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The Ruin of a Rogue
By: Miranda Neville
Avon Romance
Releasing August 27th, 2013
Charm, wit, and nerves of steel have helped Marcus Lithgow gamble his way across the Continent. But when his heart is at stake, all bets are off for this most perfect of rogues...
Anne Brotherton is tired of being an heiress. Why can’t men like her for her sharp mind and kind heart rather than her impressive dowry? When she meets Marcus Lithgow she thinks she's found the right man, until she learns he's nothing but an unscrupulous fortune hunter.
It's been years since Marcus set foot in England—why toy with the ton when he can fleece wealthy fools in Paris and Rome? Everything changes when he inherits a ramshackle estate. Marcus's first and only chance at a respectable life needs funding...the kind Anne Brotherton can provide. Such a wallflower should be ripe for the picking. So why does Marcus feel like he's the one hanging by a thread?
She nearly falls for Marcus's smooth seduction. But when Anne realizes she's being strung along, a lust for revenge empowers her like never before. Two can play at the game of deception. The game of love, however, has its own rules...
Miranda Neville will always be one of my favorite Historical Romance authors, and The Ruin of a Rogue adds to the reason why.
I always believe that there is always something good in people. Despite the fact that Marcus Lithgow had gambled his way across the continent and he’s now seeking a wife because of her fortune – there must be something, anything that could redeem him. It didn’t help that his scoundrel of a father died, left him a title without anything attached to it, and his funds are dwindling. Then suddenly, an uncle had given him a second chance when he passed off an almost dilapidated estate, with no servants and no expected income. It was more of a problem than a solution – but it was his. For the first time in his life, he had something.
Anne Brotherton has something that makes her attractive to the male specie – her vast fortune. It didn’t matter if she were beautiful, kind, and wise – because apparently her dowry was more important. When she met Marcus, she thought he was different. After all, he conversed with her and seems to enjoy their small talks. Or was she mistaken? The moment she heard that she was being played for a fool, she was mad. She was in for revenge – two can play this game.
I love the two characters, especially Marcus. Throughout the novel, we can see him change gradually – perhaps it was because of love, or what he experienced when he stayed at Hinton Manor. It wasn’t forced or rushed, which makes the change more believable. Anne – you have to think twice before you get into her bad side. I had fun reading her ‘revenge’ against Marcus. I can just imagine how hard it was for her since she was really softhearted and was never mean. She was brave to act on her feelings and follow her passion. Although an heiress, she didn’t mind to get dirty. Instead, she savored her new discovery, and her newfound emotion.
The Ruin of a Rogue is the second installment of The Wild Quartet series. The novel will surprise you with its twist and turns you that haven’t seen coming. The pacing was perfect, the romance was great, and the scenes were never a bore. A story of deceit, desperation, and true love – The Ruin of a Rogue allows us to believe that love can change a person.
RATING:
*ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.
“Did he ever kiss you?”
“No.” The answer was more a breath than a word. Her eyes grew large and lovely and her lips parted, just enough to emit a breath. Gently he cupped her cheek. He lowered his head and brought his mouth to hers. He found her as pliant yet firm as he’d suspected, and every bit as sweet. In her inexperienced way she kissed him back. It wasn’t much of a kiss, little more than a mingling of breath, and he wanted more. His fingers found the wild pulse at her temple, threaded into the hair she wore firmly coiled about her head. Closing his eyes, he let her scent and taste and the texture of her lips wash over him. She felt clean and pure. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to discover the body hidden by ill-fitting layers of wool, and most of all to kiss her properly, until she was gasping and crying out for more.
Her untouched enthusiasm touched him, and shamed him too. A man like Marcus Lithgow had no business with this artless girl.
Too bad. He needed her and he couldn’t afford scruples.
Purchase Links
Miranda
Neville grew up in England before moving to New York City to work in Sotheby's
rare books department. After many years as a journalist and editor she decided
writing fiction was more fun. She lives in Vermont.
(TWO Backlist Paperbacks from Miranda, Winner’s Choice)
Ahh that snippet was awesome!!! Thanks
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