Unwrapping Romance: Review of SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol

Releasing at the end of this month on August 28th is the newest novel from this year's debut talent in historical romance who has most definitely become a must read on my reading list. SINS OF A VIRGIN, book one in the Sinner Trio's series is Anna Randol's second full-length novel from Avon and I was thrilled when they asked me as an Avon Addict to read an e-ARC from Edelweiss for it. My only sorrow is that I don't get to keep it so I'll have to get a permanent copy for future re-reading.

Blurb for SINS OF A VIRGIN:

There is improper, there is scandalous… and then there is Madeline Valdan.

To the world, Madeline Valdan is a scandalous courtesan, with society's most eligible gentlemen at her feet. But no one knows her shocking secret: she has never experienced the most intimate touch of any man. So she astonishes the ton by telling them the truth . . . and by announcing the auction of her virginity to the highest bidder.

Handsome and disciplined, Gabriel Huntford knows his time is best spent hunting down criminals from the darkest corners of London. As a Bow Street Runner investigating his sister's death, he has no desire to join London's strutting peacocks in this competition when there are more important tasks at hand.

Now, his quest leads him to one of Madeline's "suitors," so he agrees to help this sinful woman. But what begins as a business arrangement quickly turns into something more . . . and love blooms with a passion neither one expected.

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Mystery and suspense abound in this historical romance from the first page to the last.

Madeline Valden is nothing of what she appears. As we get to know her, we discover that she's been more than anyone suspects since the age of fourteen. Experienced and skilled in all ways necessary to protect herself from men, including not allowing her heart to feel, she still possesses something that the men of London find priceless - her virginity - and now she's putting that last item of value on the auction block.

Gabriel Huntford is a man who never gives up - on anything. He's been searching for his sister's killer for seven years and even after being ordered off the case, he's not willing to step away so easily. Set to protect a notorious courtesan who is professing to be a virgin, he uses her case to seek out the murderer from among her bidders or rather her noble suitors. Unimpressed with the woman's claims of virginity, he cares not what she does as long as he can pursue his investigation. When it becomes obvious that someone wants her dead, he begins to be drawn in by her beauty and the truly innocent Madeline who lies beneath the hard-edged manipulating woman of mystery.

Anna Randol is fast becoming a formidable voice in historical romance with her unique stories of spies, mystery, murder and passion. SINS OF A VIRGIN is the first book in a series that I hope will follow this trio that consists of Madeline and her two spying partners, Campbell and Maddox - I am especially intrigued by Ian Maddox.

In SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol, the reader is drawn into a fast-paced story that will keep you begging for more and not wishing the story to end even after the murderer is finally uncloaked. There's danger around every corner yet nowhere is truly safe not even in the midst of a room full of people. The greatest danger exists in the growing attraction that Madeline and Gabriel are fighting to resist but no fear, the author makes sure there's a happy ending.

Whereas the story is exceptional, the characters alive and attractive, I fear that the writing at times left me perplexed. I found that there were many times when I was forced to turn back a page or two to reread because I wasn't sure from which character's point of view I was reading. It happened most often in the first chapters but then corrected itself yet re-emerged briefly toward the end of the book. Despite these brief problems in the book, I thoroughly enjoyed SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol and eagerly await her next foray into this world of suspense she is building for us.

I very much recommend SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol to anyone who loves historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, murderous suspects and most of all teasing passion that will have you begging for just a bit a more as you turn the pages until you find yourself truly satisfied.

Happy Reading Everyone!

SINS OF A VIRGIN by Anna Randol, Avon Romance, release date - August 28, 2012, will be available in print and ebook format.