Kind of dull in the middle. The story and the romance weren't enough to keep my attention. ( )

This was my first book by this author, though it won't be my last. It's actually the second in the series--and I'm definitely going to pick up the first when I get a chance--but the characters tell you enough about themselves that you don't feel as if you're lost if you jump into this one first.

Very much a part of Regina and Puck's story is the fact that neither of them has an ideal life. Regina's mother has turned to alcoholism as her method of dealing with Regina's father, a rich, unscrupulous merchant who used his money to "buy" a wealthy family for himself and plans to solidify his success by marrying his only child to a wealthy, titled man. Regina loves her mother, fears her father, and feels helpless and frustrated in her life. Puck is the youngest son of a marquess who is best known for his three bastard sons whom he had with his actress mistress, a woman who also happens to be his sister-in-law. Puck and his brothers are wealthy and attractive, but will never be accepted into society because of the circumstances of their birth. They meet at a masquerade ball that Regina should never have gone to and at which Regina's cousin mysteriously disappears. As Regina and Miranda weren't even supposed to be at the entertainment, Regina's options for help in finding her cousin are limited, and she turns to Puck. Fortunately, he turns out to be the right man for the job, having inherited just the right amount of acting talent from his mother and a healthy dose of secret agent capability from his middle brother, "Black" Jack Blackthorn.

This novel had a nice blend of mystery, suspense, and romance. Puck's character was very much like his literary namesake, with a definite fun and lighthearted manner throughout the novel--I'm a real sucker for novels that incorporate themes, characters, and plots from Shakespeare, and this one did not disappoint. I look forward to backing up and reading Beau's story as well as Jack's, when it is released. ( )

Better than the first one. ( )

This is the second book in the Blackthorn Brothers series. It is the story of the youngest brother Robin "Puck" Blackthorn a celebrated rake who lives only for pleasure. Women fall at his feet, except for Regina Hackett. Regina encounters him while she & her cousin are enjoying an evening at a forbidden masquerabe ball, but as soon as she realizes who he is she avoids him.

But then her cousin disappears & she cannot get her family to search, and even worse it starts to look like her father is invovled. Puck is the only one she can turn to for help.

This is a good story. It's basic plot revolves around the white slave trade and the author does a good job of showing a realistic view of the issue and it terrors. It was easy to read & enjoyable. I had not read the first book but did not feel I was missing any understanding into the characters. ( )

Book 2, Puck - you are so much fun to read about, I enjoyed this story even more than the first. can't wait to start the third. ( )