Publication Day Review: A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman

 

A DARING PURSUIT by KATE BATEMAN

 (St. Martin’s Paperbacks, May 24, 2022, $8.99).

 The Davies and Montgomery families have been locked in an ancient feud. But it’s a thin line between love and hate, in Kate Bateman’s newest entry in the Ruthless Rivals series, 

TWO ENEMIES

Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide the secret that could ruin her—and her family—if it was revealed. For the past two seasons she’s scandalized the ton with her outrageous outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she’s disillusioned with both men and love. There’s only one person who’s never bought her act—the only man who makes her heart race: Tristan Montgomery, one of her family’s greatest rivals.

ONE SCANDALOUS BARGAIN

Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he’s never stopped wanting bold, red-headed Carys. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she’s missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they’ll go their separate ways. But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects. When they find themselves embroiled in a treasonous plot, can they trust each other with their hearts, their secrets…and their lives?

Since the wedding between Rhys Davies and Maddie Montgomery (A Reckless Match, Ruthless Rivals #1), the Davies and Montgomery families have temporarily halted their hostilities between each other. With the season in full swing, the well-breed in society are flitting between parties and social gatherings in London. With a reputation for the outrageous, Carys Davies is again the talk of the ton, with her daring gowns and antics, as she continues to decline every marriage proposal as they happen. Back from fighting in the Napoleonic wars, neighbour, Tristan Montgomery needs a wife… neither sees each other as a compatible match….And besides, their families wouldn’t approve?

Carys Davies has no intention of getting married. A past indiscretion has come back to haunt her, and therefore, to avoid a scandal, she is resigned to living her life as a spinster. Only, her secret is revealed… to her enemy, Tristan Montgomery. However, when the gentleman understands her dilemma, he agrees to help…in a mutually agreeable way!

Tristan Montgomery relishes the challenge of playing cards with those he knows are poor at the game. It's an opportunity and a distraction and he's feeling lucky. The result … he wins a carriage! When he goes to collect his prize, he’s stunned when Carys Davies is sitting inside. He instantly presumes, she’s waiting for her lover… a married man. Curiosity piques his interest as he seeks to find out the truth… with life-changing consequences.

The interaction between Carys and Tristan is adorable and surprisingly honest. I admire how the pair conduct their communications; both are open and forthright, which is intoxicating. The highlight of the narrative is how these “enemies” turn a convenient arrangement into something greater than either of them could predict. Even though they come from rival families, it’s clear they have been aware of each other since childhood. Memories of childish antics quickly evaporate as Tristan offers to help Carys out of her predicament. It’s naughty, but oh so good, as combustible chemistry triggers more than lust between two people who are as different as chalk and cheese.

The author brings us back to familiar territory; the Welsh backdrop where the thaw between the two families began. It’s a chance for readers to catch up with familiar characters and become acquainted with those who are far friendlier than their ancestors, who tore these close neighbours apart. As with the first instalment in this series, this too can be enjoyed as a stand-alone… it comes highly recommended by myself.

Overall, this isn’t my favourite novel by Ms Bateman. While the push and pull of the relationship dynamics between Carys and Tristan are exceptional, the sub-plot where the villain gets his comeuppance didn’t hit the spot for me. This, however, is still a top rate novel... just a tad shy away from a full 5 stars.

***arc generously received courtesy of St Martin’s Paperbacks via NetGalley***

AMAZON US               AMAZON UK

KATE BATEMAN, (also writing as K. C. Bateman), is the #1 bestselling author of historical romances, including her RITA® nominated Renaissance romp, The Devil To Pay, the Bow Street Bachelors series (This Earl of Mine, To Catch an Earl, and The Princess and the Rogue), along with the novels in the Secrets & Spies series (To Steal a Heart, A Raven’s Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart). When not writing novels that feature feisty, intelligent heroines and sexy, snarky heroes you want to both strangle and kiss, Kate works as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several popular TV shows in the UK. She splits her time between Illinois and her native England. Follow her on Twitter to learn more.

@SMPRomance

TWITTER

Publication Day Review: Dead Against her by Melinda Leigh

Sheriff Bree Taggert’s downfall is part of a killer’s cunning design in #1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s novel of murder, lies, and revenge.

Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the bitter and corrupt former deputy she recently fired.

Working with criminal investigator Matt Flynn, Bree discovers that she isn’t the only one who had a troubling history with Eugene. But someone doesn’t want Bree digging up the past. She becomes the target of a stranger’s sick and devious campaign calculated to destroy her reputation, career, family, and new relationship with Matt. To make matters worse, she’s the prime suspect in Eugene’s murder.

When her chief deputy goes missing while investigating the case, Bree refuses to back down. She won’t let him become the next victim. His life and her future depend on finding a killer nursing a vengeful rage.

AMAZON US          AMAZON UK

After reading the first two instalments of the Bree Taggart series, some lapsed before I caught up again. Lucky for me, I read the third, fourth and this latest novel back to back.

Bree Taggert is knee-deep in trouble, not rain, as multiple issues pile up on her plate. She's relying more and more on Matt as her partner, and their relationship is flourishing as she drops her tough exterior and shares her burdens with him.

It all starts with a wellness check on an elderly woman, which leads to the discovery of two corpses. One is the woman, and the other is her son, Eugene Oscar, a former deputy with a dubious past.

As Bree delves into the investigation, she discovers numerous suspects, including the woman's brother, an anti-government group known as The Hudson Huntsmen, and even herself. Despite intense scrutiny, Bree refuses to back down and continues to hunt for the killer, especially when her chief deputy goes missing, putting everything she holds dear in jeopardy.

As with all the novels in this series, all can be read as stand-alone. As someone who has read them all in chronological order, I highly recommend doing the same, so get more of a feel for the relationship between Bree and Matt, as well as her ongoing relationship with her niece and nephew.

The biggest highlight of this series is how Bree’s character has developed. Her world has shifted and it’s been fascinating to read how she’s slowly adapting to her new way of life; one where she is sharing it with loved ones, rather than as a single, lonely woman.

***arc courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***