Nominated for the prestigious romance Rita award!“Rice is a master storyteller. A wonderful blend of humor, pathos, adventure, and charm, this page-turner is book one in Rice’s promising Rebellious Sons series.” —Shelley Mosley, BooklistJohn Fitzhugh Wyckerly has been the spare heir all his life, supporting himself with gambling and charm. The news that he’s inherited the bankrupt title of Earl … gambling and charm. The news that he’s inherited the bankrupt title of Earl of Danecroft shatters his indolent world. Even penniless, he’s always paid his debts, but now the estate’s creditors are closing in. He can fake his death and run for cover, or accept overwhelming responsibility and find a rich wife, one who will also accept his illegitimate terror of a daughter.
On his way to find an heiress, he meets Abigail Merriweather, who is neither rich nor aristocratic, but she can tame The Terror and stomp cockroaches. Unfortunately, she needs a wealthy, powerful man who will fight her father’s executor and retrieve her four half-siblings. When an unexpected inheritance falls into Abby’s lap, she sets out for London to seek a lawyer.
Can Fitz charm his practical Abby into trusting him to save her siblings when it’s doubtful that he can even save himself? And can Abby surrender reason and logic for the folly of love offered by a man who can have any woman he wants but insists he wants only her?
* Nominated for the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA® award!
* Booklist Top Ten Romance
Rebellious Sons Series
Prequel Novella: Incomparable Lord Meath
Book #1: Wicked Wyckerly
Book #2: Devilish Montague
Book #3: Notorious Atherton
Book #4: Formidable Lord Quentin
Praise for Wicked Wyckerly:
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This was not your normal boy meets girl book. It is a comedy of errors. True love means sometimes doing what you have to do instead of what you want to do. But true love wins out in the end and you can put the book down with a smile on your face. I could not put it down.
I didn’t like it. I couldn’t get past the 3rd chapter. Kind of boring.
I really enjoyed the storyline and I liked that the ending wasn’t exactly perfect. Definitely would recommend.
This was my first book by this author, but it certainly will not be my last. Engaging characters are the most important feature of a book for me, and this one makes it impossible to pick a favorite. Grabbed me from page one and kept the interest level high all the way through. Although there are obviously more stories to tell in this world, this book totally stands alone with a very satisfying HEA.
Love her books
Historical story from penniless royal heir to making a marriage based on love, not worth of bride, and then benefits not expected, ending happily.
Twist and turns for children and a happy ending.
Delightful and Charming.
Ms Rice’s books are always a ‘satisfying’ read and this story is no exception. Although from the very beginning our hero is an Earl, he was never expected to be and this is about the plight of second/younger sons (the spares) and the difficulties of making a living. Whilst the eldest son would inherit the estate and enter politics, professions open to younger sons were limited; the second son would often join the army, the third son go into law, and the fourth son join the church. Anything considered to be “trade” was heavily frowned upon and would see you ostracised from society. Our hero, having had little education (owing to his grandfather, father and older brother suffering from dyslexia and, a lack of funds) earns his living by gambling. This, is not quite so precarious as one might think, as he is a mathematical genius and counting the cards puts the odds of winning in his favour. However when he inherits an estate heavily in debt, which cannot be sold due to being entailed, gambling is not going to solve his problems. Add in a 6 year old illegitimate daughter who has been brought up in “low” company; is strong willed and obstinate, and you will see that the last thing he needs is to fall for a young woman trying to obtain custody of her four young, rambunctious half-siblings. There are rumours of his death, attacks that narrowly miss killing him, meddling friends and acquaintances, love, lust and a light touch of humour. A highly recommended book.
Note: it is his ancestors who are wicked not our hero, so some may find the title of this book a misnomer.
I hope to read the stories of the other dukes in the series, too! A fun and entertaining read.
This was a great read. Lots of twists and turns.
Enjoyed tremendously.
Funny.
Enjoyed very much….loved the Father Wyckerly became….
This one was probably more appropriate for a 12 year old girl.
The story was very enjoyable and different. I liked his villainous and wickedness. He was also very honest and decent.
Entertaining read.
Shows good pays off.
Hot love story, read it straight through could not put it down. Overall good but somewhat predictable. Good read if you need a distraction for a day.
These books have the feel good formula that I might like it it weren’t for the explicit sex scenes. They put me off the whole book. It was a chore to finish for fear of running into another.
funny characters – good story