Brazen Temptress

In Boyle's third Regency chronicling the adventures of the D'Artiers family, Maureen Hawthorne de Ryes, scheduled to be hanged for smuggling, makes a deal with the Lord Admiral of England to save herself and her ship's crew. She agrees to uncover the identity of her erstwhile husband, Captain de Ryes, a notorious privateer who moves freely in society disguised as a nobleman. Abandoned after their wedding night, Maureen is haunted by memories of her brief marriage as she assumes the identity of a young lady of the ton in order to seek out her husband in London's ballrooms. When de Ryes, a.k.a. Julien D'Artiers, realizes who she is, he risks capture to convince his wife of the truth behind his apparent betrayal, revealing the sinister role played by the Lord Admiral. Boyle (Brazen Heiress) skillfully weaves flashbacks of the couple's courtship with the dangers of Maureen's current bargain until the past and present story lines coalesce in a rousing shipboard finale. A captivating melange of intrigue, suspense and romance makes this series an increasing delight. (June)