Historical
Untouched
By Natasha Smith
Nov 1, 2007 - 10:10:39 AM

Matthew, the Marquess of Sheene has been supposedly and certifiably mad since he was fourteen years old and became the ward of his uncle, Sir John. A virtual prisoner on his estate, he is unable to escape - anyone that attempts to help him either is harmed, transported as a convict, or winds up dead  Matthew spends his days puttering with his garden and writing scientific articles. A lonely existence for sure, but things are about to get a bit complicated.  

Grace Paget has been widowed for only a few weeks. Traveling alone to her cousin’s home, upon her arrival by train she is accosted by two footpads, drugged, and kidnapped. Waking up tied down and informed she is to be the mistress of the mad man intently watching her, Grace doesn’t know what to do. Grace, after a futile escape attempt, is brought back to Matthew’s cottage where she is told in no uncertain terms that she will seduce the Marquess of Sheene or forfeit her life.

Grace’s need to survive is the catalyst that begins the seduction, but it is her hidden feelings for Matthew, the man she realizes is not emotionally disturbed, that keeps her on her path. Matthew fights her gentle seduction until his need for her wears him down. Once the two unlikely lovers come together, their feelings for each other continue to grow. What happens if Matthew is finally able to leave his estate a free man? Grace knows that the only reason he thinks he loves her is because she is all he has known.  

Anna Campbell writes a breathtaking historical romance! UNTOUCHED is magnificent. The plot is suspenseful, the sensuality is wickedly naughty, and the character’s emotions are realistic and often times breathtaking. Matthew has been a prisoner of his uncle’s for years and the only reason he stays is to protect others from harm. This self sacrificing characterization is unique and made me love Matthew all the more. Grace’s character is totally in sync with the historical time period in which UNTOUCHED takes place. Women are only thought of on good terms if they avoided scandal. Grace’s instructions to be a mistress to Matthew go against everything she has ever been taught growing up. I really enjoyed watching the internal struggle with her conscience, all the while hoping she’d give in to passion and dismiss societal rules. I was not disappointed!

UNTOUCHED is well written and well worth waiting for. So many historical romances are similar to each other and I am happy to say that the plot of UNTOUCHED is something I have never before read about. This uniqueness is very much appreciated and Anna Campbell definitely has one more fan.  

UNTOUCHED releases November 27, 2007 from Avon Books.