From Publishers Weekly
Romance write Lindsey stays true to form?and formula?as she continues to chronicle the romantic entanglements of the Malory clan. Set in Regency England, sometime between 1811 and 1820, the latest Malory novel (after Love Me Forever) includes the three stock romantic figures: a Virgin, a Villain and a Rogue. The Virgin is Kelsey Langton, who willingly agrees to be auctioned off in a London whorehouse to pay her uncle's debts and ensure her younger sister a marriageable future. The Rogue is handsome Lord Derek Malory, who plunks down a fortune to make Kelsey his mistress rather than see her bought by the Villain, Lord David Ashford, an insane sadist who takes his sex with a healthy splash of blood. The implausible set-up quickly becomes ludicrous as Malory falls in love with Kelsey, but her unwillingness to reveal her true background prevents a wedding. Malory's ardor for Kelsey is inflamed when Ashford kidnaps her, necessitating a heroic rescue in a grisly dungeon where Kelsey is on the verge of being whipped and mutilated for Ashford's pleasure. In the end, family secrets fall from both the Malory and Langton family trees like rotten apples while social conventions are swept aside. Scant historical detail and 20th-century dialogue make this unfortunate novel even more far-fetched. (Nov.) republish the four previous Malory novels.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
From a best-selling hardcover debut, Love Me Forever (Morrow, 1995), to this Regency.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Lindsey returns to Regency England and the lives of her notorious Malory family with her latest novel featuring Derek Malory. When young Derek ventures into a den of iniquity with his cousin, the last item he expects to acquire is a mistress. Yet acquire one he does, in the form of Kelsey Longton. Kelsey is being auctioned off to save her family from financial ruin when Derek steps in to save her from a sadistic buyer. Despite an unorthodox introduction, Derek falls in love with Kelsey. But how will the heir to the Malory title and fortune explain to his father that he loves his mistress and wants to marry her? Although this novel is not as strongly crafted as her previous best-seller, Love Me Forever , it nonetheless provides a unique twist to Regency romances. Libraries not already owning the four previous Malory novels will be able to purchase them during a promotional republication. Since all of Lindsey's previous novels have been New York Times best-sellers, plan for this one to hit the list also, and make it an essential purchase. Melanie Duncan



"A memorable wonderful read that bring us laughter and joy . . .Magic!"


Book Description

Left penniless and in dire straits, Kelsey Langton realizes that only by allowing herself to be sold at auction canshe rescue her sister's future. So the proud, desperate lady enters the infamous House ofEros, resigned to becoming some well-heeled gentleman's plaything -- and Lord Derek Malory is the highest bidder for Kelsey's charms.

A handsome and irredeemable scoundrel, Derek soon draws the sensuous, unsuspecting maiden into a world of unparalleled pleasures and dangerous rivalries. But Kelsey knows she must always guard the secret of her highborn past -- even as her grace, spirit, and beauty entice her new "master" to renounce his scandalous ways and take a gamble on true love.


About the Author
With more than 54 million copies of her books in print and translated into twelve languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance. Every one of her previous thirty-six novels has been a national bestseller, with several reaching the #1 spot on the New York Times list. Ms. Lindsey lives in Hawaii with her family.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Her parents' deaths left Kelsey Langton penniless - and responsible for the safety and well-being of her younger sister, Jean. Now circumstance and human frailty have conspired to leave them homeless as well, unless Kelsey can avert the disaster. But she knows only one way to rescue Jean's home, future and honor - and it means sacrificing her own. Kelsey must allow herself to be sold at auction. With fear and trepidation she enters the House of Eros - resigned to becoming the plaything of some well-heeled gentleman. And Lord Derek Malory is the highest bidder - a dashing rakehell from a family of charming London rogues. Enchanted by the stunning, dark-haired maid with flashing bright eyes, he purchases her for his mistress - and sweeps Kelsey into a world of astonishing family secrets, perilous rivalries and unconventional loyalties. But Lord Derek is unaware of the true worth of the prize he has so frivolously acquired - never imagining that the proud, spirited miss is a highborn lady blessed with grace, wit and intelligence as well as beauty. And he certainly never expected that he would fall in love with her.

FROM THE CRITICS

Romantic Times

A memorable wonderful read that bring us laughter and joy . . .Magic!

Publishers Weekly

Romance write Lindsey stays true to form-and formula-as she continues to chronicle the romantic entanglements of the Malory clan. Set in Regency England, sometime between 1811 and 1820, the latest Malory novel (after Love Me Forever) includes the three stock romantic figures: a Virgin, a Villain and a Rogue. The Virgin is Kelsey Langton, who willingly agrees to be auctioned off in a London whorehouse to pay her uncle's debts and ensure her younger sister a marriageable future. The Rogue is handsome Lord Derek Malory, who plunks down a fortune to make Kelsey his mistress rather than see her bought by the Villain, Lord David Ashford, an insane sadist who takes his sex with a healthy splash of blood. The implausible set-up quickly becomes ludicrous as Malory falls in love with Kelsey, but her unwillingness to reveal her true background prevents a wedding. Malory's ardor for Kelsey is inflamed when Ashford kidnaps her, necessitating a heroic rescue in a grisly dungeon where Kelsey is on the verge of being whipped and mutilated for Ashford's pleasure. In the end, family secrets fall from both the Malory and Langton family trees like rotten apples while social conventions are swept aside. Scant historical detail and 20th-century dialogue make this unfortunate novel even more far-fetched. (Nov.) FYI: Avon Books will simultaneously publish Love Me Forever in paper; and will republish the four previous Malory novels.

Library Journal