfaite, un mariage ! Cependant, ne voulant pas se marier lui-même, et ayant un frère jumeau, il organise un plan, en expliquant à la jeune femme que c’est son frère qui l’a agressé et en expliquant à son frère qu’il se doit d’épouser la demoiselle. Et alors que sa rencontre avec Nicholas est assez froide, elle comprend très vite après son mariage le pot aux roses qui la rend très en colère. Mais cela lui permet de commencer une nouvelle histoire avec son nouveau mari, loin des erreurs qui se sont passées. Pourtant alors qu’ils semblent s’apprécier de plus en plus, une distance va s’imposer rapidement entre eux. Alors qu’il essaie de tout faire pour la respecter, il entretient clandestinement une relation avec sa maîtresse pour le compte du gouvernement, afin de mettre à jour un complot international. Mais le cachant à sa femme, Eleanor pense très vite que son mari n’a que faire d’elle et même si elle connaissait les conséquences de ce mariage arrangé, elle ne peut que souffrir de tout ce qu’il se passe, ne comprenant pas les changements de son mari qui peut être la personne la plus douce et attentive un instant et l’homme le plus froid et impersonnel à d’autres. Mais les secrets s’installant, leur relation se dégrade finalement de plus en plus jusqu’au point ultime où une décision doit être prise.

J’étais vraiment curieuse de voir ce que la relation entre les deux allait donner. Cependant, il est vrai que les cachotteries font mal au cœur et détruisent leur relation à petits feux alors que la vérité aurait peut-être pu les aider à avancer un peu plus. Eleanor finit par comprendre certaines choses mais ne comprend pas tout exactement et comme aucun des deux ne se confie à l’autre, tout est toujours très compliqué. C’est triste de voir que sur des malentendus leur vie à tous les deux va devenir un enfer. Pourtant chacun des deux possèdent de nombreuses qualités. Nicholas est gentil et aimant même s’il n’a rien demandé pour se retrouver dans une telle situation. Mais ce qui m’a le plus impressionné c’est son contrôle sur ses sentiments en toutes circonstances. A l’inverse, Eleanor est une jeune femme assez impulsive et qui n’hésite pas à dire ce qu’elle pense ou à espionner les conversations quand elle le désire. Et surtout que Nicholas ne pense pas à lui donner des ordres, car elle ne pourrait plus répondre de rien.

C’était une histoire intéressante à lire et j’étais vraiment curieuse de voir comment cela allait finir et j’avoue qu’on se pose des questions jusqu’aux dernières pages de l’histoire. Je regrette juste que le couple ne se soit pas réellement parlé avant, cela aurait évité bien des soucis pour rien.

3

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The Naked Duke + The Naked Marquis by Sally MacKenzie

Naked Nobility, Book 1

Synopsis: The Surprise Of Her Life

Sophisticated. Scandalous. In fact, Miss Sarah Hamilton, a proper Philadelphian, finds London society altogether shocking. How can it be that she has awakened from her innocent slumber to find herself in bed next to a handsome–and exceedingly naked–man? The laughing onlookers standing in the doorway are no help whatsoever and surely this amorous lunatic cannot be a duke, as he claims. She is compromised–though she most certainly will not marry him!

The Sweetest Moment Of His

James, the Duke of Alford, is enchanted by his unexpected bedmate–and not at all afraid of her pink-cheeked fury. True, the circumstances and place of their meeting are most unusual, but the spirited American who’s pummeling him with a pillow is an incomparable beauty. If Sarah will only listen to his perfectly reasonable explanation, James is sure that he can capture her heart. . .forever.

Review: I have read many books by Sally Mackenzie, the last of this series and those released in her second series and I loved them all. So when the French publisher has been released a new version of the series combining the first and second book (well it’s the third in English, I know I don’t understand the logic either), I thought it was an opportunity to put myself in the series from the beginning.

The start of the story made me immediately think of Surprising Lord Jack, as I admit it happens in the same way. A girl in a bed, a man who sleeps next to her and in the morning, he decided that the best thing to do is to marry her when of course the woman doesn’t want to. But the comparison stops there. In fact, Sarah has just returned from America to find her uncle, but she did not expect to discover that he is dead, leaving behind a single son. And it is therefore simply impossible for her to live with him. Then comes into play James, the man with whom she has been compromised and who is determined to marry her at any cost. And while living under the same roof with two chaperones and James, Sarah goes to see her determination falter behind the advances of a man who dreams only of her. I must say that everyone is determined to see her end with this duke. But his debauched reputation is far from reassuring the young lady who has reservations.

I loved this novel, the story between these two characters is really cute. Well it is true that some points are a little hard to believe compared to others but I took a great pleasure to follow this couple. Their romance is not easy, and many obstacles will be on their way, including a cousin of James. It is true that I did not expect to have such a villain in the story, but Sally was very successful in writing a man of the worst kind. And I was really curious to see what was going to happen. I must say that each novel is light and very easy to read, which allows us to read each story with great rapidity.

I really think Sally MacKenzie has a lot of talent in historical romance and I’ll read now the rest of the series. It’s a nice mix of humor, romance and plots. I really recommend starting her books, especially as there is no problem with starting with any of them.

4

Naked Nobility, Book 3

Synopsis: The Man Is Practical
As marriage proposals go, Charles Draysmith’s suit is as romantic as the moors in December. Emma Peterson might be only a vicar’s daughter, and he the new Marquis of Knightsdale, and perhaps he would rather marry her than endure the marriage mart. But when he suggests how much he’ll enjoy securing an heir, well, a lady can only endure so much.

But The Lady Is Passionate
There’s something about a woman throwing pottery at a man that piques his interest. Perhaps his proposal lacks grace, Charles thinks. But it does seem a perfect solution. He acquires a wife; his young charges have the mother they so desperately need, and Emma gains security and position. You see? Simple. Practical. Sensib- oh no, not the ceramic dog…
He will have to confess the truth to calm her down. And the truth is, he’s madly in love…

Review: And here it is the third volume of the adventures in the Naked Nobility series. I still love to this kind of historical romances but I realized that my preference is for the Duchess of Love series as I also very appreciate it.

We rediscover here Charles, the character we met in the first volume. His brother just died in an accident and even if he did not want a title, he is now a Marquis. And of course, he must now find a wife. Something that does not please him at all. But when he returns to his new home and discovers that his childhood sweetheart deals with two daughters of his brother, he thinks it would be perfect to marry her and asks her right away. Emma is in love with Charles since she is 6 years old, and she is also still single after 26 years, which is often an advanced age in this period. Saying that she is shocked when the Marquis offers to marry her after 5 minutes would be an understatement. And although Emma loves him, she refuses to marry without love, even if it means becoming the mother of two young girls she loved deeply. But she is determined, and despite her desire and his incessant demands, our heroine stands firm to not succumb, or just a little.

The history between the two characters is pretty cute and the fact that Charles did not understand what Emma really wants is quite frustrating. But everyone will help them realize this fact, whether the two girls, the Charles aunt: Lady Beatrice or all the Charles friends we met in the first volume. Moreover, we have the chance to see Sarah who is now pregnant with James. I should also add that I loved the children: Isabelle and Claire, as well as Lady Beatrice, they have a lot of ideas of all kinds. Beatrice has a refreshing frankness and does not hesitate to say what she has in mind even if it is often quite indecent. And I really loved that about her! Of course, that’s not all and a mysterious person appears in the story and we wonder throughout the book what he seeks. But we will not know until the end of volume.

A new beautiful novel I enjoyed discovering.

4

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Surprising Lord Jack by Sally MacKenzie


Duchess of Love, Book 2

Synopsis: Unladylike Behavior
Frances Hadley has managed her family’s estate for years. So why can’t she request her own dowry? She’ll have to go to London herself and knock some sense into the men interfering in her life. With the nonsense she’s dealt with lately, though, there’s no way she’s going as a woman. A pair of breeches and a quick chop of her red curls, and she’ll have much less to worry about…

Jack Valentine, third son of the famous Duchess of Love, is through being pursued by pushy young ladies. One particularly determined miss has run him out of his own house party. Luckily the inn has one bed left—Jack just has to share with a rather entertaining red-headed youth. Perhaps the two of them should ride to London together. It will make a pleasant escape from his mother’s matchmaking melodrama!


Review: After reading the last volume of her first series, I was curious to discover another book by Sally MacKenzie, then why not trying the second volume of her new Duchess of Love series? Yes, yes, I know once again I read a series in disorder but I had no trouble to understand it, or to immerse myself in the story.

Frances is a young woman on the run. Indeed, her aunt tried to compromise her with a man she didn’t not love in order to marry her and get rid of her. But understanding the subterfuge, she manages to escape and decides to go to London to see her brother and to claim the family estate she took care of for ten years. But she knows she can not do it as a woman while traveling alone this way. So she decides to disguise herself as a boy and takes her horse to go to the great city of London. Frances meets Jack Valentine on her way, a man who has a heart of gold and loves helping others. So when he discovers a lost boy, thinking he is only twelve years old, he is determined to help him. But then he does not know her true identity, others, less scrupulous, know the secret of our young heroine. And of course it does come to light and causes a big scandal when learned. Jack must now marry Frances to protect their reputation. But in addition to this, their return to London coincides with numerous murders and Jack is determined to find out who is behind it!
 
I enjoyed this novel! I do not read a lot of romance and it is true that I am a little more open to this genre now. Sally Mackenzie is really good in this style and I took a great pleasure to follow the adventures of Jack and Frances. These two characters have two completely different natures but they are perfect together. Frances is strong, brave and determined. She doesn’t realize that in this world of men, she can not have everything she wants. She is idealistic and impulsive, which leads her to act without realizing the consequences of her actions. It’s been quite heartbreaking to see that the world is far different from the one she believed. And the people thought she loved have lied to her all her life. Now, a whole new world opens up to her. But luckily Jack will be there to guide and help her through this new event. Conversely, he is gentle, patient and attentive. He loves wandering alone souls and, he needs to help people around him to feel good and Frances is the perfect person to help. He did not expect to like her this way.

It was a very good new novel and I wonder who will be featured in the next novel. I had not really thought about culprit of the murders, being focused by all the things that happen to Frances but I think it was still well found.

 

Lord Jack a Tout Prix de Sally MacKenzie


Duchess of Love, Tome 2

Résumé (traduction personnelle) : Un comportement qui n’a rien d’une Lady.

Frances Hadley s’est occupée de la succession de sa famille pendant des années. Alors, pourquoi ne pas demander sa propre dot ? Elle devra aller à Londres elle-même et s’opposer aux hommes qui veulent interférer dans sa vie. Avec tous les soucis qu’elle a, il n’y a aucun moyen qu’elle y aille en tant que femme. Une paire de culottes et une coupe rapide pour enlever ses boucles rousses, et elle aura beaucoup moins de soucis …

Jack Valentine, troisième fils de la célèbre Duchess of Love, est poursuivi par de nombreuses jeunes filles arrivistes. L’une d’entre elles particulièrement déterminée a réussi à lui faire fuir sa propre maison. Heureusement, l’auberge dispose d’un lit. Jack doit juste le partager avec un jeune roux assez amusant. Peut-être qu’ils devraient se rendre tous les deux à Londres. Ce sera une agréable évasion des griffes de sa mère qui est bien décidée à lui trouver une épouse.
Avis : Après avoir lu le dernier tome de sa première série, j’étais curieuse de découvrir un autre des écrits de Sally MacKenzie, alors pourquoi ne pas tenter le deuxième tome de sa nouvelle série Duchess of Love. Oui oui, je sais encore une fois je lis dans le désordre mais je n’ai eu aucun problème à comprendre ou à m’immerger complètement dans l’histoire.
Frances est une jeune femme en fuite. En effet, sa tante a essayé de la compromettre avec un homme qu’elle n’aimait pas dans le but de la marier et de se débarrasser d’elle. Mais comprenant le subterfuge, elle arrive à s’échapper et décide ainsi de se rendre à Londres chez son frère pour réclamer la succession de la famille dont elle s’occupe depuis dix ans. Mais elle sait très bien qu’elle ne peut y parvenir en tant que femme et voyager de la sorte toute seule. Elle décide donc de se déguiser en garçon et part avec son cheval pour la grande ville de Londres. Frances rencontrera ainsi sur sa route Jack Valentine, un homme qui a un cœur en or et qui adore aider son prochain. Alors, quand il découvre un jeune garçon, perdu, qu’il ne croit avoir qu’une douzaine d’années, il est bien décidé à l’aider. Mais alors qu’il ne connait pas sa véritable identité, d’autres personnes, moins scrupuleuses, arrivent à comprendre le secret de notre jeune héroïne ce qui le fait éclater au grand jour et qui provoque un gros scandale. Jack ne serait-il pas obligé de se marier avec Frances pour protéger leur réputation à tous les deux ? Mais en plus de cela, leur retour à Londres coïncide avec de nombreux meurtres et Jack est bien décidé à découvrir qui est derrière tout cela !
J’ai beaucoup apprécié ce roman ! Je ne lis pas beaucoup de romance et c’est vrai que je m’ouvre un peu plus à ce nouveau genre. Sally Mackenzie est vraiment douée dans ce style là et j’ai pris un grand plaisir à suivre les aventures de Frances et Jack. Ces deux personnages ont des natures complètement différentes mais ils se retrouvent parfaitement. Frances est vive, courageuse et déterminée. Elle ne se rend pas compte que dans ce monde d’homme, elle ne peut avoir tout ce qu’elle veut. Elle est idéaliste et impulsive, ce qui la pousse à agir sans réaliser les conséquences de ses actes. Ca fait assez mal au cœur de la voir comprendre que le monde qu’elle croyait est très différent, que les gens qu’elle pensait aimer lui mentaient et qu’un tout nouveau monde s’ouvre maintenant à elle. Mais par chance Jack sera là pour la guider et l’aider à traverser cette nouvelle épreuve. A l’inverse, il est doux, patient et attentionné. Il aime les âmes errantes et seules, il a besoin d’aider les gens autour de lui pour se sentir bien et Frances est un exemple même de tout ce qu’il recherche. Il ne s’attendait seulement pas à l’apprécier de cette manière. 
C’était un très bon nouveau roman et je me demande qui mettra en scène le prochain. Je n’avais pas vraiment réfléchi au coupable des meurtres, étant focalisée par toutes les choses qui arrivent à Frances mais je trouve que c’était quand même bien trouvé.

Edit: Le premier tome sortira chez Milady le 19 Avril 2013.

Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros


Synopsis : Gabriel Fairchild’s valor during battle earns him the reputation of hero, but costs him both his sight and his hope for the future. Abandoned by the fiancée he adored, the man who once walked like a prince among London’s elite secludes himself in his family’s mansion, cursing his way through dark days and darker nights.

Prim nurse Samantha Wickersham arrives at Fairchild Park to find her new charge behaving more like a beast than a man. Determined to do her duty, she engages the arrogant earl in a battle of both wit and wills. Although he claims she doesn’t possess an ounce of womanly softness, she can feel his heart racing at her slightest touch. As Samantha begins to let the light back into Gabriel’s life and his heart, they both discover that some secrets — and some pleasures — are best explored in the dark …


Review : First of all, I would like to thank my friend Luna05 for having recommended this book to me because I knew absolutely nothing about historical romance and for my first read I wanted a sort of must have, something that I would appreciate for sure. And I must say that Teresa Medeiros novel has definitely lived up to and exceeded my expectations. Indeed, I had a crush for this book!

To impress Cecily March, the girl whom he is deeply in love, Gabriel Fairchild, Earl of Sheffield enroled himself in the Royal Navy. But his courage and heroism when facing Napoleon’s fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar, cost him a lot: he returned to England badly wounded and blind. Rejected by his family and Cecily – who run away from the hospital after seeing him disfigured – Gabriel plunges into a deep depression. He lives cloistered in his domain at Fairchild Park, out of sight, where no light filter. His life is darkness, pain and loneliness until the day the mysterious Samantha Wickersham arrives at Fairchild Park to ask for a nurse job. Her arrival will change the habits of the house.

Aaah what can I say?! I’m still not used to the heroes and heroines of historical romances, but I must say that I loved Samantha! She is a young woman who has a lot of personality and quick comeback. She takes her job as a nurse to heart and as Gabriel’s nurse, she is determined to take care of him as best as she can, whether he likes it or not, and the least we can say is that he is not an easy patient! In fact, with him she will have a hard time.

Gabriel touched me a lot too. He does not accept his new condition of “invalid” and he neglects himself completely. It was terrible to see him suffer like that. He is a man deeply hurt and I was really sorry for him. His gruff look, his aggressive behavior and his unrefined manners turned him into a beast. How to help a man who is only a shadow of himself and has lost all taste for life at the same time he has lost his sight? So the task seems to be very difficult for Samantha. However, she did not waver, even when he is particularly rude and obnoxious with her. On the contrary, she is determined to ensure that he becomes again the gentleman he was before and helps him to accept his handicap. I liked her determination.

So you’ll understand, I loved Samantha and Gabriel. Their verbal sparring is a pure delight. Thanks to them, I felt all kinds of emotions. Some scenes made me smile, others have moved me to tears. And the ending… I did not expect at all!!!

To conclude, this book was a great finding. I loved it from beginning to end and I’ll certainly read other books of this author.