Since this book is the third in the series and the wrap-up one we have lots of people coming together and a few couples...The Girls - Garnet, married to her older military man and now prepared to settle down to somewhat "normal" life (instead of running around in pants and fighting like the first book). Coral, Garnet's new sister-in-law - a part gypsy Irish beauty who is an actress and likes to be free like a bird. Cassandra (or Cassie), blond gray eyed beauty who is going to be our lovely villain and the potential downfall of all.
The Guys - Brock, old military man and Garnet's husband - he has to know deal with his age and his wounds and his future. Gerald, Garnet's brother - who has to decide where his future lies now that he has been kicked out of the will. Jem - young and I think somewhat slow - he's the old stable hand from Rosewood who Gerald meets again in America and brings back with him and he will be pivotal in a rapey way.
The Setup - Very much a finishing off of adventures type story - I think if you read the whole series you might like this one better than I did. Gerald and Coral tie the knot in America and manage to make it home to Rosewood. Garnet and Brock are at Rosewood where they welcome the newest in the family - Ivory (come on you saw that one coming didn't you?). Brock is all depressed and wants to go a-waring and then finally gets to and Garnet just has to tag along. On the route they run into Cassandra - Cassie and she becomes Garnet's companion and the governess. But of course there is much more to Cassie than meets the eye.
The Good Stuff - Plenty of melodrama and soap opera reveals. Of course everybody has been sleeping with everybody or had a one night stand or got raped by someone (you know that always happens) - and now they must face up to what they did. Cassie is a really weird character, you can't really hate her (kudos to the author for that talent) but some of the scenes are just - bizarre?
My Gripes - Not enough adventure for me, not enough action. We have a little bit of fighting at the start but then it settles down to family drama and in-fighting, secrets and a black-mailer and that is pretty much where the book stays. I wanted more action and I never really seemed to care very much for the leads in this story but that might be because this is a 3rd book so the author doesn't try and identify with them as much. This is a bodice ripper but I would say low on the scale - maybe a 4 out of 10. Nasty things are brought up or mentioned but then never happen or are glossed over quickly. A good book to break you into the genre before you hit Bertrice Small or Rosemary Rogers.
Three out of five stars for me...
Bodice Ripper Check List
**Rape
**Pirate (don't get to excited - its brief)
**Illegitimate love children
**Attempted Suicide
**Dark Secrets
**Murder
**S&M Bondage (once again don't get to excited its pretty tame)
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