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FORBIDDEN (Regency Lovers 4) is the 4th book in Amazon #1 & USA Today Bestselling Author, Carole Mortimer’s, historical romance series, Regency Lovers. Author’s The books in the Regency Lovers series are steaming hot. You have been warned! They met in fire, burning with a passion for each other, but when the truth is known will their love turn to ashes? Eleven years ago Lord Zachary Noble, the Earl of Harrogate, was involved in a scandal which rocked Society. It resulted in the loss of his reputation and being ostracized and held in contempt by those who mattered to him. His best friend. His family. No woman would even consider marrying him. All of it gone because of the false accusation levelled at him by a young woman he barely knew. All these years later Zachary’s good name has at last been restored to him after the real culprit is finally found and punished for the crime. Lady Rissa Spencer is very like her father, Magnus, the Duke of Weston, in that she is both determined and steadfast once she sets her very stubborn mind on something, or someone. And she has set her heart on Zachary. Zachary appreciates that Rissa is beautiful, as well as vivacious and intelligent, but she is also the very last woman he should ever allow himself to fall in love with. Nor will Rissa wish for his love once she becomes aware that the scandal in Zachary’s past is connected to her family and the stepmother she adores. Unfortunately the past has a way of intruding into the present, and when it seems Rissa’s very life might be in danger, Zachary is determined to protect her. No matter what the cost. Regency Lovers INDECENT (Regency Lovers 1) OBSESSION (Regency Lovers 2) CRAVING (Regency Lovers 3) FORBIDDEN (Regency Lovers 4) SURRENDER (Regency Lovers 5) More books to come in this HOT new Regency Series. Steele Protectors – A HOT New Contemporary Romantic Suspense Series LOGAN (Steele Protectors 1) ATTICUS (Steele Protectors 2) ROURKE (Steele Protectors 3) BRYCE (Steele Protectors 4) More books to come in this HOT Contemporary Romantic Suspense Series Also ALPHA Series – Bks 1-8 Regency Unlaced – Bks 1-9 Regency Sinners – Bks 1-8 Dragon Hearts – Bks 1-7 Carole Mortimer has written over 240 books in Regency, Contemporary, and Paranormal romance. In 2015 she became the Recipient of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She was awarded a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in 2017. She is an Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Romance Author—ever. A 2014 Romantic Times Pioneer of Romance author. She was also recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012, for her “outstanding service to literature”.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2019

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About the author

Carole Mortimer

1,324 books914 followers
I have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.

I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.

I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man

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5 stars
61 (36%)
4 stars
55 (32%)
3 stars
35 (20%)
2 stars
12 (7%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Vashti.
1,254 reviews29 followers
March 3, 2019
Lite historical romance with a spicy edge,but I did not feel the " historical" aspect of the times the story took place in.
I could have strangled the heroine each and every time words came out of her mouth,a " modern miss".I really hate when a historical character does not have the characteristics of said era ,instead they are " modern".
38 reviews3 followers
March 3, 2019
It was good but i enjoyed the others in the series much more. this was a bit laid back.
Profile Image for Elaine.
4,748 reviews93 followers
April 2, 2019
I love this series, and love reading Carole Mortimer. Always enjoyable, sexy and entertaining.
5☆
1,382 reviews4 followers
March 31, 2020
Psychotic more like

Royston makes another visit in this story and sadly seems to take front and center. Clarissa/Angel is the stepdaughter of Sophia from the previous story so now becomes a target to the psychotic machinations of Royston. There is a love story here, it just seems to take a back seat to the drama and Clarissa's temper. Overall quality of writing was good, I just preferred the first three stores over this one. No cheating or cliffhanger and you get a happy ending.
Profile Image for Oz007.
295 reviews
March 18, 2019
Nice short read

Zachary and Rissa's story is an easy short read - less than 2hours. Zach rescues Rissa, they develop romantic feelings, there's a roving baddie on the loose and a spot of spanking (only foreplay, no detailed sex play in this book)! Story covers a short timeframe. The book manages to setup book5 story with Clara and Ezra.

I bought the book on pre-order. I do not envisage reading anymore books in the series. Too short for me.
2,451 reviews11 followers
March 23, 2019
Perfection!
Another amazingly good, hot story of love, intrigue and a really cruel villain.
I loved the unusual beginning, the fascinating middle and the perfectly romantic ending.
It is well written in Carole Mortimer's unique style that is an easy to read, fast paced page turner and I am very happy to recommend it.
Profile Image for Ltlmer2.
662 reviews19 followers
March 26, 2019
Nothing really wrong, but just ok

I didnt like Rissa. She constantly complained of being treated like a child, but constantly acted idiotic and impulsive and petulant...and annoying. For once, I felt spanking her was completely warranted and appropriate. Also, the villainy is heavy handed and contrived and then resolves to easily. Not one of her best.
Profile Image for Lynn Smith.
2,047 reviews37 followers
August 17, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this 4th book in her Regency lovers series of Lord Zachary Noble and Magnus's (hero of book 3) daughter Rissa despite my irritation with the out of context explicitness of language.
Profile Image for Margaret.
3,463 reviews34 followers
May 3, 2020
Out of the past

Rescued from a fire by Lord Zachery Noble, Lady Rissa Spencer is instantly smitten, but then so is he. He calls her Angel, but knows they will have no future together, until evil returns and threatens their happiness. Very entertaining series.
302 reviews3 followers
June 29, 2022
Zachary and Angel

LOVED it, I must admit I am enjoying these as each book flows easily into the other.
Always exciting and lots of action.
362 reviews
June 27, 2022
Nice reading

I enjoy how the author takes some of the other characters from the first book and introduced them in the other books.
Profile Image for Sheila Melo.
1,877 reviews54 followers
March 21, 2019
FINAL DECISION: I enjoyed this story which really felt like a continuation of the previous book in the series. There is plenty of insta-love here, but that aside, the story was enjoyable. I wanted more heat to the story, however.

THE STORY: When Zachary Nobel, Earl of Harrogate, saves the life of Lady Rissa Spencer, he finds himself entranced by the young outspoken woman. But just when he begins to think of romance between them, he discovers that her stepmother is the woman he was accused of raping a decade ago. Even though he was eventually cleared of the crime, he doesn't have much hope that Rissa's father will welcome him as a suitor for his daughter. But when a common enemy from the past reappears, Zachary is determined to protect the woman he calls his Angel.

OPINION: I liked this story primarily because I really enjoyed the prior book in the series and this one was closely related. I liked seeing characters I knew from that book again and for two of them to get their own happy ending.

This is a novella length story and thus there is some insta-love involved. Zachary and Rissa are quickly involved but then the story actually starts. One negative is that Zachary seemed somewhat younger than his chronological age. Positives are that I enjoyed the story because it was intertwined with the closure from the prior book.

I also liked that this was a quick and easy read. For fans of the prior book, this one is a great addition.

There is plenty of foreplay in this book, but no actual consummation "on stage" which was a bit of a disappointment. I needed one more chapter.

WORTH MENTIONING: There are appearances from Sophia and Magnus from CRAVING.

CONNECTED BOOKS: FORBIDDEN is the fourth book in the Regency Lovers series. Although it is a standalone, it is closely connected to the third book in the series CRAVING so I recommend reading at least these two in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

 This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
Profile Image for Richard .
1,075 reviews4 followers
September 26, 2023
Good characters, daft plot making the hero seem like a bit of an idiot
Profile Image for Yessenia.
414 reviews13 followers
March 4, 2019
2 stars 🔪🔪

I didn't like this one so much. Why? Here's my manifest:
✘ I don't know why it's called forbidden. I don't see why it'd be if she's 18 and at that time they married very young so why then? Because she's Sophia's stepdaughter? If everything it's resolved about the crime why would it be forbidden?
✘ Besides the clothes, I didn't get the historical feeling.
✘ Rissa was one of the most annoying female protagonists I've ever found. That's why I stayed away from historical at first until I found females with a brain. She's all I was educated by Sophia in her school about how a woman should be independent blah blah blah..., but then she does and says childish things. Independent doesn't mean careless.
✘ Zachary wasn't above reproach either. Sometimes, he also acted like a child.
✘ There is witty banter and there is stupid banter. For the life of me!, when these two started, I wanted to strangle them, especially Rissa.
✘ Sorry but it was a little corny for my liking especially the first chapter, I thought I was reading a verse. And the "angel" nickname...It felt awkward him saying it.
✘ And last, if you give me two or three scenes where they get naughty but nothing really happens. I expect you to give me the main course and not just tell me they were very satisfied after. I prefer no naughtiness then. I can enjoy a clean historical too.
I'll give next book an opportunity which, I suppose, is about Clara. Only for you, Ezra.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews