ARC Review When the Duke Was Wicked by Lorraine Heath

Title: When the Duke Was Wicked (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #1)
Author: Lorraine Heath
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel
Reviewed by: CaroleDee

Rating- 4
Sexual- 3

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…

Review-

Lorraine Heath is one of my favorite Historical romance writers. She's a master at the 'scarred and tortured hero/heroine'  While I found When the Duke was Wicked to be fun, it wasn't an all time favorite. I felt like the friend that became the tutor, that became the lover story has been overly done. Although, Heath did throw in an interesting twist when it came to Grace's reasons for needing to find a man that would love her for her personality and not her money or body. And, boy, what a twist it was! (Yes, I cried)

Seeing the kiddos of the Scoundrels of St. James crew was fun. I look forward to reading more about them. Hopefully the next one in the series will be something a bit more fresh for me.

Best of 2013 - Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath

Title: Lord of Wicked Intentions (The Lost Lords of Pembroke, #3)
Author: Lorraine Heath
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel (384 pgs)
Reviewed by: CaroleDee

Rating- 5
Sexual- 2

Lord Rafe Eason may be of noble blood, but survival taught him to rely only on himself and to love no one. Yet when he sets his eyes on Miss Evelyn Chambers, and earl's illegitimate daughter, he is determined to have her, if only as his mistress.

After her father's death, Evelyn Chambers never imagined she would be sold to the highest bidder, yet circumstances give her little choice except to accept the lord's indecent proposal. Rafe is wealthy, as well as ruthless. Yet his coldness belies deep passion and deeper secrets. If she must be his, Evelyn intends to lay bare everything the Lord of Pembrook is hiding. But dark discoveries threaten to destroy them both until unexpected love guides the last lost lord home.

Alright, prepare yourself for another I love Lorraine Heath review, because I LOVE Lorraine Heath.

Tortured/Scarred heroes and innocent, yet, willful heroines are my favorite kinds of historical romances. Do you have, 'Want to fix him' syndrome?  You know what I'm talking about. You just want to take a sledgehammer to that brick wall a guy has placed around his heart because of his tortured past. You want to wrap him in your arms and tell him that even though life sucks sometimes that it's no reason to give up hope! Well, Lorraine's the author for you. I've fallen in love with her Lost Lords of Pembroke series and I think Rafe turned out to be my favorite 'Lost Lord'.

Left at a work house by his older brothers when he was ten, Rafe felt alone, betrayed, and abandoned. Having lived a life of leisure until that point being treated less-than takes it's toll. He eventually escapes the cruel work house to the slums of London; only to jump from the frying pan into the fire. He survives any way he can, which to become successful in the rookeries means living a life of sin and violence. Through devious mean he eventually carves himself an empire, but even with wealth and respect he still feels empty. After twelve years his

Wow, Evelyn. As the bastard daughter of an Earl she's lived her life in a gilded cage. While she was given the education and instruction of any aristocratic daughter she's never been allowed into society because of the circumstances of her birth. When her beloved father dies her self-righteous, grudge-holding half-brother (Can you tell I really wanted to punch this guy?) literally auctions her off as a mistress! She's confused, hurt, and so incredibly naive to the ways of the world my heart hurt for her. Rafe steps in and takes her in, but not with pure intentions.  Yes, he intends to make Eve his mistress, but things don't go according to plan when he realizes she's chipping away the wall around his heart.

Okay, so I better stop with the rundown now, I don't want to give too much away. Just know that I loved this story so much. I was sad to see it end :( Heartache, betrayal, anger; the wide range of emotions just didn't let go. I've said it before and I'll say it again, do yourself a favor and check out the Lost Lords of Pembroke!
brother finally come back, but it's too late. Lingering feelings of abandonment and resentment leave him distancing himself from his long-lost family.

They were two lonely souls cast aside by Society. 
Surely they could find solace with each other.

Review: The Last Wicked Scoundrel by Lorraine Heath

Title: The Last Wicked Scoundrel (Scoundrels of St. James, #5)
Author: Lorraine Heath

Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novella (100pgs)
Reviewed by: CaroleDee

Rating- 4
Sexual- 3

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lorraine Heath brings us the eagerly awaited final story in the Scoundrels of St. James series.

William Graves is the last of Feagan's scoundrels. A onetime grave robber turned royal physician, he has devoted his life to saving others—because he knows there is no way to save himself. Especially not around a lady like Winnie. Though undeserving of her touch, he cannot resist. His passion cannot be tamed…even in the face of certain danger.

Winnie, the Duchess of Avendale, never knew peace until her brutal husband died. With William she's discovered burning desire—and the healing power of love. But now, confronted by the past she thought she'd left behind, Winnie must face her fears…or risk losing the one man who can fulfill all her dreams.

It's a bittersweet end to the original Scoundrels of St. James.

I've been waiting for William Graves' story since, almost, the beginning. I'm a bit disappointed that when I finally got it that it was only novella length, but in true Lorraine Heath fashion it was still a great read.

If you haven't read the previous installments in the Scoundrel's series you won't necessarily be lost, but there are events that happened in a previous book that lead to the relationship development of William and Winnie. 
Superficially they seem an unlikely pair.
Winnie- the widowed duchess.
William - The orphaned son of a clothes washer and grave robber.
Emotionally they couldn't be better suited.

Was it the fulfilling and ultra long novel I was hoping for? Neh.
Did I still get my Lorraine Heath kicker that I needed to fill my time until the release of When The Duke Was Wicked*? Yes sir ree :)

I definitely recommend this one to lovers of the St. James series. If you're just jumping on board, do yourself a favor and read the others in the series first. You won't be disappointed!

* When The Duke Was Wicked is a follow up series to the Scoundrels of St. James books. You can look forward to following the grown children of all of the Scoundrels! (Releasing Feb 25,2014)

ARC Review: Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath

Lord of Wicked Intentions (The Lost Lords of Pembrook, #3)
Author: Lorraine Heath 
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel (approx 384 pgs)
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Reviewed by CaroleDee

Lord Rafe Eason may be of noble blood, but survival taught him to rely only on himself and to love no one. Yet when he sets his eyes on Miss Evelyn Chambers, and earl's illegitimate daughter, he is determined to have her, if only as his mistress.

After her father's death, Evelyn Chambers never imagined she would be sold to the highest bidder, yet circumstances give her little choice except to accept the lord's indecent proposal. Rafe is wealthy, as well as ruthless. Yet his coldness belies deep passion and deeper secrets. If she must be his, Evelyn intends to lay bare everything the Lord of Pembrook is hiding. But dark discoveries threaten to destroy them both until unexpected love guides the last lost lord home.

ARC Review Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath

Title: Lord of Temptation (The Lost Lords of Pembrook, #2)
Author: Lorraine Heath
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel (approx 384 pgs)
Published by Avon Romance on Sept 25, 2012

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle— 

awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.

Once upon a time, he was Lord Tristan Easton—now he is Crimson Jack, a notorious privateer beholden to none, whose only mistress is the sea. But all that will change when exquisite Lady Anne Hayworth hires his protection on a trip into danger and seduction. ..

Desperation brought Anne to the bronzed, blue-eyed buccaneer. But after the Captain demands a kiss as his payment, desire will keep her at his side. She has never known temptation like this—but to protect her heart, she knows she must leave him behind. Yet Tristan cannot easily forget the beauty—and when they meet again in a London ballroom, he vows he won't lose her a second time, as fiery passion reignited takes them into uncharted waters that could lead the second lost lord home. . .

Review of Passions of a Wicked Earl by Lorraine Heath

Passions of a Wicked Earl #1 London's Greatest Lovers series
Author Lorraine Heath
I received this form NetGalley
Mass paperback historical
Release date Oct. 26th 2010
Authors website

Known throughout London for his prowess in the bedroom, Morgan Lyons, the 8th Earl of Westcliffe, cannot forgive an unpardonable affront to his honor. Discovering his young bride in the arms of his brother was a staggering blow–so he banished the beautiful deceiver to the country and devoted himself to the pursuit of carnal pleasure.




Claire Lyons was an innocent, frightened girl on her wedding day, seeking chaste comfort from a childhood friend. Now, years later, she has blossomed magnificently and has returned to London with one goal in mind: the seduction of her notorious husband. Unskilled in the sensual arts, she burns nonetheless for the kisses too long denied her. And she has but one Season to win back the heart of the rogue she betrayed
 

My Review
Rating-

Sexual-

If you like your men tortured this this one is for you. This is a nice quick read that’s full of emotions. This one starts out with Morgan lying with his mistress. Why is he with her instead of his wife? Well you’ll have to read to find out what she done that was so bad. Needless to say this one just didn’t cut it for me in the romance department. The sex is good and this has a great ending. But it got too predictable for me by the middle of the book. I really didn’t like how Claire was treated even though she did what she did. I just felt she is the one that suffered the most from it all. If your one that loves a good sobbing story this would be an excellent book for you.


Few spoilers
Morgan is really messed up and thinks he cant find love or someone love him, so he settles for his mistress and he is with her for the biggest part of the book. His wife Claire was a silly young girl that is scared for her wedding night and does something she really shouldn’t have, so she wouldn’t have to have sex with Morgan that night. When Morgan finds out he is furious with her and takes her to another home and tells her that no man can touch her. Yet he can have all the women he wants (whatever is what I say LOL.). So Claire has to come back to his house in London and try to make a mends, it takes a long time to make it too