A Gentleman Undone

April 23, 2012
A charmingly risqué protagonist rescues this otherwise predictable Regency romance. Lydia Slaughter is tired of being a man’s mistress. She would much prefer a life of independence, but that requires a considerable amount of money for a single woman. Luckily, Lydia has a knack for cards and has been slowly stockpiling her fortune. When she takes retired soldier Will Blackshear for a tidy sum at the tables, she’s surprised to find that not only does he want his money back, but he wants to learn her tricks so that he can start building a future of his own. Both have feelings for one another, but their focus is on the cards and the money to be made. While working their way through the gaming hells of London, mutual desire and wounds of the past threaten their success. Grant provides a self-reliant and unconventional heroine in Lydia, and her character almost begs the reader to turn the page. Agent: Emmanuelle Morgen, Judith Ehrlich Literary Management.

Starred review from June 15, 2012

Home from Waterloo and wracked with guilt over being unable to save one of his men, former lieutenant Will Blackshear is determined to do what he can for the man's young family. But for that, as well as a business venture, he needs funds fast, and gambling is one of his only means. When Lydia Slaughter, an acquaintance's mistress, beats Will at vingt-et-un with cardsharp skill, he becomes suspicious. The inevitable confrontation results in a bold bargain--Lydia, who is trying to win enough money to establish her independence, will teach Will about counting cards and Will shall be her accomplice as they work the gaming halls. It is a brilliant plan--until they start to care about each other and the landscape changes along with their options. VERDICT With exquisite prose, breathtaking sensuality, and stunning emotional insight, Grant spins a poignant, compelling story of two deeply troubled protagonists who need to come to terms with who they are, forgive themselves, and learn to love. A brilliant addition to the growing number of romances featuring uncommon characters, this story takes fans for a walk on the wilder side of Regency London and will have fans anxious for the next series installment, due out in 2013. Grant (A Lady Awakened) lives in Seattle.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from May 1, 2012
Will Blackshear accepts the invitation from a friend to join him at Beechams, since it will provide him with the perfect opportunity to lighten the pockets of some wealthy gentlemen. What Will does not expect is to be fleeced himself by Lydia Slaughter, the mistress of another gentleman at the club. Lydia did not plan on being at a man's beck and call forever, which means she needs money. Although Lydia has no trouble winning at cards, she does run into some problems investing her hard-won earnings. All of which lead her to offer Will a mutually beneficial business proposal: in exchange for his help in investing her funds, Lydia will help Will sharpen his card-playing skills. With her second impeccably written, exquisitely sensual historical, Grant proves she suffers from no sophomore slump as she once again shakes up the staid Regency historical world with her refreshingly unconventional, multilayered characters and richly emotional storytelling style.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)