Genre: Historical, Regency, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Bi, Gay
Reviewer: Linda, Paranormal Romance Guild
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About The Book
Benedict Fitzsimmons, the reclusive fourteenth Duke of Ashington, nurses a secret desire for his own sex he’d much prefer nobody ever found out about. Indeed, having only ever given in to his urges as a youth—and with disastrous consequences—he never imagined they would. Preferring the company of his racehorses to people, Benedict spends most of his time working on estate matters, longing for a lost love he can never have.
When an anonymous letter threatening to expose Benedict lands in his lap, he’s shocked to the core. He doesn’t have any enemies; why would anyone want to destroy him? Terrified, and with his family’s impeccable reputation at stake, Benedict joins forces with loyal friend, the Earl of Rossingley, to track down the culprit.
Risen from poverty and with a sordid past he’d rather forget, Tommy Squire has a mind dedicated to growing his business ventures and a heart shaped from stone. When the man who once broke it in a life-changing betrayal requests Tommy’s help to avoid a scandal, he finds himself embroiled in a daring scheme to bring down a blackmailer. As their plot unfolds, Tommy realises it’s more than his former lover he’s endeavouring to protect, it’s his battered heart.
This second book in the Rossingley Regency romance series turns to friends of the fourteenth earl of Rossingley, Lando Duchamps-Avery, who once again has a hand in the shenanigans set in London’s wealthy Ton society. This book can be read as a standalone.
The Review
With the death of his father, Benedict Fitzsimmons became the 14th Duke of Ashington. Benedict keeps secret his desire for men, and in the 1800s it’s a deadly secret to keep.
Benedict frequented a Molly House as a young man, where he met Tommy Squire and fell in love. During a raid, Benedict left Tommy tied to a bed frame and fled, and has regretted it for nearly a decade. Now he’s focused on the business of being a Duke and caring for his prized thoroughbred horses.
With encouragement from his younger brother Francis, Benedict visits a new club called Squire’s, and decides to join. He is invited to meet with the owner – Thomas L’Esquire – an invitation he readily accepts. When he enters the office, he comes face to face with his past. Thomas L’Esquire is his Tommy Squire.
Tommy recognized the man whom he had loved – the man who left him, and the man who he has hated ever since. Unfortunately, there’s sometimes a fine line between love and hate. For ten years, Benedict had no idea what happened to Tommy. Now the reality of what he did has come back to torture him.
Things get even worse when a list of patrons of the White Hart, a molly house, with his name on it. His reputation and family name could be destroyed, but Tommy refuses to let that happen when he also receives a list. Benedict welcomes Tommy’s help and the assistance of the Earl of Rossingley. Benedict confesses to the Earl, who also desires men.
Tommy and Rossingley discover who was responsible for sending Tommy the list, and that person is encouraged to let it go. They also discover who is responsible for Benedict’s dilemma.
Will Benedict and Tommy be able to live the life they want? You’ll have to read the story to find out. Five stars.
The Reviewer
I am an avid reader the mother of 3 sons and grandmother to seven grandchildren. Since retiring I have been doing more reading while volunteering as a CASA worker. CASA is an organization that works with the family court system to ensure that children are in the best living situation. There are way too many children that get overlooked in the foster care system and I visit homes and make visits to the parents. I was born and raised in New York and my husband of 50 years and I live in Upstate New York.
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