Can a single night’s deception lead to a lifelong love?On the eve of her wedding to a man she detests, Brynmore McCann can think of only one way to escape—by ruining herself—but the local lads leave her wholly uninspired. Just as she’s ready to accept her fate, she spots Maxwell Drake, home after nearly a decade. Even though he had loved her sister when they were young, Bryn has always considered … considered him hers, and she can’t think of anyone she’d rather have bed her for the first time. Only she never intends for him to uncover her real name.
Upon returning home, Maxwell is stunned by the news that his father may have left him an inheritance. As the unacknowledged by-blow of a local nobleman, Maxwell struggles with resentment over the way he and his mother were treated by his father and the village. To add to his troubles, he discovers the lass he spent an incredibly satisfying night with was not the village whore, but the high-born sister of his first love. He insists Brynmore travel with him to Edinburgh until they determine if she is with child. Because if she is, she’ll marry him whether she wants to or not.
Along the road to Edinburgh, they are attacked by persons unknown. As the list of suspects who want them dead grows longer and his worries deepen, Maxwell prepares for an even more personal battle—how to keep from surrendering his heart to Brynmore.
Warning: Contains a broody Scotsman, a fiery-haired lass, and a night of passion that changes everything. Readers are encouraged to bring a fan.
Note: All the Spies and Lovers books can be read as standalones!
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Wonderful characters, angst, surprises and giggles. I had started another book but it didn’t hold my interest. This one caught me and held me. I didn’t get my vacuuming done!
Great character development and surprising plot twists make this a memorable and heartwarming story.
Another brilliant story
This is another brilliantly written story in an amazing series.The plot is one of emotional turmoil, with a bit of mystery. The characters are strong and portrayed with great determination to prevail over their fears and enemies. This is a steamy historical romance that will provide wonderful entertainment to anybody who loves this type of story.
This was a very interesting story. Brynmore was very entertaining. She was so sweet and compassionate but very stubborn. She was perfect for Maxell. It took him forever to get his act together but it was a sweet romance to read.
Two of my favorite genres Romance and intrigue rolled seamlessly into one. I was glued to the book from beginning to end. I loved the characters, they were so real. And the villains were so bad yet believable. Thank you Laura Grantham for a great story. I wanted more.
The first sentence catches your interest and you are into the story. Excellent imagery throughout the book. Loved it.
I’m an avid reader of Trentham’s contemporary series but this is the first of her historicals I’ve read. (And it can easily stand on it’s own so don’t worry if this is your first too 🙂 ) I found A Reckless Redemption to be a fun adventure. There’s suspense and danger, love and sizzle, plus all the feels you could want. All of those wonderful things that make a good love story!
Bryn’s somehow found herself in a whole mess of trouble and she’s not sure why. Her step-sister is forcing her to marry (against her will) an abusive brute and Bryn’s desperate to find a way out. How lucky for her an unrequited love from her childhood shows up at just the right time … or maybe not because things get even more complicated.
Maxwell’s life hasn’t been easy. As a child he was treated horribly because he was the bastard son of a nobleman and only managed to survive due to kindness of others. After he left to join the military, there was war … yeah, that’s gonna leave some scars (inside and out). So while he’s grown into a good man, he’s got a lot of walls built up. Then he meets Bryn again and the poor man doesn’t stand a chance.
I loved these two together. Maxwell tries to be all stern and standoffish but its really hard to hide that those walls are starting to crumble. All of his hardships have left him gun-shy but the man really needs someone to care for him. And no one on earth has a bigger heart that Bryn. She’s forever taking care of others and it takes about two minutes for her to charm just about everyone she meets!
There’s some shenanigans over the reason for the marriage and Maxwell’s inheritance that lead them into all sorts of mischief and danger. Trentham makes sure it all wraps up nicely at the end but she does take you on quite the ride to get there.
While they may find themselves in a bit of trouble at the moment, if Bryn and Maxwell work together there is just about nothing that they can’t overcome. As long as they are willing to take a chance with their hearts … yeah, that leads to some troubles even more dangerous than the people trying to kill them! But you know they’ll figure it out and manage to get a HEA before its all over.
*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***
Bryn decided that she would take matters into her own hands when she was to be forced to marry a man that she hated. What she did was set off a chain of events that changed everything for her and Maxwell. Maxwell was born a bastard and would not allow that to happen to a child of his. When Bryn slipped into his bed and he took her innocence, he decided he had to keep her with him until they know for sure that isn’t a baby. They were ambushed, shot at, delivered a baby and accosted by street gangs. Through it all, Bryn is tough as nails and charms everyone she meets. Maxwell had long ago encased his heart in ice, but Bryn seems to be thawing it out. Not knowing if the danger is coming from her family or his father’s family, they try to get information to solve the riddle. In the end, will Maxwell be able to keep Bryn with him or will she want her freedom?
WOW!!! I loved, loved, loved A Reckless Redemption, a historical romance by Laura Trentham, book three in her Spies and Lovers series. This story has the all the fixings one would expect from a historical suspense. We have the mystery of why Brynmore McCann’s half-sister is forcing her to marry Dugan Armstrong, a bully and uncaring man. We have the virgin, Bryn, who thinks if she “ruins” herself with another man she will be able to escape this horrific marriage. Then there’s the war hero, Maxwell Drake, returning after a decade, who is in the right place, at least for Bryn to give herself to him. Things then go awry when Maxwell discovers who was in his bed the night before. Being an honorable man, he is determined to do the right thing by Bryn, in case she is with child, even if it messes up her sister’s machinations. When they find Bryn being forced against her will to marry, he takes her and escapes to Edinburgh. On the road to and once in Edinburgh they are attacked by unknown people, adding to the list of suspects who want them dead. In Edinburgh these two discover an alive grandmother of Bryn’s; an inheritance and acknowledgement as the illegitimate son of a nobleman for Maxwell; the marriage contract Bryn’s sister forced her to sign; a chance for kind and caring Bryn to bring love into grumpy Maxwell’s life and he into her hard, sad life.
I really loved reading this book and had a great deal of trouble putting this book down. Ms. Trentham is a wonderful story teller who draws me into her books, making me forget the world around me and not letting me go until I turned the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.