Review - - The Lady Loves Danger

The Lady Loves Danger

by Anabelle Bryant

Maidens of Mayhem - Book 2

Publisher: Zebra Books

Release Date: May 31, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

The society of daring women known as the Maidens of Mayhem dedicate their lives to protecting London’s most vulnerable citizens from injustice. Daring and discreet, their missions lead them to people and places they least expect, often putting their lives—and their hearts—in peril . . .

Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for a boy who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen certainly cuts a dashing figure. But is he hoping to save the child—or harm him?

Sebastian has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible. Sebastian knows they can help each other if only she’ll let her guard down.  And as they become entrenched in danger, they realize how strong their ties have grown—and how much they need one another . . .

PJ's Thoughts:

I enjoyed this second book in Anabelle Bryant's Maidens of Mayhem series. It's another fast-paced story with plenty of suspense, adventure, and romance. 

Delilah tugged my heartstrings from the get-go. I loved her determination, her bravery, her willingness to do whatever it took to find a little boy snatched in broad daylight. Sebastian won my heart right along with Delilah's. He was so supportive of her in her quest; determined to keep her safe by teaching her how to keep herself safe. They were likeable, well-developed characters who engaged both my interest and my emotions. I loved them individually and as a couple. I appreciated the respect that developed between them as they worked together and the slow-burn romance that deepened as they came to know one another better. I loved their chemistry, passion, and sparkling banter. 

I wish the Maidens of Mayhem had been more present in this story. I very much enjoyed them in the first book and would have liked to have seen more of them in this one. But that's a small quibble.

The secondary characters were also well developed and added to the progression of the story, as well as the conflict. Young Oliver was a special delight. 

I figured out the mystery about halfway through the book but there were still surprises that kept things interesting. And a romance to keep me flipping pages. 

Though the Maidens of Mayhem appear in both the first and second books, each can be read as a standalone and in any order. I'll be back for more of Anabelle Bryant's Maidens of Mayhem. 

Review - - Duchess if you Dare

Duchess If You Dare

by Anabelle Bryant

Maidens of Mayhem - Book 1

Publisher: Zebra Books

Release Date: March 30, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

From the glittering ballrooms of the ton to the city's grittiest corners, London has no shortage of wrongs in need of righting--and the Maidens of Mayhem are prepared for the challenge. United by secrecy and sisterhood, these daring women from all walks of life aim to fight injustice wherever it takes them--even into the arms of unexpected love.

Scarlett Wynn's tragic childhood taught her that life can be cruel to women with little power. So when a local seamstress disappears, Scarlett vows to find out why. Armed with a weapon and her courage, Scarlett scours London for clues--and crosses the unlikely path of Ambrose Cross, the Duke of Aylesford, at an unlikely place: an upscale brothel. The Duke is trying to solve a mystery of his own, and Scarlett is sure they can help each other--if she can resist the attraction that draws them together...

As Duke of Aylesford, Ambrose is duty-bound to protect his family name from scandal no matter the cost. But Scarlett's fearless spirit forces him to look beyond his world of privilege. Scarlett is as intoxicating as she is dangerous, igniting a fire in him like no other. When the pair learn both mysteries they're trying to solve are tied to a string of missing women, the tangled scheme they uncover may put their lives, and their growing love, in mortal danger--and lead them to search their hearts like never before...

PJ's Thoughts:

I really enjoyed Scarlett. She's fearless, good-hearted, and determined to help those less fortunate who are conveniently forgotten or ignored by London society and law enforcement. She's risen above her beginnings to become a force to be reckoned with,  clever, committed, and capable of protecting not only herself but those around her, a savvy chameleon who can cross classes with ease but is always aware of her place - or lack of one - in society. I loved how she went toe-to-toe with the hero who, quite honestly, was way too used to having his own way in everything. 

It took me a while to warm up to Ambrose, a stuffy duke who's pulled unwillingly into a dangerous investigation with a woman he desires, doesn't fully understand, and tells himself he can't have. He has a lengthy growth arc which I do believe was necessary for his character. He's not used to following another's lead, especially when that person is a both a commoner and a woman, and learns the hard way to listen to the person who, in this case, knows more about the workings of the grittier parts of London than he. As for his unexpected emotions, he may want to follow the direction his heart is leading him but he's held back by a lifetime of indoctrination into the rules of society as well as the duty and responsibility of his position. Capitulation that came too quickly or easily would not have been believable. In the end, I was confident in their feelings for one another and the decisions they each made regarding their future. 

The mystery/action/danger portion of the book was also enjoyable. I clued in to the main villain pretty early on though it took me a while to figure out exactly what the full scope of the mystery was. There was also a twist near the end involving a secondary character that I didn't expect (love that) but we never find out what happens to that character which was disappointing. I wanted a more detailed explanation as well as closure for Scarlett. 

If you enjoy cross-class, historical romance with a dash of action, mystery, and danger, give Duchess If You Dare a try. I think it's a promising start to this new series and am looking forward to the other maiden's stories in future books. 

Guest Post, Excerpt, & Giveaway: Anabelle Bryant's Duchess If You Dare

 

Duchess If You Dare

by Anabelle Bryant

Maidens of Mayhem - Book 1

Publisher: Zebra Books

Release Date: March 30, 2021

Available to Pre-Order

Scarlett Wynn’s tragic childhood taught her that life can be cruel to women with little power. So when a local seamstress disappears, Scarlett vows to find out why. Armed with a weapon and her courage, Scarlett scours London for clues—and crosses the unlikely path of Ambrose Cross, the Duke of Aylesford, at an unlikely place: an upscale brothel. The Duke is trying to solve a mystery of his own, and Scarlett is sure they can help each other—if she can resist the attraction that draws them together . . .

As Duke of Aylesford, Ambrose is duty-bound to protect his family name from scandal no matter the cost. But Scarlett’s fearless spirit forces him to look beyond his world of privilege. Scarlett is as intoxicating as she is dangerous, igniting a fire in him like no other. But when the pair learn both mysteries they’re trying to solve are tied to a string of missing women, the tangled scheme they uncover may put their lives, and their growing love, in mortal danger—and lead them to search their hearts like never before . . .

DUCHESS IF YOU DARE - The Story Behind the Story  

by Anabelle Bryant

 

What do you get when you cross Little Women with The Justice League?

The Maidens of Mayhem, of course.

This elite group of women is a force to be reckoned with although they don’t have magical powers or fly around London. They possess fierce human skills and extraordinary talents so you wouldn’t want to ignite their temper or get caught while breaking the law.

Publishers Weekly recently called the Maidens of Mayhem, “crime-fighting and wrong-righting heroines who are part Robin Hood and part Batman”. Even more than that, they are strongminded women who believe everyone deserves to be respected and protected no matter what level of society they come from.

The idea for this new historical romance series came together as I watched Captain Marvel with my husband and son. Captain Marvel is strong, beautiful, and capable of saving the world. Only a fool would glance at her pretty face and underestimate her power.

Yet even now in 2021, women are still fighting to be respected and have their voices heard. Imagine how frustrating it was as a woman in 1817. While society pressured females to accept their roles in a more passive way back then, I believe there were many women of the time who wanted freedom to make decisions, start a business, manage their own money – to be independent and responsible, and in control.

Naturally, not everyone in the Regency era belonged to the upper class or aristocracy. So, who helped women in need? Who took their ideas seriously? What was their daily life like with no support from society?

These questions contributed to my concept for the Maidens of Mayhem. I wanted to shine a light on the female spirit and how women are resilient, emotionally strong, creative thinkers – back then and present day. I also wanted to write about life outside the ballroom, to show parts of London usually not depicted positively, and the challenges that existed for women. I touched on this condition in my BASTARDS OF LONDON stories, but that series was more focused on consequences for men.

Writing DUCHESS IF YOU DARE was freeing and exciting. Scarlett is a woman in control of her own life until she meets the Duke of Aylesford and matters become complicated. Perhaps she’s not in as much control as she once believed. Perhaps her heart is the one thing she can’t command to listen. She struggles with the choice between freedom and love until she realizes one doesn’t exclude the other. I hope you’ll read her story and discover all the emotion and excitement in her journey.

~~~~~~~~~~

Duchess If You Dare excerpt

In this scene, Scarlett and Aylesford are in a dark alley together keeping watch on a private gaming hell. Their conversation eventually turns personal and the duke is both surprised and impressed after hearing Scarlett reveal her tragic past.

 

“And still, you seek to make London a better place at the cost of your time and safety.”

She didn’t reply to this comment. She’d never shared so much of her personal history with anyone before, never mind a nob. Still, there was so much to tell, she’d only offered a thimble’s worth. Nevertheless, she wasn’t inclined to offer more.

“I haven’t any connections to the underworld, this culture alive and thriving in London away from Mayfair where I suspect the man with the ruby ring conducts business.” Aylesford filled the silence. He moved closer and didn’t stop until he stood directly before her. With her shoulders against the bricks, she had nowhere to escape though she was profoundly aware of his attention. “And you need access to some of society’s more exclusive events so you might discover this nobleman who entices women away from the brothel never to be heard from again.”

“But isn’t the man you mention one and the same?” She shook her head and raised her eyes to match his. “Aren’t we both seeking the same person?”

“Of course. Perhaps. Maybe,” he murmured, the air between them fraught with a strange combination of disguised emotion and unspoken words. “Maybe not.”

They stood that way a minute longer and the mood changed. Precarious questions hung in the quiet. Their breathing paired in tandem. She relaxed by degree. The gaming hell was forgotten. When he placed his gloved palm on the wall at her back, she knew what he meant to do and despite her brain screaming an objection, her heart began to flutter a faster beat. A rush of anticipation swept through her. This was foolish. As foolish as throwing a knife blindfolded and having it bounce back and slice into one’s brow. As foolish as she’d ever behaved. And yet still she didn’t object.

He was going to kiss her and bloody hell, she wanted that kiss.

 ~~~~~~

Duchess If You Dare is about being brave and facing fears. When is a time when you had to be your most brave?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 5 will receive Anabelle Bryant's generous prize package below.

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