From Publishers Weekly
Seasoned romance scribbler Martin (Heartless; The Secret) harks back to the days when an Englishwoman playing cards was a cause for scandal, setting up a conflagration between Kitt Wentworth, a lady who will not be stifled by the strict conventions of 1805 London society, and Clayton Harcourt, the bastard son of a duke who savors taunting her beyond the bounds of propriety. Their verbal sparring conceals an attraction that only Kitt seems unaware of, but when one midnight adventure too many goes wrong, Clay and Kitt find themselves on their way to the altar and to a love-filled marriage neither guessed was in their future. An enemy from Kitt's past and Kitt's distrust in Clay's ability to remain faithful are the only stumbling blocks that stand in the way of their newfound happiness. The sex scenes sizzle, but Martin deftly dodges the superficial, hot-sex-equals-true-love relationship formula, making Kitt and Clay fumble through the more difficult task of proving their commitment while out of bed. Though Martin offers no surprises, she delivers an assured winner with solid plotting, a strong hero and a spirited heroine whom readers will embrace. (Feb.)Forecast: Martin pens both historical romances and contemporaries, but her stardom began with her historicals. With a large, dedicated troop of fans who will eagerly snatch this one off the shelf, and an attractive cover and print advertising in the Romantic Times and USA Today, this should be a surefire seller for Valentine's.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Bestselling author Kat Martin takes you into the glittering ballrooms and candlelit boudoirs of Regency-era England in a novel of seduction and secrets, and breathtaking romance. Kassandra "Kitt" Wentworth was no ordinary young woman. Headstrong and rebellious, this daughter of a viscount had no intention of obeying her father, submitting to a husband...or falling in love. But she never thought a man like Clayton Harcourt would pursue her. As the bastard son of a wealthy duke, Clay was no stranger to scandal. Taking a wife was not his plan, but Kitt's wild spirit drew him like a flame in the darkness, and the gossip swirling around her awakened a desire to tame and protect her. When Clay lays a trap for marriage, Kitt can't help but surrender to the passion he stirs within her. But will a secret from her past keep her from trusting her heart to the magnificent rogue who arouses her most burning desires? THE FIRE INSIDE Bestselling author Kat Martin takes you into the glittering ballrooms and candlelit boudoirs of Regency-era England in a novel of seduction and secrets, and breathtaking romance.


About the Author
Kat Martin is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty novels, including Heartless, The Secret, Perfect Sin, Silk and Steel, and Night Secrets. She is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she majored in anthropology and history. She currently lives in Montana.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Kassandra "Kitt" Wentworth was no ordinary young woman. Headstrong and rebellious, this daughter of a viscount had no intention of obeying her father, submitting to a husband...or falling in love. But she never thought a man like Clayton Harcourt would pursue her. As the bastard son of a wealthy duke, Clay was no stranger to scandal. Taking a wife was not his plan, but Kitt's wild spirit drew him like a flame in the darkness, and the gossip swirling around her awakened a desire to tame and protect her. When Clay lays a trap for marriage, Kitt can't help but surrender to the passion he stirs within her. But will a secret from her past keep her from trusting her heart to the magnfificent rogue who arouses her most burning desires.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly