Ravishing in Red-Madeline Hunter

Ravishing in Red
Madeline Hunter
Jove, Jan 26 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780515147544

Her father died during a scandal in which he never had time to prove his innocence. His faithful daughter Audrianna Kelmsleigh rejects the belief that her dad committed the heinous crime of sedition. She learns the sad truth that a woman who is independent must learn to protect herself as she travels to the Two Swords Coaching Inn near Brighton with plans to confront the man she blames for her father’s death, prosecutor Lord Sebastian Sommerhays.

Sebastian is happy that Kelmsleigh is dead as the man deserved death. However, during a fracas at the Two Swords Coaching Inn, he is shot. Worse to avoid a scandal that would further destroy Audrianna’s reputation, he is forced to marry her though he enjoyed stealing the kiss. She persuades her new husband to help her prove the innocence or guilt of her father. Neither expected to fall in love with one another nor begin to find information leading to traitors willing to kill two more people to keep their dastardly activity secret.

This is a super historical and a superb romantic mystery starring two likable beloved enemies. The story line is fast-paced whether the focus is on proving her father’s innocence or guilt or on the romance. Madeline Hunter provides a powerful tale as an independent woman needs to protect herself with love.

Harriet Klausner