"Another St. John brother finds his true love with help of an enchanted talisman ring."

Harriet Ward, a petite bundle of energy, has a fiancé invented by her mother to keep the bank from foreclosing on their family home. All her family needs is time to get the sheep's wool to market, enabling them to make the final payment on her late father's debt. Time is running out, as one persistent bank official insists on proof of the existence of the rich sailing captain. Harriet stumbles across an injured man with no memory, which is a blessing, since she decides to proclaim him her fiancé.

Chase St. John flees London unable to face his brothers. He's brought dishonor to the family name by his reckless behavior, and liquor has not removed the memory of an innocent woman run down when he drunkenly lost control of his carriage. As he evades his brothers, thieves set upon him, robbing him and leaving him for dead. Rescued by the Ward family, Chase agrees to impersonate the infamous sea captain fiancé.

Hard physical labor and the antics of the Ward family, especially the prim and proper Harriet, invigorate Chase and give him a feeling of belonging. However, Chase fears that once they learn of his sins, he'll be turned away.

The enchanted St. John talisman ring, with the spell that its possessor will fall madly in love, continues to weave its magic as another St. John brother finds his true love. Ms. Hawkins has penned a well-crafted love story filled with delightful characters.

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted November 30, 2003

Summary

Does she dare?

To save her family from ruin, Harriet Ward invented a fiancé—a handsome, wealthy sea captain. But now the bank wants proof of the elusive captain's existence. Just as Harriet despairs, fate drops a mysterious stranger into her arms, a man she believes has no idea of his own identity...Does Harriet dare convince the disturbingly handsome stranger that he is her fiancé? And if she does, what will be the cost?

Will he win?

Chase St. John knows exactly who he is. While quitting London to protect his family from scandal, Chase is waylaid by footpads and left for dead. Awakening in the care of the enchanting Miss Harriet Ward, Chase is astonished when the tempting maid brazenly announces that he is her long-awaited betrothed. Chase, ever a rogue, decides to dally and play the part of adoring lover for a price—heated kisses and more. But the price is rich, indeed, when it might mean losing his own heart.