KNOWN TO ALL
GLORIA GAY
ISBN# (13) 9781601451507/ (10) 1601451504
March 2007
Booklocker.com, Inc.
PO Box 2399, Bangor, ME 04402-2399
Paperback
$15.95
272 Pages
Historical Romance
Rating: 3 Cups

Violet Durbin lives on the fringes of polite society. When her father publicly recognized her as his daughter, she thought she was safe. Though she would never again be forced to become someone’s mistress like she so briefly was, the stain of her past would always follow her, ruining her chance at happiness.

The Duke of Hawkinston sees Violet as a threat to his nephew Jared’s future and decides to take her as a mistress to remove her from his reach. However, he never counted on her strength of will or the attraction between them that grows each time they are together.

The Duke of Hawkinston “Hawk” pursues Violet so that his nephew will not marry her, but does not think she is good enough to marry because of her past. She turns him down flat, telling him that despite her past, she will not settle for less than marriage. Despite this, he cannot seem to keep from being attracted to her. When Violet keeps refusing Hawk’s many attempts to make her his mistress, he invites her whole family to a house party at his castle. Because it will be good for her father’s social standing, she accepts. But Hawk’s sister is co-hosting the event and her stepson, Cade, is also invited and he too loves Violet. However, his love has become a sick obsession that darkens the lives of Violet, her family, Hawk, and Jared, culminating in a violent climax that will change their lives forever.

Known to All is filled with memorable characters. My favorite happened to be Aunt Bea. Violet does herself credit by overcoming her past. However, her yes, yes, no act got old about the middle of the book. I also wondered why everyone had to fall in love with her. The villain was wonderfully written, not just a one dimensional bad guy, he had motive and it was a good one. Hawk was somewhat clueless as to why Violet kept saying no, but when he finally got it, it was immensely satisfying. All in all, a good read.

Jenn
Reviewer For Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer For Karen Talk About New Books