NOBODY’S HERO was a stunningly original historical that had to have one of the more despicable villains I’ve run across lately! I so loved the tremendous creativity that went into this story that I had a hard time coming up for air and finished this in one sitting (not counting nature’s calls, of course!).

Talon Montgomery who having spent the last five months in Newgate prison had been summoned from the deep dark bowels of his windowless cell after being arrested by the Royal Navy and accused of piracy and treason. His visitor was none other than the Sixth Earl of Sutcliffe, James Sinclair, who also had the dubious distinction of being Talon’s biological father. It wasn’t because of familial ties that brought the Earl as he had cast off his mistress along with Talon, his bastard son twenty-nine years ago. In that time Talon had only seen his father once when he was twelve; after his mother had died; and once again he had been denied. Today, the Earl had come with a proposition for Talon. He knew of Talon’s weakness and sense of honor and bargained the lives of Talon’s 70 crewmates delivered safe and sound IF he performed a rather delicate undertaking. The task – impregnate Lady Kathryn, his sodomite half-brother Daniel’s wife in order to give the earl a ‘worthy’ new heir. Otherwise, Talon would be returned to the hell hole that was his cell and the Earl would see to it that all of Talon’s crew would be hung.

Wow! Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place! Talon’s father had left him to rot in Newgate for five months realizing that if he did survive in that hell-hole with the right provocation he could bend him to his will. Offering him land in America was a dream of Talon’s but the author showed the reader that it wasn’t for the promised land that motivated Talon to agree to such a despicable plan; but it would be to save the lives of the only human beings that had been like his family.

As much as he hated his father and the shame of what he must do, Talon fell hard and fast for Lady Kathryn. From the very first moments Talon saw Kathryn attempt to stand up to the earl knowing how badly, in her innocence she’d been deceived only made him feel worse. The author did a magnificent job in working a detailed character study of both the leads, Lady Kathryn and Talon, with Talon agonizing over deceiving the woman he’d come to love, and Kathryn both hating her husband, yet still trying to remain faithful to her vows to Daniel in spite of falling in love with with his half-brother Talon.

It must also be mentioned that Daniel, was another brilliantly crafted secondary character, whom the author had me waffling over throughout the story. Hate, love, hate, love, hate love! Wow, this was one very intriguing character and let us not forget the chief villain— Sutcliffe – the earl who is one villain you will love to hate!

Bottom line – the adventure was spectacular with fabulous dialogs; and the passion was both divinely sensual and poignant with a love story that will bring a tear to your eye. This is a story with all of the romantic elements I look for in a book and is one I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

After reading the first book - KITTY McKENZIE, I was anxious to read the sequel to see how this strong and courageous young heroine would do after surviving and pulling her family and friends out of the slums of York, England to make a new life in Australia. Whether you are acquainted with Kitty, or new to this saga, author Anne Whitfield will not let you down as you follow her heroine to the harsh inhospitable bush of 1866 colonial Australia to face new challenges and a new love.

As the elder sibling Kitty became guardian of her younger charges after the accidental death of her parents. Kitty was determined to keep what remained of her family together, successfully independent, and falling in love. Knowing the man she loved was waiting for her in Australia, Kitty packed up family and belongings, and set sail towards an easier life. Finally, all her dreams were coming true until tragedy struck again and it would be up to Kitty to build a new life with no one to lean on but her own resolve and strength. Kitty would battle the land, the elements, and the dangers of the bush to establish a new station, as well as be aggravated by her arrogant and condescending and nearest neighbor Miles Grayson. Starting off on the wrong foot, both Miles and Kitty would battle each other until they came together in one explosive moment of passion that would forever change their lives!

Once again, Ms. Whitfield had me totally enthralled with the new adventures and struggles our indomitable and spirited heroine Kitty McKenzie had to face once again. With a deft hand she drew Kitty’s character amazingly well by allowing the reader to dwell inside in order to feel her love of family and friends, her heart-wrenching and aching loss for those lost, and especially her single-minded emotional battles within herself as she attempted to re-build a new life in the unforgiving Australian bush country. The interactions between Kitty and Miles were very well-done as Kitty began to realize that her reasons for her abhorrence of Miles were based on guilt for allowing herself to even think about loving another man after the death of her fiancé. The secondary characters were all lovingly created to shore up this beautifully emotional, passionate and exceptional story of a heroine whose strength and courage will forever be imprinted in your heart and soul. This is truly an outstanding story that will evoke tears of sadness, laughter and joy, right up to the very last poignant page. Very well done – brava Ms. Whitfield!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization