Reviewed by Francine
This is a fast paced romance
and the author avoids the pitfalls of tedious blow-by-blow accounts of
domesticity and duly throws the reader into the emotional world of a young
love-struck teenage Danielle, and of Marie who with the gift of foresight predicts
heartache for Danielle in the near future. And true enough the love of Danielle’s
life, Etienne Blouin, an honourable young man whom recognises her willingness to
succumb to his inner desires is tempted by her blossoming charms. With much
regret and steel resolve he knows he must walk away for he cannot dare ask for
her hand nor provide for her in the manner to which she is due.
The story then leaps
forward ten years, and Danielle de Cherbourg is living a privileged and extravagant
lifestyle of a countess, or is she? Nothing is quite as it seems for her
husband’s seedy murder reveals the extent of his gambling debts, and although
Danielle is forced to don widow’s weeds her heart has always pined for Etienne.
Unbeknown to Danielle, Etienne returns to honour a promise made in secret and
willingly steps up to pay her husband’s debts. Vexed by his seeming
indifference and heart again broken, to her chagrin her aunt has set in motion an
arranged marriage to a man Danielle despises. But, whilst travelling by coshe highwaymen save her from the plight
of her impending marriage only to cast her into another more terrifying likelihood
and dark void of unconsciousness. Upon her awakening aboard ship she fears the
worst, and believes the captain is a trader of white slaves to the Turks: a
fate worse than death. So is her doom that of a sex slave to a Turkish merchant
or Sultan? Buy the book and find out.
