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To Seduce a Sinner
The Legend of the Four Soldiers, Book # 2

by Elizabeth Hoyt



      When Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale, is jilted on his wedding day, Melisande Fleming braves conventionality by asking him to marry her. Melisande has loved Jasper from afar for six long years and is brave enough to chance rejection. She also desires a household of her own, rather than to live on her brother’s generosity.

Lord Vale is startled by Melisande’s proposition, but finally agrees.  It’s no secret that he desires a son to carry on the Vale name.  But Jasper does have a secret he keeps hidden from Melisande and his family. Seven years earlier, Jasper was fighting the French in the Colonies when his regiment was attacked by Indians at Spinner’s Falls. Only a handful of the soldiers survived that massacre.  Jasper still bears the emotional scars of that attack, and is left with a burning desire to find out who betrayed his regiment.

Melisande and Jasper marry a month later, and she soon discovers that Jasper is a kind and generous man. Unfortunately, their wedding night is far from perfect. Jasper believes she’s a virgin and hurries through their lovemaking. Melisande, disappointed by his quick retreat, determines to seduce Jasper into a more romantic union.  As the two slowly begin to learn more about each other and Melisande reaches her goal, their relationship deepens and they slowly discuss their past. Melisande, however, realizes that Jasper will not discuss his life as a soldier.  That secret is one that will lead them both to Scotland—and into danger.

To Seduce a Sinner is an absolute delight, a wonderful and exciting romance interlaced with humor and deep, dark secrets that kept me reading well into the night. I loved the sparring between Jasper and Melisande, as well as the believable growth of their love.  Elizabeth Hoyt’s secondary characters, Jasper’s somewhat stiff valet Pynch and Melisande’s youthful maid Sally—and even Melisande’s delightful dog Mouse—add a charming dimension to this excellent novel, which reflects historical romance at its best.  This is the second release in the series, but I enjoyed Ms. Hoyt’s writing so much that I definitely look forward to the next two installments.

The Book

Forever / Grand Central Publishing
November 2008
Paperback
0446406929 / 978-0446406925
Historical Romance / London, England, 1765
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
NOTE: This book made USA Today's bestseller list.

The Reviewer

Linda Morelli
Reviewed 2009
NOTE: Reviewer Linda Morelli is the award-winning author of Lani's Challenge, Shadow of Doubt and Fiery Surrender.
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