Two Sinful Secrets (The Scandalous St. Claires) by Laurel McKee

Title: Two Sinful Secrets (The Scandalous St. Claires)
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Paperback, 384 pages 
Publisher: Forever (November 20, 2012)
ISBN-10: 145550548X
ISBN-13: 978-1455505487
Author's Website: http://ammandamccabe.com/mckee/


"Oh, my brothers can be such fools sometimes!...I blame the steady of Shakespeare we've been fed ever since the nursery...All those feuds and revenge. But they never remember how those things always turn out--with everyone dead."

Lady Sophia Huntington had it all--brains, looks, wealth, position, proper breeding, and a wild side. She frequently snuck out of her house at night to the gambling dens of London. When she found a man with an equally wild streak, she thought she'd met her perfect match and took a gamble on what she thought was love and lost just about everything. Her family deserted her, she was disinherited, and her husband turned out to love a good drink more than her, and that is what ultimately lead to his demise. Only months after marrying the man, Sophia found herself a widow. Now, after finding herself low on funds and far from home, she'll rely on those skills she honed in those unauthorized late night outings to the gaming tables, but this time the stakes are high.

Dominic St. Clair is every girl's fantasy--smart, charming, and devilishly handsome. He's an owner of a casino and comes from a long line of actors who own a theater company. He and Sophia crossed paths one late night years ago and had both felt an instant attraction. She knew exactly who he was but he hadn't a clue as to who she was, but neither has ever forgotten the other nor that night. Let's just say the experience was unforgettable. *smirk* Now, years later, their paths cross once again and the question is will she once again gamble on love and, if so, will she have better luck? Especially since Dominic's family has despised the Huntingtons for over a hundred years?

_____________

This was a very fun read. Ms. Mckee starts off this one with Dominic and Sophia's first meeting. I believe author did this to not only to show a connection between the two, but perhaps emphasize that some things in life are meant to be and timing is important. I thought that was a nice touch.

I loved the characters. Sophia is a smart, resourceful, and strong young woman. She'll make the most of a bad situation and let the cards fall where they may. Despite being a bit unlucky in love with her last marriage, she hasn't given up on men or love entirely. When a female acquaintance offers her a position at her soon to be open casino that isn't a casino, she jumps at the chance but she's still unsure whether to go crawling back to her family and beg their forgiveness or try to make the most of her new found freedom.

When Dominic first comes to the Palais Royale, he only expected to find some fun and to perhaps pick up a trick or two for his Casino, the Devil's Fancy, back in London. He never expected to see the woman who years ago said "No" to his advances and left him in agony after kneeing him in the groin. When he learns her true identity, he is torn between his attraction for her and his wish to exact revenge, not for the physical pain she wrought years earlier, but revenge for what her family did to his over a hundred years ago.

Overall this one gets a 4 out of 5 roses. I loved the drama created and not just from the revenge angle. I loved how no matter how they tried, Dominic and Sophia kept gravitating back toward one another. I enjoyed watching Dominic take a good look at  himself and figure out what he really wanted, and in the process managed to grow into the man Sophia needed him to be. A delightfully delicious read that kept me captive till I'd finished the book. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one got a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the series:

 

Lady of Seduction (The Daughters of Erin, #3) by Laurel McKee

• Title: Lady of Seduction (Daughters of Erin)
• Classification: Adult Fiction
  
• Genre: Historical Romance
  
• Format: Paperback, 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0446544779
• ISBN-13: 978-0446544771 

"I haven't even started learning who I might be." he had told her as they sat together in that freezing warehouse, kidnapper and captive bound together in the moments before the inferno. Bound together by an understanding that was strange and deep.

Several years ago Lady Caroline Blacknall had been kidnapped by Sir Grant Dunmore. In a plan to kidnap Caroline's sister, Anna, whom he wished to marry, Caroline had accidentally gotten ensnared by his trap as well. In that moment before all hell broke loose, she'd seen into his soul. To his true self. They had kissed. It wouldn't be for another year, while she'd been in the midst of planning her wedding, that she'd find out he'd survived....


"Why, Caroline?" he whispered, his voice filled with rough torment. "Why are you here?"
"Because I had  to see you again," she said simply.

A year after her husband had died, Caroline had set off for the tiny island of  Muirin Inish in hopes of convincing Grant to let her see 'The Chronicle of Kildare', a history of Ireland written and illuminated by Brother Michael of the St. Ceolach monastery. She was trying to write a book about the legends of Ireland and the book was vital to her work. That was the lie she told herself....

I absolutely loved this story. I didn't read the previous books, but wished I had. Not because I felt lost, because I most definitely did not, but because I wanted to know about the other stories that were just hinted at in this book. The beginning of the book was brilliant with an attention grabber that had me hooked from the start. I loved how Grant and Caroline's feelings couldn't be denied, yet were complicated by the fact Grant had kidnapped Caroline and her sister years ago. I liked how Ms. Mckee didn't immediately start Grant and Caroline's story up where it left off after the warehouse fire, cleverly avoiding the possibility of Stockholm Syndrome, which may have upset some readers. I loved seeing how Grant was determined to make up for his past sins, and how Caroline had to put her trust in him. I also loved the fact Ms. McKee created her own legend, that of The Daughters of Erin. I really adore that in a story, especially when it involves dragons. The chemistry between Caroline and Grant was incinerating and I love that their true emotions were first sparked in a warehouse fire all those years ago. Also, I appreciated that Ms. Mckee added an Author's note at the end. I had no idea about The Rising of 1803 which is the backdrop to this story. I love it when I can learn a little something about history in my romance novels. I  gave this book a 5 out of 5 roses.

Order of trilogy:



1. Countess of Scandal
2. Duchess of Sin
3. Lady of Seduction