Seduction & Scandal (Brethren Guardians, Bk 1)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Barbara Ann reviewed on
Isabella Fairmont is a woman who knows the heartbreak reckless behavior can cause. Unlike her mother before her, she has sworn never to risk her reputation by allowing herself to succumb to passions. That doesn't stop her from jotting a few down in her secret journal, however ;)
Night after night she pens the tale of Death and his dark and passionate desire for his heroine. And, night after night, her cousin Lucy listens with bated breath to hear the next scene in the undeniably romantic tale that Isabella weaves.
But for Isabella, it isn't merely a tale of Death and his lover.
Isabella knows Death, and all too well. She's seen him before. She knows he's that dark figure stalking from the shadows and stealing those she holds dearest. But there's something more, and she can sense it's only a matter of time before he comes to claim her as well...
Shrouded in mystery and scandal, the Earl of Black's days are spent hiding in the shadows careful to avoid the prying eyes and wagging tongues of the ton. From afar he has watched Isabella, his heart aching desperately to be with her (*double-sigh*). He knows that Isabella has already endured so much loss and heartache. If he were to somehow let her know how he longs to be with her, Isabella would inevitably find out about his past and never give him another glance.
It isn't until another suitor begins to court Isabella that he can stand in the shadows no more.
Although she loved her mother and misses her dearly, Isabella knows her mother was misled and taken advantage of by men. It will take more than mere declarations of love or even a stolen kiss to ever sway her.
She is determined not to follow in her mother's footsteps, and so, Isabella is hoping to marry the handsome and kind--albeit a bit boring--archeologist whose been courting her. Besides, he's an honest man and seems to care for her. With him, Isabella will be secure from even the slightest shred of scandal. There doesn't have to be love or even passion (and believe me there isn't--just sayin'), so long as she has security and the respect of those around her.
Just when she thinks her future is sealed, she meets the one man who ignites her emotions more than anyone else she has ever known.
The Earl of Black is dark, undeniably handsome, seductive and mysterious. He's everything that Isabella has striven to steer clear of. But there is more to it, and more to him. He knows things, far too many things about Isabella, whereas Isabella knows nothing about his past. And his eyes, so full of desire and want, it's as if he can peer in to her very soul...
She knows she should stay away, but she can't seem to bring herself to stop from seeing him. Each whisper, each caress drives her slowly down the same reckless path her mother took. But what of Black's past? Why for so long was he withdrawn from the public eye? Then there are those missing actresses from the theater and the sudden death of a magician mere minutes after Black said the man wouldn't be around much longer...
But how could she possibly stay away?
Little by little events begin to unfold. Stolen artifacts, secret societies, ghosts, murder and of course smokin' hot romance!
For me, this tale was like a Sherlock Holmes meets National Treasure with enough romance to have you squirming in your seat! The passion, build up, intensity, mystery and finally the climax was wonderfully written. I was completely embroiled in it. Who is Black? How does he know Bella so well? The passion between these two sizzles!
Although I absolutely adored Black, it was the secondary character the Duke of Sussex that utterly stole my heart.
Similar to Black, you learn that he pines for Isabella's cousin Lucy from afar. Yet, she doesn't give him the time of day. Ugh, my heart ached for him! If you've read Featherstone's books before, you know how passionately she pens her characters and how realistic their emotions feel to you as you read. I was heartbroken for Sussex with the closing of this book.
But, I'm BEYOND excited to learn that his story is the next book in this series! I seriously cannot wait. No, seriously. How am I going to make it until the end of the year to read his story?
Night after night she pens the tale of Death and his dark and passionate desire for his heroine. And, night after night, her cousin Lucy listens with bated breath to hear the next scene in the undeniably romantic tale that Isabella weaves.
But for Isabella, it isn't merely a tale of Death and his lover.
Isabella knows Death, and all too well. She's seen him before. She knows he's that dark figure stalking from the shadows and stealing those she holds dearest. But there's something more, and she can sense it's only a matter of time before he comes to claim her as well...
Shrouded in mystery and scandal, the Earl of Black's days are spent hiding in the shadows careful to avoid the prying eyes and wagging tongues of the ton. From afar he has watched Isabella, his heart aching desperately to be with her (*double-sigh*). He knows that Isabella has already endured so much loss and heartache. If he were to somehow let her know how he longs to be with her, Isabella would inevitably find out about his past and never give him another glance.
It isn't until another suitor begins to court Isabella that he can stand in the shadows no more.
Although she loved her mother and misses her dearly, Isabella knows her mother was misled and taken advantage of by men. It will take more than mere declarations of love or even a stolen kiss to ever sway her.
She is determined not to follow in her mother's footsteps, and so, Isabella is hoping to marry the handsome and kind--albeit a bit boring--archeologist whose been courting her. Besides, he's an honest man and seems to care for her. With him, Isabella will be secure from even the slightest shred of scandal. There doesn't have to be love or even passion (and believe me there isn't--just sayin'), so long as she has security and the respect of those around her.
Just when she thinks her future is sealed, she meets the one man who ignites her emotions more than anyone else she has ever known.
The Earl of Black is dark, undeniably handsome, seductive and mysterious. He's everything that Isabella has striven to steer clear of. But there is more to it, and more to him. He knows things, far too many things about Isabella, whereas Isabella knows nothing about his past. And his eyes, so full of desire and want, it's as if he can peer in to her very soul...
She knows she should stay away, but she can't seem to bring herself to stop from seeing him. Each whisper, each caress drives her slowly down the same reckless path her mother took. But what of Black's past? Why for so long was he withdrawn from the public eye? Then there are those missing actresses from the theater and the sudden death of a magician mere minutes after Black said the man wouldn't be around much longer...
But how could she possibly stay away?
Little by little events begin to unfold. Stolen artifacts, secret societies, ghosts, murder and of course smokin' hot romance!
For me, this tale was like a Sherlock Holmes meets National Treasure with enough romance to have you squirming in your seat! The passion, build up, intensity, mystery and finally the climax was wonderfully written. I was completely embroiled in it. Who is Black? How does he know Bella so well? The passion between these two sizzles!
Although I absolutely adored Black, it was the secondary character the Duke of Sussex that utterly stole my heart.
Similar to Black, you learn that he pines for Isabella's cousin Lucy from afar. Yet, she doesn't give him the time of day. Ugh, my heart ached for him! If you've read Featherstone's books before, you know how passionately she pens her characters and how realistic their emotions feel to you as you read. I was heartbroken for Sussex with the closing of this book.
But, I'm BEYOND excited to learn that his story is the next book in this series! I seriously cannot wait. No, seriously. How am I going to make it until the end of the year to read his story?
