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Saturday, June 1, 2013

#Author Feature and Book #Review: What A Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling

This story has wonderful characters, fun dialogue and good conflict that makes it engaging.
What a Wicked Earl Wants (Sinful Scoundrels)
by Vicky Dreiling


  • Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Forever (May 28, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1455522872
  • ISBN-13: 978-1455522873
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Release date: May 28, 2013 | Series: Sinful Scoundrels
WILL A RAKE'S WICKED WAYS
Andrew Carrington, Earl of Bellingham, believes in being a gentleman, whether it's fishing a soggy stranger out of the Thames or assisting a fetching lady into his bed. If the stranger becomes a friend and the lady a mistress, all the better. He certainly welcomes the opportunity to help Laura Davenport, a dazzling young widow with a rebellious stepson. Her gratitude, he hopes, will take an amorous form. But from the moment he sets foot in her drawing room, he gets far more than he bargained for ...
LEAD THE LADY ASTRAY?
It was a moment of desperation. On the brink of losing her stepson, Laura turned to the notorious Lord Bellingham for help. Suddenly she, a vicar's daughter, is in the precarious position of resisting his tantalizing advances. How Bell earned his wicked reputation is clear; the surprise is how much more there is to him than the gossip sheets could possibly reveal. Now every moment with this dangerously desirable man puts Laura's good name at risk-and promises pleasure unlike any she has ever known ...


Review:
Andrew is a notorious rake who has vowed never to marry. He lost his parents and younger brother to an accident when he was away at University. Although he has never thought it through he apparently figures if he doesn’t get close to anyone he can’t suffer the pain of loss. So all of his relationships are superficial and that is the way he likes it.

Laura is a young widow with a teenage stepson. She loved her husband, although he was twenty four years older. When he became sick shortly after their marriage Laura cared for him through his illness and became mother to young Justin. Justin is now 17 and pushing the boundaries with the wrong friends. He is drinking, carousing and staying out all night.

Andrew, the Earl of Bellington and known as "Bell" is attracted to the beautiful widow. He spots her son hiding a flask at a ball. The next day he calls on Laura to return the flask. They are interrupted by a visit of the boy's uncle and guardian, Montclief, who threatens to take Justin away if he discovers he is misbehaving. In an effort to assure Montclief that she can handle the boy, and he will have male guidance, Laura announces that she and Andrew are engaged.

The attraction between them sizzles but Laura has no plans to marry again. If she did she would want a forever kind of man, not a short term love. Andrew realizes that Laura, as a Vicar’s daughter, is not a woman to dally with. But Andrew allowed the pretend engagement and has committed to help with Justin. The pair spend time together allowing a friendship to grow. The proximity becomes hard to resist and Laura begins to think she will regret it if she doesn’t follow her heart and at least have a short time with Andrew.

I really liked Laura and Andrew. The chemistry between them is wonderful and the dialogue is playful and fun. Montclief’s threat and the emotional walls of the couple keep the story interesting as it moves along. Montclief is a good villain and Laura's friend, Lady Atherton, is lovely secondary character. There is some sexual interaction but it is only a small element of the story that is much richer by reason of the well developed characters and conflict. The story is engaging and the love that grows is sweet and full. I recommend this to romance readers who love it when a rake falls in love! I look forward to more books in this series.

I received this book from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.
I am happy to be participating in a Blog tour for this title and The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore.


Vicky shares her TOP 5 Favorite Period Actresses with us:
1.       Jennifer Ehle in BBC version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
2.       Emma Thompson in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
3.       Kate Winslet in SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
4.       Gwynneth Paltrow in EMMA
5.       Maggie Smith as the Dowager Duchess in DOWNTON ABBEY (I just love the outspoken matriarchs!)


Learn more about Vicky at:
VickyDreiling.com
Twitter @vickydreiling
Facebook.com/vicky.dreiling

11 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this review with us. This story sounds like something that I would enjoy reading. I have added it my list to get.

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  2. Thanks for your review. I love Vicky's work and I'm looking forward to getting a copy of her latest book.

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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  3. How fun! I really liked this author's debut book! I'll have to come back and check out the giveaway!

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  4. Agree about Kate Winslet

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  5. I would agree with most actresses on your list. However, I would put Daniela Denby-Ashe from North and South in there somewhere. I loved North and South.

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  6. Look forward to reading What A Wicked Earl Wants. I've always enjoyed Vicky's books. I love her choices. Esp0ecially Maggie Smith and Kate Winslet.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  7. None Vicky's Top 5 Favorite Period Actresses seem familiar to me it would be hard for me decide if someone else would be a better actress. I'm will say that Vicky's choices would be fine since I'm not good at deciding who would be best for the top 5 favorite period actresses. I'm not good at remember who plays who in shows and than trying to decide if that person would be best for another actor's place.

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  8. Nice top 5 list! I am a fan of anything Kate Winslet does. :)

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  9. Thanks for the great review! I had to google some of these actresses but they are fun picks!

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  10. It's been a long time since I've seen Jennifer Ehle in BBC version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE - I'll have to watch it again.

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  11. I totally agree with Kate Winslet and Maggie Smith. Great review. Thanks for sharing.

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Your comments are always appreciated!