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Lords at the Altar #1
In Debt to the Earl
"If you wish, I can take you out of all this."
In his quest for revenge against a disreputable card sharp, James, Earl of Cambourne, discovers the man's innocent daughter. While her surroundings are impoverished, her dignity and refinement are unmistakable, and James faces an unsettling question—what will be her fate if he brings her father to justice?
Although yearning for love and comfort, Lucy resists the earl's surprising offer of protection. That is until a price is made on her virginity, and James is the only man who can save her.
In his quest for revenge against a disreputable card sharp, James, Earl of Cambourne, discovers the man's innocent daughter. While her surroundings are impoverished, her dignity and refinement are unmistakable, and James faces an unsettling question—what will be her fate if he brings her father to justice?
Although yearning for love and comfort, Lucy resists the earl's surprising offer of protection. That is until a price is made on her virginity, and James is the only man who can save her.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 15, 2015
40 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Rolls
100 books124 followersWe live in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia, in a beautiful lush valley full of apple, pear and cherry orchards. We moved here a couple of years back, escaping from the city and it’s just gorgeous. The property is small, only five acres, but we have room for two small noisy boys, three dogs, two cats and several woolly things masquerading a environmentally friendly lawnmowers. Before that we lived in Melbourne, which was fun, but we always wanted to live in the country and now we do.
I’ve been married to an ex-nuclear physicist – don’t ask! for the last 17 years and we have two rowdy little boys, commonly described as “feral”. Most of our friends think we have far too many animals, and everyone knows we have far too many books.I grew up moving around a fair bit. Dad was in the army and every few years we had to up sticks and move on. I was born in England, expelled from kindergarten in Melbourne, started school in Papua New Guinea and finished school in Melbourne. After taking a degree in Music Education I taught music for several years while my husband finished his Ph.D.
How I started writing
I had the writing bug from a very early age. From the time I could read I loved writing stories. Throughout my school days I was nearly always writing something very quietly, and there were several teachers who encouraged me. One student teacher, whose name I have totally forgotten, when I was in sixth grade, as well as a couple of high school English teachers, Mrs Redman and Mrs Mackay.
I started writing my first book after I finished my Masters degree. For one thing I really, really missed my thesis. I’d enjoyed researching it, and I loved writing it. So it seems inevitable now that when I was looking for something to do in the evenings to unwind after work, I started writing again.
I’d been staying with an old school friend. Meg is a fellow Georgette Heyer fan, and she had a very large collection of Regencies on her bookshelves. Well, that was an eye-opener. I’d had no idea anyone else apart from Heyer had actually written them. By the time I went home I had an idea floating around in my brain and I sat down and roughed out some sort of chapter plan. Then I started typing. Six months later I had a story with a beginning a middle and an end which I sent to Meg. After a great deal of talking, she persuaded me to send it off to Harlequin Mills & Boon. After doing the rounds of all three editorial offices and undergoing a major rewrite and extension while I was about seven months pregnant with the second small noisy boy, it was accepted for publication and published as The Unexpected Bride.
Most of my writing friends have threatened to lynch me over that story at one time or another. Personally I envy them for having learnt an enormous amount about writing and the industry before acquiring an editor who understandably expects you to know what you are doing.
I’ve been married to an ex-nuclear physicist – don’t ask! for the last 17 years and we have two rowdy little boys, commonly described as “feral”. Most of our friends think we have far too many animals, and everyone knows we have far too many books.I grew up moving around a fair bit. Dad was in the army and every few years we had to up sticks and move on. I was born in England, expelled from kindergarten in Melbourne, started school in Papua New Guinea and finished school in Melbourne. After taking a degree in Music Education I taught music for several years while my husband finished his Ph.D.
How I started writing
I had the writing bug from a very early age. From the time I could read I loved writing stories. Throughout my school days I was nearly always writing something very quietly, and there were several teachers who encouraged me. One student teacher, whose name I have totally forgotten, when I was in sixth grade, as well as a couple of high school English teachers, Mrs Redman and Mrs Mackay.
I started writing my first book after I finished my Masters degree. For one thing I really, really missed my thesis. I’d enjoyed researching it, and I loved writing it. So it seems inevitable now that when I was looking for something to do in the evenings to unwind after work, I started writing again.
I’d been staying with an old school friend. Meg is a fellow Georgette Heyer fan, and she had a very large collection of Regencies on her bookshelves. Well, that was an eye-opener. I’d had no idea anyone else apart from Heyer had actually written them. By the time I went home I had an idea floating around in my brain and I sat down and roughed out some sort of chapter plan. Then I started typing. Six months later I had a story with a beginning a middle and an end which I sent to Meg. After a great deal of talking, she persuaded me to send it off to Harlequin Mills & Boon. After doing the rounds of all three editorial offices and undergoing a major rewrite and extension while I was about seven months pregnant with the second small noisy boy, it was accepted for publication and published as The Unexpected Bride.
Most of my writing friends have threatened to lynch me over that story at one time or another. Personally I envy them for having learnt an enormous amount about writing and the industry before acquiring an editor who understandably expects you to know what you are doing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 3, 2017
Really a good romance
Loved the H and the h. She was strong and so was he. The story was your typical Lord falling in love with a lower class woman but this was so much more really. Fitch her young friend was one of my favorite characters and I loved every scene he was in. The scene at the end with Lord Cambourn and him in the stable was precious. I loved it. The whole story felt like a Pretty Woman scenario except Lucy, the h, was a virgin. There are evil villains galore and a lot of angst in places but you always knew, even when he didn't, that he loved her. The ending evoked a nice 'sigh' from me and I haven't done that in a while. Loved this book.
Loved the H and the h. She was strong and so was he. The story was your typical Lord falling in love with a lower class woman but this was so much more really. Fitch her young friend was one of my favorite characters and I loved every scene he was in. The scene at the end with Lord Cambourn and him in the stable was precious. I loved it. The whole story felt like a Pretty Woman scenario except Lucy, the h, was a virgin. There are evil villains galore and a lot of angst in places but you always knew, even when he didn't, that he loved her. The ending evoked a nice 'sigh' from me and I haven't done that in a while. Loved this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2025
Angst is taking all the wins for me
I'm wavering between 3 ★ and 4 ★, but since I just finished an angsty HR that was just slightly better, I'm going for 3.5 ★ rounded down.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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I'm wavering between 3 ★ and 4 ★, but since I just finished an angsty HR that was just slightly better, I'm going for 3.5 ★ rounded down.
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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December 24, 2015
Originally posted
HERE
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What a terrible cover – what’s with that man?!
I don’t understand the average Goodreads reviewer. I nearly didn’t read this one because of the not-so-good reviews. I should know by now that is an indication of a good book (for me)!
Oh, I enjoyed this one – enough to order myself a paper copy before I even finished my review copy. Sure, there’s an element of fairy tale and fantasy to the happy ending, but at the same time I just really loved the story.
I enjoy a book in this genre that can take you out of the ballroom for a while, and place you in the more common areas of society. And I loved that even though our hero wanted our heroine as a mistress, there was more relationship development in this book than in most in historical romance.
Some of my favourite books (all books, not just romances) are set in the working class areas of London. And as someone who actually used to live on Fleet Street, this book had an extra element of interest for me.
Sure, the chances of anyone from that area (as it was back then), no matter their well-bred background, ending up with an earl are pretty much non-existent. However, I think the author did a fantastic job of illustrating the social divides and the snobbery a (potential) mistress would face. Too few authors stress the divisions in society, and the sexual double standards between men and women of the time.
I also really enjoyed the secondary characters – pretty much all of them. Nobody seemed too much of a stereotype, and so while sometimes I just find them a distraction, in this book I really wanted to know what was going on with them.
I forgot that the book was set in 1802, before the Regency, and when I got to the end I thought the epilogue had gone back in time! Not that it matters either way, but I guess that’s the mindset of historical romance readers.
I could pick at the story here and there, find some faults, but I choose not to do that when I find a book I want to reread, so I won’t.
This is my first by this author, but I will be on the lookout for the next in the series.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
What a terrible cover – what’s with that man?!
I don’t understand the average Goodreads reviewer. I nearly didn’t read this one because of the not-so-good reviews. I should know by now that is an indication of a good book (for me)!
Oh, I enjoyed this one – enough to order myself a paper copy before I even finished my review copy. Sure, there’s an element of fairy tale and fantasy to the happy ending, but at the same time I just really loved the story.
I enjoy a book in this genre that can take you out of the ballroom for a while, and place you in the more common areas of society. And I loved that even though our hero wanted our heroine as a mistress, there was more relationship development in this book than in most in historical romance.
Some of my favourite books (all books, not just romances) are set in the working class areas of London. And as someone who actually used to live on Fleet Street, this book had an extra element of interest for me.
Sure, the chances of anyone from that area (as it was back then), no matter their well-bred background, ending up with an earl are pretty much non-existent. However, I think the author did a fantastic job of illustrating the social divides and the snobbery a (potential) mistress would face. Too few authors stress the divisions in society, and the sexual double standards between men and women of the time.
I also really enjoyed the secondary characters – pretty much all of them. Nobody seemed too much of a stereotype, and so while sometimes I just find them a distraction, in this book I really wanted to know what was going on with them.
I forgot that the book was set in 1802, before the Regency, and when I got to the end I thought the epilogue had gone back in time! Not that it matters either way, but I guess that’s the mindset of historical romance readers.
I could pick at the story here and there, find some faults, but I choose not to do that when I find a book I want to reread, so I won’t.
This is my first by this author, but I will be on the lookout for the next in the series.
Review copy provided by NetGalley.
January 5, 2016
3.5 Stars
Elizabeth Rolls is an author whose books I’ve enjoyed in the past, and In Debt to the Earl was no exception, although there were some aspects of it that didn’t quite work for me. The story is engaging and well-told, although the characterisation is a little weak; and while the author certainly addresses some interesting themes – the gap between rich and poor and womens’ lack of agency – they are somewhat glossed over and left me feeling a little unsatisfied by the end.
When his young cousin is badly beaten up on the streets, James Remington, Earl of Cambourne determines to find the man responsible and bring him to justice. His cousin owed a gambling debt to a Captain Hensleigh, but James discovers that Hensleigh had sold his cousin’s notes of hand to a crime-lord named Kilby who arranged the beating when payment was not forthcoming.
The earl begins by going to the seedy gambling den where Hensleigh is to be found and wins a large sum of money off him at cards. After accepting Hensleigh’s vowels, James tracks the man to his cheap, dingy lodgings where he is surprised to encounter a rather lovely young woman he at first assumes to be Hensleigh’s mistress. He is shocked to discover that she is in fact Hensleigh’s daughter and even moreso when he realises that the “captain” has abandoned the girl to such poverty and squalor.
At first James sees Lucy simply as a means to an end, believing that if he hangs around for long enough, Hensleigh will return and he – James – will be able to use him to get to Kilby, who, he has discovered, not only ordered the attack on his cousin, but who also caused the death of another young man in similar circumstances. But Lucy’s speech and manners clearly indicate that she was not born to such hardship and he finds himself increasingly curious and drawn to her. Horrified at her having so little, he insists on paying her rent and buying food and coal, but his well-intentioned actions only make things more difficult for Lucy when her landlady assumes she’s entertaining this handsome young gentleman on her back.
Lucy is initially suspicious of Cambourne’s motives in continuing to visit her. She’s proud and doesn’t want his charity, but she also can’t deny the strong pull of attraction she feels towards him, at the same time as she admits that a man of his station is well beyond her reach. James is equally smitten, and, wanting to give her a better life, decides to offer her carte blanche. Yet he doesn’t want her agreeing to become his mistress because she feels indebted to him, and sets about courting her properly. He wants her to want him as much as he desires her, so when he makes his proposition, he makes it very clear that his offer is independent of his dealings with her father and that Lucy has a choice. But, secure in his far more comfortable life, James fails to see that in spite of his scruples, Lucy has no choice at all. She can become his mistress and live in comfort and safety, or she can starve and probably end up walking the streets. This aspect of the story is perhaps a little uncomfortable, but I suspect it’s intended to be; James genuinely does want Lucy to come to him because she wants to, but doesn’t give any real consideration to what her life will be if she agrees.
The author’s depictions of the poverty endured by so many are well-written and really bring home to the reader the dreadful conditions in which so many people lived at this time. Lucy and James are likeable characters – in spite of James’ wrong-headedness – and Lucy’s struggle to decide between temporary luxury in the arms of the man she loves and a blackened reputation, or remaining true to the values with which she has been brought up, feels quite realistic.
In Debt to the Earl is not my favourite book by Ms Rolls, but it’s a quick and entertaining read, featuring a strong storyline and a sweetly sensual central romance.
This review originally appeared at Romantic Historical Reviews.
Elizabeth Rolls is an author whose books I’ve enjoyed in the past, and In Debt to the Earl was no exception, although there were some aspects of it that didn’t quite work for me. The story is engaging and well-told, although the characterisation is a little weak; and while the author certainly addresses some interesting themes – the gap between rich and poor and womens’ lack of agency – they are somewhat glossed over and left me feeling a little unsatisfied by the end.
When his young cousin is badly beaten up on the streets, James Remington, Earl of Cambourne determines to find the man responsible and bring him to justice. His cousin owed a gambling debt to a Captain Hensleigh, but James discovers that Hensleigh had sold his cousin’s notes of hand to a crime-lord named Kilby who arranged the beating when payment was not forthcoming.
The earl begins by going to the seedy gambling den where Hensleigh is to be found and wins a large sum of money off him at cards. After accepting Hensleigh’s vowels, James tracks the man to his cheap, dingy lodgings where he is surprised to encounter a rather lovely young woman he at first assumes to be Hensleigh’s mistress. He is shocked to discover that she is in fact Hensleigh’s daughter and even moreso when he realises that the “captain” has abandoned the girl to such poverty and squalor.
At first James sees Lucy simply as a means to an end, believing that if he hangs around for long enough, Hensleigh will return and he – James – will be able to use him to get to Kilby, who, he has discovered, not only ordered the attack on his cousin, but who also caused the death of another young man in similar circumstances. But Lucy’s speech and manners clearly indicate that she was not born to such hardship and he finds himself increasingly curious and drawn to her. Horrified at her having so little, he insists on paying her rent and buying food and coal, but his well-intentioned actions only make things more difficult for Lucy when her landlady assumes she’s entertaining this handsome young gentleman on her back.
Lucy is initially suspicious of Cambourne’s motives in continuing to visit her. She’s proud and doesn’t want his charity, but she also can’t deny the strong pull of attraction she feels towards him, at the same time as she admits that a man of his station is well beyond her reach. James is equally smitten, and, wanting to give her a better life, decides to offer her carte blanche. Yet he doesn’t want her agreeing to become his mistress because she feels indebted to him, and sets about courting her properly. He wants her to want him as much as he desires her, so when he makes his proposition, he makes it very clear that his offer is independent of his dealings with her father and that Lucy has a choice. But, secure in his far more comfortable life, James fails to see that in spite of his scruples, Lucy has no choice at all. She can become his mistress and live in comfort and safety, or she can starve and probably end up walking the streets. This aspect of the story is perhaps a little uncomfortable, but I suspect it’s intended to be; James genuinely does want Lucy to come to him because she wants to, but doesn’t give any real consideration to what her life will be if she agrees.
The author’s depictions of the poverty endured by so many are well-written and really bring home to the reader the dreadful conditions in which so many people lived at this time. Lucy and James are likeable characters – in spite of James’ wrong-headedness – and Lucy’s struggle to decide between temporary luxury in the arms of the man she loves and a blackened reputation, or remaining true to the values with which she has been brought up, feels quite realistic.
In Debt to the Earl is not my favourite book by Ms Rolls, but it’s a quick and entertaining read, featuring a strong storyline and a sweetly sensual central romance.
This review originally appeared at Romantic Historical Reviews.
March 28, 2024
3.5
This feels quite similar to a fairytale, where a handsome prince (Earl) swoops in to save the day. But some things bothered me.
The h finds herself in dire circumstances, and the H, torn between sympathy and desire, proposes that she become his mistress for the majority of the story. While I understand his conflicted feelings, I can't help but feel that there were other ways he could have helped her, such as providing employment or offering her a position as a governess or companion.
I want to believe that they love each other, but I feel like something is missing. I think a lasting relationship requires a solid foundation, especially when the individuals involved come from vastly different social classes. Unfortunately, I fail to see such a foundation in their situation.
This feels quite similar to a fairytale, where a handsome prince (Earl) swoops in to save the day. But some things bothered me.
The h finds herself in dire circumstances, and the H, torn between sympathy and desire, proposes that she become his mistress for the majority of the story. While I understand his conflicted feelings, I can't help but feel that there were other ways he could have helped her, such as providing employment or offering her a position as a governess or companion.
I want to believe that they love each other, but I feel like something is missing. I think a lasting relationship requires a solid foundation, especially when the individuals involved come from vastly different social classes. Unfortunately, I fail to see such a foundation in their situation.
February 17, 2024
I liked it. It was a solid historical romance with likable protagonists, although the guy acted like an ass for most of the novel. I guess, for an earl in regency England, he was a decent enough fellow despite his limitations in the ethical department. He redeemed himself in the end by saving the heroine from a villain and proposing marriage.
The tension was high throughout the story, the writing easy and fluid, the actions swift, and the emotions deep. What else does one expect from a Harlequin romance? It delivered on all accounts.
The tension was high throughout the story, the writing easy and fluid, the actions swift, and the emotions deep. What else does one expect from a Harlequin romance? It delivered on all accounts.
May 24, 2023
Cute. My first historical romance. There could've been more of a danger element to the story. The bad guys should've gotten a more dramatic ending. But overall, the relationships between the characters are well written, especially the relationship between Fitch and Lucy. It was a nice casual read. Would watch a movie adaptation.
January 7, 2016
Based upon revenge, In Debt to the Earl by Elizabeth Rolls, begins with a Captain Hensleigh losing an insane amount of money in a card game to James Remington , the Earl of Cambourne. When James attempts to collect on Hensleigh's debt, he is met with a willful young lady who he assumes is Hensleigh's mistress. When the earl discovers that the young lady is in fact Hensleigh's daughter Lucy, he is angered to find the young woman abandoned by her father and left with little to survive.
James cannot abide with the situation Lucy is left with, but he also cannot abide by the inevitable fact that Lucy's father was involved with James' cousin being beaten after a losing card game and he will get to the bottom of that crime and do whatever needs to be done to the culprits who dare to hurt his blood. Meanwhile, he is so taken with Lucy's predicament, that he decides to take care of her by paying her back rents and making sure she is fed and clothed. Unfortunately, this kind of care leaves the wrong impression with those surrounding Lucy, thinking that she is now James' kept woman. James needs to make this right. Lucy is an honorable woman in a bad circumstance and James' emotions begin to flare, not only in protective mode, but with need. Knowing that the only correct thing to do is court the young woman, James makes Lucy distrust the reasons why he wants to take care of her. She has already been betrayed by her own father and another betrayal would just break her.
Now indebted to James, Lucy struggles with her own feelings for the earl and for those of her situation and James struggles to come to terms with dealing with Lucy and those who have done his family wrong.
In Debt to The Earl by Elizabeth Rolls is a well written read that left me wanting more. I didn't really feel for either James or Lucy deeply. I would have liked to get to know them better. This is the first book by Elizabeth Rolls that I have read and I am most definitely going to read more from her, as I do feel that this book had promise and I truly want to give Ms. Rolls another go.
~KIMBERLY~
James cannot abide with the situation Lucy is left with, but he also cannot abide by the inevitable fact that Lucy's father was involved with James' cousin being beaten after a losing card game and he will get to the bottom of that crime and do whatever needs to be done to the culprits who dare to hurt his blood. Meanwhile, he is so taken with Lucy's predicament, that he decides to take care of her by paying her back rents and making sure she is fed and clothed. Unfortunately, this kind of care leaves the wrong impression with those surrounding Lucy, thinking that she is now James' kept woman. James needs to make this right. Lucy is an honorable woman in a bad circumstance and James' emotions begin to flare, not only in protective mode, but with need. Knowing that the only correct thing to do is court the young woman, James makes Lucy distrust the reasons why he wants to take care of her. She has already been betrayed by her own father and another betrayal would just break her.
Now indebted to James, Lucy struggles with her own feelings for the earl and for those of her situation and James struggles to come to terms with dealing with Lucy and those who have done his family wrong.
In Debt to The Earl by Elizabeth Rolls is a well written read that left me wanting more. I didn't really feel for either James or Lucy deeply. I would have liked to get to know them better. This is the first book by Elizabeth Rolls that I have read and I am most definitely going to read more from her, as I do feel that this book had promise and I truly want to give Ms. Rolls another go.
~KIMBERLY~
January 27, 2021
Maybe if the hero had used his power and influence to help our cold hungry and about to be evicted heroine get a job instead of trying to get her to be his mistress he wouldn't have had to fight his conscience all the time. Surely he could have figuredout how to get her a governess or companion or teaching job. But no. Turns out he's a creep.
Really liked Lucy and Fitch. Two of life's survivors trying to make it in a mean world. Naturally she fell in love with the hero . The other men in her life were all horror shows. He was the best of a bad lot. Poor Lucy.
Didn't buy the love story. The disparity in their lifestyles, income and experiences were too far apart. In a few years they were going to look at each other across the breakfast table and wonder what they were thinking.
Really liked Lucy and Fitch. Two of life's survivors trying to make it in a mean world. Naturally she fell in love with the hero . The other men in her life were all horror shows. He was the best of a bad lot. Poor Lucy.
Didn't buy the love story. The disparity in their lifestyles, income and experiences were too far apart. In a few years they were going to look at each other across the breakfast table and wonder what they were thinking.
October 17, 2015
Not one of her best, but since the first book I read by her, she is by far one of my favorite regency romance writer.
Non il suo libro migliore, ma comunque, dal suo primo romanzo in poi, lei é sempre stata una delle mie scrittrici preferite.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND HARLEQUIN (US&CANADA) FOR THE PREVIEW!
Non il suo libro migliore, ma comunque, dal suo primo romanzo in poi, lei é sempre stata una delle mie scrittrici preferite.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND HARLEQUIN (US&CANADA) FOR THE PREVIEW!
December 11, 2015
Harlequin Historical is not my genre of choice. Has not been in many years. The reason I stopped reading this particularly series is that there was no growth or interest for me. After reading In Debt to the Earl by Elizabeth Rolls, I just might take another look. James has an agenda. To make his enemy pay by any means necessary. Lucy has a goal to survive the life she was born into with her head held high and her heart intact despite her father's abuse. Lucy sold this story for me. Her ordeal broke my heart but it also was wonderful to see a woman become stronger in mind, body and spirit. That is the type of heroine that is motivating to anyone that is facing adversity. I received an ARC of In Debt to the Earl in exchange for an honest review. The redemption and healing they needed was where they least expected to find it.
August 28, 2018
I read the second book in the series first and really liked it. However I was a little disappointed in this story. Though well written I didn’t like the hero's character much. I thought Lucy and Fitch were much more honourable than all the lords and villains around them. It did depict the attitude of society towards women and the poor really well. I didn’t find it romantic that the hero was always trying to take advantage of the poor girls helplessness in the guise of being kind to her. Even though he knew he was doing wrong he continued.
May 17, 2018
No...
April 28, 2025
First time reading this author, and I think she's absolutely fantastic. One of those authors (Like Carla Kelly and Louise Allen) where I think she actually *too good* to be writing for Mills & Boon/Harlequin.
I will say this was a book that was suffused with a sense of unease. The hero 'leading' the heroine into being his mistress was always and forever going to be coercive and wrong. He knew this - at one point he's even acknowledging that her lack of choices and desperate situation would essentially mean its rape. Luckily the author knows this too and doesn't gleefully rush the heroine into the mistress trap, but has her carefully testing the boundaries like a very weary rabbit. It makes for a incredibly involving read, I was so sucked into the story, but also a very uneasy read. And I LOVED it for that.
I also appreciated the author allowing the heroine to be hurt, like actually hurt, and put into danger. She lives a hard and dangerous life, and we're shown that not just told it. Makes the stakes so much higher.
Could have used a grovel from the hero, or at the very least a sorry for causing her so much trouble. But overall he is a good if misguided guy and I really liked him.
So I'm hugely impressed with this author and will be reading her again.
I will say this was a book that was suffused with a sense of unease. The hero 'leading' the heroine into being his mistress was always and forever going to be coercive and wrong. He knew this - at one point he's even acknowledging that her lack of choices and desperate situation would essentially mean its rape. Luckily the author knows this too and doesn't gleefully rush the heroine into the mistress trap, but has her carefully testing the boundaries like a very weary rabbit. It makes for a incredibly involving read, I was so sucked into the story, but also a very uneasy read. And I LOVED it for that.
I also appreciated the author allowing the heroine to be hurt, like actually hurt, and put into danger. She lives a hard and dangerous life, and we're shown that not just told it. Makes the stakes so much higher.
Could have used a grovel from the hero, or at the very least a sorry for causing her so much trouble. But overall he is a good if misguided guy and I really liked him.
So I'm hugely impressed with this author and will be reading her again.
January 4, 2020
Roll on Xmas Day .... settled in after a snack of leftovers and under the Air Conditioner on a 40+C day to read the first book in this series the 'Lords at the Altar'
I so enjoy Elizabeth's stories as she has a talent of humour, children and animals that build up her and at to each book. James was approached by his nephew after the nephew had been nearly beaten to death by debt collectors. Investigating he uncovers a crime ring that dupe young gentlemen and then attack them to push the issue and they had actually killed the brother of one of James's friends Hunter some time ago and Hunter's story is No 2 in this series. So the friends work together to follow the trail. James finds the daughter of the gambler who fleeced nephew, Lucy in the seedy rookery and he sets out to find her father who has run away knowing he is wanted. Lucy is left to pick up the pieces and james finds himself enmeshed in her troubles too. Great story told with Elizabeth Rolls' style and attention to detail. 2 books in one day and a terrific time for me with no cooking and the kids all away at the in-laws. Now for book 3 ???
I so enjoy Elizabeth's stories as she has a talent of humour, children and animals that build up her and at to each book. James was approached by his nephew after the nephew had been nearly beaten to death by debt collectors. Investigating he uncovers a crime ring that dupe young gentlemen and then attack them to push the issue and they had actually killed the brother of one of James's friends Hunter some time ago and Hunter's story is No 2 in this series. So the friends work together to follow the trail. James finds the daughter of the gambler who fleeced nephew, Lucy in the seedy rookery and he sets out to find her father who has run away knowing he is wanted. Lucy is left to pick up the pieces and james finds himself enmeshed in her troubles too. Great story told with Elizabeth Rolls' style and attention to detail. 2 books in one day and a terrific time for me with no cooking and the kids all away at the in-laws. Now for book 3 ???
July 16, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up. This is one of those books I am unsure what to rate it much less review it. If you are a Heyer fan this is the dark side compared to her books. Lucy was a wonderful heroine and James seemed grouchy a lot. My favorite character was Fitch, he was a true friend. Other characters were wonderful as well. And the villains were despicable.
There was instalust from the beginning and the steam level was up at the end. That cost it a star. This was my first book by this author and she writes a good story
There was instalust from the beginning and the steam level was up at the end. That cost it a star. This was my first book by this author and she writes a good story
December 12, 2018
I was a bit squicked by the starting premise of Lucy falling in love with this man she was so deeply indebted to, but then I was very pleased by how thoroughly the book engages with those questions of dubious consent. I love that Fitch and Lucy are called brother and sister multiple times through the book, because they really did become siblings through their shared experience and loyalty to each other. The end was very nice!
March 12, 2018
Rescuing the maiden Her father is a disreputable card sharp, James, Earl of Cambourne is hunting him. When he finds Lucy he can't help himself from wanting to rescue her. This complicates both of their lives. Eventually her father's cronies lead her into danger.
It's interesting and exciting and I enjoyed the read.
It's interesting and exciting and I enjoyed the read.
August 21, 2018
A very satisfying Regency, with many of the elements one seeks in these stories: Visits to Vauxhall, a society prizing manners over morality, Captain Sharps and gambling dens, and women who have to make tough life choices in a world dominated by men.
Elizabeth Rolls is writing the kind of Regency romance we don't see often enough these days.
Elizabeth Rolls is writing the kind of Regency romance we don't see often enough these days.
September 28, 2017
3.5* Sympathetic characters, a well constructed plot and not a ballroom in sight -all plus points for me added to not being able to fault the historical background. An enjoyable read which has got me looking for more books by this author, previously unknown to me.
January 3, 2025
the central theme of this one is rescue and revenge. the most dramatic rescue of the heroine is from the auction off her virginity. modern language. gamblers beaten when they can't pay their debts. a quick read.
December 25, 2017
Lived this one. Very captivating❤❤
January 24, 2018
This could have been great, but it wasn't.
September 20, 2018
Not much to say. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading the next book.
September 25, 2021
A slightly different take on a revenge story that was quite enjoyable.
February 8, 2023
Contains mature themes
April 9, 2023
loved
This was a Great book enjoyed it right to the end I am definitely looking for more by this author
This was a Great book enjoyed it right to the end I am definitely looking for more by this author
March 27, 2024
Got me off, so it did it's job.
July 23, 2024
Had trouble following characters. Lots of unkind words :(
June 20, 2025
It was just okay…barely. Pretty boring read.
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