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A Forbidden Love
January 2006, Avon Books (ISBN: 978-0-06-084793-7)
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Sinfully decadent Anthony Kennington, Viscount Hastings, lives for pleasure—and he rues the day when he must wed and produce an heir. But he is not a man who runs from danger, and when he chances upon an enchanting gypsy maiden in the woods hounded by bandits, he leaps to her defense. Now, surely, there is but one place for the injured and unconscious lovely to properly recuperate: in his bed.
Sabrina is shocked when she awakens in an opulent bedchamber, nursed in every way by a dashing gentleman. She knows she must leave the haven of Anthony's home at once, even though her life is still in grave danger—though a different kind of peril awaits her in the viscount's arms. If Sabrina surrenders to this handsome rogue, she will be an outcast. Yet does she dare ignore the future that's written on his palm—the promise of a shared lifetime of love and ecstasy?
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A FORBIDDEN LOVE is my debut release from Avon Books (January 2006). The idea for the story came about in a methodical way. I had gathered a series of history books about all sorts of historical events in various countries, looking for a story idea: some sort of external conflict that could serve as a jumping off point for my romance. But in the end, it wasn't the historical texts that captured my imagination. It was a photograph.
I happened upon a brilliant color photo: it was an arched bridge stretching across a stream in a beautiful wood. Right away my creativity sparked, and I imagined a gypsy woman dashing across the bridge in a bid to escape her pursuers—and crashing into the arms of my hunky hero. Poof! The idea was born.
The idea changed considerably over time (my characters no longer meet in that fashion, for instance). I also struggled with the ending. Want in on a secret? In the original draft, my heroine, Sabrina, was . . . a lost princess. Escaping her turbulent homeland, she was attacked as a child, her escorts murdered, and abandoned in the woods. A band of gypsies found her and raised her as one of their own. This ending allowed my hero and heroine to unite in the end without prejudice from society. But then I thought: what if she wasn't a princess? What then? I came to the conclusion that giving her royal blood was the easy way out, and so I scratched the idea. Instead, Sabrina remained a gypsy. She and the hero, Anthony, had to confront Regency society and all its prejudices head on, and I raised the question: what would you give up for love? I thought that question was far more compelling, and I hope the end result is both moving and inspiring.
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"A FORBIDDEN LOVE is a delicious escape!"
—Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author
"[a] lushly written and lusciously sensual debut romance."
—John Charles, Booklist
 "Debut author Alexandra Benedict has written an intensely emotional historical romance. This new voice is sure to set the hearts of romance readers on fire. A FORBIDDEN LOVE is a truly magnificent debut for Ms. Benedict. This reviewer is absolutely wowed by her grand entrance."
—Carol, Romance Junkies, 5 blue ribbons!
"There is nothing quite as exciting as find a fresh, vibrant new voice, and Benedict has it! She creates many twists as her plot winds from ballrooms to gypsy camps, leading you and her characters on a thrilling, fast-paced and emotionally intense ride."
—Kathe Robin, Romantic Times BOOKreviews 4 stars!
"For a wonderful Regency era romance and an unforgettable hero and heroine, don't miss A FORBIDDEN LOVE."
—Jani Brooks, Romance Reviews Today
"This is a fun, fast paced story. There's danger, intrigue and hot romance! . . . This is a definite keeper for any romance fan!"
—Debbie, A Romance Review 5 roses!
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Title: A Cigana Ed. 368 (The Gypsy)
Publisher: Nova Cultural
Language: Portuguese
Country: Brazil
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