Dangerous to Hold

If you haven't tried Elizabeth Thornton, please buy this book. I would recommend almost every single one as an outstanding historical romance read. The plots are always exciting and very thought out. The characters are always just a little bit more than any other author's. This is a book that I have read probably 6 or 7 times and yet I still can't start it without finishing it that same day (even if I have to stay up till 1 am to do it).

(*Note*: One of the other reviews of this book contains what I would consider a fairly major ***spoiler***!!!) I find most of Elizabeth Thornton's Regencies compulsively readable, but "Dangerous To Hold" is one of my favorites. I really enjoyed the character of the heroine, Catherine Courtnay, an accomplished, unusually self-sufficient woman, particularly for the 19th century. Catherine, a writer and spinster, is leaving the London home of a member of the demimonde (after visiting her estranged sister) one evening when she is accosted by Marcus Lytton, the Earl of Wrotham, who mistakes her for his missing wife, Catalina. He had been tricked into marrying Catalina three years previously while recovering from a war injury in Spain and had not seen his wife since the night of the wedding. Although Catherine resembles Catalina physically, Catherine is eventually able to convince Marcus that she is not his missing wife. Marcus believes that Catalina is hiding in London and behind several attempts on his life, hoping to inherit his fortune. He convinces Catherine to masquerade as his wife in an effort to draw Catalina and her accomplices out into the open. (Not sure if this idea really makes sense, but it serves to throw our hero and heroine together....) The story contains a number of twists and turns, unusually good secondary characters with an interesting secondary romance, and a moderately good mystery plot. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy historical romantic suspense, particularly if you are bored with the usual Regency heroine (i.e. an 18 year old dingbat) and looking for a story with a strong and memorable heroine.

Fiery haired Catherine Courtnay, independent, brave, and often times foolhardy knew when she ventured into an area known for housing the demimonde, that it was dangerous but that did not frighten her, she was armed and she was also determined. However, being accosted by the infamous Earl of Wrotham who accused her of being his missing wife -that shook her to the depths of her soul. As cool as could be with a tongue-lashing he would not forget, Marcus Lytton was assured that this prim and proper lady was nothing like his missing wife Catalina - although the resemblance was remarkable. After several attempts had been made on his life, Marcus offered Catherine a sum of money and convinced her to play the part of his wife, in order to draw out his missing bride. Marcus was convinced Catalina had to be the one instigating the attempts on his life. Catherine agreed, not for the money, although Marcus would not know this - but because in actuality she was the missing Catalina. She had been a British agent fighting alongside the partisian in Spain when she had fallen in love with the handsome, gallant Captain Marcus during the war. It was upon the discovery that he was the Earl of Wrotham that she thought to punish him. She had always believed that he had been the one who had ruined her sister and thought the rake was trifling with her feelings. She had tricked him into marriage thinking that he would have it annulled as soon as he returned to England. After spending time with him she did come to the conclusion that he could not have raped her sister. Catherine hated that she felt such desire for him and wanted to end the charade as soon as possible before he discovered her secrets and betrayals. Now, it seemed, Catherine's life was in danger as well. As their passions raged, the danger to them both increased as the betrayals began to mount into an explosive and dangerous conclusion. Once again, I have had the good fortune to pick up another super good historical romance book by this author. Smoldering passion, unbelievable and non-stop action with numerous interesting and colorful secondary characters - basically another complete read with a new and refreshingly great plot! This author has never failed to keep me on the edge of my seat holding my breath with either suspense or the exquisite sensual imagery that she so capably writes. All her books are keepers for me!

Wow! A heroine who really can take care of herself and doesn't need a hero to rescue her. But take heart, ET works our hero into the story and all is well. Another original plot. Another prologue that grabs you. Good secondary characters. Another great one from ET. If you haven't read her books, you will be thrilled with all of them.

I noticed a trend in her stories, and how most of the females I'd read about were in need of some kind of help or "damsels in distress". Although the back cover's description sounded disappointing, it surprised me when I discovered Catherine was no damsel in distress. In fact, she was her own brave gun-wielding woman, a spy and a fighter--and for once, a real heroine. I highly recommend this to others.