Series:
Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James (Book 5)
After surviving a horrific railway accident, Viscount
Langdon retreats to his private island to recover and conquer the nightmarish
memories that continue to haunt him. The very last thing he wants -- or expects
-- is for London's most infamous courtesan to wash up on his beach.
Marlowe is known for her bold flirtations, but her most
daring exploits involve flying in her hot air balloon. When a storm blows her
off course, she discovers herself alone with the isle's only inhabitant. The
gorgeous, seductive lord tempts her beyond reason, but giving into temptation
would lead to her ruination because the all-consuming liaison would demand
complete surrender. And she has secrets to protect.
Langdon finds the captivating beauty near impossible to
resist, but he can't risk her learning the true reason behind his isolation.
However, a powerful tempest of desire is swirling wildly between them, urging
them to give in to the perilous passion that could destroy them . . . or
perhaps show them the way to love.
Good book with intriguing main characters. Viscount
Langdon is holed up on an island in Cornwall, recovering from the effects of a
railway crash. He has a hard time coping with the changes in himself and
frequently doubts his sanity. The book opens as he stalks the cliffs of his
island, more drunk than sober, railing against the fates that left him feeling
that he no longer deserves to be his father's heir. But worse than that, the
bone-deep loneliness is slowly destroying him. As he yells into the wind,
"A woman! A woman! My kingdom for a woman!" the lightning reveals a
woman washed up on the island's shore. It isn't until he gets her unconscious
body to his home that he recognizes her.
Marlowe is an infamous courtesan in London. The story of
how she came to be in that position is heartbreaking, but she has accepted the
consequences of her choices and made the best of them. She is especially
unusual in that her hobby is flying a hot air balloon, which is how she washed
up on Langdon's island.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Langdon and
Marlowe develop. They have encountered each other in London and noted sparks of
attraction between them. But she is the mistress of another man, and he doesn't
poach. The book's first half is spent with Langdon and Marlowe on the island
while the storm rages. I loved watching them get to know each other - talking,
flirting, doing day-to-day things, and discovering they like each other very
much. But life doesn't stand still, and eventually they return to London.
Neither forgot their time together. Marlowe's time with
her current protector is ending, and she must decide her next steps. She could move
on to another man, but her heart wants Langdon and not as his mistress.
However, she is well aware of their class differences and that her profession
makes her unsuitable for him to marry. Langdon also knows the likely repercussions
of proposing marriage. He doesn't want to create problems for his family but
also wants the woman he loves.
There is plenty of angst on both sides as Marlowe and
Langdon work through the obstacles keeping them apart. It isn't easy to
overcome expectations and prejudices, and I enjoyed seeing Langdon's determination.
His big moment at the end was fantastic. I loved the final chapter, and the
epilogue was a terrific conclusion.
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