Beauty tempts the beast

Heath concludes her Sin for All Seasons series (after The Earl Takes a Fancy) with a true treat of a Victorian romance. Lady Althea Stanwick and her two older brothers are in dire straits after their land and titles are revoked in punishment for a treasonous act committed by their father. To make ends meet, Althea finds work as a barmaid at the Mermaid and the Unicorn in Whitechapel, an inn owned by the new Duchess Thornley, neé Trewlove, the heroine of When a Duke Loves a Woman. There Althea meets Benjamin "Beast" Trewlove, the duchess's brother, who instantly recognizes Althea as a highborn lady. Beast has made it his mission to protect London's prostitutes and help them to transition out of sex work, and he offers Althea a position teaching the women under his protection more refined skills in exchange for housing and a hefty sum. Althea agrees, gaining financial independence and the ability to support her brothers as they search for the truth behind their father's betrayal. And when Althea asks Beast for lessons in seduction, their already simmering chemistry comes to a boil. Heath may have saved the best for last. (Oct.)

The last unmatched Trewlove finally finds his true love. Benedict Trewlove, known as Beast, didn't intend to become the owner of a brothel, but now he refuses to leave it until all the women under his care have found other employment. When he meets Althea Stanwick, his immediate thought is that she doesn't belong here in Whitechapel serving drinks in a tavern; she's too posh and refined. Three months ago, Althea was cast out from society when it was uncovered that her father, a duke, was a traitor to the crown. When Beast proposes Althea become a tutor to the ladies at his brothel, she agrees under the condition that he in turn teaches her to be a seductress. Becoming a courtesan will allow her to return to society on her own terms and give her protection and some freedom. Although the attraction between Beast and Althea is instantaneous, it's when friendship blossoms that Althea questions her chosen path and instead desires a future with him. There's struggle and there's steam, but the core of this story is human goodness and familial love. This is especially on display during an endearing, abundantly sweet Trewlove family Christmas. However, though the brothel ladies are charming, Beast's whole notion of changing them sometimes comes across as holier-than-thou, which doesn't jibe with the story's otherwise lovely overarching theme of everyone's inherent right to be loved and respected, regardless of class or situation. This Sins for All Seasons series finale is full of heart. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.