The Devil You Know
Liz Carlyle
Devil Series
The Devil You Know
Rejected by the man she thought loved her, Frederica "Freddie" d'Avillez turns to Randolph "Bentley" Rutledge to wash away the memory of her fickle former beau. With his reputation as a wicked rogue, "Hell-Bent" Rutledge is not the material from which good, dependable husbands are fashioned, but he is something of an expert in matters of seduction and thus should be the perfect person to introduce Freddie into the delights of passion. Giving into Freddie's request to show her one night of love, Bentley is surprised not to hear from her again until he bumps into her at a society affair and discovers that their little fling has left her pregnant. Despite her reluctance, Bentley insists on marrying Freddie, then she discovers that the success of their marriage rests on her ability to uncover the secrets that haunt her new husband. Readers will be delighted to find that characters from some of her previous books play small roles in Carlyle's latest, beautifully fashioned story of redemption and love, which features the same addictive mix of superb characterization, exquisitely sensual love scenes, and luscious writing found in all of her splendidly compelling historical romances.
A Deal With The Devil
Carlyle's Devil series (The Devil You Know, etc.) continues in this historical romance featuring an embittered earl and a housekeeper with something to hide. Aubrey Montford comes to Castle Cardow armed only with forged references and towing a small boy behind her. The only tenant of the castle is the irascible Major Lorimer, an ailing alcoholic whom no one in the household can bear for long. Nevertheless, Aubrey soon endears herself to the Major by restoring the castle to its former glory. The estate's absentee owner, the Earl of Walrafen, is content to leave Cardow in Aubrey's capable hands until the Major, his uncle, is found shot to death in his room. Giles, Lord Walrafen, returns to Cardow, though it holds only unhappy memories for him. As he seeks his uncle's murderer, he finds himself drawn to the beautiful but strangely reserved Aubrey-but she's also the prime suspect in his investigation. Carlyle sets up a locked-room mystery with few suspects, so there's far more romance here than suspense. Fortunately, the chemistry between Aubrey and Giles is intense, and their relationship possesses a maturity that distinguishes it from typical love-between-the-classes romances. On the whole, Regency fans who prefer their romances mixed with a little intrigue will be charmed by Carlyle's newest offering.
The Devil To Play
Sensual and suspenseful, the newest entry in Carlyle's Regency-era Devil series (following A Deal with the Devil) contains plenty of heated romance and an engaging heroine who lives two lives. By day, Sidonie Saint-Godard is a respectable young widow, but at night she becomes the seductive Black Angel, robbing wealthy men who mistreat women. Sidonie, the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat, is painfully aware of the plight of unwed mothers and believes she can right society's wrongs by robbing vain men to help the women they harm. Her successful run falters when she targets the marquess of Devellyn, the notorious Devil of Duke Street. Disguised as a lusty street trollop, Sidonie seduces Devellyn, but the encounter kindles real passion, which complicates matters when Sidonie learns that she stole not only items of monetary worth from Devellyn but also something of sentimental value. Tension escalates sharply as Sidonie, realizing that Devellyn is in a vengeful rage, unwisely risks returning his items. Other revenge seekers close in on Sidonie until Devellyn's proposal becomes the only solution to guarantee her safety and reputation. A few contrived plot twists bring about a satisfying denouement, but this is a small flaw in an otherwise lively and absorbing romance.
Both html & lit
Lies and Secrets Series
One Little Sin
With this intriguing sentence;"It was a sweltering afternoon in September when Sir Alasdair MacLachlan very nearly got what his Granny MacGregor had been promising him for at least the last three decades: his comeuppance";veteran Carlyle (The Devil to Pay) opens a trilogy of Regency historicals about three men;Alasdair, his brother and a friend;who flee an escapade gone wrong only to encounter a gypsy with dire predictions about their fates. It doesn't take long for Alasdair to discover that a particular sin of his has indeed come home to roost. The unsuspected toddler offspring of a forgotten dalliance arrives at his doorstep accompanied by her penniless but strong-willed sister, Esmée Hamilton. Before he knows it, Alasdair's world is turned upside down as the confirmed rake discovers that he does have a heart after all, even though he can't figure out what to do with it. The momentum of the captivating early chapters doesn't quite carry into the middle, but the author's sensual writing and some welcome twists toward the end more than redeem the story.
Two Little Lies
In bestseller Carlyle's historical romance, the strong second entry in a trilogy (after One Little Sin), an impetuous youthful affair between Quin, the future Earl of Wynwood, and Viviana Alessandri, an Italian opera singer, ends painfully for them both after he rejects her suggestion of marriage, unaware that she's carrying his child. Nine years later, in 1830, the pair meet again as Quin prepares to marry a suitable young miss, while Viviana, now a widow with three children, returns to England to assist her father in completing an opera. Their hot tempers and passionate natures set them on a collision course that shocks the earl's reserved family and turns both their lives upside down. Old secrets emerge during a Christmastime country retreat that is warmed by subplots involving the children and Quin's sister. Though returning readers should enjoy the fresh insights into the events of One Little Sin, those new to the series will find that this volume works fine on its own. With effective, emotional writing and a complex heroine, Carlyle's story stands out in the crowded field of Regency-era romances.
Three Little Secrets
While it's standard practice for books in a romance trilogy to share unifying elements—such as setting, characters and themes—few recycle plot devices as blatantly as the tales in Carlyle's historical Little trilogy (One Little Sin; Two Little Lies). In this third installment of the Regency saga, Carlyle spins a story of long-separated lovers who reunite, but only after much argument, miscommunication and the revelation of a baby's less-than-surprising true parentage. The plot will ring familiar to Carlyle's fans, primarily because it's a carbon copy of Two Little Lies. As in Lies, the hero and heroine—in this case hardened businessman Merrick MacLachlan and his former beau, Lady Madeleine Bessett—meet by chance in London and then spend the bulk of the book casting each other longing looks, declaring they want nothing to do with one another and indulging in angst-ridden personal flashbacks; it all grows tedious fast. It's a testament to Carlyle's skill that her characters engage despite the familiar setup, but in the end, they aren't dynamic enough to satisfy the story line or the reader.
1: lit & pdf 2 & 3: html
Neville Family Trilogy
Never Lie To A Lady
Xanthia Neville knows exactly how to run a successful worldwide shipping business, but navigating the social waters of the ton is another matter entirely. At a London soiree, the mystery man with whom Xanthia shares a kiss turns out to be notorious rake and gamester Stefan Northampton, the Marquess of Nash. Xanthia knows that any romantic liaison with Stefan is social suicide, but she can't forget the dark and dangerous lord. Xanthia gets a second chance with Stefan when the British government asks her to use her business connections to look into Stefan's possible connections to gun-smuggling in Greece, and Xanthia soon finds herself ensnared in a dangerous game of seduction and intrigue with the sublimely sexy Stefan. With the first in an irresistible new trilogy, Carlyle cleverly fashions another of her fabulously rich confections certain to captivate readers with its delightfully unique heroine, deliciously dark hero, and delectably witty writing.
Never Deceive A Duke
Carlyle's second Neville family novel (after Never Lie to a Lady) revisits the wounded hero story line and adds a touch of mystery. Through a twist of fate, Gareth Lloyd, part owner of Neville Shipping, discovers that the title of duke of Warneham has now fallen to him. It's a bitter inheritance for Gareth, who as a child was sentenced by the old duke to a hardscrabble life aboard ship. Reluctantly, Gareth visits his new country estate, Selsdon Court, only to discover the duke's beautiful widow, Antonia, still in residence. Passion flares between the emotionally damaged pair as Antonia reveals her grief over the death of a young daughter, and Gareth faces anti-Jewish sentiment among the upper class (an atypical touch that works well). The author's natural, concise writing style, attention to historical detail and fully formed characters make her world spring to life, and her plot never flags; Carlyle even finds room for a dose of mystery, as Gareth's friend, Kemble, investigates the poisoning death of the previous duke. As usual, Carlyle doesn't disappoint.
Never Romance A Rake
If he wins this hand...
Shunning the glittering elite of high society Kieran, Baron Rothewell, prefers the dangerous pursuits of London's demimonde. Hardened by a tormented past, he cares little for anyone or anything. So how can he resist the wager proposed by the dissolute Comte de Valigny? A hand of cards for the possession of the comte's exquisite daughter.
Will he win her heart?
Abandoned by her highborn father -- until he decides to use her -- Mademoiselle Camille Marchand puts no trust in an aristocrat's honor, especially that of the notorious baron. She too is gambling -- for her life -- and Rothwell is just one more card to be used. But whatever dark desires run through his veins call to her own, and the heart plays its own game -- winner take all!
Both html & pdf
Novels
My False Heart
When the dissolute Marquis of Rannoch pursues a spiteful mistress into the wilds of Essex, he is surprised to find himself hopelessly lost—in more ways than one. Drawn to a warmly lit house along a country lane, he is mistaken for an overdue guest, and dares not reveal his identity, lest they throw him back into the rain, a fate he admittedly deserves.
Evangeline van Artevalde is an artist of exceptional talent and extraordinary secrets. Isolated from society by choice, the beautiful Flemish refugee has fled her homeland in search of a secure haven for the children in her family. Essex seems a perfectly safe place to hide, until one rainy night when a dark stranger enters her home, her life, and eventually, her heart...
A Woman Scorned
Jonet Rowland, the Marchioness of Mercer is lovely, rich, and—it is rumored—an unrepentant adulteress. And when her philandering husband is murdered in his own bed, it's whispered that Jonet is a femme fatale in more ways than one. It will take a dashing and honorable soldier to get Jonet out of this one.
When his scheming uncle begs Captain Cole Amherst to investigate the death of his brother, Lord Mercer, Cole flatly refuses. But it is soon apparent that treachery stalks Lady Mercer’s two innocent children. A man of God and a scholar, Cole reluctantly plunges into the viper’s pit that is Jonet Rowland’s life, and finds that nothing could have prepared him for the lust she inspires...or the danger which surrounds them.
Beauty Like the Night
The daughter of London’s wickedest widow, Helene de Severs has learned to govern her own reckless emotions. Renowned within Europe’s emerging field of psychiatric medicine, Helene has a gift for healing children. When fate sends her back to the village she once left in disgrace, Helene is confident she can govern her own reckless emotions, too.
The Earl of Treyhern has dragged his family back from the brink of ruin. But a disastrous marriage has left him with a traumatized child, and his rebellious brother Bentley is just one step ahead of the bailiffs. When his father drops dead while debauching the governess, Treyhern’s famous self-control almost snaps. Desperately in need of a good governess, Treyhern hires the very best. And when Helene steps down from his carriage, his resolve is truly tested—by a rush of desire he’d long thought dead.
Woman of Virtue
In the months since her husband’s death, Cecilia, Lady Walrafen, has hidden her emptiness by devoting herself to a charity mission for the poor women of London’s slums. But when the man who once tried to ruin her reputation turns up at the Nazareth Society, Cecilia is outraged.
The womanizing Lord Delacourt is vain, vindictive, and merciless. But he’s a man who honors his wagers. And when one of them goes wrong, landing him in a charity mission for prostitutes, he comes face-to face with the young woman whose reputation he once nearly ruined—and whose lips he has never forgotten. Soon, however, evil is stalking the women of the Nazareth Society, and only Delacourt knows how to guard Cecilia from the consequences of her own principles.
No True Gentleman
After a year in mourning for her husband, Lady Catherine Wodeway has come to London to escape her grief. And even though she’s a country girl, Cat realizes that no true gentleman would presume to kiss a lady senseless without a proper introduction—not even to save her life. Yet somehow, police inspector Max de Rohan’s dark good looks and mysterious past make it all too easy to forget that she’s a lady.
Although de Rohan is stunned by Catherine’s beauty, honest, and charm, he knows firsthand that getting mixed up with a noblewoman can end badly. But when Catherine stumbles onto the key to his murder investigation, he will risk everything to pull her out of danger and into his arms. Too late, he realizes that Catherine’s brother Bentley is his prime suspect...
html or lit
All Books In One Link
Devil Series
The Devil You Know
Rejected by the man she thought loved her, Frederica "Freddie" d'Avillez turns to Randolph "Bentley" Rutledge to wash away the memory of her fickle former beau. With his reputation as a wicked rogue, "Hell-Bent" Rutledge is not the material from which good, dependable husbands are fashioned, but he is something of an expert in matters of seduction and thus should be the perfect person to introduce Freddie into the delights of passion. Giving into Freddie's request to show her one night of love, Bentley is surprised not to hear from her again until he bumps into her at a society affair and discovers that their little fling has left her pregnant. Despite her reluctance, Bentley insists on marrying Freddie, then she discovers that the success of their marriage rests on her ability to uncover the secrets that haunt her new husband. Readers will be delighted to find that characters from some of her previous books play small roles in Carlyle's latest, beautifully fashioned story of redemption and love, which features the same addictive mix of superb characterization, exquisitely sensual love scenes, and luscious writing found in all of her splendidly compelling historical romances.
A Deal With The Devil
Carlyle's Devil series (The Devil You Know, etc.) continues in this historical romance featuring an embittered earl and a housekeeper with something to hide. Aubrey Montford comes to Castle Cardow armed only with forged references and towing a small boy behind her. The only tenant of the castle is the irascible Major Lorimer, an ailing alcoholic whom no one in the household can bear for long. Nevertheless, Aubrey soon endears herself to the Major by restoring the castle to its former glory. The estate's absentee owner, the Earl of Walrafen, is content to leave Cardow in Aubrey's capable hands until the Major, his uncle, is found shot to death in his room. Giles, Lord Walrafen, returns to Cardow, though it holds only unhappy memories for him. As he seeks his uncle's murderer, he finds himself drawn to the beautiful but strangely reserved Aubrey-but she's also the prime suspect in his investigation. Carlyle sets up a locked-room mystery with few suspects, so there's far more romance here than suspense. Fortunately, the chemistry between Aubrey and Giles is intense, and their relationship possesses a maturity that distinguishes it from typical love-between-the-classes romances. On the whole, Regency fans who prefer their romances mixed with a little intrigue will be charmed by Carlyle's newest offering.
The Devil To Play
Sensual and suspenseful, the newest entry in Carlyle's Regency-era Devil series (following A Deal with the Devil) contains plenty of heated romance and an engaging heroine who lives two lives. By day, Sidonie Saint-Godard is a respectable young widow, but at night she becomes the seductive Black Angel, robbing wealthy men who mistreat women. Sidonie, the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat, is painfully aware of the plight of unwed mothers and believes she can right society's wrongs by robbing vain men to help the women they harm. Her successful run falters when she targets the marquess of Devellyn, the notorious Devil of Duke Street. Disguised as a lusty street trollop, Sidonie seduces Devellyn, but the encounter kindles real passion, which complicates matters when Sidonie learns that she stole not only items of monetary worth from Devellyn but also something of sentimental value. Tension escalates sharply as Sidonie, realizing that Devellyn is in a vengeful rage, unwisely risks returning his items. Other revenge seekers close in on Sidonie until Devellyn's proposal becomes the only solution to guarantee her safety and reputation. A few contrived plot twists bring about a satisfying denouement, but this is a small flaw in an otherwise lively and absorbing romance.
Both html & lit
Lies and Secrets Series
One Little Sin
With this intriguing sentence;"It was a sweltering afternoon in September when Sir Alasdair MacLachlan very nearly got what his Granny MacGregor had been promising him for at least the last three decades: his comeuppance";veteran Carlyle (The Devil to Pay) opens a trilogy of Regency historicals about three men;Alasdair, his brother and a friend;who flee an escapade gone wrong only to encounter a gypsy with dire predictions about their fates. It doesn't take long for Alasdair to discover that a particular sin of his has indeed come home to roost. The unsuspected toddler offspring of a forgotten dalliance arrives at his doorstep accompanied by her penniless but strong-willed sister, Esmée Hamilton. Before he knows it, Alasdair's world is turned upside down as the confirmed rake discovers that he does have a heart after all, even though he can't figure out what to do with it. The momentum of the captivating early chapters doesn't quite carry into the middle, but the author's sensual writing and some welcome twists toward the end more than redeem the story.
Two Little Lies
In bestseller Carlyle's historical romance, the strong second entry in a trilogy (after One Little Sin), an impetuous youthful affair between Quin, the future Earl of Wynwood, and Viviana Alessandri, an Italian opera singer, ends painfully for them both after he rejects her suggestion of marriage, unaware that she's carrying his child. Nine years later, in 1830, the pair meet again as Quin prepares to marry a suitable young miss, while Viviana, now a widow with three children, returns to England to assist her father in completing an opera. Their hot tempers and passionate natures set them on a collision course that shocks the earl's reserved family and turns both their lives upside down. Old secrets emerge during a Christmastime country retreat that is warmed by subplots involving the children and Quin's sister. Though returning readers should enjoy the fresh insights into the events of One Little Sin, those new to the series will find that this volume works fine on its own. With effective, emotional writing and a complex heroine, Carlyle's story stands out in the crowded field of Regency-era romances.
Three Little Secrets
While it's standard practice for books in a romance trilogy to share unifying elements—such as setting, characters and themes—few recycle plot devices as blatantly as the tales in Carlyle's historical Little trilogy (One Little Sin; Two Little Lies). In this third installment of the Regency saga, Carlyle spins a story of long-separated lovers who reunite, but only after much argument, miscommunication and the revelation of a baby's less-than-surprising true parentage. The plot will ring familiar to Carlyle's fans, primarily because it's a carbon copy of Two Little Lies. As in Lies, the hero and heroine—in this case hardened businessman Merrick MacLachlan and his former beau, Lady Madeleine Bessett—meet by chance in London and then spend the bulk of the book casting each other longing looks, declaring they want nothing to do with one another and indulging in angst-ridden personal flashbacks; it all grows tedious fast. It's a testament to Carlyle's skill that her characters engage despite the familiar setup, but in the end, they aren't dynamic enough to satisfy the story line or the reader.
1: lit & pdf 2 & 3: html
Neville Family Trilogy
Never Lie To A Lady
Xanthia Neville knows exactly how to run a successful worldwide shipping business, but navigating the social waters of the ton is another matter entirely. At a London soiree, the mystery man with whom Xanthia shares a kiss turns out to be notorious rake and gamester Stefan Northampton, the Marquess of Nash. Xanthia knows that any romantic liaison with Stefan is social suicide, but she can't forget the dark and dangerous lord. Xanthia gets a second chance with Stefan when the British government asks her to use her business connections to look into Stefan's possible connections to gun-smuggling in Greece, and Xanthia soon finds herself ensnared in a dangerous game of seduction and intrigue with the sublimely sexy Stefan. With the first in an irresistible new trilogy, Carlyle cleverly fashions another of her fabulously rich confections certain to captivate readers with its delightfully unique heroine, deliciously dark hero, and delectably witty writing.
Never Deceive A Duke
Carlyle's second Neville family novel (after Never Lie to a Lady) revisits the wounded hero story line and adds a touch of mystery. Through a twist of fate, Gareth Lloyd, part owner of Neville Shipping, discovers that the title of duke of Warneham has now fallen to him. It's a bitter inheritance for Gareth, who as a child was sentenced by the old duke to a hardscrabble life aboard ship. Reluctantly, Gareth visits his new country estate, Selsdon Court, only to discover the duke's beautiful widow, Antonia, still in residence. Passion flares between the emotionally damaged pair as Antonia reveals her grief over the death of a young daughter, and Gareth faces anti-Jewish sentiment among the upper class (an atypical touch that works well). The author's natural, concise writing style, attention to historical detail and fully formed characters make her world spring to life, and her plot never flags; Carlyle even finds room for a dose of mystery, as Gareth's friend, Kemble, investigates the poisoning death of the previous duke. As usual, Carlyle doesn't disappoint.
Never Romance A Rake
If he wins this hand...
Shunning the glittering elite of high society Kieran, Baron Rothewell, prefers the dangerous pursuits of London's demimonde. Hardened by a tormented past, he cares little for anyone or anything. So how can he resist the wager proposed by the dissolute Comte de Valigny? A hand of cards for the possession of the comte's exquisite daughter.
Will he win her heart?
Abandoned by her highborn father -- until he decides to use her -- Mademoiselle Camille Marchand puts no trust in an aristocrat's honor, especially that of the notorious baron. She too is gambling -- for her life -- and Rothwell is just one more card to be used. But whatever dark desires run through his veins call to her own, and the heart plays its own game -- winner take all!
Both html & pdf
Novels
My False Heart
When the dissolute Marquis of Rannoch pursues a spiteful mistress into the wilds of Essex, he is surprised to find himself hopelessly lost—in more ways than one. Drawn to a warmly lit house along a country lane, he is mistaken for an overdue guest, and dares not reveal his identity, lest they throw him back into the rain, a fate he admittedly deserves.
Evangeline van Artevalde is an artist of exceptional talent and extraordinary secrets. Isolated from society by choice, the beautiful Flemish refugee has fled her homeland in search of a secure haven for the children in her family. Essex seems a perfectly safe place to hide, until one rainy night when a dark stranger enters her home, her life, and eventually, her heart...
A Woman Scorned
Jonet Rowland, the Marchioness of Mercer is lovely, rich, and—it is rumored—an unrepentant adulteress. And when her philandering husband is murdered in his own bed, it's whispered that Jonet is a femme fatale in more ways than one. It will take a dashing and honorable soldier to get Jonet out of this one.
When his scheming uncle begs Captain Cole Amherst to investigate the death of his brother, Lord Mercer, Cole flatly refuses. But it is soon apparent that treachery stalks Lady Mercer’s two innocent children. A man of God and a scholar, Cole reluctantly plunges into the viper’s pit that is Jonet Rowland’s life, and finds that nothing could have prepared him for the lust she inspires...or the danger which surrounds them.
Beauty Like the Night
The daughter of London’s wickedest widow, Helene de Severs has learned to govern her own reckless emotions. Renowned within Europe’s emerging field of psychiatric medicine, Helene has a gift for healing children. When fate sends her back to the village she once left in disgrace, Helene is confident she can govern her own reckless emotions, too.
The Earl of Treyhern has dragged his family back from the brink of ruin. But a disastrous marriage has left him with a traumatized child, and his rebellious brother Bentley is just one step ahead of the bailiffs. When his father drops dead while debauching the governess, Treyhern’s famous self-control almost snaps. Desperately in need of a good governess, Treyhern hires the very best. And when Helene steps down from his carriage, his resolve is truly tested—by a rush of desire he’d long thought dead.
Woman of Virtue
In the months since her husband’s death, Cecilia, Lady Walrafen, has hidden her emptiness by devoting herself to a charity mission for the poor women of London’s slums. But when the man who once tried to ruin her reputation turns up at the Nazareth Society, Cecilia is outraged.
The womanizing Lord Delacourt is vain, vindictive, and merciless. But he’s a man who honors his wagers. And when one of them goes wrong, landing him in a charity mission for prostitutes, he comes face-to face with the young woman whose reputation he once nearly ruined—and whose lips he has never forgotten. Soon, however, evil is stalking the women of the Nazareth Society, and only Delacourt knows how to guard Cecilia from the consequences of her own principles.
No True Gentleman
After a year in mourning for her husband, Lady Catherine Wodeway has come to London to escape her grief. And even though she’s a country girl, Cat realizes that no true gentleman would presume to kiss a lady senseless without a proper introduction—not even to save her life. Yet somehow, police inspector Max de Rohan’s dark good looks and mysterious past make it all too easy to forget that she’s a lady.
Although de Rohan is stunned by Catherine’s beauty, honest, and charm, he knows firsthand that getting mixed up with a noblewoman can end badly. But when Catherine stumbles onto the key to his murder investigation, he will risk everything to pull her out of danger and into his arms. Too late, he realizes that Catherine’s brother Bentley is his prime suspect...
html or lit
All Books In One Link
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