2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

This Knight of the Crown is driven by a painful past and a patient fury… and his entire life is a lie.

Sir Carlton Morley is famously possessed of extraordinary will, singular focus, and a merciless sense of justice. As a man, he secured his fortune and his preeminence as Scotland Yard's ruthless Chief Inspector. As a decorated soldier, he was legend for his unflinching trigger finger, his precision in battle, and his imperturbable strength. But as a boy, he was someone else. A twin, a thief, and a murderer, until tragedy reshaped him.

Now he stalks the night, in search of redemption and retribution, vowing to never give into temptation, as it's just another form of weakness.

Until temptation lands—quite literally—in his lap, taking the form of Prudence Goode.

Prim and proper Pru is expected to live a life of drudgery, but before she succumbs to her fate, she craves just one night of desire. On the night she searches for it, she stumbles upon a man made of shadows, muscle and wrath… And decides he is the one.

When their firestorm of passion burns out of control, Morley discovers, too late, that he was right. The tempting woman has become his weakness.

A weakness his enemies can use against him.

Setting
London, England

Prologue
20 Chapters
Epilogue

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Carlton Morley: aka Cutter Morley. Scotland Yard chief inspector. He’s also the Shadow of Night.
Prudence (Pru) Goode: Second oldest daughter of a baron who is engaged to marry a man she recently discovered has been unfaithful throughout their relationship.
Honoria Mosby: Pru’s sister, a viscountess, married to William.
William Mosby: Viscount Woodhaven, married to Honoria. He’s George’s best friend.
Mercy Goode: Pru’s younger sister.
Felicity Goode: Pru’s younger sister.
Lord Goode: Patriarch of the Goode siblings.
Lady Goode: Matriarch of the Goode siblings.
Caroline Morley: Carlton’s 15-year old sister who was murdered when they lived on the streets.
Ashton (Ash) Weatherstroke: aka The Rook. Earl of Southbourne, married to Lorelai. He’s the real Dorian Blackwell that Dougal and Carleton had thought murdered in Newgate prison.
Lorelai Weatherstroke: Married to Ash. She rescued him and nursed him back to life when he was found almost lifeless near the cemetery where he’d been left to die.
William (Liam) Mackenzie: Marquess of Ravencroft, ninth laird and thane of clan Mackenzie of Wester Ross. He’s known as the Demon Highlander. He’s the father of two, Andrew and Rhianna. He’s massive with black hair and black eyes.
Philomena (Mena) St. Vincent Mackenzie: aka Philomena Lockhart. Former Viscountess Benchley, who was married to Gordon Benchley. He had her involuntarily institutionalized at Belle Glen Asylum. She was secretly rescued and implanted as the governess at Ravencroft. She’s now married to Liam.
Rhianna Mackenzie: Liam’s daughter.
Andrew Mackenzie: Liam’s 17-year old son.
Colleen Mackenzie: Liam’s deceased wife and mother of his two children. She was Gavin’s first love and committed suicide.
Dorian Blackwell, Lord Northwalk: Referred to as the Blackheart of Ben More. Head of a notorious criminal enterprise. He is really Dougan Mackenzie, Liam’s half brother, and assumed the real Dorian Blackwell’s identity when he was murdered at Newgate. He’s married to Farah and father of their infant daughter Faye. He and Farah had a fast handed marriage when he was Dougan.
Farah Leigh Mackenzie Blackwell, Lady Northwalk: She’s married to Dorian and mother of their daughter, Faye. She was formerly a clerk at Scotland Yard under Morley.
Faye Marie Blackwell: Farah and Dorian’s infant daughter.
Christopher Argent: Assassin who worked for Dorian Blackwell and now works for Scotland Yard. He’s married to Millie and adopted Jakub. He’s extremely tall with auburn hair and pale blue eyes.
Millie LeCour Argent: aka Millicent Karolina Lapinski. Stage actress and mother of 9-year old son, Jakub. She’s engaged to Christopher. She has black hair and dark eyes.
Jakub LeCour Argent: Millie’s 9-year old son who Christopher adopted.
The Rook: Pirate and yet unnamed smuggler.
Gavin (Thorne) St. James: Earl of Thorne, Liam’s half brother. He’s a Mackenzie but carries his mother’s family’s title. He is the foreman at Ravencroft Distillery. He’s married to Samantha.
Samantha (Sam) St. James: Young widow from America who assumed Alison Ross’s identity at her request after saving her from death by husband Bennett’s hand. She’s married to Gavin. She has dark hair and blue eyes.
Laird Hamish Mackenzie, the elder: Gavin and Liam’s deceased, cruel father.
Hamish Mackenzie, the younger: Gavin and Liam’s brother, deceased. He was hanged for treason.
George Hamby-Forsyth: Sixth Earl of Sutherland. He’s Pru’s fiancé.
Amanda Brighton: One of Pru’s oldest friends.
Jessica Morton: One of George’s lovers. (hide spoiler)]

I finished, a solid 4 stars for me. It had the potential to be my favorite of the series, but it felt rushed to me.

I’m listening to it now. Off to a good start, though.

Next up for me. I'll start soon.

I'll be starting it soon also.

I just finished this one, and it was a solid 4 stars for me, too. I look forward to discussion.