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Rockliffe #5
Hazard
Hazard: a game of Chance and Luck, made riskier when Fate is rolling the dice.
For Aristide Delacroix, the first throw summons shades from his past. A man he had met, just once, over a card-table … and the lovely girl indirectly responsible for plunging his life into catastrophe.
For Lord Nicholas Wynstanton, tired of waiting for Madeleine Delacroix to make up her mind, it slyly suggests he begin a whole new game with loaded dice; while for Madeleine, it devises a terrifying lesson in missed opportunities and the uncertainty of second chances.
And for Genevieve Westin, hoping widowhood will be happier than marriage, it brings a rude awakening – leaving a single, wild gamble her only option.
A cardsharp turned businessman, a duke’s charming brother, a stubborn, razor-edged beauty and a desperate widow.
Four players in a game of Hazard … all playing for very high stakes.
For Aristide Delacroix, the first throw summons shades from his past. A man he had met, just once, over a card-table … and the lovely girl indirectly responsible for plunging his life into catastrophe.
For Lord Nicholas Wynstanton, tired of waiting for Madeleine Delacroix to make up her mind, it slyly suggests he begin a whole new game with loaded dice; while for Madeleine, it devises a terrifying lesson in missed opportunities and the uncertainty of second chances.
And for Genevieve Westin, hoping widowhood will be happier than marriage, it brings a rude awakening – leaving a single, wild gamble her only option.
A cardsharp turned businessman, a duke’s charming brother, a stubborn, razor-edged beauty and a desperate widow.
Four players in a game of Hazard … all playing for very high stakes.
ebook
First published February 23, 2018
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About the author
Stella Riley
23 books453 followers Stella Riley lives in Kent, England. She enjoys theatre, travel and playing the harpsichord.
Her award-winning 7 book Rockliffe series (recommended in The Times!) is available in audio, narrated by Alex Wyndham.
She is also the author of 6 books set in the 17th century: The Marigold Chain, A Splendid Defiance, The Black Madonna, Garland of Straw, The King's Falcon and Lords of Misrule.
All titles are available from Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Apple.
Rockliffe Book 6 - Cadenza - is the 2019 Readers' Favourite gold medallist for Historical Romance and also the 2021 Book Excellence Awards winner in the Romance category.
Her award-winning 7 book Rockliffe series (recommended in The Times!) is available in audio, narrated by Alex Wyndham.
She is also the author of 6 books set in the 17th century: The Marigold Chain, A Splendid Defiance, The Black Madonna, Garland of Straw, The King's Falcon and Lords of Misrule.
All titles are available from Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Apple.
Rockliffe Book 6 - Cadenza - is the 2019 Readers' Favourite gold medallist for Historical Romance and also the 2021 Book Excellence Awards winner in the Romance category.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 25, 2018
I've given this an A- at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars rounded up.
Hazard is the fifth book in Stella Riley’s Rockliffe series of Georgian romances, and in it the author does something a little bit different by writing a ‘double romance’ in which two separate couples eventually find their respective HEAs. There can be a danger in this type of story that one couple will feature more prominently than the other, but I’m pleased to report that isn’t the case here. Because one of the couples is one we’ve been watching dance around each other ever since they first appeared in book three (The Player), I never felt short-changed when the focus switched to the other romance, or that the familiar couple were being edged out in favour of the newer pairing. Ms. Riley gets the balance just about right between the continuing romance and the new one and achieves a satisfying ending all round – although not without a few lumps and bumps along the way.
The novel opens with a prologue set in Paris in 1770, in which we are introduced to a brother and sister in difficult circumstances, and a young woman, the step-daughter of an English diplomat, who is being forced into a marriage she doesn’t want. In desperation, she asks her step-father’s young under-secretary – who has also been tutoring her in French – to carry a note to the man she hopes will save her, but her brothers intercept the missive, and brutally beat her messenger, leaving his sister to keep a lone vigil at their dying mother’s bedside.
Seven years later, we arrive in London at Sinclair’s, the popular gaming club that is jointly owned by Adrian Deveraux, Earl of Sarre, and his friend and business partner, Aristide Delacroix. On this particular evening, a disgruntled patron, Lord Braxton – who has been losing heavily – points out Aristide to a friend, and very loudly accuses him of having cheated him out of a large sum of money three years earlier. Things get heated as Braxton refuses to back down, and the situation is only diffused when the Duke of Rockliffe and his brother, Lord Nicholas Wynstanton, calmly suggest Braxton stop making ridiculous and unsubstantiated accusations.
Braxton storms out after this, but Aristide is concerned. Sinclair’s has a reputation for fair-play, and such allegations from a peer of the realm – albeit one not especially well-known or liked – could do a lot of damage. It seems, however, that Braxton’s rants aren’t being taken seriously, and Aristide and Adrian don’t have anything to worry about – but unfortunately, Braxton is determined to get his money back and make Aristide pay for his humiliation. Furious, scorned and in need of cash, he decides to exact his revenge by nefarious means.
Nicholas Wynstanton and Aristide’s sister, Madeleine, have been dancing around their attraction to each other for some time now, and things came to a head in The Wicked Cousin when Nick, tired of ‘making a cake’ of himself over her, gave her an ultimatum: tell him she’s not interested or allow him to pay her his addresses. Madeleine, who is clearly deeply smitten, feels her station in life is so unequal to his as to make any respectable relationship between them impossible – but she can’t tell him to walk away. In spite of Nick’s protests that he doesn’t care about society’s opinions, Madeleine is difficult and prickly, and continues to use her sharp tongue and quick temper to push him away at every available opportunity, but Nick, now he knows that she’s far from indifferent to him, can be patient, and determines on a long game in order to win his lady.
While Nick and Madeline continue to take one step forward and two steps back, Aristide is surprised to encounter someone he’s never forgotten, but had never thought to meet again – Genevieve Harcourt, now the widowed Lady Westin. Aristide still recalls the sobbing girl from the garden of the Hôtel Fleurignac, while she doesn’t recognise him at all when they encounter each other at a party held by the Earl and Countess of Sarre. Aristide is quietly furious – how can she possibly not know how her brothers beat him so savagely that he was unable to leave his bed for weeks? But even his fury can’t stop him from noticing her lovely face and lush figure – and that only infuriates him even more. The woman nearly got him killed, so lusting after her is not an appropriate response… yet there’s no question her body calls to his as no woman’s has ever done.
It’s not until a couple of days later, when her brother, Viscount Kilburn pays Genevieve an unwanted visit that she remembers who Aristide is, although she can’t reconcile the elegant, coolly poised and handsome gentleman she met with the youth who had tried to help her. Not long after that episode, Genevieve was married off to a man whose disgusting sexual preferences and debauched lifestyle were widely known, and whose reputation was so terrible that his wife was also shunned by society. Now a widow, Genevieve had been looking forward to a degree of independence, but it seems that even widowhood cannot protect her from the men in her life. Kilburn tells her that the money set aside for her in the event of her husband’s death is gone because another of her brothers had used it to make unwise investments and announces that he is looking for another husband for her. Unwilling to be sold into marriage, Genevieve conceives a daring plan…
Hazard is a well-paced, multi-faceted story in which Ms. Riley confidently, and with great skill, pulls together her plotlines to culminate in a climactic event that brings things to a head for one of our couples. As someone for whom a marriage of convenience plotline is like catnip, I was particularly engaged by Aristide and Genevieve’s story; she has a lot of emotional baggage as a result of her first marriage, and Aristide’s motives for marrying her are not at all altruistic, but the way the author gradually develops their emotional connection and shows Aristide’s growing appreciation and admiration of his new wife is extremely well done and the level of honesty between them is entirely refreshing.
If I have a criticism, it’s one that boils down more to personal taste than anything, which is that, much as I’ve enjoyed the push-and-pull between Nick and Madeleine and have been rooting for them to get together, the ‘I am not worthy so I will not allow you to make the terrible mistake of marrying me’ is a plotline I tend to dislike; it always feels as though one party is telling the other they’re wrong and don’t know their own mind. It’s a pet peeve – others may not mind it – and it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book; Nick and Madeleine’s HEA is hard won and well-deserved, and it’s entirely possible I may have emitted the odd happy sigh as I read.
One of the delights of this series is the way that the recurring characters feel like old friends rather than for-the-sake-of-it cameos. Ms. Riley excels at writing close male friendships, which is one of the things I so enjoy about her novels; there’s no question these men, no matter how much they tease and joke at each other’s expense, would do anything for one another – and for their ladies. The downside of this – if it can indeed be said to be a downside – is that there’s a danger that the new reader may be a bit bewildered by all these names popping in and out. Each novel in the series is self-contained, but if you’re thinking about picking up this, or any of the other books in the series, I’d recommend starting at the beginning with The Parfit Knight and reading in order. They’re all terrific reads, so it should present no hardship.
Hazard is a fabulous addition to this thoroughly enjoyable series of Georgian romances. Ms. Riley’s writing is sharply focused and elegant, her characters are strongly drawn, the chemistry between the leads is undeniable and both romances are brought to immensely satisfying conclusions. It gets a very strong recommendation.
Hazard is the fifth book in Stella Riley’s Rockliffe series of Georgian romances, and in it the author does something a little bit different by writing a ‘double romance’ in which two separate couples eventually find their respective HEAs. There can be a danger in this type of story that one couple will feature more prominently than the other, but I’m pleased to report that isn’t the case here. Because one of the couples is one we’ve been watching dance around each other ever since they first appeared in book three (The Player), I never felt short-changed when the focus switched to the other romance, or that the familiar couple were being edged out in favour of the newer pairing. Ms. Riley gets the balance just about right between the continuing romance and the new one and achieves a satisfying ending all round – although not without a few lumps and bumps along the way.
The novel opens with a prologue set in Paris in 1770, in which we are introduced to a brother and sister in difficult circumstances, and a young woman, the step-daughter of an English diplomat, who is being forced into a marriage she doesn’t want. In desperation, she asks her step-father’s young under-secretary – who has also been tutoring her in French – to carry a note to the man she hopes will save her, but her brothers intercept the missive, and brutally beat her messenger, leaving his sister to keep a lone vigil at their dying mother’s bedside.
Seven years later, we arrive in London at Sinclair’s, the popular gaming club that is jointly owned by Adrian Deveraux, Earl of Sarre, and his friend and business partner, Aristide Delacroix. On this particular evening, a disgruntled patron, Lord Braxton – who has been losing heavily – points out Aristide to a friend, and very loudly accuses him of having cheated him out of a large sum of money three years earlier. Things get heated as Braxton refuses to back down, and the situation is only diffused when the Duke of Rockliffe and his brother, Lord Nicholas Wynstanton, calmly suggest Braxton stop making ridiculous and unsubstantiated accusations.
Braxton storms out after this, but Aristide is concerned. Sinclair’s has a reputation for fair-play, and such allegations from a peer of the realm – albeit one not especially well-known or liked – could do a lot of damage. It seems, however, that Braxton’s rants aren’t being taken seriously, and Aristide and Adrian don’t have anything to worry about – but unfortunately, Braxton is determined to get his money back and make Aristide pay for his humiliation. Furious, scorned and in need of cash, he decides to exact his revenge by nefarious means.
Nicholas Wynstanton and Aristide’s sister, Madeleine, have been dancing around their attraction to each other for some time now, and things came to a head in The Wicked Cousin when Nick, tired of ‘making a cake’ of himself over her, gave her an ultimatum: tell him she’s not interested or allow him to pay her his addresses. Madeleine, who is clearly deeply smitten, feels her station in life is so unequal to his as to make any respectable relationship between them impossible – but she can’t tell him to walk away. In spite of Nick’s protests that he doesn’t care about society’s opinions, Madeleine is difficult and prickly, and continues to use her sharp tongue and quick temper to push him away at every available opportunity, but Nick, now he knows that she’s far from indifferent to him, can be patient, and determines on a long game in order to win his lady.
While Nick and Madeline continue to take one step forward and two steps back, Aristide is surprised to encounter someone he’s never forgotten, but had never thought to meet again – Genevieve Harcourt, now the widowed Lady Westin. Aristide still recalls the sobbing girl from the garden of the Hôtel Fleurignac, while she doesn’t recognise him at all when they encounter each other at a party held by the Earl and Countess of Sarre. Aristide is quietly furious – how can she possibly not know how her brothers beat him so savagely that he was unable to leave his bed for weeks? But even his fury can’t stop him from noticing her lovely face and lush figure – and that only infuriates him even more. The woman nearly got him killed, so lusting after her is not an appropriate response… yet there’s no question her body calls to his as no woman’s has ever done.
It’s not until a couple of days later, when her brother, Viscount Kilburn pays Genevieve an unwanted visit that she remembers who Aristide is, although she can’t reconcile the elegant, coolly poised and handsome gentleman she met with the youth who had tried to help her. Not long after that episode, Genevieve was married off to a man whose disgusting sexual preferences and debauched lifestyle were widely known, and whose reputation was so terrible that his wife was also shunned by society. Now a widow, Genevieve had been looking forward to a degree of independence, but it seems that even widowhood cannot protect her from the men in her life. Kilburn tells her that the money set aside for her in the event of her husband’s death is gone because another of her brothers had used it to make unwise investments and announces that he is looking for another husband for her. Unwilling to be sold into marriage, Genevieve conceives a daring plan…
Hazard is a well-paced, multi-faceted story in which Ms. Riley confidently, and with great skill, pulls together her plotlines to culminate in a climactic event that brings things to a head for one of our couples. As someone for whom a marriage of convenience plotline is like catnip, I was particularly engaged by Aristide and Genevieve’s story; she has a lot of emotional baggage as a result of her first marriage, and Aristide’s motives for marrying her are not at all altruistic, but the way the author gradually develops their emotional connection and shows Aristide’s growing appreciation and admiration of his new wife is extremely well done and the level of honesty between them is entirely refreshing.
If I have a criticism, it’s one that boils down more to personal taste than anything, which is that, much as I’ve enjoyed the push-and-pull between Nick and Madeleine and have been rooting for them to get together, the ‘I am not worthy so I will not allow you to make the terrible mistake of marrying me’ is a plotline I tend to dislike; it always feels as though one party is telling the other they’re wrong and don’t know their own mind. It’s a pet peeve – others may not mind it – and it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book; Nick and Madeleine’s HEA is hard won and well-deserved, and it’s entirely possible I may have emitted the odd happy sigh as I read.
One of the delights of this series is the way that the recurring characters feel like old friends rather than for-the-sake-of-it cameos. Ms. Riley excels at writing close male friendships, which is one of the things I so enjoy about her novels; there’s no question these men, no matter how much they tease and joke at each other’s expense, would do anything for one another – and for their ladies. The downside of this – if it can indeed be said to be a downside – is that there’s a danger that the new reader may be a bit bewildered by all these names popping in and out. Each novel in the series is self-contained, but if you’re thinking about picking up this, or any of the other books in the series, I’d recommend starting at the beginning with The Parfit Knight and reading in order. They’re all terrific reads, so it should present no hardship.
Hazard is a fabulous addition to this thoroughly enjoyable series of Georgian romances. Ms. Riley’s writing is sharply focused and elegant, her characters are strongly drawn, the chemistry between the leads is undeniable and both romances are brought to immensely satisfying conclusions. It gets a very strong recommendation.
March 5, 2019
Ms. Riley is always a guarantee of an excellent HR! And thank God for that! :-)
I loved the previous books and I loved this one too!
Here you get two wonderful love stories for the price of one: Nicholas and Madeleine and Aristide and Genevieve. But there's also a lovely little love story starring Aristide's assistant!
Besides the wonderful romanticism of these stories you also get a masterful writing! I just love how Ms. Riley writes: so easily, without too many descriptions or musing, with just the right touch of humour and wit! Delightful! Just perfect!
The stories intersect perfectly one into the other and I never felt that one suffered from the other! The balance and intricacies of the stories were great!
I just not have enough words to prize this book! You just got to read it to fully enjoy it!
I loved the previous books and I loved this one too!
Here you get two wonderful love stories for the price of one: Nicholas and Madeleine and Aristide and Genevieve. But there's also a lovely little love story starring Aristide's assistant!
Besides the wonderful romanticism of these stories you also get a masterful writing! I just love how Ms. Riley writes: so easily, without too many descriptions or musing, with just the right touch of humour and wit! Delightful! Just perfect!
The stories intersect perfectly one into the other and I never felt that one suffered from the other! The balance and intricacies of the stories were great!
I just not have enough words to prize this book! You just got to read it to fully enjoy it!
March 1, 2018
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but this one has the most gorgeous I've seen in a long time. And I'm happy to report that what's inside the covers is a very good tale. Riley's Book #4 in her Georgian Rockliffe series disappointed me a bit but did leave me looking forward to finding out more about some secondary characters in it, in particular Lord Nicolas Wynstanton and Madeleine Delacroix. That anticipation has been rewarded with a lovely romance for those two, and, not only that, Madeleine's brother Aristide also finds his HEA within the pages. Yes, it's two romances in one novel and both are satisfying and well developed.
Fans of Riley have been waiting for Madeleine and Nicolas's attraction to finally get a resolution since Book #3. As for Aristide, successful gambling club owner, he's been in the picture as Lord Sarre's friend since then also. Aristide and Madeleine, French emigres, are on the fringes of London society, not of the peerage and, in addition, owning and managing Sinclairs, a gaming club for gentlemen. Now we learn more about their early years in France and find out what has been a main force in forming their personalities and character. As a young man, Aristide was gainfully and lawfully employed as the secretary to an English diplomat in France, but, after a misunderstanding which ended rather tragically, he and Madeleine had to live a hardscrabble life, often crossing the line between lawful and not.
Now a successful and honest businessman, Aristide finds his past coming back to haunt him with (1) a man who had known him in France now accusing him of being a cheat and card sharp, and (2) his reacquaintance with the stepdaughter of his former English diplomat employer. The stepdaughter, Genevieve, was only 16 at the time and they had been friends, but when he suffered at the hands of her horrid brothers and lost his employment, he believed her to be partly to blame.
Basically, the story revolves around (1) getting the accusation of cheating resolved so that Aristide does not lose his reputation as an honest businessman, and (2) getting the two sets of lovers successfully paired. But I'm getting ahead of myself with regard to the lovers. We know about good-natured, charming Nicolas, younger brother of the Duke of Rockliffe, and his obsession with beautiful albeit haughty, aloof, somewhat bitchy Madeleine, but Genevieve, the diplomat's stepdaughter, is new to us. Genevieve is now widow of Kit, Lord Westin, whose handsome and charming facade had hidden a degenerate despoiler of very young girls. Although until his death Genevieve had been unaware of his proclivities, she had early on in the marriage become disillusioned with him and had been subjected to emotional and mental abuse by him. Now she is almost an outcast in society because of the revelation of his repulsive behavior, and, in addition, his treatment of her has left her with very little self esteem. Not to mention that her brothers' handling of her widow's portion has left her without funds.
The romance of Genevieve and Aristide is the most touching one for me. Aristide is a closed-off man not inclined to let anyone know what he's feeling or thinking. He has learned not to trust anyone because of his past. When circumstances lead to their marriage of convenience, he is at a loss at times in how to behave around his new wife. When he first starts to feel "something" (Could it be love?), it doesn't make him more expressive but almost a bit more closed off and abrupt around her. The gradual development of their love and of Aristide's ability to show his feelings supplied a very satisfying amount of warm fuzzies.
As for Madeleine and Nicolas's romance, I must confess that at first I was hoping Nicolas would give up on her and find someone less cold and abrasive. But the backstory of the Delacroix siblings' hard life in France allows the reader to feel more sympathy for her and to understand the protective shield she has placed around her heart. And when an incident in the story leaves Nicolas badly injured and Madeleine distraught, it was touching to watch her finally come to terms with her feelings and allow Nicolas in. She thawed out nicely and became worthy of Nicolas's devotion.
In addition to the two romances, there are other things to like about this story. One is the relationship of Aristide to his new young assistant at Sinclairs. That lent itself to some entertaining moments. Another is the interactions with the villains that added interest and some moments of real action/adventure. I was also glad to see that the bad guys never became quite as over the top as those in Book 4. The pacing of the book did not lag or become tiresome. And I must add here that I am grateful to Riley for surprising me at a couple of moments. Just when I thought she was going to throw in one of those tedious abductions, she turns it into something much better. And just when I thought she was going to throw in some amnesia for one of the main characters, she changes her mind almost immediately. Thanks, Ms Riley. Abductions and amnesia are two of my least favorite plot points.
We also get the opportunity here to visit with almost everybody from the previous four books of this series. It was lovely to see them and their bonhomie and genuine care and concern for each other, their excellent parenting skills, and the undying love each person has for his/her chosen life partner. But here I must confess (and this confession may make me seem like an unnatural, unfeeling person) that I do believe Riley may have overdone the love and warmth and caring and friendship and loyalty. Everyone in the friends and family group felt too good, too perfect. I have this same problem with other authors, such as Mary Balogh, when they collect all the former Hs and hs and their friends and family. I get sweetness/goodness overdose. There is a limit to the number of Hallmark moments I can take. Just give me an interesting story with a good romance. That's all I need. Well, I got the good story here and the good romance and I'm grateful to Riley for that.
Fans of Riley have been waiting for Madeleine and Nicolas's attraction to finally get a resolution since Book #3. As for Aristide, successful gambling club owner, he's been in the picture as Lord Sarre's friend since then also. Aristide and Madeleine, French emigres, are on the fringes of London society, not of the peerage and, in addition, owning and managing Sinclairs, a gaming club for gentlemen. Now we learn more about their early years in France and find out what has been a main force in forming their personalities and character. As a young man, Aristide was gainfully and lawfully employed as the secretary to an English diplomat in France, but, after a misunderstanding which ended rather tragically, he and Madeleine had to live a hardscrabble life, often crossing the line between lawful and not.
Now a successful and honest businessman, Aristide finds his past coming back to haunt him with (1) a man who had known him in France now accusing him of being a cheat and card sharp, and (2) his reacquaintance with the stepdaughter of his former English diplomat employer. The stepdaughter, Genevieve, was only 16 at the time and they had been friends, but when he suffered at the hands of her horrid brothers and lost his employment, he believed her to be partly to blame.
Basically, the story revolves around (1) getting the accusation of cheating resolved so that Aristide does not lose his reputation as an honest businessman, and (2) getting the two sets of lovers successfully paired. But I'm getting ahead of myself with regard to the lovers. We know about good-natured, charming Nicolas, younger brother of the Duke of Rockliffe, and his obsession with beautiful albeit haughty, aloof, somewhat bitchy Madeleine, but Genevieve, the diplomat's stepdaughter, is new to us. Genevieve is now widow of Kit, Lord Westin, whose handsome and charming facade had hidden a degenerate despoiler of very young girls. Although until his death Genevieve had been unaware of his proclivities, she had early on in the marriage become disillusioned with him and had been subjected to emotional and mental abuse by him. Now she is almost an outcast in society because of the revelation of his repulsive behavior, and, in addition, his treatment of her has left her with very little self esteem. Not to mention that her brothers' handling of her widow's portion has left her without funds.
The romance of Genevieve and Aristide is the most touching one for me. Aristide is a closed-off man not inclined to let anyone know what he's feeling or thinking. He has learned not to trust anyone because of his past. When circumstances lead to their marriage of convenience, he is at a loss at times in how to behave around his new wife. When he first starts to feel "something" (Could it be love?), it doesn't make him more expressive but almost a bit more closed off and abrupt around her. The gradual development of their love and of Aristide's ability to show his feelings supplied a very satisfying amount of warm fuzzies.
As for Madeleine and Nicolas's romance, I must confess that at first I was hoping Nicolas would give up on her and find someone less cold and abrasive. But the backstory of the Delacroix siblings' hard life in France allows the reader to feel more sympathy for her and to understand the protective shield she has placed around her heart. And when an incident in the story leaves Nicolas badly injured and Madeleine distraught, it was touching to watch her finally come to terms with her feelings and allow Nicolas in. She thawed out nicely and became worthy of Nicolas's devotion.
In addition to the two romances, there are other things to like about this story. One is the relationship of Aristide to his new young assistant at Sinclairs. That lent itself to some entertaining moments. Another is the interactions with the villains that added interest and some moments of real action/adventure. I was also glad to see that the bad guys never became quite as over the top as those in Book 4. The pacing of the book did not lag or become tiresome. And I must add here that I am grateful to Riley for surprising me at a couple of moments. Just when I thought she was going to throw in one of those tedious abductions, she turns it into something much better. And just when I thought she was going to throw in some amnesia for one of the main characters, she changes her mind almost immediately. Thanks, Ms Riley. Abductions and amnesia are two of my least favorite plot points.
We also get the opportunity here to visit with almost everybody from the previous four books of this series. It was lovely to see them and their bonhomie and genuine care and concern for each other, their excellent parenting skills, and the undying love each person has for his/her chosen life partner. But here I must confess (and this confession may make me seem like an unnatural, unfeeling person) that I do believe Riley may have overdone the love and warmth and caring and friendship and loyalty. Everyone in the friends and family group felt too good, too perfect. I have this same problem with other authors, such as Mary Balogh, when they collect all the former Hs and hs and their friends and family. I get sweetness/goodness overdose. There is a limit to the number of Hallmark moments I can take. Just give me an interesting story with a good romance. That's all I need. Well, I got the good story here and the good romance and I'm grateful to Riley for that.
November 22, 2018
In HAZARD, the 5th book in Stella Riley’s wonderful Georgian
Rockliffe
series, Ms. Riley gives her readers two equally captivating romances which play out in tandem but are very different in tone. The tender romance between Aristide and Genevieve forms a nice contrast to the volatile one between Nicholas and Madeleine.
From their first meeting in The Player, the attraction between the charming, good-natured Lord Nicolas Wynstanton, the Duke of Rockliffe’s younger brother, and the stubborn, prickly Madeleine Delacroix, Aristide’s sister, has been palpable. It is obvious that Nicholas is head over heels in love with Madeleine but she pushes him away at every opportunity with her sarcasm. Although she has deep feelings for Nicholas, Madeleine sees their unequal stations in life as an insurmountable barrier, despite Nicholas’ protestations to the contrary. The situation comes to a head at the end of The Wicked Cousin when a thoroughly frustrated Nicholas issues Madeleine with an ultimatum…
…this is the last time I’ll ask. I’ve made a cake of myself over you for long enough. If you don’t want to know me, say so and I’ll walk away.’
Colour bloomed along her cheekbones. ‘That sounds like an ultimatum.’
‘It is an ultimatum. Choose.’
Nicholas has given Madeleine the opportunity to cut him out of her life completely but she simply cannot do it. The knowledge that she is not indifferent to him makes Nicholas determined to break down the defences she has built around herself and claim her as his wife.
Madeleine’s attitude towards Nicholas annoyed me so much at times, that I was beginning to believe that perhaps Nicholas deserved someone better. However, the Prologue in Hazard gave me a real insight into both Madeline and Aristide’s characters and events in their pasts which were to affect each of them so profoundly. I saw the insecurity and vulnerability beneath Madeleine’s tough exterior and understood the reasons why…
She surrounded herself with an invisible thicket of thorns and a big ‘Keep Out’ notice for good measure.
I love how Madeleine, with no thought for her own safety, protects Nicholas when he is attacked. She is just magnificent!
‘Like a tigress, she was – and not a thought for her own safety. You’ve got to admire a woman like that.’
I couldn’t help but be touched by her heart-felt words as Nicholas lies unconscious. All her defenses are down and the barriers she has erected around herself have finally fallen.
Nicholas has always been regarded as loveable and good-humoured with a dislike of dancing because of his unfortunate habit of stepping on ladies’ toes. Now we see a man who is relentless in his pursuit of the woman he loves.
It has been a bumpy ride, with lots of ups and downs, but I was delighted to see Nicholas and Madeline finally get their hard-won Happy Ever After.
Ms. Riley creates a truly heart-warming romance between Aristide and Genevieve. Like his sister, past events have led Aristide to build emotional barriers around himself and I enjoyed seeing those barriers gradually start to crumble as he falls under his wife’s spell.
His awareness of his wife increased with every passing day and not merely when she was within touching distance. He’d developed a habit of watching her across a room and thinking about her when she wasn’t there.
He may not be aware of it himself, but his love shines through in the patience, understanding and kindness he shows Genevieve. The scene where he buys her the little puppy is particularly telling because he realises just how devoid of kindness her life has been. Her late husband’s emotional and mental cruelty had destroyed Genevieve’s self-esteem but Aristide gradually restores her confidence in herself as a beautiful and desirable woman.
Genevieve gradually discovers that lurking behind that reserve, Aristide is a very different man …honourable, kind, patient, understanding, and someone she can trust; not to mention the other benefits!
That cool, business-like façade hides all manner of things … such as when he’s teasing or joking … and the wickedly seductive Frenchman who knows exactly where to touch me and how.
I admired Genevieve for her courage when she stands up to her odious brother, Ralph, and champions her husband…
‘Birth and title don’t make a gentleman, Ralph. Character and manners do that and Aristide has both. Also, although you sneer at him from your aristocratic pedestal, he’s already achieved more than you will in a lifetime. He started with nothing and made it into something. You started with every advantage – and wasted all of them. In short, he’s worth a dozen of you.
Sir George Braxton’s accusation of cheating with regard to Aristide is resolved in a satisfying way and also adds some dramatic events to the story which are integral to moving one of the romances forward. It also provides one of my favourite scenes where Aristide and the unflappable Rockliffe confront Braxton and the duke scares him (Braxton) half out of wits with just the tone of his voice.
One of the highlights for me in this series is the mutual love, loyalty and friendship between the Rockliffe circle of family and friends. I am always guaranteed some delightful scenes, memorable moments, and witty banter. Among my favourite moments are:
*Cassie’s warm and unquestioning acceptance of Genevieve.
*Nicholas teasing Sebastian about arriving late to Adrian’s party…
‘My apologies. We were … delayed.’
‘Yes – and I can guess by what.’
Sebastian didn’t reply but the look in his eyes said something along the lines of, Shut your mouth before I put my fist in it … which only increased Nicholas’s amusement.
*Aristide’s embarrassment and his friends’ knowing looks when they hear the story of him saving the puppy for his wife.
MY VERDICT: Beautifully written, with memorable characters, a well-plotted story and two captivating romances, this is another wonderful addition to this addictive series. Highly recommended.
Rockliffe series so far (click on the book covers for more details):
This review was first posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
From their first meeting in The Player, the attraction between the charming, good-natured Lord Nicolas Wynstanton, the Duke of Rockliffe’s younger brother, and the stubborn, prickly Madeleine Delacroix, Aristide’s sister, has been palpable. It is obvious that Nicholas is head over heels in love with Madeleine but she pushes him away at every opportunity with her sarcasm. Although she has deep feelings for Nicholas, Madeleine sees their unequal stations in life as an insurmountable barrier, despite Nicholas’ protestations to the contrary. The situation comes to a head at the end of The Wicked Cousin when a thoroughly frustrated Nicholas issues Madeleine with an ultimatum…
…this is the last time I’ll ask. I’ve made a cake of myself over you for long enough. If you don’t want to know me, say so and I’ll walk away.’
Colour bloomed along her cheekbones. ‘That sounds like an ultimatum.’
‘It is an ultimatum. Choose.’
Nicholas has given Madeleine the opportunity to cut him out of her life completely but she simply cannot do it. The knowledge that she is not indifferent to him makes Nicholas determined to break down the defences she has built around herself and claim her as his wife.
Madeleine’s attitude towards Nicholas annoyed me so much at times, that I was beginning to believe that perhaps Nicholas deserved someone better. However, the Prologue in Hazard gave me a real insight into both Madeline and Aristide’s characters and events in their pasts which were to affect each of them so profoundly. I saw the insecurity and vulnerability beneath Madeleine’s tough exterior and understood the reasons why…
She surrounded herself with an invisible thicket of thorns and a big ‘Keep Out’ notice for good measure.
I love how Madeleine, with no thought for her own safety, protects Nicholas when he is attacked. She is just magnificent!
‘Like a tigress, she was – and not a thought for her own safety. You’ve got to admire a woman like that.’
I couldn’t help but be touched by her heart-felt words as Nicholas lies unconscious. All her defenses are down and the barriers she has erected around herself have finally fallen.
Nicholas has always been regarded as loveable and good-humoured with a dislike of dancing because of his unfortunate habit of stepping on ladies’ toes. Now we see a man who is relentless in his pursuit of the woman he loves.
It has been a bumpy ride, with lots of ups and downs, but I was delighted to see Nicholas and Madeline finally get their hard-won Happy Ever After.
Ms. Riley creates a truly heart-warming romance between Aristide and Genevieve. Like his sister, past events have led Aristide to build emotional barriers around himself and I enjoyed seeing those barriers gradually start to crumble as he falls under his wife’s spell.
His awareness of his wife increased with every passing day and not merely when she was within touching distance. He’d developed a habit of watching her across a room and thinking about her when she wasn’t there.
He may not be aware of it himself, but his love shines through in the patience, understanding and kindness he shows Genevieve. The scene where he buys her the little puppy is particularly telling because he realises just how devoid of kindness her life has been. Her late husband’s emotional and mental cruelty had destroyed Genevieve’s self-esteem but Aristide gradually restores her confidence in herself as a beautiful and desirable woman.
Genevieve gradually discovers that lurking behind that reserve, Aristide is a very different man …honourable, kind, patient, understanding, and someone she can trust; not to mention the other benefits!
That cool, business-like façade hides all manner of things … such as when he’s teasing or joking … and the wickedly seductive Frenchman who knows exactly where to touch me and how.
I admired Genevieve for her courage when she stands up to her odious brother, Ralph, and champions her husband…
‘Birth and title don’t make a gentleman, Ralph. Character and manners do that and Aristide has both. Also, although you sneer at him from your aristocratic pedestal, he’s already achieved more than you will in a lifetime. He started with nothing and made it into something. You started with every advantage – and wasted all of them. In short, he’s worth a dozen of you.
Sir George Braxton’s accusation of cheating with regard to Aristide is resolved in a satisfying way and also adds some dramatic events to the story which are integral to moving one of the romances forward. It also provides one of my favourite scenes where Aristide and the unflappable Rockliffe confront Braxton and the duke scares him (Braxton) half out of wits with just the tone of his voice.
One of the highlights for me in this series is the mutual love, loyalty and friendship between the Rockliffe circle of family and friends. I am always guaranteed some delightful scenes, memorable moments, and witty banter. Among my favourite moments are:
*Cassie’s warm and unquestioning acceptance of Genevieve.
*Nicholas teasing Sebastian about arriving late to Adrian’s party…
‘My apologies. We were … delayed.’
‘Yes – and I can guess by what.’
Sebastian didn’t reply but the look in his eyes said something along the lines of, Shut your mouth before I put my fist in it … which only increased Nicholas’s amusement.
*Aristide’s embarrassment and his friends’ knowing looks when they hear the story of him saving the puppy for his wife.
MY VERDICT: Beautifully written, with memorable characters, a well-plotted story and two captivating romances, this is another wonderful addition to this addictive series. Highly recommended.
Rockliffe series so far (click on the book covers for more details):
This review was first posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
October 23, 2018
Two thumbs up for this one!
A wonderful way to end a series. Actually I wonder if this is the end. Is it?
It was such a pleasure to listen to Aristide and Genevieve's story and even better to also get Lord Nicholas and Madeleine's story as well.
I've read these books back to back and enjoyed each and everyone of them. All the prior characters were present in this Hazard with little ones in tow. ❤
If you are a fan of Stella Riley and haven't read this series please do. I guarantee you will enjoy it.
October 6, 2018
Another fabulous episode in the Rockliffe series. And even better, it was a twofer! Two entirely different heroines find love; a love that each had thought impossible in their life and situations. One seeking it outright as a matter of survival and the other denying it for what she thought was the right thing to do.
Stella Riley has a very unique writing style that I have just fallen in love with. And no one can read them better than the seductive Alex Wyndham... sigh. There are quite a few characters that keep reappearing in these stories, so it's best if you start at the beginning. And by all means, do the audiobooks! You will be cheating yourself if you don't.
August 20, 2018
3.75 ⭐
February 26, 2018
There is just never enough Stella Riley. I have a few minor quibbles but on the whole, I’m just going to sit here and mourn that I’ve finished it and will have to wait patiently for whatever she writes next.
April 17, 2018
Stella Riley’s stunning Rockliffe series has kept me entranced from the first page of The Parfit Knight, the first book in the series, in which she begins introducing her tremendous cast of characters, one of whom is the enigmatic Duke of Rockliffe (aka Rock) who plays an almost patriarchal role in each story. In fact, all of society respect and look up to him, hence the series name. Now with book five, Hazard, we are treated to another addictive page turner and two equally spine-tingling romances playing out in parallel. As its title suggests, the story is set in part against the backdrop of a gaming club, and, as in the game of hazard, has four players. Two of the main protagonists, brother and sister, Madeleine and Aristide Delacroix, at last get their HEA, and so too does Nicholas Wynstanton, Rock’s younger brother, who has long been smitten with the prickly Madeleine. By the time we reached the end of The Wicked Cousin, Nicholas was becoming more and more frustrated and Madeleine more difficult than usual. However, fans of the series probably knew that Stella Riley would find a way for this unlikely pair to overcome their apparent difficulties. Aristide’s love interest comes to him from a totally unexpected quarter and ties his earlier life in nicely with the series and his connection to Adrian Deveraux, Earl of Sarre (The Player).
As always, one of Stella Riley’s greatest strengths lies in her characterisation. The people she ‘creates’ take on a living, breathing persona, and, in Hazard, Nicholas Wynstanton, who has been around as a secondary character since the first book, is developed fully into a larger than life, loveable and honourable man; not just the happy-go-lucky, younger brother of a duke, but a man in his own right, and not one to be trifled with either. Nicholas’ aim is to knock down the walls Madeleine Delacroix has erected around her heart. Madeleine’s arguments against the match stem from her own insecurities – her earlier life in Paris where she had lived a hand-to-mouth existence with her brother and mother, and the unrequited girlish infatuation she had felt for her brother’s friend, Adrian Deveraux. Being the proud young woman, she is, Adrian’s rebuttal was all the more devastating and she has never fully recovered her composure, resulting in her unfortunate stand-offishness with the opposite sex.
Her brother, Aristide, has always been a cool and mysterious figure; even the author’s description of him conjures up mystery… long blonde hair, eyes the blue of a cloudless winter sky and neatly tailored bones. He says little but, through his inner musings, we get a great deal of insight into the man he is, and we are privy to his frustrations and anger, emotions he keeps locked away from the outside world. Aristide, on the face of it, seems to be calmly and emotionlessly going about his business, but he too has a bruised heart from which he has never fully recovered. His carefully locked away hurt comes back to haunt, but also intrigue him. It is this ‘barely there’ love from his earlier life – before his affluence as a partner in one of London’s premier gaming/gentleman’s clubs – that suddenly re-appears, and we see the cool aloofness slowly disintegrate before the onslaught of the attraction he had felt as a younger man and discovers he still feels, albeit reluctantly. I think Stella Riley has this sibling relationship between Aristide and Madeline just right. Both are a little bruised because of earlier young love and, although nothing to be ashamed of, both are very aware of their humble beginnings and both wary of letting anyone beneath their self-erected defences. An intriguing pair and therefore the final capitulation to their respective loves is all the more satisfying.
The beautiful and sweet Genevieve who has burst back into Aristide’s life after seven, long, eventful years, is a well-rounded and likeable character who has herself suffered much in the interim years and is therefore extremely vulnerable. In fact, her very vulnerability and sufferings are just what the calmly controlled Aristide needs as a salve to the perceived injustices he believes her responsible for in his past life. But, he is the kind of man who needs to be needed, and Genevieve Westin certainly fits that bill and so he crumbles. It puts me in mind a little of The Mésalliance in which we see Rock lose his legendary ‘cool’. I love these hard to read, mysterious men.
There is a plausible plot running throughout the story which involves most of the main characters but has its roots in Paris and Aristide’s earlier life. As usual the utterly delectable Rock strolls in and takes centre stage at just the right moments – urbane, and cool-as-cucumber, he steals every scene he is involved in. With just a few carefully selected words designed to defuse, he delivers a set-down, often without the recipient being aware he or she has been insulted. His character is one of Stella Riley’s triumphs and this series is well named because Rock’s unfailing omniscience and his ability to always be in the right place at the right time is something I have come to look forward to with much anticipation in every book, and I’m never disappointed.
Hazard follows on within weeks of the end of The Wicked Cousin. Cassie and Sebastian are back in circulation after their recent honeymoon and are evidently very-much-in-love newlyweds. They run the gauntlet of the usual banter and risqué comments which only close friends can get away with. Sebastian’s wicked and naughty sense of humour is very much in evidence, and this is yet another area in which Stella Riley excels. Her wit and humour are always lurking in the background, adding another dimension to her intriguing characters and expertly researched Georgian world. One feels very much a part of this group of close friends and relatives and, as we near the end of the series, it is going to be sad to say goodbye…but not yet! Ms. Riley is busy writing the final book in the series and I am eagerly looking forward to another lovely Rockliffe, and maybe Ms. Riley will tie off a few loose ends, such as, will Rock get his heir and let Nicholas off the hook?
New readers of Stella Riley’s books may be a little overwhelmed by the amount of characters. This is book five and it could be enjoyed as a stand-alone, but my advice would be to start at the beginning. Trust me, it’s no hardship, as I said in my opening chapter, this series is addictive. Now we must wait for Alex Wyndham to work his magic on Hazard and I believe he is busy in his recording studio as I write this review. How will I find the time to listen? Who needs to do housework etc. when there is a new Wyndham/Riley collaboration in the offing?
MY VERDICT: Another stellar five stars read for me. I might have my favourites in the series, but each book is as well written as the last and I can’t penalise the author for making me prefer one character or storyline over another, and besides which, I love them all!
March 5, 2021
Dual romance story lines:
Frenchman from humble beginnings to gambling club owner (Aristide) and the widow (Genevieve) of scandalous lord; and
French woman from humble beginnings (Madeleine) and the affable Lord Nicholas, the brother of a duke.
Writing is solid as expected from this author but the split plot probably meant that emotional depth and details were sacrificed. I felt this less than the other books in the series. Nice characters does not necessarily make a captivating read. Shall we say 3.5/5, rounded down for Madeleine's stubbornness?
Frenchman from humble beginnings to gambling club owner (Aristide) and the widow (Genevieve) of scandalous lord; and
French woman from humble beginnings (Madeleine) and the affable Lord Nicholas, the brother of a duke.
Writing is solid as expected from this author but the split plot probably meant that emotional depth and details were sacrificed. I felt this less than the other books in the series. Nice characters does not necessarily make a captivating read. Shall we say 3.5/5, rounded down for Madeleine's stubbornness?
December 13, 2020
I am sorry, but this time I was often bored.
I knew and liked Aristide (from previous parts), I found interesting an idea of a romance between deeply wounded Genevieve and very reserved Aristide (the marriage proposal was wonderful). I was also a fan of Nicholas and I kept my fingers crossed for his courting. But something went wrong. The main love story was nice but then it dragged (to me) pointlessly. The second love story was even worse - so many repeating thoughts and words. What was the point? To make the book longer? Moreover, Rockliffe and the whole bunch of other characters annoyed me this time. This book lacked the substance or/and the form for a full standalone novel. I felt like I was reading the same again, nothing new. I am always afraid of such an impression when I read the series, but the best authors didn't give me such a feeling (just mentioning two examples: Barsetshire Series by A. Thirkell and The Tales of the Jewelled Men Series by P. Veryan).
Perhaps, in this case, I should have taken a break between these books. Definitely, I am going to take a break now.
3 stars only because of a few really charming moments and parts, and because the historical accuracy was worth prizing (as always in Riley's).
I knew and liked Aristide (from previous parts), I found interesting an idea of a romance between deeply wounded Genevieve and very reserved Aristide (the marriage proposal was wonderful). I was also a fan of Nicholas and I kept my fingers crossed for his courting. But something went wrong. The main love story was nice but then it dragged (to me) pointlessly. The second love story was even worse - so many repeating thoughts and words. What was the point? To make the book longer? Moreover, Rockliffe and the whole bunch of other characters annoyed me this time. This book lacked the substance or/and the form for a full standalone novel. I felt like I was reading the same again, nothing new. I am always afraid of such an impression when I read the series, but the best authors didn't give me such a feeling (just mentioning two examples: Barsetshire Series by A. Thirkell and The Tales of the Jewelled Men Series by P. Veryan).
Perhaps, in this case, I should have taken a break between these books. Definitely, I am going to take a break now.
3 stars only because of a few really charming moments and parts, and because the historical accuracy was worth prizing (as always in Riley's).
April 30, 2018
4.5 stars for the latest in Riley's Rockliffe series of Georgian era romances.
What i appreciated most in this book was the author not going where you expected her to with the all too familiar romance tropes. Clever!
I can say that Madeleine had almost worn out her welcome with me, but she redeemed herself in the end, with one of the more heartfelt declarations of love that I've read in a good, long while. I totally buy the HEA for Madeleine and Nicholas.
The surprise was the romance between Aristide Delacroix and Genevieve, widow of the notorious Lord Westin. He's so closed off, she's so wounded... Sigh... bring out the tissues.
It was a pleasure to catch-up with the couples from the earlier books, who appear when needed, but don't hog the page.And ruling over all is the Duke of Rockliffe--feared by many, but an absolute marshmallow with his infant daughter.
May Ms Riley someday give us Vanessa Jane's romance--I would love to see Rockliffe as papa to an eligible miss.
What i appreciated most in this book was the author not going where you expected her to with the all too familiar romance tropes. Clever!
I can say that Madeleine had almost worn out her welcome with me, but she redeemed herself in the end, with one of the more heartfelt declarations of love that I've read in a good, long while. I totally buy the HEA for Madeleine and Nicholas.
The surprise was the romance between Aristide Delacroix and Genevieve, widow of the notorious Lord Westin. He's so closed off, she's so wounded... Sigh... bring out the tissues.
It was a pleasure to catch-up with the couples from the earlier books, who appear when needed, but don't hog the page.And ruling over all is the Duke of Rockliffe--feared by many, but an absolute marshmallow with his infant daughter.
May Ms Riley someday give us Vanessa Jane's romance--I would love to see Rockliffe as papa to an eligible miss.
August 15, 2018
5 swoon worthy stars doubled!! Hazard delivered double the romance and I couldn’t have been more pleased. All the characters - new and old - did not disappoint. I loved every word of this romantic story and sincerely hope it is not the last of the Rockcliffe series. Stella Riley’s fabulous writing and Alex Wyndham’s dreamy voice enthralled me from beginning to end. *sigh*
Don’t miss this one for it would be a crime to do so. ❤️❤️
April 1, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Here we get to know Nicholas Wynstanton, a regular character in previous books, a lot better. His relationship with Madeline is given more depth. Here we get to understand what draws him to her, and we see him for what he is: in addition to his patience and persistence, Nicholas is a sweet, loyal man, and one with a moral compass which even before Madeline came along made him uncomfortable with the common practise of keeping a mistress.
I found Madeline too prickly to like in earlier books, but here we see more of what lies behind the facade. And the scene in which she - marvellous stuff! Despite her stubbornness, understanding her reasons for pushing Nicholas away, and then seeing her suffering because of it... well, she’d won me over, long before her
As for the second couple, I enjoyed Aristide and Genevieve together. Despite his professed reasons for - which, by the way, was another of Ms Riley’s highly anticipated, pivotal scenes - Aristide’s patience and tenderness, his discomfort with Genevieve’s gratitude, the growth of feelings he didn’t recognise and then felt endearingly awkward expressing when he did, all of this made him a very appealing hero. I liked Genevieve, she was sweet and lovely, though her background was truly awful (her dead husband’s activities were very disturbing).
Add to this the many appearances of Rock in his brother’s story, a horse race with most of the Duke’s circle gathered at Wynstanton Priors, and an external threat that went in a surprising direction, and this one definitely finds a place on the favourites shelf.
I found Madeline too prickly to like in earlier books, but here we see more of what lies behind the facade. And the scene in which she - marvellous stuff! Despite her stubbornness, understanding her reasons for pushing Nicholas away, and then seeing her suffering because of it... well, she’d won me over, long before her
As for the second couple, I enjoyed Aristide and Genevieve together. Despite his professed reasons for - which, by the way, was another of Ms Riley’s highly anticipated, pivotal scenes - Aristide’s patience and tenderness, his discomfort with Genevieve’s gratitude, the growth of feelings he didn’t recognise and then felt endearingly awkward expressing when he did, all of this made him a very appealing hero. I liked Genevieve, she was sweet and lovely, though her background was truly awful (her dead husband’s activities were very disturbing).
Add to this the many appearances of Rock in his brother’s story, a horse race with most of the Duke’s circle gathered at Wynstanton Priors, and an external threat that went in a surprising direction, and this one definitely finds a place on the favourites shelf.
September 10, 2019
Excellent! Ms Riley does right by the Delacroix siblings and I just love Rockliffe, he is right up there with Bewcastle and Rothgar. I have a few quibbles, but I really appreciated how the author showed the reader two examples of sibling dynamics instead of telling, it was very subtle, but profound. The conclusion was very well done. All I want to know now is when will Riley's next book arrive?
September 24, 2018
Aristide and Genevieve/Nicholas and Madeleine
Two love stories in one!
Siblings, Aristide and Madeleine Delacroix, have made a life for themselves in England as co-owners of Sinclair’s, a popular gaming establishment. Shades of their difficult and sad past, however, conspire to topple everything they’ve worked so hard to accomplish.
Genevieve Westin’s year of sham mourning for a despicable dead husband is coming to an end. She needs to act fast before she’s forced into another unwanted marriage.
Lord Nicholas Wynstanton, most eligible brother and heir of the Duke of Rockliffe, is in love with a woman who refuses to give him the time of day. Why?
This story twists and turns the reader by intertwining past events to inform current realities. Aristide and Madeleine’s past figure into their actions and reactions and draw Nicholas into a struggle for his very life and love. Events become quite harrowing at times.
I adored Genevieve Westin. Her vulnerability and bravery combined to create a lovely heroine. Although I understood Madeleine’s reservations about Nicholas and her insecurities throughout the series, I never felt that she deserved Nicholas until she finally proved herself in one act. I imagine that some men just like prickly women, but she was just too much. Aristide was a cypher throughout the series. One never quite knew who he was and truly it seems that it was because he was such a self-contained insecure person himself. It appears to this reader that Genevieve’s unselfish and uncomplicated love was the key to unlocking him as a man.
Lady Vanessa Jane and her Papa stole my heart. Isn’t that just the way it is with fathers and daughters? Rockliffe is no exception. I mustn’t forget Blanchette, a bit of fluff who helps Genevieve teach Aristide an important lesson about love. Perfection.
Ah... I am now caught up with this series. I anxiously await the release of Book 6. This book world that Stella Riley has created is exceptional. I spent so much time in the Georgian period this past week, it will be difficult to return to the 21st century. That’s what happens when one becomes immersed in good historical fiction. My recommendation? Read this series. You won’t be disappointed.
Two love stories in one!
Siblings, Aristide and Madeleine Delacroix, have made a life for themselves in England as co-owners of Sinclair’s, a popular gaming establishment. Shades of their difficult and sad past, however, conspire to topple everything they’ve worked so hard to accomplish.
Genevieve Westin’s year of sham mourning for a despicable dead husband is coming to an end. She needs to act fast before she’s forced into another unwanted marriage.
Lord Nicholas Wynstanton, most eligible brother and heir of the Duke of Rockliffe, is in love with a woman who refuses to give him the time of day. Why?
This story twists and turns the reader by intertwining past events to inform current realities. Aristide and Madeleine’s past figure into their actions and reactions and draw Nicholas into a struggle for his very life and love. Events become quite harrowing at times.
I adored Genevieve Westin. Her vulnerability and bravery combined to create a lovely heroine. Although I understood Madeleine’s reservations about Nicholas and her insecurities throughout the series, I never felt that she deserved Nicholas until she finally proved herself in one act. I imagine that some men just like prickly women, but she was just too much. Aristide was a cypher throughout the series. One never quite knew who he was and truly it seems that it was because he was such a self-contained insecure person himself. It appears to this reader that Genevieve’s unselfish and uncomplicated love was the key to unlocking him as a man.
Lady Vanessa Jane and her Papa stole my heart. Isn’t that just the way it is with fathers and daughters? Rockliffe is no exception. I mustn’t forget Blanchette, a bit of fluff who helps Genevieve teach Aristide an important lesson about love. Perfection.
Ah... I am now caught up with this series. I anxiously await the release of Book 6. This book world that Stella Riley has created is exceptional. I spent so much time in the Georgian period this past week, it will be difficult to return to the 21st century. That’s what happens when one becomes immersed in good historical fiction. My recommendation? Read this series. You won’t be disappointed.
October 28, 2021
3.5 stars
December 5, 2023
A very decent addition to the series. The author dialled down the unrealistic side plots, and the leads were genuinely likeable. 3.5 stars
December 6, 2019
I kept starting this book and then leaving it and reading something else, and then starting it again and then putting it down and forgetting about it. I finally decided enough was enough and I couldn't pay for a book and then not actually read it.
But now I know why I kept putting it down and losing interest. It was boring.
We follow two couples this time, Aristide and Genevieve, and Nicholas and Madeleine, to their respective HEAs. But even with two couples there were barely any obstacles, zero conflict, and not enough story.
Genevieve and Aristide's was the better of the two stories, as she at least had familial problems and a prior bad marriage to get past before being happy, and he had a previous bad history with her family. But if they really were obstacles, they were done away with in the blink of an eye.
For example, Genevieve's family want her to marry a respectable man of the ton to redeem her reputation after her disreputable (now dead) husband caused scandal. She thinks her brothers will try to stop her marrying who she chooses. So Aristide bribes a clergyman and has the wedding as soon as the bans have been read, and it's all too late for anyone to do anything.
Oh. So not that much of an issue after all? Okay... But this one must be harder to get past:
Genevieve is hesitant to get naked with him on their wedding night due to bad experiences in the past, so Aristide says 'your ex husband was an ass, you're so hot, but I'll wait if you like' and she's all 'No that's fine, let's just do it' and so they have sex and it's amazing and that's the end of that problem (I'm paraphrasing).
So then we have pages and pages of nothing happening while we wait for them both to admit they're in love with each other, while constantly at it like bunnies.
Meanwhile, Nicholas (a character I liked in previous Rockliffe novels) is still being continuously rejected by Madeleine, despite the fact that they love each other. The reason? Because she thinks she is too poor and not good enough for his family and station in life. He says 'I don't care about that stuff, I love you, let's get hitched' (paraphrasing again) and in the end she agrees, but only after being a total bitch to him for most of the book, for no reason at all.
There's some contrived conflict with an attacker so that the old trope of one party being injured and lying on their potential death bed while the other realises they were an idiot for previously denying their true feelings can be trotted out.
I think I smiled once at something with Aristide, but mostly I couldn't wait for this to be over so I could read something else.
But now I know why I kept putting it down and losing interest. It was boring.
We follow two couples this time, Aristide and Genevieve, and Nicholas and Madeleine, to their respective HEAs. But even with two couples there were barely any obstacles, zero conflict, and not enough story.
Genevieve and Aristide's was the better of the two stories, as she at least had familial problems and a prior bad marriage to get past before being happy, and he had a previous bad history with her family. But if they really were obstacles, they were done away with in the blink of an eye.
For example, Genevieve's family want her to marry a respectable man of the ton to redeem her reputation after her disreputable (now dead) husband caused scandal. She thinks her brothers will try to stop her marrying who she chooses. So Aristide bribes a clergyman and has the wedding as soon as the bans have been read, and it's all too late for anyone to do anything.
Oh. So not that much of an issue after all? Okay... But this one must be harder to get past:
Genevieve is hesitant to get naked with him on their wedding night due to bad experiences in the past, so Aristide says 'your ex husband was an ass, you're so hot, but I'll wait if you like' and she's all 'No that's fine, let's just do it' and so they have sex and it's amazing and that's the end of that problem (I'm paraphrasing).
So then we have pages and pages of nothing happening while we wait for them both to admit they're in love with each other, while constantly at it like bunnies.
Meanwhile, Nicholas (a character I liked in previous Rockliffe novels) is still being continuously rejected by Madeleine, despite the fact that they love each other. The reason? Because she thinks she is too poor and not good enough for his family and station in life. He says 'I don't care about that stuff, I love you, let's get hitched' (paraphrasing again) and in the end she agrees, but only after being a total bitch to him for most of the book, for no reason at all.
There's some contrived conflict with an attacker so that the old trope of one party being injured and lying on their potential death bed while the other realises they were an idiot for previously denying their true feelings can be trotted out.
I think I smiled once at something with Aristide, but mostly I couldn't wait for this to be over so I could read something else.
September 20, 2018
I was looking forward to the story of Nicholas and Madeleine and it was nice to have Aristides HEA as a bonus.
Nicholas is the clumsy younger brother of the Duke of Rockliffe and has showed up in the previous books stepping on the ladies shoes when forced to dance.
Madeleine is the independent sister of Aristides, a close friend of Adrian (Earl of Sarre) from Paris that becomes co-owner of a gaming club with his friend and Nicholas.
The couple has a strong attraction from day one, but Madeleine thinks Nicholas has no honorable intentions and, even after realizing it might not be so, thinks herself too below his social standing.
The story is sweet and beautifully written (as anything else from Mrs Riley), and it was nice to see all the other couples from the previous books.
Aristides ends up meeting his former French student who caused him lots of trouble when she asked him to deliver a love letter and ended up being mistaken as the recipient by her brothers. Although seeking revenge at first, he finds love and peace.
Not the best book of the series (my favorite is The Parfit Knight), but a great read!
Nicholas is the clumsy younger brother of the Duke of Rockliffe and has showed up in the previous books stepping on the ladies shoes when forced to dance.
Madeleine is the independent sister of Aristides, a close friend of Adrian (Earl of Sarre) from Paris that becomes co-owner of a gaming club with his friend and Nicholas.
The couple has a strong attraction from day one, but Madeleine thinks Nicholas has no honorable intentions and, even after realizing it might not be so, thinks herself too below his social standing.
The story is sweet and beautifully written (as anything else from Mrs Riley), and it was nice to see all the other couples from the previous books.
Aristides ends up meeting his former French student who caused him lots of trouble when she asked him to deliver a love letter and ended up being mistaken as the recipient by her brothers. Although seeking revenge at first, he finds love and peace.
Not the best book of the series (my favorite is The Parfit Knight), but a great read!
March 6, 2021
Buddy read in the HRBC.
This was one of the weakest in the series for me. It featured two romances and the balance was off.
This was one of the weakest in the series for me. It featured two romances and the balance was off.
September 5, 2018
Another wonderful book in the Rockliffe Series by Stella. In this book, you have two love stories for the price of one. If you have read the previous books in the series, this is Aristide's, Madeleine's and Nicholas's stories.
Aristide Delacroix owner of a Sinclair's and his sister Madeleine will finally have their HAE's, along with Nicholas Wynstanton, Rockliffe's younger brother.
Before Aristide came to England to open his club he had a respectable position and was supporting his ill mother and his younger sister Madeleine. A young man who's only mistake was agreeing to help a distraught young lady deliver a message that her maid would give him. Which resulted in Aristide being beaten so badly by her brother's that he lost his position and was not present to comfort his young sister when their mother passed away. It took him weeks to recover and forced his younger sister to find ways to support them until he was well enough to work again.
Now he is a successful businessman with a wealth of good friends and the respect of those who matter to him. Attending a social function with his friends he cannot believe who is there. It's Genevieve, the woman who almost got him killed in Paris. He is introduced to her and there is no recognition in her eyes, she doesn't remember him! She has grown into a beautifully seductive temptress that he wants to bed. He has never felt this kind of immediate attraction before but knows he has to have her. She is a widow who may be open to having a love affair. Or so he thinks.
Genevieve is in deep trouble. Her perverted cruel husband is dead and he left her destitute with no hope of ever receiving any money anytime in the near future. Her older brother, a wastrel and a bully wants her to marry a man of his choice who will help him become more respectable. She knows that if she doesn't find a solution she will be forced into another miserable marriage.
When she meets Aristide again after so many years she doesn't recognize him at first, he reminds her that he used to work for her stepfather in Paris. She remembers him but doesn't know what happened to him. She liked him when they were younger and now he is a handsome man who she is drawn to him as a woman, which has never happened to her before. He is a gentleman who is being kind to her. She sees him at other social event and comes up with a plan. She knows it is mercenary, but if she can get him to marry her that will solve her immediate problem of staying out of the clutches of her brother. She vows to herself that she will do anything to make Aristide content and hopefully have an amiable marriage.
Aristide is surprised when she asks him to marry her. He knows he wants her but she must be told what her brothers did to him before he can decide if they have a future. He believes her when she says that she didn't know. Can they put the past behind them and have a mutually respectful marriage that will fulfill their desires and maybe turn into something that neither ever dreamed of?
Nicholas has been fascinated with Madeleine for a long time. She refuses to have anything to do with him because he is a nobleman and the heir to a Dukedom. She is the sister of a gaming club owner. Madeleine is adamant that she will not be his mistress, she knows she can't be his wife and wishes he would just leave her alone. She doesn't know how much longer she can hide her feelings for him. Nicholas is insulted that she assumes he is offering her Carte Blanche and she refuses to consider any other option. She is driving him crazy and his friends and brother are watching him make a cake of himself and laughing themselves silly.
When an enemy of Aristide's almost costs Nicholas his life, will they finally admit their feelings for each other or go on being miserable?
The title Hazard describes this book to a T. Taking chances and risking everything is scary and fraught with dangerous possibilities, but you can't know until you risk all for love and hopefully win the ultimate reward.
Another extraordinary addition to the Rockliffe Series. I love catching up with the characters in the previous books, it's like meeting up with old friends. I so adore Stella's love stories. Intrigue, witty repartee, historically accurate with handsome honorable men and strong lovely woman make her books a joy to read or listen to. Her heroes are larger than life and her villains are truly evil. Let's not forget that Alex Wyndham brings her characters to life and you lose yourself in his performance and forget that it is just one actor playing all the parts.
I highly recommend this book and all of the others in this series. Absolutely must reads.
Aristide Delacroix owner of a Sinclair's and his sister Madeleine will finally have their HAE's, along with Nicholas Wynstanton, Rockliffe's younger brother.
Before Aristide came to England to open his club he had a respectable position and was supporting his ill mother and his younger sister Madeleine. A young man who's only mistake was agreeing to help a distraught young lady deliver a message that her maid would give him. Which resulted in Aristide being beaten so badly by her brother's that he lost his position and was not present to comfort his young sister when their mother passed away. It took him weeks to recover and forced his younger sister to find ways to support them until he was well enough to work again.
Now he is a successful businessman with a wealth of good friends and the respect of those who matter to him. Attending a social function with his friends he cannot believe who is there. It's Genevieve, the woman who almost got him killed in Paris. He is introduced to her and there is no recognition in her eyes, she doesn't remember him! She has grown into a beautifully seductive temptress that he wants to bed. He has never felt this kind of immediate attraction before but knows he has to have her. She is a widow who may be open to having a love affair. Or so he thinks.
Genevieve is in deep trouble. Her perverted cruel husband is dead and he left her destitute with no hope of ever receiving any money anytime in the near future. Her older brother, a wastrel and a bully wants her to marry a man of his choice who will help him become more respectable. She knows that if she doesn't find a solution she will be forced into another miserable marriage.
When she meets Aristide again after so many years she doesn't recognize him at first, he reminds her that he used to work for her stepfather in Paris. She remembers him but doesn't know what happened to him. She liked him when they were younger and now he is a handsome man who she is drawn to him as a woman, which has never happened to her before. He is a gentleman who is being kind to her. She sees him at other social event and comes up with a plan. She knows it is mercenary, but if she can get him to marry her that will solve her immediate problem of staying out of the clutches of her brother. She vows to herself that she will do anything to make Aristide content and hopefully have an amiable marriage.
Aristide is surprised when she asks him to marry her. He knows he wants her but she must be told what her brothers did to him before he can decide if they have a future. He believes her when she says that she didn't know. Can they put the past behind them and have a mutually respectful marriage that will fulfill their desires and maybe turn into something that neither ever dreamed of?
Nicholas has been fascinated with Madeleine for a long time. She refuses to have anything to do with him because he is a nobleman and the heir to a Dukedom. She is the sister of a gaming club owner. Madeleine is adamant that she will not be his mistress, she knows she can't be his wife and wishes he would just leave her alone. She doesn't know how much longer she can hide her feelings for him. Nicholas is insulted that she assumes he is offering her Carte Blanche and she refuses to consider any other option. She is driving him crazy and his friends and brother are watching him make a cake of himself and laughing themselves silly.
When an enemy of Aristide's almost costs Nicholas his life, will they finally admit their feelings for each other or go on being miserable?
The title Hazard describes this book to a T. Taking chances and risking everything is scary and fraught with dangerous possibilities, but you can't know until you risk all for love and hopefully win the ultimate reward.
Another extraordinary addition to the Rockliffe Series. I love catching up with the characters in the previous books, it's like meeting up with old friends. I so adore Stella's love stories. Intrigue, witty repartee, historically accurate with handsome honorable men and strong lovely woman make her books a joy to read or listen to. Her heroes are larger than life and her villains are truly evil. Let's not forget that Alex Wyndham brings her characters to life and you lose yourself in his performance and forget that it is just one actor playing all the parts.
I highly recommend this book and all of the others in this series. Absolutely must reads.
September 8, 2018
This seems to be the end to the series and I am satisfied with it. But I was not as into the story as with the other ones. Maybe because there were two couples with none quite taking center stage?
The love story between Genevieve and Aristide was lovely and very sweet. The long term not quite romance between Madeleine and Nicholas got on my nerves, but I was happy when the lady finally saw the light and they started talking honestly with each other.
I don’t think this would be a good stand alone, as all the characters from the other books are in there somewhere, and it is hard keeping track of them all.
I was kind of disappointed with the race scene. It was not badly done, but it pales when compared to race scenes written by a Patricia Veryan.
Am I wrong or is there more sex in this book than in the others? Very tasteful writing, but not necessary to make me happy.
The love story between Genevieve and Aristide was lovely and very sweet. The long term not quite romance between Madeleine and Nicholas got on my nerves, but I was happy when the lady finally saw the light and they started talking honestly with each other.
I don’t think this would be a good stand alone, as all the characters from the other books are in there somewhere, and it is hard keeping track of them all.
I was kind of disappointed with the race scene. It was not badly done, but it pales when compared to race scenes written by a Patricia Veryan.
Am I wrong or is there more sex in this book than in the others? Very tasteful writing, but not necessary to make me happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2021
Not bad, maybe 3.5 stars
This book is different in that it deals with the relationship of 2 couples who are both main characters. It was well done and since events happened simultaneously, the author didn’t need to write a different book for each.
This is the story of Lord Nicholas and Madeleine who already appear in the previous books and Aristide and Genevieve, who have a bit of a past history together.
This book is different in that it deals with the relationship of 2 couples who are both main characters. It was well done and since events happened simultaneously, the author didn’t need to write a different book for each.
This is the story of Lord Nicholas and Madeleine who already appear in the previous books and Aristide and Genevieve, who have a bit of a past history together.
December 27, 2023
I absolutely loved this book and Aristide and Genevieve are now my favourite couple in the series. I found them far more appealing and interesting than Nicholas and Madeleine and frankly I wanted less time spent with Madeleine who I found utterly irritating for the first half of the book (continuing as she did from previous appearances.) However, both love stories were very well delineated and engaging so this was like a ‘two for one’ bargain.
I really liked the plotting in this book, and am totally lost in admiration at how Stella Riley can run those multiple threads so skilfully and dramatically without losing the reader. Braxton and Cross were well used and gave a new insight into the Georgian underworld. I loved Aristide’s domestic setup with all the servants rescued from terrible situations. Again, this gave additional insight into the unfairness of Georgian society.
The way in which she enabled old favourites to play a role in the story without detracting from it, was just amazing. Of course, Rock’s part in the story was so delightful. The scene with his daughter and Genevieve was so touching. I love Tracy - he is the powerhouse whose presence in every book always adds something wonderful to the story. I love the way we see him and Adeline’s love continuing to develop.
I read this again yesterday and also listened to parts of it. Alex Wyndham is just the consummate performer and I especially loved his rendition of Genevieve and Aristide’s romance. It was an interesting mixed media reading which I really enjoyed.
I think this is a 5 star read.
I really liked the plotting in this book, and am totally lost in admiration at how Stella Riley can run those multiple threads so skilfully and dramatically without losing the reader. Braxton and Cross were well used and gave a new insight into the Georgian underworld. I loved Aristide’s domestic setup with all the servants rescued from terrible situations. Again, this gave additional insight into the unfairness of Georgian society.
The way in which she enabled old favourites to play a role in the story without detracting from it, was just amazing. Of course, Rock’s part in the story was so delightful. The scene with his daughter and Genevieve was so touching. I love Tracy - he is the powerhouse whose presence in every book always adds something wonderful to the story. I love the way we see him and Adeline’s love continuing to develop.
I read this again yesterday and also listened to parts of it. Alex Wyndham is just the consummate performer and I especially loved his rendition of Genevieve and Aristide’s romance. It was an interesting mixed media reading which I really enjoyed.
I think this is a 5 star read.
March 10, 2018
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this last (or so it seems) entry in the Rockliffe series. I had been hoping that this final book would be Lord Nicholas Wynstanton's (the Duke of Rockliffe's brother) story and it was to a certain extent. We actually had two romances going on here, Nicholas and Madeline Delacroix and Aristide Delacroix and Genevieve. It seemed to me that Aristide and Genevieve's romance was the dominant story but I was okay with that. I liked both Aristide and Genevieve and found their story to be quite rewarding. Nicholas is a great character but I found Madeline a little harder to like for most of the book. She was so determined that she wasn't good enough for Nicholas and was so prickly at times that I was inclined to agree with her. She eventually came around of course and proved herself to be a worthy match for Nicholas.
Of course, the Duke of Rockliffe continues to be a scene stealer whenever he shows up. I just love that guy. Other characters from the previous books make appearances as well such as Cassie and Sebastian and Adrian and Caroline and many others. I tend to enjoy these little snap shots of old favorites so this almost always works for me.
All in all, another Stella Riley winner with two romances, a bit of intrigue, and just enough angst to make for a great read.
Of course, the Duke of Rockliffe continues to be a scene stealer whenever he shows up. I just love that guy. Other characters from the previous books make appearances as well such as Cassie and Sebastian and Adrian and Caroline and many others. I tend to enjoy these little snap shots of old favorites so this almost always works for me.
All in all, another Stella Riley winner with two romances, a bit of intrigue, and just enough angst to make for a great read.
October 29, 2021
This was told in Stella Riley's engaging storytelling style, but unfortunately, of the four protagonists featured, I only found one likable. Nicholas was such a lovely hero. I know that the other three had reasons for acting the way they did, and I especially felt for Genevieve, but the motivations of those characters just made the story draaaag. At least Ms. Riley knew that there wasn't enough to keep the plot moving along with just one couple and featured two romances instead. Well played, I'd say.
I do have to mention that I really appreciated the lack of OW drama in this story. There wasn't any past mentioned at all for Aristide and Nicholas was far from a rake. Coming off of Sebastian's book, this alone was a breath of fresh air. Alas, it wasn't enough to warrant more than three stars.
I do have to mention that I really appreciated the lack of OW drama in this story. There wasn't any past mentioned at all for Aristide and Nicholas was far from a rake. Coming off of Sebastian's book, this alone was a breath of fresh air. Alas, it wasn't enough to warrant more than three stars.
August 18, 2018
Great!
My favourite part was when Madeleine stops being stubborn and accepts her feelings. Unfortunately, it came at a time when it might be too late. Yes, this happens a lot in romance novels, but the author built it up well. I wasn't annoyed in the slightest. I felt for Madeleine when she realized that her stubborn refusal wasn't worth it in the end. If anything, it just left her with a heart full of regret. Fortunately for her, she has a second chance and she gets to tell Nicholas that she loves him and accept his love for her in return.
I liked Madeleine, Genevieve, and Aristide. I really liked Nicholas. He just seemed so sunny and good natured. His outbursts are understandable because Madeleine can't make up her mind.
I loved Genevieve's characterization. I loved the beginning. It felt like a romance from a normal person's point of view. By that I mean, historical romances often feature unconventional heroines. Genevieve was a normal person in abnormal circumstances. If it were any other circumstances, she would be joining the ranks of prim and proper ladies. As it is, I loved the story from her point of view. She was trying to keep up appearances with her smiles when she felt nothing like that inside. It was apparent to people around her and she might have been better served just being herself. I just thought it was great writing.
Another great scene was when Aristide was kissing Genevieve. He paused to remark that a hat was biting him. It was the small dog but it was under a had that was bigger than it. From Aristide's point of view, a hat was biting his pant leg. It was such a lovely picture to write, which I give the author full credit for.
The story revolves around two romantic pairs. One is Genevieve and Aristide and the other is Madeleine and Nicholas.
Genevieve is a widow. Her husband was a pedophile and she was siblings to brutes who had their own share of scandals. Her presence wasn't welcomed in society because of her associations, despite being a victim herself. She was being pushed to marry again because her brother mismanaged her widow's portion and she is now destitute. She meets Aristide, her old tutor, again but is baffled by his cold reception.
Aristide was once fond of Genevieve. However, because of his association with her. Genevieve's brothers thought that he was trying to run away with her because of her hastily penned letter to a lover begging for help. She asked Aristide to deliver the letter but Aristide was mistaken as the recipient of it. As a direct result of this favour, he ended up beaten to a pulp. Consequently, he wasn't present when his mother passed away. He was also fired from his job and wasn't able to provide for his family. Madeleine had to pick up the slack and once he was well, he took to card sharping. Years later, he still harboured resentment against her.
He let it go once he got to know her. He discovered that she was a victim herself and she wasn't aware of what happened to him years ago. She apologized and was horrified to find out. They still had a connection though. He liked her and she liked him. She was also desperate and was angling for a marriage. She ended up asking him to marry her and he agreed.
She was grateful. It was the only thing she asked for. It was basic survival for her. Once she met that, she didn't ask for anything because she felt saved already. He wanted more for her though and disliked that she expected so little. She was treated so poorly in her first marriage that he was working to undo all that damage. He loved her and she loved him in return.
The other couple was Madeleine and Nicholas. Their story spans other books but they finally get a resolution here. Madeleine was still avoiding Nicholas and couldn't give an answer. Her answer was forced out of her when she saw him bleeding in the street. He fought off men who were going to abduct her for ransom. He ended up badly injured and she wasn't sure if he would be well. While she avoided him because she was skeptical a marriage between them would work, she still loved him and it was very apparent that night. She defended him fiercely until help arrived. The men switched their targets from her to Nicholas, a duke's brother. She held the men at sword points and held on until back up arrived.
Once Nicholas woke up from the injury, they finally straighten their relationship out. They married.
The conflict in this book was derived from Aristide's victim. Aristide cheated a man at cards. The man himself cheated other people. Years later, the man wanted his money back and was harassing Aristide. He plotted to blacken the gambling establishment's reputation, bribe workers for incriminating information, and abduct Madeleine for ransom. He colluded with a big time criminal and the plot spun out of control. Soon he was out of his depths, which culminated in Nicholas, Rockliffe's brother, bleeding in the streets. They caught up with him. The threat of crossing the duke of Rockliffe was enough to extract a confession and provide evidence against the big time criminal.
My favourite part was when Madeleine stops being stubborn and accepts her feelings. Unfortunately, it came at a time when it might be too late. Yes, this happens a lot in romance novels, but the author built it up well. I wasn't annoyed in the slightest. I felt for Madeleine when she realized that her stubborn refusal wasn't worth it in the end. If anything, it just left her with a heart full of regret. Fortunately for her, she has a second chance and she gets to tell Nicholas that she loves him and accept his love for her in return.
I liked Madeleine, Genevieve, and Aristide. I really liked Nicholas. He just seemed so sunny and good natured. His outbursts are understandable because Madeleine can't make up her mind.
I loved Genevieve's characterization. I loved the beginning. It felt like a romance from a normal person's point of view. By that I mean, historical romances often feature unconventional heroines. Genevieve was a normal person in abnormal circumstances. If it were any other circumstances, she would be joining the ranks of prim and proper ladies. As it is, I loved the story from her point of view. She was trying to keep up appearances with her smiles when she felt nothing like that inside. It was apparent to people around her and she might have been better served just being herself. I just thought it was great writing.
Another great scene was when Aristide was kissing Genevieve. He paused to remark that a hat was biting him. It was the small dog but it was under a had that was bigger than it. From Aristide's point of view, a hat was biting his pant leg. It was such a lovely picture to write, which I give the author full credit for.
The story revolves around two romantic pairs. One is Genevieve and Aristide and the other is Madeleine and Nicholas.
Genevieve is a widow. Her husband was a pedophile and she was siblings to brutes who had their own share of scandals. Her presence wasn't welcomed in society because of her associations, despite being a victim herself. She was being pushed to marry again because her brother mismanaged her widow's portion and she is now destitute. She meets Aristide, her old tutor, again but is baffled by his cold reception.
Aristide was once fond of Genevieve. However, because of his association with her. Genevieve's brothers thought that he was trying to run away with her because of her hastily penned letter to a lover begging for help. She asked Aristide to deliver the letter but Aristide was mistaken as the recipient of it. As a direct result of this favour, he ended up beaten to a pulp. Consequently, he wasn't present when his mother passed away. He was also fired from his job and wasn't able to provide for his family. Madeleine had to pick up the slack and once he was well, he took to card sharping. Years later, he still harboured resentment against her.
He let it go once he got to know her. He discovered that she was a victim herself and she wasn't aware of what happened to him years ago. She apologized and was horrified to find out. They still had a connection though. He liked her and she liked him. She was also desperate and was angling for a marriage. She ended up asking him to marry her and he agreed.
She was grateful. It was the only thing she asked for. It was basic survival for her. Once she met that, she didn't ask for anything because she felt saved already. He wanted more for her though and disliked that she expected so little. She was treated so poorly in her first marriage that he was working to undo all that damage. He loved her and she loved him in return.
The other couple was Madeleine and Nicholas. Their story spans other books but they finally get a resolution here. Madeleine was still avoiding Nicholas and couldn't give an answer. Her answer was forced out of her when she saw him bleeding in the street. He fought off men who were going to abduct her for ransom. He ended up badly injured and she wasn't sure if he would be well. While she avoided him because she was skeptical a marriage between them would work, she still loved him and it was very apparent that night. She defended him fiercely until help arrived. The men switched their targets from her to Nicholas, a duke's brother. She held the men at sword points and held on until back up arrived.
Once Nicholas woke up from the injury, they finally straighten their relationship out. They married.
The conflict in this book was derived from Aristide's victim. Aristide cheated a man at cards. The man himself cheated other people. Years later, the man wanted his money back and was harassing Aristide. He plotted to blacken the gambling establishment's reputation, bribe workers for incriminating information, and abduct Madeleine for ransom. He colluded with a big time criminal and the plot spun out of control. Soon he was out of his depths, which culminated in Nicholas, Rockliffe's brother, bleeding in the streets. They caught up with him. The threat of crossing the duke of Rockliffe was enough to extract a confession and provide evidence against the big time criminal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2018
I gave this 4.5 stars at
Romantic Historical Reviews
.
Stella Riley’s writing – the period detail, the mannerisms, the settings – and wonderful storytelling – plots, dialogue, characters – are par excellence. Her Rockliffe novels are particularly smart and engaging with multiple plots and story lines that run throughout the series, and feature a terrific cast of primary and secondary characters. Hazard is no different – although this time we get double the love with two relationships that develop in tandem as the story progresses. Meanwhile, an intrigue set in motion after a moving prologue simmers along in the background, only reaching its climax as the three narratives intersect. The ending is neat, tidy and mostly satisfying… but although the novel is well paced and the story is engrossing, the intrigue that ties together the principles at the novel’s conclusion lacks urgency, and the underdeveloped characterization of one of Hazard’s more intriguing (and sexy) principals, Aristide Delacroix, is disappointing.
Years ago whilst living and working as a lowly secretary in Paris, Aristide also taught French to Genevieve Harcourt, the step-daughter of an English diplomat. Beautiful and carefree, sixteen year old Genevieve loved to tease her tutor , and despite their age gap and decidedly different stations in life, Aristide was captivated by her – the only light in his otherwise grey existence. Which is why, when Hazard begins, he finds himself crouched in the bushes outside of the Hôtel Fleurignac waiting for her maidservant. After discovering her English half-brothers are plotting to marry her off to an elderly, but very rich suitor, she beseeches Aristide to carry a note to the friend she hopes will save her. He agrees, but begins to despair of the maidservant ever appearing, and he’s anxious to leave. His sister Madeleine is waiting at home for him to arrive with medicine for their sick and dying mother; if he waits any longer, the apothecary will close. Suddenly, Genevieve’s half-brothers grab him – believing him to be the intended recipient of Genevieve’s love note – and they beat him within an inch of his life and leave him for dead.
Madeleine Delacroix is frantic. Her mother is dying and she’s out of the medicine that helps her to breathe. She’s waited all day for her brother to arrive and her mother’s condition is worsening. She prays for help but her pleas fall on deaf ears. Aristide doesn’t come; no one does. Desperate, heartbroken and sick with worry over her brother, Madeleine sobs as her mother dies in her arms.
Fans of the Rockliffe series will recognize Aristide and Madeleine from earlier novels – the pair (along with secret partner Adrian Devereux, Earl of Sarre), own and manage Sinclair’s, an exclusive London gaming club. They’re also friends with the Duke of Rockliffe, his brother Lord Nicholas Wynstanton (who’s pined for Madeleine since The Player), and the other couples who make up the Rockliffe set. Hazard picks up seven years after the events of the prologue when two (problematic) figures from Aristide’s past make surprising reappearances in his life. The first, Sir George Braxton, spots Aristide on the floor of Sinclair’s and publicly accuses him of cheating at cards three years ago in Paris. The second, Genevieve Westin, is newly widowed (she married impulsively to save herself from her half-brothers) and trying to shake off the taint of her depraved husband, who was murdered after rumors of his proclivity for children and adolescent girls became known. Meanwhile, Madeleine is dealing with problems of her own – well, one problem in particular. She’s in love with Lord Nicholas but doesn’t believe she’s worthy or deserving of his affections. Nicholas disagrees and is determined to have her. As Hazard unfolds, he devises a long game to finally claim her heart.
Ms. Riley slowly spins the various plot threads that comprise Hazard, and it’s a complicated and intricate stew of lust, love and treachery. Braxton is fixated on Aristide – determined to regain the two thousand pounds he lost in Paris. His accusations threaten Sinclair’s and although they’re (sort of) true (ha! You weren’t expecting that were you?), he’s an arrogant ass with secrets of his own. He’s a thorn in Aristide’s side throughout the novel; Braxton’s behind the scenes machinations add a dark undercurrent to the two relationships at the forefront of the story. Although Aristide is determined to undermine Braxton and his accusations, he’s distracted by the not-so merry widow Westin who doesn’t appear to recognize him or remember what happened to him seven years earlier.
What often sets Riley’s novels apart from the pack are the marvelous characters who inhabit the pages of her books. The Rockcliffe series is no different. Friends, the Duke of Rockcliffe is yummy – and so are the men who comprise his small group of friends and confidants (yep, they’re all sexy, smart and supremely likeable). The women are similarly great – loving wives, devoted, loyal and kind friends. And although I sometimes feel like this cozy group is a bit too good to be true, it’s always enjoyable to spend time with them. Hazard’s principals – a mix of new (Genevieve) and old (Aristide, Madeleine and Nicholas) – are particularly compelling. Unfortunately, with four of them – and George Braxton – vying for our attention, no one gets quite the attention they deserve. We never learn what happened to Aristide and Madeleine in the intervening seven years – only that they were poor and desperate and that the two thousand pounds he won from Braxton provided their stake to open Sinclair’s. When he becomes acquainted with Genevieve, he’s sophisticated, urbane, and an enigma to everyone – including his friends. Madeleine is sophisticated and savvy when it comes to business, but internally she’s a mess of nerves and self-doubt, and Nicholas struggles to overcome her defenses. Ms. Riley never fills in the gaps in their history – and it’s frustrating. We know a bit more about Nicholas from his appearances in earlier novels – and Hazard simply reinforces how awesome (and frustrated) he is here. But Genevieve and her family are the most intriguing and underdeveloped of all. Her husband was a pig (truly) and Genevieve suffered at his hands – but once Genevieve meets Aristide, her story is subsumed into the relationship that develops between them. Her life is illustrated through the prism of his effect on it – I liked her, but I don’t feel like I know her, and I was puzzled by her relationship to her eldest brother. He seems to hate her… but I’m not sure I totally understood why.
Ms. Riley is a master storyteller. She eventually steers Hazard’s three seemingly unrelated story lines into a surprising and romantic conclusion. It’s a challenging novel to review without spoiling other twists/pleasures, and I wondered how she would bring events to a climax – suffice to say, I was surprised by the precipitating event. But I also felt the ending was a little too abrupt after the slow pace of the novel and I think the author sacrificed some of the romance between her couples in order to bring about a resolution of their relationships. Although much of the physical intimacy is implied and/or takes place off the page (the Rockliffe set is a lusty lot), it supplants the emotional intimacy I wanted and needed from both couples and I missed it.
In spite of those criticisms, however, Hazard is compelling from start to finish. Fans of Rockliffe and his friends and family will find much to love in this novel – and two happily ever afters to sigh over. Romantic and clever, Hazard is another wonderful addition to the Rockliffe series.
Stella Riley’s writing – the period detail, the mannerisms, the settings – and wonderful storytelling – plots, dialogue, characters – are par excellence. Her Rockliffe novels are particularly smart and engaging with multiple plots and story lines that run throughout the series, and feature a terrific cast of primary and secondary characters. Hazard is no different – although this time we get double the love with two relationships that develop in tandem as the story progresses. Meanwhile, an intrigue set in motion after a moving prologue simmers along in the background, only reaching its climax as the three narratives intersect. The ending is neat, tidy and mostly satisfying… but although the novel is well paced and the story is engrossing, the intrigue that ties together the principles at the novel’s conclusion lacks urgency, and the underdeveloped characterization of one of Hazard’s more intriguing (and sexy) principals, Aristide Delacroix, is disappointing.
Years ago whilst living and working as a lowly secretary in Paris, Aristide also taught French to Genevieve Harcourt, the step-daughter of an English diplomat. Beautiful and carefree, sixteen year old Genevieve loved to tease her tutor , and despite their age gap and decidedly different stations in life, Aristide was captivated by her – the only light in his otherwise grey existence. Which is why, when Hazard begins, he finds himself crouched in the bushes outside of the Hôtel Fleurignac waiting for her maidservant. After discovering her English half-brothers are plotting to marry her off to an elderly, but very rich suitor, she beseeches Aristide to carry a note to the friend she hopes will save her. He agrees, but begins to despair of the maidservant ever appearing, and he’s anxious to leave. His sister Madeleine is waiting at home for him to arrive with medicine for their sick and dying mother; if he waits any longer, the apothecary will close. Suddenly, Genevieve’s half-brothers grab him – believing him to be the intended recipient of Genevieve’s love note – and they beat him within an inch of his life and leave him for dead.
Madeleine Delacroix is frantic. Her mother is dying and she’s out of the medicine that helps her to breathe. She’s waited all day for her brother to arrive and her mother’s condition is worsening. She prays for help but her pleas fall on deaf ears. Aristide doesn’t come; no one does. Desperate, heartbroken and sick with worry over her brother, Madeleine sobs as her mother dies in her arms.
Fans of the Rockliffe series will recognize Aristide and Madeleine from earlier novels – the pair (along with secret partner Adrian Devereux, Earl of Sarre), own and manage Sinclair’s, an exclusive London gaming club. They’re also friends with the Duke of Rockliffe, his brother Lord Nicholas Wynstanton (who’s pined for Madeleine since The Player), and the other couples who make up the Rockliffe set. Hazard picks up seven years after the events of the prologue when two (problematic) figures from Aristide’s past make surprising reappearances in his life. The first, Sir George Braxton, spots Aristide on the floor of Sinclair’s and publicly accuses him of cheating at cards three years ago in Paris. The second, Genevieve Westin, is newly widowed (she married impulsively to save herself from her half-brothers) and trying to shake off the taint of her depraved husband, who was murdered after rumors of his proclivity for children and adolescent girls became known. Meanwhile, Madeleine is dealing with problems of her own – well, one problem in particular. She’s in love with Lord Nicholas but doesn’t believe she’s worthy or deserving of his affections. Nicholas disagrees and is determined to have her. As Hazard unfolds, he devises a long game to finally claim her heart.
Ms. Riley slowly spins the various plot threads that comprise Hazard, and it’s a complicated and intricate stew of lust, love and treachery. Braxton is fixated on Aristide – determined to regain the two thousand pounds he lost in Paris. His accusations threaten Sinclair’s and although they’re (sort of) true (ha! You weren’t expecting that were you?), he’s an arrogant ass with secrets of his own. He’s a thorn in Aristide’s side throughout the novel; Braxton’s behind the scenes machinations add a dark undercurrent to the two relationships at the forefront of the story. Although Aristide is determined to undermine Braxton and his accusations, he’s distracted by the not-so merry widow Westin who doesn’t appear to recognize him or remember what happened to him seven years earlier.
What often sets Riley’s novels apart from the pack are the marvelous characters who inhabit the pages of her books. The Rockcliffe series is no different. Friends, the Duke of Rockcliffe is yummy – and so are the men who comprise his small group of friends and confidants (yep, they’re all sexy, smart and supremely likeable). The women are similarly great – loving wives, devoted, loyal and kind friends. And although I sometimes feel like this cozy group is a bit too good to be true, it’s always enjoyable to spend time with them. Hazard’s principals – a mix of new (Genevieve) and old (Aristide, Madeleine and Nicholas) – are particularly compelling. Unfortunately, with four of them – and George Braxton – vying for our attention, no one gets quite the attention they deserve. We never learn what happened to Aristide and Madeleine in the intervening seven years – only that they were poor and desperate and that the two thousand pounds he won from Braxton provided their stake to open Sinclair’s. When he becomes acquainted with Genevieve, he’s sophisticated, urbane, and an enigma to everyone – including his friends. Madeleine is sophisticated and savvy when it comes to business, but internally she’s a mess of nerves and self-doubt, and Nicholas struggles to overcome her defenses. Ms. Riley never fills in the gaps in their history – and it’s frustrating. We know a bit more about Nicholas from his appearances in earlier novels – and Hazard simply reinforces how awesome (and frustrated) he is here. But Genevieve and her family are the most intriguing and underdeveloped of all. Her husband was a pig (truly) and Genevieve suffered at his hands – but once Genevieve meets Aristide, her story is subsumed into the relationship that develops between them. Her life is illustrated through the prism of his effect on it – I liked her, but I don’t feel like I know her, and I was puzzled by her relationship to her eldest brother. He seems to hate her… but I’m not sure I totally understood why.
Ms. Riley is a master storyteller. She eventually steers Hazard’s three seemingly unrelated story lines into a surprising and romantic conclusion. It’s a challenging novel to review without spoiling other twists/pleasures, and I wondered how she would bring events to a climax – suffice to say, I was surprised by the precipitating event. But I also felt the ending was a little too abrupt after the slow pace of the novel and I think the author sacrificed some of the romance between her couples in order to bring about a resolution of their relationships. Although much of the physical intimacy is implied and/or takes place off the page (the Rockliffe set is a lusty lot), it supplants the emotional intimacy I wanted and needed from both couples and I missed it.
In spite of those criticisms, however, Hazard is compelling from start to finish. Fans of Rockliffe and his friends and family will find much to love in this novel – and two happily ever afters to sigh over. Romantic and clever, Hazard is another wonderful addition to the Rockliffe series.
December 25, 2018
4.5 stars, and a wonderful finish to the series! As always, Alex Wynham's voice performance was a pure pleasure to listen to. <3
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