MIDNIGHT EYES

Author: Sarah Brophy ISBN: 0821780948 1/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: KENSINGTON ZEBRA
Time Period: Medieval England

During the turbulent, decadent reign of William II, a royal mercenary finds himself caught in the throes of an unexpected passion-and played as a pawn in a treacherous game... The bastard son of a Norman nobleman, Robert Beaumont has blossomed into one of England's fiercest killers-and has found himself well paid for his talents. But now the time has come for him to set aside his sword. The king has agreed to reward him for his last service with an estate...on one condition: Robert must marry the sitting tenant-the infamous Lady Deformed. For years, Imogen Colebrook has lived in the ramshackle Saxon keep, the virtual prisoner of her cruel, sadistic brother, the man responsible for her deformity-and for wedding her to a dangerous man. Yet, on Robert's arrival, Imogen nearly brings the hardened warrior to his knees. For she is a vision of unparalleled beauty-living in a world without sight. Drawn to her courageous spirit, Robert gently draws Imogen out of her tortured past. But with her brother always lurking in the shadows, Imogen's newfound sanctuary in Robert's arms is in danger of being destroyed-unless her salvaged heart can find a way out of the darkness...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Sometimes a book comes along that is so powerful that you want everyone to know how remarkable it is—such is the case with debut author Sarah Brophy's MIDNIGHT EYES. This is an emotionally stunning book that captures your attention from the beginning and holds it throughout the story.

While reading MIDNIGHT EYES, I couldn't help but make the comparison between this book and those written by one of my favorite authors, Karen Ranney. Like Ranney, Sarah Brophy wrote this novel with great detail to her characters' emotional maturity and physical dependencies. MIDNIGHT EYES is laced with a slightly gothic undertone, which makes this read darker than your average historical. However, the grace and beauty and courage that Brophy gave to her heroine are anything but dark, however her troubled past and present makes it such.

MIDNIGHT EYES has one of the bravest and emotionally scarred heroines I have read about in a long time. Lady Imogen Colebrook lives her life in her chamber. Imogen is also known as Lady Deformed, but she is anything but that. With an almost ethereal appearance, she entrances her betrothed at first sight. However, she is not perfect, and her deformity is more emotional than physical. Although she is blind, she has memories of a time when she was able to see the world's colors. Her sinister brother is playing a very deadly game with her, and has now made her marry a man whom she doesn't know. Gallantly, Imogen accepts the marriage, but rejects anything that will have to do with trusting her new husband.

Robert Beaumont is off to marry and gain the estate of Lady Imogen. He is aware of what people call her, and when the time comes that he stands face to face with her, he is in awe of her beauty. It doesn't take long to find out that she is blind, and it doesn't take long for him to realize that she has much hurt and fear inside of her. He plans to help her body and spirit regain all that her brother has taken from her.

Robert and Imogen are a beautifully paired hero and heroine. His love for her is pure, and he only wants her to step out from the darkness that she has lived in for so long. By doing that, however, he must also face her evil brother, Roger. Only until Roger is annihilated, can Robert and Imogen be freed from his curse.

I simply loved Sarah Brophy's MIDNIGHT EYES! I love everything about this book, from the characters, plot, romance, and passion, to the danger and of course, the final redemption. This book is not to be missed!

Julie Kornhausl