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The Westruthers #3
The Wickedest Lord Alive
Can an Indecent Proposal
Eight years ago, a tall, handsome stranger entered Lady Alexandra’s bedchamber and consummated a marriage of the utmost necessity. The Marquis of Steyne had agreed to wed and bed Lord Brute’s admittedly lovely daughter to pay off his mother’s gambling debts. But once the deed was done, Steyne’s lawfully-wedded wife vanished into the night…
Lead to Everlasting Love?
Years later, Steyne has nearly forgotten about his runaway bride. But when he suddenly finds himself in need of an heir, he has no choice but to track her down. Living happily in a small village under an assumed name, Alexandra is surprised to see her husband—and to feel such a strong attraction to him. But she is downright shocked when he asks her to bear him a son. How can they possibly repeat the heated encounter of their ill-fated wedding night…without falling hopelessly in love?
Eight years ago, a tall, handsome stranger entered Lady Alexandra’s bedchamber and consummated a marriage of the utmost necessity. The Marquis of Steyne had agreed to wed and bed Lord Brute’s admittedly lovely daughter to pay off his mother’s gambling debts. But once the deed was done, Steyne’s lawfully-wedded wife vanished into the night…
Lead to Everlasting Love?
Years later, Steyne has nearly forgotten about his runaway bride. But when he suddenly finds himself in need of an heir, he has no choice but to track her down. Living happily in a small village under an assumed name, Alexandra is surprised to see her husband—and to feel such a strong attraction to him. But she is downright shocked when he asks her to bear him a son. How can they possibly repeat the heated encounter of their ill-fated wedding night…without falling hopelessly in love?
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
16 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Christina Brooke
11 books215 followersChristina Brooke writes witty, sexy historical romance novels set in Regency England.
Her first series for St. Martin's Press, The Ministry of Marriage series, focuses on the aristocratic and powerful Westruther family.
Orphaned or abandoned as children, six cousins came under the guardianship of the Duke of Montford and grew up together under his roof. Each of the three girls, Jane HEIRESS IN LOVE, Rosamund MAD ABOUT THE EARL and Cecily A DUCHESS TO REMEMBER have marriages of convenience arranged for them. But can a marriage of convenience end happily ever after?
The Westruther family continues to feature in a spin-off series about the Westruther men. Beginning with Cecily's scandalous brother, Jonathon, Earl of Davenport in LONDON'S LAST TRUE SCOUNDREL (a romp that proves the truth in the old adage that opposites attract) it progresses to Marcus, Earl of Beckenham in THE GREATEST LOVER EVER(a sexy reunion story). Lone wolf of the family, Xavier, Marquis of Steyne will also have his story, THE WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE, slated to be released in July 2014.
About Christina:
Christina Brooke is a former lawyer who staged a brilliant escape from the corporate world and landed squarely in Regency England.
She is a Golden Heart winner and two-time RITA finalist and her books have also been nominated for RT's Reviewer's Choice Award, Bookseller's Best and the Australian Romantic Book of the Year Award.
Christina makes her home in sunny Queensland, Australia with her husband, two boys and one enormous girl dog called Monty. Monty is the inspiration for Ophelia, the Great Dane in the Ministry of Marriage series. However, the resemblance of any human characters to real life people is purely accidental.
Christina loves to travel, particularly to England for research and most especially to see her dear friends and colleagues in the United States. She also loves walking, window shopping for antiques and enjoying good food, good wine and good times with her friends and family.
Her first series for St. Martin's Press, The Ministry of Marriage series, focuses on the aristocratic and powerful Westruther family.
Orphaned or abandoned as children, six cousins came under the guardianship of the Duke of Montford and grew up together under his roof. Each of the three girls, Jane HEIRESS IN LOVE, Rosamund MAD ABOUT THE EARL and Cecily A DUCHESS TO REMEMBER have marriages of convenience arranged for them. But can a marriage of convenience end happily ever after?
The Westruther family continues to feature in a spin-off series about the Westruther men. Beginning with Cecily's scandalous brother, Jonathon, Earl of Davenport in LONDON'S LAST TRUE SCOUNDREL (a romp that proves the truth in the old adage that opposites attract) it progresses to Marcus, Earl of Beckenham in THE GREATEST LOVER EVER(a sexy reunion story). Lone wolf of the family, Xavier, Marquis of Steyne will also have his story, THE WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE, slated to be released in July 2014.
About Christina:
Christina Brooke is a former lawyer who staged a brilliant escape from the corporate world and landed squarely in Regency England.
She is a Golden Heart winner and two-time RITA finalist and her books have also been nominated for RT's Reviewer's Choice Award, Bookseller's Best and the Australian Romantic Book of the Year Award.
Christina makes her home in sunny Queensland, Australia with her husband, two boys and one enormous girl dog called Monty. Monty is the inspiration for Ophelia, the Great Dane in the Ministry of Marriage series. However, the resemblance of any human characters to real life people is purely accidental.
Christina loves to travel, particularly to England for research and most especially to see her dear friends and colleagues in the United States. She also loves walking, window shopping for antiques and enjoying good food, good wine and good times with her friends and family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
September 7, 2022
Read: 8/12/14
Reread: 2016
Eight years ago, the Marquis of Steyne married Lizzie to pay of his mother's gambling debt. Lizzie had no idea till after the marriage is consummated how he really feels about her. Heartbroken, she leaves in the middle of the night.
Years later, Steyne tracks his wife down. He needs an heir. Since that time, Lizzie is now happy and glad to be rid of her dissolute rake of a husband, that is until he shows up.
After all this time, she is still attracted to him and he finds himself attractive to her as well. Eventually, she's is forced to resume their marriage. Their on obstacle is his horrible mother. The woman does everything she can to destroy their happy life.
I never read the other books in the series and had no trouble with this book. So I can recommend it as a standalone.
Reread: 2016
Eight years ago, the Marquis of Steyne married Lizzie to pay of his mother's gambling debt. Lizzie had no idea till after the marriage is consummated how he really feels about her. Heartbroken, she leaves in the middle of the night.
Years later, Steyne tracks his wife down. He needs an heir. Since that time, Lizzie is now happy and glad to be rid of her dissolute rake of a husband, that is until he shows up.
After all this time, she is still attracted to him and he finds himself attractive to her as well. Eventually, she's is forced to resume their marriage. Their on obstacle is his horrible mother. The woman does everything she can to destroy their happy life.
I never read the other books in the series and had no trouble with this book. So I can recommend it as a standalone.
September 11, 2014
Great love story! It was sweet and passionate and both hero and heroine were lovable! Hero had a dark side but he was vulnerable as well and heroine was a sweetheart who made my heart melt!
September 6, 2016
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars
To quote Charlie Brown – “Oh, Good Grief!” Here’s yet another of The Stupidest Titles Around attached to an historical romance. Is there some sort of competition for The Crappiest Title Ever of which I’m unaware?
Fortunately, the book is rather more readable than the title might suggest, although a better one might be The Worst Mother in the World , as it’s more indicative of something that actually happens in the book; try as I might, I couldn’t find the slightest bit of evidence to support the claim of Xavier Westruther, Marquess of Steyne to the epithet of Wickedest Lord Alive. Oh, we were told that he has a terrible reputation, holds orgies and keeps a string of mistresses…we just never see any of them (well, there’s a mistress) in this book.
The story opens with the twenty-one-year-old marquess being forced into marriage with the daughter of the vicious Earl of Bute in order to pay off his mother’s gambling debts. Young Xavier is furious at having been manoeuvred into such an invidious situation, but he nonetheless goes through with the marriage, consummates it and leaves. When he returns shortly afterwards to fetch his bride, she is nowhere to be found.
Eight years pass and we discover that Lady Alexandra-that-was is now living in the village of Little Thurston where she was taken in by the kindly vicar and his late wife. Professing to have lost her memory, she calls herself Lizzie Allbright and has built herself a new and comfortable life in the village.
Until, that is, the Marquess of Steyne arrives unexpectedly and tells her it’s time she resumed her role as his marchioness, particularly with reference to the begetting of an heir. Lizzie is naturally astonished – not only at her husband’s sudden appearance, but at the fact that he had actually known where she was but decided to leave her be to live her own life. She is annoyed at that - somewhat irrationally given she was the one who ran away in the first place, but Steyne believed he was doing the right thing by keeping away.
Of more importance, however, are his reasons for re-entering Lizzie’s life and demanding they get down to the business of making babies without delay. His current heir is his indolent and greedy uncle Bernard, who is far too in thrall to Xavier’s despicable and manipulative mother for comfort. Xavier has good reason to suspect that his life is in danger and wants to secure the succession in case the worst happens.
Lizzie is worried that Steyne will expose her falsehoods, but to her surprise he is not inclined to do so. Instead he offers her an alternative – he will court her for a few weeks, after which they will announce their engagement, elope, travel for a bit and then return home once the gossip has died down. Lizzie knows she doesn’t really have an alternative – Steyne is her husband and she is subject to him. To tell the truth, she’s not totally against the idea; he’s sexy, handsome, and rich, she’s got the hots for him, and he’s obviously attracted to her, too. But she is wary, having realised that he is rather a cold fish and that while she could easily lose her heart to him, he is unlikely to return the favour. She wants to know him, and, sensing it’s not something he’s known much of, to be allowed to love him – although she knows that loving him without return will destroy her.
Steyne is a fascinating character, and it’s this that lifts this book out of the realms of the average. I haven’t read all the other books in this series and Ms Brooke’s previous Ministry of Marriage novels, but I gather that Steyne has been an enigmatic background presence in many of the books. It’s always a treat when that kind of character finally gets their own story and the reader gets to see what makes them tick. He’s complex and haunted by an irrational belief in his own failures and by the simple longing for the maternal affection denied him. He is frequently referred to as “cold” or “icy” – which, as we learn more of his backstory, is not at all surprising, as he has clearly thrown up these defences around his emotions as a form of self-preservation.
Lizzie is a likeable character from the start, even though she is somewhat inconsistent in her behaviour towards Steyne. (Not that he is completely consistent either, but he has his reasons). And there’s a moment towards the end where she strays too far into TSTL territory for my liking.
In the last section of the book there were a number of inconsistencies which took me out of the story. I read a printed ARC which may since have been corrected, but there were some jumps and holes in the plotline which made me feel as though I’d missed a page or two; Lizzie has apparently written to Xavier’s mother, but there is no mention of it until Lizzie is preparing to attend an arranged meeting at a nearby inn. At one point, the death of a minor character is referenced in Xavier’s presence about twenty pages or so before he learns of it.
The pacing is generally good, although I felt that once the action moved to the house party at Harcourt, things started to gallop away a bit, and what had been a nicely developing romance turned into a quickly-get-them-into-bed. I accepted this as necessary because of the demands of the plot, but it’s a bit of a let-down, nonetheless. There is, however, plenty of sizzle between the leads, and at least Xavier gets the chance to live up to his “Wicked” moniker between the sheets.
All in all, I enjoyed reading The Wickedest Lord Alive, in spite of the dumb title and its swerve into the melodramatic. What with Lizzie’s abusive father and Steyne’s total bitch of a mother, the forced, secret marriage, the need for an heir, pretend-amnesia, attempted murder – it’s like the plot of a Victorian Sensation novel! But Ms Brooke brings it all together and makes it work, turning a story that could have been unbelievably cheesy into a very readable page-turner.
To quote Charlie Brown – “Oh, Good Grief!” Here’s yet another of The Stupidest Titles Around attached to an historical romance. Is there some sort of competition for The Crappiest Title Ever of which I’m unaware?
Fortunately, the book is rather more readable than the title might suggest, although a better one might be The Worst Mother in the World , as it’s more indicative of something that actually happens in the book; try as I might, I couldn’t find the slightest bit of evidence to support the claim of Xavier Westruther, Marquess of Steyne to the epithet of Wickedest Lord Alive. Oh, we were told that he has a terrible reputation, holds orgies and keeps a string of mistresses…we just never see any of them (well, there’s a mistress) in this book.
The story opens with the twenty-one-year-old marquess being forced into marriage with the daughter of the vicious Earl of Bute in order to pay off his mother’s gambling debts. Young Xavier is furious at having been manoeuvred into such an invidious situation, but he nonetheless goes through with the marriage, consummates it and leaves. When he returns shortly afterwards to fetch his bride, she is nowhere to be found.
Eight years pass and we discover that Lady Alexandra-that-was is now living in the village of Little Thurston where she was taken in by the kindly vicar and his late wife. Professing to have lost her memory, she calls herself Lizzie Allbright and has built herself a new and comfortable life in the village.
Until, that is, the Marquess of Steyne arrives unexpectedly and tells her it’s time she resumed her role as his marchioness, particularly with reference to the begetting of an heir. Lizzie is naturally astonished – not only at her husband’s sudden appearance, but at the fact that he had actually known where she was but decided to leave her be to live her own life. She is annoyed at that - somewhat irrationally given she was the one who ran away in the first place, but Steyne believed he was doing the right thing by keeping away.
Of more importance, however, are his reasons for re-entering Lizzie’s life and demanding they get down to the business of making babies without delay. His current heir is his indolent and greedy uncle Bernard, who is far too in thrall to Xavier’s despicable and manipulative mother for comfort. Xavier has good reason to suspect that his life is in danger and wants to secure the succession in case the worst happens.
Lizzie is worried that Steyne will expose her falsehoods, but to her surprise he is not inclined to do so. Instead he offers her an alternative – he will court her for a few weeks, after which they will announce their engagement, elope, travel for a bit and then return home once the gossip has died down. Lizzie knows she doesn’t really have an alternative – Steyne is her husband and she is subject to him. To tell the truth, she’s not totally against the idea; he’s sexy, handsome, and rich, she’s got the hots for him, and he’s obviously attracted to her, too. But she is wary, having realised that he is rather a cold fish and that while she could easily lose her heart to him, he is unlikely to return the favour. She wants to know him, and, sensing it’s not something he’s known much of, to be allowed to love him – although she knows that loving him without return will destroy her.
Steyne is a fascinating character, and it’s this that lifts this book out of the realms of the average. I haven’t read all the other books in this series and Ms Brooke’s previous Ministry of Marriage novels, but I gather that Steyne has been an enigmatic background presence in many of the books. It’s always a treat when that kind of character finally gets their own story and the reader gets to see what makes them tick. He’s complex and haunted by an irrational belief in his own failures and by the simple longing for the maternal affection denied him. He is frequently referred to as “cold” or “icy” – which, as we learn more of his backstory, is not at all surprising, as he has clearly thrown up these defences around his emotions as a form of self-preservation.
Lizzie is a likeable character from the start, even though she is somewhat inconsistent in her behaviour towards Steyne. (Not that he is completely consistent either, but he has his reasons). And there’s a moment towards the end where she strays too far into TSTL territory for my liking.
In the last section of the book there were a number of inconsistencies which took me out of the story. I read a printed ARC which may since have been corrected, but there were some jumps and holes in the plotline which made me feel as though I’d missed a page or two; Lizzie has apparently written to Xavier’s mother, but there is no mention of it until Lizzie is preparing to attend an arranged meeting at a nearby inn. At one point, the death of a minor character is referenced in Xavier’s presence about twenty pages or so before he learns of it.
The pacing is generally good, although I felt that once the action moved to the house party at Harcourt, things started to gallop away a bit, and what had been a nicely developing romance turned into a quickly-get-them-into-bed. I accepted this as necessary because of the demands of the plot, but it’s a bit of a let-down, nonetheless. There is, however, plenty of sizzle between the leads, and at least Xavier gets the chance to live up to his “Wicked” moniker between the sheets.
All in all, I enjoyed reading The Wickedest Lord Alive, in spite of the dumb title and its swerve into the melodramatic. What with Lizzie’s abusive father and Steyne’s total bitch of a mother, the forced, secret marriage, the need for an heir, pretend-amnesia, attempted murder – it’s like the plot of a Victorian Sensation novel! But Ms Brooke brings it all together and makes it work, turning a story that could have been unbelievably cheesy into a very readable page-turner.
April 17, 2015
Throughout this series, I have been intrigued by the cold, cynical Xavier. Such an enigmatic character and the surprise ending of The Greatest Lover Ever held lots of promise for his book but I was really disappointed.
I was fascinated by the destructive relationship between Xavier and his mother. Nerissa’s machinations are central to the story and it was interesting to see Xavier’s ambivalent attitude towards her. Despite everything, he had always felt the need to protect her.
Try as he might, he could not entirely eradicate the last vestige of chivalrous instinct where Nerissa was concerned.
I liked Lizzie. She had sufficient backbone to run away from her brutal father and make a new life for herself in Little Thurston. Her sunny disposition and caring nature were a perfect counter to Xavier’s darkness.
My main problem was that the romance between Xavier and Lizzie just didn’t work for me. I felt there was a lack of any deep emotional connection between them. Given the malignant influence of his vicious, narcissistic mother, I could understand why emotionally Xavier was such an “impenetrable fortress” but I didn’t like the way he blew hot and cold towards Lizzie, seducing her one minute then being autocratic and distant the next. I couldn’t believe that, in no time at all, Lizzie was falling in love with him. There was no building of any relationship between them to convince me because, before their eight year separation, the only time they spent together was their wedding night when Xavier was so impersonal and detached. The romantic element in their relationship seemed sadly missing…no tender or truly romantic moments. Yes, there were some steamy love scenes but, to me, they lacked that element of intimacy that I look for.
There were some interesting plot twists but I felt the climax verged too much towards the melodramatic.
On a positive note, I loved the secondary characters, especially Xavier’s cousin, Viscount Lydgate and Lizzie’s friend, Clare Beauchamp and perhaps there is romance in the air for these two in the next book. The other Westruther cousins and their wives and characters from the Ministry of Marriage series make a welcome appearance. This helped boost my rating from 3 stars to 3.5 stars.
I loved the first two books in this series and I hope that, in Viscount Lydgate’s book, Ms Brooke will recapture some of the magic that made those books so enjoyable.
REVIEW RATING: 3.5/5 STARS
The Westruthers series so far (click on the book cover for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
I was fascinated by the destructive relationship between Xavier and his mother. Nerissa’s machinations are central to the story and it was interesting to see Xavier’s ambivalent attitude towards her. Despite everything, he had always felt the need to protect her.
Try as he might, he could not entirely eradicate the last vestige of chivalrous instinct where Nerissa was concerned.
I liked Lizzie. She had sufficient backbone to run away from her brutal father and make a new life for herself in Little Thurston. Her sunny disposition and caring nature were a perfect counter to Xavier’s darkness.
My main problem was that the romance between Xavier and Lizzie just didn’t work for me. I felt there was a lack of any deep emotional connection between them. Given the malignant influence of his vicious, narcissistic mother, I could understand why emotionally Xavier was such an “impenetrable fortress” but I didn’t like the way he blew hot and cold towards Lizzie, seducing her one minute then being autocratic and distant the next. I couldn’t believe that, in no time at all, Lizzie was falling in love with him. There was no building of any relationship between them to convince me because, before their eight year separation, the only time they spent together was their wedding night when Xavier was so impersonal and detached. The romantic element in their relationship seemed sadly missing…no tender or truly romantic moments. Yes, there were some steamy love scenes but, to me, they lacked that element of intimacy that I look for.
There were some interesting plot twists but I felt the climax verged too much towards the melodramatic.
On a positive note, I loved the secondary characters, especially Xavier’s cousin, Viscount Lydgate and Lizzie’s friend, Clare Beauchamp and perhaps there is romance in the air for these two in the next book. The other Westruther cousins and their wives and characters from the Ministry of Marriage series make a welcome appearance. This helped boost my rating from 3 stars to 3.5 stars.
I loved the first two books in this series and I hope that, in Viscount Lydgate’s book, Ms Brooke will recapture some of the magic that made those books so enjoyable.
REVIEW RATING: 3.5/5 STARS
The Westruthers series so far (click on the book cover for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
June 23, 2014
That was a roller coaster. At times the plot was so unpredictable I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. At other times the plot was so ridiculous I couldn't believe I was turning the pages. I think the author touched on every single trope. Forced marriage, secret marriage, long lost husband, lost memory, virgin and rake, secret baby...it ran the gamut. The hero was not on the page enough (until @70%) for me to feel a connection, yet I never felt any sympathy for him. The ILU's didn't have a firm foundation, both came out of nowhere and no knowledge of the other party. There was a lot of good writing in there; its a page-turner. But sometimes when you turned the page you were ready to put the book down.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
never-to-read
August 12, 2015married hero cheats...
June 2, 2018
Xavier, The Marquis of Steyne
Lady Alexandra
Lady Alexandra
June 18, 2014
With lovely romance, some very surprising secrets, and an enjoyable story, The Wickedest Lord Alive was a fantastic historical romance. I absolutely loved this book! It was a sweet, enjoyable, absolutely wonderful read. Loved it!
Alexandra (who changed her name to Lizzie when she ran away) was a lovely heroine. She might have come into the marriage with high hopes but she wasn't about to stick around where she wasn't wanted. Nor was she going to let her lordly husband tell her what to do. My only issue with her was that she seemed irrationally angry at Xavier for abandoning her, when she was the one who ran away. Otherwise, I really liked her.
Xavier (Steyne) was also great. At the surface, he seems like a cold, detached man. But, as the book went on and we get to know him better, he showed how kind he could be (though he would never admit that to anyone). He was fiercely loyal and protective of his loved ones and, though his arrogant detachment could get frustrating, it was understandably why he would have become that way, considering his mother. I thought he was wonderful and I really liked him as well.
The romance was good. I thought Lizzie and Xavier were great together. They were both strong willed and had met their match in each other. My only issue was that Lizzie was oddly quick in falling in love with Xavier, considering she was already admitting to it right after they reunited (which was not a friendly scene and was only the second time they had actually met). The chemistry between them two was steamy and it definitely turned the heat level up. I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. There were a few surprises along the way, not the least of which was who was trying to kill Xavier and what it had to do with his marriage. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was great.
The Wickedest Lord Alive was a fantastic historical romance. It was sweet, with a few surprises in store, and I really enjoyed reading it. Romance lovers, this is a book you'll want to check out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Alexandra (who changed her name to Lizzie when she ran away) was a lovely heroine. She might have come into the marriage with high hopes but she wasn't about to stick around where she wasn't wanted. Nor was she going to let her lordly husband tell her what to do. My only issue with her was that she seemed irrationally angry at Xavier for abandoning her, when she was the one who ran away. Otherwise, I really liked her.
Xavier (Steyne) was also great. At the surface, he seems like a cold, detached man. But, as the book went on and we get to know him better, he showed how kind he could be (though he would never admit that to anyone). He was fiercely loyal and protective of his loved ones and, though his arrogant detachment could get frustrating, it was understandably why he would have become that way, considering his mother. I thought he was wonderful and I really liked him as well.
The romance was good. I thought Lizzie and Xavier were great together. They were both strong willed and had met their match in each other. My only issue was that Lizzie was oddly quick in falling in love with Xavier, considering she was already admitting to it right after they reunited (which was not a friendly scene and was only the second time they had actually met). The chemistry between them two was steamy and it definitely turned the heat level up. I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot was fast paced and I was hooked the entire way through. There were a few surprises along the way, not the least of which was who was trying to kill Xavier and what it had to do with his marriage. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was great.
The Wickedest Lord Alive was a fantastic historical romance. It was sweet, with a few surprises in store, and I really enjoyed reading it. Romance lovers, this is a book you'll want to check out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
July 10, 2014
This is book 3 in the Westruthers series.
Eight years ago, the Marquis of Steyne had been forced to marry to pay off his mother's gambling debts. Once the marriage had been consummated, his new bride disappeared. Needing an heir, Steyne tracks down his wayward wife who is living a quiet life in a small village under an assumed name.
Lady Alexandra ran on her wedding night after witnessing a shocking scene in her home. She has been living quite happily under a new identity and is taken-aback when she is confronted by her husband asking her to provide him with the needed heir.
Acting as if she has no memory of her life before coming to Little Thurston, Lizzie (Alexandra's new name) acts like she has no idea what Steyne is talking about. When she realizes that he is not going to take her back to her father, she admits that the memory loss was a ruse.
Demanding the Lizzie takes her place as his wife, the couple soon find themselves fighting their mutual attraction to each other. Can what started out as an unwanted marriage turn into a once in a lifetime love?
Steyne has been a part of the previous stories in the series. He has been seen adding his sarcastic comments to his cousin's relationships when his input has been asked for. As his story unfolds, you see how the relationship with his mother has made him the man that we see but we also see the person that he hides from the rest of the world.
Lizzie is the perfect match for Steyne as they are both people who are trying to get out from under the life that their parents made for them. Teh added mystery of who was trying to kill Steyne kept the story moving and added a nice twist to the story.
I can't wait for the next book in the series which I hope is about Lydgate!!
Thanks go to St. Martin's Press via Net Galley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
Eight years ago, the Marquis of Steyne had been forced to marry to pay off his mother's gambling debts. Once the marriage had been consummated, his new bride disappeared. Needing an heir, Steyne tracks down his wayward wife who is living a quiet life in a small village under an assumed name.
Lady Alexandra ran on her wedding night after witnessing a shocking scene in her home. She has been living quite happily under a new identity and is taken-aback when she is confronted by her husband asking her to provide him with the needed heir.
Acting as if she has no memory of her life before coming to Little Thurston, Lizzie (Alexandra's new name) acts like she has no idea what Steyne is talking about. When she realizes that he is not going to take her back to her father, she admits that the memory loss was a ruse.
Demanding the Lizzie takes her place as his wife, the couple soon find themselves fighting their mutual attraction to each other. Can what started out as an unwanted marriage turn into a once in a lifetime love?
Steyne has been a part of the previous stories in the series. He has been seen adding his sarcastic comments to his cousin's relationships when his input has been asked for. As his story unfolds, you see how the relationship with his mother has made him the man that we see but we also see the person that he hides from the rest of the world.
Lizzie is the perfect match for Steyne as they are both people who are trying to get out from under the life that their parents made for them. Teh added mystery of who was trying to kill Steyne kept the story moving and added a nice twist to the story.
I can't wait for the next book in the series which I hope is about Lydgate!!
Thanks go to St. Martin's Press via Net Galley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
August 27, 2014
I was looking forward to reading the Marquis of Steyne's story (his character having played interesting roles in previous Westruther volumes). And his story opened with a great hook--a young man coming to consummate the marriage he's been forced into making with the 17-year-old daughter of a man who threatened his mother. But after the enticing hook, the story goes steadily downhill. Steyne is supposed to be the "wickedest Lord alive," and is constantly telling us that he's too tainted for innocent "Lizzie" when, eight years after his marriage, he's forced to bring back his runaway bride in order to get an heir on her. But we never see the least bit of his wickedness, or the least sign of the sordid life the machinations his evil mother has purportedly doomed him to. Lizzie is not only annoying in that "Oh, no, we shouldn't..." way (of course, giving in to hot sex by mid-book after she's constantly said no before), but also in having very little in the way of wit or charm to make one understand why Steyne might be drawn to her (unless he just likes foot-stamping and having things thrown at him). She's also given a few too many TSTL moments to make the plot work at book's end to make her at all palatable as a strong heroine. Finally, the motivations of Steyne's mother are never explained or even gestured at; she really just serves as the bland embodiment of evil that must be done away with so the amorous couple can get on with their lives. Of course, .
I loved Brooke's first book, but I keep being disappointed by her more recent efforts :-(
I loved Brooke's first book, but I keep being disappointed by her more recent efforts :-(
July 10, 2014
This was disappointing. For book three in a series (or six if you count the Ministry of Marriage series like I do) this managed to rely on previous character building and somehow ignore it at the same time.
Lizzie, is very bland. She likes Pride and Prejudice (omg she likes romance JUST LIKE ME! *rolls eyes*), and at a quarter into the book "realises" she loves Steyne. She has had four encounters with him, 1) her marriage and wedding night, 2) when he shows up and demands a dance, 3) the aforemention dance, when he demands she meet him at midnight in the garden and 4) the meeting in the garden where he tries to bully her into becoming his marchioness again and when she "realises" her love. The rest of the story has her trying to make Steyne love her. She knows absolutely nothing about him, and anything she does know is probably based in gosssip. Like about his licentious parties that he has been said to be famous for, or his women which he actually has in this book.
Steyne on the other hand is cold and supercillious. We don't get any explanation or insight into his character, to bad if you didn't read any of the previous books, or if you did and wanted to know something about him.
Lizzie, is very bland. She likes Pride and Prejudice (omg she likes romance JUST LIKE ME! *rolls eyes*), and at a quarter into the book "realises" she loves Steyne. She has had four encounters with him, 1) her marriage and wedding night, 2) when he shows up and demands a dance, 3) the aforemention dance, when he demands she meet him at midnight in the garden and 4) the meeting in the garden where he tries to bully her into becoming his marchioness again and when she "realises" her love. The rest of the story has her trying to make Steyne love her. She knows absolutely nothing about him, and anything she does know is probably based in gosssip. Like about his licentious parties that he has been said to be famous for, or his women which he actually has in this book.
Steyne on the other hand is cold and supercillious. We don't get any explanation or insight into his character, to bad if you didn't read any of the previous books, or if you did and wanted to know something about him.
June 11, 2014
Normally I find men with big ole' sticks up their butts, who think they're better than everyone else kinda hot but the way Xavier plays it, it's a tad bit annoying, "he moved closer. "Indeed you are. And not just some noblewoman, either. You are my marchioness." I mean Jesus the boy just knows how to put a cherry on top of crapiness, "I have no desire to be nine days' wonder in this village or anywhere else," said Steyne. "Do you think I wish anyone to know I was forced to wed you? Not to mention airing my mother's dirty laundry." Seriously he's crude, and blunt and just an a**, "his eyes glittered with malice. "Maybe I just haven't had a good hard eff in a while." Lizzie reared back as if he'd struck her. She had never heard the word used before, but it wasn't difficult to deduce what it meant. He watched her reaction with an impatient air. "Don't you know why, Lizzie? I'm pressing you for the same reason I need to kiss you whenever we are alone. I desire you. I burn for you. Every minute we are not together like that chafes at me like a rope around my wrists." I grew to like Xavier not love and I tolerate him.
July 10, 2014
What an awesome story I have been really looking forward to reading Xavier's story he is the most wickedest Lord of the Westruthers and for very good reasons but when he does fall he does it well and Lizzie is just the heroine to bring out the best in him. This is a sensual heartwarming story that will have you turning the pages to get to the end but not wanting it to end. When Xavier's mother Nerissa and Lizzie's father Lord Bute (both of whom are not the nicest people)set Xavier and Lizzie together years before and the time has come that Xavier needs to be reunited with Lizzie it starts a journey of learning and trust and also danger that will keep you on the edge of your seat and of course with the other Westruther family members a part of the story this brings even more to the story as love flows from them as well. Don't miss this story or any of the series I highly recommend them MS Brooke writes magical stories that will transport you to The Regency era and keep you smiling.
September 10, 2014
Absolutely loved loved loved The Wickedest Lord Alive. I have no criticisms.
What I liked- the heroine. She was competent, average, ordinary and seeking marriage and children. Utterly refreshing in todays historical romances which are populated by bitchy slap happy 21st century annoying liberal feminist heroines which is why I read less now.
I loved the heroine. I loved how she fell for the hero. I loved how she was willing to save his life.
The hero- calculating, cold, wealthy, powerful and utterly alpha. Rare finds in todays historical romances. I loved how he seduced the heroine. He was clueless about love and didn't know how to deal with his feelings for the heroine. Loved to see this cold man come undone by the heroine.
The story- just enough drama, a whole lot of seduction and romance. Perfect.
This is a book I know I'll reread.
What I liked- the heroine. She was competent, average, ordinary and seeking marriage and children. Utterly refreshing in todays historical romances which are populated by bitchy slap happy 21st century annoying liberal feminist heroines which is why I read less now.
I loved the heroine. I loved how she fell for the hero. I loved how she was willing to save his life.
The hero- calculating, cold, wealthy, powerful and utterly alpha. Rare finds in todays historical romances. I loved how he seduced the heroine. He was clueless about love and didn't know how to deal with his feelings for the heroine. Loved to see this cold man come undone by the heroine.
The story- just enough drama, a whole lot of seduction and romance. Perfect.
This is a book I know I'll reread.
May 1, 2014
This was a lot darker than I expected. The portrayal of the dysfunctional and toxic relationship of Xavier with his mother adds a lot of depth to his character and makes his rakish nature understandable. I wasn't happy with one huge aspect of the story, but it turned out well in the end. Almost a four star read, but I'd have to go with 3.5/5.0 stars.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine in the June 2014 issue. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine in the June 2014 issue. http://affairedecoeur.com.
August 16, 2014
Favorite Quote: “No, I’m not jealous,” he said calmly. But if I see his hands on you again, I shall shoot him through the heart.”
He WAS jealous!”
Well I declare. This was certainly intriguing. All the fluff and puff that I love in my historical romances but this time with an edge of danger and a tinge of darkness. The Lord is (naturally) a pompous rake! The heroine is a lovely young maiden – a virgin used in the most low down way to pay off a gambling debt. You’ve just gotta love the days gone by where women were treated as commodities to be traded and bid upon. (Grimace.) Xavier Westruther, Marquis of Steyne is insufferable and cruel- oh but he is! But this kind of character development keeps me reading. While he is dark, brooding and brutish, there is more beneath the surface. He is beholden to his mother, a gambling addict of the worst kind and their relationship is as toxic and demanding as any I’ve read before. While I found him severe in nature, I also sympathized with him and (deep breath) I wanted to heal his hardened heart!
“She must dare. She needed to understand his attitude even if she could not honor him for it. But what came out of her mouth was, “I hope I am with child.”
He halted on his way to the door, but did not turn around.
In a subdued voice, he said, “God help you, then,” and left.
*Face palm* I know right, what a craptastic thing to say to the young woman you just deflowered and washed off with a cold, wet rag. Suave.
Lady Alexandra has come of age and her truly evil and opportunistic father has traded her virtue and hand in marriage to settle up Xavier’s mother’s mountainous gambling debt. It broke my heart how wide eyed and positive and down right brave she managed to be in the face of her circumstances. I believe in her naiveté, she loved Xavier from the start and when he abused her emotions I wanted to gut punch him! Feeling cast off and running away to save her self from- well herself, Alexandra assumes a new identity, Lizzie Allbright, and comes to enjoy her small town life, until she once again finds herself put in the way of Xavier and this time his sentiments regarding her carrying his child have certainly changed!
Eight years, Lizzie spent in her new life and during this time she grows and matures, but Xavier remains stagnant, always fighting to avoid being ensnared in his mother’s crooked affairs, he is still the same Xavier we met from the start. Only now Lizzie is no fledgling young girl he can manipulate. Lizzie has grown and he was unprepared for the spark and attraction that nags him. Not only can he not believe that she found him appealing and dared to love him, he knows he has rightfully earned his reputation and low opinions, and finds himself in love. There was no “falling” in love. Just indifference, avoidance, plots and manipulations and staggering attraction and then pow… he’s there. Oddly it worked for me.
What I found most unusual about this story is that the romance between hero and heroine was not the most compelling love story being told. The destructive and volatile, cancerous love or lack thereof between Xavier and his mother was gripping. She was horrific and abusive and an emotional batterer. Her actions throughout The Wickedest Lord, shocked me to no end and gave an unexpected depth to the punchy historical romance novel.
Xavier is the rake of my historical dreams. Tall, handsome, with silky dark hair and sooty lashes that fan his skin when he closes his eyes while he…Yeah. Umm he totally worked for me.
“At least when losing himself in Lizzie, he managed to keep the demons at bay…With what seemed like teeth-clenching restraint, he entered her slowly, inching forward. His hands lifted her legs, encouraging her to wrap them around his waist…his thumb pressed the fleshy knot above the place they were joined, and slowly circled, and circled, taking her high as a bird in flight.
The explosion of pleasure took her so violently that her back arched…and his own crisis followed swiftly. he thrust into her hard and fast, pumping his seed into her womb. She was his now. Finally.”
*sips ice water*
*pitches the cup and dumps whole head in ice bucket* Nothing gets me blushing like historical romances and their nubs and knots and seed dispensing! haha.
I was a bit disappointed that the romance took a back seat to his mommy dearest issues. (She was seriously dastardly!) This is certainly a stand alone book, but with many of the supporting characters, I felt a little out of the loop, as if I were missing out on the joke sometimes, like I should have particular feelings about them that were suggested in text but hadn’t really manifested. But this was not too distracting enough to take away from the story.
The writing is witty and fun. I could barely tear myself away from it. The author doles out the story in carefully crafted handfuls designed to have you reaching for more. My mind was a whirlwind, I had so many questions and as I read that I would find myself thrilled when a scene revealed an answer. This is the epitome of a page turner, you expect a HEA but the tale is not boring and predictable, especially the climax where it is not a given that any one character will triumph. There were few enough pages toward the end, to nearly make me stroke out at the turn of events.
He WAS jealous!”
Well I declare. This was certainly intriguing. All the fluff and puff that I love in my historical romances but this time with an edge of danger and a tinge of darkness. The Lord is (naturally) a pompous rake! The heroine is a lovely young maiden – a virgin used in the most low down way to pay off a gambling debt. You’ve just gotta love the days gone by where women were treated as commodities to be traded and bid upon. (Grimace.) Xavier Westruther, Marquis of Steyne is insufferable and cruel- oh but he is! But this kind of character development keeps me reading. While he is dark, brooding and brutish, there is more beneath the surface. He is beholden to his mother, a gambling addict of the worst kind and their relationship is as toxic and demanding as any I’ve read before. While I found him severe in nature, I also sympathized with him and (deep breath) I wanted to heal his hardened heart!
“She must dare. She needed to understand his attitude even if she could not honor him for it. But what came out of her mouth was, “I hope I am with child.”
He halted on his way to the door, but did not turn around.
In a subdued voice, he said, “God help you, then,” and left.
*Face palm* I know right, what a craptastic thing to say to the young woman you just deflowered and washed off with a cold, wet rag. Suave.
Lady Alexandra has come of age and her truly evil and opportunistic father has traded her virtue and hand in marriage to settle up Xavier’s mother’s mountainous gambling debt. It broke my heart how wide eyed and positive and down right brave she managed to be in the face of her circumstances. I believe in her naiveté, she loved Xavier from the start and when he abused her emotions I wanted to gut punch him! Feeling cast off and running away to save her self from- well herself, Alexandra assumes a new identity, Lizzie Allbright, and comes to enjoy her small town life, until she once again finds herself put in the way of Xavier and this time his sentiments regarding her carrying his child have certainly changed!
Eight years, Lizzie spent in her new life and during this time she grows and matures, but Xavier remains stagnant, always fighting to avoid being ensnared in his mother’s crooked affairs, he is still the same Xavier we met from the start. Only now Lizzie is no fledgling young girl he can manipulate. Lizzie has grown and he was unprepared for the spark and attraction that nags him. Not only can he not believe that she found him appealing and dared to love him, he knows he has rightfully earned his reputation and low opinions, and finds himself in love. There was no “falling” in love. Just indifference, avoidance, plots and manipulations and staggering attraction and then pow… he’s there. Oddly it worked for me.
What I found most unusual about this story is that the romance between hero and heroine was not the most compelling love story being told. The destructive and volatile, cancerous love or lack thereof between Xavier and his mother was gripping. She was horrific and abusive and an emotional batterer. Her actions throughout The Wickedest Lord, shocked me to no end and gave an unexpected depth to the punchy historical romance novel.
Xavier is the rake of my historical dreams. Tall, handsome, with silky dark hair and sooty lashes that fan his skin when he closes his eyes while he…Yeah. Umm he totally worked for me.
“At least when losing himself in Lizzie, he managed to keep the demons at bay…With what seemed like teeth-clenching restraint, he entered her slowly, inching forward. His hands lifted her legs, encouraging her to wrap them around his waist…his thumb pressed the fleshy knot above the place they were joined, and slowly circled, and circled, taking her high as a bird in flight.
The explosion of pleasure took her so violently that her back arched…and his own crisis followed swiftly. he thrust into her hard and fast, pumping his seed into her womb. She was his now. Finally.”
*sips ice water*
*pitches the cup and dumps whole head in ice bucket* Nothing gets me blushing like historical romances and their nubs and knots and seed dispensing! haha.
I was a bit disappointed that the romance took a back seat to his mommy dearest issues. (She was seriously dastardly!) This is certainly a stand alone book, but with many of the supporting characters, I felt a little out of the loop, as if I were missing out on the joke sometimes, like I should have particular feelings about them that were suggested in text but hadn’t really manifested. But this was not too distracting enough to take away from the story.
The writing is witty and fun. I could barely tear myself away from it. The author doles out the story in carefully crafted handfuls designed to have you reaching for more. My mind was a whirlwind, I had so many questions and as I read that I would find myself thrilled when a scene revealed an answer. This is the epitome of a page turner, you expect a HEA but the tale is not boring and predictable, especially the climax where it is not a given that any one character will triumph. There were few enough pages toward the end, to nearly make me stroke out at the turn of events.
July 1, 2014
Christina Brooke
This romance tale will make you giggle, hyperventilate from laughter, stab your Kindle, get that toe curl feeling in my stomach, scream at the characters and even cry! It could be considered exercise and you can eat some chocolate with it! Sex and chocolate, yummy!
At 21, Xavier Westruther, Marquis of Steyne, is blackmailed by his debt ridden, evil, "only care for myself" mother to marry the young and virginal daughter of the Earl of Bute, to pay for his mother gambling vowels. To make matters worse, he had to consummate the marriage that night. Xavier sees this wee girl, who is has a brave face on, and he is undone by her. The wee girl is 17 year old Lady Alexandra and she will do anything to leave her abusive father, even marry this tarnished Prince Charming. She is scared, but will do her duty. He introduces her into desires and passions, but never takes his clothes off. Xavier is shocked how much it MATTERED to him, but tells her that will live separate lives, but she tells him that she hopes she carries his child. As he lives her house, he hears screaming and thinks her father is hurting her, but when he breaks down the door, it's his mother half dressed and the Earl whipping her and he goes ballistic on his butt. He cares for his mom and goes back for his bride, but she has disappeared.
Flash forward 8 years and in the small village of Little Thurston, lives a cheerful, carefree and truly loved Miss Lizzie Allbright. She has lived here since she was found wandering down the lane with no memories of her past life. Lizzie was adopted by the local vicar and his wife and has been the welcome wheel, companion to the town's grumps, takes tea with all the town matrons, organizes all town celebration and just a sunny person to have a great chat with. Lizzie does live a big honking LIE! She knows who she is, but here in Little Thurston, she is actually loved and appreciated and not scared of being hit or abused. Everything changes when is walks into an afternoon tea with a matron, as she looks into the gorgeous and pissed off eyes of her hubby.
Of course the debauched, orgy throwing, mistresses galore and unfaithful hubby is here because he wants an heir. Well, he has got a long, hard, curvy and bumpy road ahead of him. Xavier looks into the eyes of his wife and is actually slightly scared he won't get his heir for a long time or maybe even never. Xavier demands and then asked her to go to Harcourt, the Duke of Minford estate, for a house party and she agrees and brings her BF, Clara, her brother Tom and also Mr. Huntley, who thinks he is her betrothed. These 2 opposites still have a massive chemistry and they both put up obstacles and fight the good fight. Xavier uses all his seductions powers, but has to speed them up because his mother is back in England and wants him dead. Lizzie just wants him to LOVE her, but Xavier doesn't believe in love! With a houseful of assorted Westruthers, a scheming and truly evil mother, several murder attempts, several "my Kindle is throwing sparks" scenes, meddling family members, great advice from a wise and old Duke and toe curling kisses, these two take a ride, jump over many hedges and gallop down a path of a true romance. Will Xavier realizes he has loved Lizzie from the start? Can Lizzie break thru his wall of diamonds that covers his heart? Will his mother kill him before his announces his love for Lizzie? Is Lizzie love big enough to protect him? But mostly importantly, will the mother from HADES get her just reward?
I love a book that has a big family with a lot of personalities and break out in fights as easily as hugs and the Westruthers don't disappoint! Ms. Brooke even dragged in some of her cast from her M.O.M. books and made Harcourt, the hopping and happening house party. Lizzie was a heroine I loved instantly, with her cheer self, but she hide the battered girl inside herself. I think she hide her inner abused child behind her HAPPY self mask. Xavier is a truly haunt and abused child from his evil and "I want to slap her upside her head on a ledge" egg donor. They say your parents influence you, but sometime that influence should be kept to themselves. His mother defined him, but deep down he loves her, and wanted her to love him back. I believe Xavier HAD to build his wall of diamonds around his heart to survive his childhood of horrors, but the Duke and the Westruther clan did give him some peace and a lot of unconditional love. Ms. Brooke had me smile, giggle, hyperventilate from laugh, throw a pillow (yes, my daughter threaten to take the tablet) at the wall, screaming and stabbed at my Kindle, with my trusty pen sword and also made me cry for about 10 minutes and it was so not pretty. Ms. Brooke had many fire extinguishers worth scenes because HELLO it's a love story! I have to give Ms. Brooke my top score of 5 fingers up and 10 toes and I also want to say, "THANKS for all the many book cosmos your books have given me!"
NetGalley ARC given for my honest review.
July 5, 2014
The Marquess of Steyne has figured in all of his cousins' stories, always there, but always a distant figure: standing in the background, passively and quietly observing the events of his cousins' lives unfolding. When it was revealed that Steyne was already married and that his wife has been "missing" for eight years, I was instantly intrigued by their story and about the woman who had married the most impenetrable of the Westruthers.
Finally, finally, finally, it is time for Xavier's story.
Lizzie Albright's life in Little Thurston began eight years ago, before that, she lived in fear for seventeen years as Lady Alexandra Simmons, only daughter of the very abusive and villainous Earl of Bute. The culmination of her former life is her secret marriage to the Marquess of Steyne, who wedded and bedded her and then left her. She had thought to continue living her life as Lizzie, but, when the Marquess of Steyne arrives at Little Thurston, Lizzie knew that her life would change forever.
Choice is the central theme of this story and the seeming lack of it. "I have no choice." is something Lizzie says quite a bit in this story, and it leads us to believe that Xavier is holding all the cards, and calling all the shots, but Xavier doesn't have a lot of choices left to him either: given the chance, he was happy to let his wife live quietly in Little Thurston. Unfortunately, Xavier lost both his heirs and now has to impose on a woman who was forced to marry him (and whom he was forced to marry as well).
* * *
His cousin, Jonathon's book is about reforming the rake, and Beckenham's book was about reuniting with a lost love -- Steyne's book is a little harder to peg down.
At 316 pages, this is full-length novel, but I really think this could've been a longer story, and I wouldn't mind reading more: Xavier's backstory is so complex that it really needs a lot of sorting through. Instead, many aspects of his "wild" life are glossed over, and it felt a bit odd because this is the gentleman who hosted an orgy in Beckenham's book and who was planning an orgy in the early part of his own story.
I think even Lizzie's expectations we're let down: Xavier promised her a courtship and a seduction at the Duke of Montford's party ... Lizzie didn't really get the courtship and the seduction wasn't as enticing as Xavier promised it to be. Considering the superlative used in reference to Xavier in the title, I didn't really read much wickedness in this story. There were some exchanges between him and Lizzie that were meant to scandalise her, but that's about it. Granted, there is a reason for this urgency: Xavier's evil mother has returned to England and he becomes a target of several assassination attempts, so he must do what he must in order to secure the succession.
There is chemistry between our hero and heroine -- it sparks now and then, but fails to completely catch fire. I felt there was a big gap between the start of the house party and Lizzie's realisation that she loves Xavier. I guess when you have a force as evil as Xavier's mother, all else just flies out the window. I thought this part was especially well done, and neatly ties together Rosamund's story with her brother's. In this way, the author was able to show the very indelible reason why Xavier is so cold and so unfeeling: he never saw himself as worthy of anyone's love. His mother sees him as nothing more than a means to further her own end, and has never shown him or his sister any love.
From Alexandra to Lizzie. From Steyne to Xavier. Both our hero and heroine believed they could not escape their family history and their blood, but, when Lizzie took matters into her own hands, she was able to change the shape of her future -- and help Xavier along the way. While Lizzie seemed focused on her lack of choices, Xavier seemed too (dis)interested in the idea of love and made bold proclamations about how fanciful and impractical it was. In the end, I'm glad to see the two of them come to an understanding about all these things that bothered them so.
It was nice to see the rest of the Westruthers again, and a lot of focus was given to Andrew, Viscount Lydgate -- perhaps to set up his character and story?
Finally, finally, finally, it is time for Xavier's story.
Lizzie Albright's life in Little Thurston began eight years ago, before that, she lived in fear for seventeen years as Lady Alexandra Simmons, only daughter of the very abusive and villainous Earl of Bute. The culmination of her former life is her secret marriage to the Marquess of Steyne, who wedded and bedded her and then left her. She had thought to continue living her life as Lizzie, but, when the Marquess of Steyne arrives at Little Thurston, Lizzie knew that her life would change forever.
Choice is the central theme of this story and the seeming lack of it. "I have no choice." is something Lizzie says quite a bit in this story, and it leads us to believe that Xavier is holding all the cards, and calling all the shots, but Xavier doesn't have a lot of choices left to him either: given the chance, he was happy to let his wife live quietly in Little Thurston. Unfortunately, Xavier lost both his heirs and now has to impose on a woman who was forced to marry him (and whom he was forced to marry as well).
He'd taken a blameless girl's virginity and left her. What a prince. What a prize. What a damnable villain.
- Prologue
* * *
Humiliation throbbed inside her. She sank into a curtsy with lowered eyes. "I will be there, my lord. But only because I have no choice."
- Chapter 10
His cousin, Jonathon's book is about reforming the rake, and Beckenham's book was about reuniting with a lost love -- Steyne's book is a little harder to peg down.
At 316 pages, this is full-length novel, but I really think this could've been a longer story, and I wouldn't mind reading more: Xavier's backstory is so complex that it really needs a lot of sorting through. Instead, many aspects of his "wild" life are glossed over, and it felt a bit odd because this is the gentleman who hosted an orgy in Beckenham's book and who was planning an orgy in the early part of his own story.
I think even Lizzie's expectations we're let down: Xavier promised her a courtship and a seduction at the Duke of Montford's party ... Lizzie didn't really get the courtship and the seduction wasn't as enticing as Xavier promised it to be. Considering the superlative used in reference to Xavier in the title, I didn't really read much wickedness in this story. There were some exchanges between him and Lizzie that were meant to scandalise her, but that's about it. Granted, there is a reason for this urgency: Xavier's evil mother has returned to England and he becomes a target of several assassination attempts, so he must do what he must in order to secure the succession.
There is chemistry between our hero and heroine -- it sparks now and then, but fails to completely catch fire. I felt there was a big gap between the start of the house party and Lizzie's realisation that she loves Xavier. I guess when you have a force as evil as Xavier's mother, all else just flies out the window. I thought this part was especially well done, and neatly ties together Rosamund's story with her brother's. In this way, the author was able to show the very indelible reason why Xavier is so cold and so unfeeling: he never saw himself as worthy of anyone's love. His mother sees him as nothing more than a means to further her own end, and has never shown him or his sister any love.
"...Damn it, Rosie, what woman could be happy with someone like me? Lizzie was condemned to wed me, and that was her tragedy. The only thing we can do now is try to make the best of it, ensure the sacrifice wasn't in vain."
- Chapter 15
From Alexandra to Lizzie. From Steyne to Xavier. Both our hero and heroine believed they could not escape their family history and their blood, but, when Lizzie took matters into her own hands, she was able to change the shape of her future -- and help Xavier along the way. While Lizzie seemed focused on her lack of choices, Xavier seemed too (dis)interested in the idea of love and made bold proclamations about how fanciful and impractical it was. In the end, I'm glad to see the two of them come to an understanding about all these things that bothered them so.
It was nice to see the rest of the Westruthers again, and a lot of focus was given to Andrew, Viscount Lydgate -- perhaps to set up his character and story?
October 25, 2015
A marriage contrived of necessity, a runaway bride and a rogue who finds himself in need of an heir, form the backdrop for this action-packed, British historical romance. The third book in The Westruthers series, this story nonetheless contains a discrete plot, and therefore can be read on a standalone basis. Clever, unexpected plot twists, and a number of steamy scenes, make The Wickedest Lord Alive an enjoyable read.
Forced to marry an innocent girl of just seventeen, Xavier Westruther, the Marquis of Steyne, a well-known rake, does what he believes he must do to save his mother from a disastrous fate following her supposed inability to pay-off her gambling debts. Shortly after hastily consummating his marriage to Lady Alexandra, however, and to his immense relief, Alexandra disappears.
Lady Alexandra flees into the night and finds herself in the small town of Little Thurston, where she claims amnesia, assumes the alias of Lizzie Allbright, and takes residence with the town's viscount and his wife. There she leads a fairly uneventful life, occupying her days helping others.
Eight years later, imagine her surprise when none other than the Marquis of Steyne shows up in Little Thurston. Soon she learns that, although Xavier had known where she was, he had never attempted to come find her, until he finds himself desperately in need of an heir in light of a recently discovered plot against his life.
Although Lizzie is living rather content in the life she has created for herself, she eventually capitulates to Xavier when he threatens to reveal the truth if she does not agree to a make-believe courtship and speedy "marriage."
It is during this "sham" courtship that she realizes that while Xavier is intent on finally recognizing her as his wife, he is unwilling to ever allow himself to love her. Intent on finding out what deep dark secrets would cause Xavier to seek her out, after such a long time, only to engage in a loveless marriage; Lizzie inadvertently manages to thrust herself right into the sights of the deep, dark danger that haunts Xavier and which is the root cause of his inability to love. In this battle of good versus bad, and love versus hate, who will win over Xavier's heart?
All in all, I found The Wickedest Lord Alive to be a good read. The action and suspense were well developed and formed a great subplot to the romance; and there were even a few twists and turns that caught me completely off guard. Perhaps my only wish is that the heroine had taken more time to fall in love with the hero, particularly given his duplicity in her eight-year run away from home.
Source: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Forced to marry an innocent girl of just seventeen, Xavier Westruther, the Marquis of Steyne, a well-known rake, does what he believes he must do to save his mother from a disastrous fate following her supposed inability to pay-off her gambling debts. Shortly after hastily consummating his marriage to Lady Alexandra, however, and to his immense relief, Alexandra disappears.
Lady Alexandra flees into the night and finds herself in the small town of Little Thurston, where she claims amnesia, assumes the alias of Lizzie Allbright, and takes residence with the town's viscount and his wife. There she leads a fairly uneventful life, occupying her days helping others.
Eight years later, imagine her surprise when none other than the Marquis of Steyne shows up in Little Thurston. Soon she learns that, although Xavier had known where she was, he had never attempted to come find her, until he finds himself desperately in need of an heir in light of a recently discovered plot against his life.
Although Lizzie is living rather content in the life she has created for herself, she eventually capitulates to Xavier when he threatens to reveal the truth if she does not agree to a make-believe courtship and speedy "marriage."
It is during this "sham" courtship that she realizes that while Xavier is intent on finally recognizing her as his wife, he is unwilling to ever allow himself to love her. Intent on finding out what deep dark secrets would cause Xavier to seek her out, after such a long time, only to engage in a loveless marriage; Lizzie inadvertently manages to thrust herself right into the sights of the deep, dark danger that haunts Xavier and which is the root cause of his inability to love. In this battle of good versus bad, and love versus hate, who will win over Xavier's heart?
All in all, I found The Wickedest Lord Alive to be a good read. The action and suspense were well developed and formed a great subplot to the romance; and there were even a few twists and turns that caught me completely off guard. Perhaps my only wish is that the heroine had taken more time to fall in love with the hero, particularly given his duplicity in her eight-year run away from home.
Source: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2014
Xavier and Lizzie's wedding was sudden but a must. Their wedding night was brief but not as painful as it could have been. Their life afterwards was spent apart with no interaction whatsoever. Not an ideal marriage, but when is anything during this era?
As if that wasn't enough, Lizzie's peaceful existence in a tiny village is upended when Xavier suddenly appears with demands for an heir. If it wasn't for his heartless mother and puppet of an uncle, I doubt Xavier would have ever gone after Lizzie. She might have been the one to run away, but he was the one who, despite knowing where she was all those years, kept his distance. Maybe she could have gone back to him, but why would she? He'd made his intentions clear on their wedding night:
Time and distance, I think, were their friends; their attraction to one another hadn't changed even if their circumstances had. Lizzie was well-loved by those in her village. Xavier had a reputation that wasn't worth repeating in respectable company. But one look, one touch, one whispered word, and they fell apart for one another. That was beautiful to see because their relationship was hardly a relationship at all. Matter of fact, when the truth came to light, there wasn't a relationship to speak of. Their marriage wasn't a marriage. It was a sham.
There's something about finding a friend in your lover, someone you can lean on in times of hardship, someone you can trust with your secrets, your heart, and your life. Lizzie arrived at the conclusion that she loved him long before he understood the emotions he felt for her. But by then, Lizzie trusted him inexplicably. Xavier needed to learn how to trust her, love her, see her as more than the mother of his heir and a woman who warmed his bed.
This was an unusual take on the second chance romance trope because they hadn't been in love before. But that's what it felt like. Their journey wasn't easy (what couple ever has it easy?) but the bumps and scrapes, bruises and cuts they acquired along the way to love and happiness made this story a worthwhile read. Definitely sweeter than I thought it'd be too. There's sex and violence on these pages but they couldn't dampen that new beginning feel to it. Or maybe it was that they were both so deserving of a new beginning. Whatever it was, it worked because this one's why I'm gonna find the other five and read those too.
***Received from Edelweiss for an honest review***
As if that wasn't enough, Lizzie's peaceful existence in a tiny village is upended when Xavier suddenly appears with demands for an heir. If it wasn't for his heartless mother and puppet of an uncle, I doubt Xavier would have ever gone after Lizzie. She might have been the one to run away, but he was the one who, despite knowing where she was all those years, kept his distance. Maybe she could have gone back to him, but why would she? He'd made his intentions clear on their wedding night:
Without even taking off his boots, he set one knee on the bed. "Neither of us desired this," he murmured, moving over her, making the mattress sink beneath his weight. His breath brushed her cheek. "After tonight, you won't ever have to see me again."
Time and distance, I think, were their friends; their attraction to one another hadn't changed even if their circumstances had. Lizzie was well-loved by those in her village. Xavier had a reputation that wasn't worth repeating in respectable company. But one look, one touch, one whispered word, and they fell apart for one another. That was beautiful to see because their relationship was hardly a relationship at all. Matter of fact, when the truth came to light, there wasn't a relationship to speak of. Their marriage wasn't a marriage. It was a sham.
There's something about finding a friend in your lover, someone you can lean on in times of hardship, someone you can trust with your secrets, your heart, and your life. Lizzie arrived at the conclusion that she loved him long before he understood the emotions he felt for her. But by then, Lizzie trusted him inexplicably. Xavier needed to learn how to trust her, love her, see her as more than the mother of his heir and a woman who warmed his bed.
This was an unusual take on the second chance romance trope because they hadn't been in love before. But that's what it felt like. Their journey wasn't easy (what couple ever has it easy?) but the bumps and scrapes, bruises and cuts they acquired along the way to love and happiness made this story a worthwhile read. Definitely sweeter than I thought it'd be too. There's sex and violence on these pages but they couldn't dampen that new beginning feel to it. Or maybe it was that they were both so deserving of a new beginning. Whatever it was, it worked because this one's why I'm gonna find the other five and read those too.
***Received from Edelweiss for an honest review***
July 9, 2014
THE WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE by Christina Brooke is an exciting Regency Historical Romance. "The Westruthers #3 part of the Ministry of Marriage series #6", but can be read as a stand alone. Although, I would suggest reading them all to keep up with the tale of the Westruthers better. Not necessary to follow the storyline.
This is Xavier Westruther , Marquis of Steyne's story, he is sarcastic and cold and Lady Alexandra Bute,aka Lizzie Allbright, the daughter of the Lord of Bute. An evil, heartless villain who blackmailed Xavier in wedding and bedding his virginal seventeen year old daughter. Xavier did the deed, to save his mother and pay off her gambling debts, and left his young wife for eight years.
Eight years later....Lizzie has a life of her own in Little Thurston, where she claims no memory of her past. And so the story begins... Enter Xavier, who now needs an heir and his runaway wife.
Filled with a heartless villainness, family secrets, deception, courage, passion,sensuality, danger, deceit,attempted murder,suspense, mystery and finding love. There are secrets abound!
Xavier finds love can and will conquer all in the end, if he can just hold on a bit longer. But in the meantime, he has been deceived by his mother, someone is trying to murder him, and his passion for Lizzie is growing in leaps and bounds. Lizzie is determined to not fall under her long lost husband's spell again, and be hurt once again, but, she is deeply attracted to him,and already falling in love.
This is a dark, sensuous read with many facets that intertwines the characters and storyline. I hope Clare and Lydgate find their HEA! Fast paced tale with many twists and turns. I loved Xavier, although, he is dark, sexy and brooding. What he has gone though for his so-called mother is simply amazing! The characters are engaging, enduring with a simply wickedly delicious storyline. A great read from beginning to the very last page. Wickedly delicious romp through Regency England! Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: HOT
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
This is Xavier Westruther , Marquis of Steyne's story, he is sarcastic and cold and Lady Alexandra Bute,aka Lizzie Allbright, the daughter of the Lord of Bute. An evil, heartless villain who blackmailed Xavier in wedding and bedding his virginal seventeen year old daughter. Xavier did the deed, to save his mother and pay off her gambling debts, and left his young wife for eight years.
Eight years later....Lizzie has a life of her own in Little Thurston, where she claims no memory of her past. And so the story begins... Enter Xavier, who now needs an heir and his runaway wife.
Filled with a heartless villainness, family secrets, deception, courage, passion,sensuality, danger, deceit,attempted murder,suspense, mystery and finding love. There are secrets abound!
Xavier finds love can and will conquer all in the end, if he can just hold on a bit longer. But in the meantime, he has been deceived by his mother, someone is trying to murder him, and his passion for Lizzie is growing in leaps and bounds. Lizzie is determined to not fall under her long lost husband's spell again, and be hurt once again, but, she is deeply attracted to him,and already falling in love.
This is a dark, sensuous read with many facets that intertwines the characters and storyline. I hope Clare and Lydgate find their HEA! Fast paced tale with many twists and turns. I loved Xavier, although, he is dark, sexy and brooding. What he has gone though for his so-called mother is simply amazing! The characters are engaging, enduring with a simply wickedly delicious storyline. A great read from beginning to the very last page. Wickedly delicious romp through Regency England! Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: HOT
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
August 16, 2014
The Wickedest Lord Alive is the third book in The Westruthers series and it was an excellent regency romance. I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but at no time did I feel lost as this book is Xavier and Lizzie’s story and theirs is a wild ride. My goodness the plot twists that the author introduced kept me on my toes the entire time and just when I thought things were finally working out, BAM!!!, she’d throw in another little twist. What makes the book impressive is that the twists never made the story feel contrived or forced.
The opening scene of the book was quite a shocker and that the author provided access to both Xavier and Alexandra’s thoughts made the situation fraught with anxiety and hope for the hastily arranged marriage. But alas, the hope was short-lived and we jump eight years to the book’s present time (yeah, that’s just awkward, but you know what I mean) where we see the life that Alexandra is living as Lizzie. She is happy with her simple life, far away from the world that forced her into marrying a man who deserted her. As all good regency romances require, Lizzie’s peaceful life is shattered when her husband appears and tells her that he needs her to fulfill her wifely duties and produce an heir. As Lizzie didn’t believe anyone knew where she was, she was quite shocked. And thus begins their action-packed story as Xavier attempts to woo his wife as she attempts to melt the ice around the heart of her wicked lord all while trying to avoid those who would do them harm.
The Wickedest Lord Alive was a delightful read full of assassination attempts, betrayals, and love. The Westruthers are a tight-knit family and I hope to have time to go back and read books one and two soon as I so enjoyed the bits and pieces of them that were revealed in this book. I enjoyed Ms. Brooke’s writing style immensely and look forward to reading more of her work.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
The opening scene of the book was quite a shocker and that the author provided access to both Xavier and Alexandra’s thoughts made the situation fraught with anxiety and hope for the hastily arranged marriage. But alas, the hope was short-lived and we jump eight years to the book’s present time (yeah, that’s just awkward, but you know what I mean) where we see the life that Alexandra is living as Lizzie. She is happy with her simple life, far away from the world that forced her into marrying a man who deserted her. As all good regency romances require, Lizzie’s peaceful life is shattered when her husband appears and tells her that he needs her to fulfill her wifely duties and produce an heir. As Lizzie didn’t believe anyone knew where she was, she was quite shocked. And thus begins their action-packed story as Xavier attempts to woo his wife as she attempts to melt the ice around the heart of her wicked lord all while trying to avoid those who would do them harm.
The Wickedest Lord Alive was a delightful read full of assassination attempts, betrayals, and love. The Westruthers are a tight-knit family and I hope to have time to go back and read books one and two soon as I so enjoyed the bits and pieces of them that were revealed in this book. I enjoyed Ms. Brooke’s writing style immensely and look forward to reading more of her work.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
July 2, 2014
Historical, Romance, Regency
England
Lizzie Allbright is the daughter of Lord Bute and eight years ago, a handsome, tall stranger come to her bedchamber to consummate their marriage that was of the utmost necessity. She was wedded and bedded to the Marquis of Steyne in payment of his mother’s gambling debts. Once it was consummated Lizzie disappeared into the London night.
Marquis of Steyne has nearly forgotten his runaway bride but suddenly he finds himself in need of an heir. His only choice is to track down the bride that disappeared on their wedding night. He finds her living happily and under an assumed name in a small village. Lizzie never expected to see her husband again so is surprised when he shows up. The strong attraction she feels for him is completely unexpected. She is shocked when he asks her to bear him a son. Now she has to figure out a way to have repeat of the heated night as the one they had when they were wed and not fall in love with her husband.
This is a book that starts out fast and doesn’t stop. It has some suspense woven throughout the plot that makes the story even more intriguing. The characters back story is told throughout the book in a way that is well written and the reader is never lost as to what is happening when. As each character works to overcome the past to find happiness in the future it pulls the reader into the story and will keep them turning the pages as they read to see just what will happen next and if they will find their happily ever after. This is a hard book to put down once the reader starts it. They will want to keep reading until the very end. This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Though if the rest of the series proves to be like this book readers will want to go back and read the first books in the series just to meet and learn more about the other characters.
England
Lizzie Allbright is the daughter of Lord Bute and eight years ago, a handsome, tall stranger come to her bedchamber to consummate their marriage that was of the utmost necessity. She was wedded and bedded to the Marquis of Steyne in payment of his mother’s gambling debts. Once it was consummated Lizzie disappeared into the London night.
Marquis of Steyne has nearly forgotten his runaway bride but suddenly he finds himself in need of an heir. His only choice is to track down the bride that disappeared on their wedding night. He finds her living happily and under an assumed name in a small village. Lizzie never expected to see her husband again so is surprised when he shows up. The strong attraction she feels for him is completely unexpected. She is shocked when he asks her to bear him a son. Now she has to figure out a way to have repeat of the heated night as the one they had when they were wed and not fall in love with her husband.
This is a book that starts out fast and doesn’t stop. It has some suspense woven throughout the plot that makes the story even more intriguing. The characters back story is told throughout the book in a way that is well written and the reader is never lost as to what is happening when. As each character works to overcome the past to find happiness in the future it pulls the reader into the story and will keep them turning the pages as they read to see just what will happen next and if they will find their happily ever after. This is a hard book to put down once the reader starts it. They will want to keep reading until the very end. This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Though if the rest of the series proves to be like this book readers will want to go back and read the first books in the series just to meet and learn more about the other characters.
June 11, 2014
I am a huge Christina Brooke fan. I have read this whole series but I read the previous book starring Beckman and Georgia and I hated it. So going into this book I apprehensive because our her Xavier/Lord Steyne was featured and he did not come off well in that story. That said, this story really explains why he acted and was the he was.
But with all that said this book was fun and the characters were fun and people I wanted to get to know. They like and love each other and are generally nice people. There are some bad/evil characters near the end and they were very black characters but they gave the book suspense and didn't steal the show.
Now onto the story: Lord Steyne or Xavier is our hero. In this book he joined by his whole family and loved spending me with all of them. Some new characters were introduced and I hope the writer writes about them as well. Our heroine is Alexandra or Lizzie and when Lizzie was 18 her father a mean brute married her to Xavier because his mother was in debt to him.
They had a wedding night and Xavier leaves her for the next 8 years. After the wedding night she disapears and created a whole new life with wonderful friends and family that love her. During the 8 years Xavier carries on with orgies and mistresses but his two young nephews die and so now he needs a legitamate heir so he goes to find Lizzie and wants to make the marriage real.
What follows is a really fun story or Xavier and Lizzie getting to know each other and falling in love with the whole family watching. Super fun. But someone is out to get Xavier and well I am not spoiling anymore here.
A really great book that was very fun.
But with all that said this book was fun and the characters were fun and people I wanted to get to know. They like and love each other and are generally nice people. There are some bad/evil characters near the end and they were very black characters but they gave the book suspense and didn't steal the show.
Now onto the story: Lord Steyne or Xavier is our hero. In this book he joined by his whole family and loved spending me with all of them. Some new characters were introduced and I hope the writer writes about them as well. Our heroine is Alexandra or Lizzie and when Lizzie was 18 her father a mean brute married her to Xavier because his mother was in debt to him.
They had a wedding night and Xavier leaves her for the next 8 years. After the wedding night she disapears and created a whole new life with wonderful friends and family that love her. During the 8 years Xavier carries on with orgies and mistresses but his two young nephews die and so now he needs a legitamate heir so he goes to find Lizzie and wants to make the marriage real.
What follows is a really fun story or Xavier and Lizzie getting to know each other and falling in love with the whole family watching. Super fun. But someone is out to get Xavier and well I am not spoiling anymore here.
A really great book that was very fun.
July 2, 2014
Frankly The Wickedest Lord Alive is a bit confused. There is almost everything in this novel, too much in my opinion: the incorrigible rake, titles, the evil mother, the abusive father, the secret wedding, the escape, the false-name, the conspiracy, the attempted murder, the idiot cousin who might inherit the title, the necessity of an heir etc. I like these ingredients, but not taken all together, the plot might become a bit unrealistic. Despite that the author handles the situation well enough.
The romance is good when it comes to the protagonists' interactions, I liked them a lot, I have a soft spot for the heroine, not that much for the hero though, I like when a man is resolute and slightly harsh, but this one exceeds. The plot is really interesting, except for the Pindaric flights, the storyline is fluid and catching.
The love story is sweet and passionate but to be honest proceeds on a pace I didn't follow all the time, something happens too fast, something too slow.
This is a good novel with good characters, a nice love story and an interesting and catching plot; but not my favourite I must be honest, although I will definitely read something else by Christina Brooke's pen.
Take a look at IL PROFUMO DELLE PERGAMENE if you'd like to read the whole review
Buona lettura!
** I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book courtesy of NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review, thank you for the opportunity.
The romance is good when it comes to the protagonists' interactions, I liked them a lot, I have a soft spot for the heroine, not that much for the hero though, I like when a man is resolute and slightly harsh, but this one exceeds. The plot is really interesting, except for the Pindaric flights, the storyline is fluid and catching.
The love story is sweet and passionate but to be honest proceeds on a pace I didn't follow all the time, something happens too fast, something too slow.
This is a good novel with good characters, a nice love story and an interesting and catching plot; but not my favourite I must be honest, although I will definitely read something else by Christina Brooke's pen.
Take a look at IL PROFUMO DELLE PERGAMENE if you'd like to read the whole review
Buona lettura!
** I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book courtesy of NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review, thank you for the opportunity.
May 29, 2014
The only thing that Lizzie wants was to live out her life in private away from everyone. She wanted to live peacefully even if it meant away from her husband who she did believe did not love her. When her husband came to fetch her because he needed an heir she didn’t want to let anyone know she was married and that she had her memory. She wanted to life in peace.
Since circumstances and Xavier wanted to do the opposite she had no other choice but to go with him back home with the rouse that they are falling in love and are planning on getting married instead of telling everyone that they were already married.
She always wanted to marry for lobe and expected nothing less. However since they were married already she didn’t want anything to do with him no9r give him an heir until he loved her like she loved him.
By the end of the book Xavier finally admitted that he loved Lizzie. And that he didn’t want to let her go for anything. He also realized that when his mother died he would be alone unless he admitted that he wanted Lizzie completely.
I did enjoy reading this book. I did think that it was a little slow and drawn out. But I did like how the author wrote about her characters. I could consider finding another book that the author wrote to see if it was similarly written.
Since circumstances and Xavier wanted to do the opposite she had no other choice but to go with him back home with the rouse that they are falling in love and are planning on getting married instead of telling everyone that they were already married.
She always wanted to marry for lobe and expected nothing less. However since they were married already she didn’t want anything to do with him no9r give him an heir until he loved her like she loved him.
By the end of the book Xavier finally admitted that he loved Lizzie. And that he didn’t want to let her go for anything. He also realized that when his mother died he would be alone unless he admitted that he wanted Lizzie completely.
I did enjoy reading this book. I did think that it was a little slow and drawn out. But I did like how the author wrote about her characters. I could consider finding another book that the author wrote to see if it was similarly written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2016
I had a love/hate relationship with Xavier. For most of the novel I wished that someone would bring him down a notch... and I'm kind of sad that that didn't happen. He was not only completely full of himself, but really thought the entire world was on his shoulders. Who is he to determine when he should just pick up his wife... either go to her as soon as you find her and bring her back, or discuss dissolution of marriage for all I care, but to wait 8 years?!
Lizzie, on the other hand, I loved! A great down-to-earth character who has moved on from the issues that were brought on by her sadistic father. She sees no work lowering and helps where and as she can.
The two of them don't seem to fit at all, and I wonder, having finished this novel how a sequal to this would look. I can't imagine that their relationship would be able to stand over time. His coldness versus her warmness... in another pair I might see it, but not in this.
What I did love were the other characters in the novel. I enjoyed them in the other novels and to see them coming back is always fun. Also the mistaken engagement and the keeping secret were fun (even if they told everyone their secret as soon as possible).
On the whole, I liked it and will read the next one in the series as well.
Lizzie, on the other hand, I loved! A great down-to-earth character who has moved on from the issues that were brought on by her sadistic father. She sees no work lowering and helps where and as she can.
The two of them don't seem to fit at all, and I wonder, having finished this novel how a sequal to this would look. I can't imagine that their relationship would be able to stand over time. His coldness versus her warmness... in another pair I might see it, but not in this.
What I did love were the other characters in the novel. I enjoyed them in the other novels and to see them coming back is always fun. Also the mistaken engagement and the keeping secret were fun (even if they told everyone their secret as soon as possible).
On the whole, I liked it and will read the next one in the series as well.
July 23, 2014
Riveting. An interesting premise. Two strangers were married...and then lived separately for 8 years. He left her bedroom once the marriage was consummated. She ran away as soon as he left her bedroom. Then, he had second thoughts about leaving her behind, so he returned to "collect her", only to discover she was already gone! That was fine with him. In fact he was relieved that she had disappeared; he hadn't wanted a wife in the first place.
He had been coerced to marry her to settle his mother's gambling debts. Though he held the rank of Marquis, he didn't need (or want an heir). So, they lived separately and he conducted his life as a bachelor with no desire to live with his wife. That back story happens in the first chapter. I had great sympathy for the two main characters. I kept reading quickly to discover HOW this would be resolved. LSS (long story short,) this book did not disappoint me.
He had been coerced to marry her to settle his mother's gambling debts. Though he held the rank of Marquis, he didn't need (or want an heir). So, they lived separately and he conducted his life as a bachelor with no desire to live with his wife. That back story happens in the first chapter. I had great sympathy for the two main characters. I kept reading quickly to discover HOW this would be resolved. LSS (long story short,) this book did not disappoint me.
July 14, 2014
***ARC from NetGalley in Exchange for an honest review***
The title does not do anything for this book. Wish they'd change it to something more descriptive...but I digress. Strange situations throw Steyne and Lizzie together in a seemingly unholy (And uneasy) alliance. One night born of appalling circumstances and both these central characters go off and forge on with their lives, separately...until the age old need for an heir rears its ugly head.
These 2 converge again and the resulting "courtship" is at once proper and disturbing. The push and pull was engaging and I liked the interactions (both verbal and physical) between Lizzie and Steyne. Her father and his mother provided a "beast"ly contrast to these 2 perfectly. Surprising. And it does well as a stand alone.
The title does not do anything for this book. Wish they'd change it to something more descriptive...but I digress. Strange situations throw Steyne and Lizzie together in a seemingly unholy (And uneasy) alliance. One night born of appalling circumstances and both these central characters go off and forge on with their lives, separately...until the age old need for an heir rears its ugly head.
These 2 converge again and the resulting "courtship" is at once proper and disturbing. The push and pull was engaging and I liked the interactions (both verbal and physical) between Lizzie and Steyne. Her father and his mother provided a "beast"ly contrast to these 2 perfectly. Surprising. And it does well as a stand alone.
July 21, 2014
I loved this book. Xavier a wicked and sinful rake who in order to avoid a scandal about his mother had to wed Lizzie. A quick marriage and a wedding consummation done as civilly as possible. Lizzie flees and eight years pass and now Xavier needs an heir.
Wow, this was so very good. He was sinfully delicious and she was his match. The story was fantastic. I did not know this was a series when I started reading it, but half way through I realized there had to be more. I looked into this, and yes there were several others. Now, I must go back and read the others. This did not sit well with me, but it did not warrant me taking away stars. If I could have given this six stars, I would have.
Wow, this was so very good. He was sinfully delicious and she was his match. The story was fantastic. I did not know this was a series when I started reading it, but half way through I realized there had to be more. I looked into this, and yes there were several others. Now, I must go back and read the others. This did not sit well with me, but it did not warrant me taking away stars. If I could have given this six stars, I would have.
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