A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore

Talk about getting stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, is devastated when she is informed that her husband Garrett has perished at the Battle of Waterloo. Tristan, both Sophie and Garrett's childhood friend, is the one who helps her through her grief, pregnancy and eventually the one to help her overcome the loss of her first love and learn to find love once again in his arms. Eight years after the dreadful news of Garrett's death, Sophie and Tristan are happilly married raising their two children (Sophie & Garrett's daughter Miranda, and Gary - Tristan's son from his first marriage). She has moved on and although she still remebers Garrett - she has found love and passion with her new husband. That is, until the night that Garrett returns demanding his title, his land, and, more importantly, his wife back.

Sophie is quite the heroine. I liked her a lot - she's definitely not the average heronie you find in most historical romances. She's strong and will do absolutely anything for her family. Tristan and Garrett were both endearing in their own ways. Where Tristan was romantic and kind - Garrett was strong and hard. It was definitely a tough choice for me and I found myself just as torn as Sophie was as to whom she loved.

The story itself was great, with plenty of action and steamy romance that at no point fizzled out. I was intrigued as to who Sophie would eventually stay with (making the pages fly by) and was pleased with the outcome of the story. I also am happy to hear that the man whom Sophie eventually does turn away will have his own story come April 2010 so I'll definitely have my eye out for that. This is Ms. Haymore's first novel and I must say it was a grand success! This is a refreshing take on historical romance that was quite a treat and one that is a definite must-read.

GIVEAWAY: I have 5 copies of A HINT OF WICKED by Jennifer Haymore to giveaway.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. Second entry if you follow, third if you follow on Twitter, and so forth.

Rules: Books will be delivered directly from Publisher so giveaway is only available to residents of the US and Canada. No P.O. Boxes please. Winners will be drawn this Saturday, May 30.

Here is a list of all the participants of this blog tour:

http://www.foreigncircuslibrary.blogspot.com/ - May 19 review

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com - May 19 intro; May 21 review; May 23 Q&A; June 6 announce winners of giveaway

http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com - May 21 Q&A

http://chicbookreviews.blogspot.com/ - May 22 review and giveaway

http://www.findthetimetoread.blogspot.com - May 26 review and giveaway

http://www.ReadingWithMonie.com - May 26 giveaway

http://zensanity.blogspot.com/ - May 26 Q&A

http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/ - May 27 giveaway

http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/ - May 28 giveaway

http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset - May 28 review

http://confessionsofaromancebookaddict.wordpress.com/ - June 1 to 4 Q&A, review, and giveaway

http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com - June 1 giveaway

www.morbid-romantic.net - June 2 review, giveaway, Q&A

http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/ - June 3 review and giveaway

http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/ - June 3 giveaway

http://thereviewfromhere.wordpress.com/ - June 4 review

www.thebookgirl.net - June 5 review and giveaway

http://yougottareadreviews.blogspot.com/ - June 6 review and giveaway

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/ - June 8

http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/ - May 25 review and giveaway

www.alphaheroes.blogspot.com - review