Rare beauty that Victoria was, Simon had only one clear thought in mind, marry her off quickly, by the end of the season if possible -- before the unusual pull of his attraction made him do something stupid. In his world women fell into two categories, the demimonde who sold themselves for jewels and money, or the cheaters who would welcome him to their beds behind their husband’s backs. Cynical at best, Simon had long lost the ability or the inclination to give his heart. He had his own demons to wrestle with and Victoria was an unneeded complication he neither wanted nor needed in his life. Eventually seeing her as an innocent, the thought of her married and ending up in the arms of anyone but himself was an agony he was finding very hard to endure.

*** Readers should be thrilled with Ms. Young’s clever debut that will ensnare them with her lively regency rendition. She inserts enough suspense and passion to keep the action flowing in a well-paced intriguing filled tempo while unraveling the mystery of Simon’s past; the demons that haunt him; and who was trying to kill him. You’ll be charmed with Victoria whose mission seems to be trying to resurrect the kind and gentle soul that she knows is residing deep inside Simon. This is a deeply satisfying and entertaining regency read I highly recommend.

Marilyn Rondeau – Reviewers International Organization (RIO)