Broken Wing by Judith James

Abandoned as a child into the dubious care of Madame Etienne, owner of a Parisian brothel, Gabriel St. Croix has grown up without even a modicum of love or parental concern. When 5 year old Jamie arrives at the brothel, Gabriel vows to protect him from the depravity that he himself has grown up in.

-

Suspecting there is more to his abduction, Lady Sarah Munroe and her half brother Lord Ross Huntington have spent the last 5 years searching for Jamie. When Bow Street Runners locate Jamie, it brings Gabriel to the attention of the unconventional Sarah. Since Jamie insists that Gabriel come home with him to England, Ross offers him a position as companion for the next year.

-

Both Sarah and Ros can see beyond Gabriel's previous employment to the good person that he is, and they set themselves the task of proving it to him.

-

There seems to be a mutual and immediate attraction between Sarah and Gabriel which Ms. James slowly develops. Gabriel is seriously handicapped in his ability to develop a meaningful relationship and Sarah wisely finds ways to show her trust and acceptance of Gabriel.

-

I love all the twists and turns of the story that test their relationship. Even though we don't get to know them as well, the characters of Ross and Davey serve to confirm the good character of Gabriel. They both offer unconditional support of Sarah's connection with Gabe.

-

Yes, this is a romance, but it goes much further in character development and in story line than most I have read. Sarah and Gabriel are portrayed as real people, warts and all. They both have to deal with negative public opinion which can have wide reaching impacts. The only character we don't learn much about is little Jamie, the one at the core of the whole story, but I didn't really miss him. He makes a few cameo appearances and that seems enough for me.

Judith James website

Visit Peeking Between the Pages and read an interview with Judith James