To Wed a Wild Lord
4 Stars

The story begins where the previous installment left off, with Virginia Waverly blaming Gabriel Sharpe for her brother's death during a dangerous carriage race. Gabriel's guilt over the death of his friend, together with Virginia's limited prospects, motivates him to propose marriage. Determined to win her hand, Gabriel makes an offer that Virginia cannot refuse and sets them both on a path that may lead to either love or mutual destruction.

Gabriel and Virginia are an appealing couple as, despite their conflict, they actually bring out the best in one another. Virginia encourages Gabriel to see the man he truly is behind his daredevil faƧade while he forces her to strive for what she really wants in life - love and a family of her own.

That said, their initial animosity is resolved too quickly once they begin spending time together, and it is difficult to accept Virginia's sudden willingness to forgive, especially considering Gabriel's refusal to discuss the tragedy. The eventual resolution to the issue also feels contrived as it could so easily have been resolved if Pierce had simply spoken up about his conversation with Roger.

The minor secondary romance between Gabriel's manipulative grandmother and Virginia's grumpy grandfather is endearing, and the obvious love and affection between the Sharpe siblings is delightful.

On a final note, it is once again disappointing that there is very little development in the ongoing investigation into the deaths of Gabriel's parents. It appears that Jeffries will be leaving the lion's share of this for the final book focusing on the youngest Sharpe sibling, Celia, and Bow Street runner, Jackson Pinter. Hopefully, the mystery will finally be resolved. ( )

"4 out of 5 stars! "To Wed a Wild Lord" is a sweet, mysterious, and romantic novel about two families trying..."

Read more of this review and TWO TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2011/10/feasted-on-hellions-of-halstea... ( )

The story was so fantastic I wished this book would never end!

Gabriel Sharpe, The Angel of Death, is the youngest of the Sharpe brothers and a racing hellion who puts his life on the line every chance he gets. After the death of his parents as a boy and the tragic racing death of his friend Roger, Gabriel challenges death with a cold fury.

Backed into a corner by his Grandmother's requirement he marry or he and his siblings will loose the inheritance, Gabriel sets out to woo the young Virginia Wavely, Roger's sister who blames Gabe for his death. Gabe feels he owes it to Roger's memory to provide for his sister, but little does he realize just how much Virginia will change his life.

In an attempt to avenge her brother's death, Virginia challenges Gabe to a race, which Gabe accepts with a life altering bet. If Virginia were to win the race, Gabe will race her again on the course which took her brother's life. If Gabe were to win, Virginia must accept his courting her. Little do they both know that what rides on this challenge is not just their pride, but also their hearts.

The romance is sizzling and steamy. Gabe is a hero worth swooning over and Virginia is a feisty, intelligent, laudable heroine. Their passion and exchanges keep this novel a page turner. In addition, the plot to solve the Sharpe parents' murders progresses forward as more clues are unraveled, and an unexpected family member also finds love in the strangest of places.

This novel is a must read for any romance novel fans! ( )

Another excellent entry in Jeffries Hellions of Halstead Hall series. I was extremely curious about Gabriel and Virginia after the previous book, when Virginia challenged Gabriel to a race. Although the story took a turn I didn't expect, it was engaging and entertaining.



( )

This was a cute story, not the best in the series but pretty good. ( )