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Scandalous desires
383 pages
A tense, atmospheric historical romance where a ruthless river pirate and a guarded widow are bound together by a dangerous bargain and an unexpected child.
What it feels like
This historical romance plunges readers into the shadowy, atmospheric world of London's criminal underbelly, contrasting it with the tender vulnerability of a foundling home. The mood is tense and emotionally charged, driven by a brisk pace as a ruthless, Machiavellian rogue and a kind, guarded widow navigate a complex web of manipulation and lingering regret. The prose balances gritty underworld danger with deep romantic yearning, exploring themes of dangerous bargains, hidden vulnerabilities, and the unexpected creation of a found family. It is a story of stark contrasts, where ruthlessness meets compassion, tracing an emotional arc from deep isolation to reluctant, passionate trust. This book will delight readers who crave intense, morally gray heroes and high-stakes emotional entanglements.
- Mood
- emotionally charged
- tense
- atmospheric
- shadowy
- Tone
- dramatic
- romantic
- intense
- earnest
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- unlikely alliances · hidden vulnerabilities · redemption of a rogue · found family · dangerous bargains
- The writing
- Evocative and emotionally charged, balancing the grit of the criminal underworld with the tender vulnerability of romance.
- The arc
- Moves from deep regret and guarded isolation to a reluctant, passionate vulnerability.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love historical romances featuring ruthless, morally gray heroes and the kind-hearted women who challenge them.
Content notes
- death of a spouse
- criminal underworld elements
- manipulation
- abandoned child
About the book
Can a pirate learn that the only true treasure lies in a woman's heart?
Widowed Silence Hollingbrook is impoverished, lovely, and kind--and nine months ago she made a horrible mistake. She went to a river pirate for help in saving her husband and in the process made a bargain that cost her her marriage. That night wounded her so terribly that she hides in the foundling home she helps run with her brother. Except now that same river pirate is back...and he's asking for her help.
"Charming" Mickey O'Connor is the most ruthless river pirate in London. Devastatingly handsome and fearsomely intelligent, he clawed his way up through London's criminal underworld. Mickey has no use for tender emotions like compassion and love, and he sees people as pawns to be manipulated. And yet he's never been able to forget the naive captain's wife who came to him for help and spent one memorable night in his bed...talking.
When his bastard baby girl was dumped in his lap--her mother having died--Mickey couldn't resist the Machiavellian urge to leave the baby on Silence's doorstep. The baby would be hidden from his enemies and he'd also bind Silence to him by her love for his daughter.
Description from Open Library.
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