To Wed a Wild Lord

Starred review from September 26, 2011
The lively fourth Hellions of Halstead Hall Regency romance (after How to Woo a Reluctant Lady) will delight readers with mystery, passion, and laugh-out-loud dialogue. Lord Gabriel Sharpe lost his best friend, Roger Waverly, in a terrible carriage-racing accident. Still guilt-wracked seven years later, Gabriel accepts any racing challenge, seeking both funds and death. When Roger’s sister, Virginia, challenges him to a race on the same fatal course, Gabriel realizes that wedding her could fulfill his grandmother’s demand that he marry or be disinherited, while helping Virginia and her grandfather keep up their failing stud farm. But Virginia swears she’d “rather immerse in a vat of leeches” than let Gabriel court her, and the tragic past is a wedge between them even as their mutual smittenness develops. Marvelous characterization, lively conversation, and drama perfectly leavened with humor makes this a grand romantic adventure.

Starred review from December 1, 2011

Unable to forget and forgive himself for the death of his best friend, Roger Waverly, during a carriage race, Gabriel Sharpe, referred to as Angel of Death, dulls the pain and challenges death by accepting every racing opportunity that comes along. Every proposal, that is, except the one from Virginia Waverly, Roger's fearless sister--until she agrees to let him court her if he wins. Then a furious Virginia learns that Gabe must marry or lose his inheritance, and despite their budding attraction to each other, the battle lines are drawn. Now it's up to Gabe to convince Virginia to marry a lord as wild and reckless as he. VERDICT Wonderfully witty, deliciously seductive, and graced with humor and charm, this clever, well-conceived romance treats readers to a compelling story peopled with remarkable characters. Jeffries (How To Woo a Reluctant Lady) lives in North Carolina.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2011
As far as Gabriel Sharpe is concerned, marrying Virginia Waverly would solve both of their problems. If Gabe doesn't marry, his grandmother has vowed to disinherit all of her grandchildren. In addition, Gabe has felt responsible for Virginia ever since the death of her brother. Although Virginia knows that finding a husband is the only sensible solution to her future financial woes, anyone thinking she is desperate enough to marry Gabe must be crazy. Not only does she blame him for the carriage-racing accident that cost her brother Roger his life but the heartless cad refuses to give Virginia a chance to settle the score by agreeing to race her on the same course. Gabe definitely has his work cut out for him if he expects Virginia to accept an offer of marriage. The fourth installment in Jeffries' exceptionally entertaining Hellions of Halstead Hall series delivers another beguiling blend of captivating characters, clever plotting, and sizzling sensuality.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)