Regina Hackett has known all of her life that she is a means to an end for her ambitious father, who is a crass merchant. Using his wealth, he had purchased his wife, Lady Leticia Hackett, the daughter of the Earl of Mertmont, from her father. There is no love in their marriage. In fact, Lady Leticia spends most of her time drinking to escape her unhappiness and the threats of her husband. Regina is in the midst of her first Season, and her father has told her she will marry nothing less than an earl. Like Leticia’s father, her husband has plans to sell off their daughter to give him more inroads into the nobility. He has also stipulated that she must name one of her children after him, figuring that after two generations, it will be like he is a member of the nobility. Regina not only fears her father, she loathes him.

With her mother incapacitated most of the time, Regina must depend upon her Aunt Claire and her cousin, Miranda, to accompany her to the Season’s festivities. One night Regina plans to attend a ball with her cousin and aunt, but when the carriage arrives to pick her up, her aunt is not present. Seeing her chance for adventure, Miranda tries to talk Regina into going to a masquerade ball, even providing the masks. Finally, Regina agrees to go to the ball for one hour, and then they will leave for the event they are supposed to be attending.

At the masquerade ball, Puck spots Regina and, believing that she is an experienced woman, he kisses her and whispers naughty things to her. That is, until she threatens him with a hat pin. Deciding it is definitely time to leave, Regina goes in search of Miranda, but she is unable to find her. Seeing that Regina is frantic, Puck comes to her aid. But all they can find of Miranda is her torn mask and evidence that she did not go willingly with her captors. It is soon discovered that other women fitting Miranda’s description of being petite and blonde have disappeared lately. But since the other women were from the lower classes, there has been no hue and cry over their disappearances. Very few are even aware that there have been disappearances.

Because she had gone along with the idea of attending the masquerade ball, Regina blames herself for Miranda’s abduction. So Regina is determined, with Puck’s help, to find Miranda. But Regina’s father, a very dangerous man, knew she was at the masquerade ball, and he has forbidden her to see Puck. Her father has a way of knowing more than he should. So Regina wants to refuse Puck’s help to keep him safe from her father, but without Puck, she knows it will be impossible to find her missing cousin. Will her father end the investigation before it has begun? Can they find a way to keep their plans secret from Regina’s father and still rescue Miranda before it is too late?

An intriguing read, A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM, the second book in gifted author Kasey Michaels’ BLACKTHORN BROTHERS series, is a witty and sensual historical romance. The mystery behind the identity of the white slavers who were abducting petite, blonde women will keep readers eagerly turning pages to see what happens next. I loved seeing Puck team up with his brother, Don Juan ‘Jack’ Blackthorn, and cannot wait to read Jack’s story. The love scenes between Puck and Regina are especially heated as their feelings for each other grow. Although they are both aware that her father will not condone a relationship between the two of them, they cannot fight their feelings for each other.  With more and more girls disappearing, they know that time is growing short since the abductors should soon have enough girls to set sail. Things really become urgent as bodies begin surfacing. Combining danger, abduction, murder, mystery, Shakespeare, humor, passion, romance and true love, this story is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Do not miss this exciting tale! Also do not overlook the first book in this amazing series; THE TAMING OF THE RAKE!

This book was reviewed using a digital galley via Netgalley.com. It’s free for professional readers! Check it out: www.Netgalley.com.

 

 

By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Dottie Click here to Buy this Book Now!   Romance Junkies Content Editor: Wendy Romance Junkies Publishing Editor: Chrissy   Top of Page