Reviewed by Jenna Petersen

There are many perks to being a romance author, but one of my favorites is that since I’m friends with so many other authors, sometimes I get to read their books before they hit shelves. That was my big treat this month when Anne Mallory sent me an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of her May 2008 release, Three Nights of Sin.

Of course one of the disadvantages of being an author is that it’s sometimes hard to read a book without having a writer’s hat on. You analyze, you ponder, it’s harder to get caught up in the story.

Unless it’s as awesome as Three Nights of Sin. Wow. I mean, wow! Let me give you the gist. Heroine Marietta Winters’ brother has been arrested for a series of killings. He’s about to be railroaded into prison. In her desperation she turns to Gabriel Noble, who is a man who can fix things… for a price. And his price is either an exorbitant fee or three favors, to be repaid the way and at the time he chooses. Marietta is wary, but this is her only choice, so the two of them launch into an investigation… and eventually a love affair that could be shattered by secrets Gabriel has never told another soul.

First, Mallory creates the kind of atmosphere that immediately draws the reader in. I immediately knew this book was going to rock when I read the description of a door knocker about a page in. A door knocker and I was hooked! The atmosphere carries through the entire story, wrapping itself around the reader and drawing them into the dark and dangerous world Gabriel inhabits.

But the setting and tone aren’t the only remarkable things about this book. The plot is incredibly daring. Gabriel’s secret is… surprising to say the least. I think people are going to be talking about it long after the book comes out. I won’t give it away except to say that it’s timely, for sure. And it isn’t just the secret that Mallory handles so perfectly, it’s really the way the secret has changed Gabriel over time.

Which leads me to the emotional impact of the story. This book is dark, there is no doubt and I have always loved a dark story. Marietta and Gabriel both have some serious issues to contend with and that leads to a very emotional connection between them. It felt real to me and there is nothing better than that.

Plus, I have to say that this is most definitely Mallory’s sexiest book. I mean… H-O-T. I read the book on a plane to Shanghai and I found myself adjusting the little plane fan higher and higher more than once!

If you haven’t ever read Anne Mallory, then this is definitely the book to change that! It’s well-written with likeable, real characters and a plot that will surprise and move readers. I could not recommend it more!