Series: Rakes Beyond Redemption (Book 3)
Riordan Barrett: Last Rake Standing
With his comrade rakes-in-arms succumbing to respectability, anyone
might think that wicked Riordan Barrett is next. But such happy endings
aren't for him -- the whole of society knows there isn't a redeemable
bone in his sinfully sexy body.
Suddenly Riordan finds himself not only an earl…but father to two young
wards! His only experience is in the art of irresponsibility.
This rake needs help -- and hiring a young, pretty governess won't be such a hardship!
Sweet, innocent Maura Caulfield is the only lady in London seemingly
unaware of Riordan's disreputable ways. But it won't stay like that for
long. He'll show her just how much fun sinning can be….
Good book. Maura is on the run from a man that her uncle wants her to marry. She has come to London to get away and takes a job as governess to Riordan's wards - their sixth governess in just a few weeks. She was warned that he's a rake, but wasn't expecting him to be so young and handsome. She tries to get the children into some kind of routine, but is constantly thwarted by Riordan who likes to spend time with them and take them on outings. She also tries to resist the attraction she feels for him, knowing that nothing can come of it. She soon comes to realize that she has fallen in love with him. Maura fears that her uncle will find her and force her into the marriage. When she and the children are kidnapped she must depend on him for rescue. Riordan is the last of his friends to be unmarried. He has thoroughly enjoyed his reputation and taken advantage of it. When his brother dies and he is left as guardian for two young children he has to step up. He has had several nannies for them, but between his reputation and the exuberance of the children, none of them have lasted. When Maura arrives to take her chance he is immediately attracted to her and tries to figure out how to take advantage of it. He also discovers that she is very good with the children and gives them the love and structure that they need. He also finds that Maura's presence soothes his guilty feelings over the death of his brother. When his custody of the children is threatened, he enlists her help to keep them. When they are kidnapped he calls on his friends (from How to Disgrace a Lady and How to Ruin a Reputation) to assist him in saving the day. He also realizes that he loves her for herself and not just to help the children.
Series: Rakes Beyond Redemption (Book 2)
Ashton Bedevere: renowned libertine who can ruin a reputation quicker than other gentlemen can drink their brandy. After years in Italy, honing his skills in the delicious art of
seduction, Ashe returns to London's high-class establishments --
preceded, of course, by his reputation for lavish opulence and unashamed
wickedness.
Then his scandalous ways are abruptly ended by his father's death. To
claim what is rightfully his, notorious lothario Ashe must do the
inconceivable -- take a wife!
But who could possibly even think about marrying such a man? Certainly
not the lovely Genevra Ralston. After all, she'd be finished in polite
society. Wouldn't she? Yet Ashe's notorious charm and practiced touch
could prove irresistible….
Very good book. When Ashe returns home after his father's death he is dismayed to find out that to have control of the estate, he must marry Genevra. He doesn't want to marry, but he will do so to save his home. He and Neva are immediately attracted to each other but there are things keeping them apart. There is also the mystery of why the estate's funds disappeared so rapidly, and who is behind the problems. I really liked both Ashe and Neva. Ashe had stayed away from the estate and his father because of an argument they had had when he was twenty. When he came back to his home he was filled with guilt and swore to make things right. At first he didn't trust Neva, but soon came to learn that she had been a great support to his family. He also quickly realized that his intense attraction to her could be a good thing, though he came on a little strong at first. I liked the way that he tried to protect her from his cousin. It took him awhile to realize that the happiness and contentment he felt with Neva was love, and almost left it too late. Neva was a good strong woman. She was a widow who had discovered too late in her marriage that her husband had been a fortune hunter and swore never to be in that position again. She had purchased the estate next to Ashe's and had plans to turn it into a home for women. She had become friends with Ashe's father and was stunned to find that she had inherited part of the trusteeship of the estate. She was not happy about her attraction to Ashe because she compared him to her late husband. After some time she realized he was different, that there was a good man under the rake on the surface. When he proposed a business marriage she accepted, and soon discovered she was falling for him. I liked the way that she was able to help him with the estate, and also that she cared enough to get him to talk about his past. I really enjoyed the final resolution to the mystery, though I felt bad for Ashe's brother. I'm looking forward to the final book in the series.
Series: Rakes Beyond Redemption (Book 1)
Merrick's season of outrageous scandal has taken a
challenging turn. Caught in a -- far less than usually -- compromising
situation with Lady Alixe Burke, this so-called gentleman is tasked by
her father with making his daughter marriageable!
Lady Alixe, more happy in the library than the ballroom, is most
definitely left-on-the-shelf material. He'll never walk away from a
wager, but Merrick's expertise extends way beyond society etiquette.
Never before entrusted with a woman's modesty, Merrick sets about
teaching her everything he knows…
Fun book. Merrick was at the house party to escape some of his more scandalous behavior. Then he was caught with Alixe, thought it wasn't quite compromising enough to force marriage. Alixe's father required that Merrick simply pay enough attention to her to make her more interesting to more suitable men. Alixe has purposely made herself unappealing. She is much happier doing her historical research and translating and has no interest in being some man's trophy. She isn't happy about her father's decree, but has to go along with it. As they spend time together, Merrick finds that he's enjoying his time with Alixe, and she finds that life outside the library can be pretty interesting. I ended up really liking both Merrick and Alixe. Merrick starts out showing his irresponsibility and rakish tendency. When he first encounters Alixe, he is naked from swimming in a pond. He is intrigued by her lack of squeamishness, and continues his flirtation later when he meets her again. I loved the way that Merrick starts to forget his rake persona when he talks to her about her studies and gets involved in what she is doing. He is still determined to help her find the "right" husband, since he feels he would never be suitable. I really enjoyed the way he got her to wear different clothes, and the way she got her revenge. As the time goes on it becomes obvious that he is falling for her, though he doesn't want to admit it. Alixe is pretty smart in the way she has tried to arrange her life. She knows what she does and doesn't want and isn't afraid to go after it. She has purposely dressed and acted in a way to discourage suitors. She enjoyed her time in the library with Merrick, when she discovered that there was more to him than she had suspected. When she gets stuck with having "lessons" from him she isn't happy about it, but decides to make the best of it. She finds that she enjoys his company, and that he tends to bring out the fun side of her. She falls in love with him, but doesn't believe that he can change enough to be a good husband. When her father picks an unscrupulous man to marry her Merrick has to be able to step up. I think my favorite thing about this book was the banter between Merrick and Alixe. They played off each other beautifully. I loved the finale to this book.
