Heart's Desire

After reading the first book in this series, it was wonderful to see Percival (yes I love that name!) Stanley, Earl of Markham, because he had seemed such a rake and had even gamble his sister away! But an encounter in the first few pages made him think, "I hadn't realized...I mean, I never intended to cultivate the reputation of a rake." Like his father, he had a weakness for women but he was not incapable of forming an attrachment! When these thoughts come to a realization, he decides he does not want to be seen that way and it really changes his life. Lady Clarissa, the sister of his once best friend, has just ended a ten year bethrothal to a man that ended up marrying Markham's sister. She is determined to stay clear of men and live as she wants. Unfortunately, she unwittingly test that determination on a man who sees her as a challenge and a wager begins that could ruin her. When Markham hears about the wager, he claims they have been secretly courting and will announce their betrothal soon. As fate steps in, it seems he may want to make the lie a truth as his attraction grow! Just when I think I have read my favorite book by this author, she writes another that takes it's place! Her writing is so wonderfully eloquent and descriptive that I fall in love with the characters and my emotions become so engaged! I highlighted so many lines and paragraphs in my kindle, it seems I should have just highlighted the entire story! Prepare to be captured by a swoon-worthy hero and a stubborn heroine that will keep your attention until the last page!

Lady Clarissa Laithe has decided to live life on her terms. After the end of a ten-year betrothal, she wants nothing to do with marriage. Least of all her friend’s brother, the very charming Percival Stanley Lord Markham, or Hearts, as many ladies call the oh-so-handsome earl. Markham pursues relationships with no ties that bind. Acting the rake leaves everyone satisfied until he overhears a wager that could lead to Clarissa’s ruin. He can’t help but step in and claim that he’s secretly courting her. Clarissa is appalled. She did not need to be saved. Reluctantly, she agrees to the fake courtship, if only to experience what the rakish Markham can offer. The second book in the series (although there was also a novella in the Second Chance Love anthology which is Amelia Sartin’s story), whilst this could be read on its own to fully appreciate it I’d recommend reading the series in order. Markham previously came across as a rake but the more I read this story the more I realised there’s so much more to him, charming yes but also honourable caring, astute & very lovable, he also blushes which I loved. Clarissa doesn't want to be tied down or confined & that's how she sees a marriage after all she's overseen her brother’s estate for the past nineteen months, so she's not content to sit, embroider & drink tea. The pair have always been attracted to each other but as their courtship progresses their attraction grows as does their friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed this book & was drawn in from the start & it held my interest all the way through. The characters were well portrayed & on the whole very likeable, although there is one person who I hope gets his comeuppance before the end of the series! My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Heart’s Desire is the second book in the Lords of Chance series by author Wendy LaCapra. After reading Mrs. Sartin’s Secretary and catching a glimpse of Lord Markham, I was intrigued to learn more about him! Percival Stanley the Earl of Markham is a rake and everyone knows it… except for Markham. When he comes to the realization that in fact, he is a rake, he’s rather angry and decides to take better care. He has spent the last five years working hard to get his crumbling estate out of debt. His sisters are thriving… at least they are now… and he knows that soon he will need to start looking for a bride. Lady Clarissa Laithe at the age of seven was promised to the son of the neighboring Marquess, at 10 she was orphaned, at 20 her betrothal she had prepared for her entire life was broken, and then finally her only brother abandons her when he abruptly leaves Britain. She’s rather disenchanted by society and has had quite enough of men who think only of themselves. Well, what a surprise this story was! I knew after the last story I read, that Markham was a rake. What I didn’t expect was a young man who’s not exactly happy once he realizes the truth of how people view him. I liked Markham! He had a huge burden placed on his shoulders at a very young age and has done the best he could under the circumstances. He’s a good man, who loves his sisters. When Lady Clarissa is almost ruined, he steps in to save her and it forces these two into a false courtship. As for Clarissa, I did like her and I understood her fears of not wanting to be dependent on someone else and her determination to live on her own terms. I loved watching these two try to avoid and ignore the awareness between them and fail miserably. They were a cute couple and their romance was fun to watch as it blossomed, especially because it took them both by surprise. I absolutely loved Markham allowing Clarissa the control she needed to learn to trust him. He was a fabulous hero! There are some fabulous secondary characters, witty banter, and a clue at the end of this book on who might be the focus for the next book in this series! Definitely a fun read and looking forward to the next book in this series!