Passions of a Wicked Earl by Lorraine Heath
London’s Greatest Lovers, Book 1
Avon
Historical
ISBN: 978-0061922961
Reviewed by Talia Ricci




For so long Morgan Lyons, the Earl of Westcliffe, has been angry.  Angry at his wife, angry at his mother, angry at anything in general.  But it is his anger at his wife that controlled the way he feels and sees women.  And he has good reason – mere hours after wedding her, Claire betrayed him with his brother.  Refusing to hear or read about any admissions of guilt or innocence, Morgan banished his wife to the country and returned to London in order to wipe her memory from his mind.  Morgan has just about forgotten about her when the unthinkable happens.

Claire has returned to London and has moved into his home.  For his help in launching her sister in society, Claire has promised to return to the county estate and never bother him again.  But what happens when the Earl’s frozen heart begins to thaw?  Will he deem Claire a worthy wife or will the scheming machinations of another skew his way of thinking?

I find myself basing my likes and dislikes in a historical romance on Lorraine Heath.  When I read Passions of a Wicked Earl, I rejoiced at the intensity of the characters – Morgan most especially.  As a male, his pride is very important. He does not take betrayal very well and the fact that his new wife supposedly betrayed him on his wedding night hardened his heart.  But it didn’t turn to stone. I like to think his heart became sort of like a candle.  When Claire returned to Morgan’s life, that candle began to burn and the hard wax encasing his heart began to soften until finally, it was warm again.  And what a wonderful feeling it was, to be honest.

Lorraine Heath’s Passions of a Wicked Earl has exactly the right combination of angst, powerful emotions, and sultry interludes.  Claire’s love for Morgan shines through, especially when they are alone with each other.  I highly and Joyfully recommend Passions of a Wicked Earl.  It is one of Ms. Heath’s best so far!