LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER

Our Review

In LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER, the first book in a new series THE PALACE OF ROGUES, author Julie Anne Long, leaves the ballrooms and estates of the aristocracy behind.

The heroine, widow of a loveless marriage Delilah, Countess Derring, inherits only a rundown building near the port of London and in a seedy part of London. While in her lawyer’s office she meets the deceased Earl of Derring’s mistress (Mrs. Angelique Lovebreed). The two women form a tentative friendship. Their personalities are so different it is fun to watch the developing relationship between Delilah and Angelique.

The two women sell their jewelry and clean up the building to open a boarding house, “The Grand Palace on the Thames”. Delilah has sworn off men, after her disappointing marriage.

One of the ladies’ new boarders is Tristan Hardy a Captain in the King’s Navy. He has diligently been working to capture smugglers in the area. He tracks the infamous Blue Rock Gang to Delilah’s boarding house. He is a gentleman, but not of the aristocracy. He has a hard time with his feelings for Delilah and doesn’t think he’s worthy of her. Even though she is prim and proper, Lady Derring is drawn to him on a sexual level. Very steamy in parts.

There is a grumpy hero, female friendship, mystery, humor, and witty dialogue and sensual scenes.

A very satisfying HEA. If you like a different Regency Romance, be sure and read this book.

I received a copy of LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER from Romance Junkies Reviews, in return for my honest review.