Huntington McLaughlin, the Marquess of Malvern, wakes in a farmhouse, after a head injury, being tended by an ethereal “angel,” who claims to be his wife. However, reality is often deceptive, and Angelica Lovelace is far from innocent in Hunt’s difficulties. Yet, there is something about the woman that calls to him as no other ever has. When she attends his mother’s annual summer house party, … their lives are intertwined in a series of mistaken identities, assaults, kidnappings, overlapping relations, and murders, which will either bring them together forever or tear them irretrievably apart. As Hunt attempts to right his world from problems caused by the head injury that has robbed him of parts of his memory, his best friend, the Earl of Remmington, makes it clear that he intends to claim Angelica as his wife. Hunt must decide whether to permit her to align herself with the earldom or claim the only woman who stirs his heart–and if he does the latter, can he still serve the dukedom with a hoydenish American heiress at his side?
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“I close my eyes, then I drift away, into the magic night I softly say. A silent prayer, like dreamers do, then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you.” Roy Orbison
First, I have to say, my head is still reeling from all the information presented in this story. This is not for the faint of heart. If you want something fluffy, light and does not require you to think… then do not open this book… simply walk away. If… on the other hand… you want something that will twist you brain and make you think… run, do not walk, and turn that first page. It will grab you immediately and will not let you go. Oh… sleep… why do I have to stop reading in order to accommodate your demands. I finally finished in the wee hours of the morning and collapsed on my pillow. I just had to know… what the heck was going on and… how it would end. Many things were revealed at the very end. Talk about your twist. OMG!!
Second… I had trouble with the historical and regency titles and dealings with primogeniture [heir apparent and heir presumptive]. Those who read historical romance know that, when dealing with the higher circles, those titles can be a minefield that will trip you up every time. It was intriguing, as well as maddening, as I became lost in the etiquette of the haut ton, with names such as Lord and Lady Such-and-so, Viscount What’s-his-nose, and Countess Whose-it. Many of these people had two and three names… so proceed with caution. Example: our hero… Huntington McLaughlin, Marquess of Melvern, also went by Hunt or Melvern.
It was so intriguing as the reader traversed the etiquette and customs of the higher circles of the ton. I loved the dealings our characters had with each other. In some cases, it was like watching a train wreck about to happen and not being able to do anything but watch. There are several threads in this story that the reader must watch carefully. Jeffers is no novice and the clues and foreshadowing were there but I didn’t catch them. Therefore, the shock and surprise was intensified due to my not paying attention to the details. Man, I love that.
Rating: PG->17: MA [mature audience]: Lusty, steamy, sensual, no graphic scenes, just that steamy lust factor and a reference to lifestyle choices. Violence, references to internment, kidnapping, murder, attempted murder… etc. You get the picture. It is not for the sensitive; however, it was tastefully done. Now that… is a contradiction in terms… violence… tastefully done. Lawd… this book has me all messed up.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Angelia Lovelace had dreamed of a man, or dark figure, since she was a little girl and knew him well. She was never afraid, always felt safe with him, even though she called him Lucifer in her dreams. Angel never thought she would one day meet her dream man until the day of her carriage accident and she met the Devil’s cub.
“Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love.” Charles Maurice de Talleyrand
Our hero, Huntington McLaughlin, Marquess of Melvern, heir apparent to the Duke of Devilfoard… was also known as the Devil’s cub. Yeah, I really liked this guy. Careful, the heat from the page will scorch your fingers. Hunt experienced his own accident that left him with a memory loss of who or what he was. When he opened his eyes, he saw that his own personal Angel had come to his rescue.
This book is part one of the Twins Trilogy. I didn’t make the title connection until later. It is really a fun fact and a creative bent in the story. I loved it. However, this book is great as a stand-a-lone. There was no major cliffhanger, just an interest in what is to happen next, and I look forward to reading book two [The Earl Claims His Comfort], which launched [9-16-17]. We were introduced to Levison Davids, Earl of Remmington [also called Rem] in book one and I grew to care deeply for him and look forward to reading of his adventures… or misadventures, as the book blurb states.
I have known of Regina Jeffers’ work for years. In another genre, her book Darcy’s Passions was the first JAFF [Jane Austen Fan Fiction] that I ever read. It was Darcy’s POV [point of view] on Pride and Prejudice. I didn’t know that genre even existed. Those who love the work of Jane Austen know of the many authors that write prequels, sequels, side stories, re-imaginings and variations. Jeffers has a plethora of books following Austen’s work, and she also has many additional books that fall in the other romance categories, such as regency, historical… etc. I think you can see that this author is never still but constantly writing for the pleasure of her many readers and followers. She is also busy with the Austen Authors website and joins many others in posting on that site. There is always something posted to surprise, inform and delight.