This time out, I have the latest from Nicole Jordan, Princess Charming (Ballantine, received from author), first in a new series. In this one, Ashton Wilde, Marquis of Beaufort, is head of an unlikely little family, caring for younger siblings and cousins alike. At a ball he's hosting, he finds one of his sister's friends, Maura Collyer, being propositioned by one of his guests. But Maura doesn't actually need his help in defending herself, bringing down the bounder by herself with a well-placed knee. Maura simply wants to buy back her horse, which her step-mother has sold to the same cad who accused her late father of cheating at cards before his death. Ash would like to help Maura regain her horse, but Maura is ahead of him with plans of her own that will get her into far more trouble than she realizes. Ash never realized how headstrong his sister's friend could be, nor how much he wanted her, but he gets a taste and quickly comes to understand that even though she might mean well, she doesn't always think of the consequences of her actions, and he intends to be there to save her from herself. And if he gets to test out a theory of his sister's at the same time, even better. While the pair of them are on the run together, it's nearly impossible for them to resist the rising attraction they feel for one another, though Ash gives it his best shot. Ash is a great hero: though a rogue, he knows when the right woman is in front of him, and, while he's not above tempting her in scandalous ways, he also knows Maura will eventually realize the same about him. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the Wilde cousins find their own perfect matches as well. I'm borrowing three and a half of Cupid's five arrows for this one.
Until next time, happy reading!
