Wicked Promise [Mass Market Paperback]

First for the good: Elizabeth is a woman needs protection. After her father dies she is sought after but a man who is determined to have her, even by foul means. She asks Nicholas warring, her guardian, for protection and he grudgingly agrees. One problem, he's wildly attracted to her. Nicholas killed a man nine years ago and was sent off to serve his time. He's gone down hill since his return, earning the name the "wicked earl" for his rakish ways.

Elizabeth is the breath of fresh air that has nicholas' head spinning. i loved the way nicholas is determined to protect elizabeth from him and the life he lives. The passion the two of them have is great. the way they each have power over each other is a nice change from the always experienced hero. i loved nicholas' character in how he is protective and tortured. you have love those kind of heros...a little jaded but still a teddy bear inside. the bedroom scenes were great as always though like anything else they alone can't carry a book.

Now for the bad parts: the problem of nicholas being married is pretty much ignored throughout the book. his wife is in all of three scenes. elizabeth is almost to naive when she proclaims that nicholas is not married in the "eyes of god" since his wife left abandoned him when he was convicted of murder. The ending was to predictable. this story follows the cookie cutter regency era romance. everything is solved nice and neat and though this is ultimately a good thing it's to spontaneous and easy to really make an impacton the reader. i found myself asking "is that it?" which isn't really that great a sign.

did i enjoy this book? yes. did i think it was one of the best kat martin has written? no. though the passion is there and burning hot there book starts to decline in the end.