This series? THE NEVERS + BRIDGERTON mashup!“A spirited and compulsively readable paranormal romance.” —Kirkus Reviews~Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild Heart Award Finalist~A gorgeous psychic. An unwanted betrothal. A tantalizing compromise.Lady Victoria Hamilton has a supernatural gift, a fiancé, and a guardian angel. She just never expected her protector to be the most dazzling man in England, a … expected her protector to be the most dazzling man in England, a devilish scoundrel they call the Blue Bastard. Victoria has agreed to marry for duty, not love, but her unforeseen desire for her mystical angel threatens to destroy not only her plans for the future but the armor surrounding her susceptible heart.
A confirmed scoundrel, a mind reader, and the only man she desires…
Illegitimate son of a viscount and reigning king of London’s gossip sheets, Finn Alexander has spent a lifetime hiding his ability to read minds behind charming smiles and wicked behavior. No one knows the real man, and he likes it that way. Until he meets the lone woman who sees the man beneath the disguise—a blue-blooded temptress with the power to bring him to his knees.
As they embark on a journey of passion and friendship, Victoria and Finn must decide if they’re willing to risk everything for the promise of true, magical love.
League of Lords Series:
#1 The Lady is Trouble (Julian & Piper)
#2 The Rake is Taken (Finn & Victoria)
#3 The Duke is Wicked (Sebastian & Delaney)
#4 The Hellion is Tamed (Simon & Emma)
more
Finn Alexander has lived a hard life as a child in the worst part of London. He is rescued by a benefactor who calls him brother. His dreams of the past connect him to Victoria Hamilton. He thinks she has the answers to his dreams. They both have special gifts. He can read minds, she can block thoughts and briefly change time. She also has dreams of his past. Their connection grows at the same time it begins to tear them apart. Finn is a nobody known as a rake. She is the daughter of an earl. Love is a very powerful emotion that hopefully will bind them together. Another paranormal romance set in Victorian England.
The second book in the series, I recommend reading The Lady Is Trouble first. I liked it one star more than this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
The Rake is Taken…..Or is He?
Claimed by Viscount Beauchamp as his illegitimate half brother, Finn Alexander is the debauched darling of London society who eagerly plays by his own rules. The man beneath the public facade, hidden behind his enchanting smile, has always been a closely guarded secret – a secret poised to be discovered.
Misunderstood and ignored by her family, Lady Victoria Hamilton’s only value seems to be as a bargaining chip to save her family from the poorhouse. Without control over her future, acting out in scandalous ways has been Victoria’s only way to rebel. Thankfully her anonymous guardian angel has protected her – an reality poised to change dramatically.
Although this is a stand-alone novel, I’m glad I read the first book in the series before reading The Rake is Taken. I enjoyed revisiting the lead characters from the first book, which truly helped me to become even more invested in Finn and Victoria’s story. Since this book is more about the characters than the story, Tracy Sumner has done a fine job in their development singularly and as a couple. Of course, as with the first book, the level of passion and heat between Finn and Victoria is blazing, as is their ultimate dilemma. How they are going to pull off a happy-ever-after is the real puzzle to be solved in this entertaining read.
Content 411: As with the first book, this book contains vulgarities and descriptive sexual content.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from BookSirens. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
Finn Alexander is a mind reader. He can hear the thoughts of everyone around him, except her. From her he hears nothing, and it seems that being in her presence helps mute the thoughts of others.
Victoria Hamilton considers her ability to erase minutes from people’s memories nothing more than a parlor trick. Finn disagrees and convinces Victoria to travel to his brother’s home to learn more about her ability and to meet others that have abilities as well.
Finn and Victoria are drawn to each other, but will they be able to have a happily ever after?
If you enjoy historical romance and/or supernatural you shouldn’t be disappointed in this book. Tracy Sumner is doing a fantastic job of combining the two!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a true and honest review.
Finn Alexander(Blue Bastard) called such because of his eyes. He had been left at an orphanage when he was about three. He had very few if any recollections of his childhood. He trusted no one and he had been running since. When his brother found him, he got the word “family” the one thing he yearned for. It could break him when nothing else had. Not the knives under his chin, or putting a cheroot out on his wrist, not even the worst handling of his person had been able to break him. He had dreamed of the two of them on more than one occasion and so they led him to a waiting hackney. He only dreamed about those that mattered. His gift was he could read minds.
Victoria’s parents had locked her in her room, she had an unusual gift that only her brother and Anges knew about. That she stole little pieces of time that a person had lived to make them forget. Last time they had locked her in her room for two days without food or water. Now they kept some food in her room. She felt unloved especially by her parents.
An unusual story about paranormal talents. The main characters were gifted and could be generous. Even though Finn was a rake of the first class and if it was bad for him he had to do it. There are some twists to this tale and keeping the ends straight is quite the job. The author does a great job of keeping us interested and entertained. It has a strong plot and well written. It is definitely worth the time to read.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
I found this book to be very enjoyable. I find the concept behind this series fresh and intriguing. Finn and Victoria were complex, likable characters. I enjoyed the sparks that flew between them whether they were at odds or letting their desire for each other get the best of them. The story grabbed and held my attention well with a blend of drama and emotion. This is my independent, impartial review.
Unique Characters!
In this second book of the series (which can be read as a stand-alone) Finn and Victoria butt heads to start with and push away from each other. Very soon p, as they get to know more about each other, this changes and it is clear that they are pulling very fast towards each other.
So much happens in between that makes for the most entertaining reading and I loved it all.
These characters with their out of the ordinary abilities are unique and keep one reading.
I received and read a free Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of the ebook and my voluntary and unbiased review is recorded above.
3-3.5 Stars! This is book 2 in the ‘League of Lords’ series and can be read as a standalone. I did read book 1 before reading this book. I really like the story but it feels like it’s missing paragraphs & chapters at times, same with book one. I want to love the story but I was so lost at times that I had to go back & skim through, thinking maybe I missed a page. But I hadn’t. At times I found myself skimming through parts that were taking a long time to explain or the descriptions being overly drawn out. I didn’t get enough back story on the 2 main characters and didn’t really understand how they fell in love when they barely had any interaction.
It’s a very interesting story though, maybe just needs a bit more tweaking?
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!*
The Rake is Taken is the second book in the League of Lords series, and I was so excited to see the story focuses on Finn, who was first introduced in The Lady is Trouble. Finn Alexander, also called The Blue Bastard, is handsome, charismatic, and well-known as a rake who never stays with one woman for long. Known as The Blue Bastard because of his striking eye color and his unsavory heritage, Finn is the focus of many scandals in society. Finn is not one to follow the rules. Of course, Finn isn’t exactly what he seems, and he has many secrets that he keeps from others. In addition to his origins, one of these secrets involves his paranormal gifts.
Haunted by the dreams of Lady Victoria and wanting to learn more about her, Finn begins to trail her. He learns that, because of the pressure of her selfish family, Victoria has agreed to enter into an arranged marriage. Acting out in a fit of protest, Victoria is continually rescued by Finn, and when she finds out who he is, she is equally afraid and intrigued.
Though she is loyal and duty-bound, Victoria’s family does not treat her well. They basically see her as a means to the end of their financial troubles. However, Finn sees that she has a gift, and he convinces her to go to his brother’s estate, where they protect and train people with paranormal abilities. Finn is certain they can help Victoria to control and better use her gifts, which she has kept hidden for years.
Victoria also has strange dreams that connect to Finn’s, and as the couple tries to make sense of these dreams, they grow closer. The chemistry between Finn and Tori is fantastic! They are so drawn to each other, and though they try to resist, it is so difficult. They both know they can’t be together, but that doesn’t stop their feelings from growing. I love how this pair sees each other for who they really are. They aren’t fooled by the facades, and instead, look deeper and learn the truth of each other. They are both strong-willed and passionate people, and their love story is wonderful.
I also like the paranormal elements in the story. People have many different paranormal abilities, and Finn and Tori’s abilities are fascinating. Tori can steal bits of time, and Finn can read minds. Tori also has another surprising ability that intrigues and alarms Finn. Other people’s paranormal gifts include the power to heal, to start fires, to alter one’s mind, to see auras, and more. This is such a unique aspect of the story and not one I usually see in paranormal, historical romance.
Like the first book, the characters in this book are well-developed and interesting. I liked being able to see some of my favorite from The Lady is Trouble in this book. However, if you didn’t read the first book, you can still read this one. Reading the first book will provide context, especially in regard to the characters, but it is easy enough to follow on its own. The story is filled with suspense, secrets, lies, and a ton of sexual tension and is a great addition to the League of Lords series. Thanks so much to Tracy Sumner for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
“what man wants to lose not only the woman of his dreams but the one in them?”
This book is about a rake who is truly depressed and a lady who keeps kissing random men because she’s desperate for a connection. I enjoyed the first and third book better than this one. I don’t understand why some reviewers say it’s too much sex when it doesn’t truly happen until much later in the book.
I loved reading the scenes with Julian and Piper, they were uber romantic.
The author has a vast knowledge of vocabulary and makes good use of it. The story is interesting. So why three stars: some character actions don’t ring true to historical romance books. The author uses a lot of one word sentences. Also the author makes a big deal of some things, and then won’t even explain those things so you feel like you are missing something. Some transitions were also harsh sometimes and if took me a while to orient myself.
I received a free copy of this book and I voluntarily reviewed it.
Let me begin this by telling you if you have not read the first book “The Lady’s Trouble” you will not get the same enjoyment out of this book. Book one has the history of all the characters and how they are a family. In this family history is very important.
Lady Victoria Hamilton has three things she doesn’t want. A strange gift, a fiancée, and a father who is heavy in debt and using her to pay them off. She also has the most sought-after man in England following her around and getting her out of trouble. One Finn Alexander is every women’s dream, tall built with the bluest eyes anyone has ever seen. He can’t go anywhere without women trying to get to him. Widow’s, married Ladies of the ton all want him in their bed and he has been. He goes thru women like water to a plant. Only he has a gift too, of reading minds. He knows everything the women want and think and does just want they ask for. It is all a sham; he doesn’t care for any of them. He is trying to run from the quilt of something that he couldn’t stop.
When Victoria/Tori and Finn/Blue finally meet it starts a very strange courtship with both learning
to trust others, find what’s really important and all this with unusual gifts all around.
This is a very different kind of romance story, many twists and turns, secrets to learn and surprises to find.
Others reviews have said the book has too much sexy overtones but I found they are well written into the plot and follow thoughts of the H and H quite well.
I hope you will give this book a chance, don’t expect the same regency romance because it isn’t even close and I read a lot so trust me.
We visit all the great characters that help make both books so good. Julian, Piper, Humphrey and Simon. One can’t forget Tori’s long-suffering maid-Agnes.
Both books are great reads for love, romance, paranormal and a family that loves.
I enjoyed all of the different “gifts”.
Lady Victoria Hamilton and Finn Alexander have gifts. Finn has accepted and utilizes his gift. Victoria does not know the full extent of her gift. When she meets Finn and his “family” they realize how powerful she is and try to help her. Victoria and Finn have a push/pull relationship. They have strong feelings for each other but think they do not deserve each other. Their interactions are strong and I loved seeing them fight and love.
All of the characters in this book are unique and great. The paranormal factor in a time period made for an interesting read.
I wished there was more on the paranormal skills of each character.
I can not get pass the dialogue of flamboyant words. I’m reading the story and it’s giving me a headache. If the writer stick to simple words, this will make the book easier to read. For instance, the scene between Finn and Victoria in the offing at the ball. The words detailing the scene is utterly useless. Stick to the simplicity of the story and you will gain a bigger audience. I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
Paranormal Aspect Awesome, But…
This book, perhaps more than most that I read, has its pluses and minuses. What I absolutely loved is the paranormal aspect of it. I’m actually almost loath to call it “the paranormal aspect” because the author has woven it in so deftly and it is so integral to the story that it doesn’t feel like it’s otherworldly or something not of our realm. As I began reading the book, the League of Lords and their home for people with paranormal abilities vaguely reminded me of the X-Men… in a good way! The X-Men in Regency England… what’s not to like? I had recently read a Regency romance that had a paranormal aspect, but it was not really woven into the story well, so I especially appreciated this author’s handling of it. But, for the minuses, I felt that sexual thoughts on both sides came too fast. Certainly, he was hot for her very quickly! She seemed to have more knowledge of sex than a Victorian noblewoman would have had in those times, so that part of the story rang false to me. There’s so much cool stuff going on with the story that I felt like the steaminess factor was out of balance. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a good steamy historical romance! But, to me, it has to balance with the rest of the story, or it teeters too close to erotica, which is not my jam. But I love the characters and the overarching paranormal aspect of this series, so I’m looking forward to the next one. I just hope the author strikes the balance better next time.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.