Good Earl Gone Bad: A Lords of Anarchy Novel

Manda Collins

Oct 2015 · The Lords of Anarchy Book 2 · Sold by St. Martin's Paperbacks

About this ebook

Marriage? To a gambler? You must be joking! Lady Ophelia Dauntry has never been one to back down from a challenge. And when her spendthrift father does the unthinkable and loses her hand in marriage at the gaming tables, she is faced with the challenge of her life. Not only in the man she'll be forced to marry-the Earl of Mainwaring--a gamester, he's also a member of the Lords of Anarchy-the driving club she holds responsible for her dear friend Lucinda's confinement in an asylum, though they have never claimed responsibility. Marriage to Mainwaring won't be easy, but perhaps it will give her the entrée behind the scenes of the LOA she needs to find out which of them had Lucinda put away.

All Jasper Fawley, the Earl of Mainwaring, wanted was a night of cards, but by the end of the evening he walks away not only with a great deal of money, but a lady's hand in marriage. It's not as if he doesn't already have a great deal on his plate, what with paying for his sisters' seasons and searching for James Craven's killer amongst the Lords of Anarchy. But despite his misgivings, he finds his new wife more than beddable and to his surprise and dismay she seems to have quite an interest in the LOA. Could she be one of those women who throw themselves at members willy-nilly, or is there some other reason for her interest in the club? And will their dealings with the club become far more dangerous than either of them could have anticipated?

Ratings and reviews

The player gets played. Ophelia is caught between a rock and a hard place. Betrayed by her father, forced to make tough decisions and on the hunt for answers. She has a lot on her plate. Jasper never expected to have a temptress like Ophelia fall into his lap, All he wanted was a night of fun. Now he has a wife who he doesn't completely trust, a murderer on the loose and is entangled in a mystery that may get them both killed. Manda Collins world conspiracies, secrets, lust, power and murder is full of excitement. A little confusing at times but overall a cool effort. I received an ARC of Good Earl Gone Bad in exchange for an honest review.

An exquisite love story, a captivating mystery, and lovely writing make GOOD EARL GONE BAD a Regency delight! What a glorious day it was for Lady Hermione Upperton! She has just gained admittance to the previously all-male Lords of Anarchy driving club, even though the president is an unpleasant bloke, she is euphoric and she celebrates with her best friends. However, on the day of her first race, to her consternation, her beloved horses are taken away from her publicly; her father lost them in a gaming hell. Jasper Fawley, the Earl of Mainwaring, witnessed the debacle and feels for Hermione, whom he rather fancies from afar; he is a gambling man himself, but knows when to stop. But Hermione’s trials are far from over, as yet again her father gambles, and this time it is her hand that he loses to Jasper! GOOD EARL GONE BAD is the second instalment in the Lords of Anarchy series, and Ms. Collins recaps some of the essentials for those who had, alas, not read the first book. I love the friendship between Hermione, Leonora and Ophelia, it feels completely genuine, as well as the camaraderie between the men. The author’s meticulous attention to detail brings the Regency era to life, especially with regards to the limited possibilities for women, as seen through Hermione’s eyes, as she is a headstrong young woman. The author displays much finesse and flair; while she respects the vocabulary and idioms of the era, the narrative is light, and flows easily, and the dialogues feel natural yet feel completely authentic. GOOD EARL GONE BAD is a meticulously constructed story which successfully blends a terrific mystery with a wonderful romance; the plot is very intricate and the somewhat unhurried pace makes it easy to follow. Jasper is exactly the type of hero I love to read about: he is a gentleman to the end. The chemistry between Hermione and Jasper is undeniable, and they treat each other with respect, they like each other, and O joy, there is not one misunderstanding, or idiotic complication. I felt I knew these people, I really liked them, and I can hardly wait for the next instalment of The Lords of Anarchy! I actually give 4 ½ stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

About the author

Manda Collins spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. When she’s not writing, she’s helping other people use books, as an academic librarian.