Review: these stories super fun, engaging and not to be missed.  I’ve purchased all in this series – and you should too!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 25, 2014
It’s no secret that I love historic romances, and Sabrina York has managed to create a wonderful cast of characters, all searching for understanding and love, even if they aren’t 100% certain they deserve it.In Brigand, readers will see Violet’s story as she is taken from the garden at her aunt’s home and dragged to Scotland to settle a debt.  There’s only one problem: Violet is not the woman betrothed to the Brigand Ewan “the McCloud”, but the two do have a history.  But Kaitlin’s brother Callum is not to be deterred: he owes a debt and delivering a bride to the McCloud is foremost in his mind.  In Dark Duke, we have seen Kaitlin’s response to her horrible brother, but Violet’s story has been left until now.Violet is a dear, excited for her first season and trying desperately to manage her hellion brothers, she has developed a great relationship with her aunt and chaperone Hortense: even as Hortense isn’t happy after being dragged from the hustle of London back to her sister’s home.  On the whole, Violet is fairly obedient and malleable: nave in many things, but dreams of a kiss many years ago has spoiled her: every man is unable to rise to the level of her crush on Ewan, the stable hand and son of a maid.Ewan’s life of crime and struggle began when he had just rescued Violet from certain drowning when the ice gave way.  Someone caught their tender and gentle kiss, and told Violet’s father: he was beaten and he and his mother were turned out without reference. He holds a particular dislike of society for that and other ills, with thoughts of Violet igniting deep emotions that he would rather ignore.  With the need to provide for his sister, just of age to enter the round of debutante activities, he decided that Kaitlin would be the perfect entrée for Sophia with the tonne, polished and confident she could open doors that his rough-edge manners wouldn’t.These two are adorable together: Ewan has lived with his anger for so long that he is clumsy with her feelings and emotions: even though he does always feel horrid afterwards.  Perhaps horrid is not the right word, he is guilty, but not so guilty as to not enjoy the time they have. When the deal is struck and Violet and Kaitlin both return to London for the season, Ewan’s ties to the men in the story are revealed, much to the surprise of Violet.Brought under the careful tutelage of an old comrade met in France and the often formidable but utterly adorable Aunt Hortense, Ewan is polished up and dressed to suit the part of a wealthy gentleman, even if he can’t dance.  Yet, dealing with her brothers and their mischievous ways, and the jealousy he feels around every man on Violet’s dance card keep him barely civil and restrained.  Yet, his inner animal surfaces and claims her in front of the Archbishop and the tonne, much to the delight of this reader.This is one of those stories where characters grab you and demand you pay attention: the bad boys aren’t really bad, the women aren’t utter pushovers and the most formidable character is a set of twin boys who never sit still.  The chemistry between Violet and Ewan is palpable, and there are plenty of moments where their passion scalds the pages: emotion and sensation combine to make these stories super fun, engaging and not to be missed.  I’ve purchased all in this series – and you should too!