"A Steamy Regency"

Raven Kendrick is about to marry Lord Halford, and fulfill the dying wish of her mother that she marry into the society that had rejected and condemned Elizabeth Kendrick to a loveless marriage in the British West Indies. Raven does not love Lord Halford, but she is not looking for love. Love had ruined her mother's life, and she had no intention of letting it ruin hers. She relied on her fantasy pirate lover to fulfill her inner need for love. But on the day of her wedding she is kidnapped by Sean Lasseter, a jealous ex-suitor, and taken to the gambling club of Sean's brother Kell. Kell protects her from the drunken revenge of his brother, but her reputation is ruined. So Kell does the gentlemanly thing and marries her himself.

Kell has no need of a wife, and rejects the English society of his father, that had rejected his Irish mother. After his father's death his Uncle William had sent his mother back to Ireland and kept the two young boys in England. Kell thinks that Raven is nothing but an upper- class English tease who has treated his brother badly. He is unaware of the depth of Sean's psychological problems, although he knows that Sean was abused by Uncle William while Kell was away at school.

Neither Raven nor Kell want marriage to one another, but they find themselves fiercely attracted to each other, especially sexually. While they are fighting against the deep love that is drawing them closer together, they must also deal with Sean's increasing violence, and the vengeful actions of Lord Halford, who is trying to ruin Kell's business.

Ms. Jordan has created another spicy Regency romance with two larger than life characters. Raven and Kell are suited to one another in every way. Both of them are strong-willed and passionate, loyal and devoted to those they love. Both are motivated by the wrongs done to their mothers by English society. The plot is the time- honored Regency story of the hero marrying the heroine to save her reputation, but it works well, since the author takes time to let the characters find out that the marriage of convenience can be a love-match. Those readers who like their romance on the very sensual side will not be disappointed in this book. Raven's pirate fantasy is steamy, but Kell teaches her that their erotic romance is better than any fantasy.

Reviewed by Cynthia Meidinger
Posted September 1, 2002

Summary

Having watched her mother languish away for a lost love, Raven Kendrick vows never to surrender her heart. But when her life erupts in scandal, she is forced to accept a marriage proposal from the wickedly sensuous owner of London's most notorious gaming hell. Though fiercely drawn to her enigmatic rescuer, Raven battles to resist her husband, whose caresses promise ecstasy beyond her wildest fantasies.

To save the reputation of an innocent girl nearly ruined by his brother, Kell Lasseter sacrifices his freedom to wed the dazzling debutante. Long scorned for his Irish blood and dark past, Kell cannot deny that this enchanting spit-fire is unlike other society misses. Torn between loyalty to his brother and his growing feelings for his rebellious bride, Kell must somehow free Raven's reluctant heart before they can know the ecstasy of true love.