"I found this one hard to put down!"

This Beauty and the Beast story isn't like anything I've ever read before! I couldn't read this book fast enough. It's hot, full of angst and most definitely a page- turner!

Isabella Vernaducci only has one thought in her mind and that is to get help for her brother, Lucca who has been captured and is being held prisoner by the evil Don Rivellio. Not only that, but Don Rivellio has already stripped them of their lands. If Isabella doesn't get help from Don Nicolai DeMarco then she will have no other place to go.

What Isabella doesn't know is the valley where Don DeMarco's villa is located had a curse on it and for some reason Isabella has awakened the evil entity that generally sleeps in the valley. Will Isabella be Nicolai's salvation and break the curse or will she be doomed to be the next bride who is sacrificed?

Not only does this book have paranormal aspects to it, it's also quite gothic-like in flavor. Isabella isn't a wimpy little girl though. She's a very strong character who knows just what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it, no matter what it means she must face for the man she loves. Nicolai only wants to protect Isabella and will do anything even if it means sending her away even though it will break his heart and ruin his last chance of saving his family from eternal damnation.

I can't reiterate enough how superb this book is. I highly recommend it and only have one warning. Be sure to start it when you have plenty of time to read it because you won't want to put this one down.

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted September 23, 2002

Summary

Impoverished aristocrat Isabella Vernaducci will defy death itself to rescue her imprisoned brother. She'll even brave the haunted, accursed lair of the lion—the menacing palazzo of legendary, lethal Don Nicolai DeMarco. Rumor says the powerful don can command the heavens, that the beasts below do his bidding...and that he is doomed to destroy the woman he takes as his wife. But Isabella meets a man whose growl is velvet, purring heat, whose eyes hold dark, all- consuming desire. And when the don commands her to become his bride, she goes willingly into his muscled arms, praying she'll save his tortured soul...not sacrifice her life.