cover image Dangerous Seduction

Dangerous Seduction

Zoë Archer. St. Martin’s Paperbacks, $7.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-1-250-01560-0

Archer’s second Nemesis, Unlimited romance (after Sweet Revenge) is an innovative tale set in a downtrodden 1886 Cornish village. When Nemesis’s gentleman founder, Simon Addison-Shawe, goes undercover to investigate the brutal working conditions of a Cornish mine, the last thing he expects is to find himself attracted to a female mine worker. Alyce Carr is one of the few willing to speak out against the atrocious treatment of workers at the site, and when handsome newcomer Simon seeks her out, she’s both thrilled and wary. Simon reveals his true identity in order to enlist Alyce’s assistance against the corrupt mining company; Alyce feels betrayed, but she agrees to pose as Simon’s wife to further his scheme for justice. Soon they embark on what she knows must be a temporary affair, even as her heart demands more from the mission-focused Simon. Though Alyce’s life circumstances are harsh, she’s no victim. Memorable characters, unusual settings, and new twists on old plot tropes make this novel irresistible. (Dec.)