LADY BEWARE

Author: Jo Beverley ISBN: 0451221494 6/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: NAL/Signet Eclipse
Time Period: Regency 1817

For generations, the Cave family has been marked by scandal, madness, and violence. But after earning a reputation for bravery in the army, Horatio Cave, the new Viscount Darien, has come home to charm London society and restore the family name. He means to start with the lovely Lady Thea Debenham. The magnetism between Thea and Lor Darien is immediate—and enraptured Thea knows this is no innocent flirtation. But can Thea trust the dark, sexy "Vile Viscount"? Even if she can convince herself, she may not be able to convince her family, particularily her brother Dare—the most dashing member of the Company of Rogues— that Horatio does not deserve the cursed Cave reputation...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Jo Beverly has received great reviews and awards for many of her Company of Rogues novels. There are nine novels in the series, with an additional five novels that are loosely tied to the series, as well. LADY BEWARE is the latest, and it definitely stands up well in the series.

Thea Debenham's brother, Dare, is one of the most dashing member of the Rogues, and she cannot remember a time in her life when there wasn't always a group of Rogues around. Dare has had a rough couple of years, but now that he is on the mend and in the arms of his fiancée, he doesn't need his sister like he used to. It is now time for Thea to move on and concentrate on her own life.

Horatio Cave has come home from the army as the new Viscount of Darien, and he is determined to win over London Society and restore the family name. He decides there could be no better tool to accomplish his goal than to be seen with the beautiful Thea on his arm. However, there is one large flaw to his plan. Back in his school days, he attended the same school as the Rogues. To many, the Rogues were a charismatic lot of young men, but to Darien, they were the bane of his existence at school.

Thea and Darien are two very strong-willed characters, both finding it hard to understand the other. But there is also a powerful chemistry between them that cannot be denied. As the walls come down and they become closer, Darien begins to rethink his plan and is not sure if restoring his family name is worth tainting Thea's in the process.

Darien is a fantastic hero who cares more about getting his brother accepted in the ton so he can marry the girl he loves, and about Thea and her good reputation, than he does about his own desires and dreams for the future. He is willing to sacrifice all and let Thea go, which he thinks is for her own good. Thea is a lovely young woman who learns through Darien that there is much more life for her to experience than the one she has been living as the sheltered young Lady of London Society. Both of them easily capture the reader's heart and has one believing love can truly conquer all. This novel pulls on your heartstrings and has a satisfying sensual love story, as well.

Jo Beverly fan's will not be disappointed by LADY BEWARE, and anyone new to this author will want to find out what they've been missing. Happy Reading!

Deana Monteleone