Between the Devil and the Duke

Title:

Author:

Bowen, Kelly

Subject:

Historical Fiction

Romance

Fiction

Description:

He should have thrown her out. But when club owner Alexander Lavoie catches a mysterious blonde counting cards at his vingt-et-un table, he's more intrigued than angry. He has to see more of this beauty-in his club, in his office, in his bed. But first he'll have to devise a proposition she can't turn down. Gossip said he was an assassin. Common sense told her to stay away. But Angelique Archer was desperate, and Lavoie's club offered a surefire way to make quick money-until she got caught. Instead of throwing her out though, the devil offers her a deal: come work for him. Refusing him means facing starvation, but with a man so sinfully handsome and fiercely protective, keeping things professional might prove impossible . . . 2018 RITA award-winning author! "Wonderful! A charming, clever, and engaging storyteller not to be missed." — Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author

Publisher:

Forever

Grand Central Publishing

Date:

2017/01/31

Digital Format:

READ IN BROWSER

ADOBE EPUB

KINDLE

Language:

English

ISBN:

9781455563401

Summary

He should have thrown her out. But when club owner Alexander Lavoie catches a mysterious blonde counting cards at his vingt-et-un table, he's more intrigued than angry. He has to see more of this beauty-in his club, in his office, in his bed. But first he'll have to devise a proposition she can't turn down.

Gossip said he was an assassin. Common sense told her to stay away. But Angelique Archer was desperate, and Lavoie's club offered a surefire way to make quick money-until she got caught. Instead of throwing her out though, the devil offers her a deal: come work for him. Refusing him means facing starvation, but with a man so sinfully handsome and fiercely protective, keeping things professional might prove impossible . . .

2018 RITA award-winning author!

"Wonderful! A charming, clever, and engaging storyteller not to be missed." -- Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author

Author Notes

RITA-award winning author Kelly Bowen grew up in Manitoba, Canada. She attended the University of Manitoba and earned a Master of Science degree in veterinary physiology and endocrinology. But it was Kelly's infatuation with history and a weakness for a good love story that led her down the path of historical romance. When she is not writing, she seizes every opportunity to explore ruins and battlefields. Currently, Kelly lives in Winnipeg with her husband and two boys, all of whom are wonderfully patient with the writing process. Except, that is, when they need a goalie for street hockey.

Learn more:
www.kellybowen.net
Twitter @kellybowen09
Facebook.com/AuthorKellyBowen

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Bowen's third Season for Scandal Regency (after A Duke to Remember) is a single-sitting read whose main characters are as diverting as they are seductive. Once Lady Angelique Archer is introduced, everything else takes a backseat to her heady romance with gaming-house owner Alexander Lavoie, a reputed assassin and spy. She only frequents his establishment because her family is pressed for cash and she knows how to play cards-to win, every time. The masked and mysterious beauty finds herself in dire straits one night when she wins a little too much from a drunken opponent with no sense of humor. When her best efforts to extricate herself are unsuccessful, Lavoie has to step in. Luckily, he does have a sense of humor, confesses he's been watching her, and is on to her uncanny ability with cards. Against her better judgment, she's forced to accept Lavoie's offer of a job. From there the fun, intrigue, and romance crescendo in a whopping plot twist. Bowen's Regency romances are always delightful, and this is one of her best yet. Agent: Stefanie Lieberman, Janklow & Nesbit. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Angelique Archer is nothing if not desperate. After her late father lost most of the family fortune and with her younger brother, Gerald, doing his best to drink away what little money is left, Angelique has no choice but to hit the gaming tables to keep her family financially afloat. Until now, she has managed to avoid attracting the attention of Alexander Lavoie, the owner of the club where she lightens the pockets of wealthy gentlemen at vingt-et-un (blackjack), but then one night, Angelique's luck runs out. Once Alex realizes just what kind of aptitude she has for numbers, he offers a business proposal: she will work for him, and in return, he will split the take with her. It sounds like the perfect temporary solution to Angelique's problems, but can she trust her new boss when he says he never mixes business with pleasure? Bowen (You're the Earl I Want, 2015) again delivers the goods with this exquisitely written historical romance, whose richly nuanced characters, unexpected flashes of dry wit, and superbly sensual love story will have readers sighing happily in satisfaction.--Charles, John Copyright 2017 Booklist