Books in the Hot Winter Sun series

In the third book of the Hot Winter Sun Series, Carey Westbrook is living a somewhat conventional life at Whitecliffe Hall, where he resides with his widowed half-sister, Audrina. One day, she compels him to employ a new maid, who appears at the home one cold November day, in desperate need of work. Carey readily agrees, giving little thought to the matter, but after coming face-to-face with Noelle, he realizes at once that this mysterious housemaid is not at all what she seems. Aware that a Jacobite uprising is underway, Carey is determined to discover Noelle's true identity, fearful that she may be a spy for those seeking to unseat England's queen and restore the house of Stuart. But as Carey slowly unravels the riddle that is Noelle's life-and falls in love with her in the process-he realizes she is not a criminal, nor is she involved in any political treachery. Rather, she has run from a past so frightening that it moves her to a place of mute terror when he relentlessly questions her one day. Deciding he must solve the mystery on his own or not at all, he uses every method available to reach the truth before some evil hand from the past reaches out to snatch her from his life. Without warning, Carey finds himself racing against time to uncover the myriad secrets buried at Noelle's former home. Secrets that could destroy his chance for a future with this enigmatic woman who loves him unswervingly, and whose love he refuses to live without.

The Bradshaws, who readers first met in Hot Winter Sun, are living a peaceful life in Restoration England, under the gay and clever King Charles II. A season is launched for their unusually beautiful and high-spirited daughter, Julia. However, after an unexpected visit from Philip Lambarth, a bizarre and tragic chain of events is set off, changing Julia's life forever.Too late, Julia realizes the true nature of the man she thought she loved, and broken-hearted, impetuously enters a marriage of convenience. Julia attempts to live quietly and banish the memory of Philip's treachery, when another man captures her heart in a way she never dreamed possible.Being unable to convince Julia to end her unsuitable marriage, he eventually leaves Cornwall for London, and Julia is left devastated and hopeless in a trap of her own making. Madness and murder then stalk this unusual heroine, until an astonishing twist of fate restores the happiness she thought was lost forever.