BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE - Lorraine Heath
The Scoundrels of St. James, Book 2
Avon Books
ISBN: 978-0-06-135564-6
January 2009
Historical Romance

London, 1851

Olivia, Duchess of Lovingdon was brought up to do her duty. She was a dutiful daughter and married the man her father chose for her, and she did her duty as wife to the elderly Duke of Lovington by quickly producing an heir. An heir was about all he required of her other than to manage his house and uphold the honor of their name. Now, at five and twenty, Her Grace is a widow waiting for her husband's will to be read. Her beloved Henry is now five and the new Duke of Lovingdon.

Olivia doesn't understand why Jack Dodger, the deliciously wicked -- and rude! -- owner of a men's club where the theme is sin, was invited to be present. Jack doesn't know either. He barely knew the duke and had certainly never met his prim and virtuous wife. (But that doesn't stop him from goading her.) Jack was sold at five by his mother and wasted no time running away from the "gentleman" who bought him. By eight, he was an accomplished thief in the gang of kids mentored by Feagan, a master thief. Jack was caught once and still bears a "T" for thief burned onto his thumb. Though wealthy and elegantly clad, Jack makes no pretense of being a gentleman. It's almost as much of a shock to him as to the duchess when the will is read and he becomes the recipient of all the unentailed property -- save for an amount set aside for the duchess -- of the late duke...including the London house and all it contains! Not only that, Jack is to be guardian of the little duke!

Olivia is at a loss to understand it. Why, of all people, did Lovingdon choose the notorious Jack Dodger as Henry's guardian? Who is he? How could he?

Olivia tries to take Henry and flee to the country estate, but Jack accuses her of stealing his carriage. He demands she remain in London to look for a husband who, under the terms of the will, will then become Henry's guardian. Poor Olivia. She has no interest in another marriage; besides she has two years of mourning ahead of her. With nowhere to go, she and Henry are stuck living in the same house with Jack Dodger, that notorious scoundrel who has always been a subject of fascinated gossip among the ladies of the ton.

What fun! Two attractive, healthy people on opposite poles of respectability living side by side. Of course, Jack has his own house, but life has made him a grasping man loath to give up any coin or treasure. He's not all bad however. He runs an honest club, does right by his employees, and maintains loyalty toward his early companions. (One of whom is Lucian, the "Devil Earl" of Claybourne whose fall and rise are recounted in book one of The Scoundrels of St. James series, IN BED WITH THE DEVIL.)

Tarnished heroes with saving graces are perennial favorites, and Jack is superb in the role. His way with young Henry alone redeems him. Olivia is immediately sympathetic as a woman whose life has been dictated by others, not always to her advantage. She's ripe for awakening, but fights it all the way. Their interactions will have readers racing through the pages.

Beautifully written with multilayered characters and a plot with several tantalizing threads, BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE is another winner from the versatile pen of Lorraine Heath. And if you missed IN BED WITH THE DEVIL, you'll want to pick it up as well. In fact, I highly recommend all Ms. Heath's series for original concepts and excellent reading.

Jane Bowers