October 15, 2010
Drawn from her peaceful country existence by the death of her celebrated courtesan mother, Celia Pennifold, who fled London's demimonde lifestyle five years earlier, returns to an inherited mountain of debt, a small town house (complete with Jonathan Albrighton, an attractive, mysterious tenant), and the chance to build a new, independent life. When a villain (and money owed) from her past threatens Celia's future, she begins considering her mother's path, but she neglects to weigh Jonathan's feelings for her and his fierce determination not to let that happen. Secrets, mystery, and scandal add intrigue to the plot of this dexterous adventure that reprises characters from the two previous entries in Hunter's enthralling quartet. VERDICT With searing sensuality, palpable sexual tension, and exquisitely rendered, complex characters, Hunter's third series entry draws readers into her realistic Regency arena and provides them with a tantalizing glimpse of the uncommon, fascinating world that hovers just behind the facade of polite society. Sensitive, thoughtful, and beautifully done. Hunter (Provocative in Pearls) lives in Pennsylvania.
Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 15, 2010
After the estate of her notorious courtesan mother, Alessandra, is settled, Celia is left with little except for a small townhouse in London. Celia has big plans for her new home until she discovers it comes furnished with a tenant: Jonathan. Despite Celias best efforts to convince him to move, Jonathan refuses to leave, because, unbeknownst to Celia, he needs access to Alessandras papers to see if the lady left any treasonous secrets behind. When nothing convinces Jonathan to remove himself from her property and her life, Celia begins to think she may have to borrow a page from her mothers book of tricks. Hunter deftly sifts intrigue and exquisite sensuality into the plot of the third book in her exceptionally entertaining Rarest Blooms quartet.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)