The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne (Rescued from Ruin Book 1)

Victoria Lacey is an innocent caught in the crossfire of a vicious feud between her brother and Viscount Atherbourne. Publicly disgraced she becomes the instrument of the viscount's revenge against her brother.When she is discovered in a scandalous embrace with Atherton on a terrace at the grandest ball of the season, her pristine reputation is in tatters and her wedding cancelled. When Atherbourne offers to marry her she takes the chance to lessen the scandal. But there is also something about the viscount that draws her to him, his passionate kisses, his heated whispers. Nothing like the safe, dull fiancée who cast her off at the first hint of trouble. Perhaps she has a real chance for happiness here, two people brought together for the wrong reasons might just work out well. But Athertbourne's revenge has only just begun, Victoria has yet to discover just how nasty he can be.This is a fun read and although it does touch on serious themes it remains positive and engaging. I developed a real soft spot for Atherton, especially when he was at his most vengeful.The redoubtable Dowager Marchioness of Wallingham– who's pithy wit and wisdom starts every chapter, is a real star. She more than makes up for the fact that Victoria can be a bit of a drip at times,

This is a new author to me, but I can see that I will be searching out others by her.I was totally involved in the story, and the characters, and found it extremely difficult to put down. And after rushing through it, desperate to find out what happened to Lucien and Victoria, I had to read it again to absorb things I had not fully understood the first time.Lucien was a very damaged person, but even when he was being screwed-up I couldn't dislike him. I felt I could understand his warped position. Victoria was also pretty believable - starting as a bit of a pattern book heroine (innocent gone astray) but coming into a strong personality and trying to sort her relationship out.I was also interested in several of the other characters - and hope their lives may be laid bare for us in other books!This is not a Georgette Heyer Regency Romance. If that is as raunchy as you like, this novel is not for you. However, I felt that all the 'romance' was an extension of the relationship of the hero and heroine and it was therefore quite acceptable to me.

My first read from this author but definitely not the last. My book mate had been recommending this series to me for quite awhile now and thank God to our FB group featuring this for our book discussion, I had finally cracked on reading this book.

This is my first book by Elisa and I was instantly hooked. What a brilliant story of loss, revenge and forgiveness with sensuality, romance and naughty steamy love scenes. I loved everything about it - the interesting story, the well developed characters, the witty conversations, the sadness, the humour and the steamy love scenes. It’s exactly what I like in Regency romance. I fell in love with Lucien and Victoria. Lucien ruins Victoria and marries her for revenge but then falls for his wife. I am so glad I have discovered Elisa. It's an absolutely wonderful story. I'm looking forward to reading book 2.

Lately, I have moved on to heavier fare with my book choices but found myself at a loose end; this was new and had some good reviews so I plunged and immediately I was caught. First of all, I love the name Lucien! I love that he was tall and dark! The rest of the book was very well written for a first book and I almost read it in one go. I read a couple of Americanisms but not the dreaded 'gotten' and 'stoop' and wish that these writers would just stop doing that, please!!I loved the story and characters and the wit, too.I have already read the second book in the series and it was full of wit as well as angst but the characters are brilliantly portrayed.

I've always loved Regency romances especially Georgette Heyer's but too many prove to be a disappointment with uninteresting characters and unbelievable dialogue. This book caught and held my attention. I loved the characters, the plot, the dialogue and the humour. It made me laugh and it made me cry. I've currently nearly finished the second one in the series and I'm loving that too. If you are looking for well written Regency romances then do try Elisa Braden.

(Mild spoilers ahead) Having read the prequel to this series, "Ever Yours, Annabelle", I was really looking forward to this book. The plot sounded great. Jaded hero who entraps the sister of his enemy and ends up falling for her? Bring it on! This book seemed to promise tension and passion... but it never quite delivers. Firstly, the two characters fall in love (or lust) almost immediately, whereas I would have preferred a build up. And then the heroine would follow this pattern: angry about being denied the chance to see her brother, she denies her husband the chance to be intimate with her, but would ultimately relent as she couldn't resist him, and this would be repeated a few times. She didn't have much of a back bone. The tension and suspense never reaches its highs in this book and I was overall left disappointed.

I am continually browsing for new romantic fiction because I am something of an addict of the genre. This novel came up in my recommendations; this is the authors debut novel, I believe. I enjoyed it and probably will buy the next in the series. The author writes well and does a decent job of providing a sense of the times and an engaging romance (albeit with the obligatory graphic love scenes that can sometimes jar).