The Trouble with Earls
Anna Campbell
Historical Romance

The wild rogue and the wallflower!

Toby Sutton, Earl of Renfrew, is a notorious libertine with no interest in marrying a wellbred young miss and making her his countess. But when he meets lovely Lady Viola Frain, irresistible desire creates an explosive mix with his native recklessness. Within a matter of days, he and Viola are joined in a hurried marriage of convenience, patched together to scotch an almighty scandal.

Marry in haste, repent at leisure?

With two spectacular older sisters, shy Viola Frain is used to being the overlooked member of the family. When handsome Lord Renfrew literally falls at her feet, Viola finally meets a man who thinks she’s special. But before the fragile bloom of attraction can flower, she finds herself wed to Renfrew and whisked away to brooding Brazey Castle, where shadows of old tragedy threaten her frail hope of happiness.

The trouble with earls…

Society watches avidly, forecasting disaster for an alliance between two people so mismatched. Can passion unite the rake and the recluse? Or is the truth just as Viola fears? That the trouble with earls is that they’re bound to break your heart.

Uncaged Review: Lady Viola Frain notices a smashed elm tree in front of her with a young man lying face down on the ground. The young man, it turns out, is Lord Tobias “Toby” Sutton, Earl of Renfrew. Of course, after Toby crash lands in Viola’s path, he just wants to spend more time with her. As Toby gets to know Viola, he slowly falls for her, but Toby is also a rake, so women chase him all the time. When Toby asks Viola to stroll the gardens, he finally kisses her but then lands himself in trouble. Just as he is trying to do a good deed to help another woman, she claims that Toby compromised her. Viola steps in and claims that it is impossible because Toby was in the garden with her, thereby compromising herself. Toby and Viola have no other recourse except to marry, thereby saving both their reputations, but can a relationship born of scandal find love?

This is the second book of the Scoundrels of Mayfair, and I am still fully invested in the series. Especially since I jumped around and read them out of order. Still, this book has mayhem, sexy shenanigans, raunchy Regency romps and a family that, despite their eccentricities, still manage to be lovable. In fact, all the Frain’s are just such wonderful characters. I can’t help but love them all! Plus, this book isn’t boring or stale. I’m either laughing one minute or really feeling for them. So, if you want a stiff upper crust, Regency, then this isn’t it. Toby does have a lot of issues and literally falls head over heels for Viola. He seems to make a mess no matter where he goes and at times I really wanted to shake him because he just doesn’t think. While Viola, the smarter, level-headed heroine, puts everything to rights. The saying here that cooler heads prevail yet still manages to be fun, fits Viola to a T. So, all I can say is I really enjoyed this book, but am eager to go onto the next. Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

The Worst Lord in London
Anna Campbell
Historical Regency

Headlong into the unknown…

Independent, willful Kate Starr has cherished a penchant for handsome Lord Shelburn since she was sixteen years old, but as a mill-owning industrialist, she moves in a different world from the libertine earl. Then one fateful day, Shelburn invites her to accompany him in a scandalous race, and immediate physical attraction swiftly turns into blazing passion.

The hunter caught…

Leighton Anstey, Earl of Shelburn, glories in his reputation as the worst lord in London. His fame as an irresistible seducer is unrivaled, although his amours are notable for their explosive heat, not their longevity. The dashing lord has never met a woman who can hold his wandering attention, until he tumbles into a liaison with a mysterious woman who enthrals him, body and soul.

A brief encounter or a forever love?

Neither Kate nor Shelburn views their torrid affair as more than a shooting star, flaring red-hot for a brilliant instant, then destined to fade to nothing. But does the fiery desire raging between them blind them to the chance of finding lifelong happiness together?

Uncaged Review: No-nonsense Miss Kate Starr was a responsible mill owner. While Kate was taking her cousins to an inn in London, the Angel, the streets were uncommonly crowded. When Kate asks a passing tradesman what is going on, he responds that a carriage race between Lord Colville and the Earl of Shelbourne, Leighton Anstey was in process. Leighton looks right at Kate and asks her to ride with him. As Leighton races his carriage he can’t help but notice the beautiful woman sitting next to him and his attraction to her flares. Pretty soon, the captivating Kate has lured him and Leighton wants nothing more than to seduce and sleep with her. When Leighton finds out Kate’s true purpose of why she went with him and that she has always loved him. Leighton isn’t ready for any of that, but when the time comes will he let Kate go?

This is the first book in an exciting Regency historical romance that is well worth reading! Of course, if you are looking for true history, this isn’t it. It’s steamy, hot and a lot of fun! There are sexy shenanigans and funny moments that will definitely make anyone smile, but this isn’t your mother’s Regency, so if you want Pride and Prejudice, this isn’t it. Still, this tale has a great storyline and wonderful characters that you end up liking anyway. For me, Leighton seemed like a heartless rake that didn’t care, especially when he decides he doesn’t want Kate because of her past deep affection for him. In fact, at times I wanted to slap him. Good thing he realizes his mistake, so I did forgive him and even began to like him. While Kate was just the best. I totally loved her and maybe had a bit of a girl crush on her too. Ms. Anna Campbell definitely has me hooked, and I look forward to the next in the series! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars