Anny P. (wolfnme) reviewed on 9/27/2006 + 3389 more book reviews

Catherine Fullbright has learned how nasty men can be having spent time locked in a closet by her abusive father when she was a preadolescent; she also observed males behaving like hedonistic pigs as she saw first hand how her scandalous father treated women. Thus as a child she and her three female cousins vowed to never marry.

By 1811, Catherine's father needs his two daughters married off, but feels the eldest must wed first. Catie refuses though her younger sister Elizabeth is as always compliant, obedient, and nasty but also engaged to Lord Valentine. Dad gives Catie until tonight's ball to choose a mate or he will find her one. She and her cousins plot to stop Lizzie's nuptials, but her father trumps her. Catie marries Lord Valentine, Quint Childers; angering her sibling and making her new husband wonder when this wildcat hellion will destroy his political career as he planned on the compliant one as his wife. Still he enjoys her spirit, her caring about the welfare of others and that she seems to genuinely love him like he does her. However, he must persuade her to trust him as not all men demand strict obedience supported by punishment.

This is an interesting Regency romance starring a young woman who learns as a child the excesses of dominating males and takes that lesson to adulthood as she has vowed to remain a spinster. Quint is a patient protagonist who reassesses his ambitions once he finds the wrong wife in his bed; he gives Catie time to adapt, but fears she will never overcome the abuse. Fans of deep character driven historical tales will appreciate Shana Galen's strong tale.

Harriet Klausner

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