A Servant with Secrets. A childhood in the rookery taught Lark Evans two things; how to survive a perilous world and people deserving of loyalty are precious few. When her friend goes missing, Lark will risk it all to find her. But the shadows of Mayfair are dangerous and her handsome new employer might just be the villain she’s seeking.
A Lord Born of Darkness. Alastair Blackwell never wanted to be the next Marquess of Warfield, but upon his father’s death, he discovers a secret that changes everything. To purge the demons of his past, he must destroy the arcane society his father founded long ago. His greatest challenge could prove to be his impertinent new housekeeper.
A Sinister Evil Thriving in Mayfair. Though Alastair vows to keep Lark far away from the evil she seeks, he can’t help but wonder if she could be the key to ending it all.
My love of romance began one summer when I was thirteen and complained of boredom. I ended up with one of my mother's Barbara Cartland books and an obsessive interest that expanded from there. My affinity for writing began with sappy pre-teen poems and led to a Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities.
I love pizza, wine, and dark brooding heroes! With a husband, three kids, and two dogs at home, it can be difficult to find the time (and the motivation!) to write. But somehow the words keep showing up on the page. I am endlessly grateful to the many wonderful readers who enjoy my books and ask for more!
When her closest friend goes missing, Lark Evans takes a position as housekeeper to the mysterious Lord Warfield in order to be close to where Harriet was last working. Alastair Blackwell hated his father; he never wanted the title or the tainted legacy. But to bury the past and prevent others from suffering, he vows to destroy the "Brotherhood" his father helped build.
This is the second book in the Peril & Persuasion series. I would recommend reading the previous story, Nobel Scoundrel, as well as the third book in the Fallen Ladies series, Lord of Lies. The "world building" helps set the stage for this novel's plot.
This is another excellent book from Amy Sandas! I loved both of these main characters. Lark was spunky, loyal, and brave. Alistair seemed dark but good, with a steadfast commitment to avenging his past and saving others. The revenge and intrigue was well built and I loved how Lark and Alistair were so attuned to each other. There was a magnetism as they circled around each other, trying to figure out if they were on the same side.
Tropes: Class Difference, Working Heroine, Revenge
Steam Rating: 3.5
* I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
Even though Amy Sandas has some books that came out in 2017, I didn't pick up my first one until last year. Since then I've read 10 of her books. This was a great series but this book was by far my favorite.
I loved the back story. Loved these two characters. So yummy.
Lark Evans was left as a foundling, but ran away from the orphanage as soon as she was able. She became a child of the rookery, and joined a gang of thieves. When Lark encountered an even younger child, Harriet, she disregarded all the advice from her cronies to leave her to fend for herself, and became Harriet’s self appointed guardian and protector. As the girls grew up, Lark even endured a strict school for charity girls because it’s what Harriet wanted to do. She did learn some valuable skills there, such as how to be a proper servant in a noble household. When Harriet disappears, leaving only a cryptic note for Lark not to look for her, of course, that’s exactly what Lark does. She applies for the job of housekeeper at a house with a notorious previous owner, one located close to where she can search for Harriet at every opportunity.
Alastair Blackwell, new Marquess of Warfield, is on a quest. His late father, a man he only met twice in his lifetime, was a debauched libertine, one who was part of a secret brotherhood of men from the highest reaches of society. These men felt themselves above the law and able to indulge in any perversion or crime that they chose. In fact, Alastair’s own mother was one of their victims, and she never really recovered from the damage his father inflicted upon her. Alastair is determined to find the remaining men of the brotherhood and bring them to justice. He vows to be nothing like his father was, but he is somewhat tainted by his sire’s reputation. Servant girls don’t want to work at his home, and he therefore ends up hiring Lark, though he feels she’s much too young for the job.
Both Lark and Alastair are skilled at being secretive as they each investigate their own cause, but that also means they are able to detect that the other is also up to something. They play a bit of cat and mouse before they come to discover that their causes have much in common. Lark seems almost fearless as she searches for Harriet. Her upbringing has made her strong and resourceful. Alastair’s childhood had no love from either parent, so it’s amazing that he turned into the strong and truly noble man he is. He is determined to do what’s right, and to protect any more innocent victims from falling prey to the brotherhood. Alastair’s honor also prevents him from acting on his intense attraction to Lark, since she is his servant, and, therefore under his protection.
Lark has never before felt the desire that she feels for Alastair, even though he backs away every time an intimate moment seems likely. Lark is a woman who goes after what she wants, and she isn’t hesitant to let Alastair know that she aches for him. Realizing that his reservations about her are tied back to his father, Lark manages to bring them together without making Alastair feel as though he’s following in his father’s footsteps. Their chemistry is amazing, and their honesty with each other about their feelings is wonderful. The love and warmth between them simply oozed off the pages, and is genuinely swoonworthy. TENDER BLACKGUARD is perfect for readers who want a solid, heartfelt romance with a heaping dash of steam.
This is definitely an original and it's different for sure in a good way. Yes he is a Marquess but it's set out of the ballrooms and in a different surrounding which is refreshing. And the mystery yet romantic steamy story is just amazing.. I loved this story.. This was my first book from this author and I definitely will be looking into more books from her.
4.5⭐️ I’ve been on a bit of an Amy Sandas kick lately, and honestly her writing has been exactly what I needed. I’ve been in a reading slump where it’s hard to get excited about starting something new, but Amy Sandas has this ability to hook you almost immediately. From the first few pages you’re already invested in the characters and the tension of the story, which I really appreciate when I’ve been struggling to stay engaged with books lately.
That being said, I’ve noticed something consistent across the few of her books I’ve read recently. She builds the story so well—the tension, the stakes, the slow burn between the characters, the mystery simmering underneath everything. But when the climax finally arrives, it resolves so quickly that it almost gives you whiplash. It’s like we’ve spent the entire book building toward this huge dramatic moment… and then suddenly it’s just over. I find myself sitting there thinking, wait… that’s it? I always want just a little more chaos, a little more fallout, a little more drama before everything gets wrapped up.
This story follows Lark Evans, who grew up in the rookeries and learned very early how cruel the world can be—especially for women with no power. When her friend goes missing, Lark becomes determined to find out what happened, even if it means stepping directly into the dangerous world of London’s elite. She ends up working for Alastair Blackwell, a brooding nobleman who has just inherited his father’s title… along with the horrifying discovery that his father founded a secret brotherhood responsible for abusing and exploiting vulnerable women.
And honestly, this part of the story hit very close to home. The entire plot revolves around powerful men protecting each other while preying on women who have no ability to fight back—maids, servants, women in desperate circumstances. It’s disturbingly believable, and reading it in 2026 while everything surrounding the Epstein files continues to come out made it feel even more unsettling. The story really taps into that very real anger about how power can be abused and hidden behind wealth and status.
But beyond the darker themes, what really sold me on the book was the romance trope: a forbidden slow-burn employer/employee relationship. I will always eat that up. The tension between Lark and Alastair is fantastic. Lark is sharp, determined, and refuses to be intimidated, while Alastair is the classic tortured hero trying to dismantle the terrible legacy his father left behind.
Lark was honestly such a great heroine. She’s resourceful, brave, and refuses to be treated like she’s powerless—even when she technically is in terms of social status. Watching her challenge Alastair and push into spaces she’s not supposed to occupy was really satisfying.
Alastair… took a little longer to warm up to. And by “a little longer,” I mean this man spent half the book doing the classic tortured-hero routine of: “Yes I want you.” “No I can’t have you.” “Actually I do want you.” “Wait never mind I must protect you from myself.”
And by the time Lark was finally like “fine, I’m leaving then”, suddenly he’s all “DON’T LEAVE ME.”
Men. Truly.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this story. The premise is strong, the writing is engaging, and the romance definitely delivers on the slow-burn tension. I just wish the final confrontation with the brotherhood had a little more drama and lingering consequences because the buildup deserved a bigger payoff.
But if you love brooding nobles, determined heroines, forbidden employer/servant romance, and secret societies getting taken down, this one is absolutely worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A Servant with Secrets. A childhood in the rookery taught Lark Evans two things; how to survive a perilous world and people deserving of loyalty are precious few. When her friend goes missing, Lark will risk it all to find her. But the shadows of Mayfair are dangerous and her handsome new employer might just be the villain she’s seeking.
A Lord Born of Darkness. Alastair Blackwell never wanted to be the next Marquess of Warfield, but upon his father’s death, he discovers a secret that changes everything. To purge the demons of his past, he must destroy the arcane society his father founded long ago. His greatest challenge could prove to be his impertinent new housekeeper.
A Sinister Evil Thriving in Mayfair. Though Alastair vows to keep Lark far away from the evil she seeks, he can’t help but wonder if she could be the key to ending it all.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
When their goals collide, which path will they choose ...
I discovered the author’s talented work not so long ago and the previous book in this series was a world of intricately webbed plot and sensual tension. This new one is a good match to it. It has the vibe of a gothic tale, yet it is even darker than a tale with real ghosts. Because ghosts there are, just of a different kind, those which haunts a person’s mind and blacken its soul. Lark is some way is well named, no one seems to see past her obedient as demure attitude. No one, except Alastair. From the beginning, he spots there is more to his new housekeeper than what she lets slip. She is on a mission, to discover what became of her friend. The young woman who made her change the course of her life seems to have vanished. And while no person of importance would look at a simple maid disappearance, her friend who is more resourceful than most is much determined to dig into the world of deceit surrounding the place she was last seen. She just does not know what to think of her new employer, he stirs from her feelings she never knew she could feel. He unsettles her because her response to his presence is like landing on a whole new place, longing and edginess, she feels him in her skin. Alastair too, is looking for answers, more than answers, he wants justice for his mother, for other powerless women who were dragged into the darkness by evil men like his sire. And all because he was conceived in violence, he sees him as sin itself, a tarnished soul bearing his father’s devilish mark. He does not believe in any redeeming for himself, blind to his own worth, he has just decided to stop the monsters who hide behind society’s masks, yet lurk into the shadows to sate their most base compulsions.
Lark and Alastair’s relationship is one of hard won trust, scorching hot chemistry and fingertips too many time burned to really acknowledge there could be more for them if they were willing. From their sad past and the darkness of their task will emerge light, a bright love rising from the foundation of tears and pains. 5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
Since reading the first Peril & Persuasion book I've been looking forward to reading the story of the mysterious Lord Warfield. Although you could read this as a standalone, for maximum enjoyment I would recommend reading the first book in this series, and ideally also Lord of Lies beforehand.
Lark Evans is determined to find her missing friend and takes a position in Lord Warfield's household in order to investigate. She finds herself in a strange neighbourhood, increasingly intrigued by her stern employer and his odd behaviours.
Amy offers us a deliciously dark setting for this story, with hints of gothic and mystery that I felt were a lot of fun for the reader - who doesn't love a dark, mysterious mansion with a handsome lord lurking in the shadows? As I've come to expect, her heroine Lark is both unconventional and strong, which is another reason I keep coming back to Amy's novels. Lark is tough and has a quiet strength to her that makes her equal to her role in this plot and believable as a match for Alastair. Alastair is tormented by the knowledge of who his father was and struggles to see good for himself. Lark and Alastair see qualities in each other that they are unable to see in themselves, which slowly pulls their relationship together.
As the plot progresses Lark and Alastair start to unravel the mystery with the help of some characters we already know, and the pace picks up. I particularly enjoyed the second half of the book as this all came together. I can't wait to see what Amy will come up with next.
* I received an advance copy of this book from the author, in order to provide an honest review.
I am loving this series. It is not the usual Regency balls and ton (okay, there is some ton) instead these stories delve into the lives of the outsiders. Yes, Alastair is a peer but he has been far away from London as possible. His father was a piece of work that drove Alastair and his mother away (his mother was not much better but you really can’t blame her too much after what his father did). There is mystery, sex games, bruisers, dishonorable lords, a housekeeper who was a thief and loads of tension in this story. Now that should grab your attention. Anyway, the story of Alastair and Lark is so compelling and imaginative that you will find it hard to put down. Amy has really outdone herself with this series. Not that I don’t like all of the books I have read from her but the dark stories are my favorites.
Second installment in the series. I love Governess's stories and this one did not disappoint. The romance between Lark and Alastair was very slow. The author did not rush into it. There wasn't a lot of sex scenes either but the few there were very Hot. There is intrigue, Suspense and some characters from previous books makes a few appearances. ARC provided by the Author. I voluntarily give my opinion.
This series gets more interesting with each new installment. I found Lark & Alastair's story full of all the best parts of a story. You get some romance, mystery, action & suspense in one amazing story. I also enjoy the continuation of the larger plot from book one. It feels like it will continue on through out this series & I love that.
This is a continuation of the series Peril & Persuasion. Lark is looking for her friend and Alastair is looking for justice for his mother. If you are looking for romance with a bit of mystery. This is it. Looking forward to read more in this series.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I am afraid it will be my last.
A friend of Lark Evans, Harriet, disappears and in order to find her she takes up the position of governess in the home of the foreboding Marquess of Warfield. Both have pasts and they are instantly attracted to each other. There is much skullduggery, hidden passageways and far too many inappropriate sex scenes.
It just didn't grab me and I didn't warm to either of the characters. I only managed to finish it by skipping over boring passages and by the end I really didn't care what happened.