Pennyroyal Green, England – 1820

Colin Eversea is in trouble again, and this time it is very serious. He is sentenced to hang for murder. The men in town are saddened by this turn of events for most liked the rascal, and the ladies loved him. There has been bad blood between the Everseas and the Redmonds for centuries. When Colin fought with a cousin of the Redmonds in a pub, the man fell on his knife. The witness to the debacle disappeared, and Colin is blamed, tried, and convicted. Colin has always been in love with Louisa Porter, but now, Colin’s older brother, Marcus, who also loves Louisa, is planning to wed her in a week’s time. Could Marcus be behind the disappearance of the witness?

The guards are lined up, and as Colin walks toward the scaffold, he hears a whisper behind him telling him to stumble and fall when he gets to the fifth guard. Colin falls to one knee, several explosions rent the air, a sack is thrown over his head, and he is carried away by his abductors. He finds himself tied up in a cellar, held prisoner by Madeleine Greenway, a young woman who was paid to kidnap him. Colin manages to loosen his bonds, and when a cloaked, masked man enters the cellar, gun in hand, he grabs Madeleine and shelters her when the unknown assailant shoots at her, then runs off. Now Madeleine and Colin form an alliance and escape the cellar together. Who promised to pay Madeleine for rescuing Colin and is now trying to kill her? And what would have happened to Colin after Madeleine’s death? Madeleine and Colin investigate these circumstances and the supposed murder with some surprising results.

THE PERILS OF PLEASURE is an exciting and adventurous story of two people who must depend on each other to escape the dilemma they are involved in. Colin only wants to resolve his problem and get back to Louisa; Madeleine wants enough money to start a new life in America. They are likeable, wonderful characters who meet life head-on, and readers will be sure they are meant for each other. Colin has always been a ladies man, charming and dashing. Madeleine is a little difficult to understand until her background is revealed, divulging why she takes huge chances for her freedom. She is feisty, brave, and beautiful.

Well paced, romantic and suspenseful, with underlying sexual tension, THE PERILS OF PLEASURE is sure to keep readers entertained throughout the book. Some of the secondary characters are excellent -- the countess who is having an affair with the footman, Dr. August with his illegal medical practices, and Marcus, who is madly in love with Louisa -- they help move the story and bring texture to the tale.

THE PERILS OF PLEASURE should go on your to-buy list for enjoyable winter reading.

Marilyn Heyman