Robards is a great romance
author and always delivers a fast-paced story. I love her historicals. This
one, while not my favorite, is still a worthy read and kept me up late at night
to finish it.
The story begins in 1842 as
ship’s captain Matt Grayson, an American from New Orleans is about to hang in
London—for crimes he didn’t commit. He escapes from the gallows but is wounded
as he flees to the coast. There, he is discovered by Lady Amanda Rose Culver, a
duke’s daughter who has been confined to a convent school by her half brother.
Amanda helps Matt and cares for him in a forgotten cave connected to the
convent.
Amanda is an innocent waking
to the passion of a handsome, older, experienced man who begins as a gentleman
but then succumbs to the temptation of the young vixen. He is a man with a past
and knows the betrayal of a woman.
When Amanda’s brother shows
up with a fat, older suitor in tow who will dig the family out of their money
woes, he blackmails Amanda into agreeing to the marriage or he will turn Matt over
to the authorities. But Matt has other plans for her.
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| Original cover captures the couple |
There’s a lot of action and a
lot of angst as the scene moves from England to New Orleans where Matt
essentially holds Amanda his prisoner. When he would do the honorable thing,
she refuses. Ah, the rocky path of love.
Not much history here but the
stage is well set with vivid descriptions of locations, clothing and food—all the
goodies we romance readers love.
Buy on Amazon.
Great review! I love it!
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