Veena’s review of Rogue in Red Velvet (Emperors of London, Book 1) by Lynne Connolly
Historical Romance published by Lyrical Press 04 Aug 14
I have been a part of this pond for almost two years now and I’m sad to report that it’s taken me this long to read the first of what I hope will be a lot of books by Ms. Connolly. On that note, please stay tuned since I hope to post at least two more reviews on her books, that I currently have in my TBR pile, in very short order.
In a world where title and wealth are the currency by which people are judged, Connie and Alex come from opposite ends of the spectrum. Alex comes from one of the premier families in the country and has the world at his feet with mamas and beauteous debutantes falling over themselves to attract and hold his attention. While Connie, in her shy retiring way hiding out in her godfather’s library, seems to effortlessly hold his attention without trying in the least bit. Even if Alex wished otherwise, there’s no future in this relationship since Connie is as good as engaged to be married.
But fate and Connie’s fiancé have a different outcome in mind. Greedy for wealth and power, her fiancé decides to trade in his homespun beauty for a younger, more-beautiful-to-him, and wealthier model. Alex comes riding to the rescue, along with his very wealthy and very influential family. I thoroughly admire Connie and how she stands up to Alex and fights for her right to be a part of the decisions and plans to extract her from her unpleasant fiancé and create her standing in the ton so that she can be “worthy” of being married to the very wealthy and very influential Alex Vernon aka Lord Ripley.
I enjoyed Alex’s machinations as he visits the exchange and other gentlemanly venues to get the ball rolling on the gossip that will win his fair lady for him and defeat the dastardly villain who dares to break her trust in the most heinous way. As they say, there are may battlefields where battles are won and we get to see that the word is as mighty as a sword in this instance.
I would definitely like to see both Julius and Helena find their happiness in future books in this series.
Grade: A
Summary:
If Connie loses her standing in society, she risks losing everything…except Alex.
When country widow Connstance Rattigan finds herself in a notorious London brothel instead of at the altar, only one person can save her from the auction block. Alex Vernon walked away from Connie once before, when he discovered her engagement. Now that her fiancé has betrayed her, Lord Ripley doesn’t intend to leave her again. But Connie has other ideas… She won’t marry him until her name is cleared.
Alex decides to make Connie’s wishes come true, but it’s not that easy, even with the help of his powerful relatives known as the Emperors of London.
Read an excerpt.
