Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The Lady Risks All by Stephanie Laurens


See what happens when The Lady Risks All

Neville Roscoe, notorious and enigmatic, lives resolutely outside society, bound only by his own code of honor—until challenged by his desire for the one woman he cannot have.
Miranda Clifford is a lady imprisoned by rigid respectability—until tempted by a passion beyond her power to deny.

Flung together in peril, through danger and intrigue, they discover a love impossible to ignore . . . or keep.

This is a delightful new read from one of my favorite comfort authors. I was worried when I started this book that my expectations would be too high and I would be disappointed, I'm happy to say that I wasn't.

Miranda is not your typical heroine -- she is 29 years old, never married and lives with her aunt and brother. Roderick who is 24 years old. Her aunt is a stickler for not causing any scandal and has raised Miranda and Roderick to "fear" the ton because of the way their family made their money.

Roscoe/Justin is 39 years old and owns a string of gambling halls. He has given up much for the sake of his family who he holds dear to his heart. He comes from a long line of gamblers.

Miranda first meets Roscoe when she follows her brother one night to see where he is off to. She follows him to Roscoe Neville's house and she decides to find out if he's gambling or not and follows him in. She is caught by Roscoe and when asked what she is doing, she answers, "I'm here to rescue my brother." He questions her on the type of "entertaining" she thinks he's running in his own home and suggests that she follow him. She listens in on the meeting and finds out that all the men there including her brother are members of the Philanthropy Guild. Miranda realizes that she owes Roscoe an apology.

A few days later Roderick does not come home and Miranda's worry that something has happened to him and goes to Roscoe house to see if he knows anything about her brother. It's then that they realized after asking questions that Roderick had been kidnapped.

Miranda insists in helping search for her brother especially if he is hurt. The story continues with them tracking down leads and finally finding him and rescuing him. Roscoe decides to take him to his family estate....were we learn who Roscoe really is. His family opens their home and their hearts to Miranda and Roderick who when they found him has a broken foot and a collarbone. Miranda wonders why everyone is calling Roscoe - Julian, but it's not for his family to tell his story. When they return to London, Roscoe and Miranda go their separate way but he will continue to look for the man who kidnapped Roderick. I do not want to give too much away on whom the villain is but I love the way Miranda decides not to be afraid of scandal and surprises Roscoe by proclaiming her love for him first.

This is truly a wonderful love story with the Roscoe denying his true feelings for Miranda and Miranda fighting for what she wants. There are numerous sex scenes that were well written and a secondary story between Roderick and Sarah who is a cousin to Roscoe. The Delbraith family is outgoing and friendly and everyone truly loves Julian. His sister-in-law Caroline who we meet in the Prologue has a totally different opinion of Julian now and her son Henry is a young man wanting to learn everything he can from Julian who is his joint guardian. Ms. Lauren's again does not disappoint me and brings back several members of the Bastion Club.

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.


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