Review: Two delightful characters who truly deserve their happy ending!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 3, 2013
Marcus Finley "knows" Phoebe Stanhope is for him the first time he sees her. Unfortunately, his cockiness and inebriated state cause him to take far too many liberties with the innocent fifteen-year-old, and she runs away, traumatized. Marcus realizes he has burned his boats with her, and agrees to be sent to the Caribbean to manage the family holdings. But he doesn't forget Phoebe; he names his ship after her and hopes against hope that when he returns she'll still be available and willing to forgive him.Unfortunately, the name Marcus Finley only holds contempt for Phoebe. She turns down suitors and hopes to be able to set up her own establishment, fearing to put herself into the power of a man like Marcus. But when they finally meet again, she doesn't recognize him, and, in fact, finds herself drawn to him, and eventually allows him to "court her", as long as she can be in charge of the courtship.  Her brothers-in-law, who approve of Marcus, agree to help speed up the process, and before too long the pair is deeply in love.But Marcus has a deadly enemy determined to get revenge on past events who decides that Phoebe would be an excellent target. Both Marcus and Phoebe have to fight to eliminate this threat before they can settle down to their life together.I happen to love feisty heroines who know what they want and don't bow down to outside pressure...and if they can fight with swords and pistols and knives, so much the better!  I also love heroes who love deeply and truly and don't give up hope even when their chances of success seem hopeless.Ella Quinn is a bright new star in the Regency genre, and this, her debut novel, won't disappoint.