Loved this book. Story after story of lighthearted reading. Lots of romance and mystery. Erica Ridley on top form.

Some of the very first books that I fell in love with were Gothic romances and as I began these stories, I felt like I had stepped back in time. There is truly something mesmerizing about the dark castle, the frightening first glimpse of the man of the manor and his tortured soul. The heroine who is an innocent and scared out of her wits but oddly forms an attraction. Have I set the stage? Multiply all of those thoughts by ten and you have an amazing stories written by one of the masters of historical romance who has absolutely surrounded me with the atmosphere and suspense of this genre'
Book 1 Too Wicked to Kiss
Evangeline (of how I love that name!) Pemberton was desperately trying to escape her cruel stepfather after the death of her mother. She had come upon Lady Stanton and her daughter who had taken her in and had her traveling with them to a local soiree. Well the "local" was not true because it took an entire day to get there and then seeing their destination and the finding out the real reason they were going to Blackberry Manor. Oh yes, how underhanded could these two ladies be!
But when they arrived and she saw the object of their focus, she could hardly move.
"He was angry. Horribly angry. His eyes glittered like a wolf's because he was a wolf a beautiful, powerful, violent wolf, prowling toward his unsuspecting prey." Enter Gavin Lioncroft, reclusive, brooding hero, having been suspected of murder and angry because his sister had invited guest to his home.
I just wanted to set the stage but what a page turner!! I could almost "see" the setting in my mind and picture all of the characters in this play. I say play because it unfolded with all the parts to make a fascinating tale.

Book 2
Too Sinful to Deny
To say the beginning got my attention quickly is an understatement! The heroine of the story Susan almost drowned! Yes, that was the beginning of some very strange happenings to come! This seemed to be her last escapade (not the drowning but what led up to it!) before her parents banished her to remote Moonseed Manor.
Arriving she looked at the "scarecrow" of a butler and tried to introduce herself. "She was the twenty-year old sole offspring of a loveless titled couple who had banished their ostracized disappointment of a daughter to the remotest corner of England rather than bear the sight of her." Is that what she should say? But then it got interesting as she went to meet her relative at the manor. A giant answered the door the scarecrow took her too and then a very handsome man came forward. Wait are you confused? You just have to read this amusing, tangled story that was truly fascinating and I could not stop once I started!!
I knew I like Susan immediately with her quirkiness and humorous thoughts. Plus the characters were priceless!
A gothic romance filled with a haunted mansion by the seaside, smugglers, murder and mayhem but a lot of humor which is usually not the case. But I loved it! The handsome guy she met at first was Evan Bothwick, smuggler and soon to be attracted to Susan and she to him.
Alas, there is a bumpy road to the happy ending, that is if they can make it past the murder and mayhem!!

Book 3
Too Tempting to Resist
Crowmere Castle, England 1811
A story of a young lady who had been left on her own for so long, she truly did not want to get back into society. Having lived with her great uncle for years after the death of her parents, Rebecca had managed to almost "disappear" and even keep his books and stay secluded. But when her great uncle died and left her nothing, the new Earl wanted to marry her off.
Daniel, Lord Stanbury, had know Rebecca years ago when he had spent time at Crowmere Castle and they had become friends. But he knew he had hurt her badly and had not forgiven his grandmother for her part. But he received a summons back to hear the reading of the will and was determined to show Rebecca that he was a different person than back then. Because he had not forgotten her through the years.
When they meet again as he comes to hear the will, she truly gives him the cold shoulder, although she needs his help to ensnare a husband since she is losing her home. What? Well he desires her coldness due to how he had treated her and he would help.
Loved these two characters! Their interactions and feelings for each other that simmered under the surface. A sweet, special romance that will make you believe in the power of love!

Book 4
Too Wanton to Wed
Gothic romance at it's best! When I began the first book in this series, I was so excited to be reading stories with a gothic setting. The dark and the light. The tortured hero and the redemption he needed from the heroine. Each book has been true to the genre and as I read this last in the series, I could only feel a small sadness they were at an end!
Their death was and accident, but Violet could not be sorry. Her life was forever changed and she hated to leave the girls she had taught and helped come off the streets just as she had. But she had no choice but to run.
When her funds ran out as did her body, she stumbled upon an enormous building which looked like a monastary but all the windows were boarded up. Would this be her end?
She ended up at Waldegrave Abbey where Alistar Waldegrave had his daughter Lily locked in and all he could contemplate was finding her a doctor that could help her illness.
She had collapsed and ended up inside the dark Abbey where she met Alistar. When he realized she had been a teacher/governess he hired her to work with his daughter.
Erica Ridley weaves a tale with her descriptive prose that makes you feel you are there with Violet and can literally be part of her emotions. She is such a fighter from having to survive not that many years ago. She has a strong, wonderful heart and empathy for Lily, Alistar's daughter and brings light to the darkness for those around her.
But will the past catch up for her crimes and can these two really find a love to endure?
Truly loved this story and know I will read this series again. I highly recommend!

Too Wicked to Kiss

This story reads like a game of Clue; a game which I would have lost. Evangeline runs away from her abusive stepfather after he kills her mother and seeks support from Lady Stanton and her daughter, Susan. Lady Stanton is a piece of work and only wants Evangeline around to aid in her plot of having Susan “compromised” and therefore forcing Gavin Lioncroft, a suspected murderer, to marry her. There are a number of characters in this story; each with their own secrets/issues/problems; therefore, I found it impossible to figure out who the killer was. Gavin and Evangeline have their own personal issues/demons which made their interactions both frustrating and enjoyable. Both reacted poorly at times and jumped to conclusions or made assumptions which was irritating but at the same time it kept me reading to find out what would happen next. This was an enjoyable read and perfect for setting up the next story about Susan.




Too Sinful to Deny is the second book in Erica Ridley’s Gothic Love Stories collection.

In this second story, we follow Susan, who has once again disappointed her unloving parents. This time they have banished her to a tiny village where she has a distant relative far away from London where there is little to do. There is a cast of unsavoury characters living in this area (pirates, smugglers, killers). Of course Susan just can’t stay out of trouble and once she discovers that she can see and hear dead people, the adventure is on. One really doesn’t know who can or should be trusted in this story and there are more questions than answers, but it is worth reading if you don’t want the usual type of story. I liked that I kept changing my mind throughout this story as to who the killer was and what I thought might be going on. I’m happy to say that I really didn’t figure things out, so this one kept me reading as I just couldn’t put it down without knowing how it would end.


Too Tempting to Resist is the third book in Erica Ridley’s Gothic Love Stories collection.

This instalment starts out with Rebecca, a 22 year old who had been living in the castle unnoticed after the old Earl had taken her in as an orphan 5 years ago, worrying about her future. After the old Earl passed away, the new one, Rebecca’s uncle, informed her that she needs to be wed as he can’t afford the time/to take care of another female. Rebecca decides that her old friend Daniel would be the perfect person to her how to attract a husband. Unbeknownst to Rebecca, Daniel hurries to the castle as soon as he is summoned in order to be able to spend some time alone with her apologizing about the past before others arrive. Daniel knew he wronged Rebecca, but he didn’t understand just how badly until the two finally spoke about it. This is a short story with a strong heroine who you can’t help but like and hope that she gets a wonderful HEA.



Too Wanton to Wed is the fourth book in Erica Ridley’s Gothic Love Stories collection.

I didn’t care for this story. There is nothing wrong with it, I just wasn’t a fan and the hero drove me crazy with his obsession trying to find a cure and keeping his daughter so safe that she basically had little joy.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review

It is bundle but I will read and review her stiries one at a time .

Too Wicked To Kiss

I do loved this story which mixes a historical setting with a bit of paranormal and a mystery to solve but at time I struggled to like the heroine.
The hero is dark, brooding with fit of temper, but to me, he never gave proof to be the ruthless murdered he is accused to be. Sure he is easily angered when he sees abuse but it does not make him a monster.
And for ten years he payed a deep price for his recklessness and late teen mistakes. He was seventeen when the events which sealed his fate occurred, not yet an adult.
Sure, Evangeline’s upbringing was violent and filed with abuses and made her weary of men, but she is quick to judge and pass her veto on those she thinks guilty. While Gavin tried at each turn to win her trust, even when her omission or some miscommunication showed her in a bad light, he always forgave her.
And m each time he expressed his faith in her by confessing his own errors and secrets, she censured him and played hot and cold with his feelings, never able accept him for the man he is, flaws and gifts.
Why I found her often inconstant and shallow, lacking of trust for the one man she says she is in love. Hopefully she apologized every time she doubted him.
And after all, it is what makes us human, our faults and goods. It is not always pleasant to see our own defects in others, why Mrs Ridley did a great job with her different characters as the wide range of personalities was a perfect representation of the good and bad in the human being.
4.5 stars

To Sinful to Deny

Can two persons with different agenda find a truce and work together.

Estranged from London ton for her unsuitability to keep her mouth closed, Susan finds herself hurled to the confines of nowhere. Where she steps in the middle of a smuggler/pirate war.

When I saw this second book will be about Susan the haughty and scheming young Miss from the previous book, I was not sure about it.
Susan is far from the best heroine, but from the beginning I do liked her spoiled bratty self. She was full of quips and sarcasms.
This was until she meets Evan, at first it was a battle of wits then the more they denied their chemistry, the more I was upset by their distrust of the other.
Even if it was rather humorous to see Susan put her feet in her mouth, I disliked their inability to talk calmly, trust another and always hiding things from the other. They spent 90% of the story doubting the other, keeping secrets and by the way causing heartaches.
I do liked the paranormal side, it added to the tension between Susan and Evan.
Evan is a very complex character, part gentleman what ever he says, smuggler bordering piracy, but kind and respectful from the weakest.
In fact I do think I liked both main characters alone, it was their relationship that bothered me more, their sizzling moments were like out of control scenes. At the end, they were perfect together but their way to another was too bumpy and filled with betrayal, miscommunications and misconceiving.

A 4 stars rate for this earlier work by the talented Mrs Erica Ridley.

TOO TEMPTING TO RESIST

Can a rake beg forgiveness for the pain he caused to his childhood friend and help her secure a groom.

I really loved this one book, I find all that is Mrs Erica Ridley touch here.
Despite the shortness of this story, the author brought her main characters to life, their flaws, talents and past shaped them in very fleshy paper heroes.
In their year apart, Rebecca improved herself, by drowning out her loneliness with plenty of tasks, she taught herself and moved in whole new woman.
She is clever, resourceful and very witty.
Her dialogues with Daniel clashed like a tennis game with her carrying the play.
Daniel has years of regrets behind him, when Rebecca had to forge a new path for herself, he merely had just to follow the road already all mapped out for him.
So when an opportunity arisen, he decided it was time he makes amends.
But Rebecca is no more the young girl he left behind, she is a woman now, able to speak for herself and whom won’t bent because he is male and nobility.

A 5 stars for this short pages turn great tale.

TOO WANTON TO WED

Can two persons keeping secrets from each other find a way to another heart and trust.

So this is the last one in this re-edited series, here, no paranormal aspect, only a dark house looping over its inhabitants and their own darkness.
It was also a romance with not two but three protagonists, the incommensurable love of a father for his ill child, the fresh love of the woman who takes care of this child and the newly found love between the father and this woman.
It was a lovely story, each one withholding the blackness of their past, afraid they may push back the other.
The tale is articulated around Lily’s care and how love and understanding succeed where everything else failed.
Violet is no damsel-in-distress nor shrinking violet, she has a past, and innocent she is not having grew up in the slums of Whitechapel but she won’t let wealthy peers get the better of her just because they have their rank for them. This is how during her escape she stumbles upon this desolated edifice and in the life of its residents.
Alistair has molded his life to the rhythm of his daughter’s. For her he has sacrificed everything but alone he is unable to convey his love to her when she sees herself as his prisoner.
Lily suffers from a severe affliction with unable her to see the light of the sun. Because of past burns, her father keeps her locked after she might hurt herself more, not seing the damage it does to her own view of their very particular family.
Violet’s arrival is the fresh breath they needed.
But she also awakens pains and demons they thought buried.
This was a lovely tale of second chance, with very flawed characters whom love will bring on the right path.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author and previously I had preordered my own copy. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Too Wicked to Kiss 4*
Gothic Indeed - Dilapidated, dark, creepy and riddled with secret passages, the house in which Gavin Lioncroft resides is not welcoming to visitors. Tarred with killing his parents when he was seventeen, he is the obvious suspect when his brother-in-law, with whom he had fought earlier that day, turns up dead.
Evangeline Pemberton receives visions when she touches others, so how come this doesn’t happen when she touches Gavin? All she does feel is desire but how can she trust a man so black of heart? Loved it.

Too Sinful to Deny 4*
Pirates, Smugglers and Ghosts - Since she almost drowned after the 1814 Frost Fair collapsed in the Thames, Sarah has been able to see and hear ghosts. Having been exiled to Bournemouth by her parents, she soon finds herself embroiled in the murders of the recently dead with no idea who she should trust, including the handsome rakehell to whom she is attracted.

Too Tempting to Resist 5*
A Beautiful Novella - Rebecca Bond has been living in the shadows of Crowmere Castle since the death of her parents. When the old Earl dies, she has been so successful in being unobtrusive that he has forgotten that she lives there and doesn’t provide for her future. The new Earl wants her off his hands and gives her three months to find a husband. Her clothes are five years out of fashion and she has had no practice in flirting and so she determines that Daniel Goodenham, Viscount Stonebury should be the one to tutor her. Formerly a friend, Daniel has hurt her badly in the past but he is acknowledged to be a hit with the ladies and he will be visiting the castle for the reading of the will. A delightful story about second chances.

Too Wanton to Wed 4*
Monster Child - After inadvertently being involved in the deaths of two men, Violet Whitechapel, former guttersnipe turned teacher flees for her life. She eventually collapses from hunger and exhaustion within the grounds of Waldegrave Abbey; here she finds refuge and a new purpose as governess to nine-year old Lilian Waldegrave, a sufferer from acute sensitivity to uv rays. The plight of the child is truly horrific and the reader can’t help but feel for both her and her devoted and protective father. The gothic element comes from the darkness in which the entire abbey is kept with it’s boarded up windows, creepy catacombs and self locking doors. Violet brings life to father and daughter but she is still a woman on the run with a price on her head. Both Violet and Alastair keep secrets which then threaten to derail their budding romantic relationship. A good read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed advance copies of these books from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 Gothic Romaces in one volume.! All 4 are full length novels and I loved them all. Each story is unique and the characters are complex and most are both afraid to love and doubtful of the one they love. You'll encounter secret passages, murder, families in crisis and romance, redemption and love. My favorite was Too Wanton to Wed. Alister is Lillian 's father who is desperately seeking to find a cure for his daughters Sun Sensitivity. He has kept her sequestered in an old Abbey that has underground access to various buildings on the property and all the windows have been boarded up on both the outside and inside. When Violet shows up literally at their doorstep weak hungry and alone she's warned by staff to run fast and far. But this is a true live triangle.

This is my fair and honest review in exchange for this ARC. Massive read of varied and well told stories!

Too Wicked to Kiss
A dark, brooding hero in true gothic form, complete with tragic history. A vulnerable heroine in need of a miracle, yet spunky enough to go looking for it on her own. A deadly mystery and a supernatural gift that draw the pair together. I got so much more than I bargained for with this book. In a lot of ways, it reads like a regency version of Clue; too many suspects and motives and no good evidence pointing to the real villain. I loved watching Evangeline and Gavin trying to solve the murder and getting further enchanted by one another while they did it. I also really liked the sense of “second chance” that both characters get in this story. Now, I’m really looking forward to seeing what the next book brings us.
Too Sinful to Deny
I can’t help but think of comparisons to the Ghost Whisperer and Mr. & Mrs. Smith set against a gothic Regency landscape. Through most of the first book, Susan wasn’t my favorite person and I’m not sure I can say my opinion of her has increases all that much. I loved her cat-like curiosity and desire to help the defenseless, but her selfishness and attitude of entitlement rubbed me the wrong way. Evan is the textbook definition of a charming rogue, but he also has his moments of honor and nobility. There is a lot going on in this book. Maybe a bit too much. At times I got a little confused as to exactly which plot point Susan and Evan were chasing down. This story contains lots of mystery and plenty of double-crosses. Nothing and no one are what they appear to be.
Too Tempting to Resist
This was a surprisingly sweet story for the gothic setting. Rebecca is the forgotten orphan who’s been living on the charity of her elderly relative. When he dies, her world is turned upside down. The reading of the will brings her childhood sweetheart, the man who broke her heart and crushed her young dreams, back into her orbit. Daniel was young and stupid, and now badly regrets the way he treated Rebecca. This beautiful second chance brings these two lost souls back together for another chance at a once-in-a-lifetime love.
Too Wanton to Wed
This book transported me to a whole new world. I was sucked into the drama of Violet outracing criminal charges and Alistair willing to do anything and everything to protect his daughter. In the meantime, we watch this pair snipe and snap their way first to a truce then fall head over heels for each other while loving the heck out of Lillian. On a side note, I think she’s one of the best written child characters I’ve ever read. I loved Violet and Alistair as a couple. She’s able to get him to loosen the reigns of his control a little and he gives her the safety and stability she’s really never known.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author through NetGalley.

I absolutely loved this set! I had to finish all the stories one after another. Everything about these stories was perfect.....the settings, the heroes and the heroines. The mystery and intrigue were done just right. Ms Ridley is showing herself to be a master in gothic romance. This set is a must read! I can't wait for more!

If there is anything better than an Erica Ridley novel, it is a collection of her books. This four-part book collection “Gothic Love Stories” begins with “Too wicked to kiss” where Evangeline Pemberton arrives at the house part of Gavin Lioncroft, which is vividly described as a scene from a horror movie, until she sees Gavin. She has accompanied Lady Stratford and her daughter Susan, in a means to escape her stepfather and his abuse as he threatens to use her for her ‘gift’. Whilst the novel begins on a fearful note, Lioncroft and Evangeline’s attraction to each other soon overshadows the events that take place. Book 1 was definitely my favourite in the series.
“Too sinful to Deny” follows Susan Stanton (from Book 1) who has been banished to a relative’s house, in a gloomy seaside town of Bournemouth. Following on from the paranormal theme in book 1, Susan discovers that she has the ability to see ghosts. These ghosts are trying to use Susan to speak to their family members or to uncover a smuggler ring. Susan soon finds herself falling in love with the smuggler, Evan Bothwick, whose brother has recently been murdered and is pestering her for assistance. Whilst an entertaining story, I felt that the relationship between Susan and Evan was not as believable particularly as Susan was so conflicting in her manner towards Evan.
“Too tempting to resist” sees Miss Rebecca Bond reunited with Daniel Godwin, Lord Stonebury. Having lost both parents, she has lived in Crowmere Castle, with the Earl of Banfield, who has all but forgotten her for several years. She has accepted her life, having been rejected by Daniel when he received his title, but had thought that her uncle would leave her with sufficient finances to live a life alone. On his death, she finds that she must marry and turns to Daniel for assistance, in wooing another. It soon becomes apparent that they both still care for each other. A lovely short story, with two great characters, that I had wished had gone for so much longer.
The last book “Too wanton to Wed” sees Violet Whitechapel, escaping from her post at a school, fleeing from a murder scene, into the employ of Alistair Waldegrave. Set in a gothic abbey, Violet finds herself acting as governess to Alistair’s daughter, Lily, who has been kept within the confines of the abbey as she suffers from a condition that if exposed to sunlight could kill her. The conflict between father and daughter is intense, and Violet is the link between the two, drawing them back together. This was an interesting story in the premise of Lily’s illness and Alistair’s actions to protect his daughter not only from the sunlight but from the locals, who have heard whisperings that both are vampires.
The books in this series are well worth reading and I found myself, utterly fascinated by the variety in the storylines, particularly book 1. A great collection!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Erica Ridley didnt disappoint with her latest books., I thoroughly enjoyed this style of story, Would definitely recommend to all.

The first book in this gothic romance package, Too wicked to
kiss is absolutely divine and sexy as hell. The romantic encounters between Gavin and Evangeline were delightful, I love everything about this one now it's onto the other. Too sinful to deny wasn’t up to scratch, it lacks enticement and Susan isn’t a good leading character. Now this other Too tempting to resist isn’t doing it for me either, it’s a bit bland. Well, I have come to the conclusion that the best was first, not that the other stories aren't good, Too wanton to wed is not sizzling enough for me.

book one Too Wicked to Kiss

I have read so many of Erica Ridley's books and each was great and had me waiting for the next. This is the first Gothic Romance of hers for me, and unbelievably even better then her other series !!! This is a dark, hunting tale of mistakes, murder, compromise/entrapment with wonderful characters. Gavin Lioncroft is the younger son of a Viscount who was accused of killing his parents, when he was seventeen. It was a horrible accident, which his temper, and fight with his father went very, very wrong. He has been paying for it all his life. Staying out of sight, a reclusive at Blackberry Manor, a dark, brooding, haunted castle with secret passageways.
Evangeline Pemberton, just wanted to escape her cruel, evil stepfather after her mother died. She ends up with Lady Stonton and her daughter Susan. She wrongly thought Lady Stonton was a friend of her mothers. Now she founds herself in a position as bad if not worst then what she left.
Lady Stonton is determined to get Susan married to Lioncroft, any way she can. Susan has been tossed out of the ton
for her antics. None of the guest are without secrets, and past history. Added to this strange dinner party is the fact
unknown to them Evangeling is clairvoyant just like her mother.
Gavin and Evangeling have an attraction from the start. These two will need to learn to trust each other somewhat after one of the guest is found murdered in his bed. When anyone touches Evangeling she see visions.
She knows all the people her are hiding things. Only when touched by Gavin does she see nothing but feels like a normal women with longings.
How this all works out with many twist and turns, is a suspenseful, who done it, with the guilty party well hidden.
I read this amazing story in one setting, couldn't put it down.
Be sure and get your copy you don't want to miss this one. The next book in this series "Too Sinful to Deny" is starting out to be just as great.....
I received and ARC of these books, and am giving my honest option.

book two
To sinful to deny
Within the very first chapter Miss Susan Stanton, the spoiled, bratty friend to Evangline from "Too Wicked to Kiss"
Drowns. She dies and is brought back by a stranger's kiss. After she heals from her injuries her mother sends her to Bournemouth. A small town of less then a hundred people. A distant cousin, Lady Beaune who lives at Moonseed Manor is suppose to take care of her.
When she arrives the manor turns out to be dark, forbearing place. The new owner is a giant of a man, who supposedly
is married to her late cousin's daughter ! The new Lord Beaue. As if finding out her cousin is dead, and she is now under the care of a dark and evil looking stranger. Isn't bad enough she also meets Evan Bothwick who is with the Giant but talks about shooting him ! He looks like a gentleman, but sure doesn't act it. Even thru she was sent here for punishment of spying and gossip, she can't help but follow Evan when he leaves Moonseed Manor.
If she only knew then what trouble lays ahead, smuggler's, ghost's, a murder,pirate's, a magistrate who may or may not
be what he seems. Wow what a story, poor Susan can now see and talk to ghost's since her near death experience.
She founds herself haunted by not one but two ghost's in town. This story goes from being hilarious, to dark and mysterious, with voices coming from the walls, floor ? While trying to solve or at least figure out everything happening in this town, Susan and Evan can't help being drawn to each other. The attention they both feel is hard as both are keeping secrets, and not trusting the other.
This is a very fast moving story, with lots of character's and going on. You will not want to put is down.
It's got something for every one, get your copy and enjoy.
So many twist and turns, it was great....
I received a ARC from the author and am giving my own option. Am off to start book three, "Too Tempting to Resist", hope it is as good...

book three
Miss Rebecca Bond is a young lady that has had a lot of sorrow in her 22 years. Her childhood friend and first and only love hurt her very badly at her coming out. He didn't want to disappoint his grandmother and ends up losing the only
person who loved him for himself. She has also lost both her parents, in a accident. Her Great Uncle, The Earl of Banfield gave her a place to live at Crowmere Castle. But he is elderly and in poor health, and doesn't even remember she is there. Very few in the castle seems to know she is living there. As the Castle is known to be haunted what ever she does to help out, keeping the books, doing things for cook, or some of maids is just thought to be one of the ghost. When the Uncle dies, she must make herself known to the new Earl who is shocked to find he is responsible for other young lady. He has five daughter and a wife !!!! He tells her he will give her one month to find a husband and leave, he will also give her a dowry to make it easier. Poor Rebecca doesn't want a husband, or to rejoin society. She just wants a quiet life by herself in the country she loves.
Daniel Goodenham, Lord Stonebury is the cad who broke Rebecca heart and lost her friendship. When he receives notice of the Uncle's death and that he needs to be at the Castle for the will. He decides to get there early and try to patch things up with Rebecca. He has always felt bad for the way he treated her cause he was afraid of his nasty Grandmother. He shows up hoping to prove to her that he is her friend and maybe more. Unknown to him Rebecca has
decided he will be the one to help her find a husband which will help make up for the past.
How all this comes out and who wins and who doesn't is fun fast read. Lots of twists and turns, heartache, some laughs too. For a short story it was a good read. It has a great pace for a short story.
I received and ARC from the author, and am giving my honest opinion.
Grub a copy and a cup of coffee and enjoy....
book four
To Wanton to Wed
This is a great story of misunderstandings, mystery, strange happening at a boarded up Abby feared by the townspeople. Violet Whitechapel never knew her mother or father, she was raised on the streets in London. She had an horrible hard life, till she gets a job teaching other young girls saved from the streets at Livingstone School for girls. This is the only home she has ever known.
When the owner dies, the new owner is a young brash evil man who thinks girls,and women are only here for his use. When Violet finds him trying to rape one of the young girls with a friend of his waiting his turn, she saves the girl but both men are wounded. Violet runs for her life. She ends up at a strange Abby as she is about pass out from lack of food and shelter. When she wakes it is to a dark and unworldly place. The Abby is owned by Alistair Waldegrave who has not been out of it for nine years, since the birth of her daughter Lillian. Lillian has a horrible illness that if the sun touches her she is badly burned. As Violet, Alistair and Lillian learn to trust each other and grow to learn about the others. The feelings between them all is unique. The love and passion between Alistair and Violet will either tear them apart or help save them. How Violet uses her past to help
a scared and lonely little girl is a tear get er. You will cry, laugh and hold your breath doing this book. A wonderful book of 2nd chances, trust, and love just might win over all.
I received an ARC of from the author and this is my honest opinion.

These stories are well written, engrossing and fun to read. I liked the character development, the atmosphere and the plot.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Lovers of Erica Ridley will enjoy this banquet of reading of all that one expects from her.
All of the books are stand alone stories which means that you can dip in and out of them at your leisure and do not have to read them in sequence. Immerse your selves in the loves of these ladies and their stories and enjoy yourself.

These plucky heroines overcome some very grim scenarios with the help of the undeniable attraction they discover for their heart's mate.

All four novels are full-length and contain such elements as secret passages, a patricidal painter, bored heirs risking their lives smuggling, a heroine whose near-death experience leaves her seeing dead people, another who receives visions of the past and future through touch, evil parents and spouses chaining their wives in cellars or beating them to death, villagers burning the home of suspected vampires, poor relations ridding their neighborhoods of corrupt officials, and scheming mamas attempting to espouse bachelors through entrapment.
These worthy ladies do the accounts, bake the currant biscuits, paint bright landscapes, dig up graves in search of state's evidence, walk through catacombs and rainstorms and pirate caverns, and in dozens of ways render themselves irresistible to the handsomest of heroes.

The box set is a fantastic bargain.

Too Wicked to Kiss
Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.This is a story about passing judgement and the harm that it does to relationships. Ridley is a superb author and even though I thought this book was a bit too long, I still enjoyed every minute of it. I loved the heroine Evangeline Pemberton and her special gifts. She is so caring and gentle. And the hero Gavin Lioncroft is more than an alpha male - he is a dangerous one. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Too Sinful To Deny
This book is filled with intrigue, romance and quirky humor. I felt like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole and emerging into another world. Some characters are bright and vivid while others are partially hidden behind a pale curtain. But once the curtain is pulled back, the plot twists and turns in unexpected ways. The heroine is Susan Stanton from Too Wicked to Kiss. She leaps off the page in this book and has quickly become a favorite character for me. Susan accidentally falls through the ice and dies but then is resurrected with gifts she didn’t have before. I also liked Evan Bothwick the handsome rogue of a hero. “Just one kiss, he told himself. Just one kiss, one touch, one taste, and he would leave her alone forever, no harm done. They were alone. Nobody would have to know. He brushed his lips against hers, slowly, softly, dragging the unhurried contact from one side to the other, trying to coax a response. She sucked in a breath. ‘Do you want me to stop?’ he murmured. She shook her head. So he kissed her.” I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I was given a copy of this book.
Too Tempting To Resist
I enjoyed this book. The heroine Rebecca Bond has lived a solitary, forgotten existence. The one man she loved turned away from her and left. What happens when she needs a husband and her former love shows up? I didn’t think that this book was Gothic. It takes place in a dark castle...but it isn’t particularly Gothic. It is much shorter than the first two books in this series and reads more like a novella. I was given a copy of this book.
Too Wanton To Wed
I think this book in one of my very favorite. Violet Whitechapel is on the run for murder when she collapses on the front steps of an ancient Abbey. Little does she know that the man within is suspected of being a vampire. Has she run from one deadly situation into another? I think Ridley is a master at developing her characters into touchable, believable people. She layers them carefully, and then through the course of the story strips them down to the core of their hearts. Their motivations stay true to their understanding of their surroundings - true or false. I loved the tortured hero Alistair Waldegrave. “His black hair was shiny and thick, and curled slightly at the nape. His sooty lashes and dark eyes stood out starkly against the pale beauty of his face, but his most arresting feature was the wide, perfect mouth above his strong chin. He’d dressed for dinner in clothes equally as outdated as his earlier vestments, but nothing could hide the fine quality of both cloth and cut, or the leanly muscled figure beneath the costume. His movements were graceful, his every gesture confident and purposeful.” Ridley just hits it out of the park with this one. There are several steamy sex scenes. I have adored Ms. Ridley’s Regency romances - my favorite being Lord of Pleasure, but I certainly hope she is planning on writing more gothic romances. I was gifted a copy of this book.

4 stars

I have realised that I'd read all these stories in other books or perhaps anthologies. I vividly recall Dark Surrender the last book in this collection which here is named Too Wanton to Wed. I was a bit dismayed at the first two books (Too Wicked to Kiss, Too Sinful to Deny) 50 chapters suggest quite a marathon and I did think Evangeline's gift should have helped her solve the puzzle a bit quicker! I did enjoy Too Tempting to Resist (used to be Romancing the Rogue), like Goldilocks it was the right length and the right pace.

I think folk will enjoy these stories and it's nice to get them in one package, just do some research to check you haven't already got them!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Too Wicked to Kiss--4 stars
Great Gothic romance from start to finish!! Its characters where not perfect and had secrets to protect. This story was a murder mystery with a touch of paranormal due to Evangeline's gift. A gift that was both a blessing and a curse for her. Evangeline was a great character that stood up to those who wanted to hurt her or take advantage.
Gavin was not the perfect hero, but that's what made him interesting. He had a past for which he was trying to make up for. His love for Evangeline made him realize that he was a good man and that she made him want to be a better one.

Too Sinful to Deny---3 stars
Pirates, smuggling, violence, and ghosts were some of the things that happened in this story. We learn about what happens to Susan, a character from the first book in the series, after she falls from grace in society. Poor Susan is exiled to a small village by the coast. She encounters many interesting characters who all are hiding something.
Evan is trying to uncover who is responsible for murdering his brother. When he meets Susan, they both feel mutual physical chemistry towards each other. To be honest I feel this is what they most felt for each other. The romance felt flat and forced between them. Throughout the story she is constantly saying that she will not marry him and that she is determined to join society again and find someone with a higher social standing. I did like that she was willing to risk her life to save her cousin who was being held captive.

Too Tempting to Resist--5 stars
I loved it!! This is my favorite book of the series! Too Tempting to Resist is a story about second chance romance. Daniel hurt Rebecca's feelings twice while they were young. They had been friends for a long time, but when Daniel inherited his title his misguidance of trying to please his grandmother lead him to lose his best friend.
Years later an opportunity for Daniel to apologize to Rebecca lead him to a crumbling and dark estate. I liked how she made him really work for that apology. She had not deserved to be snubbed by him. It is during this time love blooms for them again.
I loved the romantic scenes between them!

Too Wanton to Wed--4 stars
I really liked this one! It's story line felt very unique and interesting. The darkness of the abbey where Alistair lives with his daughter made for a great background for what these two characters where going through for the past years. Alistair is trying his best to try and find a cure for his daughter, Lily, who suffers from a strange condition that isolates her.
Violet comes into lives when they need her the most. She brings light to their darkness and changes their lives for the best. I liked that she had the patience to teach Lily and to touch Alistair's heart. Though she lived a tragic past and it seemed that things where going from bad to worse, finding herself in the abbey with Alistair and Lily helped her feel less lonely.

Thank you to the author/publisher for providing these four ARCs for review.

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased

I know Erica Ridley's regency novels so was intrigued to read these. I have read some previous reviews and people see to either really love them or not - a bit marmite I think

Anyway, these are some of her earlier work and nothing wrong with that
I really enjoyed these.



Great for a summer read