The Gothic Love Stories series by Erica Ridley consists of books that were previously released before and have been edited and re-released. Books three and four were published under different titles in their prior editions: Too Tempting to Resist was known as Romancing the Rogue and Too Wanton to Wed was known as Dark Surrender.

Unlike a lot of Ridley’s writing, these books were darker and more substantial in length. The gothic theme is strong throughout three of the four titles—I found it lacking in Too Tempting to Resist, but the story was enjoyable regardless as a general historical romance. This series has murder, mystery, ghosts, creepy castles, intriguing plots, engaging characters, and so much more.

Each book is standalone with no cliffhangers and a HEA.

Individual book comments:

Too Wicked to Kiss (3.5 stars): Evangeline is dragged to a house party at the estate of a rumored murderer. Unfortunately for Gavin, someone gets murdered at the party. Was it him, as most suspect, or does one of the many suspicious house guests have a motive?

In Too Wicked, I really liked the build-up of tension behind the reveal of the murderer. This story crosses into the paranormal with Evangeline’s special power, and it made her useful to forwarding the plot. Gavin’s background was kept under wraps for a bit too long, at least in regards to the reader being left in the dark. Evangeline’s friend, Susan, was too flighty given the situation, which is thankfully improved upon in the next book when she gets her own story.

The murder theme is laid on so thickly in this book—enough such that I’m not sure if it was charming or overbearing after a while. You can only have so many thunderstorms, gargoyles, and red cloth laying about.

While I would have enjoyed more passion between the main characters, the epilogue was a great ending to their story. It is short yet brings us a satisfying look at Evangeline and Gavin after the story’s events, and what they have waiting in their future.

Too Sinful to Deny (3 stars): Following yet another scandal, Susan’s parents want her far away from London, and so she’s evicted to spend time with a distant aunt. Evan is a smuggler by trade, but when danger closes in, he finds himself working with the new pampered lady in town to uncover the answers.

I really enjoyed the core plot of this story, and liked how it used communication with ghosts for its gothic element. However, the ghost aspect often fell aside until the plot needed a new shove forward, so the way it was used felt like a crutch at times. There was murder and mystery, but the smuggling itself (especially after the build-up about its dangers) was anti-climatic. The plot was paced well and was intriguing, but the ending felt quite sudden in comparison to the rest.

Susan and Evan were distinct and delightful to read. I enjoyed that they were both tenacious and adventurous, each in their own ways.

Too Tempting to Resist (4 stars): When Rebecca’s uncle inherits the castle she resides in, she’s given an ultimatum: marry quickly, or get lost. Then the only man she ever loved—and the only man to break her heart—is summoned to the reading of the will. Daniel regrets his past choices and hopes to rebuild their friendship, and perhaps more.

This is the shortest of the four stories, and it isn’t as dark as the rest. It’s a second-chance romance set in a creepy locale—and that’s where the “gothic” part of this story ends. That didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story, but it was a notable contrast for the series.

I may have rated this five stars if it weren’t for the believability factor to be lost in regards to Rebecca’s life at her uncle’s manor. The fact that her uncles and the solicitor forgot she lived there was too much—the solicitor, if anyone, should have been aware from the moment she became a permanent resident. Another detraction is when Rebecca reflects in the opening chapter on how the staff doesn’t notice her and attributes things she does to ghosts of the castle, yet later in the book they recognize her and are at her beck and call.

That aside, the story of Daniel and Rebecca’s relationship was engaging, touching, at times heartbreaking, and satisfying. My only true lament is that the final chapter wasn’t just a little bit longer, as I wasn’t quite ready to let these two go.

Too Wanton to Wed (4 stars): After Violet commits murder (of a sort) to save a child, she flees to avoid retribution. She stumbles upon Waldegrave Abbey, where its denizens live inside the darkness of its boarded-up walls, for a shocking reason—a sensitivity to sunlight. Alistair doesn’t look like a vampire, nor does his young daughter, who is kept locked away. As Lily’s new governess, Violet seeks to bring some light into the little girl’s world while hiding from the demons of her own.

This story was full of mystery and the gothic element is at a high with the comparisons to vampirism, the dungeon-like structure of the abbey, and late night walks. I would have enjoyed some more concern over Violet’s original situation throughout the entire story, but the way it wove back into the narrative did feel natural.

The building of Violet and Alistair’s relationship was done well, as was the mending of Lily’s devastating childhood and Alistair’s heart. There is a brief epilogue that wraps everything up, but unlike the one in Too Wicked, it was too abrupt and didn’t give quite the same sense of completion.

One thing I hope for the future is that a grown-up Lily gets her own story!



I received an ARC of all four books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book.

Too Wicked To Kiss
I really enjoyed reading this gothic historical love story. It was engaging and entertaining. I loved how the murder of a guest was set up where any of the guests could be the guilty party. Gavin, rumored to have murdered his parents, is the primary suspect. Evangeline is caught between her attraction and wondering whether Gavin had murdered his houseguest. The attraction between Gavin and Evangeline is present from the moment they meet. Their relationship deepens as they spend time together. The book was hard to put down as I wanted to keep reading to find out how the story would end.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book.

Too Sinful to Deny

I received an advanced reader’s copy of Too Sinful to Deny.

This is the second book in the series and can be read standalone.

This is a great addition to the series. Susan and Evan are at odds from the start as a result of the circumstances they find themselves in. It’s not clear in some cases which secondary characters could be trusted and which could not. This story has subplots that intertwined with the mystery and keep the reader wondering how it would all be resolved in the end. I loved that Susan did not give up in her efforts to resolve matters and looked out for others. Evan is flawed but likable and his interactions with Susan change him for the better.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received an ARC of these wonderful gothic historical romance books. All four books in this series are superb, bringing in just enough of the supernatural to keep it fascinating. There's plenty of love and budding romances in all 4 books. One book deals with visions, the second with the ability tontalk to spirits. The third and fourth rely more on people's conceptions of what may or may not be factually accurate but certainly of the gothic variety. Great reads! Thoroughly enjoyed all 4!

An entertaining set of 4 romances full of twists, turns, great characters, romance and wonderful chemistry. This covers different gothic romances regency set and sometimes slightly paranormal, great set to keep you entertained for a few nights

Regency gothic delights!

Delightful gothic romp through four charming novels each with a different focus be it crippling psychic abilities, pirates and people with strange gifts. We have a bluestocking, a ton desirable, a rake and a governess, all with a different story to tell.
The full length novels are all Too Readable to stop:
Too Wicked to Kiss (Book 1)
Too Sinful to Deny (Book 2)
Too Tempting to Resist (Book 3)
Too Wanton to Wed (Book 4)
I thoroughly enjoyed these re-released novels that have now been published simultaneously. No waiting for the next in the series!
An added bonus for me is that I hadn't read these tales before.

An Author Collective 20 ARC via NetGalley

Four great gothic romances with plenty of drama suspense and loads of twists and turns. The characters for each read are amazing with loads of depth and great chemistry. The stories are entertaining and enjoyable. I really liked the entire series.

A set of books in the Gothic genre of historical romances. With brooding heroes and doughty heroines who fight for their right to romance etc.
For me, book 1 took quite a while to actually grab my interest. certainly a set of upper-class horrors were portrayed here, where a kiss makes a girl unmarriageable and age is no barrier, only money.
Women are possessions, things.
Interestingly, reading a recent article about millennial dating and sexual habits we seem to be coming back to this view - it is OK for a male to spit on his partner as one kind of kink/fetish, and semi-strangulation is OK too. Women put up with it as part of the norm for having a boyfriend rather than objecting. Women accept it and expect to be treated as a body rather than partner.
Whatever happened to feminism?!
So gothic heroes are perhaps more the normal type of male these days? Treating women badly is OK?
Luckily in the novels, the women fight back and demand better treatment and get it.
Not really my favourite genre but by the end of the set of novels I was enjoying them more.

I enjoyed these four gothic romances that have been revised and reissued. These stories involve feisty, strong women who fight for what they want and rakes who are willing to reform to win the ladies they love. The dialogue is sharp and sassy. I enjoyed the interaction between these characters. It adds spice to the stories. The romances are filled with passion and seemingly impossible obstacles which pulled me. I wanted the couples to find their HEA. I found that the setting added to the feeling of fear and dread. The first genre I read was gothic romances so it was nice to go back to my roots. Erica Ridley deftly handles these romantic stories.

Too Wicked to Kiss - Fleeing her stepfather after several fear-filled days following her mother's death, Evangeline Pemberton finds herself at the mercy of the charity of Lady Stanton, who invites Evangeline to join her and her daughter, Susan, at a house party. However, Lady Stanton is less than charitable and demands Evangeline help trap the host, the reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, a rumored murderer, but also a wealthy man, into marriage to Susan. Evangeline is loath to participate in such deception, initially terrified by Gavin's menacing presence, but soon finds herself drawn to him.

Gavin would prefer to keep his peace and quiet undisturbed. He knows the only ones who tolerate his company do so because they want his money. He certainly didn't want the house party his sister has organized. When one of the guests is found dead, suspicion immediately falls on Gavin, but Evangeline is beginning to wonder if the surprisingly vulnerable murderer could in fact be innocent.

The gothic, slightly paranormal setting of this was delicious. The pacing was a bit slow fo rme, but it wound up being terribly romantic. I'm all for intrigue and mystery, but this did drag out long enough to test my patience just a bit. Evangeline kept falling into the same trap of judgmental thinking and that frustrated me to no end, though thankfully she did learn eventually. I loved the gothic setting, the plot, and the hero, just no so much the heroine.

Too Sinful To Deny- Spoiled London debutante Susan Stanton has finally taken her gossiping and reckless curiosity too far and been banished to live with a distant cousin in a remote seaside manor house. As soon as she arrives, Susan realizes something is off about the house and nearby town and that's before she starts seeing ghosts. To make matters worse, it seems the only one with a chance of helping her figure out just what is going on is roguish smuggler Evan Bothwick, the farthest thing from the wealthy, titled husband Susan hopes to secure. For his part, Evan is trying to solve his late brother's murder and doesn't have time for feminine distractions, though keeping his distance may be easier said than done.

I couldn't stand Susan as a secondary character in the previous book in this series and I disliked her even more as a main character here. I hoped there would be some depth and redemption for her vapid character, but alas there really was not. She was honestly just too stupid, vain and shallow for me to cheer for her. The rakish Evan wasn't much better, but he was rather charmingly noble in his underhandedness. Despite the fact that she recognizes that her big mouth and recklessness continue to get her into trouble, Susan fails to learn and continues to jump to conclusions and display a general airheadedness. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the gothic vibes and plot of this one, though the pacing was a little slow to hold my attention, I did keep picking it back up. I always love when a rake gives up his wild ways for the perfect woman and this did not disappoint on that score.

Too Tempting to Resist-Miss Rebecca Bond has been content living in quiet anonymity in the [supposedly haunted] castle of her great uncle, an earl, but when he dies, she's left with few options. As a poor relation Rebecca is wholly dependent on the new earl's whims and he determines she must wed immediately or be turned out completely. When the only man she's ever loved arrives for the reading of the will, Rebecca decides he's her best option to teach her how to find a gentleman to marry, despite the fact that their last meeting was a disaster and they haven't spoken in the years since.

Daniel Godwin, Viscount Stoneberry, has always regretted the loss of Rebecca, his one true friend who saw him for himself and not his title. Now that he has a second chance, he will do all he can to win her trust, even guide her into another's arms, though he'll do his best to see she picks him instead.

This was a quick, sweet second chance story about learning where your priorities lie and I enjoyed it.

Too Wanton to Wed-Former street urchin turned art instructor Violet Whitechapel is now on the run after committing a terrible crime to save a child. Delirious with hunger and fatigue, she stumbles upon a secluded abbey and begs refuge. When its master offers her a position as a governess to his daughter for a one month trial period, Violet cannot refuse.

Alistair Waldegrave keeps his daughter, Lillian, locked away for her own safety. Both he and Lillian are afflicted with a terrible disease that renders them incapable of tolerating any sunlight. As he continues to search for a cure to their disease, the new governess begins to bring him hope he hadn't felt since the death of his beloved wife. But just as Violet begins to feel comfortable in her new home, her past catches up to her and threatens any hope she was building for a future with the Waldegraves.

This was a good read and I enjoyed the overall story and mostly enjoyed the characters, though the pacing was too slow to hold my interest entirely in some parts. Overall, this was a good ending to a solid series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gothic Love Stories is the complete series by Erica Ridley with three novels and one novella. The stories are an excellent mix of gothic and regency romance. The heroes have reputations that proceed them and each lady is in dire need of rescuing. With little tastes of paranormal and mystery, the novels are a delightful mix that each have a satisfying HEA with bad boys that will tug on the heart strings. A collection of stories that will be put on the to be reread shelf for sure. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

I just love Erica Ridley’s books. Wonderful! Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

Who knew a Gothic romance could include humor?
That is certainly true with this collection. I never suspected that Erica Ridley could write such dark romantic titles and include a humorous side.
This set is a re-worked and re-released set of four earlier works by this wonderful author and they are not to be missed by fans of Erica Ridley books.

TOO WICKED TO KISS

When an impoverished bluestocking finds herself at the mercy of an irresistible scoundrel, his touch holds her captive to his every dark desire...
Wonderful! You will find yourself laughing, crying and frightened for the hero and heroine.

Who knew a Gothic Romance could include humor?
That is certainly true with this collection. I never suspected that Erica Ridley could write such dark romantic titles and include a humorous side.

I gave this book 4.4 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.

TOO SINFUL TO DENY

When a disgraced socialite is exiled to an isolated manor atop a pirate-infested cove, the only person who can help her escape is the one man who cannot be trusted with her heart... 


One look at the towering ocean-side manor that is to be her new home, and exiled socialite Susan Stanton knows: This is a place haunted by secrets, and riddled with menace.
For Susan, there is no escaping the most dangerous element of all—dark-haired smuggler Evan Bothwick

But Susan has a secret of her own—a special gift that renders her privy to the darkest mysteries lurking within the walls of the manor and in the labyrinthine cellars beneath.

Great read! Are there really ghosts in this frightening manor house?
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.

TOO TEMPTING TO RESIST

A rakish lord has the chance to win forgiveness from a lost love... if he can spirit her away from a haunted castle. 


This is another Gothic treat!

Haunted castles, frightening circumstances and a heroine who tries to run away.

This sweet second chances title will reel you in.

I gave this book 4.0 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.

TOO WANTON TO WED

A secretive governess seeks shelter in the towering home of a mysterious recluse who may be even more dangerous than the man she fled.

A true Gothic treat!
Violet Whitechapel committed an unspeakable crime to save a child. To escape the hangman’s noose, she takes refuge in a crumbling abbey with secrets darker than her own.

Alistair Waldegrave keeps his daughter imprisoned in the black heart of his Gothic abbey. As he searches for a cure to the disease the villagers call demonic, his new governess brings much needed light into their lives.

This fourth and final book of this Gothic Romance series is by far the best one.
Lily makes this title! The child just wants to be free of her bonds which are there only to keep her safe but she needs her freedom more than she needs her safety.
Violet is her salvation as well as the one person who can bring happiness to all of them.
Her secret may just be her doom though.
I loved this book and although it is a re-mastering of an earlier book it has been masterfully re-edited and presented.
I gave this book a well deserved 4.75 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
This romance is so much more than romance with it's poignant tale..
I received a complimentary copy of all four books in this series as a combined set. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Different from so many books situated in this time period. It isn't about the "ton" and not placed in London during high season. Right there caught my interest. Big properties with castles, an abbey, ghosts and more made the reading a big fun read. I liked the stories. The characters were interesting and kept me turning pages.

Loved this book. Story after story of lighthearted reading. Lots of romance and mystery. Erica Ridley on top form.

Some of the very first books that I fell in love with were Gothic romances and as I began these stories, I felt like I had stepped back in time. There is truly something mesmerizing about the dark castle, the frightening first glimpse of the man of the manor and his tortured soul. The heroine who is an innocent and scared out of her wits but oddly forms an attraction. Have I set the stage? Multiply all of those thoughts by ten and you have an amazing stories written by one of the masters of historical romance who has absolutely surrounded me with the atmosphere and suspense of this genre'
Book 1 Too Wicked to Kiss
Evangeline (of how I love that name!) Pemberton was desperately trying to escape her cruel stepfather after the death of her mother. She had come upon Lady Stanton and her daughter who had taken her in and had her traveling with them to a local soiree. Well the "local" was not true because it took an entire day to get there and then seeing their destination and the finding out the real reason they were going to Blackberry Manor. Oh yes, how underhanded could these two ladies be!
But when they arrived and she saw the object of their focus, she could hardly move.
"He was angry. Horribly angry. His eyes glittered like a wolf's because he was a wolf a beautiful, powerful, violent wolf, prowling toward his unsuspecting prey." Enter Gavin Lioncroft, reclusive, brooding hero, having been suspected of murder and angry because his sister had invited guest to his home.
I just wanted to set the stage but what a page turner!! I could almost "see" the setting in my mind and picture all of the characters in this play. I say play because it unfolded with all the parts to make a fascinating tale.

Book 2
Too Sinful to Deny
To say the beginning got my attention quickly is an understatement! The heroine of the story Susan almost drowned! Yes, that was the beginning of some very strange happenings to come! This seemed to be her last escapade (not the drowning but what led up to it!) before her parents banished her to remote Moonseed Manor.
Arriving she looked at the "scarecrow" of a butler and tried to introduce herself. "She was the twenty-year old sole offspring of a loveless titled couple who had banished their ostracized disappointment of a daughter to the remotest corner of England rather than bear the sight of her." Is that what she should say? But then it got interesting as she went to meet her relative at the manor. A giant answered the door the scarecrow took her too and then a very handsome man came forward. Wait are you confused? You just have to read this amusing, tangled story that was truly fascinating and I could not stop once I started!!
I knew I like Susan immediately with her quirkiness and humorous thoughts. Plus the characters were priceless!
A gothic romance filled with a haunted mansion by the seaside, smugglers, murder and mayhem but a lot of humor which is usually not the case. But I loved it! The handsome guy she met at first was Evan Bothwick, smuggler and soon to be attracted to Susan and she to him.
Alas, there is a bumpy road to the happy ending, that is if they can make it past the murder and mayhem!!

Book 3
Too Tempting to Resist
Crowmere Castle, England 1811
A story of a young lady who had been left on her own for so long, she truly did not want to get back into society. Having lived with her great uncle for years after the death of her parents, Rebecca had managed to almost "disappear" and even keep his books and stay secluded. But when her great uncle died and left her nothing, the new Earl wanted to marry her off.
Daniel, Lord Stanbury, had know Rebecca years ago when he had spent time at Crowmere Castle and they had become friends. But he knew he had hurt her badly and had not forgiven his grandmother for her part. But he received a summons back to hear the reading of the will and was determined to show Rebecca that he was a different person than back then. Because he had not forgotten her through the years.
When they meet again as he comes to hear the will, she truly gives him the cold shoulder, although she needs his help to ensnare a husband since she is losing her home. What? Well he desires her coldness due to how he had treated her and he would help.
Loved these two characters! Their interactions and feelings for each other that simmered under the surface. A sweet, special romance that will make you believe in the power of love!

Book 4
Too Wanton to Wed
Gothic romance at it's best! When I began the first book in this series, I was so excited to be reading stories with a gothic setting. The dark and the light. The tortured hero and the redemption he needed from the heroine. Each book has been true to the genre and as I read this last in the series, I could only feel a small sadness they were at an end!
Their death was and accident, but Violet could not be sorry. Her life was forever changed and she hated to leave the girls she had taught and helped come off the streets just as she had. But she had no choice but to run.
When her funds ran out as did her body, she stumbled upon an enormous building which looked like a monastary but all the windows were boarded up. Would this be her end?
She ended up at Waldegrave Abbey where Alistar Waldegrave had his daughter Lily locked in and all he could contemplate was finding her a doctor that could help her illness.
She had collapsed and ended up inside the dark Abbey where she met Alistar. When he realized she had been a teacher/governess he hired her to work with his daughter.
Erica Ridley weaves a tale with her descriptive prose that makes you feel you are there with Violet and can literally be part of her emotions. She is such a fighter from having to survive not that many years ago. She has a strong, wonderful heart and empathy for Lily, Alistar's daughter and brings light to the darkness for those around her.
But will the past catch up for her crimes and can these two really find a love to endure?
Truly loved this story and know I will read this series again. I highly recommend!

Too Wicked to Kiss

This story reads like a game of Clue; a game which I would have lost. Evangeline runs away from her abusive stepfather after he kills her mother and seeks support from Lady Stanton and her daughter, Susan. Lady Stanton is a piece of work and only wants Evangeline around to aid in her plot of having Susan “compromised” and therefore forcing Gavin Lioncroft, a suspected murderer, to marry her. There are a number of characters in this story; each with their own secrets/issues/problems; therefore, I found it impossible to figure out who the killer was. Gavin and Evangeline have their own personal issues/demons which made their interactions both frustrating and enjoyable. Both reacted poorly at times and jumped to conclusions or made assumptions which was irritating but at the same time it kept me reading to find out what would happen next. This was an enjoyable read and perfect for setting up the next story about Susan.




Too Sinful to Deny is the second book in Erica Ridley’s Gothic Love Stories collection.

In this second story, we follow Susan, who has once again disappointed her unloving parents. This time they have banished her to a tiny village where she has a distant relative far away from London where there is little to do. There is a cast of unsavoury characters living in this area (pirates, smugglers, killers). Of course Susan just can’t stay out of trouble and once she discovers that she can see and hear dead people, the adventure is on. One really doesn’t know who can or should be trusted in this story and there are more questions than answers, but it is worth reading if you don’t want the usual type of story. I liked that I kept changing my mind throughout this story as to who the killer was and what I thought might be going on. I’m happy to say that I really didn’t figure things out, so this one kept me reading as I just couldn’t put it down without knowing how it would end.


Too Tempting to Resist is the third book in Erica Ridley’s Gothic Love Stories collection.

This instalment starts out with Rebecca, a 22 year old who had been living in the castle unnoticed after the old Earl had taken her in as an orphan 5 years ago, worrying about her future. After the old Earl passed away, the new one, Rebecca’s uncle, informed her that she needs to be wed as he can’t afford the time/to take care of another female. Rebecca decides that her old friend Daniel would be the perfect person to her how to attract a husband. Unbeknownst to Rebecca, Daniel hurries to the castle as soon as he is summoned in order to be able to spend some time alone with her apologizing about the past before others arrive. Daniel knew he wronged Rebecca, but he didn’t understand just how badly until the two finally spoke about it. This is a short story with a strong heroine who you can’t help but like and hope that she gets a wonderful HEA.



Too Wanton to Wed is the fourth book in Erica Ridley’s Gothic Love Stories collection.

I didn’t care for this story. There is nothing wrong with it, I just wasn’t a fan and the hero drove me crazy with his obsession trying to find a cure and keeping his daughter so safe that she basically had little joy.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review

It is bundle but I will read and review her stiries one at a time .

Too Wicked To Kiss

I do loved this story which mixes a historical setting with a bit of paranormal and a mystery to solve but at time I struggled to like the heroine.
The hero is dark, brooding with fit of temper, but to me, he never gave proof to be the ruthless murdered he is accused to be. Sure he is easily angered when he sees abuse but it does not make him a monster.
And for ten years he payed a deep price for his recklessness and late teen mistakes. He was seventeen when the events which sealed his fate occurred, not yet an adult.
Sure, Evangeline’s upbringing was violent and filed with abuses and made her weary of men, but she is quick to judge and pass her veto on those she thinks guilty. While Gavin tried at each turn to win her trust, even when her omission or some miscommunication showed her in a bad light, he always forgave her.
And m each time he expressed his faith in her by confessing his own errors and secrets, she censured him and played hot and cold with his feelings, never able accept him for the man he is, flaws and gifts.
Why I found her often inconstant and shallow, lacking of trust for the one man she says she is in love. Hopefully she apologized every time she doubted him.
And after all, it is what makes us human, our faults and goods. It is not always pleasant to see our own defects in others, why Mrs Ridley did a great job with her different characters as the wide range of personalities was a perfect representation of the good and bad in the human being.
4.5 stars

To Sinful to Deny

Can two persons with different agenda find a truce and work together.

Estranged from London ton for her unsuitability to keep her mouth closed, Susan finds herself hurled to the confines of nowhere. Where she steps in the middle of a smuggler/pirate war.

When I saw this second book will be about Susan the haughty and scheming young Miss from the previous book, I was not sure about it.
Susan is far from the best heroine, but from the beginning I do liked her spoiled bratty self. She was full of quips and sarcasms.
This was until she meets Evan, at first it was a battle of wits then the more they denied their chemistry, the more I was upset by their distrust of the other.
Even if it was rather humorous to see Susan put her feet in her mouth, I disliked their inability to talk calmly, trust another and always hiding things from the other. They spent 90% of the story doubting the other, keeping secrets and by the way causing heartaches.
I do liked the paranormal side, it added to the tension between Susan and Evan.
Evan is a very complex character, part gentleman what ever he says, smuggler bordering piracy, but kind and respectful from the weakest.
In fact I do think I liked both main characters alone, it was their relationship that bothered me more, their sizzling moments were like out of control scenes. At the end, they were perfect together but their way to another was too bumpy and filled with betrayal, miscommunications and misconceiving.

A 4 stars rate for this earlier work by the talented Mrs Erica Ridley.

TOO TEMPTING TO RESIST

Can a rake beg forgiveness for the pain he caused to his childhood friend and help her secure a groom.

I really loved this one book, I find all that is Mrs Erica Ridley touch here.
Despite the shortness of this story, the author brought her main characters to life, their flaws, talents and past shaped them in very fleshy paper heroes.
In their year apart, Rebecca improved herself, by drowning out her loneliness with plenty of tasks, she taught herself and moved in whole new woman.
She is clever, resourceful and very witty.
Her dialogues with Daniel clashed like a tennis game with her carrying the play.
Daniel has years of regrets behind him, when Rebecca had to forge a new path for herself, he merely had just to follow the road already all mapped out for him.
So when an opportunity arisen, he decided it was time he makes amends.
But Rebecca is no more the young girl he left behind, she is a woman now, able to speak for herself and whom won’t bent because he is male and nobility.

A 5 stars for this short pages turn great tale.

TOO WANTON TO WED

Can two persons keeping secrets from each other find a way to another heart and trust.

So this is the last one in this re-edited series, here, no paranormal aspect, only a dark house looping over its inhabitants and their own darkness.
It was also a romance with not two but three protagonists, the incommensurable love of a father for his ill child, the fresh love of the woman who takes care of this child and the newly found love between the father and this woman.
It was a lovely story, each one withholding the blackness of their past, afraid they may push back the other.
The tale is articulated around Lily’s care and how love and understanding succeed where everything else failed.
Violet is no damsel-in-distress nor shrinking violet, she has a past, and innocent she is not having grew up in the slums of Whitechapel but she won’t let wealthy peers get the better of her just because they have their rank for them. This is how during her escape she stumbles upon this desolated edifice and in the life of its residents.
Alistair has molded his life to the rhythm of his daughter’s. For her he has sacrificed everything but alone he is unable to convey his love to her when she sees herself as his prisoner.
Lily suffers from a severe affliction with unable her to see the light of the sun. Because of past burns, her father keeps her locked after she might hurt herself more, not seing the damage it does to her own view of their very particular family.
Violet’s arrival is the fresh breath they needed.
But she also awakens pains and demons they thought buried.
This was a lovely tale of second chance, with very flawed characters whom love will bring on the right path.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author and previously I had preordered my own copy. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Too Wicked to Kiss 4*
Gothic Indeed - Dilapidated, dark, creepy and riddled with secret passages, the house in which Gavin Lioncroft resides is not welcoming to visitors. Tarred with killing his parents when he was seventeen, he is the obvious suspect when his brother-in-law, with whom he had fought earlier that day, turns up dead.
Evangeline Pemberton receives visions when she touches others, so how come this doesn’t happen when she touches Gavin? All she does feel is desire but how can she trust a man so black of heart? Loved it.

Too Sinful to Deny 4*
Pirates, Smugglers and Ghosts - Since she almost drowned after the 1814 Frost Fair collapsed in the Thames, Sarah has been able to see and hear ghosts. Having been exiled to Bournemouth by her parents, she soon finds herself embroiled in the murders of the recently dead with no idea who she should trust, including the handsome rakehell to whom she is attracted.

Too Tempting to Resist 5*
A Beautiful Novella - Rebecca Bond has been living in the shadows of Crowmere Castle since the death of her parents. When the old Earl dies, she has been so successful in being unobtrusive that he has forgotten that she lives there and doesn’t provide for her future. The new Earl wants her off his hands and gives her three months to find a husband. Her clothes are five years out of fashion and she has had no practice in flirting and so she determines that Daniel Goodenham, Viscount Stonebury should be the one to tutor her. Formerly a friend, Daniel has hurt her badly in the past but he is acknowledged to be a hit with the ladies and he will be visiting the castle for the reading of the will. A delightful story about second chances.

Too Wanton to Wed 4*
Monster Child - After inadvertently being involved in the deaths of two men, Violet Whitechapel, former guttersnipe turned teacher flees for her life. She eventually collapses from hunger and exhaustion within the grounds of Waldegrave Abbey; here she finds refuge and a new purpose as governess to nine-year old Lilian Waldegrave, a sufferer from acute sensitivity to uv rays. The plight of the child is truly horrific and the reader can’t help but feel for both her and her devoted and protective father. The gothic element comes from the darkness in which the entire abbey is kept with it’s boarded up windows, creepy catacombs and self locking doors. Violet brings life to father and daughter but she is still a woman on the run with a price on her head. Both Violet and Alastair keep secrets which then threaten to derail their budding romantic relationship. A good read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed advance copies of these books from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is my fair and honest review in exchange for this ARC. Massive read of varied and well told stories!

Too Wicked to Kiss
A dark, brooding hero in true gothic form, complete with tragic history. A vulnerable heroine in need of a miracle, yet spunky enough to go looking for it on her own. A deadly mystery and a supernatural gift that draw the pair together. I got so much more than I bargained for with this book. In a lot of ways, it reads like a regency version of Clue; too many suspects and motives and no good evidence pointing to the real villain. I loved watching Evangeline and Gavin trying to solve the murder and getting further enchanted by one another while they did it. I also really liked the sense of “second chance” that both characters get in this story. Now, I’m really looking forward to seeing what the next book brings us.
Too Sinful to Deny
I can’t help but think of comparisons to the Ghost Whisperer and Mr. & Mrs. Smith set against a gothic Regency landscape. Through most of the first book, Susan wasn’t my favorite person and I’m not sure I can say my opinion of her has increases all that much. I loved her cat-like curiosity and desire to help the defenseless, but her selfishness and attitude of entitlement rubbed me the wrong way. Evan is the textbook definition of a charming rogue, but he also has his moments of honor and nobility. There is a lot going on in this book. Maybe a bit too much. At times I got a little confused as to exactly which plot point Susan and Evan were chasing down. This story contains lots of mystery and plenty of double-crosses. Nothing and no one are what they appear to be.
Too Tempting to Resist
This was a surprisingly sweet story for the gothic setting. Rebecca is the forgotten orphan who’s been living on the charity of her elderly relative. When he dies, her world is turned upside down. The reading of the will brings her childhood sweetheart, the man who broke her heart and crushed her young dreams, back into her orbit. Daniel was young and stupid, and now badly regrets the way he treated Rebecca. This beautiful second chance brings these two lost souls back together for another chance at a once-in-a-lifetime love.
Too Wanton to Wed
This book transported me to a whole new world. I was sucked into the drama of Violet outracing criminal charges and Alistair willing to do anything and everything to protect his daughter. In the meantime, we watch this pair snipe and snap their way first to a truce then fall head over heels for each other while loving the heck out of Lillian. On a side note, I think she’s one of the best written child characters I’ve ever read. I loved Violet and Alistair as a couple. She’s able to get him to loosen the reigns of his control a little and he gives her the safety and stability she’s really never known.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author through NetGalley.