The Gamblers of Craven's

It’s all about the yearning heroes under the roof of London’s infamous gaming hell.

1. THEN CAME YOU by Lisa Kleypas

SYNOPSIS

A woman with a secret…

Reckless beauty Lily Lawson delights in shocking London society. She will break any rule to get what she wants... and she is determined to stop her younger sister from marrying Alex, Lord Wolverton, a handsome and arrogant earl who has vowed never to fall in love.

A man who will do anything to possess her...

To Alex’s fury, the headstrong hellion presents a temptation he can’t resist. He vows to make her pay dearly for her interference—with her body, her soul, and her stubborn, well-guarded heart.

As Alex and Lily challenge each other at every turn, they are caught up in a white-hot desire that burns through every defense and exposes the mystery of Lily's past... and together they discover that love is the most dangerous game of all.

2. DREAMING OF YOU by Lisa Kleypas

SYNOPSIS

When shy and secluded author Sara Fielding ventures from her country cottage to research a novel, she inadvertently witnesses a crime in progress—and manages to save the life of the most dangerous man in London.

Derek Craven is a powerful and near-legendary gambling club owner who was born a bastard and raised in the streets. His reputation is unsavory, his scruples nonexistent. But Sara senses that beneath Derek’s cynical exterior, he is capable of a love more passionate than her deepest fantasies.

Aware that he is the last man that an innocent young woman should ever want, Derek is determined to protect Sara from himself, no matter what it takes. But in a world where secrets lurk behind every shadow, he is the only man who can keep her safe. And as Derek and Sara surrender to an attraction too powerful to deny, a peril surfaces from his dark past to threaten their happiness... and perhaps even their lives. Together they will discover if love is enough to make dreams come true.

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BOOK REVIEW

Lisa Kleypas is one of my most favourite historical romance authors. Her ability to create unforgettable well-rounded characters is one of a kind. In Dreaming of You, in particular, Sara Fielding was a very interesting heroine but it was Derek Craven who made me catch my breath.

“A long time ago I learned not to explain things to people. It misleads them into thinking they’re entitled to know everything I do.”

Sara Fielding was a rather reckless author celebrated for her very convincing story-telling. But also, she was a little ‘mouse’ who was oblivious to all the temptations of the world. However, after Sara’s crazy meeting with the owner of London’s infamous gaming hell, her life was caught in a whirlwind of burning desires and choking feelings.

There was also the occasional bite of resentment when he realized she had become the source of all pleasure to him, all comfort and peace. She was the first human being he had ever needed. He had lost his freedom in a way he had never imagined possible, bound more securely by her love than by a mile’s length of iron chains.

Derek Craven was an embodiment of his chequered past, rough on the edges but extremely vulnerable inside. He was that kind of a hero who deemed himself incapable to feel and undeserving of other people’s affections, love especially. When Derek found himself burning for Sara, he decided to be tortured by not being with her instead of taking the love within his reach.

“Don’t you understand how much even one day of loving each other is worth? Some people are separated by distances that can never cross. All they can do is dream about each other for a lifetime, never having what they want most. How foolish, how wasteful to have love within your reach and not take it!”

The relationship development between Derek and Sara was slow-burn (the yearning of the hero was intense). But since Derek was a man of extremes, once he gave in his true feelings and desires, the pages were set on fire. I was addicted to the romance and felt like the couple was one of the best by Lisa Kleypas.

The fans of the pairings between dangerous heroes with tormented souls and naive but daring heroines will be absolutely happy with this one!