Something Wicked

Fortitude Ware, Earl of Walgrave hates the Malloren's. They drove in his mind's eye his father insane and thus he had to kill him, his sister is married into their family, his childhood friend is married to one brother, and whenever he has to think about them he's focusing on not going insane himself. Elfled Malloren is the younger sister to the Malloren family and finds herself very much attracted to Fort, and because of her brother's any real interesting men keep away from her. One night Elf in disguise as Lisette Belharde stumbles upon a plot involving Fort and her family, desperate to find out what it is she plays a foreigner looking to be amorous with Fort to try to uncover the plot, this leads her to Fort and to intrigue him to want her. For Elf it is a difficult situation with her torn between her loyalty's to family and country and the very man of her dreams. For Fort as he spends time with Elf, she makes him examine both what happened and his feelings with her family. In the end it turns out that Elf is good therapy for Fort, and for Elf he is everything that she has ever wanted in a husband. Jo Beverly makes a very good historical romance.

Another Jo Beverley masterpiece! This is the story of Elf Malloren (twin of Cyn)and sister of Rothgar (God I can't wait to get to HIS story)and the Earl of Walgrave (Fort). If you've read the prior two novels on these Malloren's you can fully appreciate the animosity that drives Fort to hate and despise all Malloren's. Lady Elfred (Elf) is now 25 and feeling a bit 'on the shelf' as well as bored out of her mind. Her watchdog brothers are all elsewhere and she is staying with a married friend who is also feeling like an adventure so they decide to go masquerading at the 'wicked' Vauxhall Gardens - mainly for a little spice in their lives. Unfortunately, Elf ends up getting a little more excitement than she bargained for. After a couple of narrow scrapes she finds herself running literally, right into Fort, who of course, does not recognize her in disguise. In order to save her from a worse fate (she eavesdropped on a treasonous plot) he abscounds with her to his mansion for a night of pleasure. In disguise, Elf does get a wonderfully wicked taste of what is to come and so the story goes.Elf does escape Fort with her virginity still intact but he has awakened in her a taste for more 'wickedness' and also her sense of duty in establishing whether or not Fort is really part of a treasonous plot against the King. Now she must decide what to do, wait for her brothers to come to sort out this mess or take action! What's a girl to do! Well, naturally, she really would like to run into Fort again and really do something wicked - just once in her life!This is a wonderful story - a definite keeper and I really can't wait to get to the rest of these Malloren's! You will love this book!

This was my first Jo Beverley book, being difficult to please, I really enjoyed the book. I regret that I found out later it was part of a series of books. I've read three of the five books on the Malloren story and this is by far my favorite. I could not put it down. I recommend the entire series: #1 My Lady Notorious #2 Tempting Fortune #3 Something Wicked #4 Secrets of the Nigt and #5 Develish. The fist 2 are not in print currently but are available via auction. The characters are strong, the plot and storyline is definetly wicked if you are familiar with the etiquette of the era and the trials are awesome. I've read it twice in one month, which I never read a story twice.

I thoroughly enjoy the work of best-selling author Jo Beverley. Something Wicked the third of five in this Georgian series about the Malloren family is not only my favorite book of the series; it is my favorite Beverley book over-all.Lady Elf Malloren 25, and her twin Lord Cynric are the youngest of the Malloren siblings. Her only sister Hilda, two years her senior, had been safely married off in her teens. Somewhat wilder for being allowed to join in her twins adventures Elf finds herself on the shelf. No doubt some of this is due to her over protective older brothers, least of which is the imposing Marquee of Rothgar. At times Elf has found their hovering a bit stifling.When the opportunity presents itself Elf takes fate into her own hands. Her twin has just married the scandalous Chastity Ware and her remaining siblings are all away from home. She attends a masquerade at Vaux Hall hoping for some excitement. While wondering one of the secluded paths designated for clandestine meetings she overhears a dastardly plot. She is discovered and pursued, her only recourse is to trust herself to the care of the one man who has reason to hate her family most.Fortitude Ware has no love for anything Malloren. We get a glimpse of his cruel upbringing in My Lady Notorious the first book of the Malloren series. His sister's marriage to Elf's twin has not softened his attitude. In fact it is at their wedding that he is forced into an action that makes him hate the Mallorens with a passion. The reader gets the impression that Elf has always been intrigued by Fort and as she puts it, it is not surprising that twins should have similar tastes. She had gotten into the habit of baiting him at every meeting.The masked Elf introduces herself as Lisette, knowing Fort would have nothing to do with her if he knew of her true identity. Fort, intrigued by her audacity, rescues her and offers her a tantalizing proposition as he is currently without a mistress. Elf manages to elude his attentions but then has second thoughts. If she is to die and old maid, she would take one night in the arms of the man she desperately wants. She claims a night of passion with the Earl of her dreams but insists on remaining masked.Fort indulges her. Their night of love becomes perilous as the two are captured in their sleep by those Elf had overheard plotting treason. They awaken imprisoned in a dark basement with no means of escape. Not knowing their fate, Fort bares his soul to the woman he is already becoming deeply attracted to. Danger fuels their passion as well. Their rescue is both a blessing as a curse for Fort learns of the identity of his lover. He is furious at being duped and devastated at exposing his vulnerability to his enemy.The treasonous plot proceeds with both Mallorens and Ware playing heroes. Fort is injured and during his convalescense Elf does everything within her means to win him over. His pride will not allow it, though de

I have just begun to read books written by Jo Beverly, and I found "Something Wicked" to be a non-stop page turner. I could not put it down. The character of Elf Malloren was brought out more fully, and connecting with her was remarkably easy. Speaking of Jo Beverly in general, I love how she incorporates actual historical events into her stories. Once you have read "Something Wicked", you'll tell your friends, neighbors, and even strangers that it is definetly worth a trip to the bookstore to purchase this remarkable book!

Beverley's "Something Wicked" is something special in romance fiction. As always, her heroines delight, and her heroes entice. And this book, yet another in the Malloren series, is full of all the exciting plot twists and intriguing characters those books are known for. But this time, the Malloren in question is a girl...And such a girl. Elfled Malloren, a likeable girl with much to recommend her, finds herself unaccountably drawn to a man who holds her entire family in abject contempt. Just how does she woo and win her man, against such obstacles? Well, I'd love to tell you but I'd hate to spoil the surprises for you!