Genre:

WILL A WEEK OF SEDUCTION . . .

Desperate to save her sister's life, Sidonie Forsythe has agreed to submit herself to a terrible fate: Beyond the foreboding walls of Castle Craven, a notorious, hideously scarred scoundrel will take her virtue over the course of seven sinful nights. Yet instead of a monster, she encounters a man like no other. And during this week, she comes to care for Jonas Merrick in ways that defy all logic-even as a dark secret she carries threatens them both.

. . . SPARK A LIFETIME OF PASSIONATE SURRENDER?

Ruthless loner Jonas knows exactly who he is. Should he forget, even for a moment, the curse he bears, a mere glance in the mirror serves as an agonizing reminder. So when the lovely Sidonie turns up on his doorstep, her seduction is an even more delicious prospect than he originally planned. But the hardened outcast is soon moved by her innocent beauty, sharp wit, and surprising courage. Now as dangerous enemies gather at the gate to destroy them, can their new, fragile love survive?

Series: Sons of Sin (Book 1)

Review

In her latest book, Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed she does it again. Her creature is the evil, revenge bent Jonas Merrick. He was once the heir to a great fortune, until his brother’s cousin unearthed a scandal that resulted in Jonas being declared a bastard. Jonas has since built his own fortune and his determined to ruin his cousin in any way he can. He’s disfigured with horrible scars on half of his face, a true beast with no care for anyone beyond his own perverse pleasure.  I love the tortured hero. He’s captivated by the beauty, but very reluctant to release his hatred or need for revenge.

She really was pretty with her creamy skin and full-lipped mouth. Sexual interest stirred. Nothing quite so strong as arousal, but curiosity that could soon become hunger.

Sidonie is there to fulfill her sister’s debt to Jonas, and that debt is a seven day retreat to his gothic castle, wherein he planned to debauch her sister endlessly. She’s volunteered for the task, but he doesn’t want a martyr. Instead he’ll take seven days to seduce her… now if she could only be as repulsed by him as everyone else is instead of attracted:

She’d never been kissed before. Not by a man. Not with desire. How sad that her first kiss occurred in such sordid circumstances. Because she hadn’t hated his kiss, even though she should. Merrick’s kiss had left her intrigued rather than outraged. What would it be like when he took liberties beyond mere kissing?

Campbell writes awesome tortured heroes and Sidonie is an equally strong heroine up to the task of taking on Jonas. I absolutely loved this book, not only for the characters but the attraction and tension sizzling between them is fantastic. The dialogue is equally cutting with both Sidonie and Jonas letting the chips fly and fall where they may:

“They’ll probably give you a medal.”

His palms were warm against her cheeks. “A knighthood at the very least.”

 “For services to womankind.” She tried to sound sarcastic but the words emerged on a burst of breathless excitement.

A light flared in his gray eyes. “Oh, I intend to service you, bella.” Before she mustered another unconvincing protest, he lowered his lips to hers.

Neither is likely to give up and both are extremely stubborn. In this story the similarities between the two draw them together rather than apart. Both, hero and heroine, at different points in their story need rescuing, though Sidonie holds all the cards for the pair’s future together. She’s got a big secret and the only question is if their growing emotions survive the fallout because the truth is the secret is too big not to cause a ton of trouble.

Campbell also sets the stage for the rest of her Sons of Sin trilogy introducing the Lords we will meet in future books. Personally, I hope the remaining lords can live up to the figure of Jonas. I want a Jonas all for myself. He doesn’t need to be beautiful, just a man with a big broken heart that I can fix. If that’s the kind of story you’re looking for, one where Beauty tames her own Beast, then Seven Nights in a Rogues Bed should be in your possession immediately. This book is one of my favorite Historicals for 2012.

Reviewed by Landra

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