Nicola Cornick, Deceived

Deceived

Nicola Cornick

HQN, Jul 2006, $5.99

ISBN: 0373771649

In 1816 Princess Isabella Di Cassilis returns to London after a time away from the country to learn that her late husband left her with quite a debt. Isabella weighs her options and concludes she has three distasteful choices to select from. She can leave England to never return; she can remain in London until they incarcerate her in debtor's prison; or she can marry.

Isabella decides to buy a husband who is incarcerated for life on the Fleet prisons. Her choice is Marcus Stockhaven, whom she jilted at the altar to elope with royalty. Marcus agrees to marry his former fianc as he believes they have some issues needing resolution. He plans to start with their marriage that he assumes will be consummated once he completes his undercover assignment on the prison Fleet unaware that his new wife will be caught in the middle.

DECEIVED is a terrific Regency romance starring two souls in love, but their mutual past makes it seem impossible that either will be the first to let the other know how much they care. The story line is filled with action but owned by the battling protagonists as each misunderstands the other even as they did back in India when they first met and fell in love. Fans will enjoy this fine historical starring two individuals trying to gain control of the passion that freely flows between them.

Harriet Klausner