Wicked As Sin: A Novel (The Boscastles)

I really like the characaters and story made me what to read more by this author. Sir Gabriel Boscastle wins a home in a card game in his hometown area and decides to spend some time their and chase aways some old demons. What he finds is Lady Alethea Claridge his childhood neighbor who was always his champion. What I liked about this novel and romance of Alethea and Gabriel is she didn't try to hold back her laughter and he made her remember her joy in life. Can't wait for her new book Wicked at the Wedding, second in the series about one of Gabriel's long-lost brothers.

Jillian Hunter has done it again with the perfect blend of romance and humor set in a historic setting that intrigues the reader and doesn't let go until the last page is turned. Well actually that isn't even accurate, she has given us a sneak preview of her next book that had me wishing she would write faster and publisher sooner! I love this family and all of their adventures! Character development continues to be excellent in Jillian Hunter's books. She continues to weave a cast of characters that her fans come to love and she gives us a brief glimpse into past characters' lives so we can continue to feel like a friend of the Boscastle family. Each of her characters is unique and has a personality that thrives on fun and adventure. Overall, I think Jillian Hunter becomes a stronger writer with each of her publications. Her characters and storylines are fun and trap the reader from the beginning. I often find myself chuckling in her books as her wit is evident in her writing. You definitely won't be disappointed reading any of her books, especially Wicked as Sin.

This book follows the wicked Bostcastle cousin we have all come to know from the previous series. Gabriel is known for his sinful vices and gambling skill. He wins an estate at a game of chance that happens to be in the village where he grew up. Here he becomes reaquainted with the heroine Lady Alethea, who had also grown up in the village. We begin to learn about Gabriel's difficult childhood that shaped him into the scoundrel he was to become. Alethea had been the one nice memory in a bleak childhood, and the only one to show kindness to a boy acting out in his anger. There is alot of character interaction and it is easy to see how the childhood acquaintances fall in love. Alethea is also harboring a heartbreaking secret of her own. This leads to a big misuderstanding. The heroine, not being actually adverse to sharing her secret, but rather always looking for the opportune moment allows the secret to go on to long and the misuderstanding occurs. Gabriel becomes a bit of a hypocrit. However, the misunderstanding is resolved fairly quickly without being drawn out for to long. There is a nice set up at the end for the next book in the series.

Indulge your reading senses with the delightful charm and pizzaz of Jillian Hunter's Boscastle family. If you love the Bridgerton's by Julia Quinn and the Knight's by Gaelan Foley, then you'll love the incorrigible Boscastles. Handsome cavalry officer Sir Gabriel Boscastle returns from Waterloo a hero, only to resume his pursuit of forbidden pleasures in London. There is no bet this cynical gentleman will not take and no woman he cannot seduce. But when he travels to the country manor he wins during a card game, he discovers there is one gamble he has never risked and that he may have met his match. His opponent and neighbour is none other than Alethea Claridge, the only person who stood by him during his wildest years and the only woman ever to captivate his heart.The Boscastles in sequence: The Seduction of an English Scoundrel, The Love Affair of an English Lord, The Wedding Night of an English Rogue, The Wicked Games of a Gentleman, The Sinful Nights of a Nobleman and The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke.

In 1816 in Enfield, England, Lady Althea Claridge hears that the latest "wicked deed-holder" of neighboring Helbourne Hall has arrived. She also realizes this particular "devil" is taking a dangerous path that will kill himself and his horse. Althea rushes to prevent a fatal accident from occurring. Thus she is shocked when the latest demon holder is her childhood buddy Colonel Sir Gabriel Boscastle. As stunned as she is, Gabriel cannot believe how beautiful his kindhearted childhood friend has become. However, he sees a sadness about her that she did not have in her youth and feels a need to return the mirth to her eyes. However, as they fall in love, she assumes he is the same out of control person he was as a child, but believes they can make it. He, on the other hand, looks pessimistically at the future as his gloomy outlook may prove prophetic. WICKED AS SIN is an excellent regency romance that besides the return of the irresistible Boscastle brood stars a wonderful lead couple. Interestingly, Gabriel wants to bring the happiness back into his beloved's eyes yet ironically his depressing outlook may make the sadness permanent. Classic Pygmalion Effect, fans will appreciate this entry rooting that Althea brings happiness to Gabriel's eyes. Harriet Klausner