The Prize
Brenda Joyce
HQN, January 2009, 585 pp
ISBN-10: 0373773633
ISBN-13: 978-0373773633
Series: The de Warenne Dynasty
Reissue, Regency

Reviewed by Maria
November 2008

Devlin O'Neil was ten years old when he witnessed his father's death.   Waiting for the moment to exact revenge, Devlin spends his years carefully calculating the financial and social ruin of the Earl of Eastleigh, the man that murdered his father in cold blood.  Wanting nothing less than to completely ruin the man, Devlin concocts a plan to destroy Eastleigh.The weapon of destruction he will use:   none other than the earl's niece, Virginia Hughes.

American Virginia has no family to speak of.  Orphaned and alone, she discovers that her uncle and legally appointed guardian, the Earl, plans to sell Sweet Briar, Virginia's home and plantation.  Upset, Virginia decides to sail to England and sway her uncle into letting her purchase her own property so that she can continue to live there.

Things don't quite go as planned however. Poor Virginia's ship is captured and she is taken hostage by none other than Devlin O'Neil. Convinced that her uncle will pay a large ransom for his niece, Devlin holds Virginia as his prisoner.

Devlin and Virginia butt heads throughout the story. Smart, determined Virginia is one American that should not be messed with. She's no stranger to 'manly' pastimes and never waivers in the face of her dire predicament.  Devlin's own determination of steel cause electricity and excitement to spark.  Virginia refuses to be a weak and needy hostage while Devlin bullies her in the hopes of getting his revenge against her uncle.  Somewhere along the way, passion is born and soon, the captor and captive can't keep their hands off of each other!  The passion, excitement and adventures continue as Devlin and Virginia take on the Earl of Eastleigh. 

Once again, Brenda Joyce brings us a beautifully written, and exciting story in the de Warenne Dynasty with The Prize. The characters have a life of their own, head strong Virginia and her equally determined hero Devlin are a match made in heaven.  Their passion and romance woven with history is brought to life as only the incomparable Ms. Joyce can do.