"Feisty Historical"
Carlotta Anne Fairleigh, whom readers and family fondly
know as Lottie, has always been and still is a scamp of the
first order. Mischief comes naturally to her. Naturally, on
the night of her come-out ball in London when the lovely
young aspiring author learns that the notorious Murderous
Marquess is living right next door, she climbs out of an
upper-story window in all her finery to try and catch a
glimpse of him. But what impetuous Lottie discovers, is
disaster like never before! And before she knows it, she's en route to the wilds of
Cornwall, having married Hayden St. Clair, the notorious
marquis. His reputation for having caused his first wife's
death only adds fire to Lottie's vivid imagination and
she's more curious than scared. His new wife is an equal
mystery to Hayden and somewhat of a burden as the last
thing he wanted in his life was another wife, let alone a
young immature one like Lottie. However, Hayden has his own
reasons for marrying her, and immediately upon arrival at
her new abode, Lottie discovers why! Her new husband's smoldering eyes set Lottie aflutter,
while her zest and laughter make her all the more tempting
to a husband who's resolved to keep her at arms length. Can
love stand a chance? This historical tale is made special just by the presence
of a character like Lottie, for not only Hayden but also
the readers are equally mesmerized and buoyed up by this
young woman's ardor for life and happiness. Lottie is no
prim and proper miss, for at a young age she'd gained the
reputation of being the "Hertfordshire Hellion". Naturally,
this means the readers are thoroughly entertained by her
antics and escapades, both past and present. In Hayden, Ms.
Needham provides this spirited woman with a well-matched
man, one who's dark to her light, somber to her exuberance,
experienced to her youthfulness. But they're equally
matched in passion which keeps simmering between them, and
which tantalizingly never completely flares into life and
thus an enticing sensual edge is maintained through most of
the book. Other characters, some from previous books, all
play vital roles in the story's development and endow it
with a range of emotions. There are also plenty of gothic
elements, a supernatural twist and some suspense until the
end of the story. The story begins and progresses briskly,
though it does falter a bit midway, but soon the situation
resolves itself and ends most wonderfully. In all, Teresa Medeiros and her inimitable Lottie more than
entertain the readers. And together, they make this book a
fully worthwhile read.
Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas
Posted November 20, 2003
SummaryCarlotta Anne Fairleigh has spent most of her girlhood
savoring the thrilling pleasures of Gothic novels. She
dreams of writing her own story of murder and mayhem, but
when a bungled spying attempt ignites a torrid scandal on
the very night of her debut into London society, she finds
herself cast as the reluctant heroine in a real-life
drama. Her reputation in ruins, she finds herself whisked
away to a forbidding mansion on the rugged coast of
Cornwall by Hayden St. Clair, the man society has
dubbed "the Murderous Marquess." The intrepid Lottie
refuses to be intimidated by the ghost of his first wife,
who is rumored to wander the mansion by night, wailing for
justice. It is Hayden himself who proves to be the
greatest danger. For only by surrendering herself to him,
body and soul, can she discover if the seductive pleasures
of his touch will bring her chills or thrills, doom or
delight.
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