While her father is away trying to recoup the family fortune, Honoria Baker-Sneed cares for her younger sisters and brother by buying and selling antiquities. Honoria drives a hard bargain in the market place. Her reputation among the dealers is one of a self-sufficient woman who needs no man. Recently, Honoria found a simple silver ring that appealed to her. When her nemesis from the auction world arrives on her doorstep demanding Honoria return his family ring, a battle of wits ensues as she demands compensation.

Marcus St. John cannot believe his bad luck. The woman who has the cursed St. John talisman ring is no other than the obstinate, proud opponent who regularly bids against him. Marcus prides himself on his disciplined outlook in business and life. He's been inordinately successful and is one of the most powerful and wealthy men in England. Marcus can be unyielding, and he refuses to pay the ridiculously enormous amount Honoria wishes to extort from him.

Pride allows neither Honoria nor Marcus to back down from a challenge. The sparks fly as they try to best one another. Once again, the spell from the cursed ring works its magic as love enters into the picture causing more confusion.

LADY IN RED is the last installment in the St. John talisman ring trilogy. Readers will adore the secondary characters. The sticky-fingered coachman and an assortment of brothers and sisters will keep you turning pages. Ms. Hawkins has penned a very pleasant read for a spring afternoon.

Book Summary

Sometimes ... Men can be such fools.

Wealthy and powerful Marcus St. John, the Marquis of Treymount, must recover a lost family heirloom. All he has to do is convince the irritatingly beautiful Miss Honoria Baker-Sneed to relinquish his treasure for a reasonable sum. How difficult could that be?

Sometimes ... Women can be so emotional.

Honoria is astounded when Marcus shows up on her doorstep and arrogantly demands she surrender a ring that is rightfully hers. Irritated at such high-handed methods, she refuses.

And sometimes ... Love can be a complete surprise.

Heated arguments end in a scorching kiss that embroils them in a horrid scandal. Marcus finds he must wed the brazen beauty, only to realize that somehow, Honoria has stolen her way into his heart. Can he convince Honoria that he is worthy of her regard? Or will he lose the only woman he has ever loved?

Read an Excerpt