Sins of a Ruthless Rogue by Anna Randol

Setting: Regency

Book 2 in Sinners Trio

Summary:

When Clayton Campbell shows up on her doorstep, Olivia Swift is stunned. For long ago, Clayton was the boy who stole her heart. He’s also the man her betrayal had sent to the gallows. A man she believed dead, now standing before her, looking leaner, harder, more powerful than ever, his haunted eyes filled with a lust she had never seen—for vengeance…

He’s a Crown spy who once faced death and escaped unscathed. Yet Clayton Campbell cannot deny that the sight of Olivia rouses in him something more than a thirst for revenge. Or that the bold beauty would lure him once more into a dangerous game. Only this time, Clayton plans to be the victor—with the tempting Olivia in his bed as his prize. But once passion ignites between them, the hard-hearted agent will face his greatest battle yet—for his heart…

Review:

Having loved her first book in this series about a trio of spies who have recently retired and are trying to move on with their lives, I thought I would love this one even more but I ended up feeling lukewarm about the book. The premise sounded great but I didn’t really gel with the idea on this one and it honestly could have been better.

I thought the books rushed through the exposition way too quickly. One minute  we have a short flashback of Clayton and his girl in love and then suddenly we jump to the present where because of Olivia’s tattle-telling, Clayton has been sent into exile and then he magically pops up on the mill a few minutes later after having never seen Olivia in YEARS.

The thing with books with a couple who have already been in love once is that they tend to think that because they had that connection once then BAM, the chemistry is obviously there so the hard work of creating the emotional bond between the characters is lessened. I really would have liked more flashbacks between the two so we can see the kind of bond they once had before Olivia’s betrayal. And honestly, the whole plot could have been solved if Olivia had just apologized in the first place.

However, I did enjoy the whole action packed mystery plot on the side and I enjoyed Clayton as a hero. He was everything you want; brave, honorable and actually a sweetheart under that cold exterior. Olivia was alright but I wasn’t sold on her romance with Clayton.

I also liked the historical element and I learned a bit more about that period than I expected. All in all, this wasn’t a bad book but it wasn’t as good as it could have been.

Sensuality Rating: Pretty Hot (4/5)

Verdict: Just ok

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Sins of a Virgin by Anna Randol

Setting: Regency

*Book 1 in Sinners Trio series*

Summary:

There is improper, there is scandalous… and then there is Madeline Valdan.

To the world, Madeline Valdan is a scandalous courtesan, with society’s most eligible gentlemen at her feet. But no one knows her shocking secret: she has never experienced the most intimate touch of any man. So she astonishes the ton by telling them the truth . . . and by announcing the auction of her virginity to the highest bidder.

Handsome and disciplined, Gabriel Huntford knows his time is best spent hunting down criminals from the darkest corners of London. As a Bow Street Runner investigating his sister’s death, he has no desire to join London’s strutting peacocks in this competition when there are more important tasks at hand.

Now, his quest leads him to one of Madeline’s “suitors,” so he agrees to help this sinful woman. But what begins as a business arrangement quickly turns into something more . . . and love blooms with a passion neither one expected.

Click cover for more info!

Review:

Anna Randol is a great new star in historical romance and she continues to hold her ground with her sophomore novel and her first in her brand new series! No exciting setting this time round, just your standard Regency England setting but Anna makes it intriguing with her thrilling tale of an ex spy looking for a fresh start and a police officer looking to solve a murder case.

Loved the main characters though it was a bit hard warming up to the heroine who came off at first as manipulative and bitchy but she turns out ok in the end. I loved that the hero was not another titled guy but a police officer who has to work to make a living-makes the romance more realistic and adds that gritty factor. Loved the tension and the NO-WE-SHOULDN”T-EVEN-THOUGH-WE-WANT-TO-SO-DAMN-BAD vibe and the two were just so well-matched in wits! Thing is, it was a very similar dynamic to her first book with the overprotective hero and the spunky, ex-spy heroine who hates being controlled… Hmmm…

However, Anna sure knows how to write a great adventure romance! This book has it all, action, a mystery, suspense, humor and most importantly a romance to swoon for! I also loved the look into the underbelly of London society-who knew how dark it really was? The pace was great and I didn’t feel like it dragged at all. The mystery aspect was well thought out, if a bit predictable but hey, this is a romance not a mystery novel! Was very fun to read nevertheless.

All in all, despite a similar romantic dynamic as the first book, this is an exciting, action-filled romance. I loved the peeks of the next 2 heroes in the series and can’t wait to see what else Anna has in store for us! 😀

Sensuality Rating: HOT 

Verdict: Another great romance from a rising star! Highly recommended!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A Secret in Her Kiss by Anna Randol

Setting: Regency 1815

Summary:

There is improper, there is scandalous… and then there is Madeline Valdan.

To the world, Madeline Valdan is a scandalous courtesan, with society’s most eligible gentlemen at her feet. But no one knows her shocking secret: she has never experienced the most intimate touch of any man. So she astonishes the ton by telling them the truth . . . and by announcing the auction of her virginity to the highest bidder.

Handsome and disciplined, Gabriel Huntford knows his time is best spent hunting down criminals from the darkest corners of London. As a Bow Street Runner investigating his sister’s death, he has no desire to join London’s strutting peacocks in this competition when there are more important tasks at hand.

Now, his quest leads him to one of Madeline’s “suitors,” so he agrees to help this sinful woman. But what begins as a business arrangement quickly turns into something more . . . and love blooms with a passion neither one expected.

Click cover for more info!

Review:

For her debut novel, Anna Randol writes an exciting adventure romance, with a daring heroine and a strong, protective hero you’ll love watching fight not to be together.

Unlike most Regency romances, this novel takes place in the exotic locale of Constantinople which automatically makes this something fresh in a genre that seems so limited in its choice of setting. I loved the detail and the descriptions of Eastern Europe; I could almost see myself walking the streets and smelling the market goods.

We’ve got a feisty heroine and a hero who is forced to protect her one last time. Both of them want out of their respective careers but are thrust together for one last mission. This results in a will-they-won’t-they romance as both try to fight their attraction even though it’s so obvious they’re meant to be together 😉 I enjoyed the hot tension and watching how their defenses came down the more time they spent together.

Besides the sexy romance, we’ve got an exciting spy adventure story which involves a murder, a secret code and bandits! This book keeps you thoroughly entertained as you follow Marie and Bennett as they try to solve the mystery-and stay alive.

All in all, a fantastic read from a new author. I look forward to reading more Ms. Randol! 😀

Sensuality Rating: Hot 

Verdict: A wonderful debut! Not to be missed!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars