TEMPTING THE HEIRESS

Author: Barbara Pierce ISBN: 0312986211 5/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Time Period: London - 1810

Brock Bedagrayne, the eldest son of the Bedagrayne siblings has secretly longed for Amara Claeg, the daughter of a baron, for what seems like an eternity. When he learns that Amara's parents have arranged for her to wed the wealthy, ruthless Lord Cornley, he is outraged but knows he cannot prevent the nuptials. One night changes Brock's life forever when he and Cornley engage in a druken brawl at a gaming hall, and Cornley is fatally wounded, forcing Brock to flee England. Several years have passed, and Amara is still haunted by memories of a night that shattered her world. Now her father has presented her with the man who is to be her new betrothed, and though she harbors no love for him, she must accept or she will be disowned. Then Brock returns, determined to claim her and she is drawn to a deep desire she cannot ignore---to a man who has vowed to win her heart no matter the cost. Yet surrendering to her forbidden dream is more perilous than she could have imagined for the past has returned with a vengeance, and it will take all the power of a man in love to save her. . .

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Lately all of my reviews have been about really good books. TEMPTING THE HEIRESS, by Barbara Pierce, is even better than those. Hard to believe, I know, but this is a really good book.

The hero, Brock Bedegrayne, has been in love with the heroine, Amara Claeg, since childhood. He has been her protector and the only stable force in her life. Amara's parents do not care for their daughter and treat her terribly. Brock once rescued her from her brutish betrothed (her family sold her to the highest bidder and do not care what happens to her), but her family would not accept him as a suitor following the scandal.

Returning from his exile from London, Brock pursues Amara relentlessly. He no longer cares that her parents will disown her, or that her father will try to have him killed. He also has to protect her from another choice of husband her parents are forcing upon her, and a sinister force that neither of them suspect.

I love everything about this book. The characters are like friends you cheer for, and the story draws you in so closely you will dream about it. Though I suspected the real evil behind the scenes, it in no way diminshes the plot or the unexpected connection at the end.

Shannon Johnson