A beautiful lady and a blackmailer from her past. This is a book you cannot put down before finishing it. I really, really loved Essex's style. A brother who wants to revenge for his sister's death. A beauty. Good mix!

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Greatly enjoyed, watching for more by this author. An intriguing mystery weaves throughout, and both the H and h have secrets. All leads to an eventual HEA, a requirement for me.

The author had the characters in this story working well together throughout the book. The suspense in this book will keep you
guessing the twist and turns on the plot. I felt the ending was a little too abrupt.

This book is second in the series but can be read as a stand alone. Lies, betrayal, blackmail, and more. We end with a slow burning seduction with the characters falling in love somewhere inbetween. A myster or two is also solved. Great read!

This should have easily been a five star book, however, once again, we have title problems. If the Author doesn't know how to address a Lord , or Lady, surely that is what editorial staff get paid for. The great thing about this book, was the mystery. The horrendous turn off for me, was the continual blasphemy used when Darling cursed! I mean, it was truly not done in that time period. The other problem is the vocal eroticism used in this book, if she can't think of things for them to say, then hey, let's play sexual mind games with a Virgin.The third thing, was how long it took two supposedly intellenget people to figure out who was blackmailing them! Then, a man I liked, proved to be a self centered egotistical jerk, who hurt his parents, all to play a sexual mind games with a young lady! No, I don't recommend.
carolintallahassee

This was an enjoyable read. I liked how the hero, Del and the heroine, Celia interacted throughout this story. The story starts off with Del set on revenge against Celia but once the plot moves past this, I really liked that Del is supportive of Celia's intellectual pursuits and understands that she is passionate about her interests.

I found the secondary characters to be interesting and am curious to read Hugh McAlden's book.

A hot and sizzling romance that sets the pages on fire without the hero, Rupert Delacorte, Viscount Darling or Del even touching the heroine, Celia Burke for the first one third of the novel. What an exquisitely written story by the author! Del gets closer to Celia to take revenge but as he gets to know her, falls heads over heels in love with her. The novel is an emotionally charged sexy and romantic story that you will not want to put down once you start reading.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

This is a revamped version of Elizabeth Essex’s second ever book; I have not read the original version, nor any others in the series. A Sense of Sin definitely, absolutely, 100% works as a standalone read; I loved that we weren’t dragged to random meet-ups with past characters to coo over babies!
What appealed to me about the blurb were the themes of deception and revenge. I like a bit of angst, and the hero tricking the heroine and then needing to ask forgiveness when he learnt the truth seemed like my sort of thing.
Also: this book is set in the Georgian era, before the oh-so popular Regency, so that was a nice chance of pace.
I was a little surprised when the revenge/deception plot wrapped up before the halfway mark. This book definitely did not go in the direction I was expecting, which turned out to make it interesting. There was more going on in the plot than it originally seemed. I like it when books in this genre are a little more complex and a little h]less heavy on the clichéd scenes and settings.
I was a little concerned about the heroine being interested in botany. Not that I don’t like heroines with hobbies or even careers, but too many authors are using them as shortcuts for characterisation, as a way to mock and ridicule women who were more “standard” for their era.
This was not how it worked in this book. I think it was handled really well, and the heroine managed to be historical and multi-layered.
I am not a fan of woman-versus-woman plotlines – meaning that I have no problem with a villainess in a story, but when it's one woman being spiteful and nasty to another for no good reason, I have issues. I dislike it especially when the villainess is a young, attractive blonde (romance writers need to stop with this sort of stereotyping!), as is the case here.
We have enough people demonising women and mocking women’s friendships and relationships; we don't need it in books.
Essex writes beautifully, with a definite historical tone to her work – most of the time. There were quite a few blatant Americanisms, and “suss out” is an expression from around 1970, not the 1790s!
The version I read had a number of typos; I’m not sure if this is fixed in the version for sale.
Overall this was an enjoyable read. I wonder how much has been changed since the publication of the original version.

Viscount Darling is on a mission of revenge for his sister and Miss Burke has a secret. These two must reconcile their pathways and hearts to a future. This is the second of the Dartmouth Brides books. Enjoyed their journey to finding truth and love.

Ebook from Net Galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

"A Sense of Sin was originally published in 2011. This new edition has been revised and reedited."

I immediately adored Celia for being the unconventional type. She wants to be recognized for her brains, not just her beauty. Her avid interest in botany and science is not something that would have been "acceptable" for a proper young lady of her time to be dabbling in, and she doesn't give a fig what society thinks!

Darling Del wants revenge for the part he thinks Celia played in his sister's death. The problem is, the more he gets to know Celia, the more he just simply wants her... for himself.

This tale had a great plot line, characters with depth and heart and was a classic example of the enemies to lovers story structure. It was well-written and kept me engaged from the first page to the last. I loved watching the relationship between Celia and Del evolve and grow.

This was the first book I had ever read by Essex, and I will happily be searching out more of her work for my reading pleasure!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this newly revised and reedited book from NetGalley & ERB Publishing in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

'A Sense of Sin' by Elizabeth Essex is book Two in the "Dartmouth Brides" series. This is the story of Colonel Rupert Delacorte, Viscount Darling and Miss Celia Burke. Please make note that this is a re-release as this book was first published around 2011.
Celia is being blacked mailed but is unsure who is doing so. In addition. her friend is be leaved to have committed suicide.
Del is trying to get revenge on the person that caused his sister to commit suicide and he thinks Celia is that person. Del is also getting blacked mailed and thinks this could be her also.
This was an exciting and hot story to watch play out while we find out what really happened to Del's sister. Also great watching Del and Celia slowly build their trust.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

Publisher's Description:

A LADY WITH A SECRET

The Ravishing Miss Burke has everything a young lady could want—beauty, status and suitors lined up just to beg for her hand. Until a blackmailer from her past holds her future for ransom.

A MAN HELLBENT ON REVENGE

Colonel Rupert Delacorte, Viscount Darling will go to any length to ruin the woman responsible for his beloved sister’s death. But the Ravishing Miss Burke is nothing like the icy murderer of his waking dreams—she’s nothing but a bluestocking with a shocking secret she’ll go to almost any length to keep. Even succumbing to his sinful seduction.

My Thoughts:
This is the best book I have read by this author. Had they all been this good I would be addicted.
I realize this is a re-release of a book that originally came out in 2011 that has been revised and reedited. I never read the original version so I can't say if I like this one more or less, but if the original came anywhere near the quality of this one it was very good.
I have read other books by this author but none of them came near the excellence of this one. I was beginning to think I was led astray as to her writing and storytelling abilities. This book has however changed my mind.
It is full of sensuality and intrigue.
I loved this story. The only thing I would change is the extensive number of chapters. There are several that I would combine as I think there is no need for them to be separate.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 5 of 5 flames. Although it starts out with only sensual language for most of the first half of the book, it gets progressively heated as the story progresses.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I have reviewed voluntarily.

A Sense of Sin, the second in the Dartmouth Brides series, rates a 4 out of 5 on the sizzle-meter. I enjoyed the blackmail/revenge plot, and found the heroine, a brainy ahead-of-her time botanist, quite likable. Although the hero took awhile to sort the plot out for himself, I found this to be believable and entertaining.

Please Note: This review is for the 2017 revised version!

I read this book years ago and loved it, I don't know exactly what was revised, but this story seems much steamier than I recall (that is NOT a complaint!).

This starts out as a revenge type story and slowly transitions over to a romance mystery. Rupert Delacorte, Viscount Darling aka Del is on a mission. He wants revenge on the woman he believes caused his beloved sister Emily to commit suicide. He is being blackmailed and believes that the "Ravishing Miss Celia Burke" is responsible for not only the blackmail but the death of his sister Emily. He vows to destroy her and hopes then he can finally have peace. He has spent the last year burying his pain in reckless behavior, loose women and alcohol.

The book opens with Del looking for Celia at a ball. He proposes a wager to his friend Hugh, that he can seduce and ruin a virtuous woman without ever touching her. Hugh finds this hilarious until he discovers Del's target. He refuses to participate and even goes as far as to warn Celia.

Celia is also being blackmailed and she believes that Del is responsible. She has harbored a tender for him for years - he was her dearest friend Emily's older brother and she fell in love with him through the letters he sent his sister. She can't imagine why he would blackmail her and when she learns of the wager, she is determined to best him.

The first half of the book is good, there is a lot of sexual tension between Del and Celia, but neither really trusts the other and neither has discovered the truth. When they finally realize that they are both victims of a blackmailer and that they have misjudged each other - the story really takes off.

I loved the slow build up to the downfall of the real villain. It was really well done and the reveal scene was priceless - if there was an academy award for best supporting character in a book - Del's housekeeper, Mrs. Bobbins would have won it!

This book is more than just a steamy read (again - NOT complaining!), it is about the power of love, family and forgiveness.

This book is part of a series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title. I would highly recommend this story and am looking forward to reading the revised version of Hugh's story!

3.5/5. This book is hard to rate. I like the prose and there are clever and astute observations and yet the characters appear unable to decide if and why they're coming and going. The initial revenge /seduction-without-touching plot is somewhat porous and a bit inconsistent but the story improves in the 2nd half after their marriage, when their emotions become more raw and real. The author has definite potential as I understand this is a revised edition of an earlier book.

This is a free copy supplied by Net Galley for an unbiased opinion.

AWESOME read. The characters were fully developed and the plot was gripping and enthralling, definitely worth the read. The book was carried out in it's entirety, from their first meeting to the early weeks of their marriage and it kept you interested the whole way through.

This a sensual and mysterious story. Del's sister is dead and he blames her best friend. He has decided he wants vengeance and to make her pay. But after he meets Celia, he realises he is wrong. I loved the story and all the emotions they went thru to finally realize they could trust. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I received this book free for an honest review.



Help

Viscount Darling is out to embarrass the Ravishing Miss Burke. Maybe all is not as it seems though. Del finds himself falling in love with Celia Burke. How can he get back at her for what she did to his sister if he is attracted to her. They are each receiving blackmail letters and they each think the other sent it. Celia was a very close friend of his sister's and has no idea what Del is feeling. They each have their secrets. Great read.

Colonel Rupert Delacorte (Del), Viscount Darling is out for revenge, and in his sights is the woman responsible for his sister’s death Miss Celia Burke. Rupert sets out to ruin her reputation, but finds a bluestocking who’ll go to almost any length to keep her secret. Del has been receiving threatening letters he thinks Celia has sent him so he sees her as a uncaring, shallow person who had befriended his sister, but he what he finds in Celia is a shy beautiful young woman. Celia has tried to give Del her condolences, but she is quite surprised by his reaction and his attitude towards her. When Celia starts to receive threatening letters with reference to Del’s sister she blames Del for upsetting her life. Celia and Del begin to realize that neither is what they expected. Celia and Del both have their ways to overcome the situation and their burning attraction keeps getting in the way. Del wrestles with his feelings for Celia and she tries to convince him to stop trying to blackmailing her without her feeling getting in the way. The story is filled with secrets, blackmail, passion and seduction, but hour Del and Celia will both need to rebuild trust before they can move above and beyond the hurts they both have endured to find their HEA!
I received a copy in exchange for my personal opinion and review of this book.

Not to fault this book but immediately I started reading I find that I've grown weary of reading about characters exacting revenge on one another without thorough investigation, it just seems pointless. Why plan elaborate skims and then later find out you were uninformed or you misconstrued the information, that's just idiotic.

Though I didn't finish this book, I knew the identity of the blackmailer with the first appearance of the character, it was just too easy. I skipped to the end and indeed I was right, it would have been a waste to go through pages of reading when the mystery wasn't really a mystery.