The debutante meets the radical… brother. But help comes from an unexpected source – Lord Braithwaite’s new secretary, Michael Hanson.
Michael is poor, clever, ambitious – and a political radical. Engaged to be married to a lady who actively shares his views, he never imagines he could fall for his employer’s lovely, if rather haunted, sister. But there is more than frivolity to Maria, and he is quickly drawn to her humor and compassion, and to the troubles her good-nature keeps heaping upon her.
When her first love pops back into her life to blackmail her over her indiscretion a year ago, it is Michael she turns to for help. But Michael, too, has his problems as he is under suspicion for publishing seditious pamphlets that could affect Britain’s last battle with Napoleon Bonaparte.
As the European stage is set for Waterloo, Michael and Maria work together to find the conspirators before it is too late.
In the process, they fall in love, but honor as well as their difference in rank, might keep them apart…
Blackhaven Brides
Book 1 – The Wicked Baron
Book 2 – The Wicked Lady
Book 3 – The Wicked Rebel
Book 4 – The Wicked Husband
Book 5 – The Wicked Marquis
Book 6 – The Wicked Governess
Book 7 – The Wicked Spy
Book 8 – The Wicked Gypsy
Book 9 – The Wicked Wife
Book 10 – Wicked Christmas (Holiday Novella)
Book 11 – The Wicked Waif
Book 12 – The Wicked Heir
Book 13 – The Wicked Captain
Book 14 – The Wicked Sister
more
I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series, and I found The Wicked Sister to be one of the best. As with Lancaster’s other Blackhaven Brides novels, this was a diverting blend of romance and intrigue, adventure and drama. Lancaster has crafted an impressive world of characters, many of whom make an appearance in this book, but without diverting from the core story between two of her most endearing protagonists. Although each book stands on its own, I recommend reading the series in order if possible. This is a series I plan to revisit whenever I’m in the mood for a quality romance.
Another amazing visit to Blackhaven and this time it is about Lady Maria, who just finished her first season. Needless to say, she seems to get herself into scrapes and has no knowledge of how they came about! I mean how could a man think she wants to elope with him when she has no idea how he came to that conclusion?
Dreading the scolding from her mother and her brother, Lord Braithwaite, she tries to dodge into the library, but comes into contact with Michael Hanson, her brother’s new secretary. As she is followed, the scolding begins, but Michael intervenes and helps save her by his logic as to the situation. Yes, she admits, she only halfway listens to the young men that speak to her and it gets her in trouble!
Michael is impressed with Maria, although he is an intelligent young man with lots of ideas, he is way below her station. But when Maria turns to him again, he cannot help but be drawn to her.
Could there be a future?
A wonderful story as only the talented Mary Lancaster can relay, I could not put this one down until the end! Loved it! But on another note sad this is the last in this series! Do yourself a favor and read them all!
Lady Maria Conway is the younger sister of an Earl. Maria hasn’t had the best of luck with men, or courting, in fact she’s barely escaped more than one disaster. This is why she and her family are spending time in the memorable village of Blackhaven. While there, Maria meets her elder brother’s secretary, Mr. Michael Hanson.
Mr. Hanson is a young, personable and educated man born of a family not of the ton. His political views are a bit on the radical side for the day, but he’s a reasonable man. He’s also helpful, kind, thoughtful, and attractive and Maria has noticed.
Maria is rescued by Michael from yet another scrape, and the two are drawn into a web of national intrigue and danger. All the while the two find that they are quite possibly better together than apart.
I really enjoyed this latest visit to the village of Blackhaven. This is a terrific story with a fast moving plot filled with romance and mystery. I highly recommend the book AND this series.
What can I say about the Wicked Sister? I loved it. At times, I found that the story moved slowly, but it was interesting and a joy to read, It’s a story about a guy who is a commoner and falls in love with an aristocrat. But the best part of Wicked Sister was the friendship that the H and h developed between each other. I loved how Michael could see beyond Maria’s aristocrat exterior to the person she really was. Their wedding and wedding night were beautiful.
p.s. For some reason, this story reminds me of a Jane Austen book, which makes it a plus for me
The Wicked Sister by Mary Lancaster is Book 14 in the Blackhaven Brides series and is really a misnomer. She is not at all wicked. She is young, and curious, and ready to be loved, but not wicked. Lady Maria Conway is the youngest sister in a large family of married people. Michael Hanson is her brother’s secretary. They developed a friendship, not inappropriate, but based on their positions in life: the Earls secretary and a somewhat forgotten youngest sister. He was very liberal in his thought, would be a revolutionary but was too sensible for that. His fiancée, however, was not to sensible and continued to write and publish pamphlets that would eventually get her in trouble with law. Sedition was a terrible thing. Michael and Maria continued to develop their friendship and Maria’s line of political thought. Michael also befriended her niece and encouraged her as an artist.
This friendship developed slowly and it was an enjoyable journey. Maria was a young, impressionable woman and she had many influences so her care for the poor developed away from politics and more into action and volunteerism. Michael nearly had to pay for his political leanings through the actions of others and the Earl saw a lot of potential in his secretary, leading him to support Michael for a seat in the House of Commons, knowing they differed politically, but also knowing what a thoughtful man Michael was. This was a little different storyline. Rarely do we see much politics, although even this was not in depth. It was a refreshing change and made the book interesting and unusual. I enjoyed it. You will, too, I think. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of The Wicked Sister from Dragonblade. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own.
Lady Maria seems to be always in some kind of trouble. This time she returns home to Braithwaite Castle before a scandal breaks out. When she gets blackmailed by her first love she finds a friend in Michael Hanson her brothers secretary. Michael has hopes and dreams of his own along with a betrothed. As Maria and Michael become co conspirators to thwart her ex love Michael is becoming attracted to Maria and her to him. Both feeling guilty because of his betrothed try to convince themselves they are just friends, but they have to face many obstacles that are thrown their way. This was such a delightful story to read. Maria and Michael are such wonderful characters and it was a pleasure to read this story. I have read most of the Blackhaven series and I am sad this will be the last. Definitely recommend this book and the series.