Title:
A Deadly
Engagement
Author:
Lucinda Brant
Published By:
New Concepts Publishing
ISBN:
1-58608-135-7
Copyright:
Febuary 2003
Format:
Electronic
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Alec came home to the news that the woman he intended to marry was now engaged to his brother. His anger and disillusionment knew no bounds. Devlin had always strived to make Alec’s life as miserable as possible. Years before, with just one word of disapproval Devlin had put a stop to Alec’s engagement to Selina. Alec was humiliated when Selina’s parents denied his request for her hand, but the pain of watching her marry another was more than he could bare. After all this time, Devlin has one again conspired to ruin Alec’s happiness. Only this time, he intends to marry Alec’s love himself.
While still trying to deal with his brother's betrayal and losing Emily, Alec is dealt another blow when Selena and her aunt call on him. Only this is not a social call, they would like Alec to prove that Delvin is guilty of murder. It is being said that Devlin fought Selina's cousin Jack in a duel over Emily; that Jack was in love with Emily and her engagement sent him into a jealous rage. Alec can believe many things of his brother, but a cold-blooded murderer, he has a hard time accepting this. Alec is unsure of the expression in Selina's eyes but when he looks at her, he can't help but still desire her. Can he control his desire while he tries to sort out the sordid details of what appears to be more than a simple murder?
Against his better judgment, Alec stays for the engagement festivities and learns quickly that nothing is as it seems. When Emily is nearly raped in her own home and her maid murdered, will Alec discover that Devlin could be the attacker? Alec also learns that more people are privy to the knowledge of his birth order. How would Devlin react if his status in the family were to change? Devlin would be not at all be pleased if Alec wasn’t the Second son as thought. When another murder is committed, will Alec be blamed? How can he keep Emily from marrying Devlin, keep her and Selina safe when the mystery and intrigue keep unfolding?
A Deadly Engagementis an intriguing story filled with mystery, deceit, lost loves, and murder and mayhem. Lucinda Brant writes her characters with such complexities and her stories on so many different levels that readers can’t help but be pulled into it. She writes in a way, that as the mystery unfolds the reader is learning, and the characters are still learning and developing. It was fascinating to see what would happen next.
Will Alec and Selina ever find their way together? My understanding is we have to wait for the next installment.
Reviewed by: Jaymi
