Apr 25, 2023 | April 2023, Blog, Janna MacGregor
How to Best A Marquess is the latest installment in The Widow Rules series is a second chance romance that is sensual and charming. I have been waiting for this adventure, a road trip that promises to keep you reading until the very last page and it was satisfying in every way!
Beth Howell is the last to discover her deceased husband had three wives, and now the legality of her marriage is in jeopardy. With unresolved questions, her financial status in peril, and her brother insistent she find a husband, Beth will need to act fast to avoid a huge scandal. In order to recover her dowry she will ask the one person who might be willing to help her, and one who still might have a piece of her heart. What could go wrong ;)?
Julian Grayson is on the cutting edge of changing society designing steam engines, unfortunately his plans require more funding and his bank account is running perilously low. When a request for help comes from the one person he never expected to cross paths with, will he agree? Even after Beth makes it clear of her intentions to never marry again, will that impact his decision? Or, will he risk his heart again in the name of love?
When Julian agrees to help Beth find her lost dowry their journey is a second chance, one that will change their lives forever and possibly rekindle something so decadent, they may finally get the ending they deserve. Julian is cautious not to move too quickly with Beth, he wants to ensure she has complete control of expressing her desires and feelings towards him. Older and wiser, Julian is prepared to let Beth set the pace of the affection. If love can blossom again, it will be because she truly desires him. This devotion and commitment to letting Beth set the pace and take control is one of the many reasons to add this to your bookshelf.
I could not stop reading this book down until I discovered all the secrets, the truth behind what had happened, and find out if Beth would fall in love again and have her happy ending, one she deserves. This epic, saucy, and addictive story will hopefully satisfy your historical romance adventure. It delivers an ending with a few twists and will leave readers satisfied in every way.
While this is part of a series, it can be deliciously enjoyed as a standalone. Should you desire to find out more about characters from the previous two books, head over to your favorite e-book retailer and download a the prequel for free and then happily pick up the A Duke In Time and Rules for Engaging the Earl from your favorite bookstore or library, and dive in.
If you’re looking for a scorchin hot read with off-the-charts chemistry, one bed, a road trip, a highwayman, and a second chance romance one-click today.
Caution, this Scorchin hot read may lead to unexpected need to turn on the A/C. So steamy the pages ignite. May include a dash of Erotic elements or elude to further exploration of desire and need.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley and St.Martin’s Press for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. I hope there is more from this series as I didn’t want the adventure to end.
Books I Love A Latte participates in the Amazon Associates Program. Should you decide to click on the provided link(s) and purchase the featured book(s) and/or anything else during that shopping session, Books I Love A Latte will receive a small commission.
If you use our links, thank you in advance for your continued support of my 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫-𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬, 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐬 & 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬.
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and splits her time between Kansas City and Minneapolis with her very own dashing rogue, and one smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pug. She loves to hear from readers.
Twitter
Facebook
Ladies of Langham Hall Facebook Group
Instagram
Bookbub
Or sign up for Janna’s Newsletter
May 2, 2017 | Janna MacGregor, May 2017
Book Blurb:
All were shocked at the announcement of the “cursed” Lady Claire Cavensham to Lord Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke, especially since she is already engaged to another unfortunate Lord. Perhaps she will make it to the altar this time with one of these fine gentlemen! —Midnight Cryer
No one is left breathless at the imperious pronouncement of her engagement to Lord Pembrooke more than Claire. She hardly knows the dangerously outrageous man! But after three engagements gone awry and a fourth going up in glorious flames, she isn’t in a position to refuse…
Alexander requires the hand of his enemy’s fiancée in marriage in order to complete his plans for revenge. It’s his good fortune that the “cursed” woman is desperate. However, what begins as a sham turns into something scandalously deeper…
Excerpt: Alex smiled in earnest. “I would never allow you to be humiliated in front of society. I’m trying to help you.” Somehow, he had to convince her of that fact, then the idea of marrying him would be much easier to accept.
She blinked rapidly, then turned back to him and, for an instant, appeared startled to see him there. “That’s very gallant, my lord. Truly, thank you for the effort. But I must leave.”
This night could not end with her escaping, so he tried another tactic. “You need to protect your Wrenwood estate and your wealth from lechers who would feed upon your vulnerability. Not to mention stop that ridiculous curse.”
“I have two.” She held up two gloved fingers.
“Two? Two what? Curses?” No one at his club had uttered a peep about another curse.
“Estates. I have two estates, Wrenwood and Lockhart.” She returned his stare.
Her answer was unexpected, but his business experience had taught him to show nothing. The report from his private investigator had not mentioned additional properties. Thoughts were percolating if she chose to disclose this information.
A razor of lightning split the sky. She flinched and took a step closer to him, but her reaction had nothing to do with him. It was the storm.
Her gaze darted to the exit of the alcove, then she returned her attention to him. With a slight shrug of her shoulders, his evening jacket fell into her hands. She offered it to him. “My lord, good night.” Outside their hideaway, the voices of a man and a woman floated in the air.
Alex put his hand on her shoulder to prevent her escape. “Will you give me some assistance? I seem to have lost my valet.” He quirked an eyebrow. “Besides, if you leave now, whoever is out there will see us.”
She ventured a halfhearted grin and held his jacket in two hands. With a little persistence, he wrestled his way into the evening coat. Her hands smoothed the material across his shoulders and back, causing a pleasant sensation to cascade through him at the slight touch.
Claire took several steps toward the pathway. In a flash, he moved beside her and grasped her elbow. When he brought her close, something flared between them as he gazed into her haunted eyes. Whether the desire to keep her next to him was passion or the need to protect a vulnerable woman made little difference. He pulled her into the shadows and brought his mouth to her ear. “Wait until they pass.” The warmth from her skin beckoned.
A flash of lightning lit the gardens and the alcove.
With a gentle hand, he pushed her against the wall and stood to the side so he blocked her body from view.
A clap of thunder cracked as if the sky were breaking. It rolled into a loud rumble that refused to die.
“Please.” Her whisper grew ragged as she struggled for breath. In one fluid motion, she pulled the lapels of his evening coat toward her. She buried her face against his chest and pressed the rest of her body to his, almost as if she sought sanctuary inside. “Don’t leave me.” Her voice had weakened, the sound fragile, as if she’d break into a million pieces.
“I won’t. I promise.” Alex pulled her tight. One hand sank into the soft satin of her skirts while the other slid around the nape of her neck to hold her close to his chest. It was the most natural thing in the world to hold her. Her body fit perfectly against his.
With the slightest movement, she pulled away. Her eyes wildly searched his. For what, he couldn’t fathom.
He lowered his mouth until his lips were mere inches from tasting her. Madness had consumed him. All he wanted was to kiss her thoroughly until she forgot her fear—until she forgot everything but him.
Her breath mingled with his, and the slight moan that escaped her was intoxicating. Nothing in his entire life felt as right as this moment. He bent to brush his lips against hers.
“Pembrooke? Have you seen Lady—”
Claire leaned back and released his lapels. Without her warmth, he experienced a sudden loss of equilibrium. He turned with a snarl to greet the intruders.
Immediately, Lord Fredrick Honeycutt and his sister, Lady Sophia, took a step back as their eyes grew round as dinner plates.
The first to recover, Honeycutt announced, “I see you found Lady Claire.” He bowed his head slightly, then lowered his voice. “The Duke of Langham is looking for his niece and is directly behind us.”
A sense of wariness flooded Alex’s mind when Claire’s uncle strolled forward and came into sharp focus. As he stood, his feet spread shoulder width apart, the duke’s presence commanded everyone’s attention. His visage held the hint of a smile, but the two large fists resting by his sides were the real barometer of his mood. “Claire, are you all right?” The affection in his voice was at odds with the fury flashing in his eyes.
** To leave a comment be sure to click the Title of the post – Happy Book Birthday The Bad Luck Bride and then you will be able to comment. At the moment there are technical difficulties with the comment feature. We are working to correct this.**
Bio:
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and a smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pug. She loves to hear from readers.
Visit her at www.JannaMacGregor.com.
Twitter: @JannaMacGregor
Facebook: Janna MacGregor
Sign up for her newsletter at www.JannaMacGregor.com
All content provided by Janna MacGregor
