Lady Pia Brooks only ever loved one man.But… unfortunately, he died before she could tell him. She could not forget the man who’d caused him pain. But… when Pia’s path crosses the gentleman’s she always thought was her enemy, it is not hate that blooms between them.Lord Sirius Hayes never thought he’d see Pia again.When she needs his help, he’s more than willing to be the man she needs. Yet the … be the man she needs.
Yet the past haunts them both and while Sirius’ secret may hold the power to help Pia trust him, it also holds the power to ruin the lives of many.
All is not what it seems.
There is a war building in the shadows of England, and Pia is in the middle of it.
Only Sirius and his friends can stop it from taking more lives than necessary.
What will happen when Pia discovers that the boy she loved isn’t dead?
What will she say when she finds out it’s been Sirius all along?
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So far I have loved all of Deborah Wilson’s books that I have read. This one showed more of the darker side of humanity while at the same time portraying a dark one capable of love. In real life, I believe, you are either good or evil, no in between. Sirius shows he can be both. He has a kind and loving persona publicly but has a secret life of being a vigilante, taking down those he or his boss deem unworthy as judge, jury, and executioner. The love story in this book is almost hard to believe, although I did like the character of Pia, our heroine. She has a good heart and has fallen in love with the public persona of Sirius. He eventually shows her, little by little, his secret life. Also, this book is a little steamier than other books by this author without being ‘over-the-top’ graphic. A few times I was holding my breath and gritting my teeth, but continued reading. I was relieved it didn’t cross the line into full fledge graphic. All-in-all, I enjoyed the story line.
Dark, suspenseful and romantic, this books is difficult to read and yet it pulled me, sometimes against my will. Righting the wrongs in a society where only those of noble birth benefitted, this novel smacks of vigilantism. At a time in history where men and women of the gentry could do as they pleased at the expense of those of lesser birth, there were few to stand up for the right of the underprivileged. Pia has been sidelined by her family and her late husband blamed her for his lapses, leaving her destitute upon his death. Sirius has his secrets and keeping up the facade is taxing his strength and his relationship with Pia. However, it would appear that everyone other than Pia knew about his obsession with her. When his enemies pool their resources to stand against him and his friends, Sirius knows that it is time to come clean with Pia, but doing so might just deprive him of the one thing he needs more than anything else, namely her love.
The book starts with Lady Pia Brooks in a tree with Adam Jones trying to get her out of it. She finally comes down and wants Adam to take her with him and his mother when they go to London. Adam tells her that that can’t happen that her father would come looking for her. She and Adam had been in love with each other for years. That he was the bastard son of the Earl of Gordie and they would never be allowed to marry. As they were saying goodbye Adam kissed her as he kissed her she saw her father coming and pushed Adam out of the way and he hit his head which knocked him out she convinced her father not to be eating into leaving their which she did. He was going to marry her to Sirius Hayes but he ran off and married a rich woman so her father married her to Lord Ginter. Summer was coming to an end and Lady Pia going to visit her good friend Lady Gillian since her husband the Earl of Gordie had died. Lord Sirius Hayes was his brother heir was now the Earl of Gordie. The questions to be answered when you read the rest of the book are who exactly is Sirius Hayes, who does Lady Pia marry, and what does the Duke of Van Dero have to do with all of this. This is a well written book and an enjoyable read…
Deborah Wilson’s Valiant Love Regency Romance is the greatest series ever; each one seems better than the last. Lord Sirus Hayes has been a character in several of these already being the bank manager of the successful financial institution that was complicit in the original kidnapping of the five ‘lost lords’. Secret Pleasures of an Earl is his story: how did the bastard son become the Earl anyway? That is a secret that almost cost him the love of his life. The secrets also include the fact that he had a high position working for the deceased evil old Duke Van Duro and now we learn about the very close relationship he has had with the new Van Duro from before he left his love at age 16, not to meet her again for 15 years. These are hefty books, 600+ pages, a great value at less than a dollar each. Why not start at the beginning?
I loved this story – it was entertaining, full of emotional pulls & Sirius & Pia were a sensual, romantic, wonderful couple. All the books in this series have been really excellent with dark heroes but Ms. Wilson always succeeds in finding light by the end of the book.
I will not re-hash the story as it has been reviewed & told many times but I highly recommend this book & all the books in this series – you won’t be disappointed in the likable characters & the creative story telling. I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
Another fantastic book by Deborah Wilson that kept me totally glued to my kindle from the very first page! The great storyline was compelling and the wonderfully detailed characters kept me totally engaged throughout the entire book!
Pia and Sirius
This story can tug at the heart strings. It is nicely written with a flow that keeps the reader tuned in to the book and oblivious to their surroundings. Having read this book in on sitting I am speaking for my experience.
When a book engages my mind and emotions it “clicks” to the level that means the story resonates. Keeping in mind is fictional but the “picture” comes alive in the imagination. That is the making of a good book.
Any conflicts in the story were very believable as if they happen in every day life.
Overall this book in the series is another winner for me.