Review: Great Debut
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 31, 2013
Cora, an American girl living and working in a sleepy English village is nearly mowed down by Lord Eric Ashcroft in his Jag.  After making sure she is OK and bringing her down from a panic attack he vows that he is going to see her again and begins to pursue her in earnest.He is filthy rich - he owns a Jag, a Land Rover AND an Aston Martin plus he is also the proud owner of a Victorian Manor in the English Countryside, amongst other properties.  He's a widower and is seriously not looking for commitment or a girlfriend but likes what he sees when he looks at Cora and he has a proposition for her.  It's not something that's going to ingratiate him with Cora's friends and relatives but, after some careful thought, Cora decides to go for it.  I have to say that I thought the deals that Eric comes up with for his `charges' and `benefactors' were rather shady and I can't wait to see everyone's reactions to this but I do applaud Nicole Brightman  for trying to do something a little different.Eric is a sexy as hell, dressed down, English lord - dripping in money and attitude and sexy as all get out!!  He's actually full of English charm and is fairly self-deprecating but, get him in a bedroom, and he revs up into a different gear and, when Cora finally succumbs, they light up the pages with their steamCora is a bit of a sweetie - she's given up everything to help nurse her Aunt in England during her last days and now is a little lost and floundering - not really sure what to do next with her life.  She's stayed in England and isn't really looking for love but, after Eric nearly turns her into roadkill, she finds herself falling for his easy charm and is unsure what the future holds for them together as that contract hangs like a looming presence over her head.This book is fully of some truly outrageous British secondary characters that really seem to have jumped straight out of a Jilly Cooper novel -  they're a lot of fun, most especially the deliciously wicked Tristan.  There's a few unexpected twists and turns in this one and a couple of unfinished storylines in the background to take us into a second novel, although this one works as a stand alone and is a complete story in itself.It's very romantic, very sexy and is a quick, light and easy read.3.5 stars