The Sound of Snow
Setting: Berkshire, England, 1818Sensuality: 7-8Forced to leave her Lincolnshire home years before in shame after being caught in a compromising position, recently widowed English beauty Joanna Carew returns home to care for the son of her cousin Lydia who has died tragically in a fire. When she arrives, Joanna is horrified to find 5-year-old Miles a silent shadow, totally ignored by his father, Guy de Salis, the Marquess of Wakefield. Lydia had written of her growing disillusionment with her husband and marriage, so Joanna is not at all surprised to find the Marquess neglecting his son, absorbed in his business ventures, and spending most of his time away from Wakefield Abbey. The Marquess is certainly not pleased to find the cousin of his late wife, described as an opportunist and a strumpet, ensconced in his home when he returns from an extended absence. However, the blossoming he observes in his son after Joanna's arrival belies this assessment. Both Guy and Joanna begin to realize that Lydia had deceived them both. Joanna finds that Guy loves Miles deeply but was never allowed to be close to his son, thanks to Lydia's clinging demands. And Guy discovers that Joanna is a miracle worker, both for Miles and for him. For the first time since his marriage, Guy can't wait to come home to see his son and to spend time with Joanna, the only woman with whom he has ever felt complete. As their passion simmers close to the surface, their love for each other grows. Not even threats from beyond the grave can check the desire Guy and Joanna share. Full of quirky characters and wild emotions,The Sound of Snow--with a sensuality rating of 7-8--repudiates its serene title with emotions that fairly leap from the page!--Alison Trinkle