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The Villain's Redemption #2
Taming the Devil
Sir Anthony Harcourt is now the 7th Duke of Mowbray, but with the title comes a mountain of debt and a reckoning, as the sins of his grandfather come crashing down upon him in the form of a beautiful virago bent on revenge and obtaining what is hers.
Miss Diana Lovell is a desperate woman. She blames the late Duke of Mowbray for her father’s demise and ruining her life. She reasons that the current Duke is cut from the same cloth as his grandsire and she means to get what is hers by right, no matter the cost.
Passion explodes when these two souls collide and bitter, cynical Anthony discovers that love may be possible after all, if he can only redeem himself sufficiently to deserve it.
A beta readers quote: “Y’all, I’m doing a beta read right now and this book is amazing. Holy crap. Just plan on staying up all night to read it when it comes out”
Miss Diana Lovell is a desperate woman. She blames the late Duke of Mowbray for her father’s demise and ruining her life. She reasons that the current Duke is cut from the same cloth as his grandsire and she means to get what is hers by right, no matter the cost.
Passion explodes when these two souls collide and bitter, cynical Anthony discovers that love may be possible after all, if he can only redeem himself sufficiently to deserve it.
A beta readers quote: “Y’all, I’m doing a beta read right now and this book is amazing. Holy crap. Just plan on staying up all night to read it when it comes out”
- GenresHistorical Romance
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2023
262 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Wren St. Claire
34 books46 followersWren is an Egyptologist and writes historical fantasy romance, historical romance and contemporary romance. She lives with her husband six mad Bengal Cats and one confused Mini Schnauzer in Brisbane.
She also manages a website devoted to ancient Egypt and writing called Egyptian Mysteries www.egyptianmysteries.com.au
She also manages a website devoted to ancient Egypt and writing called Egyptian Mysteries www.egyptianmysteries.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 7, 2023
5-Devilishly-Delicious-Stars
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed below are my own.
You know, I have re-read very few books in quick succession. I did a beta read for this story, and within a few weeks, I read this ARC, not because I had to, but because it was a pleasure to do so. Let me tell you that it was a joyful experience all over again.
Ratings
Overall - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/ Storyline - 📖📖📖📖
Romance - 💖💖💖💖💖
Feels - 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth - 💔💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension - ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Sensuality - 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
No of Sex Scenes - 🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑+
Sex Scene Length - 🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆
My Thoughts
- Wren St. Claire is a new-to-me author. Her writing is fun and witty. This story moves swiftly forward with nary a dull moment.
- The best part was the meet-cute. I won't give away the spoiler, but Diana and Anthony's meeting brought Jess from Lord of Scoundrels and Eva from Outrageous to mind. This scene had me well and truly hooked. What followed was an amalgamation of delicious moments involving, but not limited to, dramatic encounters, wild chases, emotionally charged experiences, scorching assignations and heartfelt declarations of love. What more can you ask for?
- I freaking adore a strong heroine and always have. Diana fit the bill to boot. God, considering her early experiences, this girl was unafraid in the face of danger, saved herself (not a damsel, this one), saved him (twice), and was kind, acceptant and optimistic. She was just sugar and spice with Anthony, and I loved it.
- Anthony, ooh la la. Not having read the previous book, I was not aware of his transgressions, and it allowed me to look at him with a fresh set of eyes. And what I saw wasn't half bad at all. In fact, it was utterly delectable. He saw her. He wanted her. He went after her and refused to let her go. Consequences be damned (a man after my own heart). The way he fought to keep her in his life by brow-beating the circumstances to make her life easier had me falling in love with him. This man, this devilish man, was well and truly tamed.
- The plot was ripe for a sensual engagement, and Ms St. Claire delivered. The romance was super swoony with a more than generous helping of - can't keep my hands to myself & I have to have you right the fuck now - erotic, tender, loving, caring and comforting steamy goodness. Diana and Anthony's absolute inability to be without each other made their love perfect. They grew together, learnt to trust one another and found togetherness in their loneliness. Sigh.
*This book put Ms St. Claire on my authors-to-read list, and it intrigued me enough to read the prequel and all the other books that will follow.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed below are my own.
You know, I have re-read very few books in quick succession. I did a beta read for this story, and within a few weeks, I read this ARC, not because I had to, but because it was a pleasure to do so. Let me tell you that it was a joyful experience all over again.
Ratings
Overall - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/ Storyline - 📖📖📖📖
Romance - 💖💖💖💖💖
Feels - 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth - 💔💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension - ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Sensuality - 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
No of Sex Scenes - 🍑🍑🍑🍑🍑+
Sex Scene Length - 🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆
My Thoughts
- Wren St. Claire is a new-to-me author. Her writing is fun and witty. This story moves swiftly forward with nary a dull moment.
- The best part was the meet-cute. I won't give away the spoiler, but Diana and Anthony's meeting brought Jess from Lord of Scoundrels and Eva from Outrageous to mind. This scene had me well and truly hooked. What followed was an amalgamation of delicious moments involving, but not limited to, dramatic encounters, wild chases, emotionally charged experiences, scorching assignations and heartfelt declarations of love. What more can you ask for?
- I freaking adore a strong heroine and always have. Diana fit the bill to boot. God, considering her early experiences, this girl was unafraid in the face of danger, saved herself (not a damsel, this one), saved him (twice), and was kind, acceptant and optimistic. She was just sugar and spice with Anthony, and I loved it.
- Anthony, ooh la la. Not having read the previous book, I was not aware of his transgressions, and it allowed me to look at him with a fresh set of eyes. And what I saw wasn't half bad at all. In fact, it was utterly delectable. He saw her. He wanted her. He went after her and refused to let her go. Consequences be damned (a man after my own heart). The way he fought to keep her in his life by brow-beating the circumstances to make her life easier had me falling in love with him. This man, this devilish man, was well and truly tamed.
- The plot was ripe for a sensual engagement, and Ms St. Claire delivered. The romance was super swoony with a more than generous helping of - can't keep my hands to myself & I have to have you right the fuck now - erotic, tender, loving, caring and comforting steamy goodness. Diana and Anthony's absolute inability to be without each other made their love perfect. They grew together, learnt to trust one another and found togetherness in their loneliness. Sigh.
*This book put Ms St. Claire on my authors-to-read list, and it intrigued me enough to read the prequel and all the other books that will follow.
March 13, 2023
*** I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest personal review. ***
OMG guys, I needed a cold shower after this one! Seriously spicy with a capital 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶!
From the first page to the last, the action was consistent. Never a dull moment where I'd want to skim forward. The chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.
And I loved that there was no real complicated subplot or mystery that would take focus away from our main couple.
This is my first go with Wren St. Claire, and it won't be my last.
OMG guys, I needed a cold shower after this one! Seriously spicy with a capital 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶!
From the first page to the last, the action was consistent. Never a dull moment where I'd want to skim forward. The chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.
And I loved that there was no real complicated subplot or mystery that would take focus away from our main couple.
This is my first go with Wren St. Claire, and it won't be my last.
March 13, 2023
“He was base and selfish and capable of both brutality and cruelty on occasion. He had learned as a youth that it was the best defense against the pain that the world could inflict on those that didn’t protect themselves.”
Momma always told me never judge a book by its cover…and ya know what…she was right, especially in this case (i'm not a fan of the cover). I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d get when I started reading Taming the Devil, but it wasn’t this hot and steamy book with lively and colorful characters. It started out a bit slow but not so slow it made me want to put it down. When it got going, it really got going and I loved it. Especially our main characters. The way that they meet was too cute.
I’m a real sucker for an alpha hero…points if he’s an asshole and Anthony Harcourt is definitely that. He’s cruel, crass, ruthless, and use to getting his own way. But he’s also sweet and unsure of himself which lends an air of vulnerability to him. Despite all his issues, you can’t help but fall in love with him. Bogged down in debt from the title he recently inherited from his grandfather, Anthony searches for a way to replenish his coffers. His first order of business, sell the jewels his grandfather was hoarding. But something, or someone happens to him, and his entire world is changed forever.
Diana Lovell belongs to no one. Not because she doesn’t wish to, but because no one wants her. Orphaned at a young age, Diana has spent the last eight years working in her uncle’s gaming hell. But she has a plan to save herself. Get back the brooch stolen from her deceased father and travel. There’s only one person standing in her way, the 7th Duke of Mowbray, Anthony Harcourt.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My only complaint - on occasion, the writing gets a tad repetitive and verbose. Although this is my first time reading Wren St. Claire's work, but it won’t be the last.
Taming the Devil
Wren St. Claire
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Working Woman, Road Trip Romance, Heroine disguised as a lad
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (i'm sure there are more…I lost count I think at 7)
Momma always told me never judge a book by its cover…and ya know what…she was right, especially in this case (i'm not a fan of the cover). I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d get when I started reading Taming the Devil, but it wasn’t this hot and steamy book with lively and colorful characters. It started out a bit slow but not so slow it made me want to put it down. When it got going, it really got going and I loved it. Especially our main characters. The way that they meet was too cute.
I’m a real sucker for an alpha hero…points if he’s an asshole and Anthony Harcourt is definitely that. He’s cruel, crass, ruthless, and use to getting his own way. But he’s also sweet and unsure of himself which lends an air of vulnerability to him. Despite all his issues, you can’t help but fall in love with him. Bogged down in debt from the title he recently inherited from his grandfather, Anthony searches for a way to replenish his coffers. His first order of business, sell the jewels his grandfather was hoarding. But something, or someone happens to him, and his entire world is changed forever.
Diana Lovell belongs to no one. Not because she doesn’t wish to, but because no one wants her. Orphaned at a young age, Diana has spent the last eight years working in her uncle’s gaming hell. But she has a plan to save herself. Get back the brooch stolen from her deceased father and travel. There’s only one person standing in her way, the 7th Duke of Mowbray, Anthony Harcourt.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My only complaint - on occasion, the writing gets a tad repetitive and verbose. Although this is my first time reading Wren St. Claire's work, but it won’t be the last.
Taming the Devil
Wren St. Claire
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Working Woman, Road Trip Romance, Heroine disguised as a lad
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (i'm sure there are more…I lost count I think at 7)
March 30, 2023
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I had such a fun time reading this book! The set up was good and once our main characters, Anthony and Diana met over a robbery (HER robbing HIM) the action was consistent from there on out. I love a hero who starts out nasty and mean and shows some real character development - Anthony totally fits the bill! And Diana is more than a match for him - plucky and feisty but also a sweet and caring person who begins to see, and appreciate, the real Anthony. Also, the steam in this book was STEAMING! I think I blushed more than a few times!! Not for the pearl-clutchers out there :)
Read this book if you're looking for an enemies to lusters-lusters to lovers-lovers to partners-forced proximity-road trip-mystery-jewel heist-adventure that clips along at a good pace!
I had such a fun time reading this book! The set up was good and once our main characters, Anthony and Diana met over a robbery (HER robbing HIM) the action was consistent from there on out. I love a hero who starts out nasty and mean and shows some real character development - Anthony totally fits the bill! And Diana is more than a match for him - plucky and feisty but also a sweet and caring person who begins to see, and appreciate, the real Anthony. Also, the steam in this book was STEAMING! I think I blushed more than a few times!! Not for the pearl-clutchers out there :)
Read this book if you're looking for an enemies to lusters-lusters to lovers-lovers to partners-forced proximity-road trip-mystery-jewel heist-adventure that clips along at a good pace!
May 23, 2023
First time reading Ms St Claire and I have to say … it won’t be my last .. I did enjoy the book and both the lead main characters… lots of angst with the H and a bit with the h … interesting premise that seemed fresh since I’ve not come across anything similar (you know how story lines become blurred between authors at times)..
Lots of good steam and chemistry between the leads, which always helps. Sub players flushed out well, tho I didn’t read the first book… so will go back and do that now since they appear in this book briefly ..
The story line has Debt, anger, thievery, and a duel 🤺 sort of and lots of work in/out of the bed 🛌 … very easy read, finished in one setting ..
Only possible con would be … I would have like more depth into the H background and how it came to be for him …
Recommend
Lots of good steam and chemistry between the leads, which always helps. Sub players flushed out well, tho I didn’t read the first book… so will go back and do that now since they appear in this book briefly ..
The story line has Debt, anger, thievery, and a duel 🤺 sort of and lots of work in/out of the bed 🛌 … very easy read, finished in one setting ..
Only possible con would be … I would have like more depth into the H background and how it came to be for him …
Recommend
April 10, 2023
Taming the Devil is the second book in the Villain’s Redemption series. This erotic Regency romance is an improvement on the first book especially with better editing.
Sir Anthony Harcourt, now the 7th Duke of Mowbray, has inherited a mountain of debt. He’s a selfish Hero capable of both brutality and cruelty on occasion. A villain.
Miss Diana Lovell is a desperate woman. She blames the late Duke of Mowbray for her father’s demise and ruining her life. Orphaned at a young age, she has had to work the past eight years working in her Uncle’s Gaming Hell.
Anthony and Diana have an unconventional meet-cute. Their sexy times were unabashedly bold.
I recommend this book.
Sir Anthony Harcourt, now the 7th Duke of Mowbray, has inherited a mountain of debt. He’s a selfish Hero capable of both brutality and cruelty on occasion. A villain.
Miss Diana Lovell is a desperate woman. She blames the late Duke of Mowbray for her father’s demise and ruining her life. Orphaned at a young age, she has had to work the past eight years working in her Uncle’s Gaming Hell.
Anthony and Diana have an unconventional meet-cute. Their sexy times were unabashedly bold.
I recommend this book.
May 19, 2023
Fast read, characters were fleshed out make story compelling page turner. Spoiler**backstory h is a voyeur at the gaming hell where she works and takes her own virginity with a dildo. It was like shoulder shrug to H I am not a real virgin for this reason. Made no sense to character or plot other than to make her a lusty kinky virgin?? but who cares. Dangerous gothic feeling story
was fun and I will read this author again
was fun and I will read this author again
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2025
Dnf 40%
Honestly I was in the mood for a historical romance with a alpha hole MMC buttttt this didn’t read like a historical romance. The words and sexual liberation just didn’t come off historically accurate?
- not a slow burn
- a lot of push and pull, MMC is very distrustful of women
- MMC obvi not a virgin
- FMC not a virgin…by technicality. She took her own virginity via a dildo (sounds goofy af for a historical romance)
Honestly I was in the mood for a historical romance with a alpha hole MMC buttttt this didn’t read like a historical romance. The words and sexual liberation just didn’t come off historically accurate?
- not a slow burn
- a lot of push and pull, MMC is very distrustful of women
- MMC obvi not a virgin
- FMC not a virgin…by technicality. She took her own virginity via a dildo (sounds goofy af for a historical romance)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2023
Y’all, my Kindle was ON FIRE reading this one! Taming the Devil by @wrenstclaire was so steamy, and with a meet cute that ends in the heroine robbing and shooting the hero, you know it’s going to be action-packed.
I wish there had been more character development for Anthony (I did not read the first in the series, but will now), but it was a fun romp.
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wish there had been more character development for Anthony (I did not read the first in the series, but will now), but it was a fun romp.
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 18, 2023
Wonderful book with Anthony Harcourt, the new Duke of Mowbray and Miss Diana Lovell who meet on the road while she is robbing and shooting him. Not the best beginning for a relationship, but what comes next is amazing. Loved these characters, the intrigue, the passion and especially the way Anthony talks to Diana. Highly recommend.
June 1, 2023
A good read
A story of a betrayed and broke duke who inherited nothing but debt and a young woman without a family who works in a gaming hell .
It has plenty of steam and passion but the story lacks a bit in its believability.
Nevertheless an interesting tale .
A story of a betrayed and broke duke who inherited nothing but debt and a young woman without a family who works in a gaming hell .
It has plenty of steam and passion but the story lacks a bit in its believability.
Nevertheless an interesting tale .
December 31, 2023
DNF. I read right up to where Connor sneaked in the Inn room and stole the jewels.
I just don’t like villains and violent plots. 🤷♀️ I did skim through the rest of the book and HOLY MOLY…..There are some really HOT scenes! (5 stars for THAT).
I just don’t like villains and violent plots. 🤷♀️ I did skim through the rest of the book and HOLY MOLY…..There are some really HOT scenes! (5 stars for THAT).
March 9, 2025
This was a bit crazy sauce banana pants, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed his depth of feeling and obsession most of all. The villain getting away was unsatisfying, but I see he is the subject of the next book. On kindle it ends at 85%, just fyi.
March 5, 2024
This book was hot hot hot. The absolute tension and emotion between the two main characters adds so much steamy yet sensual well written intimacy scenes. I would read these books in order.
August 31, 2024
Not a fan of the contemporary-style writing. There was so much punctuation error, it was a pain to read.
February 2, 2025
Taming the Devil
It had a good story but I thought too graphic at times. But maybe the Duke needed tamed. It seemed to me The Duchess was tamed.
It had a good story but I thought too graphic at times. But maybe the Duke needed tamed. It seemed to me The Duchess was tamed.
December 31, 2024
Oh yeah, before I forget. This is a #latepost, but probably the last book read in 2024. Probably. There's still a couple of hours left before the year ends. This book is okay. MMC is a broody villain who inherits a dukedom that's in debt. He's apparently known to be quite beastly, but it was more telling than showing (I think it showed more in Book 1 which I didn't read, but this Book 2 can still be read as a standalone). Can't remember details, but it's okay and enough to get me out of the reading slump.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews