"A wonderful addition to the Royal Carradigne's series!"

Duke Cade St. John may still be living down the scandal of his father not only gambling away his fortune but also committing suicide. Cade was only nineteen years old and in college but even today it still lives with him. Now he's a mercenary who sells his soldiering skills to the highest bidder. So when he's hired to kidnap Princess Lucia Carradigne, he reluctantly says yes because he needs the money as he's still paying off his father's debts.

The biggest problem with this whole escapade is that the men he is working with kidnap the wrong woman. Instead of Princess Lucia, they kidnap the royal secretary, Ellie Standish. Cade didn't recognize her at first because she'd been given a makeover in order to take Lucia's place at the ball so Lucia could spend some quality time with her new husband.

Now Cade will do everything in his power to keep Ellie safe and alive but he doesn't know what will happen if and when the higher ups find out that they've kidnapped the wrong person. He's not sure he wants to know what will happen!

Ellie can't believe that Cade has sold his soul to the devil but when she looks in his eyes, she sees an entirely different person. Just what is Cade up to and why won't he let her go or let her help him?

This book kept me on the edge of my seat and rapidly flipping pages. This is the first book that I've read in the Carradigne series but if this is any indication of how this series is being played out, then I must go and find the rest of the series pronto! For those who enjoy a good romantic suspense, this one fits the bill very nicely!

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted July 6, 2002

Summary

Dispossessed Duke Cadence St. John might be a maverick mercenary. He might have sold his soul to the highest bidder, but he wouldn't hurt shy, bespectacled royal secretary Ellie Standish -- had he recognized her that is! She had transformed herself into a stunning beauty for the Inferno Ball, a metamorphosis so complete that, instead of the real princess, his cohorts had kidnapped the wrong woman!

Held in the dark confines of a remote cabin, Ellie would be killed if her identity were discovered. Cade vowed to stay near and protect her with his life. But when the heated sensuality of their forced proximity became too much, would Cade be able to complete his mission with not only his life, but also his heart, intact?