What do you think?
Rate this book
The Redgraves #3
What a Gentleman Desires
Wicked intrigue unfolds in USA TODAY bestselling author Kasey Michaels's series about the Redgraves—four siblings celebrated for their legacy of scandal and seduction… Plagued by the scandal that once destroyed his father and now threatens his family, Valentine Redgrave dreams of dark justice. Brother to the Earl of Saltwood, with secret ties to the Crown, he won't rest until he infiltrates and annihilates England's most notorious hellfire club. To cross its elite members is to court destruction, yet he's never craved a challenge more. Until he encounters enigmatic governess Daisy Marchant, who behind a plain-Jane guise harbors a private agenda and appeals to his every weakness…and desire. Valentine's hunt for revenge is Daisy's key to finding her sister, who may be lost in the clutches of a deadly Society. But his seductive charm unlocks passion that can undo them both. Now, the only way to escape death and rescue their families is to trust each other in love and loyalty…even as they tread deeper into danger.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
16 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Kasey Michaels
307 books540 followersKasey Michaels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books (she doesn't count them). Kasey has received three coveted Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, two for the historical romances, THE SECRETS OF THE HEART and THE BUTLER DID IT, and a third for contemporary romance LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY (that shows diversity, you see). She is a recipient of the RITA, a Waldenbooks and Bookrak Bestseller award, and many awards from Romantic Times magazine, including a Career Achievement award for her Regency era historical romances. She is an Honor Roll author in Romance Writers of America, Inc. (RWA)
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 25, 2013
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Author’s Website: http://www.kaseymichaels.com/
My Source for This Book:
Part of a Series: Yes (?) Book 3, Redgraves Series
Series Best Read In Order: Worked well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
Pet Peeves: Too Stupid To Live Moment
Favorite Tropes: Secret Identity
There are certain times in everyone’s life when circumstances outside of books interfere with your enjoyment of reading, and unfortunately, I had a lot going on in my life when I read this one. As silly as it sounds, I think that this book was a little too well-written for my tastes when I read it. I was looking for more of a “mindless” read — you know, the kind with the somewhat flat characters and an almost silly plot.
Instead, this book is very well written. Both of the protagonists have many hidden depths, and the overall storyline of infiltrating a notorious (and treasonous) secret society involved quite a bit of subterfuge and quick intellect.
Another positive is that even though it is obviously part of a series, it stood very well on its own.
I struggled with a final rating for this book, because I did enjoy it, but it wasn’t what I was looking for when I picked it up. I didn’t want to “punish” the book by giving it a low rating when there weren’t many things I actively disliked about the tale, but neither did I want to give it a higher rating than it would have received based on exactly how I felt about it when I read it. In the end, I simply looked to my own rating scale, and I think this definition perfectly reflects my feelings for this one: “I really liked it. I’d probably read it again in the future, and while there are certainly things I would change, it was at least quite entertaining. I definitely felt like I got my money’s worth for a paperback.”
Recommended for fans of protagonists with hidden depths, evil secret societies, and plenty of action with a dash of steam.
A solid 4/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN
Author’s Website: http://www.kaseymichaels.com/
My Source for This Book:
Part of a Series: Yes (?) Book 3, Redgraves Series
Series Best Read In Order: Worked well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
Pet Peeves: Too Stupid To Live Moment
Favorite Tropes: Secret Identity
There are certain times in everyone’s life when circumstances outside of books interfere with your enjoyment of reading, and unfortunately, I had a lot going on in my life when I read this one. As silly as it sounds, I think that this book was a little too well-written for my tastes when I read it. I was looking for more of a “mindless” read — you know, the kind with the somewhat flat characters and an almost silly plot.
Instead, this book is very well written. Both of the protagonists have many hidden depths, and the overall storyline of infiltrating a notorious (and treasonous) secret society involved quite a bit of subterfuge and quick intellect.
Another positive is that even though it is obviously part of a series, it stood very well on its own.
I struggled with a final rating for this book, because I did enjoy it, but it wasn’t what I was looking for when I picked it up. I didn’t want to “punish” the book by giving it a low rating when there weren’t many things I actively disliked about the tale, but neither did I want to give it a higher rating than it would have received based on exactly how I felt about it when I read it. In the end, I simply looked to my own rating scale, and I think this definition perfectly reflects my feelings for this one: “I really liked it. I’d probably read it again in the future, and while there are certainly things I would change, it was at least quite entertaining. I definitely felt like I got my money’s worth for a paperback.”
Recommended for fans of protagonists with hidden depths, evil secret societies, and plenty of action with a dash of steam.
A solid 4/5 Stars
November 16, 2013
In previous installments of this series, we learn that the last two Earls of Saltwood, having peculiar appetites in the bedroom and peculiar delusions in politics, founded (as in the 16th Earl) and proliferated (as in the 17th) a "Hellfire" club, known as the Society. Hellfire clubs are groups of gentlemen (and ladies) who get together every full moon to go through the motions (that nobody takes seriously) of a Satanist ritual—at a certain point they get naked except their masks, and then it's all about the orgy.
Or at least it was for most of the members. For the Earls of Saltwood, it was also about getting dirt on the other members, so as to gain their cooperation in treason. Cuz they figure if they sell out England to the Frenchies, the Frenchies will be all grateful and give them the crown.
Part of the creepiness of this Society, as it was called, was that the gents liked to pass their wives around like a social disease—or along with, as the case may be. Not coincidentally, the last two Earls of Saltwood ended up dead at the hands of their fed-up wives.
The current earl and his siblings were raised by their grandma, Trixie, who revels in scandal but even she has limits. So when they learn that the Society, complete with orgies, blackmail and treason, has been revived, they worry that the sordid (and treasonous) family history will be exposed. It seems important to shut the thing down quietly.
In this installment, Valentine Redgrave has befriended Lord Charles Mailer, who uses the surname "Post" (as in "dumb as a…") in the Society. Seeing Val as a possible recruit, Mailer has invited him to one of his monthly “house parties.” Val reckons he's on the way to infiltrating the Society. But when he gets to the house, he instantly sees that the family’s mousy governess is not what she pretends to be.
Daisy Marchant is not the government spy Val believes her to be. She’s there looking for her sister, Rose, who was courted by a gentleman she called "Chas" in her letters. Rose last wrote that Chas had invited her to his family's estate—and then…
Vanished.
Unfortunately other members of the Society are not quite as dumb as Post, and they have plans for both Daisy and Val—not to mention Trixie.
I’m loving this series. Perfect blend of adventure, danger, and romance, and while the historical details are scant (hence a .5 star ding), the author does draw the entire premise from history. There actually were Hellfire clubs once upon a time, populated by lords, politicians and at least one serial killer. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't a bit of blackmail and treachery in the mix back then as well.
4.5 stars.
April 10, 2023
4+
Questo fino ad ora è il capitolo che mi è piaciuto di più.
Il primo soffre un pò per il fatto di essere il capitolo che introduce la famiglia e tutte le sue vicende, il secondo mi ha un pò annoiata con quella storia dei contrabbandieri, questo invece è stato perfetto.
Il terzo libro di questa saga ha intanto una gran bella coppia, Valentine in particolare mi è piaciuto tantissimo, e poi la parte dedicata alla Society è veramente avvincente.
Finalmente ci viene svelata la mente dietro alla setta, ed è stata una sorpresa.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere l'ultimo capitolo perché ci sono ancora diverse domande a cui bisogna dare una risposta.
Questo fino ad ora è il capitolo che mi è piaciuto di più.
Il primo soffre un pò per il fatto di essere il capitolo che introduce la famiglia e tutte le sue vicende, il secondo mi ha un pò annoiata con quella storia dei contrabbandieri, questo invece è stato perfetto.
Il terzo libro di questa saga ha intanto una gran bella coppia, Valentine in particolare mi è piaciuto tantissimo, e poi la parte dedicata alla Society è veramente avvincente.
Finalmente ci viene svelata la mente dietro alla setta, ed è stata una sorpresa.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere l'ultimo capitolo perché ci sono ancora diverse domande a cui bisogna dare una risposta.
March 19, 2015
4.5 stars
This is the third in the Redgrave siblings series and so far I have loved them all. I really recommend reading these in order. Each has a different couple, but there is the mystery that is being played out over the books. And its a really really good mystery.
I was looking forward to Valentines story just from the moments he had in the other books. Coming across as this charming lady magnet, but clearly there is more to it then meets the eye.
The main story arc in all the books is the Redgrave family and their sordid past starting with their grandfather, who started a Hellfire Club that was really nasty and depraved. Women, children, nobody was save.
His son, the siblings father picked it up at some point but with added political shenanigans.
Both the grandfather and father are dead and someone out there has revived the club and the Crown and the Redgraves want it to stop.
In this installment Valentine the younger son, tries to infiltrate the revived Hellfire Club to destroy it from the inside so to speak. So as he makes friendly with a suspected member who is a total idiot, he spends time on the idiots estate where apparently some of the meetings are happening.
I got sucked into this one right away, just like the others. Its a page turner for me and I loved the heroine for the hero from their first meeting. She works as a governess for the idiot member of the club, but she is also there for her own reasons pertaining to her missing sister.
I adore these two and their verbal matches are a delight. Really all the dialogue is a delight. Its smart and engaging. I also love how the heroine is anything but a damsel in distress twiddling her thumb waiting for the hero rescue. She gets in trouble, she finds a way to get out, or at least tries. Valentine absolutely adores her and its nice to see a relationship based on like and admiration rather than instant love. They are matched wit by wit with I think Daisy coming out on top :).
And I totally love Valentines valet Piffkin. He's a hoot. And Trixie again such a wonderful character as the vivacious grandmother. Its what I love about these books, all the characters are like real people.
The mystery part is again very well done and some of the improvising the troop has to do to keep it all under wraps is quite entertaining. Its quite a feat to keep the mystery going for over 3 books now and not get it bogged down. I am still as curious as I was when I started this series. And since the characters and the hero/heroine are so involved in the mystery part of the story, it never takes away from the actual romance. It adds to it as they do things together, rather than spend the whole book with secrets and not talking to each other.
This series is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance series. I cannot wait for the next which I believe is the story of the forth sibling, Max.
********************
Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin HQN and Kasey Michaels for providing the eArc
This is the third in the Redgrave siblings series and so far I have loved them all. I really recommend reading these in order. Each has a different couple, but there is the mystery that is being played out over the books. And its a really really good mystery.
I was looking forward to Valentines story just from the moments he had in the other books. Coming across as this charming lady magnet, but clearly there is more to it then meets the eye.
The main story arc in all the books is the Redgrave family and their sordid past starting with their grandfather, who started a Hellfire Club that was really nasty and depraved. Women, children, nobody was save.
His son, the siblings father picked it up at some point but with added political shenanigans.
Both the grandfather and father are dead and someone out there has revived the club and the Crown and the Redgraves want it to stop.
In this installment Valentine the younger son, tries to infiltrate the revived Hellfire Club to destroy it from the inside so to speak. So as he makes friendly with a suspected member who is a total idiot, he spends time on the idiots estate where apparently some of the meetings are happening.
I got sucked into this one right away, just like the others. Its a page turner for me and I loved the heroine for the hero from their first meeting. She works as a governess for the idiot member of the club, but she is also there for her own reasons pertaining to her missing sister.
I adore these two and their verbal matches are a delight. Really all the dialogue is a delight. Its smart and engaging. I also love how the heroine is anything but a damsel in distress twiddling her thumb waiting for the hero rescue. She gets in trouble, she finds a way to get out, or at least tries. Valentine absolutely adores her and its nice to see a relationship based on like and admiration rather than instant love. They are matched wit by wit with I think Daisy coming out on top :).
And I totally love Valentines valet Piffkin. He's a hoot. And Trixie again such a wonderful character as the vivacious grandmother. Its what I love about these books, all the characters are like real people.
The mystery part is again very well done and some of the improvising the troop has to do to keep it all under wraps is quite entertaining. Its quite a feat to keep the mystery going for over 3 books now and not get it bogged down. I am still as curious as I was when I started this series. And since the characters and the hero/heroine are so involved in the mystery part of the story, it never takes away from the actual romance. It adds to it as they do things together, rather than spend the whole book with secrets and not talking to each other.
This series is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance series. I cannot wait for the next which I believe is the story of the forth sibling, Max.
********************
Thanks to Netgalley, Harlequin HQN and Kasey Michaels for providing the eArc
December 9, 2013
A Could-Have-Been
After the last book from Kasey Michaels about the Redgrave family, I had high hopes for How to What a Gentleman Desires. Sorry to say, this story didn't work for me. And I do mean sorry, for if ever there was a couple that screamed good book, it was Valentine and Daisy.
Valentine and Daisy were a delightful couple - they were full of humorous quips and witty dialogue. Valentine was an adorable charmer and Daisy was a smart and spunky heroine. Even when Daisy traveled into TSTL territory, it was tempered with her acknowledging that she knew she was heading into that territory and I had a few chuckles enjoying how the wheels in her brain turned.
The problem for me was that no matter how funny, adorable, and likeable I found this couple to be, they just didn't connect with one another. This is hard to explain. While there was a chemistry in the words between them, there wasn't a romantic chemistry between them. Their romance just didn't work. It happened way too fast and there were no sparks. Too much time was spent developing the back story of the secret society (for those of you who can't keep track of all the series out there - and you know who you are - this is the one with the rose pins worn on the lapels). Anyway, too much time was spent further developing the secret Satan-spy-overthrow-the-government-sacrificing-young-women-and-having-silly-code-names society. Actually, that part of the book was sort of interesting, but like the romance, not fully developed. The secondary character of Piffkin (the valet) was also entertaining. His relationship with both Valentine and Daisy was full of clever lines and amusing dialogue. I just wish the very talented Ms. Michaels had explored all the characters more fully.
So what we have here is a romance that doesn't work as a romance and a thriller that doesn't work as a thriller. This book had the feel of a story that was put together as an intro for the next in the series.
Bottom line, if you are reading the Redgrave series, you will need to pick this one up somewhere so you can follow along. For me, it was disappointing that a wonderfully fun couple didn't have a better love story.
KaysBlog
After the last book from Kasey Michaels about the Redgrave family, I had high hopes for How to What a Gentleman Desires. Sorry to say, this story didn't work for me. And I do mean sorry, for if ever there was a couple that screamed good book, it was Valentine and Daisy.
Valentine and Daisy were a delightful couple - they were full of humorous quips and witty dialogue. Valentine was an adorable charmer and Daisy was a smart and spunky heroine. Even when Daisy traveled into TSTL territory, it was tempered with her acknowledging that she knew she was heading into that territory and I had a few chuckles enjoying how the wheels in her brain turned.
The problem for me was that no matter how funny, adorable, and likeable I found this couple to be, they just didn't connect with one another. This is hard to explain. While there was a chemistry in the words between them, there wasn't a romantic chemistry between them. Their romance just didn't work. It happened way too fast and there were no sparks. Too much time was spent developing the back story of the secret society (for those of you who can't keep track of all the series out there - and you know who you are - this is the one with the rose pins worn on the lapels). Anyway, too much time was spent further developing the secret Satan-spy-overthrow-the-government-sacrificing-young-women-and-having-silly-code-names society. Actually, that part of the book was sort of interesting, but like the romance, not fully developed. The secondary character of Piffkin (the valet) was also entertaining. His relationship with both Valentine and Daisy was full of clever lines and amusing dialogue. I just wish the very talented Ms. Michaels had explored all the characters more fully.
So what we have here is a romance that doesn't work as a romance and a thriller that doesn't work as a thriller. This book had the feel of a story that was put together as an intro for the next in the series.
Bottom line, if you are reading the Redgrave series, you will need to pick this one up somewhere so you can follow along. For me, it was disappointing that a wonderfully fun couple didn't have a better love story.
KaysBlog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2013
I was in two minds about this one, provided by netgalley. I hadn't read the first book in the series, and although I don't think you really need to, perhaps that meant I wasn't in the groove to appreciate it.
The plot is a spin on the Hellfire Club theme, and the hero is part of a family heavily involved in bringing the club to justice. So far so good (although it would be nice to have a hero who is a bona fide member for a change, wouldn't it?..). The heroine is also involved in trying to bring the group down, but for her own reasons.
The hero and heroine are both rather good characters. The heroine in particular was just superb. A sensible, refreshingly not stupid, and rather organized individual, she is perfectly capable of looking after herself and anyone else. The hero is more of a well-meaning, but, I thought, rather fun and naughty person. (I didn't phrase that well, but he was not irritating or unpleasant).
On the other hand, I couldn't really feel much chemistry between them. The hero seems to lust after the heroine as something of a novelty, and I just felt the heroine was far too intelligent, organized and sensible to fall for anyone so "shiny". Also, the Hellfire Club theme is so well-worn that a book using it has to have something really unique to make it entertaining and keep the reader's attention, and I don't think it did here.
So, 3 stars, I liked it, but I'm not sure I'll read the others in the series.
The plot is a spin on the Hellfire Club theme, and the hero is part of a family heavily involved in bringing the club to justice. So far so good (although it would be nice to have a hero who is a bona fide member for a change, wouldn't it?..). The heroine is also involved in trying to bring the group down, but for her own reasons.
The hero and heroine are both rather good characters. The heroine in particular was just superb. A sensible, refreshingly not stupid, and rather organized individual, she is perfectly capable of looking after herself and anyone else. The hero is more of a well-meaning, but, I thought, rather fun and naughty person. (I didn't phrase that well, but he was not irritating or unpleasant).
On the other hand, I couldn't really feel much chemistry between them. The hero seems to lust after the heroine as something of a novelty, and I just felt the heroine was far too intelligent, organized and sensible to fall for anyone so "shiny". Also, the Hellfire Club theme is so well-worn that a book using it has to have something really unique to make it entertaining and keep the reader's attention, and I don't think it did here.
So, 3 stars, I liked it, but I'm not sure I'll read the others in the series.
August 12, 2016
A strong 4 1/2 stars! Sometimes by the third book of a series, the back story can get stale. Not this one. Beware, the hellfire club members' exploits were described in general before but in this installment some very ugly details emerge. There is more than one murder. The romance between Valentine and Daisy more than balances it though. What a delightful couple. She is very similar in temperament as Val's sister Kate from the previous book but a caregiver like Val himself. They take turns rescuing each other. Even though there's definitely attraction between them, they are busy chasing and being chased so that their love scene comes late in the story but do not lament. I learned something about why I love reading romance from this book. Valentine took time and spent emotional energy loving her. Sex without romance is too much like real life. I like reading the fairy tale.
April 29, 2016
In What a Gentleman Desires the plot thickens for the Redgrave family. Author Kasey Michaels is playing the long-game with her newest series, with each book unveiling a small piece of the puzzle to the Society, a treasonous group working from within the English government to bring down the Crown. She manages to find a fairly nice balance between delving deeper into the mysteries that surround the Redgrave family while further developing the individuals fighting to clear their family name.
The Society was dealt a serious blow when their smuggling activities were uncovered and broken up by the Redgrave family; however they are not quite finished in their plans to help Napoleon in his cause. Valentine Redgrave, a long serving agent for the Crown knows that the best way to know the Society’s next move is to somehow be accepted by the group and take it down from within. With most of their suspects either in deep hiding or turning up dead, the best lead he has is getting to know the scandalous Lord Mailer in the hopes the man will invite him into the debauched world the Society offers to those with the inclination for it. After weeks of cultivating a friendship, Valentine thinks Mailer is ready to reveal the truth during a gathering that promises entertainments far more interesting than the tame pursuits found in London. Believing himself working alone on the Mailer angle, Valentine is surprised to see a young woman in the employ of the lord who shows all the signs of being another agent on the case. Not willing to risk either of their covers being blown, Valentine makes it his secondary mission to know all about the beautiful woman who must be something more than a governess.
Valentine’s instincts aren’t very far off the mark as Daisy Marchant is definitely on a case, but not one for the government. Daisy has been investigating the disappearance of her sister months earlier and has followed the trail right to the doorstep of Lord Mailer. Finding a position in the household that keeps her within the family sphere without crossing out of the servant sphere, Daisy can keep an ear to both sides of the door. Her observations about Lord Mailer could fill the pages of any scandal rag but she has yet to find the proof that her sister was ever at the estate. Unhappy to be introduced to another of the lord’s depraved friends, she is shocked to learn that handsome yet thoughtless Mr. Redgrave is far more astute than he would lead her to believe and he is very interested in what she knows about Mailer. Unwilling to give up her own search for answers, Daisy begins to help Valentine unravel the truth about just how far the Society has spread its influence into the social and political arenas of England.
What a Gentleman Desires is at its strongest when allowing the characters of Valentine and Daisy to shine. Without any particular knowledge of spying or undercover investigations Daisy manages to entrench herself in a household full of secrets. She has more book smarts than experience, yet she can stand toe-to-toe with Valentine and helps him uncover truths about Lord Mailer he’d never discover on his own. I loved Daisy’s dedication to her sister and how that drives her to seek justice when no one else managed to notice the disappearance of a young widow from the streets of London. Her shock at the depravity of her employer and his household came across very clearly; however she still manages to keep herself level headed and in one instance saves herself rather than waiting for her white knight.
I think it’s rather interesting that in a time where image and reputation are everything, a character like Valentine succeeds as a spy by being both flamboyant and unobtrusive. Valentine plays up his good looks by creating a foppish demeanor so the men he has under surveillance never think twice about confiding in him. He invokes a trust in his targets because they could never imagine a man who cares more for the cut of his coat would ever suspect sedition by his peers. It was funny how Valentine’s superiors within the War Office may not particularly like his methods but they do appreciate the results. Valentine knows that he risks quite a bit by pursuing Lord Mailer out in the open since technically he is working without authorization and any exposure will destroy his career. However the risks to his family and the threat against England are too high for him to back down when they are the cusp of destroying their paternal legacy.
While I loved all of the discoveries about just how close to home the Society is for the Redgraves I think a small part of me was disappointed that there are still a lot of revelations left for the final book. For all that Valentine and Daisy manage to uncover about the real power behind the Society and just how deep their plans go for handing England to Napoleon, I needed more. We spend a lot of time with the known quantities: Lord Mailer and his debauchery, more information about the smuggling ring broken up in book two, a few tidbits about just how high up in the government the Society has reached. The BIG reveal at the end just didn’t have the momentous impact I’m sure Ms. Michaels intended. This is the quandary authors writing this kind of series can find themselves in, having the stretch the mystery arc equally through all the titles and giving readers just enough to keep them interested above just the standard romance story. Unfortunately I dislike that everything now falls on the shoulders of the final member of the Redgrave family and we may or may not see a reunion of previous characters during the final resolution.
Just like the other books in the Redgraves series, I’ve had to desensitize myself to the excessive discussions on sex and sexual perversion that have become a staple. Having read some explicit romance stories in my time I wouldn’t consider myself a prude, yet there is only so much exposure to the seedier side of sex I can accept before it just starts getting uncomfortable. Ideas about sexual slavery, auto-erotic asphyxiation, public deflowering of virgins and opium fueled orgies are just the latest inclusions into the habits of the Society members. Believe me, I get the correlation that to these people Sex = Power and a means to control the weak willed within their ranks, but eventually a reader has to say “Enough.” For two books now I’ve been accepting of the degrading acts the Society has exploited but now that things are starting to come to a head I think we can put the shock-value away and just deal with the intrigue side of their plans.
Ms. Michaels has her work cut out for her in the final book What a Hero Dares. The last Redgrave sibling hasn’t been seen since a very brief appearance in book one and we still have much to learn about the Society. I am too wrapped up in the characters not to eagerly await its release; however, I hope that the focus shifts away from the worst of human behaviors to leave the reader with a more optimistic view of things to come.
The Society was dealt a serious blow when their smuggling activities were uncovered and broken up by the Redgrave family; however they are not quite finished in their plans to help Napoleon in his cause. Valentine Redgrave, a long serving agent for the Crown knows that the best way to know the Society’s next move is to somehow be accepted by the group and take it down from within. With most of their suspects either in deep hiding or turning up dead, the best lead he has is getting to know the scandalous Lord Mailer in the hopes the man will invite him into the debauched world the Society offers to those with the inclination for it. After weeks of cultivating a friendship, Valentine thinks Mailer is ready to reveal the truth during a gathering that promises entertainments far more interesting than the tame pursuits found in London. Believing himself working alone on the Mailer angle, Valentine is surprised to see a young woman in the employ of the lord who shows all the signs of being another agent on the case. Not willing to risk either of their covers being blown, Valentine makes it his secondary mission to know all about the beautiful woman who must be something more than a governess.
Valentine’s instincts aren’t very far off the mark as Daisy Marchant is definitely on a case, but not one for the government. Daisy has been investigating the disappearance of her sister months earlier and has followed the trail right to the doorstep of Lord Mailer. Finding a position in the household that keeps her within the family sphere without crossing out of the servant sphere, Daisy can keep an ear to both sides of the door. Her observations about Lord Mailer could fill the pages of any scandal rag but she has yet to find the proof that her sister was ever at the estate. Unhappy to be introduced to another of the lord’s depraved friends, she is shocked to learn that handsome yet thoughtless Mr. Redgrave is far more astute than he would lead her to believe and he is very interested in what she knows about Mailer. Unwilling to give up her own search for answers, Daisy begins to help Valentine unravel the truth about just how far the Society has spread its influence into the social and political arenas of England.
What a Gentleman Desires is at its strongest when allowing the characters of Valentine and Daisy to shine. Without any particular knowledge of spying or undercover investigations Daisy manages to entrench herself in a household full of secrets. She has more book smarts than experience, yet she can stand toe-to-toe with Valentine and helps him uncover truths about Lord Mailer he’d never discover on his own. I loved Daisy’s dedication to her sister and how that drives her to seek justice when no one else managed to notice the disappearance of a young widow from the streets of London. Her shock at the depravity of her employer and his household came across very clearly; however she still manages to keep herself level headed and in one instance saves herself rather than waiting for her white knight.
I think it’s rather interesting that in a time where image and reputation are everything, a character like Valentine succeeds as a spy by being both flamboyant and unobtrusive. Valentine plays up his good looks by creating a foppish demeanor so the men he has under surveillance never think twice about confiding in him. He invokes a trust in his targets because they could never imagine a man who cares more for the cut of his coat would ever suspect sedition by his peers. It was funny how Valentine’s superiors within the War Office may not particularly like his methods but they do appreciate the results. Valentine knows that he risks quite a bit by pursuing Lord Mailer out in the open since technically he is working without authorization and any exposure will destroy his career. However the risks to his family and the threat against England are too high for him to back down when they are the cusp of destroying their paternal legacy.
While I loved all of the discoveries about just how close to home the Society is for the Redgraves I think a small part of me was disappointed that there are still a lot of revelations left for the final book. For all that Valentine and Daisy manage to uncover about the real power behind the Society and just how deep their plans go for handing England to Napoleon, I needed more. We spend a lot of time with the known quantities: Lord Mailer and his debauchery, more information about the smuggling ring broken up in book two, a few tidbits about just how high up in the government the Society has reached. The BIG reveal at the end just didn’t have the momentous impact I’m sure Ms. Michaels intended. This is the quandary authors writing this kind of series can find themselves in, having the stretch the mystery arc equally through all the titles and giving readers just enough to keep them interested above just the standard romance story. Unfortunately I dislike that everything now falls on the shoulders of the final member of the Redgrave family and we may or may not see a reunion of previous characters during the final resolution.
Just like the other books in the Redgraves series, I’ve had to desensitize myself to the excessive discussions on sex and sexual perversion that have become a staple. Having read some explicit romance stories in my time I wouldn’t consider myself a prude, yet there is only so much exposure to the seedier side of sex I can accept before it just starts getting uncomfortable. Ideas about sexual slavery, auto-erotic asphyxiation, public deflowering of virgins and opium fueled orgies are just the latest inclusions into the habits of the Society members. Believe me, I get the correlation that to these people Sex = Power and a means to control the weak willed within their ranks, but eventually a reader has to say “Enough.” For two books now I’ve been accepting of the degrading acts the Society has exploited but now that things are starting to come to a head I think we can put the shock-value away and just deal with the intrigue side of their plans.
Ms. Michaels has her work cut out for her in the final book What a Hero Dares. The last Redgrave sibling hasn’t been seen since a very brief appearance in book one and we still have much to learn about the Society. I am too wrapped up in the characters not to eagerly await its release; however, I hope that the focus shifts away from the worst of human behaviors to leave the reader with a more optimistic view of things to come.
June 17, 2018
I felt that this book was more murder mystery than a romance. And it had to do with cults.
Valentine is on a mission to redeem his family name. It has been drug through the mud with mention of this Society group, so infiltrated the group to get in on the inside. He ends up at one of the members houses to be initiated? Anyway he comes across Daisy Merchant, and he thinks she is a spy. Daisy is a governess and she also has an ulterior motive. Her sister, Rose, went missing months ago and she went to find her and it led her to the same member’s house. Her and Valentine eventually team up to get to the root of the problem and figure out this satanic cult is into sacrifice and sexual perversion. Now they are on a timetable to get everyone out before it’s too late. Well too late happens and Daisy is captured and now Valentine goes to save her. All the while throughout, they share a passion for each other and desire to be together.
It was a bit wordy for me too for the subject matter. It seemed it went on and on in some areas but I find that normal for this author in my own opinion. I did like the mystery murder part of it but the romance seemed like a Tuesday. It seemed they weren’t into each other and then all of a sudden they were. I wish she wrote more about their feelings for each other separately so you felt that they really loved each other so the ending wasn’t like oh my goodness their together. Or something like that.
It was a pretty good story.
Valentine is on a mission to redeem his family name. It has been drug through the mud with mention of this Society group, so infiltrated the group to get in on the inside. He ends up at one of the members houses to be initiated? Anyway he comes across Daisy Merchant, and he thinks she is a spy. Daisy is a governess and she also has an ulterior motive. Her sister, Rose, went missing months ago and she went to find her and it led her to the same member’s house. Her and Valentine eventually team up to get to the root of the problem and figure out this satanic cult is into sacrifice and sexual perversion. Now they are on a timetable to get everyone out before it’s too late. Well too late happens and Daisy is captured and now Valentine goes to save her. All the while throughout, they share a passion for each other and desire to be together.
It was a bit wordy for me too for the subject matter. It seemed it went on and on in some areas but I find that normal for this author in my own opinion. I did like the mystery murder part of it but the romance seemed like a Tuesday. It seemed they weren’t into each other and then all of a sudden they were. I wish she wrote more about their feelings for each other separately so you felt that they really loved each other so the ending wasn’t like oh my goodness their together. Or something like that.
It was a pretty good story.
August 17, 2019
Valentine Redgrave
was waiting for his turn with optimism, and such a disappointment after the first two in the series
the plot skimmed the surface like a flat rock that took only two skips
reminded me of the perils of pauline, esp with saving the sister
was disconnected, esp in the seduction and bedroom, the attraction from the beginning was definitely not made
more like a plant that needed watering
sad
was waiting for his turn with optimism, and such a disappointment after the first two in the series
the plot skimmed the surface like a flat rock that took only two skips
reminded me of the perils of pauline, esp with saving the sister
was disconnected, esp in the seduction and bedroom, the attraction from the beginning was definitely not made
more like a plant that needed watering
sad
June 30, 2019
Jumping in at book #3 does have some disadvantages. References to family and family history would have meant a lot more. However, this did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying this read. The secret Society aspect was fascinating. The heroine, Daisy, won my heart. I will catch up with the rest of the Redgrave series.
October 11, 2013
I really do not recommend reading Kasey Michaels's What A Gentleman Desires if you haven't read the previous two books in this series revolving around the Redgrave siblings. Actually, the book stands a lot pretty decently, as the author introduces the back story in a fluid and non-intrusive manner.
The thing here is that the book is being marketed as a typical romantic comedy, and the prologue reinforces this notion. As with the previous two books however, there are some really dark elements here that would be more at home in a historical mystery that pulls no punches with the scary stuff. At least, if you have read the previous books, you will know what to expect here and won't suffer whiplash that would ruin your reading experience. You will know what you are getting into, and that's always a good thing.
At any rate, if you are new, read my review of the first book in the series, What An Earl Wants, to get the background details.
In this story, it's Valentine Redgrave's turn to take the wheel. While his brother and sister are doing their thing, he decides to tackle the matter of the Society in his own way. He's actually a spy playing up the fact that he's a spoiled and vain dandy to get around, and he has been cultivating the friendship of a Society member, Lord Charles Mailer, in order to gain entry into the Society itself. He hopes to learn more about the members and, more importantly, their leader. Those men are plotting to take down England, after all!
As it happens, our heroine Daisy Marchant gets herself employed as a companion to Lord Mailer's children so that she can also get close to the family. Her sister had vanished without a word after being courted by a man that Daisy believes to be Lord Mailer, and She wants to find out what happened to Rose. Valentine immediately recognizes a fellow undercover poser, but mistakenly assumes that she's sent by the Prime Minister. By the time he realizes that Daisy is a free agent way out of her depths, it's too late to extricate himself from her problems. Besides, he's a gentleman and he is all about rescuing women in distress.
The first thing I should point out here is that the focus of the story for the first two-thirds or so is on the investigation and undercover stuff. This is understandable, as these two should be paying attention to the serious business they have committed themselves to, instead of making eyes at one another. However, this also means that the romance in this story may be light enough to disappoint people who are expecting more.
I personally have no problems with this, as I find the non-romantic elements of the story interesting enough to keep turning the pages. I'm a bit puzzled by how ineffective Valentine can be at times - he tends to underestimate his opponents and he does get overpowered a bit too easily, hmm - but Daisy is pretty realistic in that, while she's not useless in any means, she is definitely out of her depths here. Still, she can pull her own the best she can, and she is more often an ally than a liability. These two work very well together and there is an easy partners-in-crime chemistry that reminds me of the kind Amanda Quick usually did when she, somewhat ironically, was more about romance than mystery.
The mystery by itself isn't something amazing, but the author's narrative makes it very hard for me to put the book down. The build up, the atmosphere, the tension and the fear, and the denouement all come together to result in a solid thriller, and the moments of humor provide some much-needed reprieve for me to catch my breath.
The late third, when the author crams all the romance to make up for the lack of heavy breathing up to that point, could have been a dull read as the fun has ebbed and Daisy is pulling that now-tedious "Don't marry me unless you love me! (I'll still sleep with you, though!)" stunt. But the author drops some revelations that set up the next book very nicely. By the last page, I'm definitely interested in reading that next book.
What A Gentleman Desires may not be, I suspect, everyone's cup of tea, but I personally have a great time reading it. Then again, I'm hooked on the story arc since the first book, and the author is doing a pretty good job sustaining the momentum so far. The romance is secondary to me at this point, and I like the main characters more as accomplices than darlings in love, heh. When's the next book coming out? I can't wait.
The thing here is that the book is being marketed as a typical romantic comedy, and the prologue reinforces this notion. As with the previous two books however, there are some really dark elements here that would be more at home in a historical mystery that pulls no punches with the scary stuff. At least, if you have read the previous books, you will know what to expect here and won't suffer whiplash that would ruin your reading experience. You will know what you are getting into, and that's always a good thing.
At any rate, if you are new, read my review of the first book in the series, What An Earl Wants, to get the background details.
In this story, it's Valentine Redgrave's turn to take the wheel. While his brother and sister are doing their thing, he decides to tackle the matter of the Society in his own way. He's actually a spy playing up the fact that he's a spoiled and vain dandy to get around, and he has been cultivating the friendship of a Society member, Lord Charles Mailer, in order to gain entry into the Society itself. He hopes to learn more about the members and, more importantly, their leader. Those men are plotting to take down England, after all!
As it happens, our heroine Daisy Marchant gets herself employed as a companion to Lord Mailer's children so that she can also get close to the family. Her sister had vanished without a word after being courted by a man that Daisy believes to be Lord Mailer, and She wants to find out what happened to Rose. Valentine immediately recognizes a fellow undercover poser, but mistakenly assumes that she's sent by the Prime Minister. By the time he realizes that Daisy is a free agent way out of her depths, it's too late to extricate himself from her problems. Besides, he's a gentleman and he is all about rescuing women in distress.
The first thing I should point out here is that the focus of the story for the first two-thirds or so is on the investigation and undercover stuff. This is understandable, as these two should be paying attention to the serious business they have committed themselves to, instead of making eyes at one another. However, this also means that the romance in this story may be light enough to disappoint people who are expecting more.
I personally have no problems with this, as I find the non-romantic elements of the story interesting enough to keep turning the pages. I'm a bit puzzled by how ineffective Valentine can be at times - he tends to underestimate his opponents and he does get overpowered a bit too easily, hmm - but Daisy is pretty realistic in that, while she's not useless in any means, she is definitely out of her depths here. Still, she can pull her own the best she can, and she is more often an ally than a liability. These two work very well together and there is an easy partners-in-crime chemistry that reminds me of the kind Amanda Quick usually did when she, somewhat ironically, was more about romance than mystery.
The mystery by itself isn't something amazing, but the author's narrative makes it very hard for me to put the book down. The build up, the atmosphere, the tension and the fear, and the denouement all come together to result in a solid thriller, and the moments of humor provide some much-needed reprieve for me to catch my breath.
The late third, when the author crams all the romance to make up for the lack of heavy breathing up to that point, could have been a dull read as the fun has ebbed and Daisy is pulling that now-tedious "Don't marry me unless you love me! (I'll still sleep with you, though!)" stunt. But the author drops some revelations that set up the next book very nicely. By the last page, I'm definitely interested in reading that next book.
What A Gentleman Desires may not be, I suspect, everyone's cup of tea, but I personally have a great time reading it. Then again, I'm hooked on the story arc since the first book, and the author is doing a pretty good job sustaining the momentum so far. The romance is secondary to me at this point, and I like the main characters more as accomplices than darlings in love, heh. When's the next book coming out? I can't wait.
July 18, 2013
Another great book in the Redgraves series! What a Gentleman Desires was absolutely lovely. Full of steamy romance and another step into the spine chilling world of the Society, this book was just wonderful.
In the previous books in the series, we saw glimpses of the Society and its depravity. But, in this one, we get an inside look into the creepiness. And I loved it. The mystery of the Society and the race to take it down made this book, and the others in the series, a step above. It added mystery and enough depravity to give you goosebumps. Can't wait to see how things end for the war against the Society in the next book.
Daisy was a fantastic heroine. She was a tough woman, one who doesn't flinch in the face of danger. And, wow, did she face some danger. But she continually proved herself strong enough to handle it all. I thought she was great, a thoroughly likable heroine.
Valentine was such a charmer. Ooh, I adored him! He had more charm in his pinky than most people do as a whole. And if that's not enough to win your heart, he's fantastically handsome and swoon worthy sweet. He's determined to take down the Society and protect his loved ones. Honestly, what's not to like? He was perfect!
The romance was a nice mix of sweet and spicy. Daisy and Valentine were definitely cute together. Both had met their match in each other. Seeing them match wits was tons of fun. And, for those who like the hotter side, there were, of course, some steamy moments for you. They were a lovely couple.
The plot was the weak point of the book. Though I was kept interested the entire way through, it took me a few chapter before I got hooked into the story. And there were a few moments scattered throughout the book that slowed down a little. It wasn't enough for me to get bored, but it was enough to bear notice and mentioning. For the most part, though, I was absorbed in the story. The danger of stepping into the Society kept me on the edge of my seat. And the ending was wonderful. Can't wait to read the last Redgrave book, What a Hero Dares, where we see Max's story. I'm counting down the day until I can get my hands on it :)
What a Gentleman Desires was a wonderful historical romance. I absolutely loved it! Lovers of the genre, you definitely have to read this book and the rest of the scandalous Redgraves series.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for a copy!
In the previous books in the series, we saw glimpses of the Society and its depravity. But, in this one, we get an inside look into the creepiness. And I loved it. The mystery of the Society and the race to take it down made this book, and the others in the series, a step above. It added mystery and enough depravity to give you goosebumps. Can't wait to see how things end for the war against the Society in the next book.
Daisy was a fantastic heroine. She was a tough woman, one who doesn't flinch in the face of danger. And, wow, did she face some danger. But she continually proved herself strong enough to handle it all. I thought she was great, a thoroughly likable heroine.
Valentine was such a charmer. Ooh, I adored him! He had more charm in his pinky than most people do as a whole. And if that's not enough to win your heart, he's fantastically handsome and swoon worthy sweet. He's determined to take down the Society and protect his loved ones. Honestly, what's not to like? He was perfect!
The romance was a nice mix of sweet and spicy. Daisy and Valentine were definitely cute together. Both had met their match in each other. Seeing them match wits was tons of fun. And, for those who like the hotter side, there were, of course, some steamy moments for you. They were a lovely couple.
The plot was the weak point of the book. Though I was kept interested the entire way through, it took me a few chapter before I got hooked into the story. And there were a few moments scattered throughout the book that slowed down a little. It wasn't enough for me to get bored, but it was enough to bear notice and mentioning. For the most part, though, I was absorbed in the story. The danger of stepping into the Society kept me on the edge of my seat. And the ending was wonderful. Can't wait to read the last Redgrave book, What a Hero Dares, where we see Max's story. I'm counting down the day until I can get my hands on it :)
What a Gentleman Desires was a wonderful historical romance. I absolutely loved it! Lovers of the genre, you definitely have to read this book and the rest of the scandalous Redgraves series.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for a copy!
October 26, 2013
fabulously mysterious...with delightfully droll interludes!
A return to Regency England with the threat of a Bonaparte inspired invasion all too real!
A family's investigation into its duplicitous, treasonous and debauched past, relating to an organization called the Society.
Leading the investigation here is Valentine Redgrave, youngest brother of the Earl of Saltwood. Michaels describes him as 'outwardly dangerous as a dandelion.' Delicious!
Enter Miss Daisy Marchant, 'governess-on-a-mission.' The two come into contact at a house party held by Lord Charles Mailer, debauched martinet, cad, and possible member of The Society.
Daisy wonders, 'Was Valentine a badly needed ally, or an exceedingly clever foe?'
Valentine mistakenly believes Daisy is a government spy sent by Downing Street. He is not amused.
Mystery and darkness surrounds The Society. It's membership, it's purpose, it's monthly meetings. Young women are disappearing, wives have died in odd circumstance. All grist for the mill.
As some mysteries are resolved others wait like patient serpents waiting to take their place.
Some of the characters have a definite touch of Heyerism, but with descriptive sexual encounters. Valentine's grandmother, Trixie, keeps reminding me somewhat of the older Duchess of Avon. Daisy is definitely akin to one of Heyer's steadfast heroines.
I loved the repartee between the Valentine, Daisy and Piffkin, Valentine's valet.
I must confess that when I first began reading this I had to leave the story after just a few pages. It seemed too confusing at the beginning with the hierarchy of depraved ancestors who were members of a secret, diabolical, hellfire club that continues still--minus the Redgraves. . Somehow I lost my way. I am unsure as to whether it was me or the start of the novel.
Fortunately for me, I decided to return and I'm glad I did! Guess what?
This time the story all hung together so much more precisely and delightfully than I anticipated that I am now a convert. I am addicted to the family's story and am rushing off to savour the rest in the series.
A NetGalley ARC
A return to Regency England with the threat of a Bonaparte inspired invasion all too real!
A family's investigation into its duplicitous, treasonous and debauched past, relating to an organization called the Society.
Leading the investigation here is Valentine Redgrave, youngest brother of the Earl of Saltwood. Michaels describes him as 'outwardly dangerous as a dandelion.' Delicious!
Enter Miss Daisy Marchant, 'governess-on-a-mission.' The two come into contact at a house party held by Lord Charles Mailer, debauched martinet, cad, and possible member of The Society.
Daisy wonders, 'Was Valentine a badly needed ally, or an exceedingly clever foe?'
Valentine mistakenly believes Daisy is a government spy sent by Downing Street. He is not amused.
Mystery and darkness surrounds The Society. It's membership, it's purpose, it's monthly meetings. Young women are disappearing, wives have died in odd circumstance. All grist for the mill.
As some mysteries are resolved others wait like patient serpents waiting to take their place.
Some of the characters have a definite touch of Heyerism, but with descriptive sexual encounters. Valentine's grandmother, Trixie, keeps reminding me somewhat of the older Duchess of Avon. Daisy is definitely akin to one of Heyer's steadfast heroines.
I loved the repartee between the Valentine, Daisy and Piffkin, Valentine's valet.
I must confess that when I first began reading this I had to leave the story after just a few pages. It seemed too confusing at the beginning with the hierarchy of depraved ancestors who were members of a secret, diabolical, hellfire club that continues still--minus the Redgraves. . Somehow I lost my way. I am unsure as to whether it was me or the start of the novel.
Fortunately for me, I decided to return and I'm glad I did! Guess what?
This time the story all hung together so much more precisely and delightfully than I anticipated that I am now a convert. I am addicted to the family's story and am rushing off to savour the rest in the series.
A NetGalley ARC
September 26, 2013
In What a Gentleman Desires the plot thickens for the Redgrave family. Author Kasey Michaels is playing the long-game with her newest series, with each book unveiling a small piece of the puzzle to the Society, a treasonous group working from within the English government to bring down the Crown. She manages to find a fairly nice balance between delving deeper into the mysteries that surround the Redgrave family while further developing the individuals fighting to clear their family name.
The Society was dealt a serious blow when their smuggling activities were uncovered and broken up by the Redgrave family; however they are not quite finished in their plans to help Napoleon in his cause. Valentine Redgrave, a long serving agent for the Crown knows that the best way to know the Society’s next move is to somehow be accepted by the group and take it down from within. With most of their suspects either in deep hiding or turning up dead, the best lead he has is getting to know the scandalous Lord Mailer in the hopes the man will invite him into the debauched world the Society offers to those with the inclination for it. After weeks of cultivating a friendship, Valentine thinks Mailer is ready to reveal the truth during a gathering that promises entertainments far more interesting than the tame pursuits found in London. Believing himself working alone on the Mailer angle, Valentine is surprised to see a young woman in the employ of the lord who shows all the signs of being another agent on the case. Not willing to risk either of their covers being blown, Valentine makes it his secondary mission to know all about the beautiful woman who must be something more than a governess.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
The Society was dealt a serious blow when their smuggling activities were uncovered and broken up by the Redgrave family; however they are not quite finished in their plans to help Napoleon in his cause. Valentine Redgrave, a long serving agent for the Crown knows that the best way to know the Society’s next move is to somehow be accepted by the group and take it down from within. With most of their suspects either in deep hiding or turning up dead, the best lead he has is getting to know the scandalous Lord Mailer in the hopes the man will invite him into the debauched world the Society offers to those with the inclination for it. After weeks of cultivating a friendship, Valentine thinks Mailer is ready to reveal the truth during a gathering that promises entertainments far more interesting than the tame pursuits found in London. Believing himself working alone on the Mailer angle, Valentine is surprised to see a young woman in the employ of the lord who shows all the signs of being another agent on the case. Not willing to risk either of their covers being blown, Valentine makes it his secondary mission to know all about the beautiful woman who must be something more than a governess.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
September 30, 2013
We once again are immersed in the Redgraves' plot to stop the Society, that terrible hellfire club from the previous two books. This installment we get Valentine, who is the youngest and probably my favorite though we haven't met Max yet. I loved his humorous take on life and all his exchanges with Piffkin were great. Daisy was a women that could probably keep him in line along with his wonderful grandmother, Trixie.
I was at first a little confused when I started this book as the conversation between Valentine and Spencer was hard to follow until I read it a second times. I don't know if it was my copy of the ebook or if I just wasn't paying attention but the words didn't flow. After I got to the point where Valentine and Mailer were traveling by coach it seemed to straighten out and became a very enjoyable read.
I'm wondering if Max's book will give a look from inside the club or if we will just see the usual look at the Society and its eventual downfall. Though I've enjoyed the series so far I'd like to finally have an end so this family can finally have a happy and scandal free life.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I was at first a little confused when I started this book as the conversation between Valentine and Spencer was hard to follow until I read it a second times. I don't know if it was my copy of the ebook or if I just wasn't paying attention but the words didn't flow. After I got to the point where Valentine and Mailer were traveling by coach it seemed to straighten out and became a very enjoyable read.
I'm wondering if Max's book will give a look from inside the club or if we will just see the usual look at the Society and its eventual downfall. Though I've enjoyed the series so far I'd like to finally have an end so this family can finally have a happy and scandal free life.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
October 1, 2024
💕 Βάλενταϊν Ρέντγκρεϊβ & Ντέιζι Μάρτσαντ 💕
⭐ Η κληρονομιά των Ρέντγκρεϊβ ⭐
Βιβλίο 1: Αυτό που θέλει ένας κόμης
Βιβλίο 2: Αυτό που χρειάζεται μια λαίδη
Βιβλίο 3: Αυτό που ποθεί ένας τζέντλεμαν
Βιβλίο 4: Αυτό που τολμά ένας ήρωας
⭐ Η κληρονομιά των Ρέντγκρεϊβ ⭐
Βιβλίο 1: Αυτό που θέλει ένας κόμης
Βιβλίο 2: Αυτό που χρειάζεται μια λαίδη
Βιβλίο 3: Αυτό που ποθεί ένας τζέντλεμαν
Βιβλίο 4: Αυτό που τολμά ένας ήρωας
September 25, 2013
I don't often read historical romances, but every time I do, I wonder why I read them so rarely. This one was delightful. There was a great mystery mixed in with all the pretty dresses and social niceties. I could respect the heroine, which is often not the case, even if I enjoy the story thoroughly, and I actually like the hero, which is also rarely true because they usually have to overcome so many socially-driven assumptions about women that while you may think he's handsome and swoon a little, you still want to slap him on the heroine's behalf. Maybe all this pent-up rage at old gender roles is why I so rarely read historicals. Anyway, the story is fun and yet complete. It's not just a light-hearted, surface-level romp thrown into a historical setting. The characters, as previously mentioned, are awesome. The romance storyline is fabulous and mostly believable, and let's be honest, if it was totally believable, it wouldn't be any fun. I enjoyed it, and you should read it, particularly if you're a fan of Beguiling the Beauty and Lord and Lady Spy.
October 21, 2017
It's Valentine Redgrave's turn to infiltrate the Society, hoping to get more information to bring it down. Daisy Marchant is on a mission to find her sister who has somehow run afoul of one of the men in the Society. Together, they make a good team with Daisy's practicality and Val's wit. Along the way, they also fall in love.
I originally read this book several years ago and just reread it. I didn't change my mind on the three star rating. The story is fairly typical of one with a hellfire club plot. While I like both Val and Daisy, I wasn't quite sure about the attraction between them. In some ways, it felt forced and kind of bland. Though I could see them being friends, I had more trouble with them being in love/lust, especially with Val acting embarrassed about Daisy's lower rank. Something just didn't work there for me. But this furthered the series and I'm ready for the final book.
I originally read this book several years ago and just reread it. I didn't change my mind on the three star rating. The story is fairly typical of one with a hellfire club plot. While I like both Val and Daisy, I wasn't quite sure about the attraction between them. In some ways, it felt forced and kind of bland. Though I could see them being friends, I had more trouble with them being in love/lust, especially with Val acting embarrassed about Daisy's lower rank. Something just didn't work there for me. But this furthered the series and I'm ready for the final book.
September 19, 2013
This is a continuation of a previous scandal… Both Valentine & Daisy are going after a group of people for different reasons. She wants to find her sister & his reasons are more to protect his family… He falls for this plain woman right away, which was funny to me. He immediately knew she wasn't what she claimed because she was wearing fake glasses.
Daisy is a strong serious character & Valentine to me seemed very snarky… I never ever felt that the characters were meant for each other. There was no deep connection… Sooooo, basically I just never felt connected to this book & it was an ok read. It could have been more, but lacked in that area…
It seemed incongruent. The story was serious, but I couldn't get with this relationship. Otherwise the story itself with the underground club was kind of cool! I haven't read a plot like it before.
Daisy is a strong serious character & Valentine to me seemed very snarky… I never ever felt that the characters were meant for each other. There was no deep connection… Sooooo, basically I just never felt connected to this book & it was an ok read. It could have been more, but lacked in that area…
It seemed incongruent. The story was serious, but I couldn't get with this relationship. Otherwise the story itself with the underground club was kind of cool! I haven't read a plot like it before.
October 4, 2013
A continuation of a series that keeps on keeping on in giving readers a story into which they can sink their teeth and which keeps them glued to each succeeding page. The Society of non-principled and hedonistic men and women continues to plague the Redgrave family, not only because of its history and their involvement in it but because now a sibling is missing. It's a story that is a treat for the mind and is one of those reads we all like to delve into from time, deep, complex, and deeply satisfying. Readers will meet family members from previous books, but they will also see another side of characters who appeared frivolous in the past but who harbor deep feelings and surprising skill sets. Another scintillating read from a very fine author.
September 2, 2013
Sorry to say but as protagonists of a regency romance Valentine and Daisy did not even have a little bit of chemistry, I felt little attraction between them, and perhaps the fact that both were pursuing their hidden agendas, somehow diverted the plot, even if at last there is the usual happy ending.
Dispiace dirlo ma in quanto protagonisti di un regency romance Valentine and Daisy non avevano nemmeno un briciola di chimica, tra loro ho percepito poca attrazione e forse il fatto che entrambi perseguivano la loro agenda segreta, in qualche modo ha deviato la trama, per quanto poi in finale ci sia il solito happy ending.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND HARLEQUIN FOR THE PREVIEW!
Dispiace dirlo ma in quanto protagonisti di un regency romance Valentine and Daisy non avevano nemmeno un briciola di chimica, tra loro ho percepito poca attrazione e forse il fatto che entrambi perseguivano la loro agenda segreta, in qualche modo ha deviato la trama, per quanto poi in finale ci sia il solito happy ending.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND HARLEQUIN FOR THE PREVIEW!
September 12, 2013
Part two of the Redgrave series did not disappoint! Fantastic intricate intrigue mixed with light and funny scenes. The chemistry between the two characters is a little off at points, but that does not detract from the likability of them. Michaels could have easily ended the book after the thrilling resolution to the Society's gathering. I'm glad she didn't. The section that follows has some great insight into the characters that we read. And the brilliant Trixie would have been sorely missed.
For those who like their romance with a little bit of a darker element, a wonderful hero and a serious family quest to rid the world of wrongs, this book is for you.
For those who like their romance with a little bit of a darker element, a wonderful hero and a serious family quest to rid the world of wrongs, this book is for you.
Read
December 29, 2014"TOP PICK! With this installment of the Redgraves series, Michaels holds the reader in her clutches and doesn't let go. Always adept at weaving romance and suspense, this time Michaels has little of her signature humor. Instead, she allows the chilling aspects of a thriller, the intelligent and likable characters and a high degree of sensuality to carry the plot forward. Michaels doesn't miss a beat, keeping her fans mare than satisfied and anticipating the next in the series." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars
October 31, 2015
This is one of those books that I would give a 3.5 star rating to if I could. It was very interesting and had a lot of high points. I was rather surprised at some of the elements revealed about the society. They truly are a bunch of evil individuals to say the least. In any case, I very much enjoyed valentine Redgrave and found Daisy to also be a very interesting character. I cannot say a whole lot more about the plot without revealing some spoilers, but I will say that I am looking forward to the final installment. It should wrap up the entire matter nicely.
July 11, 2014
Whether writing contemporary or historical romances or who-dunnits, Kasey Michaels has a gift for creating characters who are charming regardless of the extremely challenging circumstances in which they find themselves. What a Gentleman Desires has the most consistently lighthearted tone of the three Redgrave stories. Daisy and Valentine's falling-in-love story is an easy breezy read with enjoyable cameos by Trixie and company.
December 19, 2015
until the last chapters, a good read
The hero is on a family mission to stop a secret, evil Society. The heroine is looking for her abducted sister. Both characters were likeable, the banter was fun and there was mutual respect between them. Secondary characters were also interesting and well formed. The problems come at the end which dragged on and added nothing of interest (other than meeting Trixie).
The hero is on a family mission to stop a secret, evil Society. The heroine is looking for her abducted sister. Both characters were likeable, the banter was fun and there was mutual respect between them. Secondary characters were also interesting and well formed. The problems come at the end which dragged on and added nothing of interest (other than meeting Trixie).
September 1, 2013
I received and ARC of this book from NetGally in return for an honest review.
I wish I could say the this book was as great as the book was as amazing as the cover made it seem. I could not get into it and it was too serious for my taste. If you like serious romance books then this book may be for you. It was too dry for my taste.
I wish I could say the this book was as great as the book was as amazing as the cover made it seem. I could not get into it and it was too serious for my taste. If you like serious romance books then this book may be for you. It was too dry for my taste.
August 27, 2013
When I started this book, I was fairly certain it would end with a cliffhanger, and it does. Even though I knew it was coming, I was still annoyed when I finished the book. All told, though, I liked this one much better than the last. Full review to come once I'm done processing.
October 3, 2013
Very good story, the dialogue was a bit more snappy and witty in this installment than it has been in the other books.
Valentine fell a little too fast and furious for my taste. But Daisy was delightful.
I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion of this series - don't let me down Max!!
Valentine fell a little too fast and furious for my taste. But Daisy was delightful.
I am eagerly awaiting the conclusion of this series - don't let me down Max!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews