Reviewed by Should love be a challenge or a soothing balm on your heart?
Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw is a man with a mission and nothing is going to stop him from ruining the daughter of the man who destroyed his sister’s life and tore his family apart. Granted his family was utter chaos but ruinous situations will be corrected regardless of how many years it takes and who gets hurt. He has been plotting this well calculated revenge for years and he was mere steps away from executing his plan when what should happen to stop Renelaw in his tracks but fate. Now this fate that stepped in looked nothing like what he could have imagined would slow him down as Miss Antonio Smith the young woman’s companion and chaperone is not at all appealing. She is dressed in a dowdy and shapeless fashion to keep attention away from herself but she is taking his breath away and Ranelaw cannot explain the reason why. She is not the woman in any of his dreams but the stirring in his heart and thoughts in his head about her are saying otherwise and diverting him from his target. Toni also has a mission and that is to keep rogues like Ranelaw away from charge at any cost but can she keep him away from herself.
Ranelaw may be hiding secrets but they are nothing compared to the ones that Toni has walked around with and secreting behind. She lost her family because of her poor decisions banned to a life of servitude. She has accepted her fate in life, will not let it happen to any other girl, and has her own tricks to keep it from happening to another. A man may sweet talk his way into a young woman’s favor but a smart companion can stand between them and halt any further discussion. However, the talk toward her from Ranelaw is what has her heart aflutter again and she knows better and can stop herself, but does she want to. Having been at this cross roads before and knowing one road leads to ruin and one to safety which one will she take. Ranelaw seems to speak true and can take a hit and still come back for more yet is that what she wants, another man who says he loves her but does not have the backbone to see it through to marriage.
The challenge becomes not what Toni and Ranelaw are doing now but everything that Toni has ever done or known in her past showing up to reclaim her. Does she want the present and a future with Ranelaw or repeat prior mistakes. She has to separate right from wrong and know in fact that the decisions she makes again affect everything she ever will do with every imperfection that makes up her character out for public consumption, again.
Anna Campbell put her unique mark of excellence on each historical romance book she writes. This one in particular stands out with its fresh storyline, remarkable characters and never ending surprises the reader does not see coming. The mark of a good book is you are so saddened to have it end and this one brought tears to my eyes!
Mary has generously offered to donate her gently used ARC of Midnight’s Wild Passion to one lucky reader. To enter, become a follower of Mary’s blog, and then come back here and leave a comment with your email address. A winner will be drawn May 8th.
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