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Having finally reached the end of his rope, Michael Tremayne the Marquess of Falconridge is forced to sell the last thing he has of value – his title. Rather than waste time trying to charm the hand of the many American heiresses come to London in search of a titled aristocrat, Falconridge methodically devised a straight-forward plan. He arranged for the wealthiest of the American fathers to participate in a private auction whereas Michael would be the prize and would marry their daughter, thereby gaining the sought after title. At the end of the auction Falconridge found himself engaged to Mr. Rose’s daughter Kate, however it was not Jenny the daughter he expected they wanted to marry off. He also discovered that though his debts would be paid completely, Kate Rose would be in charge of all future finances, not him. The one thing Kate wanted in her marriage was love and when Michael didn’t even bother to contact her during the two weeks prior to the wedding, she realized it was the only thing she would not have. But she would have the ability to dictate certain terms in the relationship and her new husband would have to abide. Unfortunately, Falconridge knew nothing of love, but everything about passion which he was about to let loose on Kate should she ever give him the opportunity. *** While I may have been furious with the selfish immature attitude of our heroine Kate throughout the better part of this book I have to say the story itself was fabulous and touched me deeply. Michael was a dream, especially when one discovered the most motivating and heartbreaking factor that prompted a man of such dignity, pride and honor to do such a thing as sell himself to the highest bidder. Having been brought up in the English Aristocracy, Michael hadn’t been loved, hadn’t been hugged by parents too busy in their socializing to notice how they were starving their ‘heir’. Michael didn’t know how to love, yet in an effort to honor the commitment he’d made to try and keep his Kate happy, a promise made to her father, he made some of the most romantic touching gestures that were in his ability and touched this readers heart. It actually brought tears to my eyes to see him make all the efforts to ‘please’ Kate, while she basically did nothing herself to improve a situation that she had agreed to. Eventually the author did explain away some of Kate’s selfish behavior, but in this instance, this reviewers heart was with Michael and eventually Kate did win me over as she finally came to the realization of how very special a man Michael really was. Over the years I have read many of Ms. Heaths previous books and it never ceases to amaze me how well she can write and express not only the most heady of romances but have me crying so much at the poignancy of emotional turmoil she inserts between the breathtaking sensualness. Bottom line: Highly, highly recommended reading just for the pure joy of it!
Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau for CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
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ROGUES AND ROSES BOOK 2:
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