Genre:

AN UNATTAINABLE ROGUE…

For seven years, Lord Garrett Sinclair-- the ruggedly handsome illegitimate son of the Duke of Pembroke--has been traveling abroad with no intention of ever returning home to Pembroke Palace… until his father commands that he must marry by Christmas in order to thwart a family curse or lose his inheritance forever. Haunted by a tragic accident that has hardened his soul, Garrett entrusts his brothers to seek out a bride who will agree to a marriage in name only. Her reward? A sizable share of his inheritance--payable immediately after the wedding night….

A BEAUTIFUL TEMPTRESS…

Lady Anne Douglas has been ruined by scandal and disowned by her father. Facing a life of poverty and spinsterhood, she leaps at the generous terms of the marriage contract to ensure her independence. But the charade of a two-week engagement proves more of a challenge than either anticipated when they cannot resist the intoxicating lure of the marriage bed. Anne knows they will part ways after the wedding. Will she dare risk her heart for two weeks of pleasure in the arms of an irresistible rogue? Or will her surrender become her undoing after a most unexpected turn of events mere hours before the wedding?

Review

The Duke of Pembroke has fallen ill, his mad state has led him to believe the family estate is cursed and will be destroyed if all his sons are not wed by Christmas. In effort to thwart the curse, the duke has his will changed, giving the entire estate to the Horticultural Society unless all four sons wed. Now, the fate of the family fortune rest in the hands of one brother, a brother who does not wish to marry.

Garrett, the fourth son of the Duke of Pembroke, has lived abroad for seven years with no desire to return home. When a tragic accident spurs his motivation for money, Garrett agrees to marry and save the family fortune, though the terms of the marriage contract are explicit, his marriage will be on paper only, never to live the life of a true married man.  At least that is until he meets his future wife.

Lady Anne was ruined years ago, when the love of her life walked out on her, leaving her doomed to a life of spinsterhood. Now, Sir Garrett Pembroke is being offered to her –under contract- with no strings attached and devoid of obligations. Unable to cast aside such a wonderful offer of freedom, Anne accepts. Soon she finds herself falling for the one man she knew she’d never have, unless, he wants her too.

“Sometimes nature is a beast…tragedy is unavoidable. But without hardship, we wouldn’t learn and grow.”

The quote above is one of the many wonderful lines spoken by the well developed and intriguing characters in this story. From the first word on the first page, Maclean grabs her reader, leaving them unable to put the book down.  I soared through this romance in six hours. I loved the characters, the premise and the overall storyline in this book. 

Within the pages of this romance is a story of forgiveness, family, redemption and love.  Both Garrett and Anne have a past they are not proud of and secrets that could or have destroyed them. Their arranged marriage is meant to save the family fortune but instead it saves each of them in their own way. I loved the slightly spooky tidbits in this novel, including Garrett’s father’s madness.  Beneath the main story are a few sub story lines that really added to the content in this book. When you add the incredibly sexy moments to this romance, it’s not hard to realize this one is a winner!  I will re-read this novel and would love to read another book about this family and possible children.

Even if there aren’t any more novels in this series, I will remain perfectly happy.  This book encompasses everything the statement “going out with a bang” implies.  It was just that good. I highly recommend putting this one at the top of your “to-read” list.

Reviewed by Tiffany

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