Story of People Trapped By Their Pasts

PROOF BY SEDUCTION is the first book in the Carhart series (there is a prequel novella as well). It is the story of Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely who is determined to save his cousin from the fraudulent fortune teller who Gareth believes is taking advantage of his cousin. Madame Esmerelda is actually Jenny Keeble who doesn’t intend to allow Gareth to judge her as unworthy.

This is Milan’s first book and is not as polished as her more recent books. Milan, however, has such an interesting take on characters. Jenny and Gareth are an interesting mix of hope and despair, optimist and pessimist. Both are constrained by what they see as their role in life although Jenny had taken the “bad” road while Gareth never deviates from what he sees as his role as Marquess. Jenny is adorable in this book and Gareth is hard to like because he protects himself with coldness and he has trouble connecting with people. I liked how Jenny challenges Gareth and he changes.

I ultimately liked this story because I felt that there was real change and growth in the characters.

The version I have is an enhanced edition that includes some additional information that reveals Milan’s thoughts about the book and explains some of the events, relationships, and quirks of the book.

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Interesting Twist on Premise

THE WICKED GIFT is a prequel novella for the Carhart series. It is the story of William White who has had his eye on Lavinia Spencer for a year. William is barely getting by and has no prospects for marriage because although he was raised as middle class, he had slipped down the social ladder. When William discovers that Lavinia’s brother is in debt, William spends his entire ten pounds to but her brother’s note so that he can blackmail Lavinia into going to bed with him. Lavinia is not about to allow William to control her. I loved their relationship and how William and Lavinia grow and change and manage to find a better life together. This prequel is not about aristocrats or gentry and this gives a different view than most historical.

The version I have has additional supplemental content by the author. There is nothing earth shattering here, but some of the material is very interesting especially about the dilemma that William faces.
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