One Wild Dawn

Miss Annette Marsden, the oldest of nine sisters, is a caring and nurturing person who runs her impoverished landed gentleman father’s modest estate and dreams of finding love one day. Back when she was 16, she was alone on the bluff watching the sunlight. Roderick, 4 years older than she and whom she hadn’t seen while he was away at school, had come up beside her and sat down. She noticed the changes in him, how he was becoming more of a man with broad shoulders and a handsome face. He set a bundle of wildflowers between them – she was half-suspecting a spider would crawl out since he had tried that trick before. He was gentle and kind, telling her the flowers were for her birthday, and he won her heart that day. But his father, the Duke, rode up and rudely told his son to get back to the house and stay away from “that girl”; and he sent Roderick back to school early. From then on, he grew older, wilder, and stayed in London usually, so she saw little of him. But she held the loving memory close, even as rumors of his drunken behavior circulated. Lord Roderick Andrews, recognized as a careless rake by many, stared at Annette Marsden across the room of the castle which was filled to capacity this evening with guests. She appeared not to notice him at all. For some reason, she had decided he was of no importance to her. But tonight, he would beg to sign her dance card – for a waltz – and would show her he was worthy of her attention. To his surprise, she agrees to the waltz. As the dance with Anne gets closer, Roderick nervously goes to his brother’s study and bolsters himself with whiskey. He was tipsy but figured he could still dance well. He wanted so much to prove he was better than who he used to be, for her. He stumbled and apologized for not being his usual self that night, actually because she was messing up his mind. But she responded that his drunkenness was very much like his usual self! She had hurt him, and they began to trade insults until he admitted, to her shock, that she made him nervous! The dance was ending and he needed more time to talk to her, so he danced her to a side door. She was upset and immediately stormed out, but she was so enthralled by him. He was her greatest temptation. She needed to be careful never to lose her heart to him! Anne had watched him drinking brandy across the hall at his brother’s wedding, then he disappeared. When she walked away, she was suddenly pulled into a dark room and she recognized his special scent. She had never been so close to him, caged in by his body. He quietly recited a few lines of poetry, lines he had written about her. And then he kissed her! He pulled her closer as the kiss deepened, and the love she had hidden for him filled her. At least until he slid to the floor, so drunk he could hardly speak. She was disgusted and walked out. He had ruined her very first kiss. And he was so drunk, he didn’t even remember it! This was such a beautiful story about two deserving people who fell in love but didn’t know how to express it to the other. I had tears in my eyes at some of the situations. Rather than go into detail, please get a copy of this lovely book and read for yourself how it resolves. You will not regret the emotion it pulls from you – what replaces it is worth reading.

This is a new Author for me. Book one in The Northumberland Nine Series is a well written story that kept me turning pages each page flows smoothly to the next. Miss Annette Marsden is the oldest of nine sisters she meets Lord Roderick Andrews he is the younger brother of the Duke of Selbourne. This story gives you a redeemable rogue, strong heroine, and a riveting romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I just finished reading this book and I must say, it was thoroughly enjoyable! This is Book 1 in The Northumberland Nine series and you get to meet the 9 sisters who are all looking for husbands!!! In this first book, the story is about Annette, the eldest sister, and Lord Roderick Andrews. They've known each other since they were children due to being neighbours and Roderick has been known to terrorize Annette with spiders and such! lol She loves nothing more than being able to put him down and everyone around them thinks she hates him. In reality, though, she loves him but he's a rake with a drinking problem and she sees no future for them. He must prove to her that he's a changed man and you must read the story to find out how he does it and what all ensues:) The steamy scenes are very well done and all in all, I thought this was very well written. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.