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The Renegade Royals #2
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom
Only one woman is worthy of his secrets…
They are the Renegade Royals, illegitimate sons of the Royal Princes, each finding his rightful place in society—and the woman destined to be his perfect match…
Some men are born into scandal. Others pursue it with a passion. Griffin Steele, secret son of the Duke of Cumberland, is guilty on both counts. Yet somehow London’s most notorious scoundrel has been saddled with an abandoned baby boy—and with the unflappable, intriguing spinster summoned to nurse him…
Justine Brightmore may be a viscount’s niece, but she’s also a spy’s daughter, determined to safeguard the infant when his suspected royal parentage makes him a target. Yet how to protect herself from the rakish Griffin? Marriage might shield her reputation, but it can only imperil her heart, especially with a groom intent on delicious seduction…
They are the Renegade Royals, illegitimate sons of the Royal Princes, each finding his rightful place in society—and the woman destined to be his perfect match…
Some men are born into scandal. Others pursue it with a passion. Griffin Steele, secret son of the Duke of Cumberland, is guilty on both counts. Yet somehow London’s most notorious scoundrel has been saddled with an abandoned baby boy—and with the unflappable, intriguing spinster summoned to nurse him…
Justine Brightmore may be a viscount’s niece, but she’s also a spy’s daughter, determined to safeguard the infant when his suspected royal parentage makes him a target. Yet how to protect herself from the rakish Griffin? Marriage might shield her reputation, but it can only imperil her heart, especially with a groom intent on delicious seduction…
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2014
60 people are currently reading
1516 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Kelly
36 books1,753 followersVanessa Kelly is a bestselling author of historical mystery and historical romance. She has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for best historical romance. She is a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and Amazon bestseller several times over. To date, her books have been published in eleven languages. Vanessa also wrote USA Today bestselling contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels with her husband, under the pen name of V.K. Sykes.
After receiving her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, Vanessa spent several years in the Ph.D program at the University of Toronto, studying women authors of the 18th Century. She worked as a researcher for many years, and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband.
After receiving her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, Vanessa spent several years in the Ph.D program at the University of Toronto, studying women authors of the 18th Century. She worked as a researcher for many years, and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 6, 2025
This is an entertaining, well-written, historical romance novel. It has a strong and capable, likable female protagonist, an engaging male protagonist, wit, intrigue, a touch of mystery, a steamy, heartwarming romance, and a satisfying conclusion. This is the second entry in Ms. Kelly's wonderful Renegade Royals series, and it can be read as a stand alone. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator, Ms. Veida Dehmlow, does an outstanding job voicing the characters. I also own the paperback edition of this delightful romance.
April 2, 2014
Griffin Steele, bastard nephew of the Prince Regent, is a notorious owner of famous gambling hells and brothels. Just when he intended to slowly transfer his business ownerships to others in preparation to leave for the Orient, an infant is mysteriously delivered on his doorstep with a note that it’s in danger. Frantic, his mentor-cum-annoying-guardian Dominic Hunter (also Justine's godfather) sends over the indomitable Justine Brightmore to be the baby’s nurse, and when an accidental scandal occurs, Griffin has no choice but to take Justine as his wife. Will their marriage ever brew affection, and possibly, love? Also important, just who is after that infant?
While the plot of this novel can be easily divided into halves – first being Griffin and Justine’s earlier interactions as caretakers of the baby, and second is the trials of their marriage-of-convenience – their characterizations are far more complex, Griffin’s more than Justine’s. Justine, being the daughter of a well-known spy, had her fill of adventures from her unconventional upbringing by relatives (since her father was often away for his agent work), and wants only a quiet, respectable life in the countryside. She came to help Griffin as a owed favor to Dominic, and life with him is the exact opposite of what she intended, or what she thought she wanted. Justine’s innately inquisitive nature clashes well with her outwardly prim and starched demeanor; her modest nature contrasting the nerves of steel within her, exhibiting in her not afraid to shoot a man down if necessary. Brava, Mrs. Kelly, for writing this wonderfully vulnerable yet tough heroine.
Griffin, on the other hand, fits the Bryonic hero of “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.” In truth, he is one giant puzzle box that perplexes Justine to no end. He is fiercely protective of his independence after being oppressed by others while growing up, which shifted his loving side into those in his care. In this, he and Justine are the same – both are always trying to give and take care of others, without regard to themselves. Griffin, though, hides a world of pain with his mother abandoning him as a baby, his unwelcomed royal parentage, which creates the current him that is in between light and darkness. While his reputation is earthed in darkness, he himself baths in the light that was robbed from him in his childhood, and this melancholy realization endears him to Justine.
As Griffin and Justine come to understand each other, they discover something new of the other in every day of their lives, and the mystery surrounding the infant heightens to a climax as well. While that mystery is fairly predictable, I felt the action was too crammed near the end of the novel that seemed almost like deux ex machina. Aside from that, it may be a bit frustrating for Justine’s insecurities to cloud the pages of her wondering if Griffin truly love her, but given her character, I overlooked it as a sign of her inversion – revealing more of her true self than the one she has attempted to mold.
Overall, I enjoyed Vanessa Kelly’s writing and her nice blend of romantic action. Griffin’s paternally antagonistic relationship with Dominic was a delight to read as well, and I can’t wait to read Dominic’s book with his lost love Chloe, Griffin’s mother. (Then he’ll become Griffin’s stepfather! ^_^)
Published on Buried Under Romance
*Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley; yes it’s an honest review
While the plot of this novel can be easily divided into halves – first being Griffin and Justine’s earlier interactions as caretakers of the baby, and second is the trials of their marriage-of-convenience – their characterizations are far more complex, Griffin’s more than Justine’s. Justine, being the daughter of a well-known spy, had her fill of adventures from her unconventional upbringing by relatives (since her father was often away for his agent work), and wants only a quiet, respectable life in the countryside. She came to help Griffin as a owed favor to Dominic, and life with him is the exact opposite of what she intended, or what she thought she wanted. Justine’s innately inquisitive nature clashes well with her outwardly prim and starched demeanor; her modest nature contrasting the nerves of steel within her, exhibiting in her not afraid to shoot a man down if necessary. Brava, Mrs. Kelly, for writing this wonderfully vulnerable yet tough heroine.
Griffin, on the other hand, fits the Bryonic hero of “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.” In truth, he is one giant puzzle box that perplexes Justine to no end. He is fiercely protective of his independence after being oppressed by others while growing up, which shifted his loving side into those in his care. In this, he and Justine are the same – both are always trying to give and take care of others, without regard to themselves. Griffin, though, hides a world of pain with his mother abandoning him as a baby, his unwelcomed royal parentage, which creates the current him that is in between light and darkness. While his reputation is earthed in darkness, he himself baths in the light that was robbed from him in his childhood, and this melancholy realization endears him to Justine.
As Griffin and Justine come to understand each other, they discover something new of the other in every day of their lives, and the mystery surrounding the infant heightens to a climax as well. While that mystery is fairly predictable, I felt the action was too crammed near the end of the novel that seemed almost like deux ex machina. Aside from that, it may be a bit frustrating for Justine’s insecurities to cloud the pages of her wondering if Griffin truly love her, but given her character, I overlooked it as a sign of her inversion – revealing more of her true self than the one she has attempted to mold.
Overall, I enjoyed Vanessa Kelly’s writing and her nice blend of romantic action. Griffin’s paternally antagonistic relationship with Dominic was a delight to read as well, and I can’t wait to read Dominic’s book with his lost love Chloe, Griffin’s mother. (Then he’ll become Griffin’s stepfather! ^_^)
Published on Buried Under Romance
*Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley; yes it’s an honest review
March 9, 2014
I really liked this book. The dynamic between Griffin and Justine was so appealing. I liked that Griffin was a bit of a pursuer and I felt the chemistry between Griffin and Justine was well done. Readers who have a weakness for Spinster/Rogue historical romance should pick this one up!
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
April 4, 2014
Griffin Steele, is one of the most notorious men in London, and suddenly has been left with a abandoned baby on his doorstep. The last thing he needs is a fussy infant, so a friend and mentor, sends him a woman to nanny the baby until his parents can be found and returned to them. Justine may live in the countryside but her childhood was anything but boring. Her father being a spy and her uncle a viscount, she is tougher than she seems. When she comes to London, to take care of a infant next door to a brothel, she has her work cut out for her, and the owner Griffin who is overwhelming to the extreme but takes her breath away with his smoldering gaze. Circumstances lead these two to closer together, being forced to protect this baby at all costs, and then the sexual tension rises between them and if Griffin wants a future with the only woman he could trust with his secrets, he will have to share everything of himself and prove to her of his genuine feelings for her or he may lose her forever.
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom is the second book in the series and the first book I have read from this author. I was given a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review. Especially lately I have heard a variety of mixed reviews when it comes to Vanessa Kelly, but I have to say after reading this title, she has just been put on my radar list. I wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy this one, but I found myself captivated by this story the moment I started reading it. One of my favorite aspects of this story was the suspense and intrigue side of it. It wasn't a simple regency romance, and even the characters weren't your normal characters you would see in this sub genre. I did find myself fascinated with these characters though. They just clicked instantly, and even though at first they have this teasing flirtation going on, you sense there is something even more deeper developing even from the beginning. The heroine did bother me a little in the beginner, I felt she was a bit too whiny, she complained quite a bit. But she grew on me and I found her very likable especially at the end. The hero was very fun to watch, and he is a scoundrel and I enjoyed his secretive nature, made him more unpredictable and even more sexy.
Such a riveting tale of twists and turns, mysteries and passions, and a tale of two who need each other more than either realize. A unique story that will set your heart racing and see that emotions go into a tail spin!! A romance that pulls the reader in with a stimulating writing style. INTRICATELY SENSUAL!!!
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom is the second book in the series and the first book I have read from this author. I was given a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review. Especially lately I have heard a variety of mixed reviews when it comes to Vanessa Kelly, but I have to say after reading this title, she has just been put on my radar list. I wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy this one, but I found myself captivated by this story the moment I started reading it. One of my favorite aspects of this story was the suspense and intrigue side of it. It wasn't a simple regency romance, and even the characters weren't your normal characters you would see in this sub genre. I did find myself fascinated with these characters though. They just clicked instantly, and even though at first they have this teasing flirtation going on, you sense there is something even more deeper developing even from the beginning. The heroine did bother me a little in the beginner, I felt she was a bit too whiny, she complained quite a bit. But she grew on me and I found her very likable especially at the end. The hero was very fun to watch, and he is a scoundrel and I enjoyed his secretive nature, made him more unpredictable and even more sexy.
Such a riveting tale of twists and turns, mysteries and passions, and a tale of two who need each other more than either realize. A unique story that will set your heart racing and see that emotions go into a tail spin!! A romance that pulls the reader in with a stimulating writing style. INTRICATELY SENSUAL!!!
July 10, 2017
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom had Amanda’s catnip potential written all over it: prim and proper miss marries rakish businessman to avoid scandal all while they try together to solve a intriguing mystery involving a baby and signet ring. Unfortunately, the execution of it fell flat and well short of expectations. I really disappointed not to have enjoyed this one more since I loved Griffin in his sister’s book, My Fair Princess. Here however, Griffin, and the book by extension, was less than impressive.
I think where the book lost me was in the romance between Griffin and Justine. Because there really wasn’t one. A romance, I mean. These two meet via Justine coming to live in Griffin’s household as a nurse/nanny/whatever to a baby left on Griffin’s doorstep by an unknown woman. Already that plot is pretty far fetched I know but I was intrigued and excited to see where this forced proximity between two wholly different people would lead. The answer? NOWHERE. First, all Griffin seemed to do was whine about the fact that he couldn’t take Justine to bed because she was ‘too innocent’ and well bred for his carnal desires. Then, once circumstances led Justine’s reputation to be compromised (SHE WAS RESIDING NEXT DOOR TO A BAWDY HOUSE WITH AN UNMARRIED GENTLEMAN OF SCANDAL FFS, ruination had to have been the endgame no matter what) Griffin and Justine are hastily married soon after; and all he can think about THEN is getting his new wife into bed. SIGH. So, Griffin had a severe case of sex on the brain all while maintaining a zero degree chemistry with Justine. I mean if I’m ¾ of the way through a ROMANCE NOVEL and I STILL feel absolutely no emotional connection or even the slightest hint of any kind of chemistry (be it sexual or not) between the main couple, WHAT IS THE FREAKING POINT???
Caps rant aside, I will say that I adored Justine. She was a bit prickly and uptight but I tend to love those traits in both heroines and heroes because it makes it all the more fun when they become unraveled by love. And don’t let the prickliness fool you, Justine held her own against Griffin just fine, better in fact. She never backed down or let him bully her into submission. She had her own working brain and natural instincts to guide her, as well as a handy pistol at the ready; she was the daughter of a spy after all. I also liked how she kept slowly but surely pushing Griffin out of his comfort zone, as well as breaking down her own walls of protection that she’d built up around herself since her father’s death. Justine and Griffin’s scenes with little baby Stephen were really sweet as well. And the mystery of the plot at the very least kept me interested, if not wholly enthused because the MEH romance was a huge downer for me. I still think Vanessa Kelly is a wonderful writer and I fully intend to read the rest of her books.
I think where the book lost me was in the romance between Griffin and Justine. Because there really wasn’t one. A romance, I mean. These two meet via Justine coming to live in Griffin’s household as a nurse/nanny/whatever to a baby left on Griffin’s doorstep by an unknown woman. Already that plot is pretty far fetched I know but I was intrigued and excited to see where this forced proximity between two wholly different people would lead. The answer? NOWHERE. First, all Griffin seemed to do was whine about the fact that he couldn’t take Justine to bed because she was ‘too innocent’ and well bred for his carnal desires. Then, once circumstances led Justine’s reputation to be compromised (SHE WAS RESIDING NEXT DOOR TO A BAWDY HOUSE WITH AN UNMARRIED GENTLEMAN OF SCANDAL FFS, ruination had to have been the endgame no matter what) Griffin and Justine are hastily married soon after; and all he can think about THEN is getting his new wife into bed. SIGH. So, Griffin had a severe case of sex on the brain all while maintaining a zero degree chemistry with Justine. I mean if I’m ¾ of the way through a ROMANCE NOVEL and I STILL feel absolutely no emotional connection or even the slightest hint of any kind of chemistry (be it sexual or not) between the main couple, WHAT IS THE FREAKING POINT???
Caps rant aside, I will say that I adored Justine. She was a bit prickly and uptight but I tend to love those traits in both heroines and heroes because it makes it all the more fun when they become unraveled by love. And don’t let the prickliness fool you, Justine held her own against Griffin just fine, better in fact. She never backed down or let him bully her into submission. She had her own working brain and natural instincts to guide her, as well as a handy pistol at the ready; she was the daughter of a spy after all. I also liked how she kept slowly but surely pushing Griffin out of his comfort zone, as well as breaking down her own walls of protection that she’d built up around herself since her father’s death. Justine and Griffin’s scenes with little baby Stephen were really sweet as well. And the mystery of the plot at the very least kept me interested, if not wholly enthused because the MEH romance was a huge downer for me. I still think Vanessa Kelly is a wonderful writer and I fully intend to read the rest of her books.
February 9, 2015
For all their many and varied differences - class, background, personalities - Griffin Steele and Justine Brightmore have one thing in common. They have their lives well under control. Justine lives the quiet life in the country she's always wanted, as an companion to an elderly lady, while Griffin is getting the last of his affairs in order in preparation of a long trip exploring the world. A wrench is thrown into both of their well-laid plans for their lives, however, when a young infant is mysteriously delivered to Griffin's doorstep, and Justine is called in as a favour to care for the infant. What seems at first to be a puzzling mystery takes a disturbing turn when it's discovered that the child's very life may be at risk.
~*~*~*~
The edition I received also included a story placed about 30 years prior to Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom that gives insight into the background of the Griffin and his mother, and how their situations evolved (though the story itself doesn't centre around any of the characters from the main story). I still find this section a bit confusing - first I thought it was a preview, then realized it was more of a short-story. The plot seems to match one of the summaries for one of the prequels in the series, Lost in a Royal Kiss - it seems they published the novella as part of Confessions rather than on it's own as a novella in print format? It was printed as itself in e-book format, though.
I'm fairly neutral about the pairing and the characters for this one, though I appreciate the insight into Dominic and Chloe's background - they were probably my favourite characters out of either story.
~*~*~*~
The edition I received also included a story placed about 30 years prior to Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom that gives insight into the background of the Griffin and his mother, and how their situations evolved (though the story itself doesn't centre around any of the characters from the main story). I still find this section a bit confusing - first I thought it was a preview, then realized it was more of a short-story. The plot seems to match one of the summaries for one of the prequels in the series, Lost in a Royal Kiss - it seems they published the novella as part of Confessions rather than on it's own as a novella in print format? It was printed as itself in e-book format, though.
I'm fairly neutral about the pairing and the characters for this one, though I appreciate the insight into Dominic and Chloe's background - they were probably my favourite characters out of either story.
April 1, 2014
The second book in Vanessa Kelly’s historical romance intrigue series, the Renegade Royals, about illegitimate sons of the royal princes who battle society’s cruelty and find success on their own merits.
Bastardy often has a place in historical romance. Despite the attentions to civility and decorum, people will always be human and this includes human frailties and foibles. In this series, all three heroes are the bastard sons of the Prince Regent and his promiscuous brothers, unacknowledged and cast out of society through (obviously) no fault of their own. They become strong, successful, and willful men in their own right yet they each harbor painful hurts deep inside. Until, of course, they fall in love and meet a woman who sees them for what they are, not the unfortunate circumstances of their birth.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1fJQg2a
Bastardy often has a place in historical romance. Despite the attentions to civility and decorum, people will always be human and this includes human frailties and foibles. In this series, all three heroes are the bastard sons of the Prince Regent and his promiscuous brothers, unacknowledged and cast out of society through (obviously) no fault of their own. They become strong, successful, and willful men in their own right yet they each harbor painful hurts deep inside. Until, of course, they fall in love and meet a woman who sees them for what they are, not the unfortunate circumstances of their birth.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1fJQg2a
September 24, 2013
Absolutely fabulous! Everything I love in Regency romance.
March 27, 2014
I love Vanessa Kelly. She writes romance that sweeps you into the story and before you know it its four am and then you are still living the story after you finish you can’t get to sleep. This is book two of her Renegade Royals series and in it we fall in love with the brooding bad boy, tattooed Griffin Steele, and we watch, “watch”, as he finally meets his match in the prim and proper Justine Brightmore. I love everything about this book the characters, the setting, the writing, and the cover.
Griffin Steele is the son of Chloe Steele who we first met in the novella, Lost in His Royal Kiss, where she is seduced by the youngest prince and ends up with child. Chloe’s uncle takes charge of Griffin and send his mother way saying she would be a bad influence on him; still a young and confused she feels she has no other choice but to do as her uncle wishes. Unbeknownst to her Griffin is raised believing she died. Griffin doesn’t learn the truth until his Great Uncles is on his death-bed and after his death Griffin tries to find her but to no avail. Griffin then at the age of fourteen journeys to London and starts his life over. Sometimes nearly starving to death until he finds a compassionate couple who take him in a help find him a job. Griffin makes a name for himself on the streets on London as a notorious whoremonger, and game hell owner. Griffin could careless he has made him self enough money to finally retire. Caring not one bit about his royal blood, the higher ilk of the ton or what they think of him he goes about his business dodging the meddling hands of Dominic who keeps trying to reform him.
Griffin’s life however is turned upside down one day at the appearance of a bouncing baby boy at his doorstep. The baby, Steven, is found with a note explaining that he is in need of protection and that he will be picked up as soon as the danger is clear. Also with him is a signet ring and the only clue as to who Steven really is. Their is only one person Griffin trust enough to help him deal with this problem and that is Dominic. Griffin entrusts Dominic with the ring and the letter to find out who the veiled lady that abandoned the child. He also asks Dominic to find him a suitable nanny to take care of the child while he is under Griffin’s protection. Enter one very prim and proper Justine Brightmore.
Justine Brightmore is the daughter of a spy and being such she has no love for adventures she craves orderliness and structure. Raised by her aunt a bluestocking widow, who is outspoken and free minded Justine is afraid to make the wrong move to draw attention to herself or made the center of attention. Justine loves her position as a lady’s companion and making her own way in life but when her Godfather asks her a favor she can’t turn him down. She accepts the position in order to help the baby but all the feelings she has for the notorious Griffin are unwanted, or are they. Justine’s sense of justice and protection cause a stir and almost damage her reputation until Griffin steps in and marries her. Griffin and Justine fall in love almost right away but the unlikely match have a hard time dealing with the forced wedding and the dangers the baby has brought on them they are having a hard time working out their own emotions.
Dominic is the spy of all spies and has his finger in just about everything the only thing that has eluded him over the years is Chloe Steele after some years she seemed to disappear and no matter how hard he looked he couldn’t find her. He made due though keeping an eye on her son and trying to do right by him, even if the attempts are unwanted. However with the sudden appearance of the mysterious baby and the veiled woman Dominic maybe closer than ever to finding Chloe.
Can Griffin trust his lust for a woman who wear the most god awful caps? Or is it maybe something more than he ever expected? And can he convince her that he truly wants her and just her? Can Justine give in to her sense of adventure and find happiness with Griffin?
I really love this series and can not wait for the next Renegade Royals to come out, which unfortunately doesn’t come out until next year :(
Griffin Steele is the son of Chloe Steele who we first met in the novella, Lost in His Royal Kiss, where she is seduced by the youngest prince and ends up with child. Chloe’s uncle takes charge of Griffin and send his mother way saying she would be a bad influence on him; still a young and confused she feels she has no other choice but to do as her uncle wishes. Unbeknownst to her Griffin is raised believing she died. Griffin doesn’t learn the truth until his Great Uncles is on his death-bed and after his death Griffin tries to find her but to no avail. Griffin then at the age of fourteen journeys to London and starts his life over. Sometimes nearly starving to death until he finds a compassionate couple who take him in a help find him a job. Griffin makes a name for himself on the streets on London as a notorious whoremonger, and game hell owner. Griffin could careless he has made him self enough money to finally retire. Caring not one bit about his royal blood, the higher ilk of the ton or what they think of him he goes about his business dodging the meddling hands of Dominic who keeps trying to reform him.
Griffin’s life however is turned upside down one day at the appearance of a bouncing baby boy at his doorstep. The baby, Steven, is found with a note explaining that he is in need of protection and that he will be picked up as soon as the danger is clear. Also with him is a signet ring and the only clue as to who Steven really is. Their is only one person Griffin trust enough to help him deal with this problem and that is Dominic. Griffin entrusts Dominic with the ring and the letter to find out who the veiled lady that abandoned the child. He also asks Dominic to find him a suitable nanny to take care of the child while he is under Griffin’s protection. Enter one very prim and proper Justine Brightmore.
Justine Brightmore is the daughter of a spy and being such she has no love for adventures she craves orderliness and structure. Raised by her aunt a bluestocking widow, who is outspoken and free minded Justine is afraid to make the wrong move to draw attention to herself or made the center of attention. Justine loves her position as a lady’s companion and making her own way in life but when her Godfather asks her a favor she can’t turn him down. She accepts the position in order to help the baby but all the feelings she has for the notorious Griffin are unwanted, or are they. Justine’s sense of justice and protection cause a stir and almost damage her reputation until Griffin steps in and marries her. Griffin and Justine fall in love almost right away but the unlikely match have a hard time dealing with the forced wedding and the dangers the baby has brought on them they are having a hard time working out their own emotions.
Dominic is the spy of all spies and has his finger in just about everything the only thing that has eluded him over the years is Chloe Steele after some years she seemed to disappear and no matter how hard he looked he couldn’t find her. He made due though keeping an eye on her son and trying to do right by him, even if the attempts are unwanted. However with the sudden appearance of the mysterious baby and the veiled woman Dominic maybe closer than ever to finding Chloe.
Can Griffin trust his lust for a woman who wear the most god awful caps? Or is it maybe something more than he ever expected? And can he convince her that he truly wants her and just her? Can Justine give in to her sense of adventure and find happiness with Griffin?
I really love this series and can not wait for the next Renegade Royals to come out, which unfortunately doesn’t come out until next year :(
October 17, 2014
4 lovely stars!
The story in a nutshell…
When an abandoned baby boy is delivered to Griffin Steele, he hires Justine Brightmore, goddaughter to his mentor, to mind the baby while he solves the mystery surrounding the baby’s true identity and roots. When circumstances force the two into marriage in order to save Justine’s reputation and secure her safety, these two people find themselves in a situation unlike anything they ever expected themselves to be in. They go through a lot of discoveries about themselves, each other, and a future they could not even start to imagine.
What worked for me?
I really love how the whole story progresses. Vanessa Kelly does a really good job laying out the details and the scenes as they build up the mystery. I also love how the feelings between Griffin and Justine developed. It was gradual and built less on attraction, although there was that, but more on understanding and affection, albeit against their will in the beginning.
I love Griffin. He has all these baggage, emotion-wise because of his father who took advantage of his mother and then left her pregnant and ruined. He has no love lost with the ton and his sincere desire is to set off, travel, and leave England behind. But Justine’s entry into his life, as well as the baby’s, has set his life course in unexpected directions, ones which he begrudgingly accepts in the beginning but later on discovers that he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Justine is a piece of work and I say that with love. I love her stubbornness, her smart-ass and no non-sense character. I love that she can hold her own against Griffin and is no push-over. Being a daughter of a renowned spy and agent of the Crown has offered her a childhood of good memories with a good father but at the same time too many experiences of active and fraught emotions because of her father’s work. All she wants is to live a peaceful existence, preferably in the countryside, away from hustle and bustle of town life. But meeting Griffin has made an impact on her whether she wants to believe it or not.
What didn’t work for me?
I don’t have any major issues on the story although I did think a few times that the mystery surrounding the baby was nowhere near the scale that I was expecting it to be. Also, I expected more about the circumstances surrounding the baby’s appearance at Griffin’s doorstep but I was a little underwhelmed when they were revealed.
My over-all take on it?
This was a really good historical romance that has amazing characters who have great chemistry both when they’re talking and when they’re not talking, if you know what I mean. It was great watching them grow closer and closer against their better judgments and as a reader, you’re there thinking, as if they would be end up anywhere else but together’. Plus, look at that gorgeous cover! That has to be one of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen in a while, for historical romances.
The story in a nutshell…
When an abandoned baby boy is delivered to Griffin Steele, he hires Justine Brightmore, goddaughter to his mentor, to mind the baby while he solves the mystery surrounding the baby’s true identity and roots. When circumstances force the two into marriage in order to save Justine’s reputation and secure her safety, these two people find themselves in a situation unlike anything they ever expected themselves to be in. They go through a lot of discoveries about themselves, each other, and a future they could not even start to imagine.
What worked for me?
I really love how the whole story progresses. Vanessa Kelly does a really good job laying out the details and the scenes as they build up the mystery. I also love how the feelings between Griffin and Justine developed. It was gradual and built less on attraction, although there was that, but more on understanding and affection, albeit against their will in the beginning.
I love Griffin. He has all these baggage, emotion-wise because of his father who took advantage of his mother and then left her pregnant and ruined. He has no love lost with the ton and his sincere desire is to set off, travel, and leave England behind. But Justine’s entry into his life, as well as the baby’s, has set his life course in unexpected directions, ones which he begrudgingly accepts in the beginning but later on discovers that he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Justine is a piece of work and I say that with love. I love her stubbornness, her smart-ass and no non-sense character. I love that she can hold her own against Griffin and is no push-over. Being a daughter of a renowned spy and agent of the Crown has offered her a childhood of good memories with a good father but at the same time too many experiences of active and fraught emotions because of her father’s work. All she wants is to live a peaceful existence, preferably in the countryside, away from hustle and bustle of town life. But meeting Griffin has made an impact on her whether she wants to believe it or not.
What didn’t work for me?
I don’t have any major issues on the story although I did think a few times that the mystery surrounding the baby was nowhere near the scale that I was expecting it to be. Also, I expected more about the circumstances surrounding the baby’s appearance at Griffin’s doorstep but I was a little underwhelmed when they were revealed.
My over-all take on it?
This was a really good historical romance that has amazing characters who have great chemistry both when they’re talking and when they’re not talking, if you know what I mean. It was great watching them grow closer and closer against their better judgments and as a reader, you’re there thinking, as if they would be end up anywhere else but together’. Plus, look at that gorgeous cover! That has to be one of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen in a while, for historical romances.
May 16, 2018
I'm not sure how to rate this second book in the series. On the one hand, the hero, Griffin, is a slightly better hero than his cousin, Aden, the hero from Book 1, but then again, I shouldn't compare the two characters since they are two completely different people whose pasts shaped them into who they are. On the other hand, I didn't care for the plot of this book: a baby is left on Griffin's doorstep because his life is in danger. So I'm gonna go with 2 stars because I didn't like the plot.
The attraction between the H/h wasn't shoved in-your-face like it was in the first book. The H/h have a lot of conversations and got to know one another after their wedding (and maybe before their wedding?). Griffin refused to speak about his past at first, but he gradually opened up to Justine. He feared that she would end up pitying him and no one wants to be pitied. Sometimes I wonder if characters know the difference between pity and sympathy. It's not the type of romance I would prefer to read about, but it was somewhat of a nice change to see the H/h getting to know each other.
I hope to learn more about Sir Dominic (who was also in the first book and in the prequel that I still need to read) in the novella after this book. He was acting a little odd and secretive in this book, and I don't think it was ever fully explained.
The attraction between the H/h wasn't shoved in-your-face like it was in the first book. The H/h have a lot of conversations and got to know one another after their wedding (and maybe before their wedding?). Griffin refused to speak about his past at first, but he gradually opened up to Justine. He feared that she would end up pitying him and no one wants to be pitied. Sometimes I wonder if characters know the difference between pity and sympathy. It's not the type of romance I would prefer to read about, but it was somewhat of a nice change to see the H/h getting to know each other.
I hope to learn more about Sir Dominic (who was also in the first book and in the prequel that I still need to read) in the novella after this book. He was acting a little odd and secretive in this book, and I don't think it was ever fully explained.
January 6, 2015
Can a unique FAIRY GODDUDE bring together a fashion challenged wallflower & a NOTORIOUS BAD BOY? I guess y'all will just have to READ it for YOURSELVES to find out!
Justine Brightmore is the daughter of a spy & after her mom's death, her blue stock quirky aunt helped to raise her & her younger brother. Her father was always off on 1 dangerous mission after another, but soon Justice found herself as his homebound agent & spy helper. Her life was always controlled chaos, but her father did love her & her brother. Justine did have her godfather, Sir Dominic Hunter, who was the head of England's Intellect Agency & was the only dependable person in her life & she would do anything for him. After her dad's violent death at the hands of another spy, she became a paid companion & finally had a normal & non chaotic life she always CRAVED!
Griffin Steele is the illegitimate son of the royal Duke of Cumberland & his mom, Chloe, was the 14 year old seduced daughter of the royal tutor. Chloe was banished to her vicar uncle until the Griffin was born & then he became the abandon & unwanted ward of his great uncle. He was raised to atone for his sinful beginning & when he learned that his mom die, he was devastated. At 14, his great uncle told him on his death bed that his mom was not dead, so when his great uncle died, he went looking, but never found her. Soon he found himself on the cold & dark streets of London & only survived by his wits, quick hands & the only true kindness he has ever known, by Mr. & Mrs. Phelps. Griffin soon became the errand boy of gaming den, The Cormorant & worked his way up to become the owner of The Cormorant & the brothel next door, The Golden Tie. Now he has surrounded himself with his adopted & trusted family filled with whores & the Phelps family, but he does have Sir Dominic Hunter as the PITA of his life, as he tries to make Griffin into a pillar of the Ton!
Griffin is in the middle of selling all he owns in England, so he can leave for light & warm in Egypt & India, but all is halted when a veiled lady leaves a screaming & possible royal baby named Stephen at his front door & he has to beg Sir Dominic for help. Sir Dominic brings help in the form of the uppity, prim & proper & completely fashion challenged Miss Justine Brightmore as a nurse. Justine doesn't want to live in a former gaming den that is attached to a brothel, but her godfather needs her help with protecting the mysterious & endangered Stephen. Soon Justine life is filled with the chaos again & the yummy & moody Griffin is driving her girlie parts into overdrive & making her brain want to whip out her trust pistol & taking aim! All Griffins wants to do is find out the mystery of Stephen & sail to warmer climates, but his body wants to strip off Justine's ugly caps & clothes & take her hard against any available surface!
Soon all London learns of Justine living next to a brothel by her wielding her pistol in defense of girls, but when Griffin arrives to save the day, he announces that Justine is now Mrs. Griffin Steele. Now they need to get married & Dominic is pleased as punch now that Griffin is married & needs to kiss up to London Society for Justine's reputation. Justine demands a marriage of convenience, but Griffin has other ideas & soon begin a campaign of SEDUCING his reluctant bride. So they must solve Stephen's mystery, derail break ins, kick more than 1 baddies a$$ & find the veiled woman, while Justine's heart must survive Griffin's toe curling kisses, undies scorching moves & all her screaming ORGASMS! Can Griffin prove to Justine that she wants his kind of yummy chaos? Will Justine prove to Griffin that she is all light & warmth he needs? Who is the veiled woman? Will baby Stephen ever be truly safe? How much PIXIE DUST will Dominic sprinkle on these 2 crazy kids?
Now this Renegade Royals series sucked me in with the first novella, Lost In a Royal Kiss, which just so happen to be my introduce scrappy Dominic & pregnant Chloe. I love myself some yummy & naughty BAD BOYS & Ms. Kelly has a whole new twist with her illegitimate sons of royal dukes. Griffin was scarred by his past & had a crappy childhood, but he didn't let it define him. He always CRAVED light & warm & he didn't trust easily, but he collected a unique & loving family that knitted his bruised heart a soft, warm & huge cozy! Ms. Kelly outdid herself with Griffin's quirky family filled with loving & giving women of ill repute & the Phelps clan, but they were what Griffin's heart needed. Now poor fashion challenge Justine grew up in her dad's crazy & surprise every minute spy life, but she truly blossomed in chaos. She was a girl after my own heart because she would do absolutely ANYTHING for her family, but she NEVER let her loved ones do for her until Griffin. Ms. Kelly made her h/h complete opposites, but they both CRAVED absolute pure love, but didn't think they DESERVED IT! They both made 1 another better & also compliment each other. Ms. Kelly can write some scorching romances & HELLO Griffin was a owner of a brothel & a complete NAUGHTY BAD BOY & she built up such great sexual tension between her h/h, but I was disappointed in the lack of NAUGHTY scenes. That was my only complaint with his tale & she did make up for it with her outrageous PIXIE DUST sprinkling Sir Dominic. Dominic is my absolute favorite Fairy Goddude to date & he loves to protect his little clan of royal BAD BOYS & wants them to be better men, but he has no problem with screwing up their lives with their perfect female! I am super excite to read her next book starring Dominic & his lost love, but I don't to do a SPOIL ALERT! Ms. Kelly totally earns my score of 4 fingers up & 8 toes for this royal opposites attract romance filled with OUTRAGEOUS!
Justine Brightmore is the daughter of a spy & after her mom's death, her blue stock quirky aunt helped to raise her & her younger brother. Her father was always off on 1 dangerous mission after another, but soon Justice found herself as his homebound agent & spy helper. Her life was always controlled chaos, but her father did love her & her brother. Justine did have her godfather, Sir Dominic Hunter, who was the head of England's Intellect Agency & was the only dependable person in her life & she would do anything for him. After her dad's violent death at the hands of another spy, she became a paid companion & finally had a normal & non chaotic life she always CRAVED!
Griffin Steele is the illegitimate son of the royal Duke of Cumberland & his mom, Chloe, was the 14 year old seduced daughter of the royal tutor. Chloe was banished to her vicar uncle until the Griffin was born & then he became the abandon & unwanted ward of his great uncle. He was raised to atone for his sinful beginning & when he learned that his mom die, he was devastated. At 14, his great uncle told him on his death bed that his mom was not dead, so when his great uncle died, he went looking, but never found her. Soon he found himself on the cold & dark streets of London & only survived by his wits, quick hands & the only true kindness he has ever known, by Mr. & Mrs. Phelps. Griffin soon became the errand boy of gaming den, The Cormorant & worked his way up to become the owner of The Cormorant & the brothel next door, The Golden Tie. Now he has surrounded himself with his adopted & trusted family filled with whores & the Phelps family, but he does have Sir Dominic Hunter as the PITA of his life, as he tries to make Griffin into a pillar of the Ton!
Griffin is in the middle of selling all he owns in England, so he can leave for light & warm in Egypt & India, but all is halted when a veiled lady leaves a screaming & possible royal baby named Stephen at his front door & he has to beg Sir Dominic for help. Sir Dominic brings help in the form of the uppity, prim & proper & completely fashion challenged Miss Justine Brightmore as a nurse. Justine doesn't want to live in a former gaming den that is attached to a brothel, but her godfather needs her help with protecting the mysterious & endangered Stephen. Soon Justine life is filled with the chaos again & the yummy & moody Griffin is driving her girlie parts into overdrive & making her brain want to whip out her trust pistol & taking aim! All Griffins wants to do is find out the mystery of Stephen & sail to warmer climates, but his body wants to strip off Justine's ugly caps & clothes & take her hard against any available surface!
Soon all London learns of Justine living next to a brothel by her wielding her pistol in defense of girls, but when Griffin arrives to save the day, he announces that Justine is now Mrs. Griffin Steele. Now they need to get married & Dominic is pleased as punch now that Griffin is married & needs to kiss up to London Society for Justine's reputation. Justine demands a marriage of convenience, but Griffin has other ideas & soon begin a campaign of SEDUCING his reluctant bride. So they must solve Stephen's mystery, derail break ins, kick more than 1 baddies a$$ & find the veiled woman, while Justine's heart must survive Griffin's toe curling kisses, undies scorching moves & all her screaming ORGASMS! Can Griffin prove to Justine that she wants his kind of yummy chaos? Will Justine prove to Griffin that she is all light & warmth he needs? Who is the veiled woman? Will baby Stephen ever be truly safe? How much PIXIE DUST will Dominic sprinkle on these 2 crazy kids?
Now this Renegade Royals series sucked me in with the first novella, Lost In a Royal Kiss, which just so happen to be my introduce scrappy Dominic & pregnant Chloe. I love myself some yummy & naughty BAD BOYS & Ms. Kelly has a whole new twist with her illegitimate sons of royal dukes. Griffin was scarred by his past & had a crappy childhood, but he didn't let it define him. He always CRAVED light & warm & he didn't trust easily, but he collected a unique & loving family that knitted his bruised heart a soft, warm & huge cozy! Ms. Kelly outdid herself with Griffin's quirky family filled with loving & giving women of ill repute & the Phelps clan, but they were what Griffin's heart needed. Now poor fashion challenge Justine grew up in her dad's crazy & surprise every minute spy life, but she truly blossomed in chaos. She was a girl after my own heart because she would do absolutely ANYTHING for her family, but she NEVER let her loved ones do for her until Griffin. Ms. Kelly made her h/h complete opposites, but they both CRAVED absolute pure love, but didn't think they DESERVED IT! They both made 1 another better & also compliment each other. Ms. Kelly can write some scorching romances & HELLO Griffin was a owner of a brothel & a complete NAUGHTY BAD BOY & she built up such great sexual tension between her h/h, but I was disappointed in the lack of NAUGHTY scenes. That was my only complaint with his tale & she did make up for it with her outrageous PIXIE DUST sprinkling Sir Dominic. Dominic is my absolute favorite Fairy Goddude to date & he loves to protect his little clan of royal BAD BOYS & wants them to be better men, but he has no problem with screwing up their lives with their perfect female! I am super excite to read her next book starring Dominic & his lost love, but I don't to do a SPOIL ALERT! Ms. Kelly totally earns my score of 4 fingers up & 8 toes for this royal opposites attract romance filled with OUTRAGEOUS!
May 29, 2022
5 Tattooed Stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So well done! This was my first Vanessa Kelly book, though I’ve actually owned it for a few years now 😂 But I loved it from start to finish, and I will definitely be reading more from her!
I loved this unique storyline of the baby being left on the doorstep and all the intrigue that surrounded the little one. It kept me interested and wanting to find out what would happen. I know some don’t love storylines involving children, but this was great because it didn’t take over the whole book, but yet you still cared when shit hits the fan at the end.
The chemistry was also great between Justine and Griffin. Chef’s kiss! 😘 I loved how he started out balking at the idea of her helping, but by the end you can see how far they’ve come together and that they truly became a team. I loved everything about them.❤️
And now, off to start book ONE! Lol 😆
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So well done! This was my first Vanessa Kelly book, though I’ve actually owned it for a few years now 😂 But I loved it from start to finish, and I will definitely be reading more from her!
I loved this unique storyline of the baby being left on the doorstep and all the intrigue that surrounded the little one. It kept me interested and wanting to find out what would happen. I know some don’t love storylines involving children, but this was great because it didn’t take over the whole book, but yet you still cared when shit hits the fan at the end.
The chemistry was also great between Justine and Griffin. Chef’s kiss! 😘 I loved how he started out balking at the idea of her helping, but by the end you can see how far they’ve come together and that they truly became a team. I loved everything about them.❤️
And now, off to start book ONE! Lol 😆
March 19, 2014
Originally reviewed for Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
I seriously LOVE this series!! Vanessa Kelly does it again! In book two of her Renegade Royals Series, Ms Kelly brings to life the life long affect that being abandoned can do. And yet she also shows us how the human spirit can triumph. Just a lovely lovely book.
Justine Brightmore is more, much more than she appears. She sees herself in terms of who she is related to rather than who she is. She is the daughter of a spy, the niece of a Viscount. She has been loved her entire life and yet she knows she comes after duty. Justine failed in her come outs and decided upon a life as a companion. Hiding ln plain site as it were but when her godfather, Dominic (yes that Dominic) calls and asks for her assistance of course she gives it. That is who she is. Discovering that she will be working for London's most notorious scoundrel does give her momentary pause but a promise is a promise. Who knew she would find him so very fascinating.
Griffin Steele, said scoundrel is also the illegitimate child of the Duke of Cumberland (aka a royal prince) the worst of the batch as far as anyone can tell. Abandoned to the care of an overly strict great uncle, Griffin was escaped from that world at the age of 14. Only to rise among the slums to become a power to behold. Every one of the male Royal Progeny, from The Crown Prince on down, owes him money. Except his father, Griffin will have nothing to do with his father. But once again his world is changing. He is selling off all of his businesses and getting ready for an extended trip. Going anywhere but leaving England behind. But fate has other plans for him. When a baby is left on his doorstep, with nothing but a note and a ring, Griffin can not help but offer his support. Contacting the one man he knows he can trust, Griffin asks Dominic for help.. and help comes in the form of one voluptuous maiden that Griffin can not help falling for.
*SIGH* another book where I could not help but fall for. Griffin and Justine are beautiful together. Together they manage to scoff at the "proper" ton and form a family for young Stephen. Doing all that is in their power to protect him and those around him. Griffin comes off as the baddest of the bad.. but in reality it's more of case of mess with him or his and seriously dude... A man who doesn't understand his softer side and has fought his entire life to just be free. Never understanding that maybe the family he dreamed of was right there all along.
Dominic.. *SWOON* still swooning here! Dominic is forty-two and still the best spymaster ever.. but he has been alone his entire life. Never having managed to get over the one who got away. Watching his story unfold.. yeah.. *sigh* I just can't say enough.
Add to all that a mysterious veiled woman, a conniving count and someone who wants poor Stephen dead. An absolute joy of a read! I finished it and wanted to go back and read it again!!
Vanessa Kelly has become one of those authors whose work I wait and wait for. Scooping it up as soon as even remotely possible. Check her out!
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on April 1, 2014
I seriously LOVE this series!! Vanessa Kelly does it again! In book two of her Renegade Royals Series, Ms Kelly brings to life the life long affect that being abandoned can do. And yet she also shows us how the human spirit can triumph. Just a lovely lovely book.
Justine Brightmore is more, much more than she appears. She sees herself in terms of who she is related to rather than who she is. She is the daughter of a spy, the niece of a Viscount. She has been loved her entire life and yet she knows she comes after duty. Justine failed in her come outs and decided upon a life as a companion. Hiding ln plain site as it were but when her godfather, Dominic (yes that Dominic) calls and asks for her assistance of course she gives it. That is who she is. Discovering that she will be working for London's most notorious scoundrel does give her momentary pause but a promise is a promise. Who knew she would find him so very fascinating.
Griffin Steele, said scoundrel is also the illegitimate child of the Duke of Cumberland (aka a royal prince) the worst of the batch as far as anyone can tell. Abandoned to the care of an overly strict great uncle, Griffin was escaped from that world at the age of 14. Only to rise among the slums to become a power to behold. Every one of the male Royal Progeny, from The Crown Prince on down, owes him money. Except his father, Griffin will have nothing to do with his father. But once again his world is changing. He is selling off all of his businesses and getting ready for an extended trip. Going anywhere but leaving England behind. But fate has other plans for him. When a baby is left on his doorstep, with nothing but a note and a ring, Griffin can not help but offer his support. Contacting the one man he knows he can trust, Griffin asks Dominic for help.. and help comes in the form of one voluptuous maiden that Griffin can not help falling for.
*SIGH* another book where I could not help but fall for. Griffin and Justine are beautiful together. Together they manage to scoff at the "proper" ton and form a family for young Stephen. Doing all that is in their power to protect him and those around him. Griffin comes off as the baddest of the bad.. but in reality it's more of case of mess with him or his and seriously dude... A man who doesn't understand his softer side and has fought his entire life to just be free. Never understanding that maybe the family he dreamed of was right there all along.
Dominic.. *SWOON* still swooning here! Dominic is forty-two and still the best spymaster ever.. but he has been alone his entire life. Never having managed to get over the one who got away. Watching his story unfold.. yeah.. *sigh* I just can't say enough.
Add to all that a mysterious veiled woman, a conniving count and someone who wants poor Stephen dead. An absolute joy of a read! I finished it and wanted to go back and read it again!!
Vanessa Kelly has become one of those authors whose work I wait and wait for. Scooping it up as soon as even remotely possible. Check her out!
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on April 1, 2014
March 3, 2014
A lovely read with both sweet romance and intriguing mystery, Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom was absolutely fantastic. I loved this book. It was a thrilling, romantic, enjoyable read. Another great book in a wonderful series!
Justine was a lovely heroine. She was strong and definitely not someone to be underestimated. She was very clever and determined to protect those in her care. Occasionally, that led to her doing something that was a bit unwise, but, overall, I really liked her.
Griffin was also wonderful. He seems rather forbidding at first, considering that he was a feared crime lord that owned a gambling house and a brothel. But, he was really a good man who made the best of his circumstances and refused to feel ashamed of it. He was formidable if you got on his bad side, very clever, and extremely protective of those he cared about. I thought he was perfect and I adored him.
The romance was lovely. Justine and Griffin were so perfect together, though it doesn't seem so at first glance. For two very strong willed people, they definitely met their match in each other. The attraction between them was constantly simmering and, once they got over their hesitation, it was definitely hot. I thought they were a wonderful couple.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. The mystery of the baby's background kept me hooked, though it got a bit lost in the middle underneath the damage control of avoiding a scandal. There were a couple of surprise along the way, particularly one near the end that I never saw coming. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect. Can't wait to read more from this series!
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom was a fantastic historical romance. I really loved this book. It was romantic, thrilling, and thoroughly enjoyable. Romance lovers, this is a book you'll want to read.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Justine was a lovely heroine. She was strong and definitely not someone to be underestimated. She was very clever and determined to protect those in her care. Occasionally, that led to her doing something that was a bit unwise, but, overall, I really liked her.
Griffin was also wonderful. He seems rather forbidding at first, considering that he was a feared crime lord that owned a gambling house and a brothel. But, he was really a good man who made the best of his circumstances and refused to feel ashamed of it. He was formidable if you got on his bad side, very clever, and extremely protective of those he cared about. I thought he was perfect and I adored him.
The romance was lovely. Justine and Griffin were so perfect together, though it doesn't seem so at first glance. For two very strong willed people, they definitely met their match in each other. The attraction between them was constantly simmering and, once they got over their hesitation, it was definitely hot. I thought they were a wonderful couple.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. The mystery of the baby's background kept me hooked, though it got a bit lost in the middle underneath the damage control of avoiding a scandal. There were a couple of surprise along the way, particularly one near the end that I never saw coming. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect. Can't wait to read more from this series!
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom was a fantastic historical romance. I really loved this book. It was romantic, thrilling, and thoroughly enjoyable. Romance lovers, this is a book you'll want to read.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
April 1, 2014
Loving the series!
I must confess that I love all the titles so far produced in this series. The golden thread that links them all together is that in each one, an illegitimate son of one of the Royal Princes (Regency period), confronts the hardships of his birth, discovers true love and enters the ranks of society.
Of course for each son the way is strewn with brambles and thorns, if not shards of glass.
This episode is no less riveting with all the necessities for a sparkling and often tense read.
We have the Extremely Bad boy, Griffin Steele, with a tender heart and a rock hard exterior that keeps the world at bay. Owner of a brothel he's about to dispose of, Griffin's world is disrupted when a baby is left on the doorstep with a note asking him to protect the infant from grave danger.
Justine Brightmore is the lovely heroine, who's badly put upon, selfless, and independent.
She is goddaughter to Sir Dominic Hunter who has offices in Whitehall and is highly placed in England's Intelligence Service. Dominic asks her to assist with the care of baby Stephen whilst the mystery surrounding him is investigated. Griffin is puzzled as to why Dominic would bring Justine into a situation fraught with perils not only to her reputation but her safety, if as he suspects, the mystery surrounding the baby is accurate.
Of course the meeting of the two, Justine and Griffin devolves into a fiery battle. A battle between the brothel lord and the bluestocking. A situation fraught with tension, attraction and amusement.
Through various surprising circumstance they end up in a marriage of convenience!
Dominic, who knew Griffin's mother, is not the only one to be surprised by events as they unravel. And really, given all his conniving ,it's about time Domonic's feathers were ruffled!
A NetGalley ARC
I must confess that I love all the titles so far produced in this series. The golden thread that links them all together is that in each one, an illegitimate son of one of the Royal Princes (Regency period), confronts the hardships of his birth, discovers true love and enters the ranks of society.
Of course for each son the way is strewn with brambles and thorns, if not shards of glass.
This episode is no less riveting with all the necessities for a sparkling and often tense read.
We have the Extremely Bad boy, Griffin Steele, with a tender heart and a rock hard exterior that keeps the world at bay. Owner of a brothel he's about to dispose of, Griffin's world is disrupted when a baby is left on the doorstep with a note asking him to protect the infant from grave danger.
Justine Brightmore is the lovely heroine, who's badly put upon, selfless, and independent.
She is goddaughter to Sir Dominic Hunter who has offices in Whitehall and is highly placed in England's Intelligence Service. Dominic asks her to assist with the care of baby Stephen whilst the mystery surrounding him is investigated. Griffin is puzzled as to why Dominic would bring Justine into a situation fraught with perils not only to her reputation but her safety, if as he suspects, the mystery surrounding the baby is accurate.
Of course the meeting of the two, Justine and Griffin devolves into a fiery battle. A battle between the brothel lord and the bluestocking. A situation fraught with tension, attraction and amusement.
Through various surprising circumstance they end up in a marriage of convenience!
Dominic, who knew Griffin's mother, is not the only one to be surprised by events as they unravel. And really, given all his conniving ,it's about time Domonic's feathers were ruffled!
A NetGalley ARC
April 24, 2014
First, I love that cover! So elegant. The story was fun, too. Griffin is really trying to step away from the brothel that he owns. He's slowly becoming legitimate. Well, as much as he can be as the unacknowledged son of a prince. He's so close to being free. Then a baby is dumped on his doorstep. Next door to the brothel.
His mentor and friend, mostly, Sir Dominic Hunter brings his goddaughter to care for the infant. I say he's mostly a friend because he really wants what's best for Griffin, much to Griffin's dismay. There may have been the slightest bit of match-making from this Master Spy. But even he has some qualms when Griffin proposes to save Justine's reputation. Now the scene that brought this on was FUN! Justine is pretty good with a gun! Yes, fun, indeed!
There's a bit of a mystery here. Just who is this baby? Why is someone wanting to harm him? Who brought him to a brothel for safe keeping? Lots of questions, and we do get answers.
I did laugh a couple times. And I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It's nice that there are several out in the series already, and more to come.
*Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington, for the opportunity to read this book.
His mentor and friend, mostly, Sir Dominic Hunter brings his goddaughter to care for the infant. I say he's mostly a friend because he really wants what's best for Griffin, much to Griffin's dismay. There may have been the slightest bit of match-making from this Master Spy. But even he has some qualms when Griffin proposes to save Justine's reputation. Now the scene that brought this on was FUN! Justine is pretty good with a gun! Yes, fun, indeed!
There's a bit of a mystery here. Just who is this baby? Why is someone wanting to harm him? Who brought him to a brothel for safe keeping? Lots of questions, and we do get answers.
I did laugh a couple times. And I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It's nice that there are several out in the series already, and more to come.
*Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington, for the opportunity to read this book.
March 22, 2014
This book had me hooked right from the first chapter with an intriguing mystery which kept me guessing and a sexy hero pursuing a spinster.
Griffin Steele was a wonderful character, he owned a gambling house and a brothel. He'd worked his way up from nothing and now considered a bit of a crime lord.
But he was the son of a Duke, "from the wrong side of the blanket".
Justine was called in to look after a baby that arrived at Griffin's home. She is very determined and sometimes naive when dealing with Griffin.
The love scenes between them are very slow to start as Griffin doesn't won't to rush Justine which is very romantic, I loved Griffin.
The storyline was very good, and with the perfect conclusion I was very satisfied.
I really enjoyed Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom and look forward to the next book in the The Renegade Royals series.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author for an honest review.
February 14, 2014
I loved getting to know Griffin and Justine. They complemented each other so very well. Both Griffin and Justine had issues with their fathers so they quickly found common ground with each other when they met. Justine's sassiness was exactly what Griffin needed. This book seemed to have it all to keep me entertained, Drama, Romance, Intrigue, Regency fun, and was a great read! I'm looking forward to reading Dominic's story. :)
July 23, 2014
*I received a free ARC of Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom from Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Great historical romance, with a mystery, reluctant romance, and a very strong and capable heroine.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Great historical romance, with a mystery, reluctant romance, and a very strong and capable heroine.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
July 29, 2021
Excellent book. Griffin Steele, the illegitimate son of one of the Royal Dukes, made a name for himself out of nothing. Abandoned by his mother and unacknowledged by his father, Griffin was raised by a cold and uncaring uncle. Because of that past, Griffin is seen as cold, ruthless, and dangerous by the society he despises, but the few that know him well know that he is loyal, caring, and protective of those he considers his. As the story opens, Griffin prepares to sell off the last of his businesses before leaving England to tour the world, searching for something he can't name.
Those plans hit a snag when a baby boy shows up on his doorstep, with a note entrusting the child to his care and protection. Griffin sends for his friend and mentor, Dominic, expecting him to take the child off his hands. Instead, Dominic insists on leaving young Stephan with Griffin but promises to provide a caretaker for the child. Meanwhile, he will investigate the note and ring found with Stephan.
Justine is the daughter of a spy and Dominic's goddaughter. Between her father's chaotic life as a spy and the bluestocking antics of the aunt who helped raise her, Justine craves a calm and peaceful life. She believes she has it as the companion to an elderly woman in the country. Dominic disrupts that peace when he requests Justine's help with the baby, thrusting her into the house of one of London's most notorious men.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Griffin and Justine. She makes no secret of her dislike, and Griffin delights in pushing her buttons. However, underneath the antagonism burns an undeniable attraction. Griffin hates having Justine there, and her stubbornness and attitude drive him crazy, but he can't stop his need to know everything about her. The feelings Griffin stirs up disturb Justine, and she does her best to ignore them, but it's impossible to resist his pull.
When Justine's attempt to protect someone puts her reputation at risk, Griffin's sense of honor insists that he do the right thing and propose marriage. Justine is horrified but eventually sees that there's no other option. Though they initially plan to live separate lives, as they get to know each other, their growing feelings make that less desirable. I loved watching the trust build between them and Griffin share his past with Justine. It was also fun to watch Griffin's roguish ways get past Justine's walls and change her mind about peace and solitude. But it isn't until Griffin thinks he's lost her that he realizes he's able to love after all. I loved his big moment at the end and seeing the change in him.
The mystery of the baby was good and played a big part in bringing Griffin and Justine together. I liked Justine's devotion to the baby and laughed at some of Griffin's reactions. Dominic's investigation kept me intrigued and invested in the outcome. There was a twist near the end that I suspected well before its revelation, and I thoroughly enjoyed the reactions when it was. The situation intensified with the involvement of a mysterious stranger. I was disgusted with Dominic and Griffin when they didn't take Justine's fears seriously, forcing her to take matters into her own hands. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with Justine showing her strength and courage.
#netgalley
Those plans hit a snag when a baby boy shows up on his doorstep, with a note entrusting the child to his care and protection. Griffin sends for his friend and mentor, Dominic, expecting him to take the child off his hands. Instead, Dominic insists on leaving young Stephan with Griffin but promises to provide a caretaker for the child. Meanwhile, he will investigate the note and ring found with Stephan.
Justine is the daughter of a spy and Dominic's goddaughter. Between her father's chaotic life as a spy and the bluestocking antics of the aunt who helped raise her, Justine craves a calm and peaceful life. She believes she has it as the companion to an elderly woman in the country. Dominic disrupts that peace when he requests Justine's help with the baby, thrusting her into the house of one of London's most notorious men.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Griffin and Justine. She makes no secret of her dislike, and Griffin delights in pushing her buttons. However, underneath the antagonism burns an undeniable attraction. Griffin hates having Justine there, and her stubbornness and attitude drive him crazy, but he can't stop his need to know everything about her. The feelings Griffin stirs up disturb Justine, and she does her best to ignore them, but it's impossible to resist his pull.
When Justine's attempt to protect someone puts her reputation at risk, Griffin's sense of honor insists that he do the right thing and propose marriage. Justine is horrified but eventually sees that there's no other option. Though they initially plan to live separate lives, as they get to know each other, their growing feelings make that less desirable. I loved watching the trust build between them and Griffin share his past with Justine. It was also fun to watch Griffin's roguish ways get past Justine's walls and change her mind about peace and solitude. But it isn't until Griffin thinks he's lost her that he realizes he's able to love after all. I loved his big moment at the end and seeing the change in him.
The mystery of the baby was good and played a big part in bringing Griffin and Justine together. I liked Justine's devotion to the baby and laughed at some of Griffin's reactions. Dominic's investigation kept me intrigued and invested in the outcome. There was a twist near the end that I suspected well before its revelation, and I thoroughly enjoyed the reactions when it was. The situation intensified with the involvement of a mysterious stranger. I was disgusted with Dominic and Griffin when they didn't take Justine's fears seriously, forcing her to take matters into her own hands. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with Justine showing her strength and courage.
#netgalley
March 17, 2021
I love this book more with every reread.
October 7, 2016
Notorious Griffin Steele is in the process of selling all his properties and leaving England for good, when a baby, delivered to his house, delays those plans. He calls his quasi-mentor and friend, Dominic Hunter, for help in getting rid of the baby, but is dismayed to discover Dominic has every intention of leaving his little charge right where he is. Someone has delivered the baby to Griffin for protection, and so it shall be. But Griffin is not to worry, for Dominic will bring a competent nurse to help take care of the baby.
Enter Justine Brightmore, daughter of one of Dominic's spies, Dominic's own goddaughter. She had no intention of leaving her comfortable post in the country, but she did it for her godparent. How hard can it be, taking care of an infant? Not very hard, despite the baby's colicky behavior, but there's the master of the house to deal with, which is an altogether different matter. She doesn't know whether to club him over the head with a teapot or succumb to the attraction his smoldering looks provoke. But she's determined to do neither, and simply endure the few weeks she has to spend under the same roof as Griffin Steele.
But with her penchant for saving more-or-less lost souls, Justine ends up embroiled in a little bit of a scandal that will surely ruin her reputation...And Griffin, the gentleman that he is, offers a simple solution of becoming his wife. With Dominic all but forcing her into the stupid marriage of convenience to save her reputation, Justine has no choice but becoming Mrs Steele. But only in name only...If only her husband would stick to the plan.
Another great installment in the The Renegade Royals series, and the one I've been truly looking forward to, since it had the fascinating, brooding, angry-at-the-world, hot as sin, sexy as hell, crime-lord extraordinaire Griffin Steele as the hero.
And I wasn't disappointed. Griffin was everything I imagined and envisioned as soon as he made an appearance in the first book, and more. This was the man of contradictions; cold, dangerous, and ruthless, yet deeply loyal, loving (when the mood struck), and protective of those he considered his. He's been forged in the fires of hell, yet, despite his "best" intentions, he didn't let it define him (much). He could've become the same bastard as those that shaped him, but he didn't, choosing to rise above it all, making his own life and creating his own future and destiny.
It's tough finding the right heroine for such a charismatic character as Griffin Steele, but Ms Kelly succeeded in drawing the perfect heroine for him in Justine Brightmore. A bluestocking yes, a woman disliking adventure and any sort of disruption in the life she's carved for herself, but with a core and nerves of steel, a strong backbone, and intelligence to match. Justine and Griffin were eerily similar in some ways, both doggedly loyal and protective of those they cared about, both stubbornly guarding their independence, and both carrying deep scars from their childhoods.
Their love story, though sometimes playing second fiddle to the mystery subplot revolving around the baby and the danger lurking around it, was beautifully written and plotted-out, progressing slowly and steadily, as they slowly got to know each other, trust each other enough to reveal their deeper secrets (mostly Griffin), from initial attraction through admiration to that final elusive destination. I had my misgivings as to how their romance might end up, what with Griffin's plans and whatnot, but it all ended the way it was supposed to end. Nicely tied with a bow.
Everything else pretty much paled in comparison to Griffin and his love story with Justine, and I must say the mystery subplot with the baby in danger was starting to grate a little toward the end, and the mystery, once solved and explained, lacked that something special, that "oomph", if you will, that wow factor that makes you think it was worth the wait. The solution or the explanation was a tad too convoluted for my liking, and the exposition of it was the only dragging part of the otherwise well-paced story.
Now, I'm looking forward to the resolution between Chloe and Dominic. ;)
Enter Justine Brightmore, daughter of one of Dominic's spies, Dominic's own goddaughter. She had no intention of leaving her comfortable post in the country, but she did it for her godparent. How hard can it be, taking care of an infant? Not very hard, despite the baby's colicky behavior, but there's the master of the house to deal with, which is an altogether different matter. She doesn't know whether to club him over the head with a teapot or succumb to the attraction his smoldering looks provoke. But she's determined to do neither, and simply endure the few weeks she has to spend under the same roof as Griffin Steele.
But with her penchant for saving more-or-less lost souls, Justine ends up embroiled in a little bit of a scandal that will surely ruin her reputation...And Griffin, the gentleman that he is, offers a simple solution of becoming his wife. With Dominic all but forcing her into the stupid marriage of convenience to save her reputation, Justine has no choice but becoming Mrs Steele. But only in name only...If only her husband would stick to the plan.
Another great installment in the The Renegade Royals series, and the one I've been truly looking forward to, since it had the fascinating, brooding, angry-at-the-world, hot as sin, sexy as hell, crime-lord extraordinaire Griffin Steele as the hero.
And I wasn't disappointed. Griffin was everything I imagined and envisioned as soon as he made an appearance in the first book, and more. This was the man of contradictions; cold, dangerous, and ruthless, yet deeply loyal, loving (when the mood struck), and protective of those he considered his. He's been forged in the fires of hell, yet, despite his "best" intentions, he didn't let it define him (much). He could've become the same bastard as those that shaped him, but he didn't, choosing to rise above it all, making his own life and creating his own future and destiny.
It's tough finding the right heroine for such a charismatic character as Griffin Steele, but Ms Kelly succeeded in drawing the perfect heroine for him in Justine Brightmore. A bluestocking yes, a woman disliking adventure and any sort of disruption in the life she's carved for herself, but with a core and nerves of steel, a strong backbone, and intelligence to match. Justine and Griffin were eerily similar in some ways, both doggedly loyal and protective of those they cared about, both stubbornly guarding their independence, and both carrying deep scars from their childhoods.
Their love story, though sometimes playing second fiddle to the mystery subplot revolving around the baby and the danger lurking around it, was beautifully written and plotted-out, progressing slowly and steadily, as they slowly got to know each other, trust each other enough to reveal their deeper secrets (mostly Griffin), from initial attraction through admiration to that final elusive destination. I had my misgivings as to how their romance might end up, what with Griffin's plans and whatnot, but it all ended the way it was supposed to end. Nicely tied with a bow.
Everything else pretty much paled in comparison to Griffin and his love story with Justine, and I must say the mystery subplot with the baby in danger was starting to grate a little toward the end, and the mystery, once solved and explained, lacked that something special, that "oomph", if you will, that wow factor that makes you think it was worth the wait. The solution or the explanation was a tad too convoluted for my liking, and the exposition of it was the only dragging part of the otherwise well-paced story.
Now, I'm looking forward to the resolution between Chloe and Dominic. ;)
July 9, 2014
If you have read the first book in The Renegade Royals series, you’d have met the utterly mysterious and alluring Griffin Steele whom your heart would have clamored for even then. Good thing that Vanessa Kelly delivered on his story with the second installment in the series because Griffin is a hero definitely worth drooling over and then some.
Griffin Steele is a man who made a name for himself practically out of nothing. The bastard son of a Prince who till today remains unacknowledged by his father, Griffin bears the emotional scars of being abandoned as a child, though he would rather carve out a piece of himself than admit to the fact. Griffin is in the midst of tying up all loose ends that ties him down, planning on leaving England in search of what his soul craves, a sense of completion that he desires but is unable to voice out for. And then turns up a baby accompanied with a mysterious note and a signet ring on his doorstep which throws all his best laid plans awry, leaving Griffin scrambling to make sense of the total chaos that his life becomes from that point onwards.
24 year old Justine Brightmore craves peace and solitude above everything else. Having had enough dramatics in her life to last her a lifetime. The only thing that propels Justine to leave the comfort of the life that she has carved out for herself is being summoned by her godfather Dominic Hunter. Dominic thrusts Justine into the house of one of the most notorious men in London, a man equally loathed and revered amongst society though anyone would hardly go on to acknowledge the likes of someone like Griffin.
From the moment Griffin and Justine lay eyes on each other, it is dislike at first sight with a healthy dose of awareness for everything to do with each other. Griffin though he loathes the position of playing guardian to Justine is helpless in his need to know everything about the woman who drives him crazy with her stubbornness and attitude. Justine might want to bury her head in the sand where Griffin and the feelings that he rouses in her are concerned, but even her stoic determination is no match for the gravitational pull that Griffin has on her senses.
When a turn of events puts Justine’s honor in a precarious position, there is nothing left to do but tie the knot, something Justine views akin to a noose around her neck. However, as both Justine and Griffin learn more about one another, Griffin providing details of his past with sheer reluctance, both of them find that where their emotions are concerned, the aloofness that each had strived for at the begining is no longer even a possibility.
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom started on a high note with the delicious Griffin taking your very breathe away. The fascinating tattoo that coils over the left side of his upper torso alone was enough to increase the hyperventilating factor when it came to him. His sardonic wit was another reason to go crazy over his character, not to mention the deep well of tenderness that lives inside of a man rumored to be one of the most ruthless and notorious in the city.
Though I liked Justine just fine, I couldn’t find it in myself to fall for her the way I did with Griffin. For one thing, I found her focus on the mysterious baby to be a tad too much, or perhaps the focus of the story as it progressed was on the baby more than the burgeoning relationship between Griffin and Justine. Perhaps it was the balance between the mystery, romance and sensuality that I craved which somehow seemed to be at odds with one another which brought down the rating where I was concerned.
However, that doesn’t mean that this story isn’t an enjoyable one, far from that. Even with that misgiving inside of me, the fact that I was drawn into the tale and enjoyed the back and forth between Griffin and Justine and of course their happily ever after tells the tale of romance that was enjoyed from start to finish. Worthy of a mention are the two scenes of passion in the story, highly sensual that took my breathe away.
Recommended for fans of the series and fans of alluring heroes who seduce you rather effortlessly from page 1!
Rating = 4/5
Caliber SEAL: GREAT READ!
For more reviews & quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Griffin Steele is a man who made a name for himself practically out of nothing. The bastard son of a Prince who till today remains unacknowledged by his father, Griffin bears the emotional scars of being abandoned as a child, though he would rather carve out a piece of himself than admit to the fact. Griffin is in the midst of tying up all loose ends that ties him down, planning on leaving England in search of what his soul craves, a sense of completion that he desires but is unable to voice out for. And then turns up a baby accompanied with a mysterious note and a signet ring on his doorstep which throws all his best laid plans awry, leaving Griffin scrambling to make sense of the total chaos that his life becomes from that point onwards.
24 year old Justine Brightmore craves peace and solitude above everything else. Having had enough dramatics in her life to last her a lifetime. The only thing that propels Justine to leave the comfort of the life that she has carved out for herself is being summoned by her godfather Dominic Hunter. Dominic thrusts Justine into the house of one of the most notorious men in London, a man equally loathed and revered amongst society though anyone would hardly go on to acknowledge the likes of someone like Griffin.
From the moment Griffin and Justine lay eyes on each other, it is dislike at first sight with a healthy dose of awareness for everything to do with each other. Griffin though he loathes the position of playing guardian to Justine is helpless in his need to know everything about the woman who drives him crazy with her stubbornness and attitude. Justine might want to bury her head in the sand where Griffin and the feelings that he rouses in her are concerned, but even her stoic determination is no match for the gravitational pull that Griffin has on her senses.
When a turn of events puts Justine’s honor in a precarious position, there is nothing left to do but tie the knot, something Justine views akin to a noose around her neck. However, as both Justine and Griffin learn more about one another, Griffin providing details of his past with sheer reluctance, both of them find that where their emotions are concerned, the aloofness that each had strived for at the begining is no longer even a possibility.
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom started on a high note with the delicious Griffin taking your very breathe away. The fascinating tattoo that coils over the left side of his upper torso alone was enough to increase the hyperventilating factor when it came to him. His sardonic wit was another reason to go crazy over his character, not to mention the deep well of tenderness that lives inside of a man rumored to be one of the most ruthless and notorious in the city.
Though I liked Justine just fine, I couldn’t find it in myself to fall for her the way I did with Griffin. For one thing, I found her focus on the mysterious baby to be a tad too much, or perhaps the focus of the story as it progressed was on the baby more than the burgeoning relationship between Griffin and Justine. Perhaps it was the balance between the mystery, romance and sensuality that I craved which somehow seemed to be at odds with one another which brought down the rating where I was concerned.
However, that doesn’t mean that this story isn’t an enjoyable one, far from that. Even with that misgiving inside of me, the fact that I was drawn into the tale and enjoyed the back and forth between Griffin and Justine and of course their happily ever after tells the tale of romance that was enjoyed from start to finish. Worthy of a mention are the two scenes of passion in the story, highly sensual that took my breathe away.
Recommended for fans of the series and fans of alluring heroes who seduce you rather effortlessly from page 1!
Rating = 4/5
Caliber SEAL: GREAT READ!
For more reviews & quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
May 9, 2014
Opinião do blogue Chaise Longur
Vanessa Kelly começou a escrever romances da Regência em 2009 mas a sua ligação a esta época histórica é muito mais antiga do que isso. Jane Austen e Georgette Heyer foram as culpadas desta paixão, paixão que levou a autora a estudar literatura britânica dos séculos XVIII e XIX na faculdade e a largar o seu trabalho para escrever romances históricos… passados na Regência, claro.
Para além dos oito livros e vários contos neste género, Vanessa também escreve romances contemporâneos em conjunto com o marido sobre o pseudónimo V. K. Sykes, nos quais ela é responsável pelo vestuário das personagens e pelas partes românticas.
Segundo volume da mais recente série da autora, The Renegade Royals, Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom foi publicado em Abril deste ano.
Depois de ter sido arrebatada pelo primeiro volume desta série, Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, foi com expectativas elevadas e uma certeza absoluta de que iria gostar, que me deixei enredar na história de Griffin e Justine, na qual, mais uma vez, a autora mostra a sua capacidade para enlevar, enternecer e apaixonar as suas leitoras. Com uma escrita deliciosa, cheia de humor, paixão e uma língua afiada que corta o excesso de açúcar na medida certa, Vanessa Kelly seduz-nos, diverte-nos e permite que os sonhos se misturem com a vida real, graças à sua capacidade de nos contar histórias nem demasiado banais, nem demasiado fantasiosas mas, definitivamente, irresistíveis.
Uma das coisas que adorei no primeiro livro que li da autora, e que neste também se confirma, é o cuidado que existe nos pormenores, o tacto que a autora tem para construir relações e histórias, e a paciência e delicadeza com que entrelaça tudo, criando uma história simples mas com consistência, emocional mas pensada, que no seu todo apresenta um equilíbrio que muitas autoras neste género não conseguem. Tal como no primeiro livro da série, o romance e o mistério são conjugados na perfeição, e ambos são desenvolvidos com vagar e tempo, o que não retira fluidez à leitura mas acrescenta-lhe a capacidade de criar expectativa no leitor e surpreendê-lo.
Uma situação caricata leva a uma série de acontecimentos e encontros, que temperados com humor, personalidades fortes e paixão, agarram o leitor a esta história marcada por passados difíceis, promessas e diferenças aparentemente inultrapassáveis. Estes ingredientes tornam a história de Griffin e Justine uma delícia que ora nos faz rir, ora suspirar, ora desesperar. Diferentes com a água do azeite, este casal tem em comum uma vontade férrea e, um sentido de protecção inabalável que os faz arreganhar os dentes um ao outro desde o início, algo que não muda mesmo com o desenvolvimento da sua relação. Apesar de ele ser o típico mau rapaz com uma necessidade louca de ser amado e ela a típica menina boa que todos adoram, a sua relação de gatos assanhados, cheia de ironia e respostas tortas, discussões e portas a bater, faz com que os adoremos desde o início.
Apesar de forçados a conviver um com o outro, a relação deles não muda do dia para a noite, e isso é uma das razões porque me estou apaixonar seriamente pelos livros da autora. Mais do que a atracção que sentem um pelo outro, é a confiança, a compreensão e a necessidade de conhecerem tudo um sobre o outro, que vai alterando esta relação para algo mais, e que nos seduz acima de tudo. Outra coisa que esta autora tem e que adoro, é que não abusa nas cenas de sexo mas quando elas acontecem são poderosas.
A conquistar-me cada vez mais, Vanessa Kelly é uma pérola escondida neste gigante oceano, a qual desafio todas as leitoras deste género a conhecer. Garanto-vos que arrependimento é algo que não irão sentir.
**I received a digital arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Vanessa Kelly começou a escrever romances da Regência em 2009 mas a sua ligação a esta época histórica é muito mais antiga do que isso. Jane Austen e Georgette Heyer foram as culpadas desta paixão, paixão que levou a autora a estudar literatura britânica dos séculos XVIII e XIX na faculdade e a largar o seu trabalho para escrever romances históricos… passados na Regência, claro.
Para além dos oito livros e vários contos neste género, Vanessa também escreve romances contemporâneos em conjunto com o marido sobre o pseudónimo V. K. Sykes, nos quais ela é responsável pelo vestuário das personagens e pelas partes românticas.
Segundo volume da mais recente série da autora, The Renegade Royals, Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom foi publicado em Abril deste ano.
Depois de ter sido arrebatada pelo primeiro volume desta série, Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, foi com expectativas elevadas e uma certeza absoluta de que iria gostar, que me deixei enredar na história de Griffin e Justine, na qual, mais uma vez, a autora mostra a sua capacidade para enlevar, enternecer e apaixonar as suas leitoras. Com uma escrita deliciosa, cheia de humor, paixão e uma língua afiada que corta o excesso de açúcar na medida certa, Vanessa Kelly seduz-nos, diverte-nos e permite que os sonhos se misturem com a vida real, graças à sua capacidade de nos contar histórias nem demasiado banais, nem demasiado fantasiosas mas, definitivamente, irresistíveis.
Uma das coisas que adorei no primeiro livro que li da autora, e que neste também se confirma, é o cuidado que existe nos pormenores, o tacto que a autora tem para construir relações e histórias, e a paciência e delicadeza com que entrelaça tudo, criando uma história simples mas com consistência, emocional mas pensada, que no seu todo apresenta um equilíbrio que muitas autoras neste género não conseguem. Tal como no primeiro livro da série, o romance e o mistério são conjugados na perfeição, e ambos são desenvolvidos com vagar e tempo, o que não retira fluidez à leitura mas acrescenta-lhe a capacidade de criar expectativa no leitor e surpreendê-lo.
Uma situação caricata leva a uma série de acontecimentos e encontros, que temperados com humor, personalidades fortes e paixão, agarram o leitor a esta história marcada por passados difíceis, promessas e diferenças aparentemente inultrapassáveis. Estes ingredientes tornam a história de Griffin e Justine uma delícia que ora nos faz rir, ora suspirar, ora desesperar. Diferentes com a água do azeite, este casal tem em comum uma vontade férrea e, um sentido de protecção inabalável que os faz arreganhar os dentes um ao outro desde o início, algo que não muda mesmo com o desenvolvimento da sua relação. Apesar de ele ser o típico mau rapaz com uma necessidade louca de ser amado e ela a típica menina boa que todos adoram, a sua relação de gatos assanhados, cheia de ironia e respostas tortas, discussões e portas a bater, faz com que os adoremos desde o início.
Apesar de forçados a conviver um com o outro, a relação deles não muda do dia para a noite, e isso é uma das razões porque me estou apaixonar seriamente pelos livros da autora. Mais do que a atracção que sentem um pelo outro, é a confiança, a compreensão e a necessidade de conhecerem tudo um sobre o outro, que vai alterando esta relação para algo mais, e que nos seduz acima de tudo. Outra coisa que esta autora tem e que adoro, é que não abusa nas cenas de sexo mas quando elas acontecem são poderosas.
A conquistar-me cada vez mais, Vanessa Kelly é uma pérola escondida neste gigante oceano, a qual desafio todas as leitoras deste género a conhecer. Garanto-vos que arrependimento é algo que não irão sentir.
**I received a digital arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
March 28, 2014
There is often much intrigue in the Renegade Royals series, and lives become entangled in unexpected escapades. In the second book, the consequences of one exploit will cause the futures of two individuals to take a turn neither could ever have dreamed up. Vanessa Kelly has created a hero and heroine that you will love in all ways, because their vibrant and compassionate natures truly make you care. CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM frequently induces chuckles, while the emotional side of the storyline is constantly engrossing.
After conducting a career-changing venture, Griffin Steele hopes the next phase in his life will perhaps bring him more satisfaction. Although he is the son of a Duke, he was never acknowledged by his father who is a member of the royal family in England. This did not keep him from eventually becoming a very successful businessman, but the way Griffin made his fortune is looked down upon by many in high society. Yet before the well-known rogue can put his new plans in motion, a complication arrives in the form of an infant left in his care.
Now Griffin must stay in London and discover why the young boy was brought to him. Needing someone to watch over the child, he asks a good friend for help and a young woman is sent to assist him. Though English society sees Justine Brightmore as a lady, it does not stop the unmarried woman from wanting to keep the adorable infant safe, even if she must stay with a man whose reputation could ruin her own if anyone found out. As they try and learn more about the background of the baby, Griffin and Justine also find themselves wanting to know more about each other. Then an unimaginable incident changes their lives forever.
When two people with very opposite personalities are thrown together, it is always interesting to see how each of them will react to the behavior of the other. There are several amusing moments resulting from what either Griffin or Justine says and the response they receive. He may be worldlier than she, but this does not keep her from speaking her mind at times. Though they do have vastly dissimilar values, these two individuals deeply care about others and will often put the welfare of anyone else before their own. As facts about their pasts are revealed, Griffin and Justine begin to realize just how resilient the other really is when it comes to the life they have made. Gradually their connection becomes even stronger, and this causes any sex between these two to be expressed with genuine feelings and lots of intense passion. Griffin is a man who charmed me from his first meeting, and I am overjoyed in how his personal story came to life.
Many secondary characters in CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM are vibrant and definitely animated. I found several of them to be thoroughly delightful, and their liveliness brought much enjoyment to the story. Dominic Hunter gets to tell his story next, and I am certainly eager to see what the future holds for this very fascinating man, as he has played a major role in all the Renegade Royals books. The mystery in the book is handled with much cleverness, and a few disclosures are very startling. Vanessa Kelly is truly a master when it comes to details, as every scene of this Regency period story is unquestionably realistic. From dialogue to settings, I felt as though I was back in time and seeing everything firsthand. CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM is an outstanding historical romance, where characters are particularly likable and the plot is cunningly carried out.
Received copy from publisher through NetGalley for a Single Titles review
After conducting a career-changing venture, Griffin Steele hopes the next phase in his life will perhaps bring him more satisfaction. Although he is the son of a Duke, he was never acknowledged by his father who is a member of the royal family in England. This did not keep him from eventually becoming a very successful businessman, but the way Griffin made his fortune is looked down upon by many in high society. Yet before the well-known rogue can put his new plans in motion, a complication arrives in the form of an infant left in his care.
Now Griffin must stay in London and discover why the young boy was brought to him. Needing someone to watch over the child, he asks a good friend for help and a young woman is sent to assist him. Though English society sees Justine Brightmore as a lady, it does not stop the unmarried woman from wanting to keep the adorable infant safe, even if she must stay with a man whose reputation could ruin her own if anyone found out. As they try and learn more about the background of the baby, Griffin and Justine also find themselves wanting to know more about each other. Then an unimaginable incident changes their lives forever.
When two people with very opposite personalities are thrown together, it is always interesting to see how each of them will react to the behavior of the other. There are several amusing moments resulting from what either Griffin or Justine says and the response they receive. He may be worldlier than she, but this does not keep her from speaking her mind at times. Though they do have vastly dissimilar values, these two individuals deeply care about others and will often put the welfare of anyone else before their own. As facts about their pasts are revealed, Griffin and Justine begin to realize just how resilient the other really is when it comes to the life they have made. Gradually their connection becomes even stronger, and this causes any sex between these two to be expressed with genuine feelings and lots of intense passion. Griffin is a man who charmed me from his first meeting, and I am overjoyed in how his personal story came to life.
Many secondary characters in CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM are vibrant and definitely animated. I found several of them to be thoroughly delightful, and their liveliness brought much enjoyment to the story. Dominic Hunter gets to tell his story next, and I am certainly eager to see what the future holds for this very fascinating man, as he has played a major role in all the Renegade Royals books. The mystery in the book is handled with much cleverness, and a few disclosures are very startling. Vanessa Kelly is truly a master when it comes to details, as every scene of this Regency period story is unquestionably realistic. From dialogue to settings, I felt as though I was back in time and seeing everything firsthand. CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM is an outstanding historical romance, where characters are particularly likable and the plot is cunningly carried out.
Received copy from publisher through NetGalley for a Single Titles review
April 1, 2014
A witty, sensual historical romance that will keep readers glued to the pages! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:
Griffin has made his fortune through his gambling halls and his brothel. Now he is in the process of selling off all of his disreputable businesses for more respectable pursuits. When a baby is delivered to him with a cryptic note to keep the infant safe, Griffin tries to find out who left him, to no avail. Now, taxed with dealing with a baby in the midst of his other concerns, Griffin needs help. Not wanting the child taken care of by prostitutes and needing someone to look into the threats behind the child’s situation, he turns to his friend, spymaster Dominic. But the last thing he expects is for Dominic to bring his goddaughter to live in Griffin’s home, which is next door to the brothel.
Justine Brightmore, the daughter of a spy and goddaughter of Dominic, has taken care of the accounts for her father, including the sensitive documents, although there are some things he would not allow even her to see. With her father’s recent death, she has been working as a companion to an elderly lady in the country. But when Dominic asks her to help him out by caring for a baby, even if it is at a brothel, she cannot refuse him, despite the risk to her reputation and safety. He has always been there for her whenever she needed him. To keep her from being ruined, she is not supposed to go out or let anyone see her there. But when the girls in the brothel face danger while Griffin is elsewhere, she takes matters into her own hands and soon finds herself wed to him.
As she and Griffin spend a great deal of time together as a married couple, while trying to keep the baby safe and find his parents, Justine struggles to keep her heart safe. But Griffin has fallen for his bride and is determined to seduce her into being his forever.
A deliciously romantic tale, CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM, the second book in award winning author Vanessa Kelly’s THE RENEGADE ROYALS series, is a clever, sensual historical romance that is absolutely unputdownable. Although Griffin and Justine did not seem to like each other upon first meeting, it doesn’t take long for things to heat up between them as they are forced to spend time in each other’s company. Meanwhile, Dominic seems to have plans of his own. Justine’s interaction with the prostitutes and her love for the baby is heartwarming.
A brothel full of prostitutes, a mysteriously abandoned baby, royalty, political intrigue, danger, suspense, scorching sensuality, a marriage of convenience and love combine to give readers an unforgettable story. Although this story can be read as a standalone, I am sure that readers new to this series will also want to check out the first book of the series, SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD. Meanwhile, as I look forward to the next addition to this wonderful series, be sure to pick up a copy of CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM for yourself. I am sure you will be glad you did!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
Griffin has made his fortune through his gambling halls and his brothel. Now he is in the process of selling off all of his disreputable businesses for more respectable pursuits. When a baby is delivered to him with a cryptic note to keep the infant safe, Griffin tries to find out who left him, to no avail. Now, taxed with dealing with a baby in the midst of his other concerns, Griffin needs help. Not wanting the child taken care of by prostitutes and needing someone to look into the threats behind the child’s situation, he turns to his friend, spymaster Dominic. But the last thing he expects is for Dominic to bring his goddaughter to live in Griffin’s home, which is next door to the brothel.
Justine Brightmore, the daughter of a spy and goddaughter of Dominic, has taken care of the accounts for her father, including the sensitive documents, although there are some things he would not allow even her to see. With her father’s recent death, she has been working as a companion to an elderly lady in the country. But when Dominic asks her to help him out by caring for a baby, even if it is at a brothel, she cannot refuse him, despite the risk to her reputation and safety. He has always been there for her whenever she needed him. To keep her from being ruined, she is not supposed to go out or let anyone see her there. But when the girls in the brothel face danger while Griffin is elsewhere, she takes matters into her own hands and soon finds herself wed to him.
As she and Griffin spend a great deal of time together as a married couple, while trying to keep the baby safe and find his parents, Justine struggles to keep her heart safe. But Griffin has fallen for his bride and is determined to seduce her into being his forever.
A deliciously romantic tale, CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM, the second book in award winning author Vanessa Kelly’s THE RENEGADE ROYALS series, is a clever, sensual historical romance that is absolutely unputdownable. Although Griffin and Justine did not seem to like each other upon first meeting, it doesn’t take long for things to heat up between them as they are forced to spend time in each other’s company. Meanwhile, Dominic seems to have plans of his own. Justine’s interaction with the prostitutes and her love for the baby is heartwarming.
A brothel full of prostitutes, a mysteriously abandoned baby, royalty, political intrigue, danger, suspense, scorching sensuality, a marriage of convenience and love combine to give readers an unforgettable story. Although this story can be read as a standalone, I am sure that readers new to this series will also want to check out the first book of the series, SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD. Meanwhile, as I look forward to the next addition to this wonderful series, be sure to pick up a copy of CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM for yourself. I am sure you will be glad you did!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
April 5, 2014
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom is the second book in Vanessa Kelly's The Royal Renegades series. The premise of the series is that spymaster, Sir Dominic Hunter who is attached to the Home Office in regency England, finds and "rehabilitates" the illegitimate sons of the English princes. And what a randy group they were...the princes and their offspring. The books are set approximately 1815. I enjoyed the first book and signed up to get the second book from the library as soon as it released. I REALLY liked the second book. Griffin Steele is first introduced in SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD (the story of Aden St. George and Lady Vivien Shaw). Cousin to Aden, Steele's life was very different. Aden was born to a titled woman married at the time. Griffin's mother, daughter of the princes' tutor, was seduced at the age of 14 by Prince Ernst. Raised by a strict vicar great-uncle and believing his mother dead, Griffin discovers his mother is alive when his great-uncle dies. He goes in search of her, but ends up penniless and alone on the streets of London at the age of 14.
From those inauspicious beginnings, Griffin rises to the "rank" of London's premiere crime lord--though one with a heart he doesn't allow others to see. Enter a mysterious baby delivered to his home. He calls on Sir Dominic for help and ends up not only with the baby but a totally unsuitable lady as baby Stephan's nurse. Justine Brightmore's father was one of Sir Dominic's spies and is the niece of a viscount--hence her reputation is of utmost importance, especially to Griffin, who goes to great lengths to keep her identity secret. When she reveals herself to protect Griffin's people, he does the unthinkable--declares her to be his wife.
And that's as far as I go with any plot twists or spoilers. Griffin is swoon-worthy, Justine is prim and proper but saddled with her father's DNA so tends to react first and confront the consequences later. I truly enjoyed both characters, along with the supporting cast. This was a fun read that kept me up way too late one night, and convinced I needed to finish the book first thing the next day. It also contains a bonus prequel novella that adds insight to both Dominic's and Griffin's origins. If you enjoy regencies with a bit of a twist, this series will likely be a tasty cup of tea.
From those inauspicious beginnings, Griffin rises to the "rank" of London's premiere crime lord--though one with a heart he doesn't allow others to see. Enter a mysterious baby delivered to his home. He calls on Sir Dominic for help and ends up not only with the baby but a totally unsuitable lady as baby Stephan's nurse. Justine Brightmore's father was one of Sir Dominic's spies and is the niece of a viscount--hence her reputation is of utmost importance, especially to Griffin, who goes to great lengths to keep her identity secret. When she reveals herself to protect Griffin's people, he does the unthinkable--declares her to be his wife.
And that's as far as I go with any plot twists or spoilers. Griffin is swoon-worthy, Justine is prim and proper but saddled with her father's DNA so tends to react first and confront the consequences later. I truly enjoyed both characters, along with the supporting cast. This was a fun read that kept me up way too late one night, and convinced I needed to finish the book first thing the next day. It also contains a bonus prequel novella that adds insight to both Dominic's and Griffin's origins. If you enjoy regencies with a bit of a twist, this series will likely be a tasty cup of tea.
April 12, 2014
The second book in the Renegade Royals series wraps up some previously alluded to mysteries regarding Sir Dominic, Chloe and the child that resulted from the devastating encounter with Chloe and one of the royals in the first book in this series. The hero in this is none other than Griffin Steele, secret son of the Duke of Cumberland, and Chloe Steel. After a childhood full of abandonment and shame, Griffin grows into a man with a notorious reputation as a gaming club and brothel owner. Many of the ton find themselves in his debt financially and he achieves his power and notoriety from his blatant disregarding of social rules and his ability to be cold and dangerous when needed. However, despite the rather grim persona he displays, Griffin will go to any length to protect those he cares about. When a baby with a mysterious note arrives on his doorstep he cannot abandon the child to an uncertain fate. Instead Griffin is forced to embark on a mission to protect the child and discover his rightful place in the world before whoever is hunting for him discovers the tiny baby hidden in the brothel.
Justine Brightmore, daughter of a legendary spy, would much rather spend her days in quiet contemplation in the country than anywhere near the ton and hustle of London society. She has resigned herself to a life as a quiet companion and spinster. When her beloved Uncle Dominic asks her to help care for an abandoned baby, she cannot turn him down and grudgingly agrees to help with the task. Her unease grows as she learns about the dangerous Mr. Steele and his residence next to a brothel where she and the baby will be staying. She reassures herself that this position will be of short duration, but once she opens the door to the scandal and trouble that awaits her, there will be no going back.
With their lives and reputations on the line, Justine will stop at nothing to protect the baby from those who wish to do him harm. Griffin finds himself equally attentive to Justine’s safety. When a break in to the brothel throws the house in chaos, a split second decision will change Griffin’s whole life. Can the notorious gamester and rake change for the better? Can the two of them keep the baby safe? When characters from the past reappear, their world will be upended. How will they
Justine Brightmore, daughter of a legendary spy, would much rather spend her days in quiet contemplation in the country than anywhere near the ton and hustle of London society. She has resigned herself to a life as a quiet companion and spinster. When her beloved Uncle Dominic asks her to help care for an abandoned baby, she cannot turn him down and grudgingly agrees to help with the task. Her unease grows as she learns about the dangerous Mr. Steele and his residence next to a brothel where she and the baby will be staying. She reassures herself that this position will be of short duration, but once she opens the door to the scandal and trouble that awaits her, there will be no going back.
With their lives and reputations on the line, Justine will stop at nothing to protect the baby from those who wish to do him harm. Griffin finds himself equally attentive to Justine’s safety. When a break in to the brothel throws the house in chaos, a split second decision will change Griffin’s whole life. Can the notorious gamester and rake change for the better? Can the two of them keep the baby safe? When characters from the past reappear, their world will be upended. How will they
July 15, 2014
Griffin Steele, the most notorious scoundrel in all of London, has a bit of a problem. An infant boy has been delivered to his door with a cryptic message to keep him safe, and Griffin knows for certain that he isn't the father. While he waits for an old friend to identify the child's family, he must deal with the presence of a spinster summoned to serve as a nursemaid.
Justine Brightmore knows that she has to be careful when she enters the home of Griffin Steele. She's well aware of his reputation and the trouble it can cause for her. Marriage shields her from the gossip. However it only brings Justine closer to a man she's quickly falling for and who's intent on getting her into his bed.
I struggled to get through the first couple of chapters because of the period language. I understand that the author wanted to establish the setting, but it seemed really thick to me. Once I got used to it, though, the story flowed so well that I had trouble putting the book down.
Justine and Griffin struck me as more realistic than a lot of other romance heroines and heroes who are just characterizations of stereotypes. Justine as a spinster isn't at all confident when she's being romanced by Griffin. Her doubt was much more obvious than I usually see, and I really enjoyed that. Griffin seemed to have more of an edge than other heroes. I never felt quite sure that he would ever show Justine his softer side.
The chemistry between Justine and Griffin had me rationalizing that I could read just one more chapter before putting the book down. Of course I ended up reading another chapter and then one more. Though that chemistry alone couldn't have kept me so interested. The way that the secondary characters, especially the prostitutes, added a layer of realism to the world. They each had such interesting personalities that I didn't feel like they were just included to move the story along.
Overall, this would be a great book for someone who enjoys historical romances that include an interesting mystery.
Rating: 5/5
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom by Vanessa Kelly will be published by Kensington Books as a paperback on April 5, 2014.
**I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
Justine Brightmore knows that she has to be careful when she enters the home of Griffin Steele. She's well aware of his reputation and the trouble it can cause for her. Marriage shields her from the gossip. However it only brings Justine closer to a man she's quickly falling for and who's intent on getting her into his bed.
I struggled to get through the first couple of chapters because of the period language. I understand that the author wanted to establish the setting, but it seemed really thick to me. Once I got used to it, though, the story flowed so well that I had trouble putting the book down.
Justine and Griffin struck me as more realistic than a lot of other romance heroines and heroes who are just characterizations of stereotypes. Justine as a spinster isn't at all confident when she's being romanced by Griffin. Her doubt was much more obvious than I usually see, and I really enjoyed that. Griffin seemed to have more of an edge than other heroes. I never felt quite sure that he would ever show Justine his softer side.
The chemistry between Justine and Griffin had me rationalizing that I could read just one more chapter before putting the book down. Of course I ended up reading another chapter and then one more. Though that chemistry alone couldn't have kept me so interested. The way that the secondary characters, especially the prostitutes, added a layer of realism to the world. They each had such interesting personalities that I didn't feel like they were just included to move the story along.
Overall, this would be a great book for someone who enjoys historical romances that include an interesting mystery.
Rating: 5/5
Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom by Vanessa Kelly will be published by Kensington Books as a paperback on April 5, 2014.
**I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
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