Back Cover Teaser:

Life experience had harshly turned its cruel countenance on the young Fallon Ashby. Her father deceased and her mother suffering with a fatal disease, Fallon was given over to her uncle, Charles Ashby, until she would reach the age of independence.

Abused, neglected, and disheartened, Fallon found herself suddenly blessed with unexpected liberation at the hand of the mysterious Trader Donavon. A wealthy landowner and respected denizen of the town, Trader Donavon concealed his feature of face within the shadows of a black cowl.

When Fallon’s secretive deliverer offered two choices of true escape from her uncle, her captive heart chose its own path. Thus, Fallon married the enormous structure of mortal man—without having seen the horrid secret he hid beneath an ominous hood.

But the malicious Charles Ashby, intent on avenging his own losses at Trader Donavon’s hand, set out to destroy the husband that Fallon herself held secrets concerning. Would her wicked uncle succeed and perhaps annihilate the man that his niece secretly loved above all else?

Book Excerpt:

“But your uncle is still your legal guardian. He will, no doubt, insist that I marry you—especially now. I can’t have my tenants and the people in town thinking me a rogue as well as a monster. It’s rather humorous, isn’t it? Thinking of Trader Donavon, the hideous beast, taking part in a shotgun wedding.” Fallon heard a low chuckle originate from somewhere within the dark depths of the hood, and she wondered if Trader Donavon donned a smile within the confines of his garb…

“I choose to marry you, Mr. Donavon.”…

He was silent for a moment. She sensed he was regaining his composure. She knew he had never suspected she might choose to marry him.

“Very well, Miss Ashby. You’ve made your decision. However, I want this to be said: a wealthy, horrible, beast of a husband will never be a substitute for a perhaps impoverished, handsome man who would have been your lover as well.”