Jess Michaels, Nothing Denied

Nothing Denied

Jess Michaels

Avon, Feb 2010, $13.99

ISBN: 9780061657726

Six seasons without getting married for most members of the aristocracy denotes being on the shelf for a young woman. However optimistic Beatrice Albright decides to take the bull by the horn between the male legs before her seventh season begins and ultimately ends with her being a spinster.

Realizing her desperation Beatrice selects widower Marquis Gareth Berenger, who is a notorious "pariah" amidst the Ton as the gossips believe Highcroft murdered his late wife. Beatrice proposes a marriage of convenience that Gareth tentatively agrees to if she passes his well-matched sexual test as he has atypical desires. . He suggests a trial affair, so he can be sure that Beatrice can accept his special sexual needs. As he trains her in his passionate world of domination and submissiveness, she proves a willing passionate student. When love enters the trial, both knows they passed the test, but someone wants to end their bliss doing whatever it takes as this perpetrator did once before.

The latest Albright sister erotic Regency romance (see Everything Forbidden and Something Reckless) is a terrific tale due to a strong lead couple who both may be desperate but each has values that the refuse to cede. Beatrice is intrepid and earns Gareth's admiration for her courage and eventually his love. Likewise Beatrice has doubts about her brooding chosen one, but though he dominates her submissiveness, he is kind and caring and risks his life for his beloved. Though the villain is a bit over the top of Big Ben, readers will appreciate this exhilarating BDSM historical romance.

Harriet Klausner