They were once cherished childhood companions, until a scandalous secret tore them apart. Now Valerian Rainewood and Abigail Smart are the fiercest of enemies. To Abigail, Rainewood is a notorious rake, hell-bent on mischief and not fit for polite society. So what if it seems as if he can seduce her with nothing but his eyes? She will not succumb. But when the earl is viciously attacked, Abigail's distress tells her that something still binds her to the wild Rainewood. Lies an unquenchable desire . . . Though the ton believes there is nothing between them, Rainewood knows the truth. Abigail tempts him the way no other woman has. Wanton lust overwhelms him whenever she is near. But keeping her too close may put her precious life in danger. He must destroy his enemies—so that with every touch he may prove to Abigail that though their past was filled with trouble, their future will be nothing but pleasure.

The publisher's synopsis of this romance eliminates important facts, which has left Anne Mallory fans and other readers disappointed and confused, thus causing many mixed reviews of this well-written paranormal historical romance. The most scandalous secret of Abigail is that she has a special "gift" to communicate with ghosts. Danforth, Valerian's oldest brother and Earl of Rainewood, dies. His ghost visits Abigail while she is with Valerian, leaving Valerian confused and angry. Not only does Valerian not believe Abigail when she tells him she can talk to Danforth, he is crushed to realize that now being the new Earl he must forget Abigail because of her lower social status. When Abigail's family comes into money, their social status changes, as well as their last name. Valerian has never stopped loving Abigail and seeing her at social functions is torturous to him. It is even worse for Abigail, as she feels Valerian will reveal not only her family's fraudulent social status but the fact that she is mad and can see ghosts. In order to make her feel the same heartache he feels, Valerian tortures Abigail with his inappropriate remarks and prescence at Ton events, ruining many marriage prospects for Abigail. But when Valerian is viciously attacked, kidnapped and held near death, his spirit leaves his captured body and goes to Abigail for help. Now realizing that her "gift" is real, he pleads her help to work together in discovering who is holding him near death before he truly becomes a real ghost. As it is someone in society, it could be anyone Abigail meets at social events, and the danger and suspense builds as Valerian and Abigail rekindle their love. The story is unique, but stays true to the remarkable historical romance writing style of Ms. Mallory.

Price: 3.00 USD