The Duke and the Lady in Red by Lorraine Heath Series: Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #3
Published by Avon Books
Publication Date: April 29th, 2015
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 390
Source: Publisher
Format: eARC
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Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
Sparks fly in the finale of the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Place series, as the last wicked rogue meets his match.
When Rosalind Sharpe gains the attention of the deliciously wicked Duke of Avendale, she’s torn between her distracting attraction to the notorious rogue and the knowledge that he—rich as Croesus—is the perfect target for a deception that will put her swindling days behind her.
However, Avendale is no fool. After he discovers the tantalizing lady packing up to leave London with his coins in tow, he confronts her with a scandalous proposition: she can have all the money she requires…for a week in his bed.
Desperate for the funds, Rose agrees, but on one condition: he must never question her motives. Avendale quickly sees beneath her mask and discovers she is more than passion and pleasure—she is everything he has ever desired. But claiming her requires he unveil her secrets and lose her forever. Unless he can put his own dark past aside and risk everything for a chance at love.
Rosalind Sharpe is a con artist and on the hunt for her next mark when she meets the Duke of Avendale and decides that he would make a perfect target. From their first meeting the attraction between them burns and Rosalind is torn between yielding to her body’s urges and carrying out her con. Duke of Avendale has always enjoyed his dalliances with women who know the score and want the same thing as him – a short-term liaison – until he sets his eyes on Rosalind. He is determined to have her and her reluctance makes her even more appealing. The Duke is no fool and knows that she is hiding something and when he catches her red-handed, her makes her an attractive offer: a large amount of money for one week of pleasure.
Miss Heath has written a very moving story, with enjoyable and likable characters. Rosalind is a very fascinating, unconventional and complex heroine and I did not like her at the beginning of the story but as the story went on, her layers were peeled back to show a woman who is both fierce and vulnerable, innocent and worldly. Rosalind took to life as a con artist to for altruistic reasons and will do anything to protect her family. The Duke of Avendale has his own secrets but being with Rosalind exposes a gentle and kindhearted side to him. Soon what was intended as a quick affair becomes so much more. Rosalind gets a taste of what her life could be like, if she had a partner to share it with.
THE DUKE AND THE LADY IN RED is a very emotional tale of unconditional love and may bring a tear to the reader’s eye.
SERIES ORDER
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About Lorraine Heath
Lorraine Heath always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals and computer code, but something was always missing. After reading a romance novel, she not only became hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She’s been writing about them ever since. Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards, including RWA’s RITA® and a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her novels have appeared on the USA Today and New York Times best-seller lists.
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