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Lords of Anarchy #1
A Good Rake is Hard to Find
A DANGEROUS GAME
Heartbroken by the loss of her brother, Miss Leonora Craven vows to uncover the truth about his "accident," which seems to have been anything but. Jonathan Craven was involved with the Lords of Anarchy, a notorious driving club, and Leonora can’t help but suspect foul play. But the only way she can infiltrate their reckless inner circle is to enlist the help of Jonny’s closest ally, Lord Frederick Lisle. If only he didn’t also happen to be the man who broke Leonora’s heart…
AN UNDENIABLE DESIRE
Frederick isn’t surprised to find gorgeous, headstrong Leonora playing detective, but he knows that the Lords of Anarchy mean business—and he has no choice but to protect her. A sham engagement to Leonora will allow Frederick to bring her into the club and along for the ride. But it isn’t long before pretending to be lovers leads to very real passion. With everything to lose, is their tempestuous affair worth the risk?
Heartbroken by the loss of her brother, Miss Leonora Craven vows to uncover the truth about his "accident," which seems to have been anything but. Jonathan Craven was involved with the Lords of Anarchy, a notorious driving club, and Leonora can’t help but suspect foul play. But the only way she can infiltrate their reckless inner circle is to enlist the help of Jonny’s closest ally, Lord Frederick Lisle. If only he didn’t also happen to be the man who broke Leonora’s heart…
AN UNDENIABLE DESIRE
Frederick isn’t surprised to find gorgeous, headstrong Leonora playing detective, but he knows that the Lords of Anarchy mean business—and he has no choice but to protect her. A sham engagement to Leonora will allow Frederick to bring her into the club and along for the ride. But it isn’t long before pretending to be lovers leads to very real passion. With everything to lose, is their tempestuous affair worth the risk?
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 28, 2015
35 people are currently reading
1084 people want to read
About the author
Manda Collins
33 books1,588 followersManda Collins grew up on a combination of Nancy Drew books and Jane Austen novels, and her own brand of Regency romantic suspense is the result. A former academic librarian, she holds advanced degrees in English Lit and Librarianship. Her books have been favorably reviewed in Entertainment Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, Bookpage, and USA Today. A native of Alabama, she lives on the Gulf Coast with a very stubborn cat and more books than are strictly necessary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
September 1, 2015
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary
Miss Leonora Craven, is grieving over her twin's death and she will do whatever it takes to find the answers to the mystery of his death. She knows that it wasn't an accident and there is one man who has the answers...Frederick Isle. On a burst of anger she bursts into his club and demands answers. Freddy knows that one of his closest friends wouldn't be careless with his own life. And he has been charged to find the answers, especially since the man they believe is probably responsible is his cousin. Freddy is overwhelmed to be working with Nora once again. She once broke off their engagement, and broke his heart and he ended up fleeing to Europe. He has just returned and is on the hunt for the man that murdered his friend, but he will need to work with Nora and act the loving engaged couple in order to get the answers he needs. What begins as a mystery turns into a passionate love affaire, one that reconnects these two who need love and a chance to begin again with each other. But soon there is more than love at risk, their own lives are in peril if they make one mistake.
The Hero
Lord Frederick Isle is the youngest son of the family. And even though he is close to his family, he has always wanted to make his own way. He and three other men formed a friendship and called themselves the "Four Horsemen" and they have been tight ever since despite how different each of them is. Freddy has always been a bit of a wild card before he headed over to the continent. Despite his roguish ways, he never strayed and could never understand why Nora broke off their engagement. Freddy is the hero that surprises you. At first I was thinking he is just an average English rake but boy he isn't. He is loyal, protective, and committed to what he believes in. When he loves, he loves fiercely and passionately. We see how even after all these years, he still has a soft spot for the woman that broke his heart with no explanation. We see how much he changes, and I loved his fighting spirit, and how he is so delicate in handling solving the murder of his friend. He doesn't go in half cocked, but with careful precision, and I really admire a man that thinks with his head.
The Heroine
Leonora Craven is a twin, and when her very opposite brother is murdered she will do anything to find out why and who really killed him. Nora is what many would call a "Bluestocking" heroine. Which I really adored seeing. Nora is a writer and writes for magazines, and is quite popular. Nora is quite driven in her cause for women to have equal rights. Even though she is considered a "radical" many listen to her. Leonora is the type of heroine you instantly admire and I really loved what a role she played in the story here. She is driven and determined and is hiding a secret. We don't really know what that secret is until about halfway, but its understandable to see why she broke things off with Freddy, especially consider the time that this story takes place. Leonora's character was quite unpredictable at times, and I never knew what she would do next.
Plot and Story Line
A Good Rake Is Hard To Find was quite a fun and tantalizing read and boy I had a ball with this book. There were two major factors that really kept me so in tune with this story. The first was the plot with the murder mystery, and the second factor was the secret that Nora is hiding. Now sometimes I really have an issue with the whole "secret" but this one was a whopper and I honestly didn't see it coming at first, and it totally blew me away. This is where I got a real kick because I love it when a story tilts my axis and changes what I was expecting. It definitely was a good twist to the story. Now the romance was so achingly sweet and tender and there were times my heart just went out to these two because of what they both were struggling with. Both Freddy and Nora love each other but have been kept apart by a secret Nora refuses to share, but boy Freddy shows his true colors when he learns the extent of what Nora has gone through. Despite how much she has hurt him, he is so empathetic and understanding. Now this is where the plot thickens and it really gets intense because their lives are in danger and must tread carefully. And his cousin, what a villain. From the beginning, you sense how evil he is, and literally he is on the edge to madness really with all the actions he takes for his "club". And there is a moment toward the end that shocked me to the core, because there are some side characters that work with Freddy and Nora, and you sense how much they need the truth to come out so that those caught in this dangerous web can be free. My emotions definitely ended up getting caught up in this story. Well worth the read especially if you are a Manda Collins fan.
The Cover
DELICIOUS!! Need I say more??? I love the casual yet confident pose and look at those abs....LOVE EM'
Overall View
A Good Rake Is Hard To Find was a mind-blowing romance that swept me off my feet from the very beginning. There is a sensuality and dangerous feel to it that keeps you coming back for more. Stimulating and full of thrills and passion!!
Lords Of Anarchy
Summary
Miss Leonora Craven, is grieving over her twin's death and she will do whatever it takes to find the answers to the mystery of his death. She knows that it wasn't an accident and there is one man who has the answers...Frederick Isle. On a burst of anger she bursts into his club and demands answers. Freddy knows that one of his closest friends wouldn't be careless with his own life. And he has been charged to find the answers, especially since the man they believe is probably responsible is his cousin. Freddy is overwhelmed to be working with Nora once again. She once broke off their engagement, and broke his heart and he ended up fleeing to Europe. He has just returned and is on the hunt for the man that murdered his friend, but he will need to work with Nora and act the loving engaged couple in order to get the answers he needs. What begins as a mystery turns into a passionate love affaire, one that reconnects these two who need love and a chance to begin again with each other. But soon there is more than love at risk, their own lives are in peril if they make one mistake.
The Hero
Lord Frederick Isle is the youngest son of the family. And even though he is close to his family, he has always wanted to make his own way. He and three other men formed a friendship and called themselves the "Four Horsemen" and they have been tight ever since despite how different each of them is. Freddy has always been a bit of a wild card before he headed over to the continent. Despite his roguish ways, he never strayed and could never understand why Nora broke off their engagement. Freddy is the hero that surprises you. At first I was thinking he is just an average English rake but boy he isn't. He is loyal, protective, and committed to what he believes in. When he loves, he loves fiercely and passionately. We see how even after all these years, he still has a soft spot for the woman that broke his heart with no explanation. We see how much he changes, and I loved his fighting spirit, and how he is so delicate in handling solving the murder of his friend. He doesn't go in half cocked, but with careful precision, and I really admire a man that thinks with his head.
The Heroine
Leonora Craven is a twin, and when her very opposite brother is murdered she will do anything to find out why and who really killed him. Nora is what many would call a "Bluestocking" heroine. Which I really adored seeing. Nora is a writer and writes for magazines, and is quite popular. Nora is quite driven in her cause for women to have equal rights. Even though she is considered a "radical" many listen to her. Leonora is the type of heroine you instantly admire and I really loved what a role she played in the story here. She is driven and determined and is hiding a secret. We don't really know what that secret is until about halfway, but its understandable to see why she broke things off with Freddy, especially consider the time that this story takes place. Leonora's character was quite unpredictable at times, and I never knew what she would do next.
Plot and Story Line
A Good Rake Is Hard To Find was quite a fun and tantalizing read and boy I had a ball with this book. There were two major factors that really kept me so in tune with this story. The first was the plot with the murder mystery, and the second factor was the secret that Nora is hiding. Now sometimes I really have an issue with the whole "secret" but this one was a whopper and I honestly didn't see it coming at first, and it totally blew me away. This is where I got a real kick because I love it when a story tilts my axis and changes what I was expecting. It definitely was a good twist to the story. Now the romance was so achingly sweet and tender and there were times my heart just went out to these two because of what they both were struggling with. Both Freddy and Nora love each other but have been kept apart by a secret Nora refuses to share, but boy Freddy shows his true colors when he learns the extent of what Nora has gone through. Despite how much she has hurt him, he is so empathetic and understanding. Now this is where the plot thickens and it really gets intense because their lives are in danger and must tread carefully. And his cousin, what a villain. From the beginning, you sense how evil he is, and literally he is on the edge to madness really with all the actions he takes for his "club". And there is a moment toward the end that shocked me to the core, because there are some side characters that work with Freddy and Nora, and you sense how much they need the truth to come out so that those caught in this dangerous web can be free. My emotions definitely ended up getting caught up in this story. Well worth the read especially if you are a Manda Collins fan.
The Cover
DELICIOUS!! Need I say more??? I love the casual yet confident pose and look at those abs....LOVE EM'
Overall View
A Good Rake Is Hard To Find was a mind-blowing romance that swept me off my feet from the very beginning. There is a sensuality and dangerous feel to it that keeps you coming back for more. Stimulating and full of thrills and passion!!
Lords Of Anarchy
A Good Rake Is Hard To Find (1)
Good Earl Gone Bad (2)
Good Dukes Wear Black (3)
March 24, 2015
I picked this book out for one reason, the ridiculous title, and boy did this deliver. This is a story about a biker gang curricle driving club called Sons Lords of Anarchy who get up to all sorts of nefarious biker gang curricle driving club crimes and murder people and stuff. I'm not joking, this is straight up a regency biker gang romance starting off a SERIES of this (!!), so buckle the fuck up, oh wait you can't, seat belts haven't been invented yet. This is is one cracked out series theme and either you're going to be down to clown on it or you're not. Fortunately I was in a mood that made me receptive to such ideas when I read this, and therefore I enjoyed the story.
However, the book has some clumsy parts to it, more than I'd expect from an experienced writer. Opening the book with a first-person narrative of a violent death to set up the mystery had some pretty weird flow into the rest of the book, which after the intro returns to well-rutted territory with a bog-standard he-thinks-she-thinks shifting POV between our romantic leads. The romantic leads have a Backstory, and thus we must have lots of Exposition to inform us of this, but it's always so Clearly Exposition it grates. The story seems a bit paint-by-numbers to me, like the writer outlined the whole series in one go and is writing off of it.
The second thing I didn't like is the treatment of female infertility in the story, which I found pretty insensitive. The female lead, for reasons I shall not explain for spoilers, is infertile, and therefore has decided to nobly never marry the man she loves because she would deny him of children. So a lot of the story is repeating exchange of "Oh how sad that I can't marry you."/"Why?"/"Because secrets."/"What secrets?"/"If only I could tell you..." This goes on until the end of the book
But let's put our social-consciousness aside, because it's still a regency biker-gang romance series with a Mae West inspired title. If you're looking for a light historical romance book, with the sort of cover to make even the most shameless library user queue up for the self-checkout, here's your mindcandy.
I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book on Netgalley.
However, the book has some clumsy parts to it, more than I'd expect from an experienced writer. Opening the book with a first-person narrative of a violent death to set up the mystery had some pretty weird flow into the rest of the book, which after the intro returns to well-rutted territory with a bog-standard he-thinks-she-thinks shifting POV between our romantic leads. The romantic leads have a Backstory, and thus we must have lots of Exposition to inform us of this, but it's always so Clearly Exposition it grates. The story seems a bit paint-by-numbers to me, like the writer outlined the whole series in one go and is writing off of it.
The second thing I didn't like is the treatment of female infertility in the story, which I found pretty insensitive. The female lead, for reasons I shall not explain for spoilers, is infertile, and therefore has decided to nobly never marry the man she loves because she would deny him of children. So a lot of the story is repeating exchange of "Oh how sad that I can't marry you."/"Why?"/"Because secrets."/"What secrets?"/"If only I could tell you..." This goes on until the end of the book
But let's put our social-consciousness aside, because it's still a regency biker-gang romance series with a Mae West inspired title. If you're looking for a light historical romance book, with the sort of cover to make even the most shameless library user queue up for the self-checkout, here's your mindcandy.
I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book on Netgalley.
April 12, 2015
2.5 Stars
Someone has murdered Miss Leonora Craven's brother, and she knows just who to blame; the Lords of Anarchy. The Lords of Anarchy may just be a driving club, but Nora believes there may be more going on in the club than meets the eye. To find out who killed her brother and bring him to justice though Nora needs help, help in the form of her brother’s best friend and her ex-fiancée, Lord Frederick Lisle. Although she called off the betrothal it becomes clearer as the investigation goes on and the danger increases that her feelings towards Freddy haven’t changed, but Nora has a shameful secret of her own, one that means that marriage to the man she loves is out of the question.
My world was not rocked, there wasn’t even a slight tremble, unfortunately I found myself disappointed with A Good Rake is Hard to Find. I was hoping for an exciting tale full of intrigue and lots of sparks as Nora and Freddie both investigate a murder and rekindle their romance, that however, was not what I had.
The danger and intrigue was a little lacklustre and as you know who-dun-It from the start, there wasn’t even a mystery to unravel. It also ended and resolved itself so quickly that if you blink you miss it. Altogether, the excitement I was hoping for in this aspect of the book was missing.
But, this is a romance, my prime reason for reading isn’t for a spot of murder, however, Freddy and Nora were also a little lacklustre in that aspect as well. Although they did make a nice couple, I failed to caught up in their chemistry or really feel that they were madly in love with one another. It just felt very…nice. Nice and civilised.
Although this book wasn’t awful, I admit I did find it a little boring and probably isn’t something I would ever recommend. But, I do have hopes for the next book in the series Good Earl Gone Bad, which features Freddie and Nora’s best friends, for whom sparks are already flying…even if they are angry ones!
March 29, 2015
Marriages of convenience stories are common in romance, but in her first book in the Lords of Anarchy series, Manda Collins gives her readers a betrothal of convenience story. Lord Frederick Lisle, a younger son of the Duke of Pemberton, and poet Miss Leonora Craven are betrothed—for the second time. Nora ended their first betrothal, leaving Freddy brokenhearted. Now she needs his help in discovering what really happened the night her brother died. Freddy shares her suspicions, and he had already determined to investigate the death of his friend Jonathan Craven before Nora showed up at his club with her demands. Nora’s plan to be involved in the investigation gives him an excuse to insist they present themselves as a couple. She may think the betrothal is a sham, but there is nothing fake about Freddy’s feelings for her or about the danger they both face as they work to discover the secrets of the Lords of Anarchy.
A Good Rake Is Hard to Find offers the perfect balance between mystery and romance that I have come to expect from Manda Collins. I think it is this author’s best book yet. Freddy is a delight as a “good rake”! (What is it about heroes named Freddy? Heyer, Gracie, and now Collins have created heroes to adore with this name.) And I love Nora’s independence and the fact that she is a poet who accepts payment for her work regardless of the eyebrows such action raises. The villain is appropriately vile and his deserts appropriately just. Evil proves to be a hydra-headed beast, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
A Good Rake Is Hard to Find offers the perfect balance between mystery and romance that I have come to expect from Manda Collins. I think it is this author’s best book yet. Freddy is a delight as a “good rake”! (What is it about heroes named Freddy? Heyer, Gracie, and now Collins have created heroes to adore with this name.) And I love Nora’s independence and the fact that she is a poet who accepts payment for her work regardless of the eyebrows such action raises. The villain is appropriately vile and his deserts appropriately just. Evil proves to be a hydra-headed beast, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
April 4, 2015
*I got this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
“A good Rake is hard to find” is the 1st book in the “Lord of Anarchy” series by Manda Collins.
First of all I don’t understand why everybody on Goodreads seems to love this book, I found it – mostly – downright boring and quite bumpy.
Leonora Collins, a stubborn bluestocking and popular female poem writer, is mourning the death of her brother Johnny who participated in races arranged by the “Lord of Anarchy”, a Regency kind of bike gang but only with racing carriages. She knows that the death hasn’t been an accident because he was a first class driver and his carriage was stolen and couldn’t be processed.
In any case she was, five years ago, engaged to Freddy, a younger son of an earl. She broke it off back then and he was sent, by his parents, to the continent because he drowned himself in alcohol day by day. She never got him a reason, just broke it off.
Next to that Freddy was one of the best friends of Johnny and when she reaches the point to investigate her brother’s point, she meets with Freddy and asks him for help. Very, very quickly he comes up with a plan – a faux pas betrothal, him becoming a member of the “Lord of Anarchy” club, because his cousin Gerard runs it, and attend club meetings.
And very soon they attend the first gathering of the club and start to investigate …
+
Where shall I start? There are many things that just don’t go smoothly in my opinion. First of all Freddy’s brother, from whom he borrows the curricle is in the country side because his wife is about to give birth. Suddenly so said sister-in-law is in London to meet Leonora with Freddy’s mom to visit her. Why on earth should she, highly pregnant, travel back to London to meet Freddy’s betrothed?
Secondly, when they sleep together for the first time, Freddy doesn’t know about Leonora’s past and he tells her that it may hurt. But he doesn’t give a damn that she is no virgin anymore which is kind of interesting because I don’t get why. Men always, in each and every novel, cared about it. He just penetrates her without speaking about pregnancy first or anything connected to them being intimate. It doesn’t make any sense in my opinion.
Third the whole thing about being barren. Leonora is confronted with a pregnant woman (sister-in-law) asking her about a poem she wrote about a mourning mother and her angle baby; a baby’s gravestone etc. and the reader knows for quite some time, that she had a baby once. But for most of the story I thought she had a stillborn child because she thought about the perfect little hands etc. but when she finally – after like a million pages – tells Freddy about it, she tells him about a miscarriage that happened pretty early in her pregnancy. She couldn’t have known the gender of the baby and all those things if it really happened in that early stage. And why is she barren? I mean if you put things like that into a storyline than you should, in my opinion, tell the reader the reasons.
And towards the end were too many people involved, storylines that just didn’t round the story up but leave it kind of unfinished. Plus the end comes quite suddenly compared to the rest of the story which is kind of a rigmarole. There is bet planned that never goes through etc. and it feels like the writer wanted to make the story more complex but didn’t manage to wrap all ends up before she had written too many pages. The last 10% seemed to hurry the story.
Next to all that – the romance scenes are passionless. They have sex in her house when her father could come into the room every second and she doesn’t care. She is independent and a bluestocking but they do not even lock the door. Why should a young woman who doesn’t want to marry at all do things like that?
All in all there are inconsistences in my opinion that make the basic story, which I liked kind of, pretty shallow. There is no passion between the characters, too many storylines that do not really end up together in a realistic way and I even got kind of bored over the chapters from time to time.
Additionally I have to say that the title of the book doesn't fit the story in my opinion.
So … I give it: 2** stars.
“A good Rake is hard to find” is the 1st book in the “Lord of Anarchy” series by Manda Collins.
First of all I don’t understand why everybody on Goodreads seems to love this book, I found it – mostly – downright boring and quite bumpy.
Leonora Collins, a stubborn bluestocking and popular female poem writer, is mourning the death of her brother Johnny who participated in races arranged by the “Lord of Anarchy”, a Regency kind of bike gang but only with racing carriages. She knows that the death hasn’t been an accident because he was a first class driver and his carriage was stolen and couldn’t be processed.
In any case she was, five years ago, engaged to Freddy, a younger son of an earl. She broke it off back then and he was sent, by his parents, to the continent because he drowned himself in alcohol day by day. She never got him a reason, just broke it off.
Next to that Freddy was one of the best friends of Johnny and when she reaches the point to investigate her brother’s point, she meets with Freddy and asks him for help. Very, very quickly he comes up with a plan – a faux pas betrothal, him becoming a member of the “Lord of Anarchy” club, because his cousin Gerard runs it, and attend club meetings.
And very soon they attend the first gathering of the club and start to investigate …
+
Where shall I start? There are many things that just don’t go smoothly in my opinion. First of all Freddy’s brother, from whom he borrows the curricle is in the country side because his wife is about to give birth. Suddenly so said sister-in-law is in London to meet Leonora with Freddy’s mom to visit her. Why on earth should she, highly pregnant, travel back to London to meet Freddy’s betrothed?
Secondly, when they sleep together for the first time, Freddy doesn’t know about Leonora’s past and he tells her that it may hurt. But he doesn’t give a damn that she is no virgin anymore which is kind of interesting because I don’t get why. Men always, in each and every novel, cared about it. He just penetrates her without speaking about pregnancy first or anything connected to them being intimate. It doesn’t make any sense in my opinion.
Third the whole thing about being barren. Leonora is confronted with a pregnant woman (sister-in-law) asking her about a poem she wrote about a mourning mother and her angle baby; a baby’s gravestone etc. and the reader knows for quite some time, that she had a baby once. But for most of the story I thought she had a stillborn child because she thought about the perfect little hands etc. but when she finally – after like a million pages – tells Freddy about it, she tells him about a miscarriage that happened pretty early in her pregnancy. She couldn’t have known the gender of the baby and all those things if it really happened in that early stage. And why is she barren? I mean if you put things like that into a storyline than you should, in my opinion, tell the reader the reasons.
And towards the end were too many people involved, storylines that just didn’t round the story up but leave it kind of unfinished. Plus the end comes quite suddenly compared to the rest of the story which is kind of a rigmarole. There is bet planned that never goes through etc. and it feels like the writer wanted to make the story more complex but didn’t manage to wrap all ends up before she had written too many pages. The last 10% seemed to hurry the story.
Next to all that – the romance scenes are passionless. They have sex in her house when her father could come into the room every second and she doesn’t care. She is independent and a bluestocking but they do not even lock the door. Why should a young woman who doesn’t want to marry at all do things like that?
All in all there are inconsistences in my opinion that make the basic story, which I liked kind of, pretty shallow. There is no passion between the characters, too many storylines that do not really end up together in a realistic way and I even got kind of bored over the chapters from time to time.
Additionally I have to say that the title of the book doesn't fit the story in my opinion.
So … I give it: 2** stars.
April 30, 2016
This book featured the unconventional Miss Leonora “Nora” Craven, who was trying to find out what happened to her twin brother. She asked or rather demanded assistance for her former fiancé Lord Frederick “Freddy” Lisle, who was also her deceased brother’s best friend. Freddy saw this as an opportunity to avenge his friend as well as regain Nora’s affection, so he agreed. Thus began the journey to a second chance at love.
This is my first book by this author so I wondered if this series is a spin-off. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book more than I expected. I usually try to avoid audiobooks narrated by Anne Flosnik because I don’t usually enjoy her style. This one was definitely an exception. The story was really predictable, but smooth and engaging because the chemistry between Nora and Freddy carried the plot.
If you like heroine who don’t follow the ton’s rules for female behavior and heroes that are more tolerant of strong-willed females, you will enjoy this book.
*Special Thanks to Tantor Audio for the review copy.
This is my first book by this author so I wondered if this series is a spin-off. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book more than I expected. I usually try to avoid audiobooks narrated by Anne Flosnik because I don’t usually enjoy her style. This one was definitely an exception. The story was really predictable, but smooth and engaging because the chemistry between Nora and Freddy carried the plot.
If you like heroine who don’t follow the ton’s rules for female behavior and heroes that are more tolerant of strong-willed females, you will enjoy this book.
*Special Thanks to Tantor Audio for the review copy.
April 1, 2015
A Good Rake Is Hard To Find by Manda Collins
Overview by Amazon:
A DANGEROUS GAME
Heartbroken by the loss of her brother, Miss Leonora Craven vows to uncover the truth about his "accident," which seems to have been anything but. Jonathan Craven was involved with the Lords of Anarchy, a notorious driving club, and Leonora can't help but suspect foul play. But the only way she can infiltrate their reckless inner circle is to enlist the help of Jonny's closest ally, Lord Frederick Lisle. If only he didn't also happen to be the man who broke Leonora's heart…
AN UNDENIABLE DESIRE
Frederick isn't surprised to find gorgeous, headstrong Leonora playing detective, but he knows that the Lords of Anarchy mean business--and he has no choice but to protect her. A sham engagement to Leonora will allow Frederick to bring her into the club and along for the ride. But it isn't long before pretending to be lovers leads to very real passion. With everything to lose, is their tempestuous affair worth the risk?
A dangerous gang, a broken engagement, a deep secret and an unsolved murder. The opening pages of this book had me confused at first. I thought I was reading a contemporary novel, but then I realized it was about racing curricles. Jonny dies in the opening of the book, so clearly he is not the hero of the book, but the majority of the book is solving his death.
Jonny’s sister, Leonora longs for justice for her brother. She turns to her former fiancée, Freddy to get his help investigating his death. She knows that his racing club, The Lords of Anarchy had something to do with his death. Coincidentally, Freddy was just about to start an investigation of his own. They join forces under the guise of another betrothal, albeit a fake one. And so the story starts.
Leonora was a compelling character. A very strong woman who is a follower of Mary Wollstonecraft and believes in woman’s rights. Leonora is a prolific writer and poetess. She has remained single in the five years since she broke off her engagement to Freddy. Getting to know her was revealing as more of her beliefs and fears became evident as the plot and danger increased around her. Her love for Freddy never died and being in a sham relationship brings all the good memories back.
Freddy was a disaster after the engagement ended and went to the continent to heal his wounds for five years. Almost as soon as he returns he is accosted by his friends and Leonora to find out what happened to his good friend Jonny. He accepts the challenge to lead the investigation. Being close to Leonora haunts him. He doesn’t know the reason that she called off the engagement, but he still wants her. Time has mellowed him and he is more accepting of her occupations.
The Lords of Anarchy were a horrible club. The racing was just one small aspect of their actions. Street fighting and damaging punishment were the foundation of the group. The wives were a part of the club’s social gatherings and for a young unmarried woman, they are outrageously scandalous. The leader Sir Gerry is Freddy’s cousin, but a truly sinister man. His depravity knows no boundaries. He is a terrific villain however. Smarmy, sneaking, insulting and preening, he embodies all the elements that make you despise him. My stomach dropped each time he requested Freddy’s presence or Leonora’s attention.
This book had a lot of action happening. I really enjoyed the plot and finding out what happened to Jonny. While it wasn’t a surprise that he met his end at the hands of the Lords of Anarchy, it was a winding and twisted plot to figure out the situation.
The relationship between Freddy and Leonora was just as important as solving the murder. Their reconciliation was woven into the plot. The past hurts are addressed and Freddy uncovers the truth behind Leonora’s decision to end things five years ago. I enjoyed these two together. They had a solid relationship and I really liked that Leonora was no simpering miss. She had strong opinions and ideas and for the most part, Freddy supported her. It doesn’t hurt that they connected really well in the bed chamber too!
This book is out now!
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com
Overview by Amazon:
A DANGEROUS GAME
Heartbroken by the loss of her brother, Miss Leonora Craven vows to uncover the truth about his "accident," which seems to have been anything but. Jonathan Craven was involved with the Lords of Anarchy, a notorious driving club, and Leonora can't help but suspect foul play. But the only way she can infiltrate their reckless inner circle is to enlist the help of Jonny's closest ally, Lord Frederick Lisle. If only he didn't also happen to be the man who broke Leonora's heart…
AN UNDENIABLE DESIRE
Frederick isn't surprised to find gorgeous, headstrong Leonora playing detective, but he knows that the Lords of Anarchy mean business--and he has no choice but to protect her. A sham engagement to Leonora will allow Frederick to bring her into the club and along for the ride. But it isn't long before pretending to be lovers leads to very real passion. With everything to lose, is their tempestuous affair worth the risk?
A dangerous gang, a broken engagement, a deep secret and an unsolved murder. The opening pages of this book had me confused at first. I thought I was reading a contemporary novel, but then I realized it was about racing curricles. Jonny dies in the opening of the book, so clearly he is not the hero of the book, but the majority of the book is solving his death.
Jonny’s sister, Leonora longs for justice for her brother. She turns to her former fiancée, Freddy to get his help investigating his death. She knows that his racing club, The Lords of Anarchy had something to do with his death. Coincidentally, Freddy was just about to start an investigation of his own. They join forces under the guise of another betrothal, albeit a fake one. And so the story starts.
Leonora was a compelling character. A very strong woman who is a follower of Mary Wollstonecraft and believes in woman’s rights. Leonora is a prolific writer and poetess. She has remained single in the five years since she broke off her engagement to Freddy. Getting to know her was revealing as more of her beliefs and fears became evident as the plot and danger increased around her. Her love for Freddy never died and being in a sham relationship brings all the good memories back.
Freddy was a disaster after the engagement ended and went to the continent to heal his wounds for five years. Almost as soon as he returns he is accosted by his friends and Leonora to find out what happened to his good friend Jonny. He accepts the challenge to lead the investigation. Being close to Leonora haunts him. He doesn’t know the reason that she called off the engagement, but he still wants her. Time has mellowed him and he is more accepting of her occupations.
The Lords of Anarchy were a horrible club. The racing was just one small aspect of their actions. Street fighting and damaging punishment were the foundation of the group. The wives were a part of the club’s social gatherings and for a young unmarried woman, they are outrageously scandalous. The leader Sir Gerry is Freddy’s cousin, but a truly sinister man. His depravity knows no boundaries. He is a terrific villain however. Smarmy, sneaking, insulting and preening, he embodies all the elements that make you despise him. My stomach dropped each time he requested Freddy’s presence or Leonora’s attention.
This book had a lot of action happening. I really enjoyed the plot and finding out what happened to Jonny. While it wasn’t a surprise that he met his end at the hands of the Lords of Anarchy, it was a winding and twisted plot to figure out the situation.
The relationship between Freddy and Leonora was just as important as solving the murder. Their reconciliation was woven into the plot. The past hurts are addressed and Freddy uncovers the truth behind Leonora’s decision to end things five years ago. I enjoyed these two together. They had a solid relationship and I really liked that Leonora was no simpering miss. She had strong opinions and ideas and for the most part, Freddy supported her. It doesn’t hurt that they connected really well in the bed chamber too!
This book is out now!
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com
April 12, 2015
A Good Rake is Hard to Find kicks off a new series from one of my favourite historical romance authors, Manda Collins. This new series is obviously inspired by Sons of Anarchy, since it revolves around a notorious curricle racing club, Lords of Anarchy. Perhaps you might think this is a ridiculous set up, and I would agree, but only if you mean ridiculously awesome!
When Miss Lenora Craven’s brother, Jonathan, dies in an “accident” while racing with the club, Lenora refuses to believe that her brother didn’t have help in arriving to his fatal accident. If Lenora wants to infiltrate the club and discover the truth she’s going to need help, unfortunately the man that she trusts to help her, Lord Frederick Lisle, is none other than her former fiancé, who was none too pleased when she broke things off.
Like Lenora, Frederick is unconvinced that Jonathan really met with an accident. Frederick and his two friends were already planning on launching their own investigation when Lenora ask for his help. At first, Frederick isn’t pleased to work with Lenora; she broke their engagement without ever giving him a reason, so she’s not exactly his favourite person. However, before too long, Frederick finds himself right back where he was, engaged to Lenora, but this time he has no intention of letting her end things, at least without telling him why.
Like Collins’ previous trilogies, A Good Rake is Hard to Find combines both romance and intrigue. And as usual, this combination works very well, even if readers are left with loose ends – gotta read the next book, after all. The mystery surrounding Jonathan’s death is what brings Lenora and Frederick back together, but it’s Lenora’s secrets that pack the emotional impact that makes this one a strong romance. Lenora has a very good reason for breaking off her previous engagement with Frederick and she is determined not to reveal that secret or to allow their new faux engagement to become a reality. Frederick for his part has grown up over the years and after his initial anger fades, is determined to win Lenora’s trust. This romantic element was well done and it was nice to see a couple in a romance work through their problems with relatively (this is a romance, after all) little angst.
My only complaint with this one is that the structure got me anticipating the next book in the series! Collins’ introduces both the heroes and the heroines of the next two books in A Good Rake is Hard to Find, and the problem with these breadcrumbs is that it often has me looking forward to the next book at the expense of the book that I’m already reading. Not really a bad thing since it certainly means that I will most definitely be reading the next book – although I would rather not have to wait for it!
A Good Rake is Hard to Find is a great installment in a new series. Yes, the premise is a touch outrageous, but that’s the kind of thing that I enjoy. The romance was touching and the angst was minimal, making this one a good read for those looking for more of a romantic suspense, historical-style.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Originally reviewed at The Book Adventures.
When Miss Lenora Craven’s brother, Jonathan, dies in an “accident” while racing with the club, Lenora refuses to believe that her brother didn’t have help in arriving to his fatal accident. If Lenora wants to infiltrate the club and discover the truth she’s going to need help, unfortunately the man that she trusts to help her, Lord Frederick Lisle, is none other than her former fiancé, who was none too pleased when she broke things off.
Like Lenora, Frederick is unconvinced that Jonathan really met with an accident. Frederick and his two friends were already planning on launching their own investigation when Lenora ask for his help. At first, Frederick isn’t pleased to work with Lenora; she broke their engagement without ever giving him a reason, so she’s not exactly his favourite person. However, before too long, Frederick finds himself right back where he was, engaged to Lenora, but this time he has no intention of letting her end things, at least without telling him why.
Like Collins’ previous trilogies, A Good Rake is Hard to Find combines both romance and intrigue. And as usual, this combination works very well, even if readers are left with loose ends – gotta read the next book, after all. The mystery surrounding Jonathan’s death is what brings Lenora and Frederick back together, but it’s Lenora’s secrets that pack the emotional impact that makes this one a strong romance. Lenora has a very good reason for breaking off her previous engagement with Frederick and she is determined not to reveal that secret or to allow their new faux engagement to become a reality. Frederick for his part has grown up over the years and after his initial anger fades, is determined to win Lenora’s trust. This romantic element was well done and it was nice to see a couple in a romance work through their problems with relatively (this is a romance, after all) little angst.
My only complaint with this one is that the structure got me anticipating the next book in the series! Collins’ introduces both the heroes and the heroines of the next two books in A Good Rake is Hard to Find, and the problem with these breadcrumbs is that it often has me looking forward to the next book at the expense of the book that I’m already reading. Not really a bad thing since it certainly means that I will most definitely be reading the next book – although I would rather not have to wait for it!
A Good Rake is Hard to Find is a great installment in a new series. Yes, the premise is a touch outrageous, but that’s the kind of thing that I enjoy. The romance was touching and the angst was minimal, making this one a good read for those looking for more of a romantic suspense, historical-style.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Originally reviewed at The Book Adventures.
April 22, 2015
I really enjoyed Ms Collins’s previous Ugly Ducklings and Wicked Widows series. So I was looking forward to reading this first book in her new Lords of Anarchy series but, overall, I was disappointed.
Frederick was honourable, patient and protective…all the qualities I look for in a hero but he didn’t seem to have that dynamic presence on the page. Leonora was my sort of heroine…unconventional (a poet and a staunch proponent of women’s rights), intelligent, bold and outspoken.
I wanted to know about their previous relationship. How did they meet? How long they were together? What were their feelings for each other? Leonora had decided she would never marry because of the shameful secret she carried so why did she agree to the engagement to Frederick, only to call it off? In this instance, a flashback would certainly have been helpful in answering these questions. I’m not sure whether it was this lack of insight into their previous thoughts and feelings but the romance between them felt flat somehow. I also found it hard to believe that a seasoned rake like Frederick would not have realised that Leonora wasn’t a virgin when they made love.
I am not giving away any spoilers because it was fairly obvious that Frederick’s cousin and leader of the Lords of Anarchy, Sir Gerard Fincher, is responsible for Jonathan’s death. So, rather than a mystery, the main gist of the story was Frederick and Leonora working together to find the evidence to prove it. There were some especially tense moments and Gerald was truly diabolical so I was disappointed that he never got the punishment he truly deserved.
On a more positive note, I did like Frederick’s mother, the Duchess of Pemberton, who is very adept at handling three grown-up sons. I also liked Frederick’s witty friend, Lord Mainwaring and Leonora’s friend, Lady Hermione Upperton, whose skills with the reins are equal to any man’s.
My Verdict: This book was disappointing but it won’t deter me from reading Lord Mainwaring and Lady Hermione Upperton’s story in the second book, GOOD EARL GONE BAD.
REVIEW RATING: 3/5 STARS
Lords of Anarchy series so far (please click on the book cover for more details):
- 6 October 2015
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Frederick was honourable, patient and protective…all the qualities I look for in a hero but he didn’t seem to have that dynamic presence on the page. Leonora was my sort of heroine…unconventional (a poet and a staunch proponent of women’s rights), intelligent, bold and outspoken.
I wanted to know about their previous relationship. How did they meet? How long they were together? What were their feelings for each other? Leonora had decided she would never marry because of the shameful secret she carried so why did she agree to the engagement to Frederick, only to call it off? In this instance, a flashback would certainly have been helpful in answering these questions. I’m not sure whether it was this lack of insight into their previous thoughts and feelings but the romance between them felt flat somehow. I also found it hard to believe that a seasoned rake like Frederick would not have realised that Leonora wasn’t a virgin when they made love.
I am not giving away any spoilers because it was fairly obvious that Frederick’s cousin and leader of the Lords of Anarchy, Sir Gerard Fincher, is responsible for Jonathan’s death. So, rather than a mystery, the main gist of the story was Frederick and Leonora working together to find the evidence to prove it. There were some especially tense moments and Gerald was truly diabolical so I was disappointed that he never got the punishment he truly deserved.
On a more positive note, I did like Frederick’s mother, the Duchess of Pemberton, who is very adept at handling three grown-up sons. I also liked Frederick’s witty friend, Lord Mainwaring and Leonora’s friend, Lady Hermione Upperton, whose skills with the reins are equal to any man’s.
My Verdict: This book was disappointing but it won’t deter me from reading Lord Mainwaring and Lady Hermione Upperton’s story in the second book, GOOD EARL GONE BAD.
REVIEW RATING: 3/5 STARS
Lords of Anarchy series so far (please click on the book cover for more details):
- 6 October 2015I received a complimentary copy from the publisher St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
March 27, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
A Good Rake is Hard to Find is book one in Manda Collins exciting new series, Lords of Anarchy and if the rest of the series lives up to the promise of this book, we are in for a wonderful ride.
Years ago, Lord Frederick Lisle and Miss Leonora Craven were in love with a promise of a wonderful future but much to Freddy's dismay Nora broke it off with him. Leaving him rather desolate. Nora has gone on to become an "Ape Leader" of the ton, a strong woman with a strong sense of right and wrong but she's never married and never really said why she broke things off. Her family has always blamed Freddy, poor Freddy because he has no clue. But things have changed, her beloved brother, Freddy's lifelong best friend had died in a carriage accident. An accident that occurred during a carriage race and under rather mysterious circumstances. The only way for Nora to be able to investigate is on Freddy's arm, eye candy so to speak, as his fiance...
Something broke inside Lord Frederick Lisle when Nora broke off with him. Not sure why she did, Freddy was something of a lost soul. He has survived and managed to recover but never completely. When his best friend dies in a carriage accident and Freddy is approached by the love of his life to help. Freddy, has a plan. No way is Nora going to get away this time.. First step, convince her to portray his fiance as they investigate.. second step, keep her for good this time.
This book had a few bumps and stumbles but it told a wonderful story about perseverance and true love. About understanding just what love is and what you are willing to do for it. Whether it be love for a brother, a friend or of the romantic kind. Love grows and evolves, it expands and adapts and that is what Ms. Collins teaches Freddy and Nora. It was beautiful at some points.
The mystery of how Jonathon was killed threaded throughout this story and while sometimes overpowering, Ms. Collins did make me wonder. Ok, no she didn't I was convinced that there was a hidden villain, that there was something more.. I won't tell you if it's true or not.. because you need to read and enjoy this book for yourself.
It was good, really good, not excellent but well worth your time that it takes to enjoy a delightful read
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Good Rake is Hard to Find, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on March 31, 2015
A Good Rake is Hard to Find is book one in Manda Collins exciting new series, Lords of Anarchy and if the rest of the series lives up to the promise of this book, we are in for a wonderful ride.
Years ago, Lord Frederick Lisle and Miss Leonora Craven were in love with a promise of a wonderful future but much to Freddy's dismay Nora broke it off with him. Leaving him rather desolate. Nora has gone on to become an "Ape Leader" of the ton, a strong woman with a strong sense of right and wrong but she's never married and never really said why she broke things off. Her family has always blamed Freddy, poor Freddy because he has no clue. But things have changed, her beloved brother, Freddy's lifelong best friend had died in a carriage accident. An accident that occurred during a carriage race and under rather mysterious circumstances. The only way for Nora to be able to investigate is on Freddy's arm, eye candy so to speak, as his fiance...
Something broke inside Lord Frederick Lisle when Nora broke off with him. Not sure why she did, Freddy was something of a lost soul. He has survived and managed to recover but never completely. When his best friend dies in a carriage accident and Freddy is approached by the love of his life to help. Freddy, has a plan. No way is Nora going to get away this time.. First step, convince her to portray his fiance as they investigate.. second step, keep her for good this time.
This book had a few bumps and stumbles but it told a wonderful story about perseverance and true love. About understanding just what love is and what you are willing to do for it. Whether it be love for a brother, a friend or of the romantic kind. Love grows and evolves, it expands and adapts and that is what Ms. Collins teaches Freddy and Nora. It was beautiful at some points.
The mystery of how Jonathon was killed threaded throughout this story and while sometimes overpowering, Ms. Collins did make me wonder. Ok, no she didn't I was convinced that there was a hidden villain, that there was something more.. I won't tell you if it's true or not.. because you need to read and enjoy this book for yourself.
It was good, really good, not excellent but well worth your time that it takes to enjoy a delightful read
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Good Rake is Hard to Find, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on March 31, 2015
April 6, 2015
A Good Rake is Hard to Find from Lords of Anarchy series by Manda Collins was ... well, it seems I'm outgrown of her books, and this book was the one that tipped the scales.
I was ranting already with her Wicked Widows series, that her books have lot of logical mistakes and time continuity mistakes, and so does this book. Another good book for exercising your eye muscles, since there are many possibilities to roll your eyes.
The story is about Leonora, who's brother was killed/died in carriage accident and now she is dead set to find out who was responsible for his death. Her brother's best friends are also interested in the accident and so Frederic, one of those friends, and he was also at one point Leonora's fiancé, decides to start his own investigation, but since Leonora will not give up her investigation, Frederic decides to fake engagement to Leonora, so they both would get closer to the alleged culprits, Lords of Anarchy.
And so it starts. This fake engagement is sometimes fake and sometimes real for Frederic. Leonora thinks about their last engagement and her reason to brake that one up and why she can no way be anybody's wife (since the reason was there also when they firs got engaged, I really did not understand why did she say yes in the first place) . In a mean time their investigation goes unbelievably smooth - they get invitation to the club, they talk to the right people, even if everybody knows why they there and give them info they need, the culprits do nothing to them until very end. I was really expecting that the brother will be found alive and hiding at the end, since all the story was just enough absurd as it was, but no.
So their investigation jumps from one absurdly lucky moment to another and Leonora's reasons a exposed little by little and Frederic wants her and does not want her, depending on a situation and his mood and his conversation partner and at the end everything turns out just as it should of course.
It was the kind of book, that you buy in airport, read on long flight and leave the book in your seat pocket for a next reader and you will not feel bad if you did not finish the story. It was my last book by Manda Collins.
I was ranting already with her Wicked Widows series, that her books have lot of logical mistakes and time continuity mistakes, and so does this book. Another good book for exercising your eye muscles, since there are many possibilities to roll your eyes.
The story is about Leonora, who's brother was killed/died in carriage accident and now she is dead set to find out who was responsible for his death. Her brother's best friends are also interested in the accident and so Frederic, one of those friends, and he was also at one point Leonora's fiancé, decides to start his own investigation, but since Leonora will not give up her investigation, Frederic decides to fake engagement to Leonora, so they both would get closer to the alleged culprits, Lords of Anarchy.
And so it starts. This fake engagement is sometimes fake and sometimes real for Frederic. Leonora thinks about their last engagement and her reason to brake that one up and why she can no way be anybody's wife (since the reason was there also when they firs got engaged, I really did not understand why did she say yes in the first place) . In a mean time their investigation goes unbelievably smooth - they get invitation to the club, they talk to the right people, even if everybody knows why they there and give them info they need, the culprits do nothing to them until very end. I was really expecting that the brother will be found alive and hiding at the end, since all the story was just enough absurd as it was, but no.
So their investigation jumps from one absurdly lucky moment to another and Leonora's reasons a exposed little by little and Frederic wants her and does not want her, depending on a situation and his mood and his conversation partner and at the end everything turns out just as it should of course.
It was the kind of book, that you buy in airport, read on long flight and leave the book in your seat pocket for a next reader and you will not feel bad if you did not finish the story. It was my last book by Manda Collins.
July 30, 2015
Leonora Craven is sure that the Lords of Anarchy have something to do with the death of her brother and she is going to prove it. She doesn't really care how she has to go about it but she wants answers. So she ask her ex-fiance to help her investigate since it's his cousin who is the leader of the riding group.
Fredrick doesn't trust his cousin and knows he has something to do with the death of his friend, Jonny. He also can't refuse helping Leonora and knows he if doesn't she will get herself in trouble. Fredrick joins the Lords of Anarchy in order to get closer to the members. The only way that Leonora would be able to come with him is if they are engaged.
So they start off with a fake engagement but Freddy is determined to make it real and this time he won't let her get away.
I really liked Leonora, she has a lot of spunk. She is part of the women's movement of that time and not well liked for it. She writes things about the ladies movement under a fake name so that nobody knows it's her because it would cause to much of a stir for now. She is still pretty boisterous about her feelings though and it can some times get her into a bit of trouble. So it's a good thing she has Freddy around to make sure she doesn't get into to much trouble.
Freddy (Fredrick) is a bit of a womanizer but he has never gotten over Leonora dropping their engagement. While he hates to think that his cousin had anything to do with Jonny's death he will do what he must to find out who killed him. He can't help but try and find out who done it not only for himself but for Leonora. He is very swoonworthy!
Fredrick doesn't trust his cousin and knows he has something to do with the death of his friend, Jonny. He also can't refuse helping Leonora and knows he if doesn't she will get herself in trouble. Fredrick joins the Lords of Anarchy in order to get closer to the members. The only way that Leonora would be able to come with him is if they are engaged.
So they start off with a fake engagement but Freddy is determined to make it real and this time he won't let her get away.
I really liked Leonora, she has a lot of spunk. She is part of the women's movement of that time and not well liked for it. She writes things about the ladies movement under a fake name so that nobody knows it's her because it would cause to much of a stir for now. She is still pretty boisterous about her feelings though and it can some times get her into a bit of trouble. So it's a good thing she has Freddy around to make sure she doesn't get into to much trouble.
Freddy (Fredrick) is a bit of a womanizer but he has never gotten over Leonora dropping their engagement. While he hates to think that his cousin had anything to do with Jonny's death he will do what he must to find out who killed him. He can't help but try and find out who done it not only for himself but for Leonora. He is very swoonworthy!
April 7, 2015
As much as I love and favor regency novels this book isn't one of my favorites. I have so much respect for Collins as an author as I have greatly enjoyed other books that she has written, but this book felt too dry for me for a romance novel. From the beginning to the end of my reading I had an issue with staying entertained by both the plot and the characters. There were brief moments that excelled the pace of the book before the pages turned back into a slower pace.
The main reason that I am not fond of this book is because of the romance. It felt like to me that the author was trying to persuade me that both Leonora and Frederick belong together. I agree, but without the need for persuasion. I much prefer free flowing romance that allows myself as the reader to decide whether or not both the characters are actually ready to have a happily-ever-after ending.
As for the characters themselves I enjoyed both of them as individuals. It took me a few chapters before I was convinced that the pair would work together. There were a few dilemmas that I thought needed to be smoothed out before reaching the ending, but overall I have no direct complaints with the characters as I they were both equally written to fit the tone of the book.
-This review was written for Night Owl Reviews. If you would like to read more of this review please follow the link that has been provided. Copyrights belong to NOR.
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
The main reason that I am not fond of this book is because of the romance. It felt like to me that the author was trying to persuade me that both Leonora and Frederick belong together. I agree, but without the need for persuasion. I much prefer free flowing romance that allows myself as the reader to decide whether or not both the characters are actually ready to have a happily-ever-after ending.
As for the characters themselves I enjoyed both of them as individuals. It took me a few chapters before I was convinced that the pair would work together. There were a few dilemmas that I thought needed to be smoothed out before reaching the ending, but overall I have no direct complaints with the characters as I they were both equally written to fit the tone of the book.
-This review was written for Night Owl Reviews. If you would like to read more of this review please follow the link that has been provided. Copyrights belong to NOR.
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
March 11, 2015
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and St Martin's Press*
June 26, 2017
First reviewed on A Weebish Book Blog
4 stars
I purchased this book at a time when I was in a historical romance slump because I knew it would be just the novel I would love the minute I found myself interesting in reading the genre again. I was not wrong thinking I would love this book and thanks to Manda Collins I am now craving even more from this genre — and more from the Lords of Anarchy.
A DUKE IS HARD TO FIND by Manda Collins is a heart -touching historical romance about the once engaged Leonora Craven and Lord Frederick Lisle, forced to reunite to solve the suspicious death of Leonora’s twin and Freddy’s dear friend, Johnny. This historical romance is the first novel in the Lords of Anarchy series, a book that has sat on my TBR list for over a year.
Miss Leonora Craven is a poetess and a bluestocking past the “age of marriage” (boy do I hate that phrase) when she seeks out her old flame to demand his help. She is witty, strong-willed, and not afraid to speak out about controversial topics to change societal justice. Though she has flaws like the rest of us mere mortals, she is not afraid to admit she’s wrong. It is nice to see character growth in a strong female lead, especially since it doesn’t happen as often as it should in romance.
“Freddy” aka Lord Fredrick Isle was also a character I was very fond of. He is rather ashamed of his past as a rake, and it was a struggle for him to go undercover as a Lord of Anarchy when all he wanted was to prove he’s changed. However, he’d do anything for the man who was like a brother to him — even if it meant getting close to the woman who broke his heart.
The main characters were well rounded and tugged at my heart strings. They’ve been through so much and came out damaged, but resilient. I also liked the secondary characters – the two living close friends of Freddy AND Leonora’s two close friends. I cannot wait to read their stories next!
I recommend this novel to historical romance lovers and those who are knew to the genre. This is the perfect novel to for those who are curious to see if historical romance is right for them — just remember to keep the tissues handy!.
4 stars
I purchased this book at a time when I was in a historical romance slump because I knew it would be just the novel I would love the minute I found myself interesting in reading the genre again. I was not wrong thinking I would love this book and thanks to Manda Collins I am now craving even more from this genre — and more from the Lords of Anarchy.
A DUKE IS HARD TO FIND by Manda Collins is a heart -touching historical romance about the once engaged Leonora Craven and Lord Frederick Lisle, forced to reunite to solve the suspicious death of Leonora’s twin and Freddy’s dear friend, Johnny. This historical romance is the first novel in the Lords of Anarchy series, a book that has sat on my TBR list for over a year.
Miss Leonora Craven is a poetess and a bluestocking past the “age of marriage” (boy do I hate that phrase) when she seeks out her old flame to demand his help. She is witty, strong-willed, and not afraid to speak out about controversial topics to change societal justice. Though she has flaws like the rest of us mere mortals, she is not afraid to admit she’s wrong. It is nice to see character growth in a strong female lead, especially since it doesn’t happen as often as it should in romance.
“Freddy” aka Lord Fredrick Isle was also a character I was very fond of. He is rather ashamed of his past as a rake, and it was a struggle for him to go undercover as a Lord of Anarchy when all he wanted was to prove he’s changed. However, he’d do anything for the man who was like a brother to him — even if it meant getting close to the woman who broke his heart.
The main characters were well rounded and tugged at my heart strings. They’ve been through so much and came out damaged, but resilient. I also liked the secondary characters – the two living close friends of Freddy AND Leonora’s two close friends. I cannot wait to read their stories next!
I recommend this novel to historical romance lovers and those who are knew to the genre. This is the perfect novel to for those who are curious to see if historical romance is right for them — just remember to keep the tissues handy!.
Read
May 9, 2017A Good Rake is Hard to Find delivers about what you’d expect. It’s a fun, light Regency romp with some good characters (but no great ones) and a sprinkling of minor issues. Aside from the occasional minor inconsistencies and dropped threads, it’s well-written, and I felt that it had just the right amount of on-screen sex – a little bit, but never overwhelming the narrative. My chief complaint is that the ending felt rushed. I wanted a lot more detail in the climactic scene of the defeat-evil-villain thread and maybe even a bit more in the conclusion of the romance thread. I may even pick up one of the later books in this series.
November 10, 2025
Not bad but I wished the villain had died a horrible death the way the heroine's brother did. Instead, he was banished from England. What kind of punishment is that?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2015
Manda Collins brings readers the first book in a new series. A Good Rake is Hard to Find is the first book in the Lord's of Anarchy series featuring a maniacal driving club that is up to more than just carriage races and pranks. Collins shows a lot of potential in this first book, with both romance and mystery at it's center. Her characters are captivating and the mystery of Jonathon's death is riveting. If readers are looking for a different face of the ton, this might just be the book for them!
This was my first book by Manda Collins and I always love it when it happens to be the first book in a series. I am a series reader! I like books that tie together and share the same world and I think Collins sets up the Lords of Anarchy series very well here. Most usually in historical romance writing the ton has a particular set of rules and regulations as to how the characters act and are perceived. There is some dallying with mistresses and gambling and the like but you don't usually see the underbelly of the society. I liked the fact that the Lords of Anarchy series is showing a more of the sinister side of the ton. Readers know it existed, but they get a real look into it in this series. Original and engaging!
Lenora Craven's brother is dead. Most likely at the hands of this driving club, the Lords of Anarchy. Lenora doesn't believe it was just a carriage accident and she sets out to prove it. Lenora was an interesting character. She had strong opinions and was a real feminist at heart. I thought she had guts and a spine which is more than a lot of Regency female characters get. She was determined, even when it meant spending time with her former fiancee. I liked her spunky and attitude. She was a take charge character and I thought Collins did a wonderful job with her.
Fredrick was a little harder for me to understand. I realize that he was hurt when Lenora dropped him like a hot potato in the past and that he was Jonathon's best friend. He has been gone for five years but he slides right back into the game when he returns. I liked the fact that he was determined to get Lenora back and find out what went wrong between them. I also understood his need to find out what happened to his friend. But as a character he didn't quite grip me the way Lenora did. He was at times a little flat and hard to read, even though Collins was writing him as the hero. He was a still a good hero, but he lacked a little when it came down to it. It was a good romance, but it focused more on the mystery side of things.
Collins knows how to write a villain. This guy was the kind that makes you want to wring your hands and wonder why these kinds of people exist. He was down right evil. The things that the Lords of Anarchy were involved in were things you would expect from the dregs of society not the elite. Good stuff and very well written. I'm interested to see how the concept carries through to more books in the series. A lot of potential here.
Bottom Line:
The whole premise of this romance was tied up in the story of Jonathon's death. It was impossible to separate the two ideas. That was good and bad. I felt like the book was a little lope-sided. The mystery kind of takes over at times and the romance becomes more of a sideline story. That's not to say that I didn't like it. It was a wonderful read. Lenora was a dream of a character and the concept of the Lords of Anarchy was indeed very intriguing and wonderfully written. The hero fell a little flat for me but there so much potential for this series that it hardly seemed to matter. A great first book!
This was my first book by Manda Collins and I always love it when it happens to be the first book in a series. I am a series reader! I like books that tie together and share the same world and I think Collins sets up the Lords of Anarchy series very well here. Most usually in historical romance writing the ton has a particular set of rules and regulations as to how the characters act and are perceived. There is some dallying with mistresses and gambling and the like but you don't usually see the underbelly of the society. I liked the fact that the Lords of Anarchy series is showing a more of the sinister side of the ton. Readers know it existed, but they get a real look into it in this series. Original and engaging!
Lenora Craven's brother is dead. Most likely at the hands of this driving club, the Lords of Anarchy. Lenora doesn't believe it was just a carriage accident and she sets out to prove it. Lenora was an interesting character. She had strong opinions and was a real feminist at heart. I thought she had guts and a spine which is more than a lot of Regency female characters get. She was determined, even when it meant spending time with her former fiancee. I liked her spunky and attitude. She was a take charge character and I thought Collins did a wonderful job with her.
Fredrick was a little harder for me to understand. I realize that he was hurt when Lenora dropped him like a hot potato in the past and that he was Jonathon's best friend. He has been gone for five years but he slides right back into the game when he returns. I liked the fact that he was determined to get Lenora back and find out what went wrong between them. I also understood his need to find out what happened to his friend. But as a character he didn't quite grip me the way Lenora did. He was at times a little flat and hard to read, even though Collins was writing him as the hero. He was a still a good hero, but he lacked a little when it came down to it. It was a good romance, but it focused more on the mystery side of things.
Collins knows how to write a villain. This guy was the kind that makes you want to wring your hands and wonder why these kinds of people exist. He was down right evil. The things that the Lords of Anarchy were involved in were things you would expect from the dregs of society not the elite. Good stuff and very well written. I'm interested to see how the concept carries through to more books in the series. A lot of potential here.
Bottom Line:
The whole premise of this romance was tied up in the story of Jonathon's death. It was impossible to separate the two ideas. That was good and bad. I felt like the book was a little lope-sided. The mystery kind of takes over at times and the romance becomes more of a sideline story. That's not to say that I didn't like it. It was a wonderful read. Lenora was a dream of a character and the concept of the Lords of Anarchy was indeed very intriguing and wonderfully written. The hero fell a little flat for me but there so much potential for this series that it hardly seemed to matter. A great first book!
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May 1, 2015 Read this review on Got Fiction? book blog
So I'm going to preface this review with the fact that I typically love Manda Collins, and that the concept of a RegencyMotorcycle Driving Club is awesome and a totally untapped plot.
That being said, I had a really hard time with this one, so hard in fact I DNF'd it. But not because it's bad, or the writing sucked...unfortunately this DNF is because of a huge, giant, enormous, Big Misunderstanding. And to be honest, that wouldn't bother me enough to DNF, except that the heroine straight up tells the hero she won't share. She's not telling him. Not at all.
Quick overview-heroine and hero were engaged, and it was a love match. Heroine broke it off, telling him she'd never marry. Then she told her father her fiance was caught in a compromising position with another woman. So to restate this, she breaks off the engagement, lies to her father about why, lies to the love of her life about why, and several years later, she still won't tell him why.
So her brother is killed, and she storms the hero's club, demanding he help her discover who killed her brother. She doesn't believe that he simply had a carriage accident. And the leader of the Driving Club is the hero's cousin. Therefore, her logic is solid; the hero needs to help her.
Well, he is still in love with her, and her brother was his friend, so he agrees to go undercover into the Driving Club, but he'll only do it if she goes with him. But the catch is she has to pose as his fiancee. This is where I started to get angry. The next scene is them telling her father that they're back together. And she lies to him.
She still tells her father (with the hero in the same room!) that he was caught in a compromising position with another woman. And this is years and years later. She's still lying. He called her on it, and she finally admitted, very childishly, that Oh all right, it's not that, I just decided I'm never going to marry. What?
I had to skip ahead. She keeps him out of the loop and refuses to tell him why she broke it off, even after they decide to go undercover together to find her brother's murderer.
I'm sorry, but I don't want to read about a selfish woman who is willing to keep something as important as that from him.
I won't spoil what it is, because I truly think this book will appeal to many of you. But the Big Secret is a big deal that she should have told him about and let him have his own say on.
So, this pushed a couple of hot button issues I guess I didn't realize I had, but those issues might not be your issues, so I won't rate this one. I'll leave you with this: I will read the next in the series, Manda Collins is a great writer, and seriously-a RegencyMotorcycle Driving Club?! A fantastic idea!
***ARC courtesy of St. Martin's Press and the author
So I'm going to preface this review with the fact that I typically love Manda Collins, and that the concept of a Regency
That being said, I had a really hard time with this one, so hard in fact I DNF'd it. But not because it's bad, or the writing sucked...unfortunately this DNF is because of a huge, giant, enormous, Big Misunderstanding. And to be honest, that wouldn't bother me enough to DNF, except that the heroine straight up tells the hero she won't share. She's not telling him. Not at all.
Quick overview-heroine and hero were engaged, and it was a love match. Heroine broke it off, telling him she'd never marry. Then she told her father her fiance was caught in a compromising position with another woman. So to restate this, she breaks off the engagement, lies to her father about why, lies to the love of her life about why, and several years later, she still won't tell him why.
So her brother is killed, and she storms the hero's club, demanding he help her discover who killed her brother. She doesn't believe that he simply had a carriage accident. And the leader of the Driving Club is the hero's cousin. Therefore, her logic is solid; the hero needs to help her.
Well, he is still in love with her, and her brother was his friend, so he agrees to go undercover into the Driving Club, but he'll only do it if she goes with him. But the catch is she has to pose as his fiancee. This is where I started to get angry. The next scene is them telling her father that they're back together. And she lies to him.
She still tells her father (with the hero in the same room!) that he was caught in a compromising position with another woman. And this is years and years later. She's still lying. He called her on it, and she finally admitted, very childishly, that Oh all right, it's not that, I just decided I'm never going to marry. What?
I had to skip ahead. She keeps him out of the loop and refuses to tell him why she broke it off, even after they decide to go undercover together to find her brother's murderer.
I'm sorry, but I don't want to read about a selfish woman who is willing to keep something as important as that from him.
I won't spoil what it is, because I truly think this book will appeal to many of you. But the Big Secret is a big deal that she should have told him about and let him have his own say on.
So, this pushed a couple of hot button issues I guess I didn't realize I had, but those issues might not be your issues, so I won't rate this one. I'll leave you with this: I will read the next in the series, Manda Collins is a great writer, and seriously-a Regency
***ARC courtesy of St. Martin's Press and the author
April 3, 2016
I quite enjoyed this historical romance novel! The story pulls you in right away with the tragic death of Nora's brother, a death she attributes to his involvement with the Lords of Anarchy driving club and one she is determined to investigate, as is her ex-fiance and friend of her brother, Freddy. Forming an alliance again for the sake of solving the mystery, it becomes more than just a pretend engagement as the feelings they had before come back to the surface. I really liked both characters in the story. Nora was feisty, determined and quite willing to stand up for herself and her beliefs. She's a poet and a proponent of women's rights and doesn't back down from a challenge. At the same time she has a softer side, and her feelings for Freddy are quite strong and genuine. She broke off their previous engagement for reasons she's kept hidden but are revealed as the story progresses. Freddy too was a wonderful character as a loyal and confident man, one who still has feelings for Nora and isn't afraid to reveal them to her even at the expense of dashing his hopes for reconciling their past failed relationship. There is a definite attraction between them and their love scenes are tender yet sexy. Throughout the story the mystery of Nora's brother's death is slowly revealed and I really enjoyed how the suspense subplot weaved its way throughout. There was a good mix of tension, action and drama along with the romance. I liked the group of friends they spend time with, giving us lots of witty conversation and banter. As well, the driving club scenario was really interesting and well researched. An entertaining and delightful read, leaving the reader with a hint of what's to come next. 4 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
March 15, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. A Good Rake is Hard to Find is the first in a new series that features a sinister driving club, the Lords of Anarchy. Lenora's (Nora) twin brother Jonathan was killed several months ago under mysterious circumstances during a carriage race with other members of the Lords of Anarchy. Nora knows that the story of her brother's death is hiding the real story, so when presented with the opportunity to team up with her former fiance, Lord Freddie, she agrees to fake engagement to allow the pair to figure out what really happened. Freddie is the younger son of a Duke, and cousin to the leader of the Lords of Anarchy, Sir Gerard Fincher. Freddie agrees to join the club and finds out that there is much more to the activities of the club than just driving. Although the reader knows Sir Gerard was behind Jonathan's death, the reader is kept wondering what exactly Jonathan knew that got him killed. I enjoyed both lead characters immensely and enjoyed getting to see Perdita and Archer from a previous title; I like it when authors create a world and previous characters pop up from time to time. Nora and Freddie has a strong emotional connection and the past they share makes their relationship more meaningful instead of some of the instant relationships that are present in many stories now. Nora's reason for breaking of the engagement is very understandable given the time period and makes her very relate-able. I found the ending of the book to be very satisfying and can't wait for the next book in the series.
September 8, 2015
The story is full of mystery.
With the death of her twin brother Jonathan, Leonora decides she needs to find out exactly what happened. Killed in a carriage accident did not match with Jonathan's profile, he was an excellent driver.
For this, Leonora ends with the help of her ex-betrothed, Frederick Lisle.
Five years ago Fred and Leonora were engaged but she ended their commitment. Devastated by not accepting the reason she gave for the breakup, he ends up self-exiled in Paris. Now, with the opportunity to help Leonora to find out about the death of Jonathan, who was also a close friend of Fred, he wants to take advantage of this chance to get her back.
They start by pretending a new engagement, but that engagement to Fred was serious.
The main suspect Jonathan's death was Fred's cousin, Gerard.
What seemed like a simple spy game, it becomes imminent danger to the couple.
The club carriage drivers was a cover for something more dangerous and shady, and Fred would do anything to protect the woman he loved...
The plot is interesting, with nuances of mystery and passion overwhelming between Leonora and Frederick. However, I felt no connection with the couple.
Not that I think that the reason she gave in the past to break their engagement was in vain. At that time her reason was deadly serious. Still, even Leonora being a poet and feminist, a woman ahead of her time, she did not enchanted me.
Aside this detail, the story is wonderful and loved the friendship among men (Fred, Mainwaring and Trent) and among women (Leonora, Ophelia and Hermione).
Reading book #2.
4 stars
With the death of her twin brother Jonathan, Leonora decides she needs to find out exactly what happened. Killed in a carriage accident did not match with Jonathan's profile, he was an excellent driver.
For this, Leonora ends with the help of her ex-betrothed, Frederick Lisle.
Five years ago Fred and Leonora were engaged but she ended their commitment. Devastated by not accepting the reason she gave for the breakup, he ends up self-exiled in Paris. Now, with the opportunity to help Leonora to find out about the death of Jonathan, who was also a close friend of Fred, he wants to take advantage of this chance to get her back.
They start by pretending a new engagement, but that engagement to Fred was serious.
The main suspect Jonathan's death was Fred's cousin, Gerard.
What seemed like a simple spy game, it becomes imminent danger to the couple.
The club carriage drivers was a cover for something more dangerous and shady, and Fred would do anything to protect the woman he loved...
The plot is interesting, with nuances of mystery and passion overwhelming between Leonora and Frederick. However, I felt no connection with the couple.
Not that I think that the reason she gave in the past to break their engagement was in vain. At that time her reason was deadly serious. Still, even Leonora being a poet and feminist, a woman ahead of her time, she did not enchanted me.
Aside this detail, the story is wonderful and loved the friendship among men (Fred, Mainwaring and Trent) and among women (Leonora, Ophelia and Hermione).
Reading book #2.
4 stars
March 21, 2015
This is book 1 in the Lords of Anarchy series.
After the recent death of her brother, Miss Leonora Craven is determined to find out the truth about how he died. The only way she knows how to get information is to get help from Lord Frederick Lisle, one of her brother's closest friends. He also happens to be her ex-fiance.
Frederick, Freddy, and his friends are determined to find out how Jonathan Craven died. When Leonora comes to him for help, he proposes that they have a sham engagement as a way to get into the infamous Lords of Anarchy club which they believe had a hand in Jonathan's death.
But what happens when Freddy wants to make their engagement real? Can Leonora let her heart win over what she thought was the right decision years ago?
I really enjoyed this story. I loved that Leonora didn't feel right about her brother's death and wanted to find out what really happened. She wasn't going to sit back and let life go on when she knew something wasn't right.
I think I fell in love with Freddy during this story! I loved that even though he was hurt by Leonora breaking off their engagement, he loved her enough to try again...swoon!
I think this is going to be one of my favorite series by Collins. Next up is Good Earls Gone Bad which tells the story of the Earl of Manwaring and Lady Hermoine Upperton whom we met in this story. October seems like such a long time away...
Thanks go out to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
After the recent death of her brother, Miss Leonora Craven is determined to find out the truth about how he died. The only way she knows how to get information is to get help from Lord Frederick Lisle, one of her brother's closest friends. He also happens to be her ex-fiance.
Frederick, Freddy, and his friends are determined to find out how Jonathan Craven died. When Leonora comes to him for help, he proposes that they have a sham engagement as a way to get into the infamous Lords of Anarchy club which they believe had a hand in Jonathan's death.
But what happens when Freddy wants to make their engagement real? Can Leonora let her heart win over what she thought was the right decision years ago?
I really enjoyed this story. I loved that Leonora didn't feel right about her brother's death and wanted to find out what really happened. She wasn't going to sit back and let life go on when she knew something wasn't right.
I think I fell in love with Freddy during this story! I loved that even though he was hurt by Leonora breaking off their engagement, he loved her enough to try again...swoon!
I think this is going to be one of my favorite series by Collins. Next up is Good Earls Gone Bad which tells the story of the Earl of Manwaring and Lady Hermoine Upperton whom we met in this story. October seems like such a long time away...
Thanks go out to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
March 23, 2015
I enjoyed reading the romance of Freddy and Lenora in Ms Collin's latest book. She writes effortlessly and gives everyone a tale to remember. I like the characters and how they relate to each other. Lenora Craven has lost a beloved brother Jonathan to a driving accident that took his life. She blames the Lords of Anarchy a club in which members drive fast and notorious for reckless deeds. She does believe her brother was singled and murdered because of a letter written to her from him causing speculation. Lenora confronts his best friend Frederick Lisle to help her in search for the truth.
Freddy agrees to help, but only with the understanding they will have a sham engagement to which he hopes to protect her. This club is not the usual one expects to partake of petty pranks, but ones that can get one killed.
Even though they once were engaged to be married, Lenora broke it off unexpectedly. There is drama and heartbreak with this tidbit that will turn events to a head.
You will want to find out if these two lovers will be able to get want each wants: love and happy ever after.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.
Freddy agrees to help, but only with the understanding they will have a sham engagement to which he hopes to protect her. This club is not the usual one expects to partake of petty pranks, but ones that can get one killed.
Even though they once were engaged to be married, Lenora broke it off unexpectedly. There is drama and heartbreak with this tidbit that will turn events to a head.
You will want to find out if these two lovers will be able to get want each wants: love and happy ever after.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.
March 31, 2015
Sometimes I think I'm just too easy to please, but on the whole, I really liked this book by Ms. Collins.
I appreciated the back-story/prior engagement of Nora and Freddie. I felt it gave their reasons for not being together more umph even as they underwent the sham engagement to get closer to the Lords of Anarchy who might've been responsible for Nora's brother's death. The one thing I didn't care for was the fact that Nora hadn't told Freddie the real reason (back many years ago) for ending their original engagement. I get why she couldn't do it in the present, but back then? Yeah...had a few issues with that.
The romance developed nicely and I have to admit in the latter half of the book, I just kept wanting to turn pages to find out just who (and why) Nora's brother was killed. It was always a given NOra and Freddie would get together. They deserved their HEA though by the end, definitely.
The secondary cast was interesting and I really look forward to getting to see Nora's friends hook up. There were definitely some sparks flying between the secondary cast members.
Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I appreciated the back-story/prior engagement of Nora and Freddie. I felt it gave their reasons for not being together more umph even as they underwent the sham engagement to get closer to the Lords of Anarchy who might've been responsible for Nora's brother's death. The one thing I didn't care for was the fact that Nora hadn't told Freddie the real reason (back many years ago) for ending their original engagement. I get why she couldn't do it in the present, but back then? Yeah...had a few issues with that.
The romance developed nicely and I have to admit in the latter half of the book, I just kept wanting to turn pages to find out just who (and why) Nora's brother was killed. It was always a given NOra and Freddie would get together. They deserved their HEA though by the end, definitely.
The secondary cast was interesting and I really look forward to getting to see Nora's friends hook up. There were definitely some sparks flying between the secondary cast members.
Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2015
I have enjoyed past books from this author, but sadly found this one lacking.
We have a couple who had been previously engaged, but the heroine, Nora broke it off due to circumstances from her past. Her brother Jonathan dies in a racing accident. He belonged to a racing/driving club, Lord's of Anarchy. This club did more then race. Nora, believes her brother was killed and it wasn't a driving "accident" as far as she is concerned. She seeks her ex's help. They then devise a fake engagement and proceed to find out what exactly happened to her brother.
What didn't work for me was the relationship between the two MC and especially the heroines thinking process when it came to them as a couple. I found a lot of contradictory behaviors from the her. I just never connected with her or really liked her. The hero I liked well enough.
I have to say the romance seemed secondary in the story and it was more about solving her brothers murder.
It was a struggle to finish the book.
Netgalley for an honest review.
March 28, 2015
Wow! What a wild ride for Leonora and Freddie! Freshly returned from nearly a decade of self-imposed exile on the continent after Nora broke their engagement, Freddie agrees to help Nora uncover the truth about her brother's death. Posing as a reunited and once again betrothed couple, they attempt to infiltrate the fast-driving, danger-tempting driving club known as the Lords of Anarchy. Ms. Collins takes us on a scintillating and sensual walk on the wild side. Her finely crafted tale of intrigue and rising passions captivated me. I was drawn into the gritty secrets of the club and held my breath in anticipation to see if their growing love could survive the revelation of Nora's true reason for pushing Freddie away. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion. I will purchase other works by this author for the satisfying reading experience her writing gives.
March 10, 2015
Freddy's girl sometimes has issues understanding him, "She. Was. My. Cousin ,” Freddy said through clenched teeth. “And we were only talking. Good God, Leonora, no wonder your brother refused to speak to me for a full year afterward . I thought it was because he thought I should have married you anyway." Freddy really does care for his woman but the boy shows it at the wrong times, "A shaft of rage ran through Freddy. Leonora might have been killed, he fumed as he pulled her tighter. “Let me go,” she said softly in protest. “We’re in the middle of the park, for goodness’ sake." Nora she's so innocent and nothing is off the table for her to talk about and when she talks about what she does to herself Freddy gets all excited, "When she looked up, she saw that his eyes had darkened to an almost navy blue. “I would like to see that sometime,” he said in a hoarse voice." I enjoyed this book I loved Freddy.
March 12, 2015
I must admit that I liked right away Nora and Federick, mostly because she is not the usual character that is associated with the heroines of novels regency. They also have a shared past and is therefore easier for me to imagine that their feelings were not then so immediate and not credible, as often happens in these novels where everybody seems to be lovestruck and falls immediately and totally in love.
Devo ammettere che Nora e Federick mi sono piaciuti subito, anche perché lei non é il solito personaggio che si associa alle eroine dei romanzi regency. Inoltre hanno un passato condiviso ed é quindi stato per me piú facile immaginare che i loro sentimenti non fossero poi cosí immediati e poco credibili, come spesso avviene in questi romanzi in cui sembra che regni sovrano il colpo di fulmine.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND ST.MARTIN'S PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Devo ammettere che Nora e Federick mi sono piaciuti subito, anche perché lei non é il solito personaggio che si associa alle eroine dei romanzi regency. Inoltre hanno un passato condiviso ed é quindi stato per me piú facile immaginare che i loro sentimenti non fossero poi cosí immediati e poco credibili, come spesso avviene in questi romanzi in cui sembra che regni sovrano il colpo di fulmine.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND ST.MARTIN'S PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW!
March 31, 2015
I liked this book. Manda has put together a story line that will drive itself into your soul or turn your stomach like me. I had to keep putting it down and it started right at the beginning. I couldn't stay away from it either. Leonora, or Nora, has just lost her brother from a curricle race. Or was he? She goes to her ex-fiancee for help. His cousin is head of the driving club her brother was in. Freddy still loves her but she has a major spoiler right up to the end. They work together but can they get through all of Sir Gerard' s brickwalls. This book really got to me. I so wanted to go after Sir Gerard myself. It is up to you, the reader to find out how these people finish the story. I hope you choose to read this story. Don't forget the tissues! Enjoy your reading! I have this book for an honest review for NetGalley.
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