Tempting the Bride

Starred review from August 20, 2012
The final installment in Thomas's Fitzhugh trilogy (after Ravishing the Heiress) provides a sizzling series conclusion as romance ignites between an independent businesswoman and a nobleman. Helena Fitzhugh, sister of an earl, is a college-educated 19th-century English-woman who owns a publishing company. David Hillsborough, Viscount Hastings, has loved Helena since their childhood; he proves it by interrupting a tryst between Helena and her lover, Andrew Martin, right before Martin's wife shows up, but Helena is none too pleased that the rescue involves Hastings kissing her just as the door bursts open. Hastings's suggestion of a rushed marriage is derailed when Helena is hit by a carriage and suffers amnesia, but he relishes the chance to convince her of his love before she remembers that she hates him and his acerbic wisecracks. Helena's self-possessed intelligence makes her a standout heroine, and Thomas has an exquisite ability to transport the reader into the outstanding story. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency.

Starred review from October 15, 2012

Hopelessly enamored of a married man, publisher Helena Fitzhugh has successfully hidden their affair--until a vicious gossip (the sister-in-law of the man in the equation) lays a trap for the pair that backfires with unintended consequences for everyone concerned. A quick-thinking rescue saves Helena's reputation but plunges her into a faux marriage with her childhood nemesis, David Hillsborough, Viscount Hastings. When a carriage accident robs Helena of her memory, the story takes an unexpected but ultimately rewarding turn. VERDICT Characters who rise from the pages, sensuality that takes readers to a delectable, erotic edge, and lush, mesmerizing language give the classic amnesia plot refreshing new life and result in another off-the-charts winner for Thomas. The hero's "smutty love letter," The Bride of Larkspear, plays a central role in this romance and is available in its entirety as an ebook. Thomas (Ravishing the Heiress) lives in Austin, TX.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2012
Andrew Martin may be married, but Helena Fitzhugh is convinced he truly loves her. Unfortunately, David HillsboroughHelena's brother's best friend and an annoying thorn in her side for yearshas stumbled across their secret trysts and put a stop to them. Six months later, when the opportunity to meet with Andrew presents itself, Helena rushes off to the Savoy only to find it is a trap set by Andrew's busybody sister-in-law. Fortunately, David also catches wind of the meeting, and he manages to create the illusion that the romantic rendezvous at the hotel is between himself and Helena as a postscript to their recent elopement. Before Helena can put an end to their fictitious marriage, she is involved in a carriage accident that leaves her with amnesia and gives David the perfect opportunity to finally woo and win the woman he has always loved. Thomas' splendidly nuanced characters and emotionally compelling plot give the third book in her latest lushly sensual, exquisitely written historical trilogy (Ravishing the Heiress, 2012) a rare richness and depth readers will treasure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)