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The first novel in a new historical romance series from Kelly Bowen.
For Miss Charlotte Windham, the best way to maintain her spinsterhood - and her independence - is a teeny, tiny brush with scandal. She chooses wealthy, handsome upstart Lucas Sherbourne as her unwitting accomplice. He's intelligent, logical, and ambitious. What Charlotte doesn't count on is that one kiss will lead them straight to the altar. Sherbourne has no love for polite society, nor is he keen on being anybody's husband of last resort. He is attracted to Charlotte's boldness, though - and her family's influence. Without a title, he knows he'll never truly be part of their world.
When Elizabeth Hotchkiss stumbles upon a copy of How to Marry a Marquis in her employer's library, she's convinced someone is playing a cruel joke. With three younger siblings to support, she knows she has to marry for money, but who might have guessed how desperate she's become? A guidebook to seduction might be just the thing she needs - and what harm could there be in taking a little peek?
The wild and charismatic Duke of Abernathe is the kind of friend anyone would wish to have. He even formed the 1797 Club, consisting of 10 men who would all be dukes. But he has full-throatedly declared he will never marry and no one understands why. But Miss Emma Liston doesn't care why. A longtime wallflower with an absentee father who is a scandal waiting to happen, she needs to marry. Now. She decides to take a wild chance and ask the help of her friend Meg's brother James.
Lord Alaric Wilde, son of the Duke of Lindow, is the most celebrated man in England, revered for his dangerous adventures and rakish good looks. Arriving home from years abroad, he has no idea of his own celebrity until his boat is met by mobs of screaming ladies. Alaric escapes to his father's castle, but just as he grasps that he's not only famous but notorious, he encounters the very private, very witty Miss Willa Fynche.
Alexander Hallworth, Marquess of Pembrooke, will not rest until he gets vengeance on the man who destroyed his family. Just one more piece needs to fall into place for Alex to succeed: he needs to convince the man's fiancée, the tragically beautiful Lady Claire Cavensham, to marry him instead. Lady Claire's "curse" has left her one step away from social ruin: her past three engagements have gone awry, and now her fourth one is headed the same way.
The first novel in a new historical romance series from Kelly Bowen.
For Miss Charlotte Windham, the best way to maintain her spinsterhood - and her independence - is a teeny, tiny brush with scandal. She chooses wealthy, handsome upstart Lucas Sherbourne as her unwitting accomplice. He's intelligent, logical, and ambitious. What Charlotte doesn't count on is that one kiss will lead them straight to the altar. Sherbourne has no love for polite society, nor is he keen on being anybody's husband of last resort. He is attracted to Charlotte's boldness, though - and her family's influence. Without a title, he knows he'll never truly be part of their world.
When Elizabeth Hotchkiss stumbles upon a copy of How to Marry a Marquis in her employer's library, she's convinced someone is playing a cruel joke. With three younger siblings to support, she knows she has to marry for money, but who might have guessed how desperate she's become? A guidebook to seduction might be just the thing she needs - and what harm could there be in taking a little peek?
The wild and charismatic Duke of Abernathe is the kind of friend anyone would wish to have. He even formed the 1797 Club, consisting of 10 men who would all be dukes. But he has full-throatedly declared he will never marry and no one understands why. But Miss Emma Liston doesn't care why. A longtime wallflower with an absentee father who is a scandal waiting to happen, she needs to marry. Now. She decides to take a wild chance and ask the help of her friend Meg's brother James.
Lord Alaric Wilde, son of the Duke of Lindow, is the most celebrated man in England, revered for his dangerous adventures and rakish good looks. Arriving home from years abroad, he has no idea of his own celebrity until his boat is met by mobs of screaming ladies. Alaric escapes to his father's castle, but just as he grasps that he's not only famous but notorious, he encounters the very private, very witty Miss Willa Fynche.
Alexander Hallworth, Marquess of Pembrooke, will not rest until he gets vengeance on the man who destroyed his family. Just one more piece needs to fall into place for Alex to succeed: he needs to convince the man's fiancée, the tragically beautiful Lady Claire Cavensham, to marry him instead. Lady Claire's "curse" has left her one step away from social ruin: her past three engagements have gone awry, and now her fourth one is headed the same way.
Lord Alec Knight, the most daring and handsome rogue in all of London, is a smooth-talking aristocrat with an abundance of high-society lady admirers. With his irresistible wit, lucky hand at the gaming tables, and enticing charisma, he can have any woman he wants. But when the only girl he would have considered marrying ties the knot with someone else, Alec realizes he doesn't want to be with just any lady - he wants to find the love of his life.
When Alexander Westcott becomes the new Earl of Riverdale, he inherits a title he never wanted and a failing country estate he can't afford. But he fully intends to do everything in his power to undo years of neglect and give the people who depend on him a better life.... A recluse for more than 20 years, Wren Heyden wants one thing out of life: marriage. With her vast fortune, she sets her sights on buying a husband. But when she makes the desperate and oh-so-dashing earl a startlingly unexpected proposal, Alex will agree only to a proper courtship.
James, the scandalously uncivilized Duke of Harland, requires a bride with a spotless reputation for a strictly business arrangement. Lust is prohibited, and love is out of the question. Charlene Beckett, the unacknowledged daughter of an earl and a courtesan, has just been offered a life-altering fortune to pose as her half-sister, Lady Dorothea, and win the duke's proposal.
Hugh Philemon Ancaster, seventh Duke of Ripley, will never win prizes for virtue. But even he draws the line at running off with his best friend's bride. All he's trying to do is recapture the slightly inebriated Lady Olympia Hightower and return her to her intended bridegroom. For reasons that elude her, bookish, bespectacled Olympia is supposed to marry a gorgeous rake of a duke. The ton is flabbergasted. Her family's ecstatic. And Olympia? She's climbing out of a window, bent on a getaway.
Spinster Miss Eleanor Lockhart is suddenly homeless and employment is her only option. Ruined after succumbing to a scoundrel's excessive charm nearly a decade ago, she's lucky to obtain a position as a paid companion and committed to behaving with the utmost propriety. She definitely shouldn't be in the arms of a man capable of utterly destroying what little remains of her reputation.
Jules, the Sixth Duke of Dandridge disdains Society and all its trappings, preferring the country's solitude and peace. Already jaded and cynical since the woman he loved died years ago, he's become even more so since unexpectedly inheriting a dukedom's responsibilities and finding himself the target of every husband-hunting vixen in London.
Miss Mary Whitsun is far too intelligent to fall for the rakish charms of a handsome aristocrat. But when the gentleman in question approaches her in a bookshop, mistaking her for his fiancée, Lady Johanna Albright, the flirtatious encounter only raises more questions. Could Mary, a servant raised in a St Giles orphanage, actually be Lady Joanna's long-lost twin sister? If so, Mary has been betrothed since birth - to the rakishly handsome aristocrat himself....
Henry, Duke of Torquil, wouldn't be caught reading the wildly popular "Dear Lady Truelove" column, but when its advice causes his mother to embark on a scandalous elopement, an outraged Henry decides the author of this tripe must be stopped before she can ruin any more lives. Though Lady Truelove's identity is a closely guarded secret, Henry has reason to suspect the publisher of the notorious column, beautiful and provoking Irene Deverill, is also its author.
Captain Maximus Harcourt, the unconventional tenth Duke of Alderidge, can deal with tropical storms, raging seas, and the fiercest of pirates. But he's returned home from his latest voyage to find a naked earl - quite inconveniently deceased - tied to his missing sister's bed. And he has only one place to turn. Now he's at the mercy of the captivating Miss Ivory Moore of Chegarre & Associates, known throughout London for smoothing over the most dire of scandals.
Recently widowed Charlotte may be the proper Countess of Portsmith to society, but when she is around Ewan, she still feels like the enraptured little girl who met him decades before when her brother was best friends with him and his cousin. A planned trip to spend Christmas with their families at Duke of Donburrow Ewan’s estate reunites the old friends. But when a storm keeps the others from arriving on time, Charlotte decides to stop living in fear and pursue the man she has desired and loved her entire life.
Audie Award, Romance, 2016. Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, is a ruthless villain. Scarred and hard-hearted, Dorian is one of Victorian London's wealthiest, most influential men who will stop at nothing to wreak vengeance on those who've wronged him... and will fight to the death to seize what he wants. The lovely, still innocent widow Farah Leigh Mackenzie is no exception-and soon Dorian whisks the beautiful lass away to his sanctuary in the wild Highlands....
Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury's to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne'er-do-wells by night. Now there's a new item on the list. He needs an heir - which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar's daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she'll do.
The Inferno Club, a scandalous gathering of wealthy libertines and highborn rakehells devoted to their wicked pleasures. Or so they are known to London society. Little does the world suspect the true purpose of the Inferno Club - or the unseen threat looming over England, which these select, powerful lords are secretly sworn to fight.
Recruited as lads from noble families, trained in an array of deadly arts, they are the operatives of a covert order so mysterious that few beyond the crown even know it exists. As dutiful peers of the realm, however, they are expected to take wives - and marriage may prove their most perilous mission yet! For it takes a lady of uncommon spirit to love an especially dangerous hero.
With the war against Napoleon winding down, the Marquess of Rotherstone decides it's time to restore his family's tainted reputation. But as a member of the Inferno Club, he knows there is only one way to redeem himself in society's eyes: marry an impeccable young lady of beauty and breeding, whose behavior is well beyond reproach.
Someone quite unlike Miss Daphne Starling. True, she is temptingly lovely, but a whiff of scandal suggests the blond beauty may be a jilt who enjoys toying with her suitors' emotions. Still, Max cannot resist her allure - or the challenge of proving London's gossips wrong. Pursuing her with a spy's cool, calm calculation, he is soon swept up in the chase. He would do anything to win her hand...and prove that even a very wicked marquess can become the ideal husband.
What made the experience of listening to My Wicked Marquess the most enjoyable?
The contrast of personalities between Daphne and Max.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Daphine's great aunt the dowager dragon duchess. Every one is afraid of Daphine's great aunt and she sets the trends. She has the control that Daphine yearns for.
What aspect of Annette Chown’s performance would you have changed?
Her voice was sort of weak and timid. A more commanding distinctive voice would of been nice.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
It was a fairly good book and enjoyable but not so much as to want to listen to it in one sitting.
Any additional comments?
Daphine is somewhat spoiled in some ways, is very generous and loving, wears her heart on her sleeve and is very trusting and sometimes a bit silly. Max hides his emotions and is very pragmatic. He is closed and secretive as he has had to be in order to survive. Max and Daphine balance each other, however besides being very open Daphine is curious, demands to be in control and not controlled by others and will not accept Max's secrets. As Max is a spy, Daphine snoops and learns things things best left unopened.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger with an introduction to the next book. I am hooked and am eagerly awaiting the next book.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Disappointed to realise (at end of this audible) this is part of a series which is not yet available on audible or amazon Australia! I have had this occur on other series and it starts to become quite annoying. As for this audible, I liked Max the main male lead, the female lead, Daphne drove me crazy with her continual annoying thought process regarding male control and dishonesty etc. etc. etc.. but hung in there as the story had promise and I hoped the ending would bring it all together gloriously only to get a quick wind up of My Wicked Marquees and the confusing introduction to book 2, which is not available on audible or amazon Australia yet... Searched for series and alas there is currently 7 books in the series written, yet only 1 available on audible. Not happy and will not bother following through with this series. I suggest Australian audible listeners browse net prior to downloading any audible to check if part of a series or check author through audible to see what is available to download in Australia. I get very annoyed when I download an audible only to find the next book, (in a series) is not available. If I wanted to read a hard copy, I wouldn't be an audible listener. Will request return on this audible, very disappointed all round.
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
The story was slow and the narration was immature. I couldn't finish it. Not for me.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Started out with strong, almost too hard edge. Towards the end it was so sugary sweet I had to skip forward and sighed with relief when it ended.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Daphne is something of a twit, but she is only 20 and a product of the time in which she lives. She falls for the man who wants her but doesn't know how to deal with himself, let alone her. I don't know any spies, but I do know about military who return from war and law enforcement men who can't share the things they've seen and done. Just like Max. He has been involved in Good vs Evil for a very long time, and has never known a family life. So, there's the background, and the publisher's summary gives hints to the action. There is also a secondary story line which is a set-up for the rest of this fascinating series. Jump in and enjoy the ride!
Annette is a fine audio performer and is able to project the emotions of the characters. But. She is in a higher voice range which I cannot like and it is especially annoying when portraying men.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
YEAH! That is what i want in my Historical romance! My Wicked Marquess: Inferno Club is that book. I loved this! Good vs Evil storyline is also a fun thing i like. iI's hard to stop listening to the story, and that is saying something. I never had so much fun from a author i never ever heard about before. Gaelen Foley is so good as it gets when it comes to historical romance,
12 hrs and 54 mins with Annette Chown never feels like i am lost. her english accent fits this book like a hand to a glove. I am amazed about how few books there is with her as a narrator. She is just as fantastic as the book is. And that is saying something about the quality in this book.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
wonderful ztory telling! read out of order but it did noy matter! I loved it!
There are so many threads weaving this story that I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
My only 2 negative comments are:
1) The narrator's voice was too high to convincingly portray most of the male characters. A narrator who can portray and shuttle between the higher pitch and lower pitch at the right time will always make the story more interesting.
2) The female leading character Daphne is too self righteous by half and demands as well as expects too much emotional involvement too soon of any realistic situation. She sounds hypocritical by one moment denying any glimpse of Max and cursing him to high hell and the next declaring undying love and a promise of marriage. If I were Max, I would have abandoned all efforts to pursue her earlier on.
Other than these comments I love the story of the fight between the Order of St Michael and the Promethians immensely. Can't wait to follow the next leg of the story.
This is difficult to rate. It's almost like there were two different books. The first part of the book was great. I really liked Daphne and the Marquess looking for a bride from a list was cute. The developing romance was fun and I was enjoying it. Then things became odd. It's hard for me to put a finger on what happened exactly. Obviously things were left unresolved for the series to continue but that doesn't really explain the last third of the book that seemed a bit disjointed.
I've read MANY series and some will end with a cliffhanger but this book left me with wondering just what really happened. It's odd.
The narration was quite good. That helped a bit.