Review:
Selina Wynter is not your standard heroine. Following her mother's death, and with her father's health poorly, she had no choice but to take over the running of their estate. Her focus is on the overseeing the management, not finding a husband.
We meet Selina first at the White Horse tavern, in disguise, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Having sacked the previous manager and his rather flirty daughter, Selina feels obliged to help the staff as much as she can, in the background, of course. But when two drunks give her grief, she receives help from unexpected quarters – from notorious rake, Lord Deveril Blackbourne.
Days later, they meet again at a gathering, and Selina fervently hopes he wouldn't recognise her. But the man has a good memory, leading to a dilemma. Will he tell about her night at the inn? Or can she trust him to keep a secret?
Never mind the Devil Blackbourne, as he is known, Selina has far more annoying matters to deal with – the constant attention of her neighbour's son, Clifford Fremlington, whose greedy father eyes up her estate. Having declined his offers repeatedly, she is fast losing her patience.
But little does Selina know just to what lengths the Fremlingtons are willing to go to ensure the union between the two families, until, one day, she finds herself abducted by Clifford, under a pretext that should have seen alarm bells ringing in her head.
Fortunately for Selina, Deveril is witnessing Clifford's hasty departure, and, in the growing snow storm, he follows the carriage as far as they can go – to an inn deep in the countryside.
Will Clifford's ruse work, and he can ensnare Selina, or will Deveril's appearance scupper any such plans? Well, you should really read the novel to find out!
Rescued by the Rakish Lord is a delightful romance adventure set in the beautiful if remote West Country. A sudden snow storm makes for a clever plot twist that challenges Clifford's plans, and which allows Selina and Deveril to continue sparring.
Selina is a no-nonsense heroine, clearly a woman of her time, but also fairly serious and conscientious due to her father's illness. But as she learns through the story, she needs to look after herself too.
Deveril is intelligent, savvy, and not as heartless as assumed. Having lost his first love to illness, he keeps his life under control – until Selina unravels it all, layer by layer.
I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes at the snowed-in country inn, with all its sub-plots and challenges. Clifford is a nuisance, but you also feel sorry for him at times. Only a bit, though.
The romance itself is natural and intriguing, as Selina and Deveril are forced to deal with their growing attraction. Both have steep learning curves – for different reasons. Neither wants to give up their precious independence, either, but Fate has, of course, placed a wager on them getting together!
Rescued by the Rakish Lord is an enthralling romance adventure that challenges the protagonists, and throws them together in ways they can't escape.
Highly recommended for fans of historical romantic shenanigans!
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Blurb:A man of such dubious reputation…
that he was called Devil Blackbourne!
When Lord Deveril Blackbourne meets Selina Wynter, he is intrigued. For she has all the accomplishments of a lady, but the fiery temper and spirit of a tavern maid! Then she is abducted by a dastardly suitor, and Deveril—for all his roguish reputation— can’t stand idly by…
Lord Deveril is Selina’s least likely rescuer, but when they’re stranded together in a snowstorm and her reputation is at risk, he surprises her with a gallant proposal! Deveril’s no honourable suitor, yet his actions say otherwise…
Just who is the real Devil Blackbourne? Selina’s determined to find out!
Buy Link: Universal Buy Link~~~
About the Author:
Sarah Mallory is an award-winning author who has published more than 40 historical romances with Harlequin Mills & Boon. She loves history, especially the Georgian and Regency.
She won the prestigious RoNA Rose Award from the Romantic Novelists Association in 2012 and 2013 and nominated in 2022. She also won the RNA’s Romantic Historical Novel Award in 2024 for The Night She Met the Duke. Sarah also writes romantic historical adventures as Melinda Hammond.
Sarah was born in the West Country but lived for many years on the Yorkshire Pennines, taking inspiration from the wild and rugged moors. Then in 2018 she fell in love with Scotland and ran away to live on the rugged North West Coast, which is proving even more inspiring!
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