A Notorious Proposition

Garrett Burke and Ivy Wentworth have a past together. Two years ago, he left Ivy in his quest for the Martello diamonds and the course of their lives was changed. Now they meet again at Winter Garden where the search for the Martello diamonds begins again. The feelings they had for each other have not lessen over time and close proximity could bring those emotions to the forefront again.

Garrett and Ivy met when both were employed by the Home Office to find the diamonds. Their relationship became very personal when Ivy gave him her virginity but Garrett is attacked and almost dies. He blames Ivy for what happened to him and the failure to recover the diamonds. Garrett is still recovering from his attack. His memory is not 100% thus he has a different perception of what happened. Ivy is incensed by his recollection of the events as she has a very different memory. The reader is well aware that the sizzling chemistry between them is alive and bubbling under the surface. They both try to put a lid on it but it is inevitable that they fail. Garrett and Ivy make a wonderful couple. Ivy is a strong woman whose heart was broken. It is understandable she would try to protect herself the second time around. Garrett is in the same boat. This is the woman of his dreams and he is fearful of getting hurt again. This reader is a sucker for “second chance” love stories. Ms. Ashworth has written a lovely one. The depth of emotions expressed by this couple is heart-wrenching. Learning to trust again is at the core of the story and Ms. Ashworth does a fine job of resolving their story.

A NOTORIOUS PROPOSITION brings the reader back to the town of Winter Garden. Madeleine and Thomas reappear in this book as they are the featured couple in an earlier book titled WINTER GARDEN. A NOTORIOUS PROPOSITION is a sensuous and romantic book. The story is complex but riveting. The author takes us on a journey of rediscovery and resolution for a couple who deserves to be together.

May 2008