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(Mass Market Paperback - Reissue)
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She gave him her innocence . . .Lady Aline Marsden was brought up for one reason: to make an advantageous marriage to a member of her own class. Instead, she willingly gave her innocence to John McKenna, a servant on her father's estate. Their passionate transgression was unforgivable John was sent away, and Aline was left to live in the countryside . . . an exile from London society . . .and he took her love.
Now McKenna has made his fortune, and he has returned more boldly handsome and more mesmerizing than before. His ruthless plan is to take revenge on the woman who shattered his dreams of love. But the magic between them burns as bright as ever. And now he must decide whether to let vengeance take its toll . . . or risk everything for his first, and only, love.
Kleypas (Worth Any Price, etc.) has made a name for herself with her darkly sensual historical romances and her willingness to treat the social issues of the Victorian era with the same intensity she brings to the relationships in her novels. Her latest book follows the romance between childhood friends Lady Aline Marsden and stable boy John McKenna. When the budding romance between Aline and McKenna is discovered, McKenna is banished from the estate. In order to protect him from her father's wrath, Aline makes McKenna believe that she's rejecting him because of his lowly status. Now a real estate tycoon in New York City, McKenna returns with a plan-to seduce and abandon Aline as punishment for her earlier rejection. However, McKenna is unaware of the secrets Aline has kept all this time, and he's unprepared for the passion that he and Aline still share. Although the conflict between hero and heroine could be resolved with one honest conversation, the author creates a believable reason for their continued silence. Kleypas also explores some intriguing issues, particularly in a subplot involving Aline's sister and a charming alcoholic who accompanies McKenna. All in all, this is another solid effort from an author who has established herself as one of the premier names in the genre. (Feb.) Forecast: Keep this book well stocked because it's bound to be a bestseller. This Avon Megaleader has a large and loyal following, and each of her books tends to outdo her last (Worth Any Price reached #6 on PW's mass market bestseller list). Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
More Reviews and RecommendationsLisa Kleypas is the author of twenty-two historical romance novels that have been published in twelve languages. In 1985, she was named Miss Massachusetts and competed in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. After graduating from Wellesley College with a political science degree, she published her first novel at age twenty-one. Her books have appeared on bestseller lists such as the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and WaldenBooks. Lisa is married and has two children.
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September 05, 2008: One of my favorite Kleypas books, and romances of all time by any author. The pages seethe with an intensity and passion that is surprising. Aline and McKenna seem all too real, and you ache for them while they struggle to make sense of their past and feelings for each other. I wish the ending was more focused on the main couple, though, as cramming two romantic relationships in the spotlight in one novel was a bit much. I felt Aline and McKenna deserved an entire book to themselves, without having to share it with another, much-less-interesting couple. The ending was abrupt. I wish there had been more closure for Aline and McKenna at the finale. But the book overall is wonderful and very steamy.
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February 27, 2008: John Mckenna has worked as a stable boy for the Earl of Westcliffe since he was a boy of eight. Even as a child he has been best friends with the eldest daughter of the earl, Aline Marsden. As they grow into teenagers they begin to fall in love. However, the earl finds out about his daughter's relationship with McKenna he threatens to ruin the boy and see him run into the gutter. The only way to convince McKenna to leave the manor is if he believes that Aline does not love him. In a truly heartwrenching scene Aline is forced to deny her true feelings to McKenna and make him believe that she was only using him. And so he leaves Stony Cross Manor, and Aline. Following McKenna's departure Aline is injured in a fire. Her legs are badly scarred by the flames. Twelve years later McKenna returns to Stony Cross Manor. Having made his fortune in America he is now a powerful man in the New York world of Industry. He and his business partner seek financial support from the new Earl of Westcliffe, Aline's older brother. Emotional chaos ensues as Aline struggles to maintain the protective barriers she has erected around her heart, knowing that McKenna thinks the worst of her. Yet the fire between them burns with even more passion now that both Aline and McKenna have matured into adults. I was sooooo looking forward to this book and in many ways I was not disappointed. However, in some ways I found myself beyond frustrated with the characters in this book. After a certain amount of time I could no longer see any reason for Aline and McKenna not to be together and yet they just continued stumbling around each other because of Aline's insecurity about her scarred legs. I was incredibly irritated with her and after a while I couldn't help lose patience. Drove me NUTS!!!! But all in all this book has absolutely sizzling hot love scenes and all but demanded a happy ending. Also, the secondary romance between Aline's sister, Livia, and McKenna's business partner, Gideon Shaw, was absolutely wonderful.