The second book in the Malloren Series. I loved Bryght, but by the end of the book I just wanted to slap Portia ... a good book, nevertheless! :-)
THE STAKES
Poria St. Claire's brother has gambled and lost, throwing her into the power of ruthless men. Their price for his life is her virtue, to be auctioned off in London's most notorious brothel...
THE BIDDER
To retrieve an incriminating letter, Bryght Malloren once broke into a house where he was greeted at pistol point by a resolute woman...a woman he could swear stands before him, masked and trembling, on a madam's auction block...
THE RISKIEST GAME
Unable to leave Portia to such a cruel fate, Bryght turns the private wager into a very public game of seduction, one that confirms his reputation as a shameless rake and keeps all of London society breathless with anticipation. But on a night shimmering with destiny, truth, and passion, those who tempt fortune risk losing everything...including their hearts...
Poria St. Claire's brother has gambled and lost, throwing her into the power of ruthless men. Their price for his life is her virtue, to be auctioned off in London's most notorious brothel...
THE BIDDER
To retrieve an incriminating letter, Bryght Malloren once broke into a house where he was greeted at pistol point by a resolute woman...a woman he could swear stands before him, masked and trembling, on a madam's auction block...
THE RISKIEST GAME
Unable to leave Portia to such a cruel fate, Bryght turns the private wager into a very public game of seduction, one that confirms his reputation as a shameless rake and keeps all of London society breathless with anticipation. But on a night shimmering with destiny, truth, and passion, those who tempt fortune risk losing everything...including their hearts...
A Malloren story (Bryght and Portia). Thought this one was the best of them. Jo Beverley writes wonderful historical romances.
From Publishers Weekly: "When Portia St. Claire's half-brother gambles away the family estate, leaving them penniless, she sets off in search of a wealthy family friend, the Earl of Walgrave, from whom she hopes to secure a loan. Unfortunately, although Walgrave proves elusive, Portia has repeated, disturbing run-ins with handsome and notorious rake Bryght Malloren. Poor, plain and past the usual age for marriage, Portia recognizes that the well-connected Bryght is out of her league; moreover, she despises him as a gambler who, she suspects, contributed to her family's ruin. To her chagrin, she finds him strangely compelling. And Bryght, increasingly captivated, sets himself the difficult tasks of proving to her that they are truly soul mates and that he is not the rogue she thinks him. But circumstances and various scheming associates continually conspire to thwart Bryght's efforts. Beverley's latest fast-paced romp through 18th-century London is tremendous fun, and the hero and heroine are likable and satisfyingly complex. The chemistry between them is compelling, and the well-constructed plot keeps the pages turning. This is romance fiction at its best."
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --
The Stakes... Portia St.Claires brother has gambled and lost, thrownig her into the power of ruthless men. Their price for his lif is her virtue, to be auctioned off in London's most notorious brothel...
From the Malloren series, Bryght Malloren's story...excellent
#2 in the Malloreen Series
Another one of JO BEVERLEY that you will not be able to put down. A young ladies brother auctions his sister off to the highest bidder. Story begins in ENGLAND 1761.
I really struggled getting through this book. The heroine nearly drove me crazy with her single minded obsession with gaming. I rolled my eyes so much I kept losing my place :) and just what did he see in her anyway? Her holier than thou art personality really turned me off of her. And the hero, he was a great guy and she was totaly ungrateful if you ask me. It just seemed no matter what he did, it was wrong. And I could not figure out why he wanted her. The "romance" was boring and felt forced. I never got the sense that they were really all that "in love". I do like Jo Beverly and am now reading Elf's story which seems promising so far.
Great series. Lots of twists and action in this one.
I enjoy this author & her characters, but for the life of me, I could not like this heroine. She vacillated wildly between being a strong, stubborn woman to being a sobbing wretch of a crybaby. I think the hero was inordinately patient with her and her machinations. Why he loved her was beyond my comprehension. The storyline itself was interesting, & I loved the secondary characters and storyline of family & feud.
