Book #62 registered for the Race to 3 Million Challenge .

I bought this for my local romance reading group meeting this month.

Book Description:
When you dance with the devil, you hold hands with temptation . .

Christian Montcalm was a practical man, if a destitute scoundrel, but his plan to bed and wed the delectable Miss Hetty Chipple would take care of that sticky wicket. However, there was a most intriguing obstacle to his success.

Annelise Kempton desired nothing more than to come between this despicable rogue and the fortune (and virtue) of her young charge. Certainly, Annelise understood the desperation that comes from hard times, but Montcalm would fail -- she would personally see to it. All that stood in her way was a man whose rakish charm could tempt a saint to sin, or consign a confirmed spinster to sleepless nights of longing . . . to give the devil his due.

I read about 50 pages of this last night and really enjoyed it. Annelise Kempton is 29, on the shelf and happy to remain that way. Though highborn, she's pretty much destitute and accepts a post at the Chipple residence where she will guide young Hetty Chipple, an extraordinary beauty who is clueless when it comes to matters of respectibility, so that she will find a reputable husband. Annelise has her work cut out for her. Hetty may be the most beautiful creature alive but she's also young and naive and too tempting a morsel for a destitute rake named Christian Montcalm. Annelise is bound and determined to keep Hetty away from those tempting lips of Christian and is annoyed when she finds herself attracted to him (guess she thought she was immune). Christian is just as attracted to Annelise but then Christian seems to be attracted to anything female . . .

This book has wit and sparkle and a nice battle of wills that most romances lately lack. So far so good.

Later:
I finished the entire book (a rare thing lately) so it definitely held my attention. The hero continued to be an unapologetic jerk throughout the story but I think that's what made the story so attractive to me. I couldn't wait to turn the pages to see what awful thing he was going to say and/or do next ;) If the end wraps everything up a little too unbelievably for me, that's okay because it entertained me and that's why I continue to read.

The ladies in my reading group who read this book, our group is more of a social hour, all agreed that the hero was a real jerk but despite his personality flaws we still liked him. Not many author's could've pulled that off so I'll be looking up more of Anne Stuart's work in the future.

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailing off to a potential new bookcrosser via .

I received this book from LaurieS when I requested it at the PaperBackSwap.com website. I have since posted it as available to other PaperBackSwap.com members.

This was the first of this author's books I've read. Really enjoyed it and will look for more of her books.

I am a member of Paperbackswap.com where I had this book listed as available for trade. It has been requested by another PBS member in Rhode Island. I will be mailing this book to her within the next few days.