El juego de un rufián

Mistress Trilogy #3

by Renee Bernard

Juegos atrevidos. Consecuencias peligrosamente deliciosas.
La encantadora Eve Reynolds realiza el papel de una joven e ingenua debutante, pero tras su recatada apariencia se oculta experta jugadora de naipes que, a instancias de su tío, se dedica a desplumar aristócratas en partidas con altas apuestas que tanto gustan a la sociedad. Únicamente el más célebre libertino de Londres, Julian Clay, conde de Westleigh, ve más allá de sus tretas, pues saber reconocer a un jugador en cuanto lo ve. Atraido por la pasión que atisba en los tormentosos ojos de Eve, así como en desacuerdo con su reservada elegancia, Julian emprende un apasionado asedio a la mujer. y eve responder con un deseo tan ardiente que deja atrás toda precaución prudente, hasta que ambos no pueden pensar en otra cosa que no sea las apasionadas horas que pasan en brazos del otro.

Pero el tío de Eve quiere que ella apueste más fuerte, concertando un matrimonio respetable con un acaudalado lord... y Eve tiene sus propios motivos secretos para seguir su plan. Aunque Julian comienza a jugar de modo imprudente para seducir a la inteligente joven, ahora quiere mucho más de Eve, y nadie le impedirá arriesgarlo todo en una partida final que podría hacerle ganar el corazón y el alma de Eve para siempre.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Regency Romance, Erotica

244 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2008

About the author

What in the world is a retired Navy chaplain’s daughter doing writing scorching hot historical romances and paranormal graphic novels? Renee Bernard is applying a great education from traveling all over the world to story telling and doing her best to keep her father proud. Truthfully, her father is her number one fan, even though he has sworn never to read a single word of her books (a vow he has kept to this day!) Nothing stops him from telling everyone he knows that his daughter is now a USA Today Bestselling author or from handing out bookmarks on the golf course. Love can make even a minister do strange things!

Renee Bernard is a freelance writer and host of “Canned Laughter and Coffee” on Readers Entertainment, as well as a contributor to Romantic Times BookReviews magazine. Renee currently lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California. (Note an interesting proximity to great wineries!)

Reviews

[Ana María · Rating 2 out of 5]

psé, meh, qué se yo.
La historia no estuvo mal. Por supuesto que demasiado sexo. Sólo que la relación fluyó sin mayores problemas como si fueran los tiempos modernos: chico conoce a chica, se gustan y voilá, sexo.
La heroína, Eve, por lo menos original: jugadora profesional y no ingenua.
Tuve problemas con Julián, el protagonista: un desgraciado, mal amigo, jugador, acosador y visitante de dormitorios ajenos. Y sin ningún trauma del pasado. No me dió ni una pizca de ternura ni me movió ni un pelo.
Por ahí ya me había caído mal en el primer libro y en este no remontó.
Quizá un poco al final pero tampoco wow.

[Daneesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. This is the second book that I have picked up with her name on it. What a great story! The hero was a "villain" in the previous book and was well recovered from his gunshot injury. LOL. The heroine was strong and yet vulnerable. She was a mere pawn in her relative's plans. I loved this story though. The dialogue was witty and so funny. I wished that the heroine's uncle was punished a bit more severely. I think he got off easy. Hummm. Great read. I was so engrossed my mom kept asking me about it. Ha, she was even wanting to know what was going on!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third entry in the series was a good solid read. And only one mention of "creme" this time, thank goodness! Renee knows how to write entertaining sensual historical romances.

[MARIE MARUCCI · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final installment of Mistress Trilogy closed out the series, with a continuation of not only an unscrupulous uncle who used his niece for his own gains, but another woman who was not altogether there in Beatrice.

I really wish that Drake and Julian could have reconciled to reclaim their friendship, but at least Julian found true love with Eve.

[JulianneWells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eve Reynolds is under her Uncles thumb and lives a transient life conning and gambling to stay afloat.

Julian, Earl Westleigh, is a gambling hustler himself- and the only one to see through Eves act.

sparks fly and they cant stay apart. Ok characters and story, nicely wrapped up fpr HEA. multiple steamy scenes.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a interesting storyline, a young lady living with her not so respectable uncle is forced to play cards for money. She kinda meets her match with Julian and it is fun to see how they play off of each other and learn to trust each other and love each other.
A good pace and fun characters

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read, as I have the first 2 books in this series. I love the strong female leads that know what they what, even if they feel they are risking their hearts. I hope there will be more books in this series to come.

[Risadris♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leído 2010

[SLW · Rating 2 out of 5]

4

[J. Leigh Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story and Writing Style
This was a good story…so why did it take me so long to finish? Julian Clay, the Earl of Westleigh, is a scoundrel (of course), taking particular interest in women (of course), and gambling (of course.) There was a recent scandal previously in this series of Renee Bernard’s that labeled Julian a murderer, which succeeds in pulling him more into scoundreldom. I had no idea he would be a hero after that event. He just seemed softer in this book.

Anyway, I love the idea of Eve being a pawn in her uncle’s game of trying to scheme and steal money from the nobility during “friendly” games of cards. Eve plays the innocent even though she’s not, but that turns Julian’s head just fine. Just fine. And ultimately it comes down to who seduces whom over a game of cards or two. Exquisite.

Characters
Bernard did well describing a man who was influential but had the heart of gold. I mean, he’s still a rake, but his care for Eve touched me deep. And Eve showed great strength and resilience, particularly when she decides to leave her uncle for good. And she couldn't do it alone…

Sex
The first sex scene is wonderful. A wager won off of a card game, and they strip as they settle the terms. Not super juicy, but hot enough.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of this trilogy. The hero and heroine are both likeable but flawed,and the plot is particularly strong, although the steamy bits are less steamy than the first in the series. The heroine is intelligent, imperfect and independent and the hero is a rogue who has no intention of reforming. It mentions the characters from the first book, but only in passing, and builds the hero's character in-line with what we already know about him, rather than shooting off at an inconsistent tangent like some series seem to do. Very enjoyable read.

[Mary Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series

I really enjoyed a Rove's game . I loved the hero Jillian he was witty and suave. Kind of like a Victorian James bond if you will!! Eve our heroine was just as good . Strong and fearless and not complaining about how life has treated her. I loved this book just about as much as book one,and I thought book one was really great.

[Alaina Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the full review (and to learn the definition of 'lunch break book'), visit the link at That's What She Read.

[Lindy]

I usually really enjoy Renee Bernard's books but I'm more than halfway through, and I'm just not loving these characters. I can't put my finger on what I don't like, it's just not holding my interest. DNF.

[Wendy Tavenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. To me not as good as the first 2 in the trilogy but a happy ending for our hero Julian Clay. After his brush with death I believe Julian wanted to change his life for the better. He was able once Eve Reynolds entered his life.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3. Very Good.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Renee Bernard. She has some good books. This is her latest and I really enjoyed it. I really liked the guy, Julian. He was funny and sexy all at the same time. Thumbs up!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun characters and humourous dialogue, however, the few historical inaccuracies were hard to over look and completly out of piece within the historical setting.

[Billie Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernard is one of those wonderful hidden authors that are just amazing. I would recommend any one of her books!

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5

[Ladyvixen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meilleurs que le deuxième mais çà n'atteint pas le niveau du premier de la série

[Aldy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmm me gustó ver a Julian pasan a ser el bueno pero nada se iguala al primer libro de la saga sigue siendo el mejor y tanto este como el segundo se ven opacados.

[Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as Romantic and Sensual as the first two A Lady's Pleasure and A Madame's Deception, but it was well written and hold your interest. Cant wait for Ms. Bernards next book to see what she does!!!

[Sec2000]

too suspenseful

[Maryanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyable as always

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish. Both main characters are supremely annoying in this book, quite unlike the other works I have read by Ms Bernard.

[Jenny Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggling to finish this one. Not loving it. Still interested, just not enough.