In Bed with the Devil

The start of a very good series, The Scoundrels of St. James. Looking through the book by series list I remember reading all the other stories but somehow missed the 1st. The story of a lost lord and the strong woman he gets involved with is not a new trope but the plot of domestic abuse and vengeance murder thrown in with it was new to me at the time and enjoyable now. Love this authors work, just finished her new book a couple of weeks ago. I'd recommend this series, all of the books were an enjoyable character journey.

This was a library loan, thank goodness libraries still exist.

4.5. I started this book this morning, wondering if it was what I wanted to read next. Apparently it was. I can't believe I've managed to read two books in a row that made me cry. That is an accomplishment. Luke and Catherine were so stupid in their love for each other, and I loved it. I loved the literary allusions (what the Dickens!), and now I want to read Oliver Twist soon. And I loved Frannie. I was worried she would be the "bitchy other woman," but she totally wasn't. I'm excited to read her book. I also really appreciated that Heath showed the difficulties for a woman in an abusive relationship. Some of Winnie's problems with not being able to leave are specific to the time, but the general ones aren't--it's so relevant.

Read the show more review on my blog here. show less

Imagine Feagan's tribe from Oliver Twist growing up and becoming respectable adults. This is Lorraine Heath's clever premise, and it works quite well in this book, featuring "Oliver" (here known as Lucien Langdon, the Earl of Claybourne). He's an anguished hero who falls in love with a most proper daughter of a duke. There's love, sex, a little adventure, and a bit of a mystery.

The narration of the audiobook by Susan Ericksen was very good. She handled all of the characters quite well. Antony Ferguson read several entries from the earl's journal, and I would love to hear him do an entire book.

4.5 rounded up because it brought me joy. =) Sometimes the characters were a little slow on the uptake, which is a bit tiring, but I could live with it. Heath did a marvelous job setting up the other books in this series, we got a nice introduction to all of Feagan's children (and some of their future spouses), most with interesting clues about their own backstories. I want to know all about each of them right this moment! ;) And I am already anticipating their own happily ever afters!

In Bed with the Devil
3.5 Stars

Notorious in society for his dubious origins and reputation as a killer, Lucian Langford, or the Devil Earl, is astounded when he is approached by Lady Catherine Mabry with an outrageous request. Nevertheless, he is willing to come to her aid on the condition that she return the favor. As the two set about fulfilling their respective parts of the bargain, they realize that they are bound by more than their agreement.

An enjoyable historical romance although there are some contrived situations and predictable developments. For instance, the references to Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist are obvious, unimaginative and trite.

While the mystery is intense and suspenseful, the resolution is not as satisfying as it show more could have been, and it is clear that this is not the last we've seen of the villain.

In terms of the romance, the story contains a trope that does not usually appeal to me, i.e., the hero believes he is in love with another woman. However, Heath handles this aspect very well and the hero and heroine are both very likable as individuals and as a couple.

All in all, a light and entertaining read and I will continue with the series possibly due to the fact that the hero in the next book, Jack, is quite the anti-hero. show less

Lucian Langdon now an earl, was saved from the streets. The ton thinks he's an impostor and a murderer, and so does he, but the old gentleman who saved Lucien, and believed the boy was his grandson, had no doubts. This book is Victorian, not Regency, but you can barely tell because there's almost no historical detail. Lucius and the heroine, Lady Catherine Mabry, almost met years ago at a ball, and meet again when Catherine seeks him out to persuade him to murder a man who deserves to die. He agrees, if Catherine will promise to train his intended bride, a friend from his days on the streets, to fit into the ton.

The plot is ridiculous but there is no humour, so this book's a failure.

Lady Catherine Mabry is desperate to save her friend from an abusive husband. She approaches Lucian Langdon, Duke of Claybourne, an outsider known to have killed in the past. She asks him to kill someone and they strike a bargain. Claybourne wants her to prepare his love interest for life as a duchess. As Catherine meets with Frannie she begins to learn about this ostracized Duke, raised on the streets as part of a gang thieves, who at 14 killed a lord for raping Frannie, then 12 and is saved from hanging when the old Duke claims him as his lost grandson. The old members of the gang have all had their lives improved by the old duke is some way. A good story involving and unusual group of characters.