As Jane Heatherington walked on the beach in the town of Cornwell she was unaware her life would soon change in ways she could never imagine. She was already overcome with desperation because her father has left them destitute. This now adds to the pain that Jane has suffered throughout most of her young life. She has an indifferent father, a crippled leg and constant guilt over the death of her mother when she was just a child. There is also something in the air that makes her tremble with fear and she senses that someone or something is watching her every move. There is also a new resident in town and he wants what is owed him -- and that is Jane.

Aidan Warrick is man with no soul. The ability to love or find happiness eludes him. This changes when he comes to settle the score with Jane's father who was responsible for destroying his life so many years ago. Instead of taking Heatherington's livelihood or putting him in prison, he will make Jane his bond servant for seven years as his payment. Jane doesn't understand what her father has done and how he is to blame for making Aidan what he is now -- a smuggler, killer and her master. Jane assumes he will take out his revenge from the use of her body, but Aidan hardly touches her although he does kiss her at moments that leave Jane confused and needy. He also gives her food, clothes and constant protection from his enemies. Jane becomes even more bewildered as her fear and loathing for this complicated man has slowly turned into love. Will Jane be able to save Aidan from completing his revenge against her father and allow her love to heal him?

I was pleasantly surprised by this gothic love story by Eve Silver. She has written an outstanding tale about two wounded souls with so much feeling and emotion that there were times my eyes became a little misty. Aidan feels he is unworthy of any happiness because of the death of his own mother and the horrible actions placed upon him as a child. But he does have a kindness to him from the way he treats Jane. This tortured man was so sweet and considerate that if I were Jane I would have fallen for him also. Jane is an extraordinary type of heroine, even though some look down upon her because of her crippled limb. She has gumption and an incredible outlook on life that anyone would admire. Aidan and Jane are two that deserve to love each other and defy the odds against them. Jane is the one woman that can make Aidan heal.

Any fan of Gothic/Suspense romance will not be disappointed in the least. Eve Silver deserves praise for this complicated and moving story.

Book Summary

FALLEN ANGEL...
Along the barren, rocky coast of Pentreath in Cornwall, a woman's battered body washes ashore, and the whispers begin: Nowhere is safe. For evil has come to Pentreath...and to the uneasy shadows of Trevisham House...

TEMPTING DEVIL...
Fate has brought Jane Heatherington to work at Trevisham House. She knows what they say about the estate's brooding new master, Aidan Warrick: a man of mystery, a pirate, a smuggler, and worse. He may look like a fallen angel, but everything about him suggests he is in league with the devil himself...and Jane has seen nothing to suggest otherwise...

OR TWISTED MADMAN?
Cut off from family and friends, Jane's only companion is a man she dare not trust, who disappears into the night, whose secrets are many, and who looks at her with a hunger she both fears and desires. Now, as danger haunts the coast and a terrible retribution is unleashed, Jane wonders if she is falling for the dark prince of her dreams...or a heartless madman who preys on the innocent...