She stood at danger's threshold -- then love beckoned her in.

In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven -- and into Derek Craven's dangerous world.

A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London's most exclusive gambling house -- a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world -- with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper "mouse" can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress -- and a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion...and the promise of love.

Lisa's comments: This is my all-time favorite novel, and it seems to be regarded as a favorite by many readers, although I never expected it to be. The hero, Derek Craven, in many ways is an anti-hero, as he is of extremely low background and character (and was actually born in a drain-pipe from a prostitute mother). Not only does Derek own a gambling club, but he has a dark past that includes such heinous behavior as thievery, prostitution and grave-robbing. Not exactly your typical aristocrat! I paired him with an extremely moral and innocent heroine, Sara Fielding, a novelist from a small country village. I guess the fun for me was in exploring how two such different characters could find true and deep love for each other. Derek's most redeeming quality is his awareness that he is not nearly good enough for Sara, and he suffers mightily because of this.  And I've always loved it when a hero suffers from tormented love *wicked grin*.

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Lisa Kleypas, Avon Books, 5/1994     Back