The Villain’s Vixen
Tabetha Waite
Historical Romance
Dominic Eastland, the Duke of Cuthbert, is a known wastrel in polite society, but he harbors an even greater secret. In London’s seedy underworld he’s known as “Avalon,” the leader of a cutthroat gang. However, he’s recently decided it’s time for someone else to rule in his stead. He owes respectability to his line and his brother who died young and never had the chance to inherit the title, so it’s time to put his past transgressions aside and attempt to become an honorable man by doing his duty and taking a wife.
But then he sees her and suddenly he doesn’t want to be that good anymore.
Miss Alexandra Givenwald has lived a life of simplicity under her father’s roof where she was generally ignored. When she gets the chance to go to London under the pretense of finding a husband, she has other ideas in mind. Her aunt would be thrilled if she married well, and has picked a suitable gentleman, but Lexie cares not for the strictures of a union. She wants to experience passion and explore what freedoms life has to offer.
From the moment she sees him, she knows he can fulfill her deepest desires.
The attraction between Dominic and Lexie is instant, and although she is continuously warned away from him by the man himself, she is drawn toward him that much deeper. As true villains are revealed, they must embark on a perilous journey that will risk more than just the danger posed to their hearts.
Uncaged Review: While at a ball, Lady Alexandra “Lexie” Givenwald, who is chaperoned by her aunt, is reminded to avoid a notorious rake and bounder. Lexie innocently asks why should she avoid him? The man in question happened to be Dominic Eastland, the Duke of Cuthbert, who did notice Lexie in the crowded ballroom and also saw that she looked at him most intently too. Dominic is intrigued and, against Lexie’s aunt’s disapproval, introduces himself to her anyway. Lexie is charmed by Dominic despite his mysterious nature. When Lexie finds out that Dominic also has a secret identity and is leader of a gang in the East End. Dominic’s dukedom is held in question because his secret could be exposed. His two worlds are at risk of being mixed up because of Lexie, who has turned his world upside down and could put his life in danger. Love might be the only thing that could save them or end up killing them both.
What a captivating historical that definitely isn’t your run-of-the-mill love story! Why do I say that? It’s all because of the mystery, the double agent aspect and romance all rolled into one. So, of course, that really made this novel kind of standout. Is this a bad thing? For me, I don’t think so, and it makes the tale uniquely different. The story is filled with colorful characters who are written very vividly and even with this being London it is pretty scary, so I wouldn’t want to visit. I would have liked to learn more about Dominic’s previous life and past. Also, how did no one know who he truly was, especially the Blue Boys? So maybe they aren’t educated which even with the lack of education, someone would have noticed that the Avalon looks very familiar, but how did they not figure out that Dominic was a Duke and were really surprised by that fact? Yet I still liked Dominic’s double agent status and Lexie was also a great heroine. I would even like Amos to get a story too. I do, however, look forward to more of Ms. Tabetha Waite’s stories, though she has definitely reeled me with her books about love, suspense and a compelling group of characters!
Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
4 Stars
