DRAW DOWN THE DARKNESS

Author: Naomi Bellis ISBN: 0451220951 4/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: SIGNET ECLIPSE
Time Period: Georgian England, 1789

In eighteenth century London, England’s most talented spy risks his honor—and his life—to rescue the one woman who could heal his heart... In order to save his family from ruin, Nicholas Saville, Viscount Redfern, has secretly pledged his sword to King George’s spymaster, Sir Alaric. Espionage suits him well, except that his duties take him far away from England and his betrothed. Heartbroken by her beloved’s long and unexplained absences, Helen Barrett breaks off their engagement. Soon she is courted by a powerful earl, a man well-versed in both magic and treason. He inspires Helen’s utmost distrust until he gives her a stunning sapphire necklace—a gift that traps her under his dark spell. Redfern’s mission is to stop the murderous Hellfire League, but he will risk that and more to save—and win back—the woman he adores.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

A touch of magic, suspense, romance and danger are what is in between the pages of Naomi Bellis' new release, DRAW DOWN THE DARKNESS. Let me say right here that it is an excellent read! If you enjoyed her first book, STEP INTO DARKNESS, then you are most definitely going to enjoy this one!

Naomi Bellis wrote a historical that will literally draw you in from the first page and keep you reading until it's finished. Here is a book that you won't want to put down. Who can resist a historical that has an enchanted necklace, an evil group of men using dark magic to do their bidding, and a romance between a headstrong lady and a man whose past is painful and whose present is draped in secrets? Not me!

Nicholas Saville, Viscount Redfern, is working as a spy. His work takes him away for long periods at a time and his fiancée, Helen Barrett, can no longer sit and wait for him to return home. When Nicholas finally returns home and meets up with Helen, she breaks off their engagement and is soon being wooed by the mysterious Earl of Waring. The Earl presents Helen with a sapphire necklace, and once she puts it on, she is no longer the vibrant young lady she used to be.

Nicholas is upset over the breakup and is even more upset over the attention that Helen is receiving from the Earl. Because his job is so dangerous, he couldn't tell Helen what he was really doing abroad and he regrets keeping those secrets from her.

In the true nature of a romance, Helen and Nicholas cannot seem to stay apart from each other. In order for them to lead a normal life, Nicholas has to finish his final mission. Unfortunately, this mission includes Helen, her brother the Earl, and some pretty interesting secondary characters!

DRAW DOWN THE DARKNESS is a fantastic book! I don't know what part I enjoyed more—the unique plot, the array of fascinating characters or the passionate romance between Helen and Nicholas! I highly recommend reading this book. It's a gem!

Julie Kornhausl