Unveiled - Courtney Milan

Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family—and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance….

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who's stolen her fortune and her father's legacy—the man she's been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion….
This is a new series by Courtney Milan. And I have to say she has quickly become one of my favorite authors to read!!

Ash Turner is determined to make the Duke of Parford pay for his past transgressions against his family. He wants to give his brothers everything he was denied. Even being a very distant cousin to the Duke did not help him when his mother went mad and his sister was dying. He set out to India to make a fortune and he returns with his every ambition met. So he brings suit in the Chancery Courts to contest the legitmacy of the Duke's heirs being as how he was married previously.

Lady Margaret Darymple was left behind by her brothers to keep an eye on Ash Turner. She portrays herself as simply a nurse in the household and she was to report on any flaws of his.  She is still morning the passing of her mother but she is now tasked with watching Ash and also taking care of her ailing father. Her father had become extremely vicious with his words since his ailment. She is tugged between doing what is right for herself and what she thinks is supposed to do for her family.

Margaret soon finds herself drawn to Ash because he is one of the most caring men she has ever met. Which of course counteracts his actions against her father and her family. Ash makes her feel like she was important. That she mattered.

Ash did not care for the rules of polite society. In his eyes men should go by their word. He also felt that when it comes to issues of class they were not even worth mentioning. He is instantly attracted to Margaret is does not care that he is not supposed to be with someone of her position (he thinks she is just a made and not the Lady of the house).

Soon in each other Ash and Margaret find their greatest strengths. Ash is a successful businessman who also cannot read. He fears that Margaret will laugh at him and treat him differently when she finds out but she shocks him by embracing all of him. Even after finding out Margaret deceived him he knows only one thing...he wants her above all.

I read this book in one sitting! I simply did not want to put it down. The interaction and tension between Ash and Margaret felt like it lept out and grabbed you. I love when you have two people who are imperfect but can make themselves perfect within each other.

All I know is I cannot wait to read Mark's book. (Ash's brother). He is writing a book on chastity and his book is about the woman who ruins him...oh talk about delicous!

If you want to read Ash and Margaret's story just go here --> Unveiled (Hqn)

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Trial by Desire - Courtney Milan

She cannot forget the fire he ignited…

In the three years since her husband left her, Lady Kathleen Carhart has managed to forge a fulfilling life for herself. But when Ned Carhart unexpectedly returns, she finds her tranquility uprooted—and her deepest secrets threatened. Though she has no intention of falling for Ned’s charms, Kate can no longer deny the desire that still burns in her heart.

Or the promise of his love…

Ned is determined to regain his wife’s trust by using unbridled seduction. But just as Kate surrenders to Ned’s passion, her carefully guarded past threatens to destroy her. Now Kate must place her faith in the only man she’s ever loved, and the only one who has ever betrayed her…

This is the follow up book to Proof by Seduction. I was soo excited to read this book because I really feel in love with Ned in Proof by Seduction.

Ned was married a mere three months to Lady Kathleen when he decided to head off to China to look after the Blakely investments.  He left because he wanted to prove something to his family that he was dependable and reliable. But mostly that he was able to beat down the beast of his depression. He did not constantly live in the dark but every few years the darkness would take over him.

Lady Kathleen had spent her life as a Duke’s daughter and thought of as something that was to be possessed and treated like a fragile porcelain vase.  But by mere happenstance she helps a woman of her acquaintance escape her violent husband. In this she finds a purpose and in the three years her husband is gone she has helped several other women escape the clutches of their husbands.

When Ned returns to London he finds his school boy friend’s wife (who is also Kate’s best friend) missing and his wife standing on the outside of his family. He also left because he was worried about how his wife would affect his life. He worried that if he depends too much upon her then all his careful training to keep the darkness at bay would be futile and it would overcome him. He soon learns that his wife is strong and capable of helping him carry his burden.

Kate has been trying to build a life since Ned left and when he comes back into her life at first she wants to push him away but finds that she does not want the marriage she was expected to have. She wants a full marriage. She wants a marriage full of love, happiness and mostly trust. She wants to trust in Ned that he will never leave again.

Ned and Kate set out an adventure to not only save their marriage but help a friend. Ned finds out about Kate’s life in helping abused women.  He soon learns that his childhood friend is an abusive husband and he is willing to do anything to help her to prove to Kate that he is worthy of not only her trust but her love.

Oh man did I love this book. I have a super huge crush on Ned. He is that wounded type of hero that your heart just aches for and you want nothing more than to reach out and hug them, LOL!! Kate is strong and yet delicate. I truly admired her for standing up to men in a time when women were seen to be nothing but well nothing to most men. Also to stand trial because she would do anything to help a friend makes her a pretty bad ass woman in my estimation!!

I very highly recommend this book and the one before Proof by Seduction. If you want to grab a copy for yourself just go here -->Trial by Desire (Hqn)

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Proof by Seduction - Courtney Milan

She is his last chance for a future of happiness . . .

Jenny Keeble has never let her humble upbringing stop her. She’s made her way in the world as a fortune teller, one who convinces her clients her predictions are correct by telling them what they most want to hear. Business is good… until she meets her match in the form of Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, a scientist and sworn bachelor.

He just doesn’t know it yet.

Broodingly handsome, Gareth is appalled to discover his cousin has fallen under the spell of "Madame Esmerelda," and he vows to prove her a fraud. But his unexpected attraction to the fiery enchantress defies logic. Jenny disrupts every facet of Gareth's calculated plan— until he can’t decide whether to ruin her or claim her for his own. Now, as they engage in a passionate battle of wills, two lonely souls must choose between everything they know . . . and the boundless possibilities of love.

This is Courtney Milan’s debut book. I am pleased to say that it was absolutely wonderful. I’m now a huge fan of hers and am currently working on reading the other two books she has produced since then and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into those. Currently Listening To:

At first glance Jenny Keeble aka Madame Esmerelda and Gareth Blakely sense a deep sexual attraction but due to their differences in birth and Gareth being a scientist and Jenny being an alleged gypsy fortune teller they decide there is nothing more there.

Gareth is determined to break the hold that Madame Esmerelda has over his younger cousin by proving through science that she is nothing but a fake.

Jenny knows she’s a fake. She didn’t start down the road to impersonate a gypsy but sometimes things just come to pass that none of us plan. As of late Jenny has wanted to shred the costume of Madame Esmerelda and just be plain old Jenny Keeble again. After meeting Gareth she realizes maybe it is time to move forward and make Madame Esmerelda disappear forever.

Gareth and Jenny soon embark on a road of discovery for both. Gareth grew up in the care of his grandfather who did not tolerate emotion of any kind and embedded in Gareth that emotion had no place for a Marquis. Jenny was abandoned at the age of four and was sent to a school to perfect her in the ways of a lady. She desperately wanted to know the people who had left her in the care of such an unloving place.

So in each other they will find what they have longed for their whole lives. Gareth will find someone who makes him feel alive for the first time and Jenny will find the home she has always longed for.

These characters were soo wonderfully written. I found myself routing for them and for their deserved happy endings. I have to say my favorite part in the book is when Gareth gifts Jenny with a baby elephant (you must read the story to understand the significance because I will not give it away). I was teary while reading their exchange. I love when I read a book and feel soo much for the characters!

So if you want to read a very beautiful story then you must run out and get this book….or you can just go here -->Proof by Seduction (Thorndike Press Large Print Romance Series) (Unfortunately I do not think you can get the mass market paperback edition anymore...well not at least that I could find other than eBay)

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