Never a Gentleman is book two of the Drake's Rakes series. Book one, entitled Barely a Lady, is available now, as is book three, Always a Temptress.

Miss Grace Fairchild has had an unconventional upbringing, to say the least. She's followed the drum as a general's daughter, and has a loyal cadre of soldiers who will protect her life and her reputation to the death. What nobody plans on, however, is an insidious plot to ensnare one of London's roguish lords with her as an unwitting participant.

Diccan Hilliard is many things - entertaining, rascally, elegant and dangerous. He is unprepared, however, to be caught in a scandal designed to distract and shame him with the plain Jane daughter of a general. There is no question - there must be a marriage - but what's an unrepentant rapscallion to do when he finds himself entangled in not-so-blissful forever after with a wife who just may be the woman of his dreams?

Never a Gentleman is delightful, decadent Regency romp across battlegrounds and through the shadowy lines that separate good and evil. Diccan is a wonderful character, full of life and passion, and determined not to fall in love. Grace is a smart, capable and private person who hides her yearning for a life of her own behind a cool and calm façade. I loved watching her find her power from within and seeing her lose her imagined inadequacies on horseback. Together, Grace and Diccan are simply magical. I especially enjoyed the character of Barbara Schroeder and her role in the book. This is likely my favorite book in this series, but I've thoroughly relished them all. Five Angels and a Recommended Read!

Reviewed by: Michelle B.