"Exciting Regency romantic suspense"

In 1805 actress, Ginny Highgate flees the abuse of her lover Lord Quentin "Damage" Randall hoping to find solace with her birth name Mary Harris and her birthplace in Ireland. She took teenager Johnny with her because Quentin's pal Carstairs was sodomizing the lad. At an inn still in England, Quentin catches up to her. When scholarly aristocrat Stephen Strathmore intercedes on Mary's behalf, Quentin shoots him. Carstairs cleans up the mess by setting fire to the inn. Stephen's son Devlin is devastated when the news reaches him at school that his parents are dead and assumed so is his sister.

In 1817, Devlin has gathered enough information about the deaths of his family to know that Damage, Carstairs the Pervert and a third pal killed them. He pretends to be a wastrel so that he can befriend his enemies, but panics when Aunt Augusta's companion sends him a note that she is very ill. He rushes to see his aunt, but he finds her healthy. Angry he takes Elizabeth Carlisle to task though he also admires her loyalty to her employer. He soon falls in love with Elizabeth who reciprocates his feelings, but first there is the matter of three killers.

Fans will appreciate this exciting Regency romantic suspense starring two delightful protagonists. Devlin is very complex while Elizabeth is a nurturing soul. Readers will want them to make it while also hope that justice is served. It would be fool's Foley for sub-genre fans to miss this delightful Hawkscliffe companion piece (Elizabeth once hoped that Alec Knight would love her as she did him).

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted April 24, 2004

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Summary

In the quiet English countryside, far from the intrigues of London, Lizzie Carlisle slowly mends her broken heart, devoting herself to her new position as lady's companion to the Dowager Viscountess Strathmore—until her peaceful life is turned upside-down by a visit from "Devil" Strathmore, the old woman's untamed nephew—a dangerously handsome man whose wicked reputation hides a tortured soul.

Devlin Kimball, Lord Strathmore, has spent years adventuring on the high seas, struggling to make his peace with the tragedy that claimed the lives of his family. But now he has uncovered the dark truth about the so-called accident and swears retribution. Then, to his astonishment, his eccentric aunt's will forces him and Lizzie together, and Devlin finds his path to vengeance blocked by the stubborn but oh-so-tempting Miss Carlisle. Her passionate nature rivals his own, but disillusioned once by love, Lizzie will accept nothing less than his true devotion. . . .