A Dangerous Beauty

Lots of angst and pain in this tale! Poor Rosamunde Baird is a strong and adventurous woman who should have led a charmed life; instead she refuses to marry when she is compromised and has been a pariah from society and ill-treated by a cruel husband ever since. Fortunately, her husband has died. Unfortunately, she is still a pariah and has no money and no shelter other than her husband's very similar cousin. But a strange invitation arrives from the Dowager Duchess of Helston (related to the man Rosamunde refused to marry), who has a Widows Club for those who deserve something better out of life. Rosamunde certainly qualifies. And the Duchess has a cynical, rakish son, Luc St. Aubyn, who has inherited after his older brother's death (he who was involved in Rosamunde's downfall), who for some reason begins to take an interest in helping Rosamunde keep safe and restore her name... Could it be Love??? Of course! Although the nasty villains and not-so-nasty types who somehow contribute to the villainy is hard to stomach, the thought that it will all work out well in the end sustains the reader. And watching to see how Rosamunde will get her spirit back and Luc will leave his demons behind and save himself and his love makes this tale worth reading.

Where to start, where to start? This story was absolutely glorious!! So I will begin by saying it is now one of my all time favorite historical romances now! I deeply loved it. Ms. Nash is now officially an auto-buy for me. I don't particularly like to go where so many have already gone before so I won't go into too much detail of the story because too many others already have. I will say that this was one of those books that was so incredibly hard for me to put down. I was completely encapsulated and totally enthralled. One of the things I appreciate so much in books is keeping details of surroundings and characters thoughts to a minimum and keeping the dialogue between the main characters at a maximum. I simply loved the relaxed and humorous dialogue between our heroine Rosamunde and our hero Luc St. Aubyn. "Luc" is short for "Lucifer" and even though he acted and appeared sometimes like the devil he was actually an angel underneath. In short he was delicious! The love between the two was allowed to blossom over time as we got to know them both and they got to know each other...which I truly appreciate seeing that develop. Luc also sort've developed a protectiveness for Rosamunde (as well as an attraction) because in many ways she was mistreated by her family and society for what appears to us in this day and age as a preposterous reason to cast a person off (he saw that as well) and I think because people often misjudged him and sucked up to him because of his title adn money. That was so often the case in that day and age...people believing a title and riches was what made you important- it was the way of the society. How Rosamunde's father could do what he did to her was so terrible just casting her off based on a rumor but we do later understand things weren't as bad as they appeared. Rosamunde was a beautiful person inside and out and Luc's protectiveness allowed his true character to just shine so brightly. Near the last couple of chapters I knew my heart was aching for her...the pain she suffered for so many years for something people only thought she did and believed was not even the truth! As her relationships began to heal with her family emotionally I was wrung out. I had to stop reading several times because I started crying and I was at work on a break! Again this story truly resonated in my own heart. We often long for our own personal heartaches to workout just the same. The end was quite a surprise...a secret to end Rosamunde's misery and pain. I did not see that coming at all. When the story was over I just sat on my bed and cried. Can't really explain that here. It was quite the emotional journey..for me at least. When a made up story touches me and moves me that much I think it has become a real winner in my "book"...no pun intended. Again I highly recommend this book...wonderful and engrossing story. Ms. Nash you are a treasure! I can't wait for the next one.

Spirited and passionate for life Lady Rosamund grew up loved and spoiled by an adoring father, but after an innocent and impulsive mistake her world came crashing down. To avoid a forced marriage with a man whom she knew loved another, she ran away and married a man who unbeknownst to her would show her over the next eight years what degradation and servitude was all about. Finally widowed and free without means to support herself she is saved by an invitation from the Dowager Duchess of St. Albyn to spend the season with her and her clandestine ladies club. Trying to stay in the shadows as much as possible and not draw attention to herself, she can't help being tempted by the dowager's sinfully handsome grandson, Luc St. Aubyn aka, Lord Fire and Ice. A war hero, Luc St. Aubyn is a mystery to most not only hiding his secret pain behind a blistering cynical persona, but his secret profession as the mysterious author behind a sarcastic and cynical dictionary that has taken the ton by storm! As much as these two emotionally scarred individuals face off with outrageous dialogs meant to best one another, they only up the ante for a passionate coupling that eventually reveals truths that set them free to love and live. Wow! I knew Ms. Nash from her terrific traditional regencies but she has upped the bar with this longer historical proving to me she is the real deal with a star that has definitely reached its pinnacle. This first novel in the `merry widows' series was filled with emotion and an impressive cast of extremely well developed characters from Rosamunde and Luc to the dowager duchess Ata who also proved to be a tiny force to be reckoned with! The story was well conceived and flawlessly implemented in bringing Rosamunde back to the scene of her downfall. The times Rosamunde courageously held back her tears were the times I shed mine for her and the heartache she had endured. The reader will also relish the witty banter between Luc and Rosamunde as he tried to provoke her into letting loose the passionate and adventuresome spirit he recognized which she tried to hold back. Their passion was extremely palatable and steamy and you'll find yourself cheering Luc on as he initiates Rosamunde in the ways of love and passion between a man and woman as well as applaud the way Luc, Ata and the merry widows all gather together to defend and speak up to those who try to cause further pain to our courageous heroine. This is one read that promises a wealth of entertainment, laughter, poignancy, tears and joy that I heartily recommend. Write fast Ms. Nash, I can't wait to see what else you have in store for the `merry widows'! Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization - for, www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

Really, really loved this book! It was such a beautiful, passionate love story - the best I've read in a long time. The characters were richly drawn - especially the hero who was so charismatic and darkly humorous. He was brooding, sensitive, and oozing sexuality. The heroine, Rosamunde was an intriguing woman who longs to live life to the fullest but was forced to repress her desires due to previous scandal. And the dowager duchess who has invited her to stay with her for the season as well as a group of other widows was absolutely hilarious. This book is deeply emotional, very sensual, and the prose is excellent. I highly recommend it.

The widow Rosamunde Baird has fallen on hard times. A past scandal has follwed her for years. Estranged from her family, Rosamunde and her beautiful younger sister live in poverty, until she receives an invitation from the dowager duchess of Helston to join the widow's club and attend a wedding at the home of Luc St. Aubyn, Duke of Helston. What ensues during the visit makes for an excellent read. The book begins a bit lighthearted but quickly evolves into an intense, emotional ride. Rosamunde has endured an unfeeling and abusive first husband and is in no mood to tie herself to anyone. Luc is a wonderful tortured hero who fled from his father's domination and indifference. The secondary characters are well developed and you'll fall in love with the dowager duchess as she weaves these two injured souls together. I loved Spohia Nash's trads and have been looking forward to this release. The longer length format suits her very well. Do yourself a favor and read this book. Then, go after the backlist.