Combing meticulous research with superb storytelling skills, Gabrielle adds another rousing tale to her Regency Barrister series. Noted trial attorney James Devlin, the bastard son of a duke, is surprised to learn that his father actually married his mother, and that after his father's death, James has become the new duke, not his half brother. As his first act, James buys Wyndmoor Manor, where his father treated him kindly, but then discovers that it was also purchased by Bella Sinclair, a widow who is living there. Neither wants to give up the place, so they both live there until the shady seller is found. Although James offers to buy her out, Bella refuses. She is being tormented by her late husband's twin, who believes she has papers proving their treason. When James is shot and a stable boy attacked, Bella knows she must decamp and hide. But by that time, she and James have fallen in love and his safety is paramount. Gabrielle's attention to authentic details makes this an exciting read.--Henshaw, Pat Copyright 2010 Booklist

Strong-willed lovers clash over the ownership of an estate in Gabrielle's second Regency Barristers novel (after In the Barrister's Chambers). When barrister James Devlin discovers he is the new duke of Blackwood, he immediately repurchases his childhood home, only to find himself the victim of a scam: the house is already occupied by the attractive widow Bella Sinclair, who has a deed to the property as good as his own. In a setup strongly reminiscent of Mary Balogh's No Man's Mistress, they are forced to share a home, and attraction immediately flares between them, even as Bella must cope with the unpleasant aftermath of her abusive first marriage. While Gabrielle provides satisfyingly steamy encounters, the distinctiveness of her well-researched barrister theme is mostly lost when the hero acquires a title, and her feel for period custom is limited outside the legal arena. Intriguing teasers involving James's fellow barristers will leave series readers hoping for better in future installments. Agent: Stephany Evans of FinePrint Literary Management. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.