Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Duchess of Sin-Laurel McKee

Duchess of Sin
Laurel McKee
Grand Central, Dec 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780446544764

In December 1799 in Dublin, Ireland Lady Anna Blacknall is attracted to Conlan McTeer, but distrusts the Duke ever since the ambush of her brother-in-law’s regiment two years ago during the Uprising. Although she knows better than to act so imprudently, Anna and her best friend Widow Lady Jane Cannondale attend a masquerade ball at the exclusive naughty Olympian Club known as a hot bin of sin and scandal. Masked Conlon sees Anna, takes a kiss that both recognize intimately, and sends her home.

Anna and Conlan begin seeing one another. However, her skepticism of his perfidy remains high while he tries to keep her and her mom Lady Katherine safe from the tumultuous tension between the Irish and the English. She knows she must decide between the man she loves who her family considers their mortal enemy and the safety of her family by marrying his cousin Grant Dunmore.

The middle Daughters of Erin historical romance (see Countess of Scandal) is a terrific entry due to the interwoven backdrop of the Irish-English strife enhancing the romance. The lead couple is an interesting pairing as she distrusts her heart while he fears his numerous adversaries will use the love of his life and her family as expendable pawns to destroy him; which if harm comes to her he will. Laurel McKee provides a superb tale.

Harriet Klausner

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