3.5/5. This book is hard to rate. I like the prose and there are clever and astute observations and yet the characters appear unable to decide if and why they're coming and going. The initial revenge /seduction-without-touching plot is somewhat porous and a bit inconsistent but the story improves in the 2nd half after their marriage, when their emotions become more raw and real. The author has definite potential as I understand this is a revised edition of an earlier book. 

This is a free copy supplied by Net Galley for an unbiased opinion.

AWESOME read. The characters were fully developed and the plot was gripping and enthralling, definitely worth the read. The book was carried out in it's entirety, from their first meeting to the early weeks of their marriage and it kept you interested the whole way through.

This a sensual and mysterious story. Del's sister is dead and he blames her best friend. He has decided he wants vengeance and to make her pay. But after he meets Celia, he realises he is wrong. I loved the story and all the emotions they went thru to finally realize they could trust. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I received this book free for an honest review.



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Viscount Darling is out to embarrass the Ravishing Miss Burke. Maybe all is not as it seems though.  Del finds himself falling in love with Celia Burke. How can he get back at her for what she did to his sister if he is attracted to her. They are each receiving blackmail letters and they each think the other sent it. Celia was a very close friend of his sister's and has no idea what Del is feeling. They each have their secrets. Great read.

Colonel Rupert Delacorte (Del), Viscount Darling is out for revenge, and in his sights is the woman responsible for his sister’s death Miss Celia Burke. Rupert sets out to ruin her reputation, but finds a bluestocking who’ll go to almost any length to keep her secret. Del has been receiving threatening letters he thinks Celia has sent him so he sees her as a uncaring, shallow person who had befriended his sister, but he what he finds in Celia is a shy beautiful young woman. Celia has tried to give Del her condolences, but she is quite surprised by his reaction and his attitude towards her. When Celia starts to receive threatening letters with reference to Del’s sister she blames Del for upsetting her life. Celia and Del begin to realize that neither is what they expected. Celia and Del both have their ways to overcome the situation and their burning attraction keeps getting in the way. Del wrestles with his feelings for Celia and she tries to convince him to stop trying to blackmailing her without her feeling getting in the way. The story is filled with secrets, blackmail, passion and seduction, but hour Del and Celia will both need to rebuild trust before they can move above and beyond the hurts they both have endured to find their HEA!
I received a copy in exchange for my personal opinion and review of this book.

Not to fault this book but immediately I started reading I find that I've grown weary of reading about characters exacting revenge on one another without thorough investigation, it just seems pointless. Why plan elaborate skims and then later find out you were uninformed or you misconstrued the information, that's just idiotic.

Though I didn't finish this book, I knew the identity of the blackmailer with the first appearance of the character, it was just too easy. I skipped to the end and indeed I was right, it would have been a waste to go through pages of reading when the mystery wasn't really a mystery.

There was quite a :lot happening in this book but it all was very well written and it all tied up nicely. Characters were very well drawn but I found them to be very easily distrustful of each other through the book.

Elizabeth Essex is gifted at writing female characters who break the mold, and Celia the Botanist is no exception. The "he-said/she-said" blackmail plot may have gone on a bit long for my taste, but eventually the hero & heroine resolved their problems by actually talking about them, followed by vigorous kissing and other fun sexy things.

Rupert Delacorte (Del) and Celia Paxton had several things in common.  They came to know each other through letters between him and his sister Emily, who was her best friend in school. In fact, they fell in love through these same letters. They loved and mourned Emily.  They are both being blackmailed about the circumstances of Emily’s death.  Because of the blackmailer, Del blames Celia for Emily’s death and means to bring about her ruin.  Celia cannot understand why Del seems to hate her.  The story revolves around the two of them trying to deal with each other while dealing with the increasing demands of the blackmailer.  Their blackmailer makes solving both situations difficult.  The mystery of the blackmailer is easy for the reader than for Celia and Del, but there is a surprise for everybody.  As for their “romance,” you just want to shake them both and yell, “Get on with it!”  Things do finally start to come together for both problems, but will it work out and in time to catch the blackmailer, discover what happened to Emily, and just maybe find love?  We’ll see.  There is a lot going on in this story, but the well-written plot is interesting and engaging.  The characters are well-developed (although a little confused and angsty).  Overall a nice read.

I love this book. WOW! Mental images are more powerful. Love the character development.  Whatever was changed was definitely for the better. This is one to read over and over again. 5 STARS*****