Invitation to Ruin - Kensington Publishing March 2011

Regency Historical
ISBN: 978-0-7582-5919-6

WINNER RomCon READERS CROWN for Best Historical 2012

Was nominated in the RT Reviewers' Choice Awards for BEST FIRST HISTORICAL 2011

March 2011 - One Good Lady is About to Go Bad...   The only thing Miss Melissa Goodly has ever wanted out of a marriage is love. But any hope of that dissolves one wild night, when she loses herself in the arms of the most irresistible-and unobtainable-man in all of England. For when they are discovered in a position as compromising as it is pleasurable, she has no choice but to accept his proposal.   Avowed bachelor Anthony Craven, Earl of Wickham, never meant to seduce an innocent like Melissa. Yet now that the damage is done, it does seem like she'd make a very convenient wife. After all, she is so naive he won't have to worry about ever being tempted. Or so he thinks, until the vows are spoken and they are left alone-and his new bride reveals a streak just as brazen and unrestrained as his own... Praise for Bronwen Evans’s, Invitation to Ruin Publisher's Weekly... Evans's debut Regency is filled with sizzling romance. Anthony Craven, the fifth earl of Wickham, wants Lady Cassandra Sudbury as his next mistress. Then his brother's deception results in him bedding Cassie's innocent cousin, Melissa Goodly, whom he is then forced to wed. Melissa tries to seduce her husband and eventually win his love, but Anthony's cruel father has made him believe that he is unlovable and left him unwilling to have children. Melissa is an anachronistically but appealingly independent and stubborn lady who isn't afraid to complain that women of her era are often treated little better than slaves, and a subplot involving England's 19th-century abolitionist movement adds depth to this enticing read. Strong characterizations, smooth plotting, and plenty of explicit sex will appeal to fans of modern Regencies.

An Excerpt

"May I have the pleasure of this dance, Miss Goodly? That is, if your dance card is not already full."
    His deep, rich, voice,--rough with a bite, yet thoroughly intoxicating--made her giddier than the cheap champagne she was drinking. She swung towards the tower of masculinity encapsulating her in his shadow, sending the bubbles splashing over the side of her glass.
    The Lord of Wicked wished to dance with her. With her!
    It was hard to remain composed with champagne dripping from her gloved fingers. "I don't believe we have been formally introduced, my lord." She tried to shake the drops off her gloves before she had to give him her hand.
    Anthony's wolfish smile made her grip the glass harder. "My brother, mother and I, are Lady Sudbury's houseguests, as you well know. You were here when we arrived this afternoon. She's kindly taken us in while my house is uninhabitable." He raised a dark eyebrow. "You have heard about the fire?"
    All she could do was nod. Her tongue felt like dried bread.
    "I saw you peering down over the banister when we arrived. No one but ourselves will know we have not been properly introduced." His wicked smile widened. "It shall be our little secret."
    Melissa's face heated as she stared at the large hand he held out to her. She gripped the champagne glass, looking around for somewhere to put her drink. She wouldn't miss this dance for the world.
    "Shall I take that for you?" Without waiting for a reply he pried the glass from her hand and beckoned a servant. Glass dispensed with, he turned his full attention on her. "Shall we?" and he offered his arm.
    The crowd of guests turned to vapor. All Melissa could see, feel, hear and sense was him.
    She was blind to the glittering candles and immune to the music filling the ballroom. She simply let him guide her, his arms holding her gently in the waltz. His scent filled her being -- sandalwood, whiskey and masculinity. Masculinity. He oozed it from every pore.
They twirled around the floor, unrespectable in their closeness. Melissa didn't care. His lean hardness thrilled her.  The cut of his evening coat accentuated his broad shoulders. His breeches fitted like a second skin, leaving nothing to the imagination.
    Melissa had a wonderful imagination.

More Reviews...

Genre Go Round - Harriet Klausner

Although the theme of a tormented male believing his blood is too tainted to have offspring has been used before (see Too Wicked to tame by Sophie Jordan), Bronwen Evans keeps her historical romance fresh due to a super heroine and a strong support cast including a vile villain. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Craven enters the wrong room (another commonly used theme) and never slows down as the aptly surnamed lead couple make for a terrific tale as she teaches him goodliness is in everyone even the craven especially if one takes a chance on love.

Romance Novel News - Jennifer

I found “Invitation to Ruin” to be a highly compelling story. It isn’t one of those happy or fun stories that takes place amid the glittery ballrooms of the ton. It is a gritty story that contains some serious ugliness, cruelty and emotional angst. Slavery plays a very important role, pitting Melissa and Anthony against Baron Rothsay, the evil slave trader and one time friend of the hero.

Bronwen Evans’ debut romance is well worth a read. “Invitation to Ruin” is a story that will appeal to fans of darker historical romances and tortured heroes. It is a romance filled with angst and adversity, but its happily ever after is extremely satisfying. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series, “Invitation to Scandal” due out in 2012.

Joyfully Reviewed - Miranda

Lord of the Wicked, Anthony Craven has a reputation as a bad boy.  He seduces as many women as possible.  He has no inclination to marry and settle down like a good heir should.  He would be perfectly happy if his twin brother Richard would provide the family heir.  Richard has other thoughts on the matter.  He wants to see his older brother happy and he thinks he knows how to make that happen.  A little trickery and a wicked bet later finds the Lord of the Wicked betrothed.

Melissa Goodly may look like her cousin Lady Cassandra Sudbury but they are nothing alike.  Melissa’s brother needs her to marry to pay off his debts but she absolutely refuses to marry if she is not in love.  However, she isn’t given much of a choice after the Lord of the Wicked sneaks into her room and deflowers her thinking she is Lady Cassie.

A marriage of duty shows possibilities of becoming more if a certain hard-hearted Lord can let go of his past.  He may not get the choice because there are people looking to break his marriage apart by any means necessary.  Can he open his heart to discover love before it’s too late?

Invitation to Ruin is a sexy historical!  Invitation to Ruin features a hot couple, danger and enough emotion to keep you interested.  While I may not have agreed with the beginning of this book I wouldn’t have missed this romance for the world.  Once Anthony and Melissa are forced together the story becomes enchanting and I can overlook their first night together.  Melissa has held feelings for Anthony for awhile, yet he barely knew she existed.  It is her feelings that encourage her to fight for Anthony’s love.  Unfortunately, no one bothered to teach Anthony how to love.  His youth was fraught with violence and he is terrified of inflicting himself on another person.  I found Anthony’s fight with himself to be emotional and provoking.  I truly felt for him while calling him an idiot. I wanted to yell at him so many times.  I like Melissa’s attempt at independence.  She honestly believes that she can have a marriage built on love in a time when people married to make the right match.  There are some very bad characters in this novel and I was relieved to see them get their just desserts.  Invitation to Ruin is a gutsy, exciting and sensual romance.