Scandal in Spades

Scandal in Spades is book one in the Lords of Chance series by Wendy La Capra. It is necessary to read these books in order, and they are amazing works.Each story is based on a different member of the rakish quartet of friends - Spades, Clubs, Diamonds and Hearts. La Capra infuses steamy romance with wit and humor. I fell in love with the dark, brooding Marquess of Bromton - Spades. “Yes, the marquess’s black hair fell about his face in bold, thick locks, but hair was his only feature that could be deemed au courant - or, rather, au Byron - the look Markham’s other friend had favored. When it came to Lord Bromton’s figure, there wasn’t a hint of fop. His deeply cut cheeks sported stubble Katherine doubted any valet could tame - stubble that accepted full, one could say even say forceful, lips.” There were moments when I laughed out loud at the verbal volleys exchanged between Katherine ( the heroine) and Bromton. This book is definitely one I will read again and again.

Spellbinding, Heart pounding, Entrancing. There are so many great thoughts I want to say about this book. It gripped my heart from the beginning and did not let go until the end. LaCapra's well drawn characters came to life to the point I could feel their emotions. This is one of my favorite tropes of the emotionally wounded hero and heroine who become healed by love. Giles, the Marquess of Bromton, finds out he is a bastard after his "fathers" death, but all his life had been harshly groomed for his position. He and his mother are estranged after she tells him the truth and he feels he does not deserve to be the heir. He and three of his friends have named themselves after the cards of Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs and have formed a bond. Giles finds One of his friends Markam aka Hearts is a distant relative, and he devises a scheme to lose his property to him, a rightful heir. But as life does not always go as planned, Giles ends up agreeing to court and hopefully marry Markam's spinster sister Katherine, who is deemed "the most unmarriageable maiden in England". This is where the story begins to have many twist and turns and very strong emotions. As they meet, Katherine feels she is not worthy of anyone and will never find true happiness in a marriage. But fate has a possibly different plan. This story made my romantic heart beat faster as the story unfolded and I became invested in Giles and Katherine. Great secondary characters, that I cannot wait to see in future stories blended with suspense and closely held secrets held me captive to the end. Well done Wendy LaCapra!!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 💋💋💋 Within the first two chapters I found my favourite lines from any book so far this year , “I am sure it’s nothing to your home” “Castle” “Pardon” “Not a home ,a Jacobean castle. In Northumberland “ An image formed -ramparts rising out of a mist . A shimmering moat with a drawbridge. And in the middle , atop a beautiful stallion, Lord Brompton, in full armour. He would have made a fine Knight. It had my heart beating , and my mind conjuring elaborate pictures , totally wonderful and brilliant writing. The Magic continues in a Witty and perfectly orchestrated billiards match in the next chapter, and I’ve not even told you what the stories about yet . Maybe I don’t need to , maybe now it’s up to you to grab this book and loose yourself in a romance that will stick in your mind even once you’ve finished it . The best ones always do . Highly Recommended !! I received an advanced copy of this book and chose to submit a review