The Countess    by Lynsay Sands Order:  USA  Can Avon, 2011 (2011) Paperback, e-Book     Reviewed by Kim Atchue-Cusella Christiana is married to a controlling man, whose charm disappeared once the vows were taken. Her father had got into trouble gambling and Dicky Fairgrave, Earl of Radnor, offered to marry Christiana and pay off the debts. When her sisters show up at the house with the news that her father is in trouble again, they realize that it's Christiana's sister Suzette's turn to marry. But then they find the Earl dead. The sisters want to avoid Christiana going into mourning, so that she can find a suitable man for Suzette. After they move Dicky's body to his bedroom (packed in ice), they head off to a ball. Christiana is horrified to see Dicky enter the room, until she learns that this man is her husband's twin brother Richard. He does not want scandal brought upon the sisters so decides to continue his brother's marriage, but renew the vows to make it legal. Dicky had never consummated his marriage with Christiana. When they sleep together, Richard is aghast to find out that she is a virgin. Knowing that Richard is Dicky's twin, Christiana expects him to change as soon as the vows are taken, but Richard keeps telling her he is not the same man. The Countess has everything - murder, romance, suspense and passion - to keep readers turning pages. Christiana and Richard are well suited but Christiana still has memories of his twin to quell her newfound happiness. Secondary characters, Suzette and Richard's friend Daniel show promise for the next in the series, The Heiress. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews