The Virgin Wife

This is the first of the Smytheshire Books. Virgin Madeline Macgregor-Smythe is married to her best friend Devin Smythe. He is a nut. She thinks he is unable to have sex, and because of a will his grandfather wrote he had to marry in order to marry. But the truth is she has to stay a virgin until he is ready to carry out his plans. As Devin's friend, Madaline had lost Colin Darnell so she felt she might as well marry her friend. Colin had been framed by Devin, and drugged Madaline to convince her that Colin was guilty. But the real reason for the marriage was that Madeline's ancestor had let his ancestor down as a sacrifice. Devin's plan was to make up for that by using Madaline. But Devin's own plan back-fired. He had been sending notes to Madeline that were not really treats, but close, but he also sent a note to Colin. Colin came immedatly. Devin's plan was to sacrifice Madaline and put the blame on Colin. But Colin didn't behave the way Devin had planned. He showed up too soon. Just when Devin was going to kill Madaline, Colin came to the rescue. Colin got caught in his own plot. And the love Colin and Madaline had before Colin stepped in and ruined things was as strong now as it had been four years ago.

Normally a story of such short duration does not pack enough punch to rate five stars in my library but Elizabeth August sure gave me an exciting shock.She generated enough suspense and told the story of Madaline MacGreggor-Smythe, a married woman and Colin Darnell, who had been working up to marriage when four years ago "Maggie" cut him out of her life.Now an odd note to Colin has brought him back into Maggie's life and they have to resolve their bitterness and antagonism to find out what the problem is.Devin Smythe, a long ago acquaintence of Colins' and life long friend and now husband to Madaline surrounds and seems to smother her with his protectiveness.Maggie has been commissioned by Colin to build his dream house on their own private "Sanctuary Hill" that Colin has purchased from Zebulon, a strange and sometimes frightening ancient resident.Find out what the "Druids" have to do with Colin's and Maggie's strange "connections" and meet Samantha Hogan [next book] Maggie's secetary and Chief Brant. I don't want to give away any of the fascinating details so grab this book and start finding out about the Smytheshire, Massachusetts inhabitants and have a great enjoyable read.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- maybe keep this one!