Moonlit [Mass Market Paperback]

When Nell Nolan's companion and protector dies, she visits her friend, renowned courtesan Anastasia Balashova, ostensibly to find a new protector. Nell is a young Irish widow who has come to London to settle an old score. No one appeals to her until she meets scarred Trevor Robard, Viscount St. Wulfstan. Wulf agrees to escort Nell to the Golden Ball in exchange for a night with her. Unbeknownst to Trevor, Nell doesn't intend to fulfill her end of their bargain. She is not quite the courtesan she pretends to be.

Battling the ghosts of his past, Trevor is not quite the wicked Viscount he claims to be. Trevor's persistence and kindness slowly wear down Nell's defenses, and a complex and compelling relationship evolves between the pair as they return to Trevor's impoverished ancestral home, Connemara. The two of them are incomprehensibly drawn to each other and end up bound in a marriage that might not be quite what either really wants, but is much preferable to a life apart.

This is a story about a relationship between two people who each have dark secrets. Both have experienced intense unhappiness in their lives, and carry with them the scars to prove it - his visible, her's are beneath the surface, but no less painful. Trevor leapt off the page for me. He is the consummate hero- the height of his arrogance, he's dangerous, wild, darkly charming, extremely intelligent, brave and sexy as can be. Counter that with the cool, restrained passion of Nell - restrained until she met Trevor. She made him feel so loved and so worthy, as he did with her! These two were perfect for each other. Although not a hot and steamy romance, I still found it to be well worth my time. I found the romance and relationship believable, emotional and I genuinely cared what happened to them.

Emma Jensen has created a cast of characters with surprising depth and personality. Her knowledge of Ireland's traditions and language is a bonus. She is a very gifted storyteller. A+

Mrs. Nolan (Nell) is not quite the courtesan she pretends to be. Trevor St. Wulfstan is not quite the wicked viscount he claims to be either. The two of them are incomprehensibly drawn together and bound in a marriage that might not be quite what either really wants, but seems preferable to a life apart.

Having been an Emma Jensen fan for some time--I have been enjoying some of her earlier Regency novels lately--I waited to begin this book until I knew I had time to read it straight through, because her books always keep me turning the pages in eager anticipation of the satisfyingly happy ending. And this book did not disappoint.

The only *tiny* criticism I would dare to make would be the weakness of Nell's plot for revenge--I was never completely clear on why this was so important to her in view of subsequent events--and also the assassination plot, that had nothing to do with Trevor's secret activities during the war. I'm not sure that it added anything to the story, since Nell didn't even know about it until it was over.

But this book will definitely keep me hungry for others by this author. Keep up the good work!

Viscount Trevor Robard, grew up abused by a nasty father who not only left the man with physical and mental scars, he wasted the family estate so that the St. Wulfson heritage is one of decay and depradation. Trevor relishes his seedy reputation among the Ton as "Sin" though he also performs the dirty deeds for his country including assassination.

The Widow Nell Nolan, former mistress to the late Lord Clonegal, is on a quest of her own. She wants to confront Lord Routland over the money her deceased spouse left in his care for her when he died at the battlefield. Her only avenue to his estate is acting like a whore so that one of the rakes escorts her. Trevor agrees to take her to see Routland in exchange for an evening of sex. He succeeds, she confronts, but she also flees before their evening together. Nell fears Trevor because she knows he is the one from the broken mirror a long time ago in Ireland. Trevor plans to collect, but love is a powerful stimulant.

Award winning Emma Jensen has written a stalwart Regency romance that will thrill fans due to the lonely lead couple. The story line engages the audience from start to finish while showcasing the author's ability to refresh sub-genre elements. The keys remain Trevor and Nell who defy polite society that would prefer to flush them away. Ms. Jensen has another humdinger of a novel that will brighten the day of her innumerable fans.

Harriet Klausner