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Regency Unlaced #5
Desired by a Lord
Desired by a Lord is the 5th book in USA Today bestselling author, Carole Mortimer’s, bestseller and highly acclaimed Regency Unlaced Series.
Author’s Note: The stories in the Regency Unlaced, Alpha, and Knight Security Series, have stronger sexual content and language than my other books.
Desired by a Lord is the story of a case of mistaken identity, hidden secrets, and desire that rages out of control every time the hero and heroine are alone together. All of which threatens to throw the two of them into a maelstrom of scandal.
Mrs. Emily Marsden has lived in quiet obscurity in the country for the past five years, well away from Society and the scandal which broke her family apart. All of that changes with the death of Edmund, her historian husband, requiring that she now seek employment. Easier said than done, and not helped by the fact there is a blackmailer threatening to expose her if she does not give into their demands.
Lord Alexander Whitney dislikes country life, but unfortunately he has no choice but to remain in Yorkshire for the foreseeable future. The Whitney estate, left to him by his father, is desperately in need of repair, and the famous Whitney Library, in need of cataloguing and returning to order.
Xander is dealing with the run-down estate, and engaging the noted historian, Edmund Marsden, seems to be the logical thing to do in regard to restoring the library.
When it is Mrs. Emily Marsden who arrives to carry out the task, Xander is not at all pleased to realize he has been duped.
Or that he feels so strongly attracted to the young and mysterious widow he cannot seem to keep his hands, or other parts of his anatomy, from wanting her to touch and claim her.
Can two people, who seem to be such opposites, find more in common than their desire for each other, and in doing so save Emily from the blackmailer threatening her future?
Author’s Note: The stories in the Regency Unlaced, Alpha, and Knight Security Series, have stronger sexual content and language than my other books.
Desired by a Lord is the story of a case of mistaken identity, hidden secrets, and desire that rages out of control every time the hero and heroine are alone together. All of which threatens to throw the two of them into a maelstrom of scandal.
Mrs. Emily Marsden has lived in quiet obscurity in the country for the past five years, well away from Society and the scandal which broke her family apart. All of that changes with the death of Edmund, her historian husband, requiring that she now seek employment. Easier said than done, and not helped by the fact there is a blackmailer threatening to expose her if she does not give into their demands.
Lord Alexander Whitney dislikes country life, but unfortunately he has no choice but to remain in Yorkshire for the foreseeable future. The Whitney estate, left to him by his father, is desperately in need of repair, and the famous Whitney Library, in need of cataloguing and returning to order.
Xander is dealing with the run-down estate, and engaging the noted historian, Edmund Marsden, seems to be the logical thing to do in regard to restoring the library.
When it is Mrs. Emily Marsden who arrives to carry out the task, Xander is not at all pleased to realize he has been duped.
Or that he feels so strongly attracted to the young and mysterious widow he cannot seem to keep his hands, or other parts of his anatomy, from wanting her to touch and claim her.
Can two people, who seem to be such opposites, find more in common than their desire for each other, and in doing so save Emily from the blackmailer threatening her future?
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2016
76 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Carole Mortimer
1,296 books907 followersI have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 8, 2017
A very quick, easy read with murder, a really nasty villain, some sex and a very unusual and enjoyable storyline.
The trust, belief and enjoyment of each other by the two main characters, Emily and Lord Whitney, grows and grows. His encouragement and care for her is lovely to read. She is quite an innocent until she meets him and then becomes aware that her initial attraction for him is changing into love.
I love Carole Mortimer's style and she communicate with ease. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I have.
The trust, belief and enjoyment of each other by the two main characters, Emily and Lord Whitney, grows and grows. His encouragement and care for her is lovely to read. She is quite an innocent until she meets him and then becomes aware that her initial attraction for him is changing into love.
I love Carole Mortimer's style and she communicate with ease. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I have.
May 20, 2021
I've liked some other books by this author, but this series seems especially formulaic. There's above average overlap between the books with just some minor details altered. (For instance, the villains each have a different relationship to the main couple, but in every one they're 100% crazy and evil. Most of the heroines are widows, most of the couples have a large age gap, most of the heroes at least threaten to spank the heroines who all have a pretty similar reaction to the threat...). They're okay for what they are, but none of them have been particularly good or standout so far.
January 7, 2024
least smutty of the series, the villain was a tempting morsel, too bad he was an evil stalker. Enjoyable fast paced read. Feeling a bit guilty for liking the wacky peeping bad guys
June 29, 2020
My favorite in the series, I loved the characters and their relationship
October 28, 2018
DorothyofOz
Ms. Mortimer has done it again and has provided her readers with a fascinating read. I loved the description she provided of a ingenious dress style to be able to work in her profession as an archivist. As a former librarian myself I was very intrigued with Emily's development of a costume that would maintain her dignity going up and down ladders in the library; this split-skirt style would be even useful in today's librarian's wardrobe. This book would be enjoyed by any romantic ; especially those who are librarians or studying to be one.
Ms. Mortimer has done it again and has provided her readers with a fascinating read. I loved the description she provided of a ingenious dress style to be able to work in her profession as an archivist. As a former librarian myself I was very intrigued with Emily's development of a costume that would maintain her dignity going up and down ladders in the library; this split-skirt style would be even useful in today's librarian's wardrobe. This book would be enjoyed by any romantic ; especially those who are librarians or studying to be one.
October 14, 2018
Ridiculous. She's a hot mess in seconds of meeting the guy, knows nothing about him and then runs off like a ninny crying about how control is everything to her. Yeah, except she took a job under false pretenses from a guy who controls everything around her. Stupid much?
I had to stop reading after that 5 pages of so stupid it hurts.
I had to stop reading after that 5 pages of so stupid it hurts.
December 15, 2018
Easy read
A good book for a lazy afternoon and its good that previous characters are talked about so continuing to tie the series together but is still a stand alone story too.
A good book for a lazy afternoon and its good that previous characters are talked about so continuing to tie the series together but is still a stand alone story too.
March 26, 2019
These books are fabulous! Spicy and delicious!
Each book in this series is awesome! They are a joy to read. I recommend the series. Bravo Carole Mortimer!
Each book in this series is awesome! They are a joy to read. I recommend the series. Bravo Carole Mortimer!
October 6, 2022
3 stars. This is probably one of the weaker books in the Regency Unlaced series. Things I liked: the forced proximity aspect (she is being employed by him on a trial basis, and works in his office where he is doing... office-y stuff), and Clarke the butler. Things I didn't like: the villain in this book may be the most cartoon-y yet.
July 24, 2016
FINAL DECISION: This one was barely okay for me. The characters had too much insta love and lust and the personal obstacles were no real obstacles at all once the external threat was resolved.
THE STORY: Mrs. Emily Marsden comes to take her deceased husband's place cataloging the library of Lord Alexander Whitney. Xander certainly didn't expect a woman, especially not one so young and attractive. Emily is hiding from her family's scandal and also blackmail. The two are attracted to one another as the blackmailer follows Emily.
OPINION: This novella didn't do anything for me. The characters were okay but not that memorable. Their relationship seemed based primarily on sexual attraction and although interesting characteristics were introduced, they were quickly resolved without any real conflict. This was a story that I won't even be able to recall in a couple of days. The most memorable parts were the villain and the butler. There was nothing wrong with the characters, they just were bland.
WORTH MENTIONING: Although there are highly sexual situations in this book, there is no actual intercourse.
CONNECTED BOOKS: DESIRED BY A LORD is the fifth book in the Regency Unlaced series. It can be read as a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 2 stars.
THE STORY: Mrs. Emily Marsden comes to take her deceased husband's place cataloging the library of Lord Alexander Whitney. Xander certainly didn't expect a woman, especially not one so young and attractive. Emily is hiding from her family's scandal and also blackmail. The two are attracted to one another as the blackmailer follows Emily.
OPINION: This novella didn't do anything for me. The characters were okay but not that memorable. Their relationship seemed based primarily on sexual attraction and although interesting characteristics were introduced, they were quickly resolved without any real conflict. This was a story that I won't even be able to recall in a couple of days. The most memorable parts were the villain and the butler. There was nothing wrong with the characters, they just were bland.
WORTH MENTIONING: Although there are highly sexual situations in this book, there is no actual intercourse.
CONNECTED BOOKS: DESIRED BY A LORD is the fifth book in the Regency Unlaced series. It can be read as a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 2 stars.
November 15, 2016
This was such a fun, sexy read....but was way too short! I wanted more of these characters...a deeper understanding of their pasts and more development to their relationship. Their hot and steamy love scenes, while very erotic, never went as far as promised. They talked about spanking but never actually did any. While I enjoyed this novella very much, it could have been so much more. I will continue to be a fan of Carole Mortimer's more provocative books and look forward to the next in this series.
September 28, 2016
While this was definitely an insta-lust/love story and you have to get past that, I enjoyed the characters and their chemistry. I also appreciate the style of villain and how that storyline and reactions to it played out not in a cliche way which is what bumped it up to five stars for me.
August 14, 2016
Love it
The books have all been individual stories this one is no different.
Watching two difficult people find love in each other
The books have all been individual stories this one is no different.
Watching two difficult people find love in each other
December 2, 2016
Loving it
Totally loving this series. A definite must read series. Get yours today.
Totally loving this series. A definite must read series. Get yours today.
September 22, 2024
Decent book with excellent main characters but the peril element seems unnecessary
July 26, 2016
Enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews