The Barnes & Noble Review
Jo Beverley returns to the world of the Mallorens and Georgian England in a satisfying romantic historical that begins in humiliation and ends in triumph. Damaris Myddleton, who grew up humbly, recently inherited her late father's fortune and is determined to have a titled husband to go with her new wealth. She is embarrassed beyond belief when her fiancé, Lord Ashart, publicly rejects her for his true love. His close friend, Fitzroger, is unsuitability personified -- dishonored, disgraced, and penniless -- but eager to ease Damaris's humiliation through a faked flirtation, which takes on a life of its own. While Fitz has secretly been asked by the Crown to protect Ashart, he also discovers that someone is trying to kill Damaris. Only by uncovering both state and family secrets can the couple clear the path to their future. Ginger Curwen

When newly rich Damaris Myddleton is rejected by the Marquess of Ashart and flees the Malloren holiday gathering, Octavius Fitzroger, a close friend of Ashart, literally rides to her rescue and keeps her from making an even bigger fool of herself. Chafing under the guardianship of her uncle, Damaris pleads with Rothgar, the Malloren family patriarch, to take on the role. He agrees, but when he insists that she and Ashart's new fiancEe make their appearance at the Queen's Birthday Ball in three weeks-and Octavius decides that he needs to protect her from fortune hunters as well as keeping Ashart safe from a would-be assassin-the stage is set for some lively adventures. Picking up exactly where Winter Fire leaves off, Beverley turns a rejected "other woman" into a fiery, outspoken, sympathetic heroine; pairs her with a dashing but penniless, scandal-ridden hero; and lets the fun-and the danger-begin. Once again readers are treated to a delightful, intricately plotted, and sexy romp set in the slightly bawdy Georgian world of Beverley's beloved "Malloren Chronicles." Beverley lives in Canada. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.