Darling Jasmine

Fans of Bertrice Small's long-lived heroine Skye O'Malley will enjoy being reunited with her extensive family in this 17th-century tale about her granddaughter, Jasmine de Marisco, and the man King James has decreed she Jemmie Leslie, earl of Glenkirk. Two years ago, demanding the freedom to choose her next husand herself, Jasmine jilted Jemmie and escaped to France. Now Jemmie, following Skye as she seeks out her granddaughter to share some sad news, is cleverly reunited with Jasmine, whom he's determined to make his bride. Even as the two put aside their anger to rediscover their lusty passion and agree to wed, vile Piers St. Denis, the king's confidant, decides he wants Jasmine for himself. When she rejects his suit, he vows vengeance. It takes all of Jasmine's courage and Skye's still formidable talents to vanquish this threat to happiness. Court intrigue and domestic bliss, explicit sex (be prepared for some four-letter words) and a sadistic villain keep lively this last book featuring Bertrice Small's most famous heroine. --Ellen Edwards