Jacinda Downing has been exiled from her home and is
living a quiet and dull life with her mean-spirited aunt
for several years now, since she was ruined. She was
caught "in the act" with a spoiled young man she thought
was about to propose. Instead, he publicly rejected
her, ruining her reputation. Her own father then cast
her out. A rare invitation comes for Jacinda and her
aunt to attend a ball. When they arrive, it's to find
that it's a surprise birthday party for Jacinda, thrown
by her two loyal friends. As she's having the first fun
she's had in ages, Jacinda catches the eye of a lecherous
duke. He doesn't hesitate to offer to make her his
mistress. He paints a picture of freedom from her cruel
aunt, beautiful clothes, and the ability to control her
own life. Despite herself, Jacinda is intrigued, and
seriously considers the offer.
Jason, the Earl of Northfield, has known Jacinda since
she was a child. He once was good friends with her
brother, and in fact, shared stories of his own painful
past with Jacinda that no one else knows. When he sees
Jacinda with the duke, he realizes what is happening. He
knows the full level of the duke's depravity, and wants
to keep Jacinda away from him. He's shocked to find out
that she would give the offer any consideration. When
Jacinda explains to him how empty her life is, that
there's no chance for marriage, that she's under her
family's control, Jason comes up with a plan. He will
act as if he is courting Jacinda, hoping to bring her to
some eligible gentlemen's attention, and to bring her
back to being accepted by society. She doesn't think
the plan will work, and is still considering becoming a
mistress. While I wanted to shake her for considering
such a plan, especially with the creepy duke, I realize
that she was truly powerless and had no freedom.
Since Jacinda is already ruined, she offers a counter
proposal to Jason. She will go along with his plan, if
he will tutor her sexually. So they begin their false
courtship by day, and he sneaks into her room each night
to teach her about physical pleasure. It's not long
before Jacinda realizes that she's in love, but since
she's the only person Jason ever confided in about his
past, she also know he truly will never marry. Jason,
too, is fighting his feelings, and is determined that
he'll convince Jacinda to take the respectable path to
marriage, though it must be to someone else. Still his
feelings continue to grow, and when Jacinda is forced
back to her awful family, and then falls into the duke's
clutches, Jason has to take a long, hard look at his
reasons. Can he change a lifetime of resolutions for a
chance at love?
A MOMENT OF PASSION is an exceptionally steamy friends-
to-lovers story of two very wounded people. Jacinda's
family is truly despicable - the extent of her own
father's betrayal is revealed late in the story. Jason,
too, suffered greatly at the hands of the man who should
have been his greatest protector. The common abuse they
shared gives them a greater understanding of each other.
I particularly enjoyed seeing Jason come to the
realization that his convictions were only shortchanging
his own chance at happiness, and watching him become a
hero, and then seeing Jacinda blossom because of his
love. The obstacles and difficulties in their pasts made
for a very sweet happy ever after.
When Lady Jacinda unwraps a scandalous birthday gift,
she’s
sure the anonymous giver is playing a cruel joke. The
Ladies
Book of Pleasures may be responsible for one gossiped-
about
marriage, but for a lady ruined by a rogue and shunned by
society, Jacinda is doomed to a lonely, loveless future.
Worse, as she pages through the volume of passionate
promises, she is observed by the wicked and dangerous Duke
of Carnthorn—and now he is stalking her as a possible
willing victim of his shocking preferences.
Jason, Earl of Northfield, is having none of it. Jacinda,
keeper of his most painful secret, is a friend he will not
abandon to a wolf like Carnthorn. As they embark on a
pretend courtship—for her own protection, of course—their
proper decorum in public melts into wicked passion in the
bedroom.
But even as real feelings begin to develop between them,
Carnthorn is watching. He is not convinced. And he is
determined to possess Jacinda, no matter whom he has to
destroy…
Warning: This book contains friends turning to lovers, a
highly erotic secret affair and a wicked villain who will
destroy what he cannot have.
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