Raven's Bride
Ashton Cordell, the Earl of Ravensby ,has made some personal and political enemies and for the last six years someone has been trying to kill him.  So one night when his carriage is held up by two thugs, he believes they are hired assassins and in self defense, he kills a man and takes the other to Ravensrook for interrogation.  The other supposed assassin in Glenys Shea and she won't tell the earl anything.  The questioning is interrupted by the appearance of her brother, Harry.   Though Glenys has told him to say nothing, Harry tells Ash the whole truth.  While Ash takes Harry to check out his story, Geoffrey Todd, Lord Killain arrives at Ravensrook.  He is immediately taken with Glenys and confides to her part of Ash Cordells story.  Ash's wife and unborn child were murdered, so it is believed that Ravensby is not intended to have an heir, thus making family members key suspects.   Glenys is understanding and sympathetic.  She has also developed feelings for the earl.  She conspires with Killain and Harry to draw out the murderer.  Her plan is to announce her betrothal to the Earl of Ravensby, then she takes it one step further by letting the gossips believe that she is pregnant.  Ash is outraged and hates the scheme, but reluctantly agrees to go along with it.  But  when Glenys is attacked, Ash, who is falling for her, is frightened and announces that the marriage is off.  He ships the Sheas off to America.  High spirited and willful, Glenys will not be denied.  She outsmarts the earl and she and Harry jump ship.  Glenys heads for Ravensrook while Harry races towards London to inform Ash what his sister has done.  Angry and upset because Glenys never does what she is told, Ash heads for Ravensrook, fearful that once again, Glenys has placed herself in danger, which she has.  Danger, passion and greed culminate in a cave where the two must face not only their own feelings, but the desperation of a killer.  Lynn Kerstan has developed a completely wonderful  cast of characters for Raven's Bride and has woven them into a twisting murder mystery.  Glenys is spirited, strong willed and splendid as she softens the tortured Ravensby for romance!A truly exciting story! Ms. Kerstan has drafted a thrilling account of love and murder!  Raven's Bride will keep you guessing till the very end!  Well written, fast paced and a real treasure! Raven's Bride by Lynn Kerstan is  a tempting tale of romance! Encore, encore! Ms. Kerstan!  Ms. Kerstan has skillfully composed a riveting plot with spunky, animated characters, and wildly witty dialogue!   A winning combination!  I'll read anything by this talented author!  A case of mistaken motives propels this murder mystery, but there is no mistake about the romance!Gloria Miller  --Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc.  All rights reserved--FromLiterary Times