2nd read- This sets up the series pretty well, there's a bit of mystery, and the hurdles to their relationship were mostly due to their complicated circumstances, rather than them just getting in their own way a bunch. ( )

I enjoyed reading this first book in the Rarest Blooms series. Madeline Hunter is a wonderful writer in the historical romance genre.

Hoping to clear her dead fathers name, Audrianna Kelmsleigh decides to respond to the advertisement placed by the mysterious "Domino" Armed with her cousin's gun, she takes a room at the Two Swords Inn. But the handsome man of commanding sensuality who shows up is not the Domino at all, but Lord Sebastian Summerhays one of her fathers prosecutors - who has been lured by the same advertisement. When Audrianna's gun accidentally fires the situation suddenly becomes public...
There is only one way out of the scandal that erupts. But she remains determined to exonerate her father even if it means risking her life, and her heart. ( )

Interesting plot with hints of mystery and scandal -- unlike many others in the genre in that the heroine is the daughter of a gentleman, but not nobility. Decent writing, and no specific problems, though not terribly memorable; earns 4 stars. ( )

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Heroine seems like kind of an idiot - OK, but not great. I'm also a little dubious about the "group of women living together who don't ask questions about their pasts." ( )

I really enjoyed this book. Audrianna was determined to prove her father innocent, and worked to convince Sebastian of it. Their marriage started out by compulsion, but the chemistry between them led them down a different path. The mystery of the gunpowder was excellent, and not predictable, which made it more enjoyable for me. ( )