When scandal surpasses discretion…James Trelissick, Marquis of Lasterton, will do anything to free his mother and sister from a notorious pirate. Their disappearance threatens his sister’s reputation and future. Desperate after months of fruitless searching, he disguises himself as a servant for the pirate’s daughter and kidnaps her, intending to exchange the hoyden for his beloved family.… beloved family.
Daniella Germaine’s only wish is to be back on the deck of her father’s pirate ship, the wind in her hair and adventure on the horizon. But her father foisted her off on her brother to join London’s marriage market and find a husband. To prove herself unmarriageable, Daniella hurls herself into scandal after scandal only to be ‘rescued’ by her handsome but disapproving coachman who takes his protection duties far too seriously for her agenda.
When the rescue turns into a hostage swap, Daniella finds herself knee-deep in intrigue and adventure that could prove as deadly to her heart as it is to her life.
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‘The Road to Ruin‘ begins the ‘Daughters of Disgrace‘ series with an intense, steamy, banter-filled romance between two unlikely people that captured my imagination from the start. Although this title was previously published in 2014, those who love a really good Historical Romance will find a romp-filled, action-packed romance that will satisfy just about any Romance reader’s needs.
Meet James and Daniella. He’s of the nobility, she’s a pirate’s daughter being thrust into the marriage season by that father against her will. And her ‘will’ is impressively strong. His mother and sister have been, to his mind, kidnapped by her pirate father. As James comes up with a plan to rescue the women he loves, the only family he has left desperate times call for desperate measures… and result in a lively adventure for them both that may just be exactly what they each wanted and desired from the start.
The cover description tells you the basics of ‘The Road to Ruin‘. What you’ll find inside those covers is a captivating look at two very unconventional people doing what they feel is necessary for the circumstances. For James, it’s to rescue his sister and mother. For Daniella, it’s to avoid an unwanted marriage and return to the sea that she loves. As they race toward the coast of Scotland much will change between a desperate man and a kidnapped woman. Anger, frustration will begin to give way to desire and even a bit of admiration… but definitely it will lead to a love that defies the convention of the times yet works quite well for Daniella and James.
I adored both of these characters. There were moments of laughter, sizzling chemistry, frustration, and an overall feel that these two belonged together if only they’d get out of their own way and acknowledge that fact. I had a good time with this story and definitely look forward to ‘The Slide into Ruin‘ to come. If you love a really good love story, then you’ll want to pick up ‘The Road to Ruin‘ right now.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
This is my first book by Bronwyn Stuart.
What I liked:
Part of a series: Daughters of Disgrace
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I had a hard time staying interested in this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Tule Publishing.
Well this book had me laughing in quite a few places the mischief that these two get up to is enough to keep you engaged until the last page While this is a new author for me and historical romance isn’t normally my thing this re release by Tule publishing kept me engaged
Daniella Germaine is determined to get herself back on the deck of her famous pirate father’s deck even though she has been dumped by him into the hands of her brother and cast onto the marriage market of London. She knows how to work her way back though she continually gets herself involved in scandal after scandal hoping she will become untouchable to any future groom. The only problem is she has an overprotective coachman who is determined to keep her safe or is there more to him than she realise Her coachman is in fact James Trelissick, Marquis of Lasterton and he intends to kidnap Danielle and swap her for his sister and mother who have been kidnapped by Daniella’s father. As these two head North and he puts his plan into action they will fight and tussle their way to Scotland and the meeting with her father The only problem is by the time they arrive he will have fallen in love with his captive a feeling that is mutual and he may not want to hand her back to her father.
I read anything that Tule Publishing sends my way but will admit I wasn’t sure about The Road To Ruin (Daughters of Disgrace #1) by Bronwyn Stuart. I need not have been uncertain about reading because it is quite an entertaining book. That is saying something since I lean more towards contemporary than I do historical romance.
What a marvelous movie this book would make. It has Daniella’s outrageous take charge of my life heroine pitted against the ruthlessness of James. He does not agree to cater to Daniella even if he had been fooling her for months. Both characters are unconventional for the times but so much fun because of it. Plenty of delicious banter, action and danger. Both have goals to be achieved, together they can do it but will they lose their hearts in the process?
A newer author for me to read. However, I will be looking for more of her books after reading Road To Ruin. Recommend to all who enjoy a rip-roaring read.
4.5 Stars
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.