The Girl With the Iron Touch by Kady Cross ~ ARC Review

The Girl With the Iron Touch (Steampunk Chronicles #3)
By Kady Cross

Rating: 5

'It seemed humans, the scientifically minded ones at least, were either tempting death or trying to prolong life. Surely that was an indication of madness.' 



Whilst the occupants of 1897 London slumber, a sinister force awakens below...

Apparently it takes a lot more than a roof to 'off' your enemies these days - as Finley Jayne and her motley group of friends are about to discover.

The Machinist, Leonardo Garibaldi, is not at all dead. He's out for vengeance; to see out his plan for domination, using his unnatural mechanical creations to find a way to bring him back to life.

But automatons can only do so much.

Emily is kidnapped by Garibaldi's machines, snatched away so she can utilise her mechanical genius to resurrect the evil fiend and 'transplant' him into a new body. Conflicted, Emily must somehow find a way to stop The Machinist from coming back to life and torturing those she loves...before the time runs out.

A clock can't function with a missing cog.

With Emily gone and The Machinist's power inching its way into the mortal coil, Griffin is clutching at straws, locking himself away in his study for long periods of time...and emerging drawn and weary. Finley worries that he's keeping some kind of secret - a secret that is slowly tormenting him, taking its toll on his sanity - but her concerns are rebuffed by the man in question, who insists he's just 'under the weather'.

It is imperative that they work as a team, if they are to save Emily, themselves and all of London. But with Griffin - the leader of their group misfits - struggling to remain focused, the burden falls on Finley to keep the group from falling apart...plunging Griffin and her new-found love into speculation and doubt.

Allies come from the most unlikely of places.

Whilst Finley and Co. turn to the notorious Jack Dandy for assistance, Emily discovers The Machinist's newest creation...a creation more human than automaton, a girl by the name of '312'. 312 is to be the host for The Machinist's consciousness - and if Emily succeeds in her task, 312 will be no more.

And The Machinist will be able to roam the gritty streets of London once more.

Love is a powerful and complicated thing...

Sam refuses to stop searching for Emily; trying every way possible to find her location, from mechanical creations and old maps, to Jack Dandy's theories and taking directions from a ghost. He has to find her - to tell her how deeply he loves her and what she means to him. He'd sacrifice the world for her.

He won't let her die...even if it means having to go through hell to do so.

...But is it strong enough to endure the biggest test of faith yet?

Finley Jayne and her friends must face The Machinist - both in the Aether and on the mortal plain - if they are to rid the world of his evil schemes and be free from his torment.

And kind-hearted Emily must steel herself, bar her conscience and harden her heart, if she is to discover what she is truly capable of and save them all from the twisted dreams of a man who wanted to play god.

So strap on your goggles and tighten your corset - the battle for London is about to begin!


My thoughts on the book:

Dear Kady Cross:

You are a literary goddess.

True, your book distracted me from my pile of homework (privately nicknamed 'Everest'), but I would rather immerse myself in a tale full of steampunk magic, romance and adventure over typing up English analysis' any day!!

Please send me a Griffin. And a Jack.

Hugs,
Booknut.

I loved this book. My only critique?

Sam needs a timing devices added to his inner mechanisms. Because interrupting Griffin/Finley time is not okay by any means!! After the first time it happens...dude. It's no longer a coincidence....or maybe he just has really karma :)

At the end of this book - especially after the last scene (Hint: very, very swoon-worthy) - I was in a catatonic state of fangirl bliss:


A big thanks to Kady for yet another brilliant book in the series - and to Netgalley and Harlequin Publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC.


A sneak peek of the book!

“I can't promise that I'll never be an ass, or that I'll never make you cry. I can't promise that I won't make you so angry you want to cosh me over the head with a brick. I can't promise you forever...I'd love to, but I can give you right now. I can give you me in all my defective glory.”

Wonder who says this to who?

Get the book today HERE on Amazon, and find out!

BlOG-O-VERSARY and 700 BOOKWORMS GIVEAWAY!

My other blog - Not-So Austen Bookclub - is celebrating its 1st birthday/blog-o-versary this week, as well as reaching 700 members! 

To celebrate, I am giving away 19 amazing YA titles!

Enter the giveaway HERE :)

Dominion by Melody Manful ~ Review

Dominion (Guardian Angels #1)
By Melody Manful

Rating: 3.9/4

"I have a question. How does it feel to fall in love?" a little girl asked. Two of her front teeth were missing.
How the hell would I know?
Everyone was quiet, so knew I had to answer.
"Well," I cleared my throat and tried to remember all the cheesy sayings I had heard about falling in love. "It's unexplainable."

I looked at Abigail, which turned out to be a stupid decision because when my eyes met hers, I felt a stir of emotions in my chest. "And unexpected," I whispered to myself. 

Gideon’s a Grandinian angel; Tristan, a Guardian. Whilst the Guardian angels have the job of guiding and protecting the humans they’re assigned to, Grandinian’s try and harm as many as they can, keeping the balance of life…well, balanced.

Gideon and Tristan have avoided crossing paths…until now.

Gideon is given the biggest test of his destructive powers thus far: to harm Tristan'sènas (human he's assigned to). Tristan is notorious for his guarding abilities, just as much as Gideon is for his harming ones. Fuelled by his hatred of 'goody goody' Tristan, Gideon takes on the task gladly - feeling smug. This task is going to be piece of cake.

Until he meets Tristan's ènas, Abigail. 

A human, the daughter of a CIA agent and one of the most beautiful woman alive, charity helper and highschool student, Abigail has more facets than she lets other see - ignorant of the two angels that tail her, disguised as teenagers. To Abigail, Tristan's the kind, sweet friend who's always there to lend a hand... Gideon's the new student with a sharp tongue, devilish good looks and can be described in a single word.

Jerk.

Angels don't fall in love.

Gideon's meant to be harming Abigail. He's meant to be shooting fire at her, causing accidents, making her fall off balconies - not spending time with her at the library, laughing at her jokes and thinking about her 24/7. He's not going soft, is he? No! He's a Grandinian angel, for crying out loud - no way would he fall for a mere human, not even one as pretty as Abigail..

'And without as much as a breath, I did it - I allowed myself to fall.'

A tale of angels - good and bad - and how humans possess the strength to change the fate of the world...for better or for worse.

***************************

This book was very entertaining.

My only criticism? The 2-D nature of the characters at the beginning of the story.

It made this book hard to get into. I felt as if the characters had little depth, Gideon's pyromaniac nature over-exaggerated to the point of it being ridiculous. None of the characters for me really began to shine until we got to the climax of the book...when Gideon starts to have conflicting feelings for Abigail.

Then we see the emotions bubbling underneath the surface of these characters - Abigail is brought to life in a whirl of colour, her childhood exposed as a sad and lonely. She forced to grow up too fast. The speech that she gives to her father when she's recovering from her ordeal is haunting. Every little girl wants her dad. Every girl wants a stage in her life where she can just be and not have to worry about fights, evil, being strong and how to shoot a gun. Unfortunately for Abigail, this was never an option for her. She had to protect her mother and be strong for her.

Tristan seems like your typical blonde and nice, puppy-lovin' dude until you receive the revelation that he feels the pain and death caused by Gideon, as well as the good in others. He is affected almost physically by it, which explains why he tries so hard to stop all of Gideon's attempts to destroy everything.

And as for Gideon...yeah. He's hot. I won't lie. But he's also the least deep of the characters. He blows stuff up, kills and is volatile. I understand that this is how he's meant to be. But it's annoying that he lets his hot and cold act affect Abigail. The scene where she's like 'If you leave now (a.k.a to go kill people) we're done!" I was just like:


Let him go. A girl should NEVER enter a relationship with a guy wanting to change him. It never ends well, because men are frankly like leopards and those kitties never change their spots. 

Overall it was a good read - but light. The cover was beautiful - the cliffhanger pure torment.

Celtic Myth & Magic ~ By Blood Review

By Blood
By Tracy E. Banghart

Rating: 4.2

'Most of the other passengers were turned away now, sleeping while the baby was quiet. The cabin lights were dimmed and the flight attendants had disappeared. I wondered if Vermin and I were the only ones who’d never flown across an ocean before. I wondered if anyone else was wishing they were heading in the opposite direction.'

Diapers, accents and blooming powers - the things that summer vacations are made of.

At least, they are for 17-year-old Emma Wong. Emma's mother wants them to 'bond' over in England, where she, 'Dr Mike' (a.k.a The Stepdad), Emma and baby Fermin Vermin will get in some family time. 

Travel?
Emma likes.
Cute British guys?
She likes even more.
Shopping opportunities?
No girl could refuse.

Puking infants, awkward 'family dinners, babysitting and your friends on the other side of the world?
No thanks.

But Emma takes the new challenge with a grain of salt, finding an ally in Dr Mike's cute research assistant Josh and a friend in the elfish wisp of a girl Ash Gardner - between them providing enough sight-seeing, laughs and good times to counteract her family's dysfunctional antics. 

Do you believe in magic?

A group of New Age Druids - teenagers with a penchant for late night rituals, giddy dancing and downing mystical drink - crosses Emma's path. Drawn to the sense of freedom they seem to bring with them, Emma beings her descent into the 'rabbit hole' of Druid doings, Celtic lunacy and beautiful boys named Simon whose very presence is bewitching. 

But it's all for fun...isn't it? 

Get ready to be in way over your head.

A summer vacation with a sinister twist, with undertones of paranormal energy, By Blood is a story of how the irresistible nature of power and freedom can intoxicate even the most strong-willed of human heads - and how magic is never truly dormant...

...And awakening it could be a messier ordeal than a family dinner!

Emma's sarcastic, biting narrative and the lure of Celtic myth and magic constructs a brilliant book to cosy up with...if you dare!

GAMEBOARD OF THE GODS - Richelle Mead Strikes Again

Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1)
By Richelle Mead

Rating: 4.5

'I am a soldier of the Republic. I do not serve my own will but that of my country. Those words were echoed by her mother's, spoken so many years ago: You can ignore the rest because you're better than them. Empty yourself of all feeling because if they can't see it, then they can't use it against you.'

Richelle Mead's story-weaving genius comes to life in her new series Age of X. Be prepared to fall head first into her futuristic world, filled with mystery, violence, stunning technology and tension bubbling just below the surface - be prepared to fall in love with a story, and a cast of characters, you will never forget.

'"We're all pieces on a game board, Dr. March, and some of us are more powerful than others. You. Me. Her. We're the ones the gods want. We're the ones they're fighting over."
"And I supposed you consider yourself the king on this board?"
"You must not have played chess in a while. The king is the weakest piece in the game." He gave Justin a level look. "The queen's the strongest."'

Meet Justin March: exile, genius, former investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims, notorious wine drinker, and charmer of the female demographic. 

Meet Mae Koskinen: Nordic, beautiful, deadly and dedicated praetorian - a member of the military’s most elite and intimidating tier...a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

Neither, upon meeting the other, ever suspected how tightly bound their fates would become.

Mae, currently relieved of her duties, is sent to bring Justin back to RUNA - the Republic of United North America. But the chance to go back isn't as golden as it seems. There's a catch. Justin is assigned a difficult and dangerous task, to solve a string of ritualistic murders. To keep Justin safe, he is assigned a guard...who turns out to be none other than Mae. The girl who Justin has been told about - the girl involved in a strange prophecy of sorts. 

A girl coveted by the gods. A girl he can never have.

'"The old guy said I'd only need on woman, and that the one he'd send me would mirror me in light and shadow, that I'd know her by a crown of flowers...He said she'd be carved of fire and ice, that she'd scorch me in my bed and live and die for me outside of it."

But solving the murders is no easy task. The clues are an incoherent jumble, no connections visible in the tangle of deaths, religious oddities and supernatural occurrences. Every lead seems to stop at an abrupt dead end. The deeper the duo delve into the mystery, the more exposed to danger they become. 

And they only have four weeks to find the murderer and solve the case.

Mundane murderers and cults aren't Mae and Justin's only problems, though. Other forces are at work...old forces. Powerful forces. Ones that will do anything and everything to claim what is rightfully theirs, be that the world, or those upon it. Playing with fire may be dangerous, but playing on the chessboard of the gods is a whole other game...one that could cost them their lives.

What will the 'Age of X' entail for humankind? And are the gods closer than you think?

Mythology, romance and kick-ass adventure combine to create a vivid dystopian world that will sweep you away and have you hooked from the first page to the very last 
word.


Be sure to grab a copy when it comes out in JUNE 2013!!


*A big thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC.*

Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa ~ Review

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)
By Julie Kagawa

Rating: 4.2




You are a monster. His voice was always so clear in my head, as if he was standing right next to me, his dark eyes boring into my skull. You will always be a monster - there is no turning back from it. But what kind of monster you become is entirely up to you.That was the lesson I clung to most, the one I swore I'd never forget.

The reason I chose the above quote to begin this review with, is because I think it puts into words perfectly the main idea explored in The Eternity Cure.

What makes a monster?
What makes us human - our biological make up, or our actions?
What does it take to become unredeemable?

And in times of trouble - in our darkest moments - can humanity still be found?


Allison Sekemoto has left her motley group of humans - her new friends, and her new love Zeke - behind in Eden. Eden is no place for a vampire, let alone one with unfinished business. Allison knows that she owes her life (or, at least, her undead one) to Kanin, her sire. Using their blood bond to track him down, each night she dreams through Kanin's eyes, experiencing the torture he undergoes at the hands of Sarren, the psychotic vampire who is out to destroy not only Kanin, but the world. The dreams, if anything, cement Allison's resolve to rescue Kanin - at any cost.

Fragile alliances are formed, deadly secrets arise from the depths of forgotten laboratories, enemies slain and loved ones return. But when a new strain of the Red Lung virus ends up in the hands of none other than Sarren, the race is on to save the them all...vampires and humans. Swords must be drawn, limits pushed and Allison's Hunger put to the test if she is to work as a team with those closest to her to bring Sarren's lunacy to an end.

"There are no good choices, Allison," Kanin offered in a quiet voice."There are only those you can live with, and those you can work to change."

Take A Look @ What I'm Reading This Week :)

Hey everyone! Here are some of the titles I will be chomping through this week:

 

 

 - Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
 - The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
 - The Diviners by Libbra Bray
 - The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter
 - Wicked Kiss by Michelle Rowen
 - Painted Faces by L.H. Cosway
 - The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers ~ In-Depth Review

Cracked Up To Be
By Courtney Summers

Rating: 5

“The sooner you make a mistake and learn to live with it, the better. You're not responsible for everything. You can't control the way things end up.” 

I'm going to stray a little from my normally cohesive review format, to discuss this roller coaster ride of a book.

Some books - well, most books - have a way about them. They have this format where it's almost like the author has managed to zap themselves between the pages, luring you inside and whispering the words into your awaiting mind and holding your hand as they lead you along the story's path.

But Cracked Up to Be was different. The author was barely noticeable. I lost myself in the thoughts, mind and unravelling of a girl whose sole mission in life was to ruin it for herself - drowning her past of perfection and popularity in demons, delinquent behaviour and a flippancy that at first glance seems like a facade, but is really her. 100% broken and 100% knowledgeable of the fact.

Machiavellian principals have been utilised in books for years. The word 'Machiavellian' means cunning, scheming - the end justifying the means. Our main protagonist, Parker, tends to be a little Machiavellian in nature. Manipulating the sessions with her school counsellor, she is quite like the hero of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - you don't know whether she is insane or not. Is it an act? And why she is so satisfied by the distress she causes others? When they believe her lies? One moment she is arguing that, no, she didn't do such-and-such, but the next moment she is neither confirming nor denying the accusation - smirking and perfectly calm, perhaps snapping her fingers quickly...a bad habit of hers.

Parker is refreshingly, beautifully damaged. Courtney Summers' creation of a main character so devoid of the natural feelings we associate with human beings, is breathtaking. Parker's way of speaking in a blunt, cutting manner that somehow not only inflicts pain but sounds genuine - almost like she is sorry to be telling the truth and what she thinks, but she's going to anyway and screw you - is the hook that pulls you in.

I've read many books where the main protagonist is 'insane' or 'depressed'...maybe even 'suicidal'. But those attempts at recreating reality pale in comparison to this book. Parker is raw, real and her obsessive compulsive nature contains so many facets that there is no way of writing her off as fake, stereotypical and exaggerated.

Parker is the real deal.

Books - good books at least - manage to evoke a response from the readers, normally an emotional one. This book was unique in the way it made me laugh sadly. Not 'laughing and crying'. No. More like laughing with a twinge of sadness for Parker who is just so wrapped up in this game she plays, with herself and others, that she can't even find herself any longer.

The jokes were great. But Courtney Summers never lets you forget that this is not a story about a highschool girl with issues, who goes to prom, has boy issues and got drunk a few times. This is a story about a girl whose search - whose drive - for perfection drove her to the brink and when she fell, no one caught her. Instead, she picked herself up - broken, shattered and traumatised - and hid herself; letting the wounds scab over.

But the people around her wouldn't let the wounds scab. They would send her to therapy, ask questions, make her 'do' things, talk, go to school complete tests...the scabs get ripped off so many times the skin becomes raw. So she pushed them away. They come on more. Raw, in pain and drowning, the girl does the only thing she can.

She pretends the wounds don't exist.

She puts on a show. The show is so good that those around her are no longer certain that the wounds are there - they begin to think she's playing up, wanting attention. The girl is appeased. She is content. Now her wounds are left alone. Now she can lose herself without the fear of being found.

I know I'm ranting a little, but bear with me! This book was amazing. And the reason I get so excited about discussing it, is I have always been fascinated with authors who can so accurately see into the human mind - especially a mind in trauma. Courtney Summers' representation of Parker is spot on. Perfect down to her very last flaw. You don't see Parker as a 'character' - like you would, with say, Becky the snotty cheerleader who dislikes Parker intensely.

And this is Courtney's genius. You see the rest of these characters as silly, fake and two-dimensional. Exactly like Parker sees them.

You become immersed in Parker's mind. You become Parker. And when a book has the ability to do that, it needs to be recognised for the sheer effort that must have gone into it.

That said, I'm sure people could find flaws. Some of the plot bits are silly. Parker is petty - about her former position as head cheerleader - and her finger snapping is annoying, her tendencies aggravating. But this is what makes it real. Parkers is screwed up. So don't expect her ways, her mind, her words or her life to make any sense. Don't expect to read a touching YA fiction story where the girl meets a guy who loves her for who she really is and they get together, complication comes, but they overcome it and they love each other forever.

Because you will be sorely disappointed - both when reading the book, and in real life :)

But what this book teaches you above all else is that perfection is subjective.

We try so hard to find perfection. Every day. Whether it's how we look, how we talk, how someone views us or how well we do in something. No one - no one at all - can look you in the eye and tell you they don't. Because we all tend to find it sometimes. Even for a moment. A split second. Because that feeling we get when we catch a glimpse of that much-sought-after perfection is exhilarating! It really is. But is perfection worth the trauma we inflict on ourselves? The constant analysis of our days? Of ourselves? Why do we inflict that kind of torture on ourselves, searching for something we can never truly get fully because we are human and flawed.

This book teaches you that getting TRUE perfection is not easy and very, very hard - as well as not worth it. But it also teaches you, through Parker's journey, that you shouldn't do the opposite. In other words, turn your life into a ruin and treat everyone like crap because hey - perfection is out of reach and you can do what you want! Not at all. You should be the best person you can be without losing yourself. Take each day as it comes. And don't fret over what you can't change.

Cracked Up to Be was twisted, raw and eye-opening. I became good friends with Parker (well...as good a friends as anyone could possibly get with someone like her!). And I think her tale will touch others for years to come.

Need A Guide On Guys? Megan Meade's Got The Answer!

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys
By Kate Brian

Rating: 4.8


'TooDamn-Funky: It's a start, ok. Been thinking bout the boyz. 'member last year my bro did that immersion thing in Venezuela?

Kciker5525: Where he learned to speak Spanish???

TooDamn-Funky: Yeah! u go for 2 weeks talk nothing but Spanish u come back fluent.
Kicker5535: ...????
TooDamn-Funky: Well this is like a guy immersion program!

Kicker5525: So...what. I'm going 2 b fluent in GUY?

TooDamn-Funky: Exactly! u will c what they talk about alone. U will c how they r with each other. U will c how they THINK!! AND WHEN IT'S DONE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO WRITE A GUY GUIDE BOOK!!

Kicker5525: U r deranged.'


It's like 'How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days' - but cuter, with SEVEN times the trouble, pranks, heartbreak and laughs!

Megan Meade's not a girly-girl. But, like any girl, she wonders...what makes guys tick? Why doesn't life comes with a 'Guide On How To Understand The Male Demographic'? 

When her army-based parents want to move the whole family to South Korea, Megan puts her foot down - and is given an ultimatum. South Korea...or the McGowans. Mr McGowan - Mr Meade's friend - offers to let Megan stay with his family if she wants, and Megan recalls that the McGowan family has seven boys.

The perfect chance to get some insight on the opposite sex and start on that longed-for guide!

But the boys turn out to be a motley bunch of annoying, intelligent, hard-ass, sensitive, pranking...boys. 

And Megan isn't sure how to deal with the species in their natural environment. There's Evan with his winning smile and good looks, Finn with his sweet thoughtfulness and artistic talent, Doug with his 'gangster' attitude and childish pranks, Miller with his intelligent mind, and more. Each one is different. But as Megan gets to know them better, she comes to one conclusion.

Boys. Are. Unpredictable.

And maybe - just maybe - that's the best thing about them :)

A chick-flick experience, this book is as sweet as apple pie and bound to capture the hearts of its audience - giving them a guide to boys that may just be a useful tool for every girl to have on her as she ventures into theirworld!

Regency Rakes ~ The Merridew Sisters Book 1 Review

The Perfect Rake (The Merridew Sisters #1)
By Anne Gracie

Rating: 4.3

It's almost ingrained in us women to love books such as these.

Books with balls overflowing with music and dancing, pretty gowns, dashing men and the inevitable trading of barbed witty banter...they are simply irresistible. 

But Anne Gracie takes it a step further, presenting readers with a refreshing combination of Regency etiquette and discourse, and 21st century audacity and feminine spirit! 

Prudence (correctly re-named 'Imprudence' by our resident rogue and rake Gideon) has taken care of her four sisters ever since the untimely death of their parents. 

Under the iron fist of their temper-driven and vile grandfather, the girls endure beatings, enraged cursing and the bleak understanding that their situation is bound to keep its horrible, cyclical nature for some time to come. Relying on one another, the girls listen to Prudence's tales of their parents - whose love for one another fosters a longing in the girls to find a love like that. 

Pure. All-encompassing. Enduring.

When ten year old Grace is beaten in a rage, Prudence cannot remain silent any longer. Whilst their grandfather recovers from a slight injury, the girls pack their things and Prudence forges a letter from their grandfather to his younger brother, their Great-uncle Oswald, asking him to take on the girls. 

Prudence hopes that fleeing for London will mean a second chance - to put a glow in her sisters' cheeks, to enter society and to find one of them a husband to protect them and save them from their grandfather's wrath when he discovers their escape.

But oh the web we weave when we begin to deceive! 

Prudence's well meant lies to Great-uncle Oswald backfire most spectacularly. Not daring to admit that she is already betrothed secretly to Phillip Otterbury - who has been gone the past four years with barely a word - Prudence has to find a reason for her Great-uncle not finding her a match. 

So she lies; stating that she is betrothed to the Duke of Dinstable. 

The Duke is known for being practically a hermit, never leaving Scotland ever. Prudence thinks it a fantastic cover...until her Great-uncle informs her that the Duke has left Scotland and is in London at the present time!

Taking herself over to the Duke's, Prudence hopes to explain the entire situation. 

The Duke - very handsome and very devilish - is amused by her situation and agrees to go along with the lie when her Great-uncle confronts him. But upon confrontation, a twist is revealed. 

The Duke is not really the Duke! 

No; he is Lord Gideon Carradice, the Duke's incorrigible rake of a cousin. Prudence is attracted to the insufferable man quite against her will, and Lord Carradice finds Prudence's presence addictive - she affects him like no other. Determined to resist her, he agrees to 'break' their betrothal.

But he can't get her - and her blasted reticule, with its bruising abilities - out of his mind. Consulting his cousin, the real Duke, he decides to further his acquaintance with Prudence. However, she is not an easy woman to woo. 

Stubborn, fiery and fiercely protective of her sisters, it is fair to say that Lord Carradice has met his match!

Full of romance, blinding wit, tea, brandy, reticules, smelling salts and misdirected bullets, this novel is sure to have its readers hanging on for dear life. 

As Prudence takes on London and discovers how, exactly, a rake can fall in love.