Kathleen Strong is desperate and starving in Venice, Italy 1740. She doesn’t have many options in seeking employment. Kathleen’s previous employer dismissed her for immoral acts, a charge she of which she is entirely innocent.  She arrives for her interview with her potential employer and finds herself confronted by a gallery of rogues, namely the Heavenly Host. Alistair Rohan leads this group of debauched aristocrats bent of despoiling a virgin for sport and entertainment.

The short novella is a prequel to a popular series by Anne Stuart centered on the Heavenly Host. Taken on its own Wicked House of Rohan is much too brief and the action pace is too fast. We barely learn of a prior connection between Rohan and Kathleen, a relationship that Rohan is unaware of at the outset.

The scenes between the Heavenly Host and their prize virgin are interesting, but the brevity of the book spoils the makings of a very good story. This one deserves 2 stars. Stuart is a good writer and I’ve read her novels before with relish. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed with Wicked House of Rohan because it felt like the author was in a hurry to finish the story.

Stars: [rating=2]

Review originally appeared on Amazon.com
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
Image courtesy Harlequin Mira