What can I say? Lately I've just been in the mood for romance. It must be because it is so close to Valentine's Day. I took a quick look at my library shelf and decided to give TJ Bennett's The Legacy a try. I was not disappointed; it was a romantic and engaging read.

When we first meet Sabina von Ziegler, she's being kept in the dark—literally--by her adopted father. Locked in a dank cell with only rats for company, her one chance at escape is agreeing to marry a man she's never met. After thinking it over, she decides anything would be better than starving to death alone in her own home.

Her wedding day wasn't quite what she'd always dreamed it would be. For some reason, Sabina thought the groom might actually want to marry her, but it was clear that Wolfgang Behaim had no such desire. Barely looking in her direction before whisking her off in a cold rain to her new home, she could only assume her adopted father had something hanging over Wolfgang's head as well and that marrying her was part of the bargain.

It was too bad that her new husband didn't smile, for he may have actually been attractive without that frown. He certainly was a quiet, powerfully built man, not anything like the first man she thought she loved. No matter. When she inherited her mother's legacy she would no longer need him and could fend for herself.

Wolf couldn't bring himself to look at the girl. She was thin as a rail in a dress that most certainly did not belong to her. Raven-haired and completely unlike his beloved first wife, he was glad she wouldn't be his second wife for long.

Not wasting a minute before leaving the church and Sabina's unsavory adopted father, Wolf finds himself moved by Sabina's unfortunate situation. He is surprised that she doesn't speak much like the former nun she is. In fact Wolf finds her company more enjoyable than he cares to admit. Perhaps this short-lived sham of a marriage would not be so bad after all.

TJ Bennett has crafted a believable story of two people both longing for love and yet not trusting another enough to embrace it when they find it. The depth of the characters and their ever increasing desire for one another make The Legacy a most enjoyable read. Add into the story several unsolved questions both Sabina and Wolfgang need to answer and you have a fascinating romance destined to keep you entranced from beginning to end.

I definitely would recommend The Legacy to those readers who enjoy Historical Romance. It's well worth the time. 
 
Reviewed By Sabine Maurier
© February 2008