Ecstasy (Notorious)

A blazing tale of breathless passion, seductive desire, and deep love from sensational, bestselling author Nicole Jordan . . .Having watched her mother languish away for a lost love, Raven Kendrick vows never to surrender her heart. But when her life erupts in scandal, she is forced to accept a marriage proposal from the wickedly sensuous owner of London's most notorious gaming hell. Though fiercely drawn to her enigmatic rescuer, Raven battles to resist her husband, whose sensuous caresses promise ecstasy beyond her wildest fantasies.To save the reputation of an innocent girl nearly ruined by his brother, Kell Lasseter sacrifices his freedom to wed the dazzling debutante. Long scorned for his Irish blood and dark past, Kell cannot deny that this enchanting spitfire is unlike other society misses . . . anymore than he can quell his smoldering desire for her. Torn between loyalty to his brother and his growing feelings for his rebellious bride, Kell must somehow free Raven's reluctant heart before they can know the ecstasy of true love.From the Paperback edition.

Having watched her mother languish away for a lost love, Raven Kendrick vows never to surrender her heart. But when her life erupts in scandal, she is forced to accept a marriage proposal from the wickedly sensuous owner of London's most notorious gaming hell. Though fiercely drawn to her enigmatic rescuer, Raven battles to resist her husband, whose sensuous caresses promise ecstasy beyond her wildest fantasies.

To save the reputation of an innocent girl nearly ruined by his brother, Kell Lasseter sacrifices his freedom to wed the dazzling debutante. Long scorned for his Irish blood and dark past, Kell cannot deny that this enchanting spitfire is unlike other society misses . . . anymore than he can quell his smoldering desire for her. Torn between loyalty to his brother and his growing feelings for his rebellious bride, Kell must somehow free Raven's reluctant heart before they can know the ecstasy of true love.

Publishers Weekly

The fourth installment in Jordan's Regency-era Notorious series (Desire, etc.) is devoted to spirited Raven Kendrick, whom readers will recognize from The Passion. Raven is on the verge of fulfilling her deceased mother's greatest wish-to wed a nobleman. Her good fortune takes a turn for the worst, however, when she's abducted en route to the nuptials by jilted suitor Sean Lasseter and taken to his brother, Kell's, gaming hell. Sensual scenes abound between Raven and Kell after he rescues her from Sean's certain abuse, including an outlandish one in which Kell tends Raven, who is suffering from the effects of an aphrodisiac given to her by Sean. Before long, Raven realizes that only marriage will repair her reputation, and when an honor-bound Kell reluctantly offers, she accepts even though the prickly Irishman is rumored to have murdered his uncle. Inevitably, Kell and Raven are unable to keep their physical passion from turning into love, but to Jordan's credit, their bond is founded upon mutual admiration, not merely great sex. Sean's reappearance adds a dash of danger, and the love scenes, while numerous, aren't gratuitous. The real joy here, however, comes from watching Kell and Raven overcome their pasts and their fears so they can build a future together. (Oct. 1) Forecast: Jordan's books beg comparisons to the works of Stephanie Laurens and Christina Dodd, two of the forerunners in the race to make romances sexier and more suspenseful. Though Jordan does not yet have the brand name recognition of those authors, her popularity and her sales are on the rise. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

After vowing never to fall in love, Raven Kendrick is forced into a marriage of convenience by scandal and finds herself fiercely attracted to her dashing and enigmatic rescuer, one of London's most notorious rakes