Product Description

Now, from nationally best-selling Iris Johansen comes a thrilling tale of abduction, seduction, and surrender that sweeps from the shimmering halls of Regency England to the decadent haunts of a notorious rogue...

She was a hostage torn between passion and loyalty...

Marianna Sanders realized she could not trust this dark and savagely seductive stranger who had come to spirit her away across the sea. She possessed a secret that could topple an empire, a secret that Jordan Draken, the duke of Cambaron, was determined to wrest from her. In the eyes of the world the arrogant duke was her guardian, but they both knew she was to be a prisoner in his sinister plot—and a slave to his exquisite pleasure.

He was the fabulous rake they called the Duke of Diamonds...

For years, brilliant, deadly Jordan Draken had schemed to destroy the emperor who threatened everything he valued most in the world. Now that he held this defiant woman who was the key to his final triumph, he felt a fierce sense of satisfaction...and the first stirring of desire. She was only supposed to be a pawn in his plans, but once alone with his captive, Jordan realized she was a prize he could never surrender.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #827601 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-27
• Released on: 2007-02-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 464 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In 1809, after seeing her mother raped and killed in the Balkans, Marianna Sanders and her little brother, Alex, are taken in by Jordan Draken and return with him and his faithful servant, Gregor Damek, to his English estate. Draken is part of the ruling family of Kazan. Sanders is the granddaughter of a master stained-glass craftswoman who created the "Window to Heaven," containing a panel known as the "Jedalar," which reveals the layout of a tunnel running under the city of Moscow. As Napoleon is on the march, many--including Draken--covet the window. Much in the plot remains fuzzy until far into the book--for instance, the very pursuit of the Jedalar, which appears from the book's opening to have been destroyed. Johansen ( The Magnificent Rogue ) makes some valiant attempts at feminist revision: Draken's cousin Dorothy Kinmar has penned a few tomes on "the shameful lack of freedom given women in our society." On the negative side are Draken's smarmy and often raunchy sexual comments and Sanders's expressions of ecstasy in response to light and stained glass.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
In this absorbing Napoleonic-era romance by the author of The Magnificent Rogue (Bantam, 1993), Eastern European stained-glass artisan Marianna Sanders becomes privvy to a politically charged secret sought after by the leaders of two warring countries. One of them, Jordan, Duke of Cambaron, takes her to his home in England and tries to get the information gently; inevitably, they fall in love. His nemesis, the Duke of Nebrov, murders Marianna's mother and kidnaps her much-loved younger brother in hopes of extorting the information, but Marianna has plans of her own. To the author's credit, her romantic heroine has guts, intelligence, and strength that carry the day. Readers may be reminded of Kathleen Woodiwiss's The Flame and the Flower (Avon, 1972); they certainly won't be able to put down this new book, as the experienced Johansen has outdone herself here. Buy plenty: it's certain to be popular and well loved. --Bettie Alston Spivey, Charlotte-Mecklenburg P.L., Charlotte, N.C.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher
Now, from nationally best-selling Iris Johansen comes a thrilling tale of abduction, seduction, and surrender that sweeps from the shimmering halls of Regency England to the decadent haunts of a notorious rogue...

She was a hostage torn between passion and loyalty...

Marianna Sanders realized she could not trust this dark and savagely seductive stranger who had come to spirit her away across the sea. She possessed a secret that could topple an empire, a secret that Jordan Draken, the duke of Cambaron, was determined to wrest from her. In the eyes of the world the arrogant duke was her guardian, but they both knew she was to be a prisoner in his sinister plot--and a slave to his exquisite pleasure.

He was the fabulous rake they called the Duke of Diamonds...

For years, brilliant, deadly Jordan Draken had schemed to destroy the emperor who threatened everything he valued most in the world. Now that he held this defiant woman who was the key to his final triumph, he felt a fierce sense of satisfaction...and the first stirring of desire. She was only supposed to be a pawn in his plans, but once alone with his captive, Jordan realized she was a prize he could never surrender.

Customer Reviews

A Fast-paced, sensual, enjoyable read.
Iris Johansen has created yet another compelling romance. The characters are vivid, their emotions and desires well expressed, and their actions clearly explained (even if I didn't always agree with them). The plot is well developed and executed.

The story begins in the fictional country, Montavia, located near Russia, and continues through England and other fictional Balkan countries. It takes place during the years of the Napoleanic Wars. The heroine, Marianna Sanders, is endagered due to her knowledge of facts that could change the course of the entire war; she also has to find a way to protect her little brother. The hero, Jordan Draken, is one of several people trying to get to her to discover what she knows. He ends up being their rescuer and protector from the bad guys, who want the knowledge that Marianna has to do evil and gain more power. In the process of trying to save the world, Marianna and Jordan fall in love (the love scenes, as expected from this author, are very well done). But living happily ever after won't be easy, as they encounter obstacles toward their path to happiness. In addition to the main action, there is a very interesting subplot involving the hero's mother.

As mentioned before, the characters were well done; my only problem with the characters is their reasoning in doing some of the things they do. But overall, this was a very good book that will give readers many hours of pleasure.

Wonderful romance!
This novel made me an Iris Johanson fan! What I love about her works are her strong characters, particularly the heroines. Marianna is a strong, intelligent, creative young woman, who is not the victim of The Beloved Scoundrel, but the champion of the story. Her wit and her passion endear her not only to the handsome hero, but to the readers as well. Bravo, Ms. Johanson!

NO ONE CAN MATCH IRIS JOHANSEN!
This was the very first historical romance book that I read and because of it I have gone on to search, find and read every other book written by Iris Johansen (not to mention about 500 other historical romance novels). She is unmatched in the field of romance. Her mystery thrillers are also wonderful but I must admit I am partial to her romance novels and hope one day she will return to the genre. This book is beyond compare and anyone who disagrees should re-read it!

Both her historical romances and her Loveswept collection are excellent. I can only recommend to readers to search out the used bookstores, websites, etc. and find Iris Johansen's books, you won't be sorry!