Forbidden

Forbidden is the 6^th book in the Scandalous Women of the Ton series from Nicola Cornick from Harlequin HQN. From the back cover.~

As maid to some of the most wanton ladies of the ton, Margery Mallon lives within the boundaries of any sensible servant. Entanglements with gentlemen are taboo. Wild adventures are for the Gothic novels she secretly reads. Then an intriguing stranger named Mr. Ward offers her a taste of passion, and suddenly the wicked possibilities are too tempting to resist….

Henry Atticus Richard Ward is no ordinary gentleman. He's Lord Wardeaux and he is determined to unite Margery with her newfound inheritance by any means—including seduction and deception. But when the ton condemns the scandalous servant-turned-countess and an unknown danger prepares to strike, will Margery accept Henry's protection in exchange for her trust?

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of Forbidden from NetGalley. I actually found the Scandalous Women of the Ton series when the 5^th book was released, and became a fan of Nicola Cornick with that book.

Margery has been a secondary character in each of the other books in the series and I was glad to see we were getting her story. Margery is actually Marguerite Catherine Rose Saint-Pierre, who was has been missing since the age of 4 when her mother was murdered. Her grandfather sends Henry to bring her back to the family so she can take her rightful place in society. Henry and Margery have an instant attraction to one another. I really loved the attraction and connection between Henry and Margery. I could see both falling fast for the other, yet Henry had been burned in a past relationship, so he had no plans to ever love again. Margery knew she loved Henry, but because of his past never expected him to feel the same way. Even knowing Henry won’t love her, Margery can’t fight her attraction for him. The love scenes between them are sweet and hot at the same time. Henry is so loving to Margery, and you could feel how much he loved and cared for her by his actions.

I really loved the characters Nicola Cornick writes. The secondary characters are just as important and fun as the main characters, yet I never really feel like they overshadow the main characters. I have to say the answer to the mystery of Margery’s disappearance came as a bit of a shock to me. I really liked that I didn’t figure out the mystery early, and especially loved that Henry was finally ready to admit his feelings for Margery at the first sign she was in danger.

Forbidden is a fun, sweet and even sexy historical romance. The official release date is set for August 28, 2012, but I’ve seen it available in paperback from Amazon already. The official release date for digital editions is September 1. Check out the author's website to find out more about the Scandalous Women of the Ton and other books from Nicola Cornick.