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Harry Morant’s tough exterior hid a noble but tortured heart. Although born in wedlock, everyone knew Harry’s biological father was an earl whose treatment of him was harsh if not downright cruel. After surviving eight years fighting for the crown, Harry had accumulated some wealth and his dream of starting a horse stud farm with his best friend was about to become a reality. Part of his plan was to find a practical biddable wife and he set his beloved Aunt Maude to the task of locating prospective candidates from whom to choose. The other part was to locate the perfect estate and he did, along with a young woman who set his loins afire. The same muddy, beautiful woman he’d spied several weeks ago in a driving rain storm whom he’d been so overcome by that he’d given her his hat and gloves for protection. She’d once lived at this estate, and had snuck into the barn at the run-down estate he was planning to buy to assist her old mare in delivering a foal. Lady Helen (just Nell) Freymore, had lost so much in these last months, that she was determined not to let her favorite mare die while delivering her foal. Daughter of an Earl, Nell had lost her home, her security and Harry, a determined handsome gentleman, wanted to protect her in the only way he assumed would be proper; he wanted to marry her. It wasn’t that Nell wasn’t flattered; or tempted, but she had to reach London, she had to find Torie, her infant daughter who had been stolen from her by her father. *** Once again, author Anne Gracie has proven what an exceptionally gifted author is all about when she gives life to unforgettable characters and brings her readers along for the ride in what has proven to be an exciting, fun, and heartfelt emotional journey. Absolutely one of the best romances I’ve read this year! From a brief meeting during a rainstorm something had clicked and Harry had fallen in love at first sight. He wouldn’t admit it, but he was mesmerized by Nell from the first moment he spied the bedraggled and muddy young woman riding on the back of a cart. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that fate brought them together again and what Harry saw, he wanted – a beautiful, practical woman who needed looking after. HE wasn’t in love – didn’t believe in it – but after a brief glance Harry had trouble erasing her from his mind. Simple enough, but with Anne Gracie directing this beautifully emotional and sensual tale, you’ll find yourself totally immersed and loving every word, nuance and image this author creates with her amazing talent and skill. Nell was the daughter of a deceased earl who had lost his fortune and her home. While this was not an unusual premise Ms. Gracie added to the angst of not only having Nell without shelter or money, but also the horror of not knowing where, her father who had stolen Nell’s new born daughter left her before dying. Frantic, Nell’s only goal was to find her child and not even the offer to marry a most handsome and wealthy man who tried to convince her to help him raise horses (her secret dream) was able to sway her from trying to get back to London to continue her search. The author created anguish for both the leads and this worked in having both with guilty secrets they thought the other might not accept about themselves; Nell being the daughter of an earl who had borne an illegitimate child; and Harry being the natural child of an earl, but only recognized and labeled as a bastard. Harry had once thought he’d been in love but after being totally and publicly humiliated for thinking himself good enough for an earl’s daughter, then shunned by his biological father, had scars that ran deep. If you haven’t guessed yet, I loved Harry! Adding to Harry and Nell’s adventure, the author brought together other members of the Devil Riders as well as delving into the strained relationship issues between Harry and his other step and half brothers. As another bonus a secondary romance, between Ethan and Tibby, which had blossomed in the first book of the series THE STOLEN PRINCESS, came to a delightful conclusion. Bottom line: From start to finish the reader will find themselves deeply immersed in this sensual and romantic story of love and forgiveness, hope and redemption. A totally stand alone book I can highly recommend; but for double the pleasure, pick up THE STOLEN PRINCESS and follow this magnificent adventure of the Devil Riders right from the start.
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DEVIL RIDERS BOOK 2:
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