I loved this story just as much as I loved the first book in the Wicked series. Madeline Hunter's plots are so intriguing with twists and turns that just keep the pages flying into the early hours of the morning.
With her father charged with fraud against the Crown and imprisoned in Newgate, Padua seeks out the best barrister she can find, only to discover that he is not the old and gray-haired man she expected, but rather a very attractive rogue with a wicked gleam to his eyes - the sort of man who sends her pulse racing at a most inappropriate pace. Unfortunately, it turns out that he is also the man the Crown has asked to serve as prosecutor in the case.
Ives is a man of principle. He never strays from duty or honor. Why then, is he suddenly acting out of character, engaging in spontaneous rendezvous with the daughter of a criminal and, worse yet, helping her save the man he is meant to condemn? Perhaps because there's just something about Padua Belvoire...something he has't been able to resist since she set foot in his study, tempting them both to embark on a passionate affair that could cost them everything they both hold dear: her father's freedom and his honor.
As clues begin to emerge, the unlikely pair embarks on a mission to find the truth behind Padua's father's conviction, but the more time they spend together, the more difficult parting will be once the trial begins.
This is a beautifully written love story full of passion and a touch of adventure. Madeline Hunter is an exceptional author and since I cant wait to read more of her stories, I'm off to grab the third book in this delicious series: The Wicked Duke.
This is the first book that I've ever read by Madaline Hunter - I was actually planning to grab The Wicked Duke when I saw it advertised a while back, but changed my mind once I realized that there were two previous books in this series. Well written and with an art-mystery to be solved, His Wicked Reputation was a fast-paced and satisfying read full of entertaining dialogue and a couple of unexpected twists and turns.
Gareth Fitzallen is the bastard son of a duke. But in spite his illegitimacy, he enjoys a good relationship with his surviving half-brothers. Doors to ballrooms are open to him, and the women can't seem to get enough! But when he inherits a run-down property and becomes involved in the search for a missing art collection, it's not a wealthy society lady who draws his attention, but a spinster struggling to ensure her sister's future.
Eva Russell's life has been a struggle since her brother's death. Especially since she's determined to keep her property and get her younger sister suitably settled. A passionate artist, she scrapes her income together by copying famous paintings with no expectation of ever doing anything more. But then Gareth arrives in town and her world turns upside down, not only because of her undeniable attraction to him, but because the paintings she's be copying are his - borrowed from the attic of the house he's just inherited.
I found this to be a delightful read. Gareth and Eva were wonderful characters, and I especially liked them at the end when they owned their mistakes and trusted each other instead of getting angry and throwing accusations around, because it could easily have gone that way too. Instead, I found the resolution to be perfect and Madeline Hunter's writing style and plot extremely enjoyable. I will definitely be grabbing the following books in this series!
