Reviewer Comments: Debut author Sandra Schwab has penned a very dark but emotional romance read that will captivate the reader.
Lillian is captive to her stepmother Camille. She is known as the Black Widow and she makes her hobby collecting men and having them do her every bidding. When Lillian reaches her majority Camille takes her to the prison to find her “gift.” Lillian has no idea the man that has been chose for her is Earl of Ravenhurst, Troy Sacheverell. Wounded on the battlefield fighting Napoleon he is not in any place to fight what is about to happen. When Lillian makes a bid for freedom, she takes Troy with her only as far as she could and still escape. A year later, Lillian is trying to put her past to rest. She worries about the nameless man she branded with her mark at her stepmothers demand. Did he survive? And will her guilt ever go away?
Troy survived his captivity and subsequent freedom but he is now emotional and physically scared by what happen to him. When he realizes that his younger cousin is about to propose to the woman who branded him as if he were an animal, Troy sets out to prevent that from happening. When his actions lead to scandal he marries Lillian but keeps her far from his sight. He is too hurt, angry, and frustrated and he does not allow himself to see Lillian for who she is rather then what he thinks she is. Will these two damaged people ever heal from the wounds Camille has inflicted on them and will love grow from such barren start?
This is a very dark romance but Ms. Schwab has created wonderful characters and has taken care in fleshing out the storyline that the reader will surely enjoy. Secondary characters are a wonderful light addition to this story that would otherwise be too overwhelming. I look forward to reading Ms. Schwab again in the future.
