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The Maidens of Mayhem #2
The Lady Loves Danger
The society of daring women known as the Maidens of Mayhem dedicate their lives to protecting London’s most vulnerable citizens from injustice. Daring and discreet, their missions lead them to people and places they least expect, often putting their lives—and their hearts—in peril...
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for a boy who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen certainly cuts a dashing figure. But is he hoping to save the child—or harm him?
Sebastian has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible. Sebastian knows they can help each other, if only she’ll let her guard down. And, as they become entrenched in danger, they realize how strong their ties have grown—and how much they need one another.
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for a boy who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen certainly cuts a dashing figure. But is he hoping to save the child—or harm him?
Sebastian has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible. Sebastian knows they can help each other, if only she’ll let her guard down. And, as they become entrenched in danger, they realize how strong their ties have grown—and how much they need one another.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2022
About the author
Anabelle Bryant
23 books415 followersAnabelle began reading at age three and never stopped. Her passion for reading soon turned into a passion for writing and an author was born. Happy to grab a suitcase if it ensures a new adventure, Anabelle finds endless inspiration in travel, especially imaginary jaunts into Regency England, a far cry from her home in New Jersey. Instead, her clever characters live out her daydreams because really, who wouldn't want to dance with a handsome duke or kiss a wicked earl?
Though teaching keeps her grounded, photography, running and writing, counterbalance her wanderlust. Often found with her nose in a book, Anabelle earned her Master's Degree and is completing her Doctorate Degree in education. Thrilled to be an author for Harlequin's Carina line, Anabelle's historical romances are character driven. She strives to provide a heartfelt connection between her hero, heroine, and the reader, believing the emotional journey on the path to true love is the most important bond. Clever secondary characters and lively conversation keep the pages turning.
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnabelleBrya...
Though teaching keeps her grounded, photography, running and writing, counterbalance her wanderlust. Often found with her nose in a book, Anabelle earned her Master's Degree and is completing her Doctorate Degree in education. Thrilled to be an author for Harlequin's Carina line, Anabelle's historical romances are character driven. She strives to provide a heartfelt connection between her hero, heroine, and the reader, believing the emotional journey on the path to true love is the most important bond. Clever secondary characters and lively conversation keep the pages turning.
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnabelleBrya...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
May 27, 2022
The Lady Loves Danger follows Lady Delilah Ashbrook, a woman trying to find a young boy who was kidnapped while in her care. When Delilah crosses paths with Sebastian St. Allen, an agent for the crown, they team up and work together to find the missing boy. Suspecting the boy was abducted to be sold, Delilah unfolds an child trafficking operation that is bigger and more sinister than she imagined.
Sebastian dedicates his life to helping people in dangerous and precarious situations, so when Delilah tells him of her maid’s missing son, Sebastian readily offers his assistance. As the two become entrenched in the mystery, they must face their ever-growing feelings for each other.
Delilah and Sebastian are well-developed characters, and their opposites-attract romance is filled with witty banter and sexual tension. Both are selfless and brave, and they make a really good team. Their romantic relationship builds gradually as they work together, yet their connection is strong from their first meeting. I love that Sebastian doesn’t dissuade Delilah from doing what she wants. Instead, he encourages her and even teaches her self-defense, which is one of my favorite scenes in the book. They definitely bring out the best in each other, and their romance is the highlight of the story.
The Maidens of Mayhem are a secret society of women who protect those in need and fight injustice. They are fierce, intelligent, and skilled women, and their actions are similar to Sebastian’s. They all have similar goals in righting the wrongs of those less fortunate. The story just touches on the surface of this intriguing group, and I wish there were more of them in the story. I thought they would have more of a role in exposing and capturing the child traffickers. Hopefully, their skills and actions will be highlighted more in the next book.
An intriguing story with action, adventure, mystery, and romance, The Lady Loves Danger is a fun addition to the series. I do wish some of the characters were fleshed out a bit more, especially The Maidens of Mayhem, but overall I enjoyed the book. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Sebastian dedicates his life to helping people in dangerous and precarious situations, so when Delilah tells him of her maid’s missing son, Sebastian readily offers his assistance. As the two become entrenched in the mystery, they must face their ever-growing feelings for each other.
Delilah and Sebastian are well-developed characters, and their opposites-attract romance is filled with witty banter and sexual tension. Both are selfless and brave, and they make a really good team. Their romantic relationship builds gradually as they work together, yet their connection is strong from their first meeting. I love that Sebastian doesn’t dissuade Delilah from doing what she wants. Instead, he encourages her and even teaches her self-defense, which is one of my favorite scenes in the book. They definitely bring out the best in each other, and their romance is the highlight of the story.
The Maidens of Mayhem are a secret society of women who protect those in need and fight injustice. They are fierce, intelligent, and skilled women, and their actions are similar to Sebastian’s. They all have similar goals in righting the wrongs of those less fortunate. The story just touches on the surface of this intriguing group, and I wish there were more of them in the story. I thought they would have more of a role in exposing and capturing the child traffickers. Hopefully, their skills and actions will be highlighted more in the next book.
An intriguing story with action, adventure, mystery, and romance, The Lady Loves Danger is a fun addition to the series. I do wish some of the characters were fleshed out a bit more, especially The Maidens of Mayhem, but overall I enjoyed the book. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
June 1, 2022
Enthralling start had me hooked!
Pleasing characters made this an equally pleasing read. Although I felt the end was a trifle rushed, as was the romance. Still two hearts were electrified, two noses discerned the fetching aromas surrounding their equally as interesting counterparts. A few small details that I wondered about, including, did I miss something? Has Sebastian St. Allen, a peer’s by blow, product of the streets like the Seven Dials neighborhood, become a peer whilst my eyes were closed? The ending brings that question up for me. Although to be fair Sebastian always says he’s just St. Allen, never Mister! Hmm!
Anyway we have stolen children, stolen dogs and some very nasty happenings. St. Allen meets his match in the aforementioned surrounds when Lady Delilah Ashbrook investigates the disappearance of her maid’s son, for which she holds herself responsible. An adventurous woman, in more ways than one, sizzling even, who ends up being befriended by the Maispdens. I was sorely disappointed in our heroine when she yelled at exactly the wrong moment. Hours of patient waiting destroyed by an uncontrollable call. This impulsive action at the penultimate moment just didn’t add up with her character, but it did act as a lever for what followed. And throughout her auntaccuses her of being impulsive, but really that incident was just plain out of sync.
St Allen is an agent for the Crown along with a couple of other interesting fellows and the diabolical Eva, who manages to throw a spanner or two into the works.
Of course all is resolved, although there’s a few loose ends hanging about should one care to notice.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
Pleasing characters made this an equally pleasing read. Although I felt the end was a trifle rushed, as was the romance. Still two hearts were electrified, two noses discerned the fetching aromas surrounding their equally as interesting counterparts. A few small details that I wondered about, including, did I miss something? Has Sebastian St. Allen, a peer’s by blow, product of the streets like the Seven Dials neighborhood, become a peer whilst my eyes were closed? The ending brings that question up for me. Although to be fair Sebastian always says he’s just St. Allen, never Mister! Hmm!
Anyway we have stolen children, stolen dogs and some very nasty happenings. St. Allen meets his match in the aforementioned surrounds when Lady Delilah Ashbrook investigates the disappearance of her maid’s son, for which she holds herself responsible. An adventurous woman, in more ways than one, sizzling even, who ends up being befriended by the Maispdens. I was sorely disappointed in our heroine when she yelled at exactly the wrong moment. Hours of patient waiting destroyed by an uncontrollable call. This impulsive action at the penultimate moment just didn’t add up with her character, but it did act as a lever for what followed. And throughout her auntaccuses her of being impulsive, but really that incident was just plain out of sync.
St Allen is an agent for the Crown along with a couple of other interesting fellows and the diabolical Eva, who manages to throw a spanner or two into the works.
Of course all is resolved, although there’s a few loose ends hanging about should one care to notice.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
April 25, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this arc. 💚
"good things, like our love shall never come to an end. The years ahead offer us unspoken promise of laughter, passion and joy"
Interesting concept However, the execution of the plot wasn't all that great and could've been better. Reading the first half was kinda like chore, I was bored. On the other hand, I actually enjoyed reading the second half for many reasons. Firstly, Delilah grew on me, I started liking her character and found her unapologetically bold and strong. Secondly, good smut. 🤭
The writing style wasn't the easiest to follow, and was very dull at times. The romance needed alot of work. Alas I spent nice time reading it.
"good things, like our love shall never come to an end. The years ahead offer us unspoken promise of laughter, passion and joy"
Interesting concept However, the execution of the plot wasn't all that great and could've been better. Reading the first half was kinda like chore, I was bored. On the other hand, I actually enjoyed reading the second half for many reasons. Firstly, Delilah grew on me, I started liking her character and found her unapologetically bold and strong. Secondly, good smut. 🤭
The writing style wasn't the easiest to follow, and was very dull at times. The romance needed alot of work. Alas I spent nice time reading it.
June 20, 2022
Lady Delilah Ashbrook has been devoting her time and resources to finding Oliver, the son of her lady’s maid and friend, who disappeared while in her care. Afraid he’ll be sold, Delilah accepts the help of the Maidens of Mayhem when they approach her to offer their aid. Her efforts also bring her into contact with Sebastian St. Allen, a mysterious man who’s also trying to locate missing and stolen children. Given his access to many more resources than Delilah has, she accepts his help but not his attempts to keep her on the sidelines of the search.
Sebastian's attempts to help the children of the street are personal for him and he uses his experience to seamlessly navigate London’s seediest streets and grandest ballrooms. Having always eschewed personal relationships, he finds himself unprepared for his own reaction to Delilah. Her headstrong independence infuriates him as much as it attracts him, and he can’t help but want to be closer to her. As they work together to get to the bottom of things, it becomes clear to both of them that they’ve come to need each other as well.
I wanted to love this book, especially since I really enjoy some mystery and suspense in my romance, but sadly this one just didn’t work for me, for several reasons. Mostly, I found Delilah to be absolutely infuriating. She did and said a lot of things in the name of being an independent woman that were just nonsensical. She was annoyed at having to accept help from a man when she should’ve just been grateful to have help at all, especially after she ruined his investigation. She’d also already been turned away by Bow Street and hadn’t even yet met the Maidens, so I would’ve expected her to just be happy to take any help she could get. Delilah also gets very repetitive in her arguments that Sebastian is trying to protect her and is thereby excluding her. She realizes how vulnerable she really is and how much she needs to learn, and yet she somehow still thinks she can help the Maidens of Mayhem. She has all these inner monologues about her self-reliance and such, but I never actually saw any examples of her being self-reliant without getting into some sort of trouble or life-threatening situation. Delilah talks a good game about how bold she is and while that was true, she often confused boldness for simple foolhardiness. She’s prepared to fight but since she’s an aristocratic lady with no training, I could never figure out how this was supposed to work. It was almost as if she was meant to have some sort of training in her backstory and that just got left out.
This is a bit of an unrelated quibble, but I was also quite confused about Delilah’s backstory. She says she’s only gentry, but for her to be styled as Lady Delilah (not Lady Ashbrook as she’s often referred to in the ARC and which will hopefully be corrected), she has to be at least the daughter of an earl. Along these lines, I also wanted more information on how the maid has a son who’s such an accepted part of the household. Oliver’s father or how he came to be are never mentioned. I was also very confused about how we have an aristocratic household with only a cook, a maid, the aunt, Delilah, and the maid’s son. It just didn’t quite all add up. It might’ve made slightly more sense if the maid was a companion instead but even then, I’d still be scratching my head about how all these genteel ladies are living alone without even a footman.
These little complaints aside, Delilah was just a puzzle to me in general. We’re told all these things about her character and convictions, but not much backs it up. When she’s threatened, she doesn’t tell Sebastian the most pertinent facts about the intruder, despite her supposed intelligence and even though Sebastian has done so much to help her, but she tells the Maidens despite that they have accomplished nothing demonstrable. This definitely hurt the romance for me, and it already wasn’t very strong. In her activities with the Maidens, Delilah just seems like she’s out for a lark, never taking the risk seriously and mostly just getting in Sebastian’s way and either undoing his investigative work or causing him to come to harm, but somehow, she never sees this as a problem. I also wasn’t a big fan of the attempt to throw in some other woman drama here, especially given that it was resolved like an afterthought, and I was left wondering what the point was and wanting Sebastian to put her in her place more firmly. The same is true of much of the mystery aspects as well now that I think of it. The solution becomes fairly obvious fairly quickly, but I was still left feeling like some things were unresolved and given that the case was the basis for nearly every conversation between Sebastian and Delilah, their feeble romance suffered.
The connection between Sebastian and Delilah didn’t really grab me and he mostly seemed like just another lark to her, a bit of rough and something different from the few lords she’d met in her short time in London. She often jumps to conclusions and doesn’t display the intelligence she’s purported to have. Delilah is often so fixated on not being dependent on a man or ceding her perceived control that she habitually makes poor decisions, disregards safety, and the classic, jumps to conclusions about her man’s behavior around other women. This last is slightly understandable given the lack of depth in the conversations between herself and Sebastian, but I’m still not a fan of this plot device in place of mature communication, which we never really got. Mostly, she just proclaims about how capable she is but none of her actions back that up. If anything, she shows Sebastian time and time again that she needs to be rescued and/or can’t help herself, and her expectations of her own capabilities aren’t remotely realistic. She’s only just moved to a new city, much larger than any she’s dealt with before, and yet we’re supposed to believe that she can navigate even its worst areas with no problems, and I just didn’t buy that. She comes off as a spoiled young aristocrat engaging in a rebellion, rather than actually accomplishing anything and I don’t think that was the intention. Even in the end when the mystery was solved and the danger had passed, I still never saw much in the way of romance or a connection between Delilah and Sebastian. Instead, they were just rather flat and there was a lot of telling here but not much in the way of showing. Sebastian mentioned his hesitancy to connect with anyone on a deeper level, but he felt differently about Delilah, which was great, but I wanted to know why. I wanted to see the emotion and why he felt that way and it was never really demonstrated very well.
I’ve read and loved this author’s writing previously, but this book just didn’t fit that mold for me and had too many things that annoyed me enough to pull me out of the story. I may continue the Maidens series, but I’m not sure as of now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Sebastian's attempts to help the children of the street are personal for him and he uses his experience to seamlessly navigate London’s seediest streets and grandest ballrooms. Having always eschewed personal relationships, he finds himself unprepared for his own reaction to Delilah. Her headstrong independence infuriates him as much as it attracts him, and he can’t help but want to be closer to her. As they work together to get to the bottom of things, it becomes clear to both of them that they’ve come to need each other as well.
I wanted to love this book, especially since I really enjoy some mystery and suspense in my romance, but sadly this one just didn’t work for me, for several reasons. Mostly, I found Delilah to be absolutely infuriating. She did and said a lot of things in the name of being an independent woman that were just nonsensical. She was annoyed at having to accept help from a man when she should’ve just been grateful to have help at all, especially after she ruined his investigation. She’d also already been turned away by Bow Street and hadn’t even yet met the Maidens, so I would’ve expected her to just be happy to take any help she could get. Delilah also gets very repetitive in her arguments that Sebastian is trying to protect her and is thereby excluding her. She realizes how vulnerable she really is and how much she needs to learn, and yet she somehow still thinks she can help the Maidens of Mayhem. She has all these inner monologues about her self-reliance and such, but I never actually saw any examples of her being self-reliant without getting into some sort of trouble or life-threatening situation. Delilah talks a good game about how bold she is and while that was true, she often confused boldness for simple foolhardiness. She’s prepared to fight but since she’s an aristocratic lady with no training, I could never figure out how this was supposed to work. It was almost as if she was meant to have some sort of training in her backstory and that just got left out.
This is a bit of an unrelated quibble, but I was also quite confused about Delilah’s backstory. She says she’s only gentry, but for her to be styled as Lady Delilah (not Lady Ashbrook as she’s often referred to in the ARC and which will hopefully be corrected), she has to be at least the daughter of an earl. Along these lines, I also wanted more information on how the maid has a son who’s such an accepted part of the household. Oliver’s father or how he came to be are never mentioned. I was also very confused about how we have an aristocratic household with only a cook, a maid, the aunt, Delilah, and the maid’s son. It just didn’t quite all add up. It might’ve made slightly more sense if the maid was a companion instead but even then, I’d still be scratching my head about how all these genteel ladies are living alone without even a footman.
These little complaints aside, Delilah was just a puzzle to me in general. We’re told all these things about her character and convictions, but not much backs it up. When she’s threatened, she doesn’t tell Sebastian the most pertinent facts about the intruder, despite her supposed intelligence and even though Sebastian has done so much to help her, but she tells the Maidens despite that they have accomplished nothing demonstrable. This definitely hurt the romance for me, and it already wasn’t very strong. In her activities with the Maidens, Delilah just seems like she’s out for a lark, never taking the risk seriously and mostly just getting in Sebastian’s way and either undoing his investigative work or causing him to come to harm, but somehow, she never sees this as a problem. I also wasn’t a big fan of the attempt to throw in some other woman drama here, especially given that it was resolved like an afterthought, and I was left wondering what the point was and wanting Sebastian to put her in her place more firmly. The same is true of much of the mystery aspects as well now that I think of it. The solution becomes fairly obvious fairly quickly, but I was still left feeling like some things were unresolved and given that the case was the basis for nearly every conversation between Sebastian and Delilah, their feeble romance suffered.
The connection between Sebastian and Delilah didn’t really grab me and he mostly seemed like just another lark to her, a bit of rough and something different from the few lords she’d met in her short time in London. She often jumps to conclusions and doesn’t display the intelligence she’s purported to have. Delilah is often so fixated on not being dependent on a man or ceding her perceived control that she habitually makes poor decisions, disregards safety, and the classic, jumps to conclusions about her man’s behavior around other women. This last is slightly understandable given the lack of depth in the conversations between herself and Sebastian, but I’m still not a fan of this plot device in place of mature communication, which we never really got. Mostly, she just proclaims about how capable she is but none of her actions back that up. If anything, she shows Sebastian time and time again that she needs to be rescued and/or can’t help herself, and her expectations of her own capabilities aren’t remotely realistic. She’s only just moved to a new city, much larger than any she’s dealt with before, and yet we’re supposed to believe that she can navigate even its worst areas with no problems, and I just didn’t buy that. She comes off as a spoiled young aristocrat engaging in a rebellion, rather than actually accomplishing anything and I don’t think that was the intention. Even in the end when the mystery was solved and the danger had passed, I still never saw much in the way of romance or a connection between Delilah and Sebastian. Instead, they were just rather flat and there was a lot of telling here but not much in the way of showing. Sebastian mentioned his hesitancy to connect with anyone on a deeper level, but he felt differently about Delilah, which was great, but I wanted to know why. I wanted to see the emotion and why he felt that way and it was never really demonstrated very well.
I’ve read and loved this author’s writing previously, but this book just didn’t fit that mold for me and had too many things that annoyed me enough to pull me out of the story. I may continue the Maidens series, but I’m not sure as of now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
July 1, 2022
Amazing story of intrigue, secrets, love and compassion. Lady Delilah Ashbrook finds herself in trouble and despite being very resourceful needs the help offered by Sebastian St. Allen. Sebastien works for the Crown and is no stranger to the dangers of the street. Loved the relationship between these two, the side characters, and the plot was engrossing. Highly recommend.
August 21, 2022
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
When Lady Delilah Ashbrooke's maid's son is kidnapped in broad daylight when out shopping, she will stop at nothing to find young Oliver, and return him home. Even if that means going into the slums in the dead of night. Luckily, she crosses paths with Sebastian St Allen, who is also looking into the kidnapping - and dog-napping of a Duchess's prized pet - and he is on hand to save her from attack. Deciding to work with Sebastian, and ask for his help, Delilah tells him everything she knows, and soon finds herself crossing paths with the Maidens of Mayhem, uncovering more behind the abduction than she could ever imagine, and finding herself in danger. But she soon discovers that rather than shying away from the danger, she realises the adventure, and being able to spend more time with the handsome and mysterious Sebastian.
I quite enjoyed the first book in this series, and had high hopes for book 2. Though I didn't love The Lady Loves Danger, I did enjoy it, and found Delilah to be a refreshing heroine. She was quite a privileged young lady, whose aunt had brought her to London following the deaths of her parents, and was ready to give her a season, and see her happily married. Delilah, though, had other ideas. While she might enjoy having a family one day, she had no intentions of settling down just yet, and had no real need to do so either. She loved her maid, Beth, and Beth's son Oliver, who were like family to her, and so she thought nothing of it take Oliver shopping for a birthday present in the middle of the day. After a commotion on the street, Oliver got away from her, and he and the duchess's dog were bundled into a waiting carriage, and haven't been seen from since. Delilah, in my opinion, was really brave to journey into Seven Dials alone, at night, but she thought only of Oliver, and wanting to see him returned. Her first meeting with Sebastian was full of action, but the attraction was clear from the beginning, and both brought out the best in the other. Sebastian was full of secrets. An agent for the crown, he had a special interest in helping the orphans and strays in London, after he found himself one of them at the age of 5. Hearing about Oliver's abduction, he hopes to find him before anything happens, and though Delilah is an outsider, he's willing to work with her. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the couple, and that their relationship felt like one of equals. There were some scenes with another agent which were unnecessary in my opinion, but seemed to be included for the drama. A much better book than the first, and I think I'd probably continue with the series.
When Lady Delilah Ashbrooke's maid's son is kidnapped in broad daylight when out shopping, she will stop at nothing to find young Oliver, and return him home. Even if that means going into the slums in the dead of night. Luckily, she crosses paths with Sebastian St Allen, who is also looking into the kidnapping - and dog-napping of a Duchess's prized pet - and he is on hand to save her from attack. Deciding to work with Sebastian, and ask for his help, Delilah tells him everything she knows, and soon finds herself crossing paths with the Maidens of Mayhem, uncovering more behind the abduction than she could ever imagine, and finding herself in danger. But she soon discovers that rather than shying away from the danger, she realises the adventure, and being able to spend more time with the handsome and mysterious Sebastian.
I quite enjoyed the first book in this series, and had high hopes for book 2. Though I didn't love The Lady Loves Danger, I did enjoy it, and found Delilah to be a refreshing heroine. She was quite a privileged young lady, whose aunt had brought her to London following the deaths of her parents, and was ready to give her a season, and see her happily married. Delilah, though, had other ideas. While she might enjoy having a family one day, she had no intentions of settling down just yet, and had no real need to do so either. She loved her maid, Beth, and Beth's son Oliver, who were like family to her, and so she thought nothing of it take Oliver shopping for a birthday present in the middle of the day. After a commotion on the street, Oliver got away from her, and he and the duchess's dog were bundled into a waiting carriage, and haven't been seen from since. Delilah, in my opinion, was really brave to journey into Seven Dials alone, at night, but she thought only of Oliver, and wanting to see him returned. Her first meeting with Sebastian was full of action, but the attraction was clear from the beginning, and both brought out the best in the other. Sebastian was full of secrets. An agent for the crown, he had a special interest in helping the orphans and strays in London, after he found himself one of them at the age of 5. Hearing about Oliver's abduction, he hopes to find him before anything happens, and though Delilah is an outsider, he's willing to work with her. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the couple, and that their relationship felt like one of equals. There were some scenes with another agent which were unnecessary in my opinion, but seemed to be included for the drama. A much better book than the first, and I think I'd probably continue with the series.
February 27, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this for preview; this is my freely given opinion.
This is the second of the Maidens of Mayhem series from Anabelle Bryant. This was a likeable story; it had a lot of potential, but I felt that it did not quite reach the full potential. The original three remaining Maidens of Mayhem were involved in the story, but later on, and really more on the sidelines than a core part of the story, and not essential to it. That is a shame, as I was enjoying the supportive female friendships, and the strong, independent female themes.
This was about Delilah, Lady Ashbrook, an orphaned lady who recently moved to London from Birmingham, to live with her aunt. She had a recent loss to her household which she takes responsibility for - the apparent kidnapping of her maid/friend's son, Oliver, while he was in her care. As such, she goes about on her own to see what she can do to find him. As such, she runs into St. Allen, an agent for the Crown who works to investigate various crimes in London. She comes across as a countrified naif born into Society and privilege. He appears to be a cold professional who scorns the aristocracy - opposites. But he is very attracted to her, and helps her with her endeavours. Through their activities, and her eventual meeting with the Maidens of Mayhem, she learns her own strengths, and explores her boldness and strength, which in turns intrigues him, earns his respect, but fosters his fear for her safety as well, as he realizes how much he cares for her.
A rather sweet story about Delilah and St. Allen, but I felt that overall, the story was predictable, with not a lot of depth, and a fair amount of suspension of belief. Delilah, as a lady of the Ton, and a single miss newly from the country, seems pretty free to come and go from the home, and with no sense of danger initially, despite being poorly prepared for the dangers of areas like the Seven Dials as night. The tension between Eve and her seems rather unexplored, and there is no real conclusion to that. The mystery of the diamonds was not really a mystery, and would it not have been easier to just get rid of Oliver, considering the lack of care for children? The relationships related to the Duchess of Grandon seem to not really have any cohesiveness, especially that rather abrupt resolution between her and her nephew. Maybe it was supposed to be an alternative route of suspicion, but it did not really work for me.
Also, what was the real conclusion - sure there was an HEA - but then there was the tack on in the end with the Duke and Duchess of Aylesford, from book 1, making a tack on cameo - even though Scarlett was no longer a Maiden of Mayhem (and it was implied she and Delilah never met), and what about Delilah and St. Allen? Does it mean she continues as a Maiden and he as an Agent, and they agree to respect and care for each other as equals, or they both give up their activities understanding that they want neither one in danger?
A fair story, but I rather enjoyed the first one more.
2.75 stars out of 5 for me.
This is the second of the Maidens of Mayhem series from Anabelle Bryant. This was a likeable story; it had a lot of potential, but I felt that it did not quite reach the full potential. The original three remaining Maidens of Mayhem were involved in the story, but later on, and really more on the sidelines than a core part of the story, and not essential to it. That is a shame, as I was enjoying the supportive female friendships, and the strong, independent female themes.
This was about Delilah, Lady Ashbrook, an orphaned lady who recently moved to London from Birmingham, to live with her aunt. She had a recent loss to her household which she takes responsibility for - the apparent kidnapping of her maid/friend's son, Oliver, while he was in her care. As such, she goes about on her own to see what she can do to find him. As such, she runs into St. Allen, an agent for the Crown who works to investigate various crimes in London. She comes across as a countrified naif born into Society and privilege. He appears to be a cold professional who scorns the aristocracy - opposites. But he is very attracted to her, and helps her with her endeavours. Through their activities, and her eventual meeting with the Maidens of Mayhem, she learns her own strengths, and explores her boldness and strength, which in turns intrigues him, earns his respect, but fosters his fear for her safety as well, as he realizes how much he cares for her.
A rather sweet story about Delilah and St. Allen, but I felt that overall, the story was predictable, with not a lot of depth, and a fair amount of suspension of belief. Delilah, as a lady of the Ton, and a single miss newly from the country, seems pretty free to come and go from the home, and with no sense of danger initially, despite being poorly prepared for the dangers of areas like the Seven Dials as night. The tension between Eve and her seems rather unexplored, and there is no real conclusion to that. The mystery of the diamonds was not really a mystery, and would it not have been easier to just get rid of Oliver, considering the lack of care for children? The relationships related to the Duchess of Grandon seem to not really have any cohesiveness, especially that rather abrupt resolution between her and her nephew. Maybe it was supposed to be an alternative route of suspicion, but it did not really work for me.
Also, what was the real conclusion - sure there was an HEA - but then there was the tack on in the end with the Duke and Duchess of Aylesford, from book 1, making a tack on cameo - even though Scarlett was no longer a Maiden of Mayhem (and it was implied she and Delilah never met), and what about Delilah and St. Allen? Does it mean she continues as a Maiden and he as an Agent, and they agree to respect and care for each other as equals, or they both give up their activities understanding that they want neither one in danger?
A fair story, but I rather enjoyed the first one more.
2.75 stars out of 5 for me.
May 31, 2022
The society of daring women known as the Maidens of Mayhem dedicate their lives to protecting London’s most vulnerable citizens from injustice.
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for Oliver her maid’s son who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible.
This is the second book in the series & I found it to be so much better than the first & I’m glad that I decide to continue with the series. A lovely mix of mystery & romance. I loved both Delilah & Sebastian, they were perfect for each other, the chemistry between them was sizzling, their road to a HEA made for a delightful read which I devoured in a couple of sittings
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read. .
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for Oliver her maid’s son who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible.
This is the second book in the series & I found it to be so much better than the first & I’m glad that I decide to continue with the series. A lovely mix of mystery & romance. I loved both Delilah & Sebastian, they were perfect for each other, the chemistry between them was sizzling, their road to a HEA made for a delightful read which I devoured in a couple of sittings
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read. .
February 22, 2022
This is the second book in the Maidens of Mayhem series and I didn’t read the first. Sebastian St Allen and Delilah Ashbrook cross paths in Seven Dials both trying to interrupt a child selling scheme. He trying to right society’s wrongs and she’s looking for her maid’s missing son.
In the first few pages we’re telling not showing, complaining about tight corsets, and jumping point of view in the middle of a scene, so great start. I know this is the second in a series, but it took too long to loosely tie Delilah to the Maidens of Mayhem. Unfortunately, there was little explanation as to who the Maidens of Mayhem are and what their goals are. In a series, I’d expect some introduction to the group at large. Delilah isn’t even in their group until the end and she doesn’t seem to fit. She doesn’t act like she likes danger at all.
This was a slog to finish. The regency era wasn’t set well, there was way too much telling, the characters are one-dimensional, and nothing they said or did made me care about them. Neither the mystery nor the romance captured my attention. And there was no mayhem.
I received an arc from NetGalley
In the first few pages we’re telling not showing, complaining about tight corsets, and jumping point of view in the middle of a scene, so great start. I know this is the second in a series, but it took too long to loosely tie Delilah to the Maidens of Mayhem. Unfortunately, there was little explanation as to who the Maidens of Mayhem are and what their goals are. In a series, I’d expect some introduction to the group at large. Delilah isn’t even in their group until the end and she doesn’t seem to fit. She doesn’t act like she likes danger at all.
This was a slog to finish. The regency era wasn’t set well, there was way too much telling, the characters are one-dimensional, and nothing they said or did made me care about them. Neither the mystery nor the romance captured my attention. And there was no mayhem.
I received an arc from NetGalley
June 1, 2022
Sebastian St. Allen is investigating child abductions when he happens upon Delilah Ashbrook. She is desperate to find a boy that has gone missing. Delilah blames herself for the child's abduction and will stop at nothing to locate him. She accepts St. Allen's help and they embark on a perilous investigation.
This is the second book in the Maidens of Mayhem series and I enjoyed much of it. The plot was good and I like how the author's writing flows. I did feel that the characters lacked in chemistry however overall it was a good book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the second book in the Maidens of Mayhem series and I enjoyed much of it. The plot was good and I like how the author's writing flows. I did feel that the characters lacked in chemistry however overall it was a good book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 6, 2022
This is an awesome book filled with treachery and love.
Delilah and Sebastian make a simply perfect couple.
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for a boy who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen certainly cuts a dashing figure. But is he hoping to save the child—or harm him?
Sebastian has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible. Sebastian knows they can help each other if only she’ll let her guard down. And as they become entrenched in danger, they realize how strong their ties have grown—and how much they need one another.
Annabelle Bryant has written another very good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Delilah and Sebastian make a simply perfect couple.
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for a boy who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen certainly cuts a dashing figure. But is he hoping to save the child—or harm him?
Sebastian has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible. Sebastian knows they can help each other if only she’ll let her guard down. And as they become entrenched in danger, they realize how strong their ties have grown—and how much they need one another.
Annabelle Bryant has written another very good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
June 5, 2022
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an e-ARC. This book has likable characters and it started off strong with plenty of romantic tension and a suspenseful plot. But it did start to drag about halfway through. The characters seemed to talk openly about some things but not others. And their investigations seemed to get a little muddled and then unrealistically resolved.
However, I liked that the couple didn’t get into silly fights and they kept in communication. Delilah was a foreword thinking woman, and she and Sebastian were an excellent match. There were some great lines about the double standards for men and women, and I loved how Delilah refused to accept those standards.
This is an ARC, so things may change before the final copy. But I will say some of the phrasings were awkward, with what I would consider essential conjunctions missing or with word groupings that weren’t natural. The consistency made me think this issue is not an editing error but just how the author writes. This style did distract me and didn’t seem to fit the Regency time period; I don’t remembering noticing style issues in Duchess If You Dare, the first book in this series.
However, I liked that the couple didn’t get into silly fights and they kept in communication. Delilah was a foreword thinking woman, and she and Sebastian were an excellent match. There were some great lines about the double standards for men and women, and I loved how Delilah refused to accept those standards.
This is an ARC, so things may change before the final copy. But I will say some of the phrasings were awkward, with what I would consider essential conjunctions missing or with word groupings that weren’t natural. The consistency made me think this issue is not an editing error but just how the author writes. This style did distract me and didn’t seem to fit the Regency time period; I don’t remembering noticing style issues in Duchess If You Dare, the first book in this series.
March 3, 2022
Just when I think I’ve read my favorite Anabelle Bryant book, she produces another one that completely takes my breath away and makes me fall in love all over again. This Maidens of Mayhem series is absolutely delightful. Daring young women joining together to fight injustice and discovering so much more along the way.
I fell in love with Sebastian and Delilah from the start. Though they were from completely opposite backgrounds, I hoped they’d find their way to each other. Sebastian had learned survival in the streets, whereas Delilah was raised a proper societal miss. Brought together by a case involving a stolen boy, pup, and jewels, they vowed to work together but still weren’t trustful of one another yet.
I loved Delilah for her courage and her acceptance of others regardless of class. I loved Sebastian for his dedication to helping others and especially because he accepted Delilah’s involvement and didn’t try to dissuade her. Instead, he worked with her.
The evolution of their trust and their romance was exquisite. Anabelle Bryant is a master of the slow burn romance. Nothing is rushed. The mysterious case Sebastian and Delilah were involved in slowly developed along with their attraction to and trust in one another. And I have to say I adored every second of the journey!
Anabelle Bryant also creates exceptional secondary characters that always leave me anticipating their stories. I can’t wait to see more of these Maidens of Mayhem and I’m hoping to learn more of Sebastian’s co-worker Eva. I’m dying to know what becomes of her.
Like every Anabelle Bryant book I’ve read, (and yes, I’ve read them all) this is a beautifully crafted story. Sebastian and Delilah’s story is full of wit, a delightful mystery, and lots of passion. Sebastian’s tutelage of Delilah in the art of self defense left me breathless!
If you love passion that’s off the charts and a mystery that keeps you turning the pages, you’ll be thrilled with this story. The epitome of what historical romance is all about. With Anabelle Bryant’s attention to detail, vivid characters, and eloquent prose, you can’t help but lose yourself in this amazing story.
I fell in love with Sebastian and Delilah from the start. Though they were from completely opposite backgrounds, I hoped they’d find their way to each other. Sebastian had learned survival in the streets, whereas Delilah was raised a proper societal miss. Brought together by a case involving a stolen boy, pup, and jewels, they vowed to work together but still weren’t trustful of one another yet.
I loved Delilah for her courage and her acceptance of others regardless of class. I loved Sebastian for his dedication to helping others and especially because he accepted Delilah’s involvement and didn’t try to dissuade her. Instead, he worked with her.
The evolution of their trust and their romance was exquisite. Anabelle Bryant is a master of the slow burn romance. Nothing is rushed. The mysterious case Sebastian and Delilah were involved in slowly developed along with their attraction to and trust in one another. And I have to say I adored every second of the journey!
Anabelle Bryant also creates exceptional secondary characters that always leave me anticipating their stories. I can’t wait to see more of these Maidens of Mayhem and I’m hoping to learn more of Sebastian’s co-worker Eva. I’m dying to know what becomes of her.
Like every Anabelle Bryant book I’ve read, (and yes, I’ve read them all) this is a beautifully crafted story. Sebastian and Delilah’s story is full of wit, a delightful mystery, and lots of passion. Sebastian’s tutelage of Delilah in the art of self defense left me breathless!
If you love passion that’s off the charts and a mystery that keeps you turning the pages, you’ll be thrilled with this story. The epitome of what historical romance is all about. With Anabelle Bryant’s attention to detail, vivid characters, and eloquent prose, you can’t help but lose yourself in this amazing story.
May 30, 2022
A kidnaped child, a dog and a diamond collar bring together Delilah Ashbrook, Sebastian St. Allen and The Maidens of Mayhem. Delilah ventures into Seven Dials alone. When attacked, she's unable to save herself and is rescued by Sebastian. She needs his help to find the missing child of her maid. Sebastian has ties to Seven Dials. As an intelligence agent in service to the Crown with his associates, it is their job to covertly solve crimes in London. Delilah refuses to be left out of Sebastian's investigation. He admires her strong will, but fears for her safety. If he won't include her, The Maidens of Mayhem will. Sebastian tries to fight his attraction to Delilah. She won't deny it, but where can it lead? Their focus must remain on finding Oliver. What does a kidnaped dog with a diamond collar have to do with Oliver?
Pretty straight forward with little surprise on the ending. Of course, it is always nice how things work out for an HEA.
Heat level 4 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Pretty straight forward with little surprise on the ending. Of course, it is always nice how things work out for an HEA.
Heat level 4 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
June 13, 2022
The Maidens of Mayhem Series focuses on a group of women who work together to help solve various mysteries. This particular novel is called The Lady Loves Danger. This particular novel focuses on Lady Delilah Ashbrook and Sebastian St Allen. They meet in Seven Dials while they both are looking for a young boy.
Delilah Ashbrook just moved to London to live with her widowed aunt. She brought a long time retainer with her as well as her young child. Unfortunately, when Delilah was out with him, an incident occurred and the child was lost. Delilah is frantic and willing to do anything to help find the child. She attracts the attention of the Maidens of Mayhem who offer to help her. She also attracts the attention of Sebastian St Allen, who is not impressed by her daring.
Delilah and Sebastian form an attachment for each other, but as always there are obstacles including Oliver being missing, diamonds being missing and Delilah being threatened. The Lady Loves Danger by Annabelle Bryant is a good read.
Delilah Ashbrook just moved to London to live with her widowed aunt. She brought a long time retainer with her as well as her young child. Unfortunately, when Delilah was out with him, an incident occurred and the child was lost. Delilah is frantic and willing to do anything to help find the child. She attracts the attention of the Maidens of Mayhem who offer to help her. She also attracts the attention of Sebastian St Allen, who is not impressed by her daring.
Delilah and Sebastian form an attachment for each other, but as always there are obstacles including Oliver being missing, diamonds being missing and Delilah being threatened. The Lady Loves Danger by Annabelle Bryant is a good read.
May 28, 2022
The Lady Loves Danger by Anabelle Bryant is book Two in The Maidens of Mayhem Series. This is the story of Sebastian St. Allen and Delilah Ashbrook. Delilah is a young lady who has to move in with her aunt because she has no other family. Delilah's maid is her friend who has a young son that she happened to be watching when he was taking. Now Delilah is out to find that little boy so she heads to The Maidens of Mayhem for their help. Delilah ends up meeting Sebastian who has a mystery with him but he offers to help her too. Sebastian boarders on the good part of town and on the bad part of town which leads him to be able to enter both worlds. In addition because of that he is a agent for the Crown and investigates crimes of London. Something about Delilah draws him to her and they set off to find the little boy. Loved their story. I am huge fan of Ms. Bryant, so this was a must read for me.
May 28, 2022
The Lady Loves Danger by Anabelle Bryant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As the second book in the Maidens of Mayhem this did not disappoint.
Lady Delilah Ashbrook has been searching for her maids son. She was put in charge of the boy only to have him apprehended in a confusing street situation
When Sebastian St. Allen comes forward to help her find the boy she accepts his help. Sebastian knows his way around the streets and many of his insights are prove fruitful. As these two work together their attractions for each other grows.
It is at this point this gifted author shines. She weaves her impeccable narratives. Ms Bryant is a master of romance that makes you want more.
This was a delightful book. I look forward to more from the Maidens of Mayhem.
As the second book in the Maidens of Mayhem this did not disappoint.
Lady Delilah Ashbrook has been searching for her maids son. She was put in charge of the boy only to have him apprehended in a confusing street situation
When Sebastian St. Allen comes forward to help her find the boy she accepts his help. Sebastian knows his way around the streets and many of his insights are prove fruitful. As these two work together their attractions for each other grows.
It is at this point this gifted author shines. She weaves her impeccable narratives. Ms Bryant is a master of romance that makes you want more.
This was a delightful book. I look forward to more from the Maidens of Mayhem.
April 2, 2022
I enjoyed this second book in The Maidens of Mayhem series. The hero, Sebastian and heroine, Delilah join forces to find a missing boy. Delilah seeks the Maidens of Mayhem for further assistance. I loved the tension build up and the mystery of the missing boy. I'm looking forward to Ms Bryant's next book in this series.
I received an ARC and my review is freely given.
I received an ARC and my review is freely given.
May 2, 2022
Delilah’s maid’s son is kidnapped while under her care. She sets out to search for him and enlists the help of the Maidens of Mayhem. She also attracts the attention of agent for the crown Sebastian who feels he must watch out for her. Together they try to solve the mystery. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.
June 3, 2022
The first book in this series did not hold my interest but I kept with it. Still it was a no-go for me. I went into this book with higher hopes. Unfortunately, I felt the same thing. It was a bit boring. I did not finish the book. I have loved Anabelle’s writing and have read many of her books and I hate that this series is just not the same. I don’t think I will finish the series.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
June 5, 2022
Anabelle did it again. I was involved in this storyline right from the beginning. I loved that I was surprised about the route of the story. I enjoyed the mystery when trying to recover Oliver and beyond. I love that I get to see the another side of London ~ the unpleasantness, the horrors that aren't typically in these books.
Sebastian comes with a goal and baggage. Delilah has a soft heart and a plan to put things right. They can help each other accomplish their goal.
I loved the romance of this story and the mystery behind it all.
Sebastian comes with a goal and baggage. Delilah has a soft heart and a plan to put things right. They can help each other accomplish their goal.
I loved the romance of this story and the mystery behind it all.
June 9, 2022
The Lady Loves Danger is book two in the Maidens of Mayhem series. Anabelle Bryant has brought us another witty, charming, mystery filled love story. In it we meet Sebastian St Allen and Delilah Ashbrook. Delilah is looking for a boy who was kidnapped while he was under her care, Sebastian works for the Crown and after meeting Delilah in the dead of night in dangerous Seven Dials they decide to work together to find the missing boy. What entails is a story filled with mystery, conflict, danger and love. I love Anabelle's characters, her settings and her use of words. She never disappoints. I can't wait to read the other books in this series!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
December 19, 2023
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is looking for a boy named Oliver. They believe he was kidnapped. She is following a clue and finds herself in a dangerous position. Sebastian St. Allen has come to her rescue and they enter into a partnership of sorts. We follow Sebastian & Delilah looking for Oliver, the duchess's dog and some missing diamonds.
This was a fun read filled with romance, some spice, and a little mystery. I wish there had been a little more suspense. I found myself bored in some parts. Otherwise a good read.
This was a fun read filled with romance, some spice, and a little mystery. I wish there had been a little more suspense. I found myself bored in some parts. Otherwise a good read.
March 14, 2022
Anabelle Bryant is the Queen of Slow Burn Romance. By the time Delilah and Sebastian find their way to each other, I was practically begging them to be together.
The Lady Loves Danger is a fun story with several twists and turns. Oliver is a delightful addition; he is the child of Delilah’s best friend and lady’s maid who’s disappearance spurs the story into action. I enjoyed how Delilah came to know the other Maidens of Mayhem and enlist their help in her cause. I liked how Sebastian sees Delilah for who she is and respects her all the more for her wit and intellect and her propensity for leaping into action regardless of the danger.
I’m loving Anabelle’s use of strong heroines within the historical romance genre. I think women have been misrepresented for ages. Mainstream media is finally spotlighting strong women, women who made great contributions to society (oftentimes propping up their great men,) for their true minds and accomplishments. I love that Anabelle writes characters that, despite what traditional romance says “ladies” should be, have spine and smarts and sass, and pants underneath their gowns.
The Lady Loves Danger is a fun story with several twists and turns. Oliver is a delightful addition; he is the child of Delilah’s best friend and lady’s maid who’s disappearance spurs the story into action. I enjoyed how Delilah came to know the other Maidens of Mayhem and enlist their help in her cause. I liked how Sebastian sees Delilah for who she is and respects her all the more for her wit and intellect and her propensity for leaping into action regardless of the danger.
I’m loving Anabelle’s use of strong heroines within the historical romance genre. I think women have been misrepresented for ages. Mainstream media is finally spotlighting strong women, women who made great contributions to society (oftentimes propping up their great men,) for their true minds and accomplishments. I love that Anabelle writes characters that, despite what traditional romance says “ladies” should be, have spine and smarts and sass, and pants underneath their gowns.
March 7, 2022
Anabelle Bryant does it again, once you start the book you will lose yourself in this great story. Filled with lovely and vivid characters, an amazing attention to detail and mystery, this second chapter of The Maidens of Mayhem will take you to a delightful journey.
I just love the way Sebastian and Delilah evolve during the story, no matter they came from totally opposite backgrounds they found a way to make things work out and give us a beautiful love story. The way Sebastian teaches Delilah self defense was one of the top moments in the story for me.
If you love a story filled with mystery and romance, you will fall in love with this story.
I just love the way Sebastian and Delilah evolve during the story, no matter they came from totally opposite backgrounds they found a way to make things work out and give us a beautiful love story. The way Sebastian teaches Delilah self defense was one of the top moments in the story for me.
If you love a story filled with mystery and romance, you will fall in love with this story.
March 3, 2022
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is trying to find a young boy lost on her watch. Sebastian St. Allen works for the crown and those less fortunate. When their paths cross, they must team up to unravel the mystery and avoid danger. But with danger on all sides, can the two find the child and deal with the sizzling chemistry between them?
I liked this book (3 stars on my scale is liked - so don't read too much into the stars as everyone rates differently). I particularly liked the spunk and tenacity of Lady Delilah. She was kind, level-headed, and not willing to back down from a fight. Sebastian was also a great character - I enjoyed his banter with Delilah and their romantic spark. If you're into possessive alpha heros, he is your guy.
The other thing I liked was that parts of the story weren't predictable and took you in a different direction. Some of the action I expected towards the end materialized in other places, which was pretty refreshing. It does tackle some very serious topics (child abduction, abuse) so if those are personal triggers, be warned!
One interesting element was the character of Eva - I'd be interested to see if she returns in another capacity.
Would recommend it to anyone looking for a strong historical romance heroine.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced e-arc. All opinions my own.
I liked this book (3 stars on my scale is liked - so don't read too much into the stars as everyone rates differently). I particularly liked the spunk and tenacity of Lady Delilah. She was kind, level-headed, and not willing to back down from a fight. Sebastian was also a great character - I enjoyed his banter with Delilah and their romantic spark. If you're into possessive alpha heros, he is your guy.
The other thing I liked was that parts of the story weren't predictable and took you in a different direction. Some of the action I expected towards the end materialized in other places, which was pretty refreshing. It does tackle some very serious topics (child abduction, abuse) so if those are personal triggers, be warned!
One interesting element was the character of Eva - I'd be interested to see if she returns in another capacity.
Would recommend it to anyone looking for a strong historical romance heroine.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced e-arc. All opinions my own.
February 19, 2022
What happens when a country lass moves to the city and is beset by dognappers who due to exigencies kidnap a small boy who is in her temporary custody? She learns of the evils concealed in the city and the risks they present to children. She takes her country pluck and some random encounters and sets out to retrieve the child and punish those who abuse them. Along the way, she joins with two vigilante crews to set things right and finds love and acceptance despite stepping outside boundaries established for ladies like her. A fine addition to Bryant’s Maidens of Mayhem series.
May 31, 2022
🔪 The Lady Loves Danger 🐾
Maidens of Mayhem Book 2
✒️Anabelle Bryant
https://www.facebook.com/AnabelleBrya...
Release Date 05/24/2022
Publisher Zebra Books
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098KNZWKG/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
The society of daring women known as the Maidens of Mayhem dedicate their lives to protecting London’s most vulnerable citizens from injustice. Daring and discreet, their missions lead them to people and places they least expect, often putting their lives—and their hearts—in peril . . .
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for a boy who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen certainly cuts a dashing figure. But is he hoping to save the child—or harm him?
Sebastian has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible. Sebastian knows they can help each other if only she’ll let her guard down. And as they become entrenched in danger, they realize how strong their ties have grown—and how much they need one another . . .
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
I confess I expected to learn more about the Maidens of Mayhem, especially as the first book was short of them.
But here, it is the tale of a damsel in distress and a man who acts like the female group is supposed, to save and rescue the abused.
They are only a shadow group and not much useful.
Delilah does not really acts like a miss raised in this era, I even wonder how nothing has befell on her before her run in the streets of Seven Dial.
She is like a pup among wolves.
Yet she persists and signs, putting herself on harm way and impeding at every turn the search for the stolen boy.
St Allen becomes unwillingly her knight in shining armor from the moment he saves her from a fate she does not seam to realize she might not have walked away alive.
After he is a man and she is a pretty thing, he is continually saving from herself, how not be bewitched by a lovely miss ready to endanger herself for the sake of a child.
While I found the romance quite cute if making abstraction of the era, I can at best understand how an illegitimate fellow is able to impersonate a peer, but there were risks if he was discovered, but working for the crown absolved him probably. But Delilah is said to be a lady, not being married, it means she would be the daughter of an Earl at least, but who was her father, how can she navigate the city all by herself when she is so new to the town. After her maid, mother of the missing child, I would say very unconventional to employ a single mother at such a post, I suppose she is a widow but there is not even one mention of a father for the kid. Delilah being a lord’s daughter, if she wanted her friend to be close by, she could have hired her as a companion instead of as a maid.
Then I do not really know if this was a regency set story, there is one or two time reference to the Prince Regent but the heroine struggled running because of her corset, but during this era women wore Stays, short or long.
I had to put the book for some time to let things rest, so if I was rating only the romance part, it would be a 3 stars but below as an historical finition.
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Maidens of Mayhem Book 2
✒️Anabelle Bryant
https://www.facebook.com/AnabelleBrya...
Release Date 05/24/2022
Publisher Zebra Books
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098KNZWKG/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
The society of daring women known as the Maidens of Mayhem dedicate their lives to protecting London’s most vulnerable citizens from injustice. Daring and discreet, their missions lead them to people and places they least expect, often putting their lives—and their hearts—in peril . . .
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is tirelessly searching the streets of London for a boy who vanished while under her care. Suspecting the child was abducted to be sold, Delilah hopes the Maidens can help find him before it’s too late. But Delilah’s mission brings her into the crosshairs of a mysterious man who is also looking for the boy. Sebastian St. Allen certainly cuts a dashing figure. But is he hoping to save the child—or harm him?
Sebastian has his own reasons for protecting the less fortunate. He has a gift for seamlessly navigating both London’s darkest corners and its most elite circles. But nothing prepared him for Delilah, whose delicate beauty belies an independence and sensuality he finds irresistible. Sebastian knows they can help each other if only she’ll let her guard down. And as they become entrenched in danger, they realize how strong their ties have grown—and how much they need one another . . .
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
I confess I expected to learn more about the Maidens of Mayhem, especially as the first book was short of them.
But here, it is the tale of a damsel in distress and a man who acts like the female group is supposed, to save and rescue the abused.
They are only a shadow group and not much useful.
Delilah does not really acts like a miss raised in this era, I even wonder how nothing has befell on her before her run in the streets of Seven Dial.
She is like a pup among wolves.
Yet she persists and signs, putting herself on harm way and impeding at every turn the search for the stolen boy.
St Allen becomes unwillingly her knight in shining armor from the moment he saves her from a fate she does not seam to realize she might not have walked away alive.
After he is a man and she is a pretty thing, he is continually saving from herself, how not be bewitched by a lovely miss ready to endanger herself for the sake of a child.
While I found the romance quite cute if making abstraction of the era, I can at best understand how an illegitimate fellow is able to impersonate a peer, but there were risks if he was discovered, but working for the crown absolved him probably. But Delilah is said to be a lady, not being married, it means she would be the daughter of an Earl at least, but who was her father, how can she navigate the city all by herself when she is so new to the town. After her maid, mother of the missing child, I would say very unconventional to employ a single mother at such a post, I suppose she is a widow but there is not even one mention of a father for the kid. Delilah being a lord’s daughter, if she wanted her friend to be close by, she could have hired her as a companion instead of as a maid.
Then I do not really know if this was a regency set story, there is one or two time reference to the Prince Regent but the heroine struggled running because of her corset, but during this era women wore Stays, short or long.
I had to put the book for some time to let things rest, so if I was rating only the romance part, it would be a 3 stars but below as an historical finition.
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
June 30, 2022
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Anabelle Bryant continues her Maidens of Mayhem series with an exciting, emotional and immensely enjoyable new historical romance: The Lady Loves Danger.
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is beside herself with worry. A mundane excursion into London to buy a gift for her lady’s maid and friend Beth ended in horror when young Oliver was abducted. Delilah will do anything to have her maid’s son back home with them safe and sound and the gently reared young lady will leave no stone unturned in her search for the missing child – even venturing to some of London’s less salubrious areas. When she finally finds Oliver, Delilah is absolutely delighted – only her happiness is short-lived when she inadvertently alerts the kidnappers and they flee with the child. Delilah doesn’t know which way to turn, but could the enigmatic – and devilishly handsome – Sebastian St. Allen help her find Oliver?
Brooding and mysterious Sebastian St Allen might look like a gentleman, but having experienced first-hand the cruelty of the aristocracy, he is perfectly content living in the shadows and focusing on his work helping those in need. Sebastian is familiar with the seamier side of London and hearing of a racket involving stolen children, he is keen to do whatever it takes to put a stop to it – using whatever means necessary. Hearing of Delilah’s plight, Sebastian vows to help her out and to return Oliver to her. Sebastian usually has no problem focusing on the job at hand, but the more time he spends with Delilah, the more he finds himself distracted by her…
Delilah’s aunt Helen might be keen to marry her off, however, marriage is the last thing on her mind. A chance encounter with the Maidens of Mayhem makes Delilah even more determined to assert her independence and exact justice – and besides, none of the men her aunt introduces her to could possibly hold a candle to the dashing Sebastian St. Allen.
As Delilah and Sebastian find themselves thrust in one another’s path, their feelings for one another intensify. But could they possibly have a future together when they are from two different social classes? Will their love find a way to thrive when there are so many obstacles standing in their way? Or is Delilah and Sebastian’s relationship simply not meant to be?
Anabelle Bryant knocks it out of the park with her latest historical romance, The Lady Loves Danger. Spiced with danger, intrigue, passion and drama, The Lady Loves Danger effortlessly combines exquisite period detail with brilliantly realized characters, red-hot sensuality and nail-biting tension and suspense.
In Lady Delilah, Anabelle Bryant has created a modern, unconventional and complex heroine on a journey to finding herself. Sebastian was a bold, brooding, charismatic and gorgeous romantic hero it is impossible not to fall for.
An excellent historical romance from a writer who delivers every time, Regency fans will not be able to resist Anabelle Bryant’s latest, The Lady Loves Danger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Anabelle Bryant continues her Maidens of Mayhem series with an exciting, emotional and immensely enjoyable new historical romance: The Lady Loves Danger.
Lady Delilah Ashbrook is beside herself with worry. A mundane excursion into London to buy a gift for her lady’s maid and friend Beth ended in horror when young Oliver was abducted. Delilah will do anything to have her maid’s son back home with them safe and sound and the gently reared young lady will leave no stone unturned in her search for the missing child – even venturing to some of London’s less salubrious areas. When she finally finds Oliver, Delilah is absolutely delighted – only her happiness is short-lived when she inadvertently alerts the kidnappers and they flee with the child. Delilah doesn’t know which way to turn, but could the enigmatic – and devilishly handsome – Sebastian St. Allen help her find Oliver?
Brooding and mysterious Sebastian St Allen might look like a gentleman, but having experienced first-hand the cruelty of the aristocracy, he is perfectly content living in the shadows and focusing on his work helping those in need. Sebastian is familiar with the seamier side of London and hearing of a racket involving stolen children, he is keen to do whatever it takes to put a stop to it – using whatever means necessary. Hearing of Delilah’s plight, Sebastian vows to help her out and to return Oliver to her. Sebastian usually has no problem focusing on the job at hand, but the more time he spends with Delilah, the more he finds himself distracted by her…
Delilah’s aunt Helen might be keen to marry her off, however, marriage is the last thing on her mind. A chance encounter with the Maidens of Mayhem makes Delilah even more determined to assert her independence and exact justice – and besides, none of the men her aunt introduces her to could possibly hold a candle to the dashing Sebastian St. Allen.
As Delilah and Sebastian find themselves thrust in one another’s path, their feelings for one another intensify. But could they possibly have a future together when they are from two different social classes? Will their love find a way to thrive when there are so many obstacles standing in their way? Or is Delilah and Sebastian’s relationship simply not meant to be?
Anabelle Bryant knocks it out of the park with her latest historical romance, The Lady Loves Danger. Spiced with danger, intrigue, passion and drama, The Lady Loves Danger effortlessly combines exquisite period detail with brilliantly realized characters, red-hot sensuality and nail-biting tension and suspense.
In Lady Delilah, Anabelle Bryant has created a modern, unconventional and complex heroine on a journey to finding herself. Sebastian was a bold, brooding, charismatic and gorgeous romantic hero it is impossible not to fall for.
An excellent historical romance from a writer who delivers every time, Regency fans will not be able to resist Anabelle Bryant’s latest, The Lady Loves Danger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 27, 2022
In Anabelle Bryant’s The Lady Loves Danger, the second installment in the Maidens of Mayhem historical romance series, this historical romance is enriched with drama and intrigue will sweep you off your feet on every page. Lady Delilah Ashbook is looking for Oliver, a young boy who had been snatched under her care in the dangerous streets of London. Everywhere she looked, she couldn’t find him and needed all the help she could get to find him before it was too late. That’s when she met a mysterious man named Sebastian St. Allan, who knew the streets like the back of his hand as a secret agent for the prince regent. When they worked together to find the missing boy, he had his own mission to locate the queen’s diamond collar for her missing dog. Could both cases be linked together to the same culprit? While Delilah sought out the Maidens of Mayhem’s help, she became intrigued on how they operated and wanted to join them to help out with her causes to save London’s impoverished children who had no families to call their own. Sebastian worked with his colleagues and Eva Fields, the only agent in their team, who worked undercover to unearth a startling link to the queen’s paramour himself. The chemistry between Sebastian and Delilah were fiery hot, though her Aunt Helen wishes she would find more suitable like a lord to court her. But Sebastian had stolen her heart. When they worked together to find the culprit, it became life and death for Delilah when an unforeseeable foe reared their ugly head to turn against her. During her recovery from that harrowing ordeal, she wondered how Sebastian felt for her before she had find her happy ever after ending.
This lovely historical romance is passionate, daring, and wonderful. I cared for Delilah who wanted to do something to change London’s poverty state and take daring risks to locate Oliver and to go above and beyond to find her true calling. I’ve found Sebastian as a sexy debonair man, who had a sordid childhood past, and became his own true person. This awesome twosome make quite a pair and a lovely duo that would scorch the pages. The location of London and its surrounding neighborhood were picture perfect for the scenic settings. The theme of the story is be your own true self by becoming our own person to make things happen.
This sensational historical romance is so hot, it sizzles with a capital S. I didn’t find anything to nitpick on this book. I rated this book, four out of five stars because of no reason. If you love historical romance with daring non-stop action, a tidal wave of sexy romantic drama, and heart-stopping suspense on every page, The Lady Loves Danger is the one for you. This book is recommended for readers who love Bridgerton and Downtown Abbey, classical historical romance movies, and intriguing historical romance authors like Lisa Kleypas, Eloisa James, and Teresa Mederios.
This lovely historical romance is passionate, daring, and wonderful. I cared for Delilah who wanted to do something to change London’s poverty state and take daring risks to locate Oliver and to go above and beyond to find her true calling. I’ve found Sebastian as a sexy debonair man, who had a sordid childhood past, and became his own true person. This awesome twosome make quite a pair and a lovely duo that would scorch the pages. The location of London and its surrounding neighborhood were picture perfect for the scenic settings. The theme of the story is be your own true self by becoming our own person to make things happen.
This sensational historical romance is so hot, it sizzles with a capital S. I didn’t find anything to nitpick on this book. I rated this book, four out of five stars because of no reason. If you love historical romance with daring non-stop action, a tidal wave of sexy romantic drama, and heart-stopping suspense on every page, The Lady Loves Danger is the one for you. This book is recommended for readers who love Bridgerton and Downtown Abbey, classical historical romance movies, and intriguing historical romance authors like Lisa Kleypas, Eloisa James, and Teresa Mederios.
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