wtf? just as it was all getting AWESOME the book ended!! BOOOOO! ( )

Overall, I liked this book, although I grew very tired of the heroine reining herself in. I understood her reluctance to give way to her passions, but what about her duty to her husband? I don't want to nitpick or harp, because the second half of the book, the pace picked up when she finally let herself go. There were several accusations between characters that didn't make sense, but the driving forces won out to a satisfying conclusion. ( )

When Adriana realized that she was a very sensual woman, she tried like hell to hide it. Why not, it had already cost her a lover and two brothers. So when Tynan married her, she rejected his every advance. But he could see beyond her drab appearance and demeanor to the woman she was and began to woo her with a single kiss every day. But Adriana wasn't the only one with a passion, for Tynan was hiding a secret as well, one that could very well destroy everything he held dear. The two are destined to love and live their lives the way they should have all along, but would it be together? ( )

It was ok....a little lean on the depth of characters
( )

I really enjoyed this read. However, for much of the book, its setting seemed more Medieval than Regency to me--probably because the depiction of the Irish warrior-hero (Tynan), Lady Adriana's (Riana's) plain, drab gowns, and the countryside location. When Lady Adriana was younger, she gave in to her desires and took a relative of the King's as a lover. When he jilted and humiliated her, her older brothers avenged her honor in a duel. Her lover died, and her brothers fled the country. Years later, Riana is practically a spinster. Her dying father secures a husband for her with an Irish gentleman (Tynan), nicknamed the Black Angel, who needs the marriage to secure a seat in Parliament. He is known as an exceedingly handsome rogue, and Riana is determined not to give in to pleasure ever again. Riana and Tynan are just becoming acquainted with each other when her brothers show up, and now the oldest one is being tried for murder. Afraid he will be transported or hanged, the couple must travel to London to try and save him.

When they travel to London, the Regency details finally come into focus. Tynan takes Riana to a dressmaker and has fine ball gowns made for her as they begin attending social events to further his political aspirations. The romance blossoms in the dazzling setting as Tynan risks his own desires to save the family he's adopted as his own. Riana can't help but fall for the sensual man who is not only a gentle lover, but is also a hero devoted to rescuing her brother.

Just as they realize they may actually love one another, Tynan reveals a secret that could destroy everything they've built together....

I won't spoil the ending for you, but I found this book to be an entertaining, light romantic read. Tynan and Riana are a bit more brooding than necessary, giving most of the book a melancholy mood, but the ending is both dramatic and satisfying. A great read on a rainy day! ( )