Stella RileyReseñas

Christian Selwyn, Earl of Hazelmere, disappears on his grand tour somewhere near Constantinople. Five years pass while his friends try to find out what happened. Meanwhile, his unofficial betrothed is under duress from her unlikeable family to forget him and marry his creepy cousin, who's been robbing the estate, along with his father.
This is such a great story as Christian struggles to fit back into his world, and Sophia tries to find the man she adored and still loves under the hard shell of the man who finally returns. The friends are wonderful, loyal people, and I hope they get their own stories. The villain is the worst and deserves everything he gets.
Stella Riley deserves more credit as a romance author. I've read all her books, often set in periods of history not generally used in romance stories. I can't wait for the next book.

This was a pleasant read, with likeable main characters who actually spoke to one another, so the 'big misunderstanding' of five years ago was cleared up very quickly. I believed in their relationship, even if I found their road trip together as 'cousins' a little unlikely for the period. The mystery plot sort of fizzled out (admittedly I did skim those bits). Although I see this is the first in a series, characters did crop up now and then (and tell their husbands they were pregnant for example) who had clearly wandered in from other books by the author.½

I cant wait to read this one!

Alex Deveril wins Chloe Herveaux in a drunken card game and marries her the same night. When he wakes the next morning, he's befuddled by his new bride, and the two decide to seek an annulment. Chloe just wanted out of her brother's house while Alex was upset by the marriage of his mistress.
Meanwhile, Prince Rupert needs to find the traitor who is disrupting the war with France, so he enlists Alex and his friends.
It's rare to find a historical romance that takes place in the time of Cavaliers and Roundheads. The court of Charles II should be fertile territory for romance writers, but I haven't found many books from that period. Stella Riley fills the gap admirably. She weaves in history adroitly from the great London plague to the fire that burned down most of London in 1666.
Alex and Chloe are wonderful together. She's one of the few who will stand up to his temper, and their arc is just lovely. The setting is detailed and very interesting with various Court personages appearing at times.
Though an earlier time period than Georgian, it has the feel of a Georgette Heyer book It's a great story and I heartily recommend the read.

Belle and Lizzie are invited to London for the season by the wife of the Duke of Rockcliffe, but Lizzie's austere vicar father won't let her go so, rather than moulder away at home for ever, she finds a position as a governess/housekeeper. Belle persuades Lizzie to change places, so Lizzie goes to London and Belle finds herself in charge of three bastard children who have been given a home by an impoverished, impractical earl who has had to give up his dreams to become a concert harpsichordist. In London, Lizzie falls in love with a man with a dark past. Entertaining.

A fine addition to the series, but less compelling that than the first two in the series.

First in the Rockcliffe series. Orginally published under a pen name. Took the author 20 years to complete 7 books. Really enjoyed books 1 and 2.

I loved the beginning of this book, its characters and like the last two chapters. Its definitely worth reading.

However, I had trouble buying into the angst and conflict. It was simply irritating. I never thought the stakes that high & I don't like that the MCs were working against each other for the majority of the book.. Not in a fun way.

It's a testament to Riley's skill this is a 4, and to Wyndham's too.

Good story.
Blind heroine.
No cheating.
HEA.

Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Rockliffe series. I borrowed this audiobook through Audible Escapes.

Audiobook Quality (4/5): This was a very well done audiobook and I enjoyed listening to it. I would definitely recommend listening to this on audiobook if you enjoy audiobooks.

Story (4/5): This was a well done historical romance. It's mostly a comedy of errors type of historical romance. Rosalind has been blind since childhood and, when Amberly is stranded at her manor during a snowstorm, he falls in love with her clever wit and bravery. He convinces her brother, Philip, to let her join society in London which results in many entertaining antics. I prefer my historical fiction/romance with more of a plot aside from the romance (a mystery, fantasy, intrigue etc). However,this was well written and very sweet.

Characters (5/5): The characters were very well done and incredibly likable. I loved Rosalind with her daring wit and her wonderful attitude. Amberley was also a very lovable character. The side characters were wonderfully done too (Rosalind’s brother Philip, his intended, and the Duke of Rockliffe). I would love to read more about the Duke of Rockliffe in future books. I think my only complaint is that the characters were almost all introduced in the first chapter which made it challenging to keep track of them at first; there is also a lot of switching between first name and surname which can get confusing.

Setting (4/5): The majority of the story is set in Victorian London. It was well done but not all that unique or original. I did enjoy all the historical detail in the settings and customs of the time.

Writing Style (4/5): The story switches mainly between Rosalind and Amberley’s point of view. It is well written, easy to read and full of witty conversation. I found it entertaining and looked forward to listening to it. I don’t read a lot of straight historical romances, so I kept feeling like something was missing. I wanted some mystery, or magic, or action...just something more than a straight historical romance.

My Summary (4/5): Overall this was an entertaining historical romance with characters that were engaging and fun. There isn’t a lot more to the story outside from the antics between Rosalind and Amberley, along with Rosalind trying to have a season in London while dealing with her blindness. It was all fine but I prefer a bit more meat to my stories. If you are looking for a straight historical romance with lovable characters and witty dialogue I would highly recommend this. If you prefer something more with your romance (mystery, adventure, magic) I would skip this. I don’t plan on reading more of this series because this wasn’t a great fit for me.

In this second entry in her Roundheads and Cavaliers series, set during the English Civil Wars, author Stella Riley turns to the story of Venetia Clifford, a minor character in the first book, The Black Madonna. Opening in 1647, in the Interbellum period between the First English Civil War (1642-46) and the Second (1648-49), the book centers upon the marriage of Venetia to Roundhead Colonel Gabriel Brandon, the illegitimate half-brother of her long-time fiancé, Ellis Brandon. Repugnant to both parties, the marriage comes about through the complicated will left by Col. Brandon's father, and Venetia consents only in order to save her own family's estate, and secure her mother and sisters' welfare. Gabriel, for his part, is motivated by a sense of duty. As their tense marriage develops, Gabriel and Venetia are caught up in the historical events around them, as the brief second civil war breaks out, and then the king himself is brought to trial. Ellis surfaces, proving through his many selfish and cruel actions that he isn't the man Venetia thought him, and the newly wedded couple must also contend with a shadowy figure intent on assassinating Gabriel...

Originally published in 1993, and then revised and updated in 2013, Garland of Straw is a book that I expected to enjoy every bit as much as its predecessor, and with one notable exception, it did not disappoint. Stella Riley does an excellent job capturing the complicated drama of her historical setting - the heartbreak of a country at war with itself, of families with members on both sides, of individuals who believe in their own cause, only to become all-too-aware that it has gone awry. The history was fascinating, and I came away, much as I did with the first book, with the thought that I should read more non-fiction about the English Civil Wars in general, and about that amazing thinker John Lilburne (Free-Born John) in particular. The best historical fiction makes the reader more aware of and interested in history, and Riley has certainly done that here! It was also a pleasure to meet characters from the author's previous books, from Eden Maxwell and his family - we even get some scenes with Kate and Luciano, back in England for Tabitha's wedding! - to Justin and Abigail, from A Splendid Defiance.

Unfortunately, despite all of these undoubted virtues, and despite the fact that I enjoyed the story overall, I was completely put off by the handling of the rape scene in the story. I began the story disliking Venetia for her snobbery toward Gabriel, and for her failure to act in a way she herself would define as honorable, by informing him of her previous liaisons with Ellis. Then, midway through the book, when Gabriel gets the wrong idea, and forces her to have sex, very much against her will, my dislike swung the other way. It's not that this development felt unnatural, in the context of the story, and given the social mores of the day surrounding sexuality and marriage (the man's 'right' to his wife's body), but the scene was written in such a way that it is incontrovertibly non-consensual, and deeply hurtful, if not physically, then spiritually. So it is that when Venetia realizes she loves Gabriel, and therefore concludes that it was not rape, and that he has nothing to apologize for, I was aghast. I can accept such a change (or development) of feeling, and I can accept forgiveness (on both sides), but the willful denial of reality just left me appalled, and the lack of honest resolution, or some kind of real expiation on Gabriel's part, deeply unsatisfied. I couldn't read any of the subsequent sex scenes without cringing, even though they were all consensual.

I wouldn't necessarily say that this one element ruined the story for me. I did enjoy reading it, and plan to continue with the series, in order to find out what happens to the various characters. But it certainly made the romantic aspects of the tale far less romantic for me! Recommended, with caveat, to readers who enjoyed The Black Madonna.

The first installment of her four-volume Roundheads and Cavaliers series, set during the English Civil War, Stella Riley's The Black Madonna unfolds the story of Luciano del Santi, a Genoese goldsmith and money-lender intent on finding the Englishmen who betrayed his father to his death, and Kate Maxwell, the independent-minded daughter of a large and happy English family, whose father and brother espouse the Parliamentary side of the conflict. Opening in 1639 and closing in 1646, the book chronicles the fortunes of the Maxwell family: Parliament member and paterfamilias Richard, a moderate in an age of growing extremism; loving wife and wise mother Dorothy; eldest son Eden, a trained soldier and a Roundhead who marries a Royalist; daughter Kate, prone to many enthusiasms, and inexplicably drawn to Luciano; the rather shallow and promiscuous Amy, who has to be married off at a young age; and twins Tobias, who becomes Luciano's apprentice, and Tabitha, who befriends Luciano's sister. The narrative alternates between the Maxwell's story-line, and that of Luciano and his Turkish servant Selim, as they pursue the shadowy figure who orchestrated the murder of Luciano's father many years before. Eventually these two story-lines become one, and the Maxwells are drawn into Luciano's dangerous quest...

Originally published in 1992 and then revised and republished in 2013, The Black Madonna is the second novel from Stella Riley that I have read, following upon her A Splendid Defiance, that is set during the English Civil War. That earlier book chronicled the love story between a Cavalier soldier and a young Puritan woman, and although it is apparently not considered part of the Roundheads and Cavaliers series, it is connected to it. Both Justin Ambrose and Abigail Radford appear in the story here, the former on multiple occasions, the latter just once, in a memorable scene in which the appalling Celia slaps her across the face. As someone who greatly enjoyed Justin and Abigail's story, it was good to encounter them again, however briefly, and I particularly appreciated the scene in which Kate offers some aid to a clearly struggling Captain Ambrose, only to be informed that she is not the first Puritan maiden to do so! Leaving that aside, I found the story here immensely engaging, and appreciated the wealth of well-drawn characters. The historical events were fascinating - I really need to track down a good history of this period! - and the narrative emotionally involving. I found the death of Richard distressing, the ill-fated relationship between Eden and Celia horrifying - the latter's heartless behavior was infuriating to witness - and the growing rapport between Kate and Luciano quite satisfying. I don't know that I found the romance between Kate and Luciano quite as compelling as that between Justin and Abigail, but it was still immensely engaging. This is one I'd highly recommend, to anyone who enjoys good historical fiction with a romantic element to it. I look forward to reading the next entry in the series, A Garland of Straw.

Without a buddy read (with my dears Whiskey/Kyra and Joanna...) I might have DNFed. I'm so glad I didn't. I also don't really have the energy to write about this-it was a hugely intricate (more-historical-fiction than-romance) novel with so many threads (the first 20-30% was hard to keep straight, and POVs switched often), but after the styling and set-up was there, there was wonderful interactions, family dynamics etc.

And Kate. And Luc, and Luc and Kate. Who get all the stars. After Richard and Dorothy anyway. The middle 40% was mostly about the historical, family and dramatic intrigue, and the final bit was so exciting and paced so nimbly it was near impossible to put down. If you like your romance with a heavy historical bend, not to mention another interesting subplot or six, rich/ nuanced characters and a perfectly matched couple...this is well worth a read.

I have a bunch of highlights, but I'm feeling drained...like I said before I started babbling.

This was my second Stella Riley, and while I loved the Black Madonna (my first) in the end, the beginning was so heavily historical with so many characters I am not sure I could have done it without the buddy read.


For this, I decided to change course and use a narrator and read along or just listen. I also buddy read this one, but fell in love with Alex (according to my buddies, maybe this is unusual) immediately. I was also engaged in the book immediately. In fact, the way the storyline and romance was paced I absolutely adored...until about 75%. Then I got a little impatient. We did get to know and see so many nuances in the characters it ultimately didn't matter, but I was left feeling this was heavily historical fiction (and great at that) with a side of romance.


The more accessible nature of this novel, however, left me appreciating Riley's gorgeous writing, and her subtlety in building characters. The romance is, indeed, built in moments and precious few at that, but the characters are all so lovely it doesn't matter. This all reinforces that while I believe Riley is a complete force-such a strong storyteller- I have to be ready to read her and for the pacing to be heavily grounded in real life and not fantastical romance.


Despite all this, the romance is built in moments and through characters which I love, with the heaviest bits backloaded. the last 6% holding the majority of it, and the last 15% nearly all of it.


In the end, I haven't discussed that I adored Alex and Chloë and the secondary characters as well or why. Alex is an impertinent, self-aware, difficult jackass. Of course, this means I love him. He also has a sense of responsibility, isn't a hedonist, and is ultimately kind-hearted and moral. In Chloë, he met a woman who was witty yet innocent, demanding yet forgiving, and who also did not rest or give in to indulgent self-wallowing. She realizes her love for Alex is unrequited and likely to remain so in one of my favorite parts of the book, and rather than wallow, she accepts it and moves on ultimately, this strength and matter-of-fact manner make her a lovely, smart, and grounded match for Alex. Throw in her unassuming manner and she's just a delight.

The narration is excellent, and I'll gladly pick up another Wyndham... Or Riley/Wyndham... Because it's a great combination.

The year is 1666, the setting Oxford. The monarchy has been restored, and the English Civil Wars have come to an end. Alexander Deveril, long-time soldier and Cavalier, dispossessed of his ancestral home by a scheming cousin while off fighting for his king, finds that his lady love intends to wed another, more affluent man. In a state of drunken rage, he wins the hand of half-French Chloe Herveaux in a card game with her brother, and the two find themselves unexpectedly married. Determined to eventually annul the marriage, they nevertheless remain together and head to London, where Chloe dabbles in becoming a shipping merchant and Alex becomes caught up in an assignment to track down the traitor and spy sabotaging England's naval campaigns against the Dutch. Their growing attachment to each other plays out against the backdrop of dramatic historical events, culminating in the Great Fire of London...

Originally published in 1983, and recently revised and rereleased, The Marigold Chain is the fifth novel I have read from British author Stella Riley, and the second, after A Splendid Defiance, that was more historical adventure with romance, than romance novel per se. I didn't love it quite as much as A Splendid Defiance, but I did find it very enjoyable. Alex is a mercurial character, sometimes appealing, sometimes obnoxious, and Riley captures him in all his ambiguous glory. Chloe is also an interesting character, falling in love with her husband almost from the start, but remaining interested in her widening circle of friends, and in her own activities. Perhaps one of the reasons their story didn't speak to me as strongly as that of Justin and Abigail, in A Splendid Defiance, is that there is very little of Alex's perspective, until the very end of the book. I suspect that this was done to build tension, as Chloe's feelings are disclosed to the reader early on, but it left me with the feeling that there was something missing here. Apparently Riley's story here owes much to Dorothy Dunnett's Lymonde Chronicles, but being unfamiliar with those books, I cannot comment, save to say that perhaps I should track them down. As for this, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and/or historical romance.½

Reading this wonderfully engaging work of historical fiction, set during the English Civil War, I kept thinking of William Shakespeare Burton's painting, 'The Wounded Cavalier,' in which a Puritan girl comforts a wounded Royalist, while her disapproving Puritan companion (a brother, perhaps?) looks on. Set in Banbury, in Oxfordshire, Stella Riley's tale concerns the two sieges of Banbury Castle, held by Royalist forces against the Parliamentarians, and a star-crossed romance between Cavalier Justin Ambrose and Puritan Abigail Radford. Haunted by the events of his past, and his exile from his family and home, Justin hides his wounds behind a witty exterior, devoting himself to soldiering and to seducing women. The sister of a fanatical Puritan brother - the horrible Jonas Radford - Abigail lives a life deprived of light and laughter. As the events of the war unfold around them, these two souls grow closer, but confront a world where everything seems designed to keep them apart...

A Splendid Defiance is the fourth novel I have read from Stella Riley, following upon the romances A Parfit Knight, The Mésalliance and Lucifer's Champion, and it is by far the best of the lot. It is a romance, but it is more than that. The reader feels entirely caught up in the story, and transported to another time. The main characters are sympathetically drawn, and involve the reader in their struggles, while the secondary cast, whether heroic or villainous, is interesting as well. The historical setting and events are compelling, and the author captures the stupidity and tragedy of civil war. I'm always interested, when reading a story set during the English Civil War, to see how the Puritans are depicted, as so many authors, perhaps influenced by a natural repugnance for religious zealotry, perhaps by the fact that the other side won, tend to cast them as the more villainous side of the conflict, ignoring the repressive nature of monarchy, and of the established church. There was a little bit of that here, but on the whole I thought that Riley did a good job showing that not everyone on the Parliamentarian side of the war was a religious fanatic. Jonas and Samuel Radford, both Puritans, present quite a contrast in that respect.

All in all, an engaging and entertaining work, one that had me staying up far later than I should have, to finish reading it. I will definitely seek out more of Riley's work, and recommend this one to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and/or historical romance.

Fleeing from her predatory cousin after the death of her father puts him in control of her childhood home, Vanessa Tremaine encounters the notorious Duke of Lyndhurst when their coaches collide on the road to London. Her misfortunes continue when she arrives in the great metropolis, only to find that the godmother with whom she had hoped to find refuge is not willing to take her in, given her brief association with Lyndhurst. Known as 'Lucifer' for his many unworthy deeds, including the kidnapping of a number of young women, the duke unexpectedly steps in to help, making Vanessa his ward, and putting her in the care of his married sister. As our heroine experiences her first London season, she inevitably falls in love with her rescuer, only to believe that he has his eyes on another. Lyndhurst, in the meantime, believes himself unworthy of this innocent that had fallen into his hands...

Published in 1989, under the pseudonym of "Juliet Blyth," Lucifer's Champion is the third novel I have read from author Stella Riley, following upon her The Parfit Knight and The Mésalliance. Much like the latter book, I found it to be heavily influenced by Georgette Heyer's work. Specifically, The Black Moth, These Old Shades, and to a lesser extent, The Devil's Cub. Francis "Lucifer" Courtenay, Duke of Lyndhurst, is clearly a reworking of Tracy "Devil" Belmanoir, Duke of Andover from The Black Moth, and Justin "Satanus" Alastair, Duke of Avon from These Old Shades. The physical description of Lyndhurst and Andover is markedly similar, and their sartorial choices are also alike. The history of kidnapping women is something all three characters share - Avon himself was influenced by Heyer's earlier creation, Andover - and all three have devilish nicknames, as a result. The narrative here, in which the duke takes in a beautiful innocent, as part of a larger effort to be revenged upon his enemies, and falls in love with her, mirrors that in These Old Shades, while the scene in which Vanessa dines with Lyndhurst at the wayside inn suggested a similar episode in The Devil's Cub. Some of the dialogue between Vanessa and Lyndhurst here even duplicates that between Mary and the Duke of Andover, in Heyer's book!

I have no real problem with the idea of authors reworking Heyer's stories, although These Old Shades is not a book I admire, and I understand that Lucifer's Champion is one of Riley's earlier titles. Apparently it was not initially intended for the public, and was written as a kind of pre-internet fan-fiction - an homage to Heyer, whose family and estate gave permission for its publication, after reading through it. Given that this is so, the copious similarities cannot really be objected to, although they do make the book feel formulaic for those readers already familiar with Heyer's work. The story itself, much like that upon which it is based, does not appeal to me, and I find myself at a loss to understand Vanessa's willingness to overlook her duke's past behavior, given that she herself was fleeing from a sexual predator when she met him. I gave this one more star than I did These Old Shades, mostly because I think Riley did a better job of trying to address a possible change of heart in her devilish duke, although I still wasn't entirely convinced.

Riley does better work when she tells her own story, as in The Parfit Knight, and I do enjoy her writing style. Perhaps I will give her English Civil War story, A Splendid Defiance, a try.

Thirty-six-year-old Tracy Wynstanton, the Duke of Rockliffe, knew that it was his duty to find a wife, both to continue the family line and to obtain a suitable female chaperone for his teenage sister, the tempestuous Nell (Lady Elinor). When 'Rock' accompanies Nell to a house party at the home of one of her school friends, he encounters a young woman he once met while visiting his estates in Northumberland. Sharp-tongued and rather plain, Adeline Kendrick may not be the wild child of nature that he remembers, but she does not bore him, and when they are thrown into a compromising position, he proposes marriage. Quickly falling in love with his wife, he does everything he can to show her his feelings, only to find that she is either distraught or withdrawn. He cannot know that she is suffering under the strain of being blackmailed by her villainous uncle, holding a terrible secret over her head...

After recently rereading and greatly enjoying Stella Riley's Georgian romance, The Parfit Knight, which was initially published under the pseudonym 'Juliet Blyth,' I sought out this sequel and companion, which tells the story of Rock, an appealing secondary character from that earlier book. I'm glad that I did, as it was an engaging and entertaining read. In some way, the plot here put me in mind of Georgette Heyer's classic The Convenient Marriage, which also features a marriage of convenience in which the two partners are less than frank with one another. Other elements, on the other hand - specifically, the terrible secret hanging over Adeline's head - suggested Heyer's Venetia to me. I'm not usually a fan of stories in which the romantic couple suffer from an extended misunderstanding, but I thought Riley handled it well here. Recommended to anyone who has read and enjoyed The Parfit Knight.½

This is it. This book is the reason I continue to read romance novels. Because no matter how many of them disappoint me, I have to keep reading to make sure I don't miss something as delightful and satisfying as this book.

4.5 stars

4.5 stars

And I finish this delightful series with an equally delightful story. Cousins Arabella and Elizabeth are offered a trip to London to stay with the Duke of Rockliffe for the season. Arabella doesn't want to go (reasons) but vicar's daughter Elizabeth realizes it's her one chance. However, the vicar is against it. Since Elizabeth is supposed to take a position as a housekeeper/governess, Arabella decides to switch with her cousin. After all, what could go wrong?
As per usual in this series, we get to meet characters from the previous books. This one is divided between the two romances: Arabella finds her new position somewhat ramshackle - the new Earl is a classical musician who only wants to perform but realizes his duty is to his tenants and estate, as well as the three illegitimate orphans left from his predecessor. Julian is befuddled but absolutely adorable. The reader will fall in love with him as quickly as Arabella does.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth meets up with the Ralph Harcourt, the Earl of Sherburne, and last seen as the mean older half-brother of Genevieve (who marries Aristide) in Hazard (the previous book). Ralph is not a sympathetic character, being haughty and bad-tempered, but Lizzie soon starts to peel back his layers to find the man underneath. My one quibble with the book was I would have liked a little more time on this couple at the end, but I can understand why it might take a little longer for their relationship to evolve more.
I do hope Ms. Riley continues the series. It's wonderful, and I would miss all these characters. Meanwhile, I can finally get some sleep.

So I'm fairly obsessed with this excellent series. I've been plowing through the books and thoroughly enjoying them all.
In Hazard, we have two separate couples. Madeleine and Nicholas have been dancing around each other (metaphorically, because if you've read the series you know Nick doesn't dance) for several books now. Aristide has appeared in several of the books as the owner of the gaming hall Sinclairs, but now is part of the other couple with Genevieve Weston.
After reading the blurb I was concerned. Madeleine has not been a favorite character so far; she's a shrew who's mean to the very nice Nicholas Wystanton. And Aristide has been kind of a cipher, the efficient but bloodless manager of the gaming hall.
I'm happy to report that Genevieve manages to bring out some actual feelings in Aristide- though it takes a while - and he's a charming and attractive man. I still haven't really warmed to Madeleine and I'm not really sure she deserves Nick, but he still seems to want her so far be it from me to disapprove.
Many of the previous characters show up. I like that they have meaningful actions and aren't just cameos. And I can see what they're up to now. There's a charming bit about a horse race Rockliffe arranges.
Another fine entry with only one book left to go in the series - one I'm really looking forward to.

Okay, so I've been devouring this series. Most of the heroes are austere nobleman who need to have their true feelings brought out by the heroine. But Sebastian Audley is different. He's a rake who's been wild in his past, but ready to settle down. He's also a redhead and shows his feelings much more than the other heroes in the series, whether temper or love.
Cassie Delahaye has appeared in the other books as the friend to all, a nice respectable 'good' girl. With his reputation, Sebastian is not someone she likes at first, even if the rest of society is ga-ga over him. It doesn't help that his ex-mistress is hanging around in a boil-the-rabbit kind of way.
I really like this series (as you can tell by my rapid read through the books). I'm anxious to try more of Ms. Riley's books once I'm done with the Rockliffe books, but I need to get some sleep first. I do like how she brings back the other characters for appearances so I can keep up with their lives.

Adrian Devereaux has been earning his living as an actor and gambler in France, but returns to England at the death of his brother necessitates him taking up his role as Earl of Sarre. Exiled by a scandal ten years earlier, he knows his peers will reject him, but he hasn't any choice if he doesn't want the title to go into escheat. His old enemy doesn't hesitate to attack him when they first meet, but Sarre is unexpectedly supported by some new friends.
Caroline Maitland is a cit and an heiress, granddaughter of a wealthy wool merchant, who is trying to land a minor noble to improve her family's chances in society. Impoverished Marcus Sheringham is prepared to wed her for her fortune and to pay off his immense debts from gambling. When Sarre steps in, Caroline suddenly has more choices.
I loved the first two books in this series and I enjoyed this one also. Ms. Riley is a great writer who captures the Georgian period well. Adrian is a suitable hero though not quite as mesmerizing as Rock or as vulnerable as Amberley. Caroline, likewise, is an engaging heroine but doesn't have the graceful appeal of Rosalind or the acerbic wit of Adeline.
I'm still relishing the series and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.