The Devil's Heiress

If not for Nicholas, Con, Lucien, and the rest of the Rogues, this book would have probably fallen flat. Clarissa was great, and refreshingly assertive, and I liked the fact that she knew what - and who - she wanted and went after it - Hawk, to be exact. And even if she had failed in her quest to win Hawk's love, she had mentally prepared herself to go on with her life without total heartache. Hawk was a typical handsome, loyal, sensitive hero, but he seemed a mere secondary character here. The Rogues completely overshadowed him, not because of the author, but because of the personalities of these great guys. As a military man, Hawk outranked some of the Rogues, and had at one time recruited Nicholas to seduce the Frenchwoman, but throughout most of the book, Hawk had to answer to these guys about money and his intentions towards Clarissa. When things went awry towards the end, I found it hard to accept Hawk in a leadership role, with the Rogues deferring to him, but as the scene progressed, Hawk was brilliant, very intelligent. Although I was very glad to read about the rogues, especially Nicholas and Lucien, Hawk should have been this bold throughout the whole book. Lucien, of course, was not there when Hawk took charge, but his presence was certainly felt, as befitted him. A word of warning, however: If you haven't yet read about Lucien, you will NOT like him very much here. For some reason, JB went out of her way to make him so unlikable, and even as she softened him up slightly as the story progressed, you STILL won't like him if you're unfamiliar with the Rogues. Lucien, to put it mildly, has a temper problem. There will always be a dark cloud over him in my opinion, but I like him very much. I strongly suggest you first read AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE, the great story of the awesome Nicholas Delaney. Then read AN UNWILLING BRIDE, the outstanding novel about Lucien, the marquess of Arden.

I really, liked this 3rd novel in the George series of Hawk and Clarissa. I found it quite satisfying in terms of the fast movement, bringing in characters from former novels, and tying up loose ends. I loved the "Hawk" even though he was portrayed as pretty much unfeeling and out to prove Clarissa a cheat, murdereress and forger. It goes to prove that even plain girls can find true love. Clarissa is not portrayed as a beautiful femme fatale as most heroines are. She will inhereit a fortune when she turns 21, and has resigned herself that her money, and not her looks will bring her a husband, so she goes into a relationship with eyes - wide open to that fact. Knowing it is her money that attracts she is willing to play the game for all its worth. Hawk, on the other hand, has no intention of marriage, only to try to gain back what he felt was robbed from the truly rightful heir of Lord Deveril. Clarissa finds him, handsome, sexy, and well, even if he is attracted by her money, she plans to play his game. She is a spunky, forthright, outstanding heroine - I really liked her!This was an excellent tale. I had read all the previous novels that introduced all the players so, I could relate to the tying up of loose ends. Now, I wonder if Ms. Beverley would like to finish up Dare's story! Dare should be a good one, yes!?!

This book is the third and final in Beverley's 'Three Guys Named George' series; but it's also in many ways a direct sequel to An Unwilling Bride in the 'Company of Rogues' series. So if you've ever wanted to know what happened to shy Clarissa, the very unwilling fiancee of the evil Lord Deveril, after Deveril was killed by Blanche (and the murder was covered up by the Rogues) in An Unwilling Bride, here's all those loose ends brilliantly tied up.Clarissa, now a year or so older and quite a bit wiser, is the ward of the Duke of Belcraven, a considerable heiress, and about to make her second attempt to enter society. She wants to strike out on her own; fond though she is of Beth Arden, Lucien, the Marquess, scares her. This, for critics of one element of An Unwilling Bride, is the legacy of Luce's one moment of lapse of control. It wasn't all over and forgotten with after all!Hawk, returned at last from the war, finds unwelcome news. His father is deep in debt and has mortgaged the manor to an appalling developer - all the quest for the family title. The title? That of Viscount Deveril. So his father is about to become Lord Deveril, and he wants Deveril's fortune. Hawk's duty is to obtain it, either by proving the will a forgery, or by marrying the Devil's Heiress.But Clarissa is obviously no murderer, nor a fraudster. Instead, she's a fairly plain and shy young woman, but as Hawk gets to know her, he sees that she's beautiful, and intelligent, and fiercely determined to combat the prejudice she encounters as Deveril's heir. Despite himself, he is intrigued.Clarissa knows that Hawk is after her money; but she also knows that someone as plain as her is only going to attract suitors who want her money. And, since she's resigned herself to that eventuality, why not marry someone she *likes*? For she likes Hawk, very much. Too much...And so the game begins, with guilt and lies on both sides, but with a stirring, sensual attraction between Clarissa and Hawk which simmers off the pages. Familiar characters from other books return: Francis Middlethorpe's Aunt Arabella, who is sent by Nicholas to chaperon Clarissa; Nicholas himself, along with Eleanor and Amabel; Therese Bellaire, Con and Susan; Van and Maria; Hal and Blanche (now, there has to be at least one more Rogues book, simply to complete their story!), and, of course, Lucien and Beth. And the Duke and Duchess of Belcraven!And there is also a welcome appearance from one very unexpected character indeed!This is an unmissable, unputdownable book. Don't miss it!

In 1816, Major George "Hawk" Hawkinville has mixed feelings about coming home to Sussex after fighting at Waterloo. His mom is dead and he hates his father John Gervase, but still loves his matriarchal home. Hawk learns that his detestable sire borrowed money with Hawkinville used as collateral. John used the money to obtain the title of the recently murdered Lord Deveril. Hawk must pay 20,000 pounds in two months or forfeit everything except the title of Hawkinville. Trying to save his beloved home, Hawk attempts to prove to the Deveril heiress Clarissa that Greystone killed her betrothed or at least forged his will. That way his father inherits the money. Although she thinks he is a fortune hunter, they fall in love. He persuades her to elope fearing she would never marry him if she learned he is the heir to Deveril. However, before they can marry she learns the truth and rejects Hawk's plea, ending their relationship before it can blossom. THE DEVIL'S HEIRESS is an exciting Regency romantic suspense that never slows down for an instant as award winning Jo Beverly provides her myriad of fans with quite an exciting thriller. The story line is filled with action, but it is the charming lead couple that makes the plot hum. Although Hawk's father seems too self-centered to be real, fans will enjoy this tale. Readers will seek out the other novel in this series (THE DRAGON'S BRIDE) and the short story (part of IN PRAISE OF YOUNGER MEN), as well as the Rogues tale that included Deveril and Clarissa (see AN UNWILLING BRIDE).Harriet Klausner

In 1816 England, Clarissa Greystone is known as the Devil's Heiress, as her former betrothed, Lord Deveril, left her the bulk of his estate when he died. Though Clarissa despised Lord Deveril, her inheritance has given her some independence, which enables her to go to Brighton upon her departure from Miss Mallory's School in Cheltenham. It is not pure chance, which causes Clarissa to go to Brighton but a memorable encounter with a Major George "Hawk" Hawkinville at a parade in Cheltenham. At Hawk's suggestion, Clarissa was prompted to choose Brighton as a temporary place of residence with hopes of encountering the dashing officer again. And encounter Hawk, Clarissa does, as she enjoys flirting with him and even visiting his family home. Though Clarissa believes Hawk to be a fortune hunter, she is certain he cares for her, but is a little disconcerted when he probes her about the mysterious death of Lord Deveril. Even though Clarissa is falling in love with Hawk, can she trust Hawk with the events surrounding Deveril's death? And will Hawk reveal to Clarissa the true nature of his interest in her even as his passion for her gets in the way of his original purpose? THE DEVIL'S HEIRESS, the third installment in Ms. Beverley's series of the George's is an even juicier read than the previous work, THE DRAGON'S BRIDE. The development of Clarissa's character is a joy to behold, as she emerges from a dreary schoolgirl to a clever and engaging woman. The repartee between Hawk and Clarissa is incredibly clever with enough undertones to keep the reader's constant attention. And the inclusion of the rogues, former heroes in Ms. Beverley's prior works, adds much to the intricacies of this plot. A truly delightful read, THE DEVIL'S HEIRESS will make the reader's keeper list.