A Forbidden Love

by Alexandra Benedict

Book Overview

Sinfully decadent Anthony Kennington, Viscount Hastings, lives for pleasure-and he rues the day when he must wed and produce an heir. But he is not a man who runs from danger, and when he chances upon... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006084793X
• ISBN13: 9780060847937
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 375 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Gypsy and Viscount find love and adventure

This tale of star crossed lovers is entertaining mainly because the heroine seemed fresh and the hero was charming, rakish and honorable. Viscount Anthony Kennington spies a gypsy girl on his property being attacked by two men. He comes to her rescue and when she is knocked unconscious takes her to his family's country estate to recover. His family is in residence so he must hide her in his chambers as his sister's debut is in just a few days and he would like to avoid scandal. His twin sister is the only family member who knows she is in the manor. Sabrina wakes and wants to leave the house immediately since gypsies know that aristocrats have little use for them. She is suspicious of Anthony when he tries to convince her he just wants her to recover from her injuries. Unfortunately Sabrina and he are discovered causing a scandal and Anthony takes her back to her family's caravan. Sabrina is relieved to be back with her family but also deeply concerned. She worries that the men who attacked her will still be looking for her because of the locket she found as a child. She heard them say that they wanted it from her and would even would kill her for it. Anthony cannot forget Sabrina and when he discovers that the locket she wears matches others worn by women working for a very powerful man, he knows he must warn her. From there, the couple find themselves in all kinds of trouble with her family, his family, and deadly political intrigue. Anthony wants to be honorable but he also knows Sabrina is not of his world. Somehow they must find their way to both safety and happiness. I liked the plot of this novel; it was more than a gypsy romance. There was plenty of very good dialogue and heroine Sabrina was practical and romantic too. Anthony was likeable but really not as charismatic as Sabrina. This is a very good debut novel.

Romance with a twist

A Forbidden Love is about starcrossed lovers, but there is so much more to it than that. I don't like to give away plots, but this story is so full of action and emotion and you don't know about the HEA until almost the end. The HEA is bittersweet because of things that have happened to both the hero and heroine that sadden them, but you feel that they will help each other get through the hard times. I really enjoyed this book and found it "flavored" differently than most romances, but it worked so well for me. Do go out and buy this book. It is packed with emotion and is such a good story.

Original Clean Writing - Great Debut

Ms. Benedict in her debut Regency novel A FORBIDDEN LOVE has come up with an original and creative story with a new slant and freshness for the genre that bodes well towards a successful career. What exactly was `forbidden' in this was the love that developed between a gypsy girl, Sabrina Kallos and the third Viscount Hastings, Anthony Kennington. For a member of the ton to have anything but disdain and disgust for a gypsy was unheard of for that period. Anthony, a near dissolute young rake, first saw the beauty bathing in a stream on his families estate, he was enchanted. When two thugs appeared intent on attacking the young woman, and stealing the locket she wore, Anthony naturally ran to her rescue fending off her attackers. Unconscious after sustaining a blow to her head, Anthony had no recourse but to bring Sabrina back to his home spiriting her into his bed and spending the next couple of days both ministering to her health; keeping her presence from being discovered by his family; and doing his best to remain a gentleman and true to his honor of not taking advantage of her. Fearful of the gajo and the prejudice from his kind, Sabrina knew if found in such a great house she would either be thrown out or tossed in jail, and couldn't understand why Anthony was so insistent on caring for her, but care for her he did. For Anthony, it was becoming more and more difficult to keep his hands off the beautiful gypsy but after a near disaster the night of his sister's debut ball, he reluctantly escorted her back to her family only to go looking for her sometime later to warn her of impending danger. His attempt to warn her, had dire consequences for her and once more Sabrina found herself under his protection. Through a series of misadventures and a blossoming sensual attraction they inevitably would become lovers as Anthony tried to discover the secret behind the locket that men were ready to kill for. *** There was some nice originality to the read with both good and bad aspects. I loved the very relaxed and loving close atmosphere that was drawn very well between Anthony and his family. Unfortunately, Anthony's kindness diminished in my eyes with his `I'll take care of you' attitude towards Sabrina after their relationship progressed into intimacy and he took her innocence, naturally with her being a gypsy, making her his mistress was his only option and this cavalier attitude took away from the romantic feel. The dialogs were done well and the writing was fresh along with the somewhat surprising mystery behind the locket and the `villain' who sought it. This was a quick read, with a decent though somewhat melancholy ending, due to the price that was paid for their `forbidden' love. With this original debut, I have no doubts that this author will go far in her future endeavors.

4 1/2 stars for an excellent debut!

Whenever I read a debut author, I tend to lower my standards a bit. I don't expect a whole lot. Well, Alexandra Benedict blew me away. I haven't read a debut this good in a very long time. I wouldn't classify "AFL" as a romantic/suspense at all. It is a highly charged sensual romance with a little mystery thrown in for spice. Be prepared for very hot love scenes and hot sexual tension. AB does not skimp on the sex, and they are tasteful yet erotic. I could not put this book down till I finished it. The characters are loveable and the slight mystery proved interesting and didn't bog down the romance. For a light, sexy read, I highly recommend "A Forbidden Love" and am anxious to read her next novel. Avon has a gift with finding brilliant new writers and this one is no exception.

exhilarating regency romantic suspense

In 1817 Viscount Anthony Kennington is the centerfold of Hedonistic pursuits. He lives for the day though he knows that one day soon he will need a legitimate heir. When he observes a luscious gypsy chased by outlaws, Anthony intercedes. However though he rescues the injured beauty, he is no knight in shining armor as in the back of his head he looks forward to her recovery so he can share his bed with her. When Sabrina Kallos regains consciousness she is stunned to find she is not held captive by criminals, but instead lies in a lavish bedroom being tenderly nursed by a handsome aristocrat. To leave his haven means risking her life as someone is after her; to stay means jeopardizing her heart and soul. For this noble, who apparently lusts for her, is her eternal mate as she has read it in his palm; alas he is unable to see that love awaits them since he remains blind to higher feelings. Still honor s much as desire keeps them together as Anthony vows to keep Sabrina safe. A FORBIDDEN LOVE is an exhilarating regency romantic suspense that though it follows somewhat the sub-genre rules, contains freshness because of the attitudes of the lead couple. Anthony is the typical rake bowed over by love that he assumes is lust. Sabrina is a unique protagonist who is so antitypical of the lead females starting with her palm reading skills. Readers will welcome a new author into the fold who if this novel is any indication will entertain the troops for years to come. Harriet Klausner