Ravenhurst's Return

Reader be prepared to travel a dark path at first with this book but be just prepared for a beautiful healing to take place eventually. Alexander Sutcliffe, the Duke of Ravenhurst, has returned to London after being gone twenty years, having been forced to leave after the horrendous deaths of his mother and father. He is back and seeking revenge. He now knows for certain who murdered his parents and that man, the Marquess of Inglehart, is about to wed Madeline Hardesty but Ravenhurst has plans for Madeline first.
I do not agree with Alexander’s revenge plan because I felt it hurt Madeline more than anyone and she was the only one in the book who should have not been harmed. Of course, for the story to work out the way it did, I suppose the kidnapping was warranted but what took place afterwards stretched the limits of consent a little too far. Moving past the dubious consent issue, the story takes a rather emotional tumble for both Alexander and Madeline that left my emotions spiraling as much as Alexander’s mood changes. The rather unexpected turn at the end was definitely a clever way to bring the devious characters to judgment. Truly a dark, steamy regency-era romance that will have you cheering for a kidnapper, encouraging Madeline to follow her heart not her sense of family obligations and holding a fan in one hand with a tissue in the other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

He watched as the men brutally murdered his parents, and kidnapped and had Alexander pressed into the navy. Twenty years later, Alexander Sutcliffe, Duke of Ravenhurst, has returned to England set on revenge. When he discovers that the Marquess of Inglehart was the man responsible, and that he is engaged, Alexander devises a plan to avenge, at least partly, what was done to his family. He has Madeline Hardesty, Inglehart’s fiancé, kidnapped and delivered to his estate where he plans to ruin her and return her to marry Inglehart as damaged goods. It’s not a bullet to the head, but it is beyond humiliation for the uber arrogant marquess. Will his plan work? Will he be happy with the result? This story has an intense and emotional plot. Alexander is driven by the loss of his family and the need he feels for revenge. Madeline is caught in the middle of the problems caused by Alexander, Inglehart, and her brother. She dreams of a singing career, not being a pawn in the schemes of wastrels, bullies, and vengeful men. The story is one of pain, loss, revenge, redemption, and love. A great beginning for a new series. I received a free copy of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.