Genre: Historical Romance/Gothic (400 pages)

Release Date March 2nd 2010 – Pre Order Amazon

Book given to me to review by author this is an ARC

From the ravens circling its spires to the gargoyles adorning it’s roof, Blackberry Manor looms ominously over its rambling grounds. And behind its doors, amit the flickering shadows and secret passageways, danger lies in wait…

Evangeline Pemberton has been invited to a party at the sprawling estate of reclusive Gavin Lionscroft, who is rumored to have murdered his parents. Initially, Gavin’s towering presence and brusque manner instill fear in Evangeline …until his rakish features and seductive attentions profoundly arouse her.  But when a guest is murdered, Evangeline is torn. could the man to whom she is powerfully drawn, also be a ruthless killer?

If you would have spoken to me six months ago and asked me to read a historical romance I would have laughed and said…that’s so 10 years ago for me. See, I cut my teeth on Julie Garwood, Amanda Quick and authors of the like when I first started reading romance. I don’t want to say that I outgrew them, just that I had a change of heart. Too Wicked to Kiss brought me back to why I used to love historicals. The meeting of romance, a little magic and a love story all wrapped up in one pretty package. I forgot how much I enjoyed feeling a part of two characters discovering their attraction for each other, falling in love and creating an enthralling love story out of the experience. After being on a steady diet of contemporary and paranormal romances, it was nice to change up the dynamic of the falling in ‘lust’ and then love for the opposite.

Ms. Ridley, exceeded any expectations that I had for this book!  If you’ve ever been a fan of Godsford Park then this is the book for you! Although the time periods are different, I loved the similarities of the stuffy sophisticates all coming together to solve the mystery of just who murdered one of their own. Through many twists and turns we begin to see that first impressions can prove to be misleading and to not assume that anyone is innocent! The only hint I can give you is that it was the Colonel Mustard with the rope in the billiard room. (evil laugh ensues)

Evangeline is desperate to escape her stepfather’s evil clutches. She places her life in the hands of her mother’s childhood friend in hopes that she can help her escape. She is unaware of the manipulative tendencies of Lady Stratford until it is too late! Now Evangeline must help Ms. Stratford trap the mysterious Gavin Lionsheart  into marriage with her daughter.   Little does Evangeline know that this is no ordinary gentleman but a man with a reputation for murder. She is to spend two weeks trapped in the house of an alleged killer and she has given her word to Lady Stratford that she will help or else. A murder has been committed, all eyes turn immediately to Gavin Lionscroft and given his public displays of temper, it will take a special someone to help prove his innocence.  Miss Evangeline Pemberton must use her special powers to unlock just who is the killer.

This fast-paced, page-turner examines how an error in judgment can lead to cataclysmic events that will possess a person for the rest of their lives. It is in the love and forgiveness of another that maybe we can be good again. That maybe our own sense of failure and guilt can we washed clean just by someone believing in us.  For anyone who is looking for a great mystery and poignant love story, this is a story not to be missed.  Here’s looking at you kid.

P.S. I loved that we get a little paranormal  with Evangeline’s Gift and I liked how intensely I connected with the story  but not in a crazy Danielle Steel kind of way.

Rating

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