Wicked Surrender is the 2nd book in USA Today Bestselling Author, Carole Mortimer’s, Amazon #1 Regency Sinners series.
Author’s Note: The stories in the Regency Sinners, Regency Unlaced, Knight Security, and Alpha Series, have stronger sexual content and language than my other books.
Eight gentlemen known far and wide as The Sinners. Also agents for the Crown, they are each tasked with discovering which of eight ladies in Society has been acting as a spy for Napoleon. By fair means or foul.
Dante St Just, the Duke of Huntley, is less than pleased when he is asked to investigate the beautiful widow, Lady Isabella Aston. The two knew each other seven years ago, and parted badly. But neither can Dante bear the thought of passing Bella’s name on to one of his friends. If anyone is to seduce Bella into revealing whether or not she is a spy, then it will be him or no one.
Bella is surprised, and then suspicious, when Dante St Just calls unexpectedly at her home. She becomes alarmed when, that very evening, he carries her off in his carriage.
Alone with Dante, with not even a servant to act as chaperone, how is Bella to resist the helpless attraction she has always felt toward him?
Dante’s intention was to quickly confirm or disprove Bella’s innocence, after which he would either return her to London and the spymaster wishing to speak with her, or he would continue to keep her as his prisoner and the two of them would spend time together becoming reacquainted. Intimately.
But he had not fully taken into account his wild and uncontrollable response to Bella’s sensual beauty, or how it would affect his judgement where she is concerned.
All the books in the super sexy Regency Sinners series are standalone HEA stories. They are connected by the eight heroes search for the lady who is a traitor to England.
I 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
FINAL DECISION: Enjoyable and quick read. Very sexy historical that is a second chance at love as well. This one has a lot of drama and tension as two people who have a history try to work through their past while the hero is trying to see if the heroine is a traitor.
THE STORY: Dante St. Just, Duke of Huntley has the woman assigned for him to investigate...but he doesn't want to. Lady Isabella Aston is the step-daughter of his cousin and the two have a history. When Bella was seventeen, she declared her love for Dante, who rejected her sending her into the arms of and marriage to another man. Now a widow, Bella doesn't anything to do with Dante...but he has never forgotten her.
OPINION: Light and enjoyable story...not funny or sweet, but the story is not taxing and can be enjoyed quickly. This book continues the series about these men who are investigating women who might be a traitor helping Napoleon.
There is more angst in this story because Dante and Bella have a history. I liked their interaction and the drama and pain between them. I also really liked that Bella had a happy marriage that Dante now has to compete with.
The two have a very contentious beginning but I really liked how the two battled and debated and ultimately resolved their problems. The story isn't particularly deep, but this is not trying to be War and Peace.
My one complaint about this book is that there is a whole side story about the reasons that Dante's aunt was such a witch. I'm not sure that the resolution was needed and thought that it brought up a plot point that was not really necessary.
WORTH MENTIONING: We are introduced to Devil in this book...the hero of the next book.
CONNECTED BOOKS: WICKED SURRENDER is the second book in the Regency Sinners series. There is an overarching story as each of the book involves a man investigating a woman as possible spy, but each book is independent and can be read on its own as the overarching storyline is thin.
This is the first book I have read by this author after I had her recommend to me by fellow book reviewer Shell from Boonies123 and I really enjoyed it. It’s saucier than I usually read but not smutty and I did really like it.
The Sinners are a group of eight devilishly handsome men who, to all of society are unrepentant Sinners out to have fun and seek their own pleasures in what ever way they can. Seduce as many women as possible, drink, gamble you name and these men do it. But in actual fact they are secret agents to the crown, who have been given the mission to identify a traitor within the aristocratic ranks who is spying for and passing secrets to Napoleon.
Dante St Just, Duke of Huntley has been given the task of investigating beautiful widow Lady Isabella Aston, whose name was on the list of those eight woman who are thought to be the traitor. I really like Bella she is free-spirited, fiery and she has the sharpest tongue, she doesn’t hold back with her set downs. She is in limbo with her motions she knows that she can’t trust anything he says to her. The way he has treated her is despicable, but yet her heart won’t listen to her intelligent brain and once again she has fallen under his spell.
I love the chemistry between then and I personally think they are at their finest when they are at loggerhead’s, the bickering and snipping at each other is highly amusing. Dante cannot stand the fact that with him being a Duke he is being spoken to in a way by her, and she just can’t stand him – His is manipulative, arrogant and demanding and they do make a terrific couple. The only thing that I don’t like about it his Dante’s manipulative and controlling way he has about him when it comes to sex his actions for me are a too harsh, he does push her to the limit but apart from that this is highly enjoyable and this series is one that I am looking forward to following.
I am especially looking forward to Devil’s story, he caught my attention in this and he intrigued me.
I do very much recommend this it is an extremely hot, and may not be for those that prefer a sedate Historical Romance but it is a very entertaining Regency Romance.
While the premise for the Series holds promise for variations, this story was wasn't much different from the first in the series.
The hero is part of Sinners, a group of rogues who work for the Crown. They are tasked with uncovering an aristocratic traitor who aided Napoleon's escape from Elba. Each member must investigate one of the suspected Ladies. Because the female suspects are well-known to all, assignment is determined by drawing names from a hat.
In the last book, as in this one, the hero shares a history with the lady he is investigating. They share passion which turns to love, and the hero declares ladylove innocent because he just knows so. No evidence needed. Apparently the investigations are conducted sequentially. After someone is 'aquitted', the next Sinner must then proceed.
Judging from the teaser for the next book, it will follow the same plotline. A shame since author has talent for sensual romances and the premise, while farfetched, could offer so much more.
Eight friends have returned from Waterloo and are now spies for the Crown. They have been best friends since school and call their group The Sinners after their leader, the Duke of Stonewell, Dominic Sinclair.
As Stonewell is the leader, he has been told that there is a woman in Society that has been passing government secrets to help Napoleon. However, there were eight women that attended the same six functions when the information was exchanged. Stonewell has each of the men pick a name of the lady from a hat. They have to prove the lady's innocence or guilt.
This book revolves around Dante St. Juste, the Duke of Huntley and Lady Isabella Aston. Isabella's mother married Dante's cousin. Isabella fell in love with Dante and she was crushed when Dante rejected her affections. Now, Dante needs to discover if Isabella is the spy they are searching for.
I have been a fan of Carole Mortimer's for a long time. I love this series. The characters are great. The length is perfect. They have a strong sexual content that works well with the characters and plot.
Dante had the task of discovering whether Bella was a spy for Napoleon. Seven years ago, Dante had rejected 17 year old Bella’s declaration of love. Now Dante, sure that Bella is a spy, kidnaps and seduces her to discover the truth. Although Bella now hates him for his previous careless treatment of her heart, she discovers that love and hate are very close on the emotional scale. Dante also finds himself captivated by the mature Bella, but his inexcusable, terrible treatment of her may just lose his one chance of gaining Bella’s heart at last. Captivating plot and great romance running the reader through a wide range of emotions. Now on to book 3 of the series!
This was another that just didn't do it for me. Dante (our hero) literally kidnaps Bella (our heroine) and brings her to his hunting lodge to interrogate her about allegations that she is a French spy. Frankly, I thought Bella should have been more angry about the whole mess. The sex scenes are very detailed and steamy. I rolled my eyes so hard that they nearly stayed that way when I'm also getting a little sick of the whole man punishing the woman for risking her safety. It makes it seem like the woman has no self preservation skills. Blech!
Another attempt by one of The Sinners, agents for the Crown, to find out who the lady is that is betraying the Crown to Napoleon. This time it's Dante's turn to find out if Lady Isabella is the guilty party, but they have a brief past history and this story is about how this history bites them both in the rump and the outcome. Cleverly written, it is very hot and definitely a page turner as you will want to find out if she is guilty and what the outcome of their new relationship is.
This author has yet to fail me, all of her books have been quick reads and at times my husband has asked if that is all I do is read. Little does he know how many I have read and loved! Now....on to the next one in this line of Regency Sinners! GOOD CHOICE
Sorry, this one didn't work for me. I found it difficult to believe that Dante was a spy; he had all the finesse of a bull in a china shop. He is supposed to find evidence that the heroine is a spy. He doesn't find any evidence but simply relies on his gut feeling. The ending of the book is written in the abrupt manner of a child rushing to finish a story they are writing. Wholly disappointing.
Just finished Wicked Surrender, the second in Carol Mortimer's Regency Sinners series. Honestly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first. It felt a bit too intense for my taste, and I couldn’t quite warm up to Dante at all. Still, as a quick novella, it was okay – not my favorite, but it had its moments.
Other great read. Another hot couple who's loved each other forever. Who is the spy for Napoleon two of them so far and that's not them. Onward to the next!
This is a wonderfully steamy and hot second book in the series. The characters are strong and portrayed brilliantly, with plenty of emotion. This book will suit anybody who loves historical romances with plenty of twists and turns.
I am truly enjoying this series. I love how the table was turned on Dante and he was at her Mercy. A definite must read. Get your copy today. Happy Reading😀😀😀😀👍👍👍👍
Dear I liked the story but somehow it didn't connect!! Though I am planning to go ahead in the series, but some spark or strong story background was missing, though it's worth reading quickly...
It's a pretty compelling little story, (depending on your preferences of course). I found the couple's feelings generally believable, and ultimately they seemed well suited to each other.
2nd read- I picked this up again and it was worth rereading.