They’re rebels, scoundrels, and blackguards—dark, dashing men on the wrong side of the law. But for the proper Victorian-era ladies who love them, a hint of danger only makes their hearts beat faster…

A scandalous proposal.

As one of London’t most elite hunters, Christopher Argent never misses his mark and always gets his man. But when his latest target turns out to be a woman—the popular, and stunningly beautiful, actress Millie LeCour—it turns his whole world upside-down. Overwhelmed by the heat that simmers between them, Christopher can’t complete his mission. On the contrary, he’ll do anything to save Millie’s life—even if it means risking his own…

A dangerous passion…

When she learns what Christopher was hired to do, Millie is torn between the fear in her heart and the fire in her soul. Putting herself in this dangerous man’s arms may be her only path to safety—but giving in to her desire may be the deadliest mistake she’s ever made. With both of their lives in jeopardy, Millie and Christopher must learn to trust the real feelings they’re hiding—to find the true love they’re looking for…

Click on Title Below for Amazon Buy Link:

The Hunter

Christopher Argent is a killer for hire.  His mother was in prison when he was born, so that was his life, as well, for the first eighteen years.  During those years, he formed an alliance with Dorian Blackwell, and the two of them learned to fight and to survive.  Now Dorian is a notorious crime lord (his story is told in THE HIGHWAYMAN) and Christopher is a wealthy paid assassin. When Christopher’s beloved mother was attacked in prison, and died in his arms, he turned off all emotions, and focused on becoming what he is today.

Christopher’s latest assignment is to kill Millie LeCour, a famous actress.  The go-between who hired Christopher assures him that her execution is well deserved, though that really doesn’t matter to the person he has become.  He begins planning his attack, first by attending the theatre to watch her perform .  Millie, in each of her performances, singles out a person in the audience  who she “plays to.”  She focuses on saying all her lines to that person, as she finds it helps make her performance more real.  Ironically, this night she focuses on Christopher, who finds himself strangely touched and excited by her attention.  At the end of the show, as she’s taking her bow, she even blows him a kiss.  When Christopher later shows up at a private gathering, and approaches Millie, it’s not long before the two are passionately kissing.  Christopher’s intent is to take her to a secluded part of the room and quickly break her neck and make his escape.  However, when a dazed Millie begs him to “kiss her again or she’ll die,” Christopher can’t do it, and slips away.

Christopher is alarmed and puzzled by his reaction to Millie.  She excites him, but not just sexually.  He is entranced by the light and life that seem to just burst from her.  He decides that he will cancel the contract, and instead makes it known that she is under his protection.  The go-between who had originally hired him lets Christopher know, in no uncertain terms, that his client will simply hire another assassin, and will go to any lengths to see Millie dead.  Christopher then contacts Millie directly and lets her know exactly what is going on.  He makes no secret that he is a paid killer, and offers Millie a deal.  If she will be his for one night, he will keep her and her young son safe.  Millie agrees.

It’s obvious that there is more to Millie’s story, but that is all wrapped up in the rash of murders and kidnapping of young boys that is occurring.  As Christopher spends time with Millie, he becomes more enthralled, yet disturbed by the feelings she is awakening in him.  Author Kerrigan Byrne has painted a portrait of a conscienceless killer, who has no emotions or entanglements, who doesn’t smile or laugh or have friends.  He’s described as having lifeless eyes.  Yet – somehow, I ached for this man to be brought back to life and light.  My heart broke for the boy he used to be, and all he endured, and I so badly wanted Millie to heal him.

Millie has a few secrets of her own, but she is a strong, resourceful woman, as well as a dedicated mother.  Her own strength isn’t enough to protect her and her son from an evil from the past who would destroy them now.  She needs Christopher’s talents to keep them safe.  While her initial reaction to him was purely physical, she soon comes to care for the dangerous, sadly damaged man.

THE HUNTER held me captive from beginning to end.  I set aside several hours just for reading this book, and I devoured it in one sitting.  Every aspect of this book just worked.  The sexual chemistry was explosive, and the emotions were strong and heartfelt.  The mystery was exciting, and the whole story just flowed along beautifully.  As Christopher and Millie struggled to find a way to possibly have a life together, the resolution was handled in a way that made sense, and not  by way of an unrealistic wave of a magic wand.  I do believe there is magic, though, in this series by Kerrigan Byrne.  THE HUNTER (as did THE HIGHWAYMAN last year) will be on my list of favorite books this year, and I am happy to give it my highest recommendation.