The Duke and Lady In Red by Lorraine Heath

Welcome to a Tasty Virtual Tour…today we have something special, so we have today the latest book from Lorraine Heath…The Duke and the Lady In Red. What we have included is information on this title, information about this stellar author who in my mind is a “Queen” when writing historical romance. We have a review and a giveaway for you to enter….if you win you get a $25.00 Egift card that can be used for whichever book seller you prefer….you can’t go wrong with some free money to add more books to your library right? So check down below and see what made The Duke and Lady in Red  a 5 Blossom read!!

ARC Book Review-Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath

Once More, My Darling Rogue
Scandalous Gentleman of St. James (2)
Lorraine Heath
Avon Books
E Book
Published August 2014
Acquired: Edelweiss
384 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN:  9780062276254
Authors Website

Synopsis
They are England’s most eligible bachelors, with the most scandalous reputations. But for the right woman, even an unrepentant rogue may mend his ways…

Born to the street but raised within the aristocracy, Drake Darling can’t escape his sordid beginnings. Not when Lady Ophelia Lyttleton snubs him at every turn, a constant reminder he’s not truly one of them. But after rescuing her from a mysterious drowning he realizes she doesn’t remember who she is. With plans to bring her to heel, he insists she’s his housekeeper—never expecting to fall for the charming beauty.

While Ophelia might not recall her life before Drake, she has little doubt she belongs with him. The desire she feels for her dark, brooding employer can’t be denied, regardless of consequences. So when her memory returns, she is devastated by the depth of his betrayal. Now Drake must risk everything to prove she can trust this rogue with her heart once more.

My Review

Drake Darling comes with a past, a past that haunts him but has shaped who he is. Drake can’t deny his parentage, and was then adopted by a aristocratic family, and knows the ins and outs of the Ton. There is one lady, that haunts him and makes him burn…Lady Ophelia Lyttleton. A woman that spites him and rejects him at every opportunity, but when he rescues her from a drowning, he takes her home, and discovers that she has no idea who she is. So he settles her in his home as his housekeeper, thinking a bit of revenge will be good for her. Ophelia may not have her memory, but as she starts to begin a new life, she is confused and disoriented at times, but she feels drawn to Drake. She knows that he is keeping some secrets from her, and even though she has her doubts, she sees a man that is good and true, a man she is beginning to love and one she never wants to lose, even if that means never regaining her memory.

Once More My Darling Rogue is the second book in the Scandalous Gentleman series. This series is connected to one of her previous series ” Scoundrels Of St. James”.  I loved seeing the connection between these two series. I fell in love with the first series a while ago, and is one of the comfort reads that makes you laugh and engages you, and this series has definitely done the same. In this latest installment we definitely see many positive attributes of this story that will just break your heart. There were times I was laughing, and many times the moments between the characters were so tender and poignant I needed a few tissues. I loved the raw emotion that is displayed in the story and I just couldn’t get enough. Lorraine Heath has done it again!! She has written a story to warm you heart and thrill you to the core.

One of my favorite aspects of this story is the “Amnesia” theme, I always love guessing when that memory is going to come rolling back, and in this tale, it comes back when you least expect it. At the beginning of the story there is quite a bit of tension between Drake and Ophelia. Ophelia at first, I didn’t like her much, seems a bit stuck up but you sense that there is more to her character than meets the eye. Drake is a scoundrel, and just like his adopted father, he part owns a gentleman’s club “Dodgers” but knows both sides of the “tracks” and he definitely adds a element to the story that is thrilling and unique. The idea of making the woman he likes but hates too, to become his servant, adds a fun flair to the story line….and he definitely stirs things up.

I enjoyed seeing how this story played out in the end. Once More, My Darling Rogue is a romantic tale of redemption, love and forgiveness. There is such a emotional feel to it, and definitely is a ride of ups and downs, twists and turns, surprises and shocks, laughter and passion….and a beautiful love story that will worm its way into your heart~~fun filled and a sweet story that had me from the beginning!!WELL DONE HEATH….YOU HAVE WON ME OVER ONCE AGAIN!!!

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
When The Duke Was Wicked

ARC Book Review-When The Duke Was Wicked

When The Duke Was Wicked
Scandalous Gentleman of St. James (1)
Lorraine Heath
Avon Books
E Book
Published February 25 2014
384 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN:  9780062276223
Authors Website 

Synopsis
They are England’s most eligible bachelors, with the most scandalous reputations. But for the right woman, even an unrepentant rogue may mend his ways…

Lady Grace Mabry’s ample inheritance has made it impossible for her to tell whether a suitor is in love with her—or enamored of her riches. Who better to distinguish beau from blackguard than her notorious childhood friend, the Duke of Lovingdon?

With no interest in marriage, Lovingdon has long lived only for pleasure. He sees little harm in helping Grace find a proper match. After all, he’s familiar with all the ploys a scoundrel uses to gain a woman’s favor. He simply has to teach the lovely innocent how to distinguish honest emotions from false ones. How better than by demonstrating his wicked ways. But as lessons lead to torrid passion and Grace becomes ensnared in another man’s marriage plot, Lovingdon must wage a desperate gamble: Open his heart fully—or risk losing the woman he adores…

My Review

Grace has been in love with Lovingdon for years. Grace knows that she will need to marry soon, even though her parents aren’t forcing her to choose. They want her to find true love, the same love they have for each other. So Grace goes to Lovingdon for his help. Grace is worried than any suitor she may have will only be after her dowry, and will change his tune once they are married. So she asks for his help in figuring out which man is playing her and which one is genuine in his affection for her. Lovingdon lost his wife and daughter a couple years ago. Up until the moment he lost his wife, he was the most upstanding gentleman, one you could find no fault with. But from that moment that changed his life, he decided to stop playing by the rules. So the past couple of years he is the perfect debauched rake, enjoying gambling, drinking and plenty of women. Even though Lovingdon doesn’t want to help Grace, he feels a compulsion to do so. He has always held Grace in high affection, them having grown up together. But as he gives her lessons in finding the perfect mate, he comes to the conclusion that last thing he wants is for another man to have what he considers HIS….

When The Duke Was Wicked is the first in the most latest series from Lorraine Heath. This series is somewhat connection to the Scoundrels of St. James series. The two main characters in this story were children of Frannie Darling and Jack Dodger.When I realized this, I was very excited to see how this would turn out and if we would see characters from that earlier series. Well let me just say I was fully satisfied in that certain aspect. The story begins with Grace showing up at Lovingdons with no notice, and he definitely isn’t reading in the library. We see the strong spirit from Grace from the beginning of the story, and doesn’t back down no matter how much Lovingdon growls and does the whole Alpha Male routine. Grace is looking to find a man to love, to accept her for who she is. From the beginning of the story you see that Grace is hiding a secret, one that even Lovingdon doesn’t know. All through the story you wonder what it is, and what Lovingdon’s reaction to it will be. I enjoyed seeing these two interact, especially in the beginning. I loved the scoundrel of a personality that is Lovingdon, and it was quite fun seeing Grace handle him.

The characters in this story are just as charming and endearing as ever!! I couldn’t help become infatuated with them from the very beginning. Now first lets talk about Lovingdon–oh boy, was he delicious, I could gobble him all up. He definitely has the tortured male routine going on a bit, with a mix of rake and bad boy thrown in, definitely makes up for a exciting hero character. Grace is quite a favorite heroine of mine. I think the only thing I wish was better about her character, is having more trust in Lovingdon, considering they were childhood playmates. Grace has quite a bit of spine though, especially when you read this story, and gain a better appreciation for her as the heroine of the story. She does have backbone, and goes after what she wants, and is willing to fight tooth and nail for it. I loved seeing both of these characters develop more from beginning to end of the story, and their connection is beautiful and tender and powerfully passionate. Reading this has made me want to re read the Scoundrels of St James once again.

Overall When The Duke Was Wicked is a endearing romance that will set your blood rate at a higher level. A intriguing tale of romance, sacrifice, and witty dialogue that is bound to take your breath away!!! These characters will make you fall in love once again.  COMPELLING!!

My Grade
4.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Warm

Other Books In The Series 
Once More, My Darling Rogue (Book 2)