August 17, 2012

This was probably the hardest book to read in this series. There is so much anguish and uncertainty. Bertie's death in the Peninsula War effected so many people. Brett blames himself because he lived and Bertie died. Freddy would be just as happy to not be the Duke of Ashton. Anne misses her father and Freddy's father and doesn't realize her real worth. There are also secrets that almost tear the three apart. I liked how Brett finally realizes that he has been selfish in his guilt. He has wanted Anne and Freddy so long and when he finally realizes that he can have them he is a different person. I also enjoyed seeing Freddy standing up to his mother and telling her she was no longer welcome in his house. I hope that there is some redemption for the woman but I know very few people change their behavior. I also enjoyed getting a glimpse of Gideon North and his companion. I know they have a story coming up soon. I was sad that Very is having to play the debutante when she is obviously in love with Wolf Tarrant. There are some every sad places in this book so keep the tissues handy. There are also some of the hottest sex scenes that have been written in erotic romance. I continue to enjoy this series of books and look forward to future stories.

January 15, 2015

We finally get Freddy and Brett's story. These two have appeared in almost every story in this series so far. They have been dancing around each other for years Brett thinking that he isn't good enough for Freddy and Freddy on the verge of giving up on ever having Brett. It takes a young woman named Anne Goode to bring these two men together. Brett has loved Anne since he heard the first letter she wrote to his best friend. Freddy has loved Anne since he was thirteen and running along with his brother and Anne. The story starts when Freddy decides to come home and take charge of his estates and title. Brett and Freddy run into Anne and they start a courtship with Anne. In the beginning Brett goes along hoping that Freddy will fall in love with Anne and marry her. Freddy goes along hoping that Brett will fall in love with Anne and marry her. It is a tangled web that is further complicated with a witch of a mother that is determined to see her son married to anyone but Anne.

Frederick “Freddy” Thorne, Duke of Ashland, has had enough of his mother’s interference in his affairs. A near death experience has made him grow up and realize that he needs to take charge and find a life that he can be happy with. Freddy never thought that he would inherit the title of his family estates. He was the third son and as such did think that he would ever have to worry about being Duke. Now that responsibility is his and he is determined to make the best of it. Freddy is one of those people that likes everyone and believes the best of all those around him. He is a kind, compassionate and intelligent young man. His mother has babied him more than he ever wanted and he is jealous of the life that his middle brother had. When Brett Haversham comes home to England after a life threatening injury during the Peninsula War Freddy takes him in and sees that he is healed. This is the beginning of years of frustrated and unrequited love on Freddy’s part. I liked Freddy very much and hope that we see more of his interfering with his and Brett’s friends and their lives.

Brett is one of those people that take on the problems of the world. He is a caring and compassionate man but he over burden with guilt. The guilt that comes from surviving a war that other did not, the guilt of loving someone that was engaged to his best friend. Brett walks with a limp from a poorly healed break but it doesn't hinder him from riding and walking. He is active and fit. He is also in love with Freddy he just doesn't think he is good enough for the young man that has given him so much. It is funny to watch Brett finally come to the realization that he is hurting the ones that he loves because he is letting his guilt overcome his common sense.

Anne use to run wild with Freddy’s older brother. They were always into mischief of one form or another. The two of them even experiment with sex before Bertie goes off to the Peninsula War. Bertie is determined to marry Anne even though Anne isn't in love with him. Anne is a passionate young woman that wants to experience sex with those that she can trust and won’t judge her. Her reputation is in tatters and she thinks that she isn't good enough for Freddy or Brett. Anne is also very compassionate, loving and intelligent. She is one of those people that radiates the love of life and all its wonders. I was glad that these three wonderful people found the courage to come together.

This is a very enthralling story. Ms. Kane does a very good job of describing the life of a solider through the letters that Bertie and Brett write to Anne. War is never pretty but it had to be very miserable during this time period. So many died and those that where crippled had few resources to help make life easier. So far the stories in this series have just had men that were dealing with the memories and emotions of what they lived through. This story brings in several characters that have been crippled by injuries they sustained in battle. It brings the misery of war into the mind of the reader. These are wonderful stories and if you can get past the m/m/f aspect of the book I think a lot of people would enjoy them. ( )