I loved the thickening plot and writing style of this debut author. Her story is rich with well-rounded, flawed characters. The hero and heroine are lovable, however both are hot-tempered and sarcastic. There are stories within stories in this novel, giving the reader a most satisfying experience. It didn’t feel like the first published book of an author. I’m eager to see what books follow from her pen.

Rilla Gibson is an unusual, spirited woman. Her father, educated her in plants and animals. He didn’t curb her active mind when she tried to invent necessary apparatuses to ease manual labor. She liked to protect her family, so when her father began gambling and losing large quantities of money, she tried to stop him. Eventually the very home they lived in was gambled away to Paul Lindsey, Viscount Wyburn.

Ms. Webster sets the plot giving the reader a hint of Rilla’s ‘seeing’ ability which disturbs her greatly, particularly when she is around Paul Lindsey. She must hide what is happening for fear someone will send her to Bedlam.

Lord Lockhard, ruthless, and a blackguard, manipulates innocent people. Sir George and his family are his targets.

Lady Wyburn, step-mother of Paul Linsey is rather a fun character lending some comic relief. She has decided she wants to take under her wing two young women, Rilla and Imogene and present them to Polite Society.

As Paul Lindsey and Rilla Gibson get to know each other, they find antiquities are a passion they both have. With all Rilla’s unlady, direct speaking, she, with that flaw, draws the viscount like a bee to pollen.

I really enjoyed the hints and continued tension the author produced with Rilla’s ‘moments’ which got progressively fiercer. The story ran on several levels – Sir George’s financial worries, Rilla’s concern about her father and how she would keep her family safe, Rilla’s fear that Imogene would fall for Lord Lockhard, whose character was questionable depicted as a toad or viper. Paul had issues with the death of his mother, guilt that he had not saved her, and the hatred of his father. But in the end, it was about hope and love.

There were plenty of surprises, haunted moments, sexual tension, and deplorable situations in this read which should captivate the Regency genre audience who enjoys the unexpected and paranormal. I'm ready for another book, Ms. Webster! ( )

I really enjoyed this story, enough of a tinge of the paranormal to keep my fantasy button topped up but not so much that it intruded into the historical romance. Amaryllis Gibson has visions, she can't control them and they're not in any way comforting, in fact an aunt with a similar gift ended up in the mad house and that's the last thing she wants. In fact marrying could end her up in the madhouse so that's not an idea she's really in favour of, until she meets with Viscount Wyburn, he has his own problems including a ghost that seems to want Rilla's help.

When they're caught in a compromising position, they have to wed, but is there more to the relationship apart from expedience? The two of them have to learn more about each other and learn to trust each other.

I enjoyed this, the two leads were fun and Rilla was just great. ( )