ARC Review of TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT by Charlotte Featherstone

TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT (The Brethren Guardians #3)

CHARLOTTE FEATHERSTONE      

 Publisher:  Harlequin

Date of Publication: June 19, 2012

ISBN:  9780373776627

Genre:  Historical Romance

Mass market paperback, 384 pages

ARC provided by Net Galley for review until I can get my own copy for my Keeper Shelf

Iain Sinclair, Marquis of Alynwick, is certain there is a special hell for him. An unrepentant rake, he holds nothing sacred—except for beautiful Elizabeth York. For years, Alynwick has tried to forget the woman he loved so well, and treated so badly. A woman who could hold nothing in her heart for him but hatred.

All of society believes Elizabeth, the blind daughter of a duke, to be a proper young lady. But no one knows of her wanton affair with Alynwick. When Lizzy learns of her ancestor’s ancient diary—filled with exotic tales—she longs to uncover the identity of the unnamed lover within and hesitantly agrees to allow Alynwick, who claims to have knowledge of the “veiled lady,” to help her solve the mystery.

Eager to be Lizzy’s eyes, Alynwick brings the seductive text to life, and each night it takes greater effort for her to remember his betrayal. With each whispered word, her resolve gives way, without her knowing that a centuries-old secret will lead them to a present-day danger.

My Ratings

Review

Sexual

A stupendous finish to the Guardian Brethren series.  Ms. Featherstone delivers a majestic and powerful love story for the ages.  Of unrequited love that will break your heart, wrench it in two, and have you gnashing your teeth.  Buried within this exquisite romance is the gradual of reemergence of hope, trust, and truest love.

Iain Sinclair, or Alynwick as his friends call him, is a heartless, cold bastard, "forever scandalizing the English peers with his brutish Scottish ways."  It's easy to cast Alynwick in the usual mold as the  unrepentant rake at first glance, but once you start turning the pages, you find a tormented man.  A man willing to do anything to get back the love of his life.  

Iain sent Black a glare, aware that he appeared debauched.  But he wasn't.  He was restless, mindless.  There was a sickness ruling his thoughts, and if he had the courage to look through the darkness inside him, he'd be able to name the illness.  He was heartsick, his soul crying out for the one remedy that could cure his illness.  Elizabeth.

Elizabeth may be blind, but she doesn't let that define who she is.  She is the bravest, strongest heroine I have ever read.  Lizzy has her brief moments of doubt when she lashes out in fear and self-pity, but they don't last long.   

"I only though to help," she said, hating the sadness in her voice.  "What is left to me?  I have no husband or children to occupy my time.  I can't see to paint or embroider, or read, or decorate.  I can't even shop without another set of eyes escorting me.  I have nothing, Adrian.  Nothing!"
"That's not true."
"Oh, do not lie to yourself, thinking you are making me feel better.  Lies only make me feel worse, for I know they are spoken out of pity.  The truth is, I have never complained about my blindness or bemoaned my fate. I always had the Brethren Guardians to make me feel worthwhile and capable.  I had you and Black to talk to, and I was involved in discussions, in the history or our ancestors.  I was a part of the group, and it kept me happy.  Now you are denying me the one thing that made my life worth anything."

TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT brings to a close the mystery surrounding Orpheus in a grand fashion.  I was so caught up in the passion of Lizzy and Alynwick, that when all is revealed, I didn't see it coming.  

I have been a devotee of Ms. Featherstone's historical romance since I read her work SINFUL and to this day it remains #1 on my most favorite of all time historical romance works.  TEMPTATION & TWILIGHT, My Darlings, will now rank as #2.