Part of the Malory series, this book tucks in nicely with the rest of the books. It is... dare I say it... much more like the first books in this series (which I adored) than some of the later ones (which were "meh"). Most of the story is fabulous! But not the use of exclamation points! There are a lot of them! It reads more like teen fan-fic sometimes than a Johanna Lindsey, well-respected, seasoned author! Especially the end!
Julia Miller's family is not haute ton. They're not even ton, just fabulously wealthy. However, Julia has been accepted by the ton because she has been engaged since she was a child to the son of an earl. She is therefore not only going to be ton one day, she is no threat to any of their eligible daughters. One teeny problem though, she hates her fiancé. Plus, he took off nine years ago and she is ready to get out of her contract. Unfortunately, the reason he took off is his thoroughly despicable father who has steadily refused to break the betrothal. Julia has also had family problems since her father and mother were in a horrible carriage accident which killed her mother and left her father mentally incapacitated, though with moments of clarity. Julia is starting to put together a case to declare Richard (her intended) dead... when the infuriating man shows up in England. It seems he's been hanging out in the Caribbean, working as a pirate or a "treasure hunter." Unfortunately, their childhood animosity hasn't faded though their attraction has definitely grown. There are a LOT of incredible situations (Richard's father has him sent to a penal colony when he still refuses to marry Julia) but, if you've read Lindsey, this is not out of the ordinary.
Four stars
This book came out June 15th, 2010
Followed by Stormy Persuasion
Hard copy from library
Opinions are my own
