"A century-old curse. Will love defeat the evil that stalks this family?"

Alain, the new Earl of St. Vincent, is troubled by the curse that haunts his lineage. For a century now, the Cornish St. Vincent family has been subject to mysterious deaths and tragedies. Some believe that the new earl has taken advantage of the curse to have his father and older half-brother murdered. Such talk is nonsense, isn't it? Alain has been told his only hope to break the curse to wed and mate with his wife at the upcoming Winter Solstice.

Pampered daughter of a baron, Lady Eleanor Whitehurst sees the arrival of the Earl of St. Vincent with trepidation. Her father is dying and she needs to be safely wed before her cousin comes to claim the Baron's title. However, the new earl is far from what she expects. This man, the new earl, is compelling yet has a forbidding air about him. Just what is Lea getting into by marrying him?

Alain finds Lea pleasing to him and agrees to the marriage. It will have to wait until Advent is over, since the priests will not perform marriage rites during that time. Consummation, however, will not wait until a formal marriage ceremony. Will Lea survive until the marriage can be blessed? Someone, or something, doesn't want Lea here. Is it Alain's mother, the mad Countess? But she's locked away, unable to harm anyone. Lea senses evil at Castle St. Vincent. Evil that she must uncover, before she can give her heart to Alain. Will her quest be the death of her?

Ms. Jacobs pens another erotic story, this time set in medieval England. Pagan rituals mix with Christianity in this troubled time. Some readers may find the fertility rituals distasteful, but they will find the remainder of the story falls within standard romantic guidelines. For a brooding, dark read, try DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.

Sensuality: Rated E-rotic by the publisher. Explicit sex, light bondage, threesome, pagan fertility ritual (including public sex, group sex, homosexual acts); sexually explicit scenes: 9.

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted December 26, 2003

Summary

A dying man's last wish: Protect Lea. Make her your bride.

Marrying the lovely, sensual Lea will be no hardship for Alain, newly Earl of St. Vincent. Keeping her safe may be another matter all together.

For a curse lies upon the St. Vincent lands, and unless Alain can convince his new bride to trust him, join with him in the fertility rites of the Winter Solstice, her life and his lands may be forfeit.

Rumors, of murder and mayhem laid at Alain's feet. Legends, of giants and piskies and ancient Druids come to life. Seers and magic and sexual excesses. Thrust from her sheltered life into the midst of a nightmare, Lea must rely on her instincts.

Alain's dark passions seduce her heart. She craves his touch, but it will take more than passion to bring St. Vincent back from the Dark Side of the Moon.