Merriam Everett had resigned herself to being an unnoticed member of the London Ton. But, when a sneer about "whey faced widows" by the arrogant Julian Clay, the Earl of Westleigh, scant minutes after he set her heart aflutter sent her on a path of vengeance to prove him wrong. Dressing for a Masked Ball, Merriam the Mouse transforms herself, not only in look and demeanor, into a sexy dark cat determined to swipe her claws at Julian and leave him panting.

After telling the butler that Merlin's familiar was there, she quickly captures Merlin's attentions. Leading him to a darkened alcove, she tempts him with all her seductive powers. While he seemed a little taller than she remembered, passion quickly ignites and their lovemaking is more glorious that she ever experienced. Shy Merriam no more, she threw down the gauntlet of his past insult and left without leaving her name.

Meeting Julian later that week in a park, Merriam is mortified to learn that she had seduced the wrong man, but glad her secret would not be revealed and she can return to her dreary widow's weeds. However, she hadn't realized the leash she had put on her "Merlin". Newly returned to England after eight long years, Drake Sotherton, the Duke of Sussex, is bound and determined not only to find this charming and sexy cat as well as seek revenge against Julian. Never sure of Merriam's allegiance, he sets her out as bait in a game that turns deadly.

As a new writer, Rene Bernard writes like a seasoned star. Crafting a hot and passionate romance sizzling with heat and passion, this romance will have you lapping up every juicy word. With strong characters, an intriguing plot, this is a great read with intriguing twists of fate and scintillating erotic action! This is one season too hot to forget!