From a USA Today Bestselling Author ~ A Victorian Romance set on the dark streets of London…A lady on a mission encounters a man from her past and discovers he’s nothing like the boy she used to know.Spencer Campbell, Viscount Rutland, keeps the world at arm’s length by using his analytical skills for British Intelligence. But when he takes his first field mission to stop one of London’s worst … field mission to stop one of London’s worst criminals, he realizes the work is far from black and white. Especially when he comes upon a lady he knows far too well in the middle of his assignment.
Dalia Fairchild is appalled to discover her maid is being lured into a life of prostitution. She does all in her power to stop her, even if that means putting herself at risk. The more Dalia learns about the lives of fallen women, the more determined she is to aid them. Crossing paths with Viscount Rutland during her quest causes her to see him in a new light. The maddening boy she used to know is now a handsome man with a dry wit and heated kisses that make her heart stutter.
Dalia’s recklessness drives Spencer crazed, but her genuine concern for the less fortunate has him taking a second look at the lady, as do her big blue eyes and lithe curves. She is not who he thought, and her passion for life–for him–nearly undoes him.
Dalia knows falling for the viscount would be a terrible mistake. Spencer lives by rules she rarely considers. But when the villain they fight puts their lives in jeopardy, both must decide what they’re willing to risk for love.
Buy it today and travel to Victorian London for an adventure you won’t soon forget!
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4.5 stars
Spencer Campbell and Dalia Fairchild have known each other since they were children and have annoyed each other for just as long. In Dalia’s mind, Spencer is all that is proper and boring, not anything like a man she would consider spending her life with. Spencer is in fact cautious by nature, but by no means is he boring. Spencer has been working on a case for the Intelligence Office and in the course of his investigation he happens upon Dalia in a place no proper young lady should ever be!
Dalia has followed her maid to a Dance Hall located in a seedy section of London, her maid Ruth has been displaying some discontent lately and has decided to venture to the Dance Hall with her cousin Betty. Betty has been telling Ruth stories of a better life, but Dalia is sure that life involves prostitution. Worried for her maid, Dalia tries to convince her that her life will not be better if she listens to Betty, but without solid proof, Dalia fears Ruth will not believe her. Thus the trip to the Dance Hall. Dalia enters and feels uncomfortable and is more than shocked (and secretly relieved) when Spencer insists on seeing her home. She wonders why Spencer is at the Dance Hall, surely he is not there to meet a woman!
Spencer is trying to find evidence that Jack McCarthy along with his right hand man Charlie Pruett are luring and even abducting women to force them into prostitution. This cause is near and dear to the Prime Minister’s heart and success in this case could give Spencer the position and respect he longs for.
When she asks Spencer to take her to Cermore Gardens, so she can see more of what Ruth is being drawn into, he refuses. She argues that she needs to understand why her maid thinks that she would have a better life as a prostitute, she wants to go so she can present the facts and dangers to her. Spencer pulls her into an alcove and they share a kiss. Dalia is seriously reconsidering her opinion of Spencer – perhaps he is not what or who she has always believed him to be. They visit the gardens and Dalia causes a scene – one in which Spencer must rescue her from, yet again. He knows Dalia is trouble and is impulsive, but he cannot stop thinking about her.
Dalia wants to learn more about these fallen women and what options are available to them and decides to visit a home for women who are trying to leave the “business” and start a new life – what she finds is appalling, she seeks out Spencer for help and unknowingly draws more attention to herself.
Slowly these two transition from childhood nemeses to friends to much more. But the road to their HEA will not be easy, Spencer knows he cares for Dalia, but he feels that her impulsiveness will make them both unhappy in the long run. It isn’t until Dalia is placed in grave peril, that Spencer finally admits that impulsive or not, he cannot live without this woman.
This was another great installment of the Seven Curses Series, I really loved Spencer, he is a wonderful hero, he is not your typical HR hero, he is not an alpha male, but I wouldn’t really call him a beta either – he is more like a real man, not always the strongest or the smartest, but a man that would give his life for the woman he loves. The book is well written, flows nicely, has a couple of warm love scenes (no intimacy outside of marriage), a really nasty villain, cameos from Hawke, Aberland, Lettie and Sophia, action, some tense moments and finally a very sweet HEA.
I am happy to recommend this book and look forward to the next “curse”
Miss Dalia Fairchild is unsettled with her life. She wants more but not sure what. With her sister married now she does not have anyone to ask questions to. That is until her maid drops a bomb of changing her profession. Delia tries to help the maid , Ruth, see the error in this only to find a cause that she can help.
Spencer Campbell, Lord Rutland, has been Dalia’s nemesis for years, always trying to keep her from causing him trouble. Now with the death of his brother, Spencer has become the heir for his father. Though he has given up on getting his father’s approval. He now would for the Home Intelligence Office as an analyst.
Delia asks for his help and finds much to get dismay Spencer has not changed to get mind but ask him she does after he helped get her safely away from the dance club.Spencer on the other hand wanted to advise her parents, however, due to his reason for being there did not.
Now with Delia on a mission and asking for his help a lot , the two are working together and viewing each other in a new way.as danger gets close to Dalia, Spencer does what he can.
Will the danger year them apart of being them closer? Will common sense again supreme or will it fly out the window? Come along an solve the crime along with the ride through the seedy side of London. Find out if this duo gets their man or love gets them first!
Fun story and told well. Just enough action to keep the plot moving.
Dalia decides to follow her maid, Ruth, to a dance hall where Ruth is considering a career change (unknowingly) into prostitution. While there, Dalia encounters her childhood friend Spencer, now a viscount. Little does Dalia know that Spencer is now employed by the Intelligence Office and is there conducting surveillance. Dalia is impulsive (moreso at the book’s beginning than as the story progresses), and Spencer continuously steps in to save her. Dalia becomes involved in research on prostitution and has encounters with London criminals intent on stopping her. Of course, since this is a romance, Dalia and Spencer find themselves romantically attracted. The book is charming.
Good light reading. Plot and characters were entertaining. Will definitely read more of this author`s work. Enjoyed the interaction of the characters. Pam
Good story but unnecessary sex
Spencer Campbell, Viscount Rutland, keeps the world at arm’s length by using his analytical skills for British intelligence. His first field mission is to stop one of London’s worst criminals. He realizes the work is far from black and white. That is especially true when he comes upon Dalia Fairchild who he knows far too well in the middle of his assignment. Dalia is appalled to discover her maid is being lured into a life of prostitution. She does all in her power to stop the maid. Tje more Dalia learns about the lives of fallen women, the more determined she is to aid them. Crossing paths with Viscount Rutland during her quest causes her to see him in a new light. The maddening boy she used to know is now a handsome man with a dry wit and heated kisses that make her heart stutter. Dalia’s recklessness drives the Viscount crazed. Her genuine concern for the less fortunate has him taking a second look at her, as do her big blue dyes and lithe curves. She is not what he thought, and her passion for life nearly undoes him. Dalia knows falling for the viscount would be a terrible mistake. Spencer lives by rules she rarely considers. The villain they fight puts their lives in jeopardy, so both must decide what they are willing to risk for love. – This book certainly confirms that opposites attract. Spencer and Dahlia are very different, but they balance each other. The criminal part of the book was interesting but slow at times. I loved the banter between Spencer and Dahlia and his reactions to her. This is an entertaining historical romance.
This book had a good story and characters
, but could have used a good editor. The author repeats things over and over. The story was low on action and too wordy.
Great book. Spunky Lady and dashing Viscount. Super tight scene.
A well written lovely (Mills & Boone) Story.
enjoyed it