The Bride Who Got Lucky

September 11, 2017
The second Cavensham Heiresses Regency (after The Bad Luck Bride) has a heady mix of action, wit, and sexual tension. After headstrong Lady Emma Cavensham’s friend Lena is murdered, Emma believes Lena’s abusive husband, Aulton, did it. When she learns that Aulton plans to remarry, Emma is determined to bring him to justice before another innocent woman falls prey to him. The wealthy and reclusive Nicholas St. Mauer, Earl of Somerton, has one ambition: to become more successful than the father who neglected, humiliated, and disowned him as a lad. Nick wishes to avoid marriage, but his attempts to protect Emma during her reckless investigation land them in a compromising position and then in front of the nearest vicar. The lovers share a history and are accepted by Emma’s family, but that foundation begins to crumble under Nick’s inability to forgive and Emma’s guilt over Lena’s death. When Aulton discovers Emma’s plan, he strikes back at her; Nick’s demand that she let go of her quest puts even more strain on the marriage. Readers will eagerly turn the pages to see how this intense story concludes. Agent: Pamela Ahearn, Ahearn Agency.

September 1, 2017
Nosy noble nabs bold bluestocking.Yes, of course Lady Emma Cavensham finds Nicholas St. Mauer attractive--she even kissed him once--but that doesn't mean she wants to marry him. Or anybody, for that matter, since none of the men of the ton are "able or willing to accept a woman as an equal partner." Nick's interference three years earlier, when she tried to purchase a rare copy of Bentham's Essays, led to her parents removing her from society. And in any event, her only goal in life now is to prove that her best friend, Lena, died not from an accident, but at the hand of her abusive husband. However, after her vengeful return to London, it's not long before Nick intrudes again, when Emma's quest comes close to the border of impropriety, and this time, his meddling leads to a forced betrothal. Though they both accept their fate, Nick's long estrangement from his father, the Duke of Renton, and Emma's desire for the freedom of spinsterhood mean both are reluctant to abandon their prized solitude--even in the face of their powerful attraction. The second title in the Cavensham Heiresses series again proves that MacGregor has a real talent for developing every facet of a romance; it can be read independently from the first book, but readers of one will devour the other. In steamy scenes as well as emotional ones, Emma and Nick develop not just as a couple, but also as individuals, each thanks to the other's affections. After a lengthy buildup of tensions outside their love story, some readers may find the ending somewhat abrupt, but all will be glad to see the protofeminist couple reach their happily-ever-after together--and as equals. An independent-minded lord and lady find comfort in each other rather than Regency society.

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Starred review from October 1, 2017
All Emma Cavensham wants to do is to help other women. Emma knows just how limited a woman's freedom can be, and she plans on changing that, first by opening a bank for women run by women. Because who knows better the distinct financial obstacles a woman faces in life than another woman? Second, Emma wants to help one woman in particular: her dear friend Lena Aulton. Emma knows Lena's husband, the Earl of Aulton, made her life miserable and caused her death, and Emma intends on seeing that he pays for what he did. There is just one obstacle in Emma's path: Nicholas St. Mauer, Earl of Somerton. Distracting Nick so that she can continue with her plans is now Emma's first priority, and the distraction that seems to be most effective with him involves kissing. Rising star MacGregor once again demonstrates her remarkable gift for effortlessly elegant writing, richly nuanced characterization, and lushly sensual love scenes in the second brilliant installment in her new Cavensham Heiresses series, following The Bad Luck Bride (2017).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)