THE SECRET PASSION OF SIMON BLACKWELL

Author: Samantha James ISBN: 978-0060896454 4/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Victorian 1848

A cruel twist of fate changed Simon Blackwell's life irreparably. A man of intense passions, he resolved to deny his emotions and desires forever, taking refuge in the wilds of the moorlands and shutting himself off from the world. But on one extraordinary night, on a rare trip to London, the unthinkable occurs. An intoxicatingly beautiful stranger stirs the sensuous hunger he has sworn to resist. Simon Blackwell believed that no woman could tempt him. No woman ... save Annabel McBride. Annabel knows nothing of Simon's secret pain. But one irresistible kiss plunges her into marriage with a man she scarcely knows, a man who hides a shattered past. She can feel the blistering heat of the fire that smolders within this exquisitely handsome man, making her yearn for much more than the union in name only he has promised her. But Simon dares not love again—for fragile love can be lost in an instant. And now Annabel must find a way to open his heart to the most glorious risk of all ...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I picked up THE SECRET PASSION OF SIMON BLACKWELL last night just to glance through a few chapters, knowing I had other reviews I need to get done before tackling this book. However, before I knew it, those few chapters had turned into a few hours of riveting and extremely emotionally satisfying reading, and I'm so glad that I had the curiosity to take that early peek.

Now, I'm no stranger to Samantha James' books, but the emotional depth she reaches in both Simon's and Anne's characters in this story threw me a bit off-kilter. The constant emotional and sexual tension, along with the candor and frankness which occurs in the dialogue between them after they're married, is some pretty impressive writing. I always knew Ms. James was good, but until THE SECRET PASSION OF SIMON BLACKWELL, well, I guess I didn't realize just really how good she is. Shame on me, I know, but by writing up this review a bit early, hopefully I'll keep it from being a "shame on you" if you miss out on this one.

I don't want to give away too much here. The plot parts that make Simon the man he is now, as opposed to several years before Anne, are mainstay to the friction that saturates their forced marriage of convenience. And no, don't start groaning about it being another one of "those" typical types of romance stories. Believe me, I thought so, too, at first, but once I began to read this book, Ms. James showed me just how completely and totally off base I was.

I will tell you that Simon is dark in both looks and emotions. His past life has taken a pretty severe toll and there are certain aspects of it he just can't bring himself to let go. Guilt, regrets, and a deep and abiding loss all play a heady role in his emotional makeup, and at times it seems nearly impossible that he'll ever be able to overcome it. Anne, on the other hand, is all lightness, brightness and movement. She's frank, she's loving and curious, and she's willing to give their marriage her all in order to make the best of it, even if Simon isn't. I just love this woman! Smart, captivating, and not one to let grass grow under her feet, she's a mighty force against Simon's chaotic mix of emotions, a force you know he hasn't got a chance of withstanding.

THE SECRET PASSION OF SIMON BLACKWELL is simply wonderful. It's very fast-paced, and even though children do play a large role in Anne and Simon's story (as does her childhood friend, Caro), the children are perfectly drawn to compliment, rather than detract from the story. They're adorable. The epilogue is especially lovely, too (I'm one of those who cheats and oftimes reads the endings first *G*). I also know this is the first book in a new family series by Samantha James, but without knowing much more than that I'll assume that the next story will feature either Aiden or Alec, one of Anne's two brothers. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to reading those as well!

Nancy Davis