Sandy M’s review of Between the Devil and Desire (Scoundrels of St. James, Book 2) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 30 Dec 08
These scoundrels of St. James are so far leaving me emotionally exhausted after reading their stories. This second book in the series features Jack Dodger, a nimble-fingered facsimile of the Artful Dodger, thus the name he chose after being sold by his mother. What happened in those ensuing years, of course, shaped him into the man he is today, but he’s also a man who still remembers and relives those horrible times while doing the best he can to help youngsters who remind him of himself years ago. Ms. Heath uses Jack to pull your heart strings until you think they’re going to break.
Jack is summoned to the reading of the will of a man he barely knew. What his bequest is totally surprises him, but because there is money involved, Jack doesn’t hesitate. He’s to be the guardian of the man’s son, the next Duke of Lovingdon, and, if he does this, he will have the nobleman’s house and all unentailed items in it. A deal as far as Jack is concerned. He grew up on the streets under the teachings of Feagan, a man who took in aimless children and taught them to steal to survive. Money is life to Jack, and the more he has, the better off life will be. So no way in hell he’s going to turn down this out-of-the-blue offer, even though he doesn’t know a thing about children.
Stunned at the news that her husband has given guardianship of her son to a man known in her circles as the devil — the paltry amount he left her doesn’t matter a bit — Olivia, the Duchess of Lovingdon, does her best to get rid of Jack or even to rid herself of his company, but he won’t allow her and her son even a trip to the country. What starts out as a battle of wills ends up being an enlightening experience for Olivia the more she gets to know Jack. After a bit he doesn’t seem to be all that devilish — well, except when he’s trying to seduce her. He’s a man with honor, even though polite society wouldn’t understand his particular brand of honor.
For both of them it becomes a struggle to keep away from the pleasure that can be had in each other’s arms, and that doesn’t last long at all, as Olivia succumbs and ends up in Jack’s bed. Jack begins to learn to love again. Olivia learns Jack is the kind of man she does want raising her son and the kind of man she needs and wants in her life. There’s still the mystery of why the late duke chose Jack to watch over his son, and I have to admit that I didn’t see the curveball Ms. Heath throws out at us when it finally came.
My favorite scenes are those with Jack and Henry, Olivia’s son. The boy is always afraid, stutters, and Jack teaches him confidence and patience, giving him the knowledge that those who love him will always stand by his side. The scenes where we find out what happened to Jack as a child are also quite emotional and Ms. Heath does a terrific job of allowing Jack to grieve for that lost little boy but still maintain his dignity and honor as the man he’s become. I like the inclusion of Jack’s friends from his street days. We get to see how far they’ve come and what they’ve made of themselves and how they’re always there for one another.
This is a great addition to the trilogy and I’m looking forward to Surrender to the Devil, which I have in my hot little hands right now!
Grade: A
Summary:
Once a pickpocket and thief, Jack Dodger is now the wealthy owner of one of London’s most exclusive gentlemen’s clubs.
But after one of his patrons bequeaths him his London residence, Jack finds himself dealing with the man’s lovely widow.
When Olivia, Duchess of Lovingdon, is forced to share her beloved home with the notorious–and deliciously wicked–Jack Dodger, she quickly discovers that between the devil and desire, the only choice is surrender.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
