Reckless Liaisons
Kayleigh Jamison
Black Lyon Publishing, March 2009, 204 pp
ISBN-10: 1934912131
ISBN-13: 978-1934912133
Trade Paperback - $14.95 (US)

Reviewed by Mary
April 2009

Love, deceit and treachery among proper London society – the twists and turns keep coming throughout this wonderful story.

On the run to her grandfather for safety and protection from a betrothal to a man she feared and despised Lady Julia Devaraux was not behaving on the dark and moonless night much like the daughter of a Viscount.  While her father was a terrible man himself and not much of a Viscount since he thought selling his daughter to the highest bidder seemed a good idea on how to pay off his debts.  What happened in the course of her running was something Julia could not foresee – passing out in the rose
garden of the illusive Sebastian the Duke of Rutland. 

Sebastian has shunned all manner of London society after the suicide of his fiancée which he bore the guilt of.  He spread his own rumors and lies to keep everyone away and he secluded himself at Foxwaith Manor the family estate.  He ran his life, supported his siblings and controlled the people around him.  He wanted nothing to do with anything that involved London society and when he rescues Julia what Sebastian is convinced is that she is part of the life that took his fiancée from him.  Sebastian was a man use to hiding and keeping secrets and Julia may be a person that will reveal too much to him and may melt his icy heart.

 But over time Sebastian learns that there is more to the situation than he could have imagined and so much more to the woman recovering in his house and feigning amnesia.  Julia was desperate to avoid being sent back to London and the life she fears but little did she know that sending her anywhere is the last thing Sebastian wants to do.  This bit of information surprised Sebastian as much as anyone else but he knows that where he wants to send her is right to his bed and spend unlimited amounts of time enjoying everything about her.  But will Sebastian let himself feel affection and dare say love again – can he forgive himself for his past perceived mistakes and poor decisions, maybe Julia can show him how to love again. 

 What complicates this relationship even more is that the man Julia was to marry was the sworn enemy of Sebastian and the one responsible for his fiancée’s death.  When all the confusion and secrets lead to a dramatic confrontation between the three of them will Julia be able to trust Sebastian and will Sebastian be able to love Julia enough to take her back to Foxwaith as his wife.  What terrible lies are weaved by those at all stations of life.

This story has so many facets you are taken by surprise on more than one occasion and catch yourself checking to make sure you read that right.  You feel Julia’s turmoil and distress over her impending nuptials but know that the path she has chosen is the right one.  Sebastian plays his role so well as the tormented man with the dark and mysterious past but when he is presented with love and true emotions his heart melts and you can feel the walls around his heart coming down.  This is both a tender love story as well as a complex script which keeps you interested throughout and that is saying allot
for any book to hold up to.