Imagine Troy Sacheverell, the Earl of Ravenhurst's, surprise when he meets his cousin's fiancée at an estate ball and discovers her to be none other than the woman who held him captive for several months.  Of course, no one knows Troy was kidnapped and made the love-slave of Lillian and her hellish step-mother.  As a gentleman, it wouldn't be honorable for Troy to speak of such things!

When Troy sees Lillian, now escaped from her evil stepmother and living the life of riley, he is furious.  In a strange twist, he forces Lillian to marry him to save his cousin from her dark nature.  Lillian, of course, agrees since Troy threatens to reveal both her and her stepmother's twisted existence to all of high-society if she doesn't marry him.  But, is there any hope of a happy ending for Lillian and Troy?  Troy hates her and refuses to believe that she was as much as prisoner as he.  Lillian is horrified that she cannot escape her past--a dark past that she sees daily reflected in Troy's eyes. 

Sandra Schwab's dark tale of passion, love, lust, treachery, and redemption is definitely worth a read.  Troy is brooding, handsome, and noble.  Lillian is desperate, passionate, and valiant.  Together they must overcome a past that is chilling if there is any hope of a future for either of them.  This is a story of anti-heroes.  Most of the main characters are flawed in some way--and that makes them even more endearing. 

Lillian is, on many levels, weak.  She is unwilling to escape her past completely and looks to Troy to provide her with the controlling presence that her stepmother once provided.  Troy is obsessed with honor and nobility and blinded to much else.  The interplay of their characters can be infuriating, but is always emotional and entertaining.  THE LILY BRAND is a walk on the darker side of the human character.  If you like romances with bite, this book will be a real treat for you.