Edith Layton

Historical/Restoration England, Late 17th Century

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Cavalier and mercenary Gideon Hawkes returns to England to claim his family estate and finds King Charles II has granted it to another Royalist -- yet Charles suggests Gideon can easily reclaim the land by marrying the new owner's lovely Puritan sister.

No one would mistake Gideon for a Roundhead, especially when he chooses as his new mistress Mary Monk, a frightened young woman willing to exchange her maidenhood for his protection after her respectable merchant family is wiped out by the plague and the Great Fire.

Mary mistakes for affection Gideon's pleasure with her enthusiastic discharge of duties and believes he may return her love. Gideon is not so disillusioned. He's interested only in possessing what's his by right -- his home and the perfect wife that comes with it.

"The Fire-Flower," is a powerful, unique and deeply sensual love story, a must-devour for readers who adore authentic historicals. It's a divine example of why Layton remains one of the best writers of historical romance.