From Publishers Weekly
According to the legend of the exquisite diamond-and-pearl bride's necklace belonging to Tory Whitting's noble family, it brings its wearer, if pure of heart, untold happiness—or it could bring untold tragedy. When her lecherous stepfather, Baron Harwood, attempts to molest her younger sister, Claire, Tory steals the heirloom to pay for their escape to London. Disguised as a servant, Tory becomes a housekeeper for Cordell Easton, the earl of Brant, who's well known for his womanizing ways. Cord is initially drawn to Claire's ethereal beauty, but Tory's intelligence and impudence intrigue him, so much so that he asks her to be his new mistress. Though tempted, Tory refuses, but when Harwood arrives to claim his stepdaughters, she and Cord are forced into a more permanent bond. Their marriage is as tense as the chess game they play, but Tory's inability to be up-front with her past and her emotions, as well as her constant attempts to manipulate and deceive Cord (always with good intentions, of course), can grow wearisome. Fortunately, however, Martin (Heartless, etc.) adroitly balances the passion and intrigue in this fast-paced Regency, and provides vibrant characters, a swashbuckling prison escape and a satisfying resolution of the necklace legend. (Jan.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
After Victoria rescues her younger sister, Claire, from their molesting stepfather, Baron Harwood, she takes the legendary family heirloom, the pearl-and-diamond "Bride's Necklace," to finance their getaway. But they still need to find work. Victoria, or Tory, is hired as a housekeeper, and Claire as a chambermaid, by Cord, the Earl of Brant, who is surprised to find himself attracted to practical Tory, then shocked to discover that by deflowering her he has bedded the daughter of a peer. Cord outmaneuvers Harwood to keep Claire safe and marry Tory, but that isn't enough for a happily ever after. Tory is obsessed with finding her late mother's journal, which she thinks will prove that the current Baron Harwood was responsible for the murder of her father. Martin's sexy Regency-era romance, the first in a new trilogy, is full of adventure, misunderstandings, and honorable but misunderstood characters as well as a couple of villains with no redemptive qualities. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Romantic Times
"Kat Martin shimmers like a bright diamond in the genre."

Literary Times
"Kat Martin is one of the best authors around! She has an incredible gift for writing. . ."

Book Description
Is her heart pure enough to survive the necklace's curse? Knowing that she alone can protect her sister from the Baron Harwood, their lecherous stepfather, Victoria Temple Whiting snatches the family's heirloom necklace, believed to hold the power to bring great happiness or terrible tragedy, to pay for their escape to London. Terrified that the baron will find them, Victoria poses as Tory Temple and finds employment as a servant in the household of handsome Cordell Devlin, the scandalous Earl of Brant. The sisters' arrival couldn't have been more welcome. In need of a new mistress, Cord turns to Tory, whose wit and intellect intrigue him. But when the baron discovers the girls' whereabouts, Cord learns Tory's secret--her noble birth. Furious that he has compromised the daughter of a peer, Cord must decide--marry Tory and keep her safe, or allow his stubborn pride to deny his heart.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Is her heart pure enough to survive the necklace's curse?

Knowing that she alone can protect her sister from the Baron Harwood, their lecherous stepfather, Victoria Temple Whiting snatches the family's heirloom necklace, believed to hold the power to bring great happiness or terrible tragedy, to pay for their escape to London. Terrified that the baron will find them, Victoria poses as Tory Temple and finds employment as a servant in the household of handsome Cordell Devlin, the scandalous Earl of Brant.

The sisters' arrival couldn't have been more welcome. In need of a new mistress, Cord turns to Tory, whose wit and intellect intrigue him. But when the baron discovers the girls' whereabouts, Cord learns Tory's secret--her noble birth. Furious that he has compromised the daughter of a peer, Cord must decide--marry Tory and keep her safe, or allow his stubborn pride to deny his heart.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

According to the legend of the exquisite diamond-and-pearl bride's necklace belonging to Tory Whitting's noble family, it brings its wearer, if pure of heart, untold happiness-or it could bring untold tragedy. When her lecherous stepfather, Baron Harwood, attempts to molest her younger sister, Claire, Tory steals the heirloom to pay for their escape to London. Disguised as a servant, Tory becomes a housekeeper for Cordell Easton, the earl of Brant, who's well known for his womanizing ways. Cord is initially drawn to Claire's ethereal beauty, but Tory's intelligence and impudence intrigue him, so much so that he asks her to be his new mistress. Though tempted, Tory refuses, but when Harwood arrives to claim his stepdaughters, she and Cord are forced into a more permanent bond. Their marriage is as tense as the chess game they play, but Tory's inability to be up-front with her past and her emotions, as well as her constant attempts to manipulate and deceive Cord (always with good intentions, of course), can grow wearisome. Fortunately, however, Martin (Heartless, etc.) adroitly balances the passion and intrigue in this fast-paced Regency, and provides vibrant characters, a swashbuckling prison escape and a satisfying resolution of the necklace legend. (Jan.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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