Trey Deverill is the third son and the black sheep of his
family. When he was a lad his family disowned him because he
joined the Merchant Marines and then went into the shipping
trade and "heaven forbid" made money at it.
Antoina Maitland is the only daughter of ship builder Samuel
Maitland. Mr. Maitland is a Commoner and worse yet-- he is
in trade. But, his worst sin is that he is extremely
wealthy. He is protective of his daughter and wants nothing
more than to elevate her in society. Though theirs was a
love match, he thinks he let her mother down -- marrying
beneath her station. He feels that if Antoina could marry a
British nobleman, she will no longer be on the fringes of
society and it could make up for some of his regret.
The first time Antonia and Deverill meet, she is sixteen and
just returning home from school. She walks in just as
Deverill is stepping out of the tub in all his glory. That
night Antonia asks Deverill if he would kiss her to show her
what all the excitement is about. He does -- but when the
chaste kiss is over she is very disappointed and asks if
that is the best he can do. Deverill kisses her again,
deeply this time and when the kiss is over Antonia can
barely stand.
Four years later Antoina is still having erotic dreams about
that kiss and seeing Deverill naked. Antoina's father has
passed away and she is about to return to society and
announce her engagement. A few days before her father's
death Antoina and her father accepted Lord Heward's
proposal. Antonia does not love Heward, but she still wants
to fulfill her father's wish by marrying into society.
Mrs. Peeke, their housekeeper, believes that Lord Heward
murdered Mr. Maitland in order to stop him from canceling
the wedding. Mrs. Peeke contacted Deverill asking for his
help. Deverill once saved her husband and now she wants him
to save Antonia. She's afraid Heward will also murder
Antonia once they are married.
Deverill has encountered Lord Heward on a few occasions at
gentleman clubs and he instinctively dislikes him. There are
also rumors that Lord Heward is transporting slaves and has
a penchant for hurting women in the bedroom to get his
pleasure.
Lord Heward lures Deverill to attend a brothel pretending
friendship but then a Cyprian is murdered and Deverill is
charged with murder. Deverill knows Lord Heward set him up
but has no solid proof. He escapes from the bow street
runner and sets in motion a drastic plan (kidnapping) to
keep Antonia safe and clear his name.
When Antonia realizes that she has been kidnapped by
Deverill she is fighting mad -- this is where the story
really gets interesting. What she does to escape on the ship
shows you just how intelligent she really is.
I am a HUGE Nicole Jordan fan. I always pre-order her books
because I don't think she has ever written a bad book. This
book has it all, murder, kidnapping, lust, and love. The
love scenes are very erotic and tender. You also have the
opportunity to revisit some friends from her previous books.
I especially like the way Antonia helps Deverill put his
ghosts to rest.
I wish that Antonia and Deverill would have been more
involved with gathering the information to solve the plot's
mystery. With Antonia's headstrong streak, this could have
made for some real adventure and good laughs. There are
several wordy spots but being a Nicole Jordan fan it was
worth the read. This is the third book in the Paradise
Series -- The forth, FEVER DREAMS will be published in 2006.
He is her most wicked fantasy... and no proper suitor
for a lady.
Since the night Trey Deverill’s stunning kiss melted her
senses, Antonia Maitland has harbored a fascination for the
infamous adventurer. But Deverill is nothing she needs in a
husband, and when he abducts her for her own protection—and
then shockingly proposes marriage, a battle of wills ensues
that proves dangerously irresistible.
Antonia’s charming wit and vibrant beauty make her
England’s most sought-after heiress. Yet it’s her fiery
spirit and awakening sensuality that stir a need in
Deverill so fierce he would challenge the devil himself to
possess her.
From the glittering ballrooms of London to the splendor of
the Cornish coast, Deverill sweeps Antonia into
unforgettable passion. But a treacherous plot threatens
their lives and their chance for the grandest adventure of
all: true love.
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