THE WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE is Book six in Christina
Brooke's Ministry of Marriage series. I feel that
this
book can be enjoyed without having read the previous books
in this series. The series follows the men and women who
have grown up with the Duke of Montford as their guardian.
It's not a traditional family but I think it's stronger for
what they've had to go through in life. Even with wealth
and a title, the Westruther orphans have each had their
share of pain and tragedy. I love how they all pulled
together to support one of their own toward the end of the
book. The hero in THE WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE -- Xavier
Westruther, Marquis of Steyne -- is no exception. His mother
is like the evil queen in a fairytale.
Xavier and Alexandra, later known as Lizzie Allbright, are
first united by the wicked machinations of their black-
hearted parents in marriage. Eight years later, and after
Lizzie's flight to the country, they become connected by
something more. I enjoyed the complexity of these
characters. They both have many layers to their
personalities. They are both people who have been damaged
to some degree. Xavier had a truly awful, unfeeling mother
and Lizzie's father was equally as cruel. I think part of
the reason Lizzie was able to heal a little more than
Xavier, was because of the loving home of her adopted
parents and the friends and peace she finds in the little
community of Little Thurston. By comparison, Xavier had his
sister and some friends but not quite the therapeutic
setting that Lizzie had.
The first part of THE WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE revolves around
Xavier and Lizzie dancing around each other and being
seduced by each other intellectually. I liked that the
story is told from both points of view, allowing readers to
get a glimpse at their true feelings. Xavier is very much a
tall, dark, sexy anti-hero. However, Christina Brooke makes
him more than that as well. He shows vulnerability in THE
WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE that was not evident from his
appearances in the previous book. Lizzie is also more than
she appears to be on the surface. She is very much the good
girl and the epitome of the vicar's daughter that her
adopted father encouraged her to be. However, through the
course of the book, we also see a hidden spine of steel and
ferocity when it comes to protecting those she cares about.
THE WICKEDEST LORD ALIVE is full of delicious sexual
tension, complex characters, a heartless villainess, and
great story-telling. I loved the supporting characters like
Lydgate, and Clare Beauchamp and her brother Tom. I look
forward to reading more books in this series.
Eight years ago, a tall handsome stranger entered Lizzie
Allbright’s bedchamber and consummated a marriage of the
utmost necessity. The Marquis of Steyne had agreed to wed
and bed Lord Bute’s admittedly lovely daughter to pay off
his mother’s gambling debts. But once the deed was done,
Steyne’s lawfully-wedded wife vanished into the night…
LEAD TO EVERLASTING LOVE?
Years later, Steyne has nearly forgotten about his runaway
bride. But when he suddenly finds himself in need of an
heir, he has no choice but to track her down. Living happily
in a small village under an assumed name, Lizzie is
surprised to see her husband—and to feel such a strong
attraction to him. But she is downright shocked when he asks
her to bear him a son. How can they possibly repeat the
heated encounter of their ill-fated wedding night…without
falling hopelessly in love?...in The Wickedest Lord Alive.
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