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.