Monday, August 23, 2010

"Ravishing in Red" by Madeline Hunter [4]


The Domino requests that Mr. Kelmsley meet him
at the Two Swords in Brighton two nights
hence to discuss a matter of mutual benefit.

Hoping to clear her dead father's name, Audrianna Kelmsleigh decides to respond to the advertisement placed by the mysterious "Domino." Armed with her cousin's gun, she takes a room at the Two Swords Coaching Inn. But the handsome man of commanding sensuality who shows up is not the Domino at all, but Lord Sebastian Summerhays - one of her father's persecutors - who has been lured by the same advertisement. When Audrianna's gun accidentally fires, the situation suddenly becomes mortifying public ...
There is only one way out of the scandal that erupts, and so these two passionate and headstrong adversaries find themselves joined in a marriage of necessity. Expecting a practical alliance, Audrianna quickly discovers she is helpless to resist Sebastian's seductive persuasions as he teaches her the meaning of erotic desire. But she remains determined to exonerate her father, even if it means risking her life, her marriage - and her heart ...

This is the first in a series of Regency romance ... the second novel in this series is called "Provocative in Pearls." The covers are just gorgeous ...
I actually wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book, as it did take a little while to get into ... but after the initial few pages it became quite interesting. So the story basically is ... Audrianna is trying to defend her father who commits suicide because he is unable to live with the consequence's of decisions made through his work, she believes he is innocent and tries to prove it.
While reading through the paper she comes across the advertisement by the Domino and believes he will be able to shed some light on her father's plight. Meanwhile Lord Sebastian has been heading up the investigation into her father's situation and believes there is more to it than meets the eye. Through the accidental meeting and what comes of it these two people have to get married. Yes sparks fly between them, but Sebastian is the enemy as he was out to destroy Audrianna's father. As they both get too know each other, they start to realize that they have the same purpose in mind and work together ... kind of!

This will be an interesting series as it seems to be the stories about each of the women who live in the 'Rarest Blooms' a house owned by Daphne, Audrianna's cousin. Each of these four women are strong minded and want a life of their own without being depended on men. They have a good friendship with each other and care about each other. The men in the story are typical for this kind of novel, dashing, brooding, carefree, selfish ... rakes who all need to find that one special woman in their lives that will make a difference to it.

It was a good light read with nothing too heavy about the storyline ... there is a little mild erotica in it but nothing too bad. Looking forward to the next installments to read about the rest of the women.

I rate this book 4 stars.

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