Sandy M’s review of Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel (Scoundrels of St. James, Book 4) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Oct 09
A chapter or so into this book, I was worried. I wasn’t liking James as much as I’d liked the other heroes in this series’ previous books. I’m not sure why either. But I should have known better. Lorraine Heath is an expert in her field, and she soon caught me by the heartstrings and taught me a valuable lesson.
Eleanor is out for revenge for the death of her sister. She knows who killed her and everything is planned out to the last detail, starting by following the man throughout London. Of course, she couldn’t plan for the interference of others. While being accosted one night by men who think she’s a prostitute, Eleanor is saved by Inspector James Swindler. He then escorts her home, neither of them thinking to see the other again.
But Lord Rockberry, the man who Eleanor has been trailing, thinks he’s seen a ghost and demands Scotland Yard look into the matter and James is selected, thereby meeting up with Eleanor once again. Their attraction is immediate this time and they begin to spend more and more time together. I enjoyed this slow, getting-to-know-one-another part of the book. This is where I also came to like James so much more and where Ms. Heath begins to pull that heartstring so very well.
But Ms. Heath, being the expert she is, also throws the reader a huge whammy in the second half of this story. Huge. One you don’t see coming no matter what. That whammy also affects James tremendously, his trust in Eleanor sorely tested. Lord Rockberry also ends up dead, so another wrench is thrown in for good measure. There’s a lot going on in this portion of the book, from mystery to betrayal.
So after learning more about James and his past, having my heart run through the wringer, I learn my lesson the hard way to not make snap judgments, especially when dealing with an author of Ms. Heath’s caliber. James been in hell all of his life, and though most of us wanted to see him with Frannie, who he thought was his true love, we see a whole new James with Eleanor, even when times are bad between them.
Eleanor herself has her own demons to conquer, more with James now in the picture. I really like these two people. They don’t end up living the high life as those in previous books, their life will be simple and lovely, thus staying true to their characters throughout.
All of James’ friends are once again called to help and they come running just as friends do, and it’s nice to see how they are all faring at this point in time. The gang’s all here and this is a nice ending to the series, everyone taken care of just as they should be.
Grade: A-
Summary:
She Sought Revenge but Discovered Desire
On a quest to avenge her sister’s death, Eleanor Watkins never expected to fall for the man following her through pleasure gardens and into ballrooms. But soon nothing can keep her from the arms of the sinfully attractive scoundrel, not even the dangerous secrets she keeps. Strong, compassionate, and utterly irresistible, James is all she desires. But can she trust him enough to let herself succumb to all the pleasures that midnight allows?
James Swindler has worked hard to atone for his unsavory past. He is now as at home in London’s glittering salons as he is in the roughest streets. But when the inspector is tasked with keeping watch on a mysterious lady suspected of nefarious deeds, he is determined to use his skills at seduction to lure Eleanor into revealing her plans. Instead, he is the one seduced, turning away from everything he holds dear in order to protect her–no matter the cost to his heart.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
