A surprising offer… too is the devilish marquess carelessly flirting with her every chance he gets.
…a secret delight
Faced with a situation he cannot solve alone, the Marquess of Wharton designs a masterful scheme to use Miss Hillcrest’s hidden talents for cards to pass a small fortune to a desperate friend. His plan, of course, was destined to succeed, and he spends one scandalous night celebrating with the spinster in his bed. They agreed it was just a fling, but what’s a marquess to do when he craves so much more?
A steamy regency historical romance novel.
Distinguished Rogues Series
Book 1: Chills (Jack and Constance)
Book 2: Broken (Giles and Lillian)
Book 3: Charity (Oscar and Agatha)
Book 4: An Accidental Affair (Merrick and Arabella)
Book 5: Keepsake (Kit and Miranda)
Book 6: An Improper Proposal (Martin and Iris)
Book 7: Reason to Wed (Richard and Esme)
Book 8: The Trouble with Love (Everett and Whitney)
Book 9: Married by Moonlight (Gilbert and Anna)
Book 10: Lord of Sin (Julian and Portia)
Book 11: The Duke’s Heart (Sinclair and Kitty)
Book 12: Romancing the Earl (Price and Lenore)
Book 13: One Enchanted Christmas (Otis and Meg)
Book 14: Desire by Design (Alexander and Sylvia)
Book 15: His Perfect Bride (Harry and Ophelia)
Book 16: Pleasures of the Night
more
Delightful story! 4 stars
I really liked ‘Desire by Design’ by Heather Boyd which tells the story of Sylvia, a strong and independent heroine. From the first page, I became captivated! Ms. Boyd didn’t disappoint me with Sylvia and Alexander’s story. Alexander is a man who always wants control and gets what he wants. Sylvia is a woman who does not want to marry, but still wants fun in her life, which will not prevent her from occasionally flirting. An ideal opportunity presents itself when she meets Alexander who makes her an offer that she won’t be able to resist. This way, she will show him her many talents at cards and in bed!
Even, if I haven’t read her previous books, in The Distinguished Rogues series, I felt it could be read as a standalone.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
This being the 14th book in the series but a first for me; I was concerned with how I was going to keep up. But it was very easy and instantly fell in love with the characters both main and secondary. Sylvia and Alexander’s story was realistic and loved that they didn’t instantly fall in love; and it showed how some little spats shouldn’t stop a couple from finding love. What starts as a way to help them both; him with seeing his friends safe from financial ruin and her a lover turns into a beautiful story of second chances and long lasting love.
I have recently been introduced to Ms. Boyd ‘s books and have really been loving them. This story is really intriguing and encompasses a lot – the relationship between Alexander and Sylvia, the relationship between Alexander and his mother, and unbeknownst to Alexander, the relationship between Sylvia and his mother. A wonderful dynamic was portrayed between these relationships and gave the story so much more depth and complexity. The witty banter between them was also fun and humorous. This was a very enjoyable read and I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved, loved, loved this. The characters were hilarious, entertaining and delightful. Ms. Heather Boyd did an amazing job describing the different nuances in relationships e.g. lovers, mother and son, son and sisters, son and friends and the lover with her two cousins. There is so much going on in this story it was difficult to put down. I read it straight through to the end. I wish there had been an extended epilogue I would have loved to see a sneak peek at the couple’s future. This is a must read and I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book fourteen in the Distinguished Rogues series a well written story that kept me turning pages. This is the first book in this series that I have read and I now want to read the rest. Spinster Sylvia Hillcrest is one very strong willed woman she meets Alexander the Marquess of Wharton who needs her help with helping a friend of his. I recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This writer is amazing. I was hooked and kept engaged through out the whole book. It was a story line I have not read yet, sometimes they go along the same blueprint for a story and it gets old. This is great with Sylvia Hillcrest helping out in a gambling establishment. This is a fresh approach to regency. I will be looking forward to more of Heather Boyd. I will be looking to finish the series and reread this book also. Great job.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked the flirtation between these characters it was fun. The Marquess of Wharton is a man who fights hard for his bachelorhood, that is until he almost lost everything that truly mattered to him. I also like that Sylvia stayed true to herself and stood by her family and her word and didn’t settle for less than everything she ever wanted. After reading what the Dowager Marchioness Wharton had to go through I am so very happy I don’t live in that time.
This is book 14 of the series but the first one I read. I will probably go back to read some of the other books from this series however I was not at all lost while reading this book.
This book kept me up late turning pages, I recommend this book to historical romance lovers who like their stories a little steamy.
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Entertaining and intense historical love story. Wonderful characters finding love and romance with intrigue and lots of drama. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The hero, Alexander, has need of someone to help him do a good deed. The heroine, Sylvia, is on the fringes of society and her livelihood relies on remaining in their good graces. Almost too late, Alexander realizes that while neither of them planned to marry they cannot live without each other. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I enjoyed it very much. Alexander is a busy, bossy nobleman who does what he wants and gets what he wants. Sylvia has made a place for herself in the world that leaves her reasonably content. When unusual circumstances cause him to really look at her, chemistry flares between them. A friendship Sylvia has made with an older woman named Lizzie becomes something the 3 of them actually share, and which significantly complicates the fling between Alexander and Sylvia. Everything gets tied up in a complicated knot that seems to be impossible to untangle.
I started this book intending to read a few chapters and then come back to it the next day. Definite error in judgment on my part! Once I started reading, the story pulled me in and I could not put it down. So many things about this book with unique, but I don’t do spoilers, so I’m asking you to trust me and read it for yourself. Meanwhile, I’m going to go investigate other books by Heather Boyd.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I also purchased a copy on Amazon.
4.5 Stars
Sylvia has met Alexander on a few occasions but then her close friends the Carmichaels invite the pair to indulge in a card game, Where Sylvia’s talent is revealed. Then faced with a situation he cannot solve alone, Alexander the Marquess of Wharton designs a masterful scheme to use Miss Syliva Hillcrest’s hidden talents for cards to pass a small fortune to a desperate friend. Sylvia & her two cousins run the Hillcrest Academy, which teaches young men the skills needed for successful courtship. Sylvia likes to take a daily walk & whilst out walking meets Lizzie who looks as though she has the cares of the world on her shoulders, the pair soon become close friends.
I can’t believe this is the fourteenth book in the series, it could easily be read on its own but characters from earlier books do make appearances. I loved the arrogant but hardworking Alexander who loves being in control he certainly met his match in the feisty Sylvia who was anything but meek & mild. I loved the way they locked horns whilst all the time their attraction & chemistry was sizzling I also loved the friendship between Sylvia & Lizzie. A well written engrossing read with strong characters
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Desire by Design
Distinguished Rogues Series #14
Heather Boyd
https://www.facebook.com/HeatherBoydRomanceAuthor/
Release date 07/14/2020
Blurb :
A surprising offer…
Spinster Sylvia Hillcrest will never marry, but that does not mean she has to ignore the occasional flirtation aimed her way, or the chance to indulge her secret vice in societies best card rooms. When she’s suddenly given a fortune to wager, but asked to lose it to one particular family, it’s an intriguing challenge too irresistible to pass up. So too is the devilish marquess carelessly flirting with her every chance he gets.
…a secret delight
Faced with a situation he cannot solve alone, the Marquess of Wharton designs a masterful scheme to use Miss Hillcrest’s hidden talents for cards to pass a small fortune to a desperate friend. His plan, of course, was destined to succeed, and he spends one scandalous night celebrating with the spinster in his bed. They agreed it was just a fling, but what’s a marquess to do when he craves so much more?
A steamy regency historical romance novel.
My review :
Will he be able to see past his own preconceived ideas to realize what is really of importance…
Mrs Heather Boyd is one of these authors we hear few about them but when they release a new book, I am sure I need it.
And this one files all the boxes.
I meet the trio of cousins in the previous book, so here is Sylvia’s story. An overlooked spinster with a sensual side she must hide and Wharton, a control freak, who will be taught a hard lesson by the disregarded wallflower.
How I loved Sylvia, she is bold and respectful, she knows she has a very limited scope to act as she wants, so she has to hide her true self to the Ton, a very unforgiving lot easily swayed.
Why when Wharton who has passed by her a handful of times, and never looked twice on her; finally has a glimpse of the fiery Sylvia lurking beneath the mask, he edicts he wants her to be more than a friend’s acquaintance.
Yet, she is the one risking the most.
Sylvia while she is free to dream of any temping man she encounters, she is in a difference situation with a marquess, she a nobody of importance.
With him, she for a moment reveals the passionate woman she is. And when things take a different turn between them, she is very forgiving but also determined to show him she does not back down. She is not one to sell her soul even for a few riches, she never compromises. And a promise is a promise.
Wharton is on a journey of revelations, he will learn not all his decisions were rights, by keeping his family at bay, he estranged himself from them. And by acting harshly in heat of the moment or protecting his heart by avoiding any entanglement, it might have a price he is not expecting to deliver.
Mrs Boyd with this new addition to her series offers a lovely redeeming story of a man who lost sight of what is important.
5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/657195074869667/?d=n
First, I love Heather’s writing. I have read several books and enjoyed every one of them. I thought this story was a little different than the others I have read in this series. It shows compassion and love by two different people for the same woman. Alexander loves his mother but I am sure like most men of the time, he has his own things to do and kind of sets her aside. Sylvia meets his mother and doesn’t know who she is or who is related to, just an older woman on a bench looking for companionship and they strike up a friendship. I thought the friendship was delightful and heartwarming. The relationship between Alexander and Sylvia is strained after he learns of his mother’s relationship with Sylvia since they previously had a fling. Can Alexander and Sylvia get past their differences? Pssst…yes, in case you are wondering, this is a romance, right?!? My favorite scene is at the end of the story. It will make you want to say ahhhhh. A great story by a wonderful storyteller.
I received a complimentary copy from Booksprout.
Enjoyed the story. In an attempt to help a friend in financial trouble, Alexander solicits Sylvia’s help by bankrolling her at cards with the idea she lose on purpose to his friend, without him suspecting. In celebrating a major lose of money to his friend they spend the nIght together and an attraction starts. Sylvia strikes up a friendship with an older lady and and when she finds out that she is having serious surgery, stays with her the first few days. The characters in this story are all strong willed and outspoken individuals, especially the women, which makes for a great story. There is a lot happening in this story and I would highly recommend it as a great read.
Alexander is a top lofty Marquess who always wants to be in control and get what he wants. All that changes when he is introduced to Sylvia Hillcrest over dinner and a game of cards. Never, ever underestimate a lady, including your own mother. I love these two ladies who manage to ignore him and get their own way. At moments funny and sad, Alexander eventually redeems himself. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.