But Estelle has bigger problems. Fate brings a man from her past to her notorious house of sin and pleasure and when he threatens her with blackmail, she has him thrown out. When he's found dead the next morning, Estelle is the primary suspect and James is unable to participate in the formal investigation. Will Estelle be able to prove her innocence? Does Lacie, who'd entertained the scoundrel and had too much to drink the night before, hold the key?

Delphyne DeRouge has penned a fascinating opening to her new series. The flavor of the time period, the Civil War, colors this world of sin and vice and the author knows her craft well. Using a startling range of emotion, from raw passion to heartbreak, she pulls the reader into Estelle's world and doesn't let go. The sensual scenes were fantastic and the pacing wonderful. I'm looking forward the the next installment of Ms. DeRouge's series with great eagerness.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Heather Peyton
July 15, 2003