1236. Rogue In My Arms (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis:

When Sir Colin Lambert learns that the little girl left on the steps of his gentleman's club belongs to one of its members, he's filled with hope. Could Melody be the daughter of the beautiful, impulsive actress who broke his heart? Colin is determined to find out with the help of his lost love's former seamstress, Miss Prudence Filby. But soon, Pru's disarming manner and seductive voice are stirring all manner of doubts in his mind - as well as some delicious fantasies.

Pru's only motivation in helping Colin is to reclaim the wages she's owed. Or at least, itwas, before days and nights traveling together draw them into a heated, thrilling intimacy. But as soon as Pru discovers his noble status, she suspects she's been a fool. To a man of his standing, she can hardly be more than a dalliance, even if their scorching passion makes her long to take center stage in his life - and in his arms.

My rating: 4 stars

My review: Rollicking good fun! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

1005. Seducing the Spy (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis:
Lady Alicia Lawrence was cast out of polite society and branded a liar for a youthful mistake. When she overhears details of a conspiracy that could affect her country's fate, she turns to the one person who might believe her -- Stanton Horne, Lord Wyndham. Posing as Wyndham's mistress in order to root out the enemy, Alicia is drawn into an uneasy partnership...and a wildly seductive liaison. Lord Wyndham's uncanny ability to detect lies has made him a valuable member of the Royal Four, but in matters of romance it has proven a distinct liability. Alicia is the only woman whose thoughts he cannot read...and the only one whose sensual touch quenches every secret desire. As the mission grows more dangerous and more personal, and each encounter with Alicia more fiery than the last, this daring spy must face his greatest challenge yet-learn to trust the passion in his heart...

My rating: 4 stars

My review: The best yet of the books I've read of this series. It would have been even better if the previous Royal Four characters were not involved -- they seem to get in the way and don't really move the plot along in any meaningful way.

1002. Duke Most Wanted (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis:
Sophie Blake’s grandfather willed his fortune to the first of his granddaughters to marry a duke. Since her cousin, Deirdre, will seal the deal any day now, the quiet, bookish Sophie can sit back and enjoy her time with the only man she truly adores: Graham. No matter that the part charmer, part scoundrel has absolutely no designs on her! Sophie is content to engage Graham in lively conversation, beat him at cards ... and probe at the darkness hiding behind his rakish smile.

Then Graham unexpectedly gains a title, an estate in near ruins and a mountain of debt. If there is any chance of survival he must find a rich wife—quickly. As his hunt for a bride begins, Sophie realizes that she isn’t even in the running. Suddenly no longer content to be a wallflower, Sophie gets a stunning make-over and becomes the belle of the ball. Lots of heads are turning…including Graham’s. But this beauty has secrets of her own. Will she be his salvation or seal his fate?

My rating: 4 stars

1000(!). The Duke Next Door (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis:
The dangerously beautiful Deirdre Cantor is determined to inherit her grandfather’s vast fortune. All she needs is to marry a duke ... and be the first granddaughter to walk down the aisle. After all, she has always dreamed of becoming a member of the haute ton. So when the proper Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, is abandoned at the altar, Deirdre makes it her business to become his wife—in spite of the whispers about his past. Soon Deirdre’s visions of a lavish existence with the handsome Calder are shattered when she learns his shocking secret. Feeling betrayed, Deirdre seeks revenge by playing a perilous and seductive game of cat and mouse with her husband that threatens to drive them both to the heights of passion. She will not surrender to him, no matter how great her desire. But at what cost? Calder is determined to keep his secret under lock and key—and to make his stunning wife his in every way that matters. Even if it means winning her heart all over again ....

My rating: 4 stars

952. Desperately Seeking a Duke (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis from Amazon Canada:
The only way for vicar's daughter Phoebe Millbury to inherit a family fortune is to find herself a duke-just as her late grandfather demanded in his will. But Phoebe, who's stilltrying to make good after a romantic scandal, also has her two cousins to contend with. They're all competing for the same money, maybe even the same men. ..until Phoebe meets her match in the terribly handsome and charming Rafe Marbrook.When she receives a marriage proposal from the Marquis of Brookhaven, Phoebe is thrilled to learn that Rafe is headed for dukedom...and accepts his offer. There's only one problem: It's from Rafe's older, less captivating brother, Calder. Now Phoebe finds herself on the verge of yet another scandal as she faces a desperate choice: Marry Calder for his money-or follow her own heart? Each way can only lead to trouble...

My rating: 3 stars

819. Fallen (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis from Amazon:
What happens when society's wallflower is found in bed with London's most outrageous bachelor?

To save his inheritance, Lord Julian Blackworth must propose to a woman he would just as soon forget. Izzy Temple, spinster housekeeper, wants nothing more than her freedom. Together, they strike a deal to pretend an engagement until the fuss dies down.

But when the lie becomes the truth, can Izzy and Julian set free the hearts they've been protecting for so long?

My rating: 3 stars

791. The Spy (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis from Amazon Canada:
James Cunnington has a pressing mission at had: He must find the daughter of a missing code breaker for the Liar's Club, a man suspected of turning traitor for Napoleon. Time is of the utmost concern. While it is evident that his ward's new tutor has something to hide, James in unaware that the woman he seeks now resides under his very roof .... Desperate and near destitute, Philippa Atwater must don gentleman's clothing to pass herself off as a scholarly young tutor. Her clever -- if itchy -- disguise allows her time to pursue her quest to find her father, ruthlessly abducted by French spies. Closely guarding the cryptic notebook he entrusted to her care, she sense danger all around her -- even in the home of her roguishly handsome new employer, James Cunnington. Now Philippa is about to discover that the desire can be as lethal as a well-aimed bullet ....

My rating: 3 stars

236. Surrender to a Wicked Spy (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis from Amazon:
As his set's most eligible bachelor, Dane Calwell is used to women throwing themselves at him, but Olivia Cheltenham is the first to rescue him. Enchanted by the sensible, plain-speaking, bewitchingly different Olivia, Dane immediately proposes, hoping that their marriage might work in spite of his rather unusual "problem." Olivia could not be more in love with her big, gorgeous, blond Viking of a husband, so when Dane ultimately reveals the true nature of his "problem," Olivia is more than willing to find a solution to the challenge it presents. What does bother Olivia, however, are the number of secret meetings Dane attends and the snatches of conversation Olivia overhears that hint that Dane may be involved in something so dangerous it could destroy their blissful new marriage.

My rating: 3 stars

140. The Rogue (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis from Amazon:
The last time Ethan Damont inadvertently become mixed up with the Liar's Club, he nearly got himself killed. Thus, Ethan is a tad reluctant to accept the renegade band of spies' invitation to join up until he discovers that their latest assignment involves Lady Jane Pennington. The Liar's Club wants Ethan to use his skills as a gentleman gambler to get close to Jane's uncle, Lord Harold Maywell, who is suspected of being a traitor to the Crown. Since their first unconventional encounter left Ethan wanting to get to know the sharp-tongued Jane better, he is tempted into accepting the mission, desperately hoping that Jane isn't tangled up in her uncle's treacherous web of deceit.

My rating: 4 stars

108. The Pretender (Celeste Bradley)

Source: www.alanayers.com

Synopsis from Amazon Canada:
Agatha Cunnington needs a man. To more easily search for her missing brother, James, Agatha creates a new identity for herself as Mrs. Mortimer Applequist, but when the always conveniently unavailable Mortimer's presence is required at a social gathering, Agatha grabs the first man she can find to impersonate him. He turns out to be master spy Simon Montague Rain, who has disguised himself as a chimney sweep to sneak into Agatha's home to find evidence of her brother's whereabouts, because not only is James one of his spies but he also disappeared after some of Simon's other agents began turning up murdered. To get closer to Agatha, whom he believes to be James' mistress and accomplice, Simon agrees to pose as Agatha's "husband," but Simon soon finds how easily distracted he is from his real mission by his all-too-tempting new "wife."

My rating: 4 stars

94. To Wed a Scandalous Spy (Celeste Bradley)

Synopsis from Amazon Canada:
Willa Trent had the worst luck with men. Now she has brought down a hornet's nest, which unseats a stranger riding down the lane. Willa dutifully drags him to safety. Then, when Nathaniel Stonewell, the Earl of Reardon, wakes up the next morning with a strange woman snuggled up next to him, and the traitor he was chasing long gone, he does the honorable thing: he proposes. Nathaniel is certain that once Willa finds out she has just wed "Lord Treason," the nobleman rumored to have sold out England to France, she will immediately want nothing more to do with him, so he can continue his hunt for the real traitor. But much to Nathaniel's surprise, his new bride not only believes he is innocent but she is also determined to help him.

My rating: 2 stars