"A fast-moving romantic suspense in Regency times"
Reviewed by Clare O'Beara
Posted January 5, 2017
Romance Historical
Marriage proposals and mayhem appear to belong together in
this series full of intrigue called The
Disgraced Lords.
The sixth book in the Regency romance sequence is called A
NIGHT OF FOREVER and it would definitely help if you had
read even one of the earlier books. All the formulaic
ingredients are on hand - balls, carriages, scandal sheets,
reputations - but a wicked stepmother called Victoria has
been making life a misery for Lady Isobel Thompson.
Literally; Isobel was kidnapped in a previous book and the
carriage overturned at speed, injuring her while the real
target of the kidnapping vanished, to the distress of her
friends. Still unwed at twenty, Isobel is in no hurry, because she
has her own fortune left to her by her late father. This
makes her a good match for a rake who is tired of London's
fortune hunters setting their caps at him. Lord Arend
Labourd, a French baron who managed to find riches in a
South American diamond mine, is one of a group of gentlemen
who are opposed to the scheming Victoria - quietly, of
course. He decides that faking a betrothal to Isobel is a
good way to be in her company a lot as they make plans. Each of the couple finds the other's company electrifying
and soon they are taking chances, both to gain information
and to steal time alone. Distraction proves disastrous for
Arend who is knocked out and abducted in his turn. Isobel
has to ask her lady friends to help her after his
disappearance is noticed, and some of them are connected to
Arend's friends, the Libertine Scholars. Arend has made mistakes in his life and has not expected to
want to marry and be faithful, let alone raise a family.
Isobel wants what her upbringing tells her she should want,
a comfortable home, close family and children. Part of the
ongoing tension for the reader is seeing whether the two
can reconcile their different expectations and continue the
false betrothal into a happier life. With many twists and
betrayals, the main plot rides along at a fine gallop, so
be prepared for the odd confusion if it's your first time
meeting the cast and setup. Bronwyn Evans who lives in New
Zealand, has concentrated on a different romance in each
book of the series. A NIGHT OF FOREVER is good fun and
definitely different, a historical romantic suspense for
adult readers.
SUMMARY
Distrust is no match for desire as a proper young miss
and a self-professed rogue hunt down a murderer in this
thrilling Disgraced Lords novel from the USA Today
bestselling author of A Kiss of Lies and A
Taste
of Seduction. Arend Aubury trusts no one besides his fellow Libertine
Scholars. After his family escaped from France, penniless
and persecuted, only the Scholars took him in. So when
the
stepdaughter of the villainess who has been plotting
against
them approaches Arend with allegations against their
enemy,
he suspects a double cross. Yet Isobel is a tantalizing
prize, with lips as sweet as champagne and skin as creamy
as
Camembert. Is she a feast for the senses—or a bitter
trap? Lady Isobel Thompson dreams of marrying an honorable
gentleman with a spotless reputation, a trait that Arend
seems to lack completely. But Isobel believes that her
stepmother is responsible for her father’s death, and
only
Arend has the skills to uncover the truth. As a cover,
Arend
suggests a fake betrothal—and soon Isobel finds herself
forgetting that their courtship is a ploy. He’s so
different
from the man of her fantasies, and yet he’s so terribly
handsome, so dangerously intoxicating—and all Isobel
wants
is more.
ExcerptThank you for notifyihg me about the review it was a
lovely surprise. Here is the requested excerpt:Arend turned back to Isobel. “May I have the pleasure of
this dance, Lady Isobel?” Her eyes narrowed. “Did my stepmother put you up to
this?” Interesting. That response he had not expected. Isobel
was not dazzled by his attention. He appeared to be
losing his touch. He gave her one of his most seductive smiles and took her
gloved hand, running his thumb over her palm. “No. I
spied you from across the room and did not wish to miss
the chance to dance with the most beautiful woman here
tonight.” To his surprise her prickly demeanor did not melt. “I’m sorry,” she said. “But my dance card is full.” She was lying. He knew that, and she knew he knew, or her
partner would be here to take her onto the floor. Annoyance flickered to interest. She’d expect him to do
the polite thing and bow out, did she? Then the lovely
Lady Isobel had a lot to learn about him. Her education
might as well start now. He made a show of glancing around. “It would appear your
partner has been detained.” And he held out his arm.
Unless she caused a scene, there was little she could do
but take it. She did not take it. Instead, she smiled sweetly. “I’m
sorry, Lord Labourd, but I’m sure you’ll understand if I
cry off accepting your . . . kind invitation. My feet are
dreadfully sore. New slippers, I’m afraid. However—” She
turned to her friend. “—I’m sure Lady Cassandra will be
my savior and partner you instead. Since you seem so
eager to dance.” To Arend, the defiance in her gaze, in her stance, was a
challenge incarnate. She might have won this battle but
she would not win the war. Too many people’s lives
depended on his success. The lives of the people he cared
about most. Since he was estranged from the only family
he had left, his vicar brother, he would claw through the
devil’s own flames to protect his friends. A jolt of pure desire sizzled through Arend at the
prospect of pitting his wits against this lovely
adversary. It would be a most challenging seduction. He took a step toward her, so their bodies brushed. She
trembled. It annoyed him how that slight touch aroused
him so swiftly. Isobel moved quickly, almost pushing her thunderstruck
friend forward. Caught by surprise, he caught the other
young lady’s arm so she didn’t fall—and that was how he
found himself escorting the wrong debutante onto the
dance floor. Furious at being outmaneuvered, Arend bit the inside of
his cheek to stop a curse spilling out of his mouth. If Isobel had no secrets, she would not be so determined
to keep him at arm’s length. He was going to uncover
those secrets and do whatever it took to stop Victoria.
Or die trying.
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