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Book: A DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT

By Kerrigan Byrne

Series: Victorian Rebels, Book #7

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
1)Tartan Book Reviews
2)Purple Tulip Book Reviews
3)Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Rating: 5/5 Stars/Kilts


Congratulations Kerrigan Byrne, my multi talented and extraordinary author of the century! A book I definitely know with be a #1 best seller! Of this I have no doubt!

Wishing you nothing but success and oodles of book sales! ~ Tartan Book Reviews

London, 1855
Cutter “ Dead-Eye” Morley and his sister Caroline were two orphans with no papers working the streets of London. He stole, picked pockets, gambled, killed and his sister even sold a pound of flesh, though she was no whore! They did this to sleep under a roof in hopefully a clean pallet or for a few morsels in their empty bellies. That was until the most horrific nightmare became a reality in his young life….

25 years later…London, 1880



Now twenty-five years later Sir Carlton Worley, previously known as Cutter “Dead-Eye” Worley, is now working on the other side of the law as the respected Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard. He had been a war hero and he seems to have two personalities now, one as the respected Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard by day and the Knight of Shadows in the evenings. This is where he trails his clues and finds his man. Sometimes with vigilante justice, for the laws of the street, where he can become a shadow and find his villains and find justice in the worst and most dangerous areas of London, where the legal system has failed. He was on a case and looking killers of male prostitutes or at least clues at “Miss Henrietta’s School for Cultured Young Ladies”. This was actually a high class brothel for mostly titled wealthy ladies of the ton. He is dressed in a mask to keep hidden and in disguise as was required by all the male prostitutes. Luckily he had a mask from a ton formal he had previously attended and learned a password to enter.

Now Lady Prudence Goode had always thought she would marry a love match, an honorable, faithful, husband to become a loving wife and mother to. She finds out her fiancé George Hamby-Forsyth, the sixth Earl of Sutherland, she had thought was marrying her for love, only wants to marry her for her rich dowry to pay his debts, support his mistresses and brood of illegitimate children. Now she is so hurt and feels betrayed by her parents, the two people she trusted most in the world! They explain this is the way their world, of most men in her social standing live, they have mistresses and are unfaithful and won’t even allow her to break her engagement! After all the man is an Earl and she had to accept this in her life. So she decides she is going to have an affair of her own after she finds out about “Miss Henrietta’s School for Cultured Young Ladies.” For Pru it is a last night of freedom, making her own decision, giving her virginity away to someone else other than her scoundrel unfaithful husband to be! Plus her non caring husband will be ordering her around for a lifetime.

Except the male prostitute she picks is Sir Carlton Worley unknown to her. He who was on the job, but breaks all the rules as he sees Prudence as something pure, angelic and good in this place of ugliness and darkness. So he becomes her lover of the night without exchanging names. Even though he knew this was so wrong on so many levels he couldn’t refuse, of course he didn’t take her money.

The problem after there sordid night Morley couldn’t stop thinking or looking for her ever since. She explained to Morley this was something she did for herself, though once she was married she would not be unfaithful. Although it was totally acceptable for her husband to have mistresses and bastard children, in this world unfair to married women. Morley told her not to marry him but she unfortunately had no choice. Life was not fair to women, so it was her night to lose her virginity on her own terms! Three months before her father sold her to the highest bidder with the loftiest title!

Morley had been obsessed looking for her with no success. Of course they never shared names so it was most difficult. Yet he does locate her three months later with her dead fiancé at her feet! Also pregnant with Morley’s child! He was not going to abandon this women or this child. He could finally be the father his father was not! Yet he does not trust Prudence Goode in the least, as Morley trusts no one. However he also sees this woman as his weakness! Now Morley has a job of proving her innocence and protecting his child plus her father is the bloody Commissioner with his own secrets to hide!

Something he never expected plus can Morley ever open his heart with so much heartache and misfortune in his past? He would protect Prudence no matter if she is guilty or innocent. As Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard he has many resources, as the Knight of Shadows he has even more! Yet he must keep his emotional distance, as his enemies would use and harm her, seeing Prudence as his weakness. Do Carlton and Prudence have a future? Can a man who has never opened his shattered heart since that horrific day twenty-five years ago, will he ever learn to open it again? There is much more to this phenomenal story that I won’t spoil it for other readers. This novel is an absolute masterpiece and one you definitely don’t want to miss!

I have been waiting for Morley’s story for a long time and OMG Kerrigan Byrne is brilliant. I personally find Ms. Byrne one of my most favorite authors. Every book this special author has written has blown me away. I started reading her with her independent Scottish Highland historical series. My first books were Unspoken, Unwilling and Unwanted, which is revamped with a new book titles and the series is now called Highland Magic. It’s a nine book series that I so highly recommend!

As for “A Dark and Stormy Knight,” this regency suspense is absolutely awe- inspiring I was absolutely so blown away! A book readers won’t be able to put down. I can’t recommend it enough. A book I know I will be rereading again and again. Also for readers of the Victorian Rebels series some of your favorite heroes will make appearances in this book - after all they are Morley’s mates! You can read as a stand alone but I highly recommend reading each book in the series. Especially if you want to fall in love with some bad boys! This is a riveting fast paced, page turning, romantic, regency adventure. It is filled with suspense, mystery, murder, mayhem, suffering, treachery, mistrust, sorrow, faith, love and so much more.

Ms. Byrne makes her multi dimensional characters feel so real-it is so easy to get swept into this marvelous storylines and never letting go. A definite nail biter with so many twists and turns and so many plots it’s hard to keep up. I kept finding myself holding my breath with anticipation never knowing what was coming next! A define heartstring puller so have a box of tissues nearby, I was sobbing right after the prologue in the beginning. So I did find this book emotional at times, which only make me give this novel the highest rating allowed. As this book is truly a masterpiece one of my favorite reads of 2020 and definitely my favorite pandemic read!

Victorian Rebel Series
by Kerrigan Byrne

1.The Highwayman
2. The Hunter
3. The Highlander
4. The Duke
5. The Scot Beds His Wife
6. The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo
7. A Dark and Stormy Knight


I received this book from the publisher for a fair and honest review. I voluntarily agreed to read, review, blog and promote through netgalley. All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.


Buy Links:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-dark-and-stormy-knight-kerrigan-byrne/1135931049?ean=2940163174478

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Stormy-Knight-Victorian-Rebels-ebook/dp/B081MDB8B3

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Stormy-Knight-Victorian-Rebels/dp/1947204785

https://books.google.com/books/about/A_Dark_and_Stormy_Knight.html?id=M_LKDwAAQBAJ

https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-dark-and-stormy-knight/id1493546762

4.5 Stars!
The author alluded to Morley's darker back story in The Duke (#4) and I've waited for his separate book ever since. I loved how Byrne connected the "Victoria Rebel" from every prior book and gave us this crowning story in the series. The scenes with some of the previous heroes were entertaining to say the least. If I hadn't known this was a Victorian historical, I might have thought I was reading about the "Hot Bunch" from Kristen Ashley's Rock Chick Series with all of their alpha-maleness and cheeky banter.

The romantic trope within this book was a favorite - a marriage of convenience with a murder mystery twist. The prologue and beginning chapter were fabulous set-ups for both. This book is a bit shorter than the rest of the series and moves at a slightly faster pace, but the author still managed to deliver a well-developed story and characters. Morley has evolved over the series from who I had originally pictured and I loved this dark and brooding officer of the law. Who knew all of this was behind the man we first met in The Highwayman? Overall, the romance was sweet, Morley was amazing, and the story was outstanding.

Kerrigan Byrne quickly jumped onto my auto-buy list the moment I read the first book in the Victorian Rebels series, The Highwayman. I was with Fiction Vixen back then, so I went back through Goodreads and read my review and I was positively gushing with praise and adoration for this author’s words. Jump to five years later and I still look forward to every one of Ms. Byrne’s releases. A Dark and Stormy Knight is the seventh installment in the series and we FINALLY get to see Carlton Morley find his HEA.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I can honestly say this wasn’t quite it. This book took me by surprise in a few ways. Carlton has always been a bit of a staid, proper (maybe almost boring at times) character who wears his Chief Inspector badge with honor. I mean after reading the rest of the series I knew he had a past on the streets, but it’s hard to imagine him as daring and passionate as Dorian or Ash, but then he meets his heroine, Pru, and uh… wow.

Prudence Goode is determined to lose her virginity and take a lover after overhearing her sister and a good friend talk about her fiancé’s infidelities and children born out of wedlock. She visits the gardens of a bawdy house, where women go to find sexual companionship. She finds exactly what she is looking for, but it isn’t until her wedding three months later, and over the dead body of her intended, that she discovers who she had a tryst with that night.

As always, Kerrigan Byrne’s prose is delightful. I enjoyed Pru and Morley, their love story didn’t dazzle me like a few other couples in this series, but I did enjoy them. I liked seeing Carlton fall under his wife’s spell and come undone, slipping out of the cold mask he has worn for so much of this series. Pru is a tad naive at the beginning, but I appreciated her character growth by the end.

This is a mix of the marriage of convenience and forced proximity tropes with a murder mystery thrown in for added excitement. I think fans of this genre and author will be pleased with this love story and HEA.

A Dark and Stormy Knight by Kerrigan Byrne is the 7th book in the Victorian Rebels series, and I have to tell you, if you haven’t picked this series up yet, you are MISSING OUT!

I loved this book and am so glad it was Morley’s story. Morley’s backstory is heartbreaking but understanding where he comes from helped to set the tone for where he is right now. Not only has he made a name for himself as Scotland Yard’s Chief Inspector, but he prowls the night searching for retribution. When he stumbles across Prudence Goode (without knowing it is her), Morley is faced with a temptation he never would have imagined.

I loved Pru. She knows she is destined for a life that will never be what she hoped for and when she decides to take a chance on making her own decisions and choosing her path for once so when she lands in the lap of a mysterious man who fits exactly what she was looking for, she leaps right into the decision that will change her life.

On the day of her marriage, Pru finds herself accused of a crime and it just happens that Morley, a guest at the wedding because of who Pru’s father is, is asked to investigate what happened. I can’t say too much here because I don’t want to give anything away, but I have to admit, there are several shady characters that could have committed the crime so kudos to Byrne on keeping me guessing.

This story moves quickly, and I have to say, I couldn’t put it down. Not only is there the who done it mystery, but the romance and relationship that is developed between Pru and Morley made for an unputdownable (is that a word??) book. I also love it when we get to see characters from the previous books so that made me happy too!

If you’re looking for a new historical romance to read, make sure you pick this one up. The heroes in this series are always tough, dark characters and Morley fits right in…in the right way. The heroines are smart women who aren’t afraid to take some control over their lives, no matter who they have to stand up to and I love that about them…Pru included. Kerrigan Byrne has become an auto-buy author for me – I love her books that much. So, on that note, I’ll just say grab this book (and series) when you can, you won’t regret it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.
a 3.5 starts rounded to 4 because it had its original parts (which is difficult to do with so many Dukes, Earls and Bow Streen Runners out there already)
It was my first time reading this author and the prologue almost made me drop the book - is was so overly Dickensian with the (otherwise well-written description) of the poverty and decadence and child abuse in the Whitechapel district at that time that it left a very bitter taste in my mouth. That's not what I normally look for when reading romance, albeit historical. I get that it was necessary in order to better understand the hero and his very different way of being but I could have done with a less vivid account.
The story is a very entertaining one, at times funny, at times dramatic and quite often erotic. I liked this last aspect about it. The love scenes as as vividly described as the misery in the prologue, Even though the premise of the H and h meeting is rather cookie, I loved its originality so suspending disbelief was not that difficult.
The secondary characters were good additions and I am curious about their stories - since they are prior to this book so I don't have to wait for them to come out. That is always a plus.
The prologue left me wondering though what gift of foresight Pru had to make that particular revelation to her husband (not naming it because I'm avoiding spoilers).
A nice read, fast-paced and with memorable characters.

This was everything I enjoy in a historical romance and more. With a heroine who makes a decision that shocked me, but that I loved, and a hero that despite his lack of trust, was adamant to claim her as his own, I didn’t want to stop reading.

Prudence and Carlton are perfect together and I loved how Carlton was immediately ensnared by her. The way he protected and possessed her was exactly what I’m looking for in a hero. He was broken but he claimed her even if he didn’t realize that’s what he was doing. Watching Carlton fall in love was one of the best things I’ve read in awhile.

This has a bit of relationship angst to it as well as some drama due to danger. With a steam level that had me looking for a fan and a cool drink, this author developed a believable chemistry between this hero and heroine. It absolutely sizzles! I also loved seeing characters from previous books in the series and watching the teasing camaraderie they have with each other.

Overall, I adored this story and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a jealous, possessive alpha hero.

Pru wanted one night of desire before she dutifully gets married. She has been told there is a place where women can pay for their pleasure and sneaks out of the house one night. As nervous as she is, she finds someone who she is instantly attracted to.

Carlton is on a case when he finds himself being literally run into by Pru. He is instantly attracted to her and when she mistakenly thinks he is one of the male courtesans, he doesn't disabuse her of the error. They participate is a very HOT encounter.

Neither can forget the other and when next they meet, Carlton finds Pru holding a knife over her dead fiancé. Can this woman he can't stop thinking about really be a murderer??

OMG!! I loved Pru and Carlton's story!! I've been waiting for Carlton's story since Byrne started the Victorian Rebels series!! I loved these two together and didn't want to but the book down! I loved how they met and then watching them solve the murder of Pru's fiancé. I didn't want this story to end!!

While you can read this book as a standalone, I would definitely read the whole series to get the whole picture of Carlton. Plus the series is a fantastic read you don't want to miss!!

This was a great addition to the Victorian Rebels series. Morley has been a key player in the other books in this series, and it was nice to learn more about his past. The scenes between Dorian, Ash, Christian, and Morley were hilarious. I also enjoyed the interactions between Farah, Morley, and Pru. Morley has been such an upstanding citizen in this series, I am happy that this book showed how he acts when he is not acting as the Chief Inspector. Pru was a charming, realistic character that the reader is able to support from the very beginning of the book. For fans of Sarah MacLean and Elizabeth Hoyt.

A Victorian Dark Knight.

Finally! We get Chief Inspector Carlton Morley’s story. This book connects all the original Victorian Rebels, mainly from The Highwayman and The Hunter. Carlton/Cutter’s (dual identities are a consistent theme) prologue is the terrible thing that is the catalyst for the man he will become (the best prologue is still The Hunter).

Carlton wears many masks and his story has been quietly interwoven with those of the two Dorian Blackwell’s but in a way his story is much closer to Christopher Argent’s.

He meets Prudence Goode in a not meet cute, but a rather a definite meeting of their bodies. Prudence is later caught red handed and is accused of offing her fiancé at the church. Prudence is the perfect foil for Carlton.

Why this book deserves 10 stars is how well it’s tightly crafted with poetic and lyric word smithing. Every sentence is infused with imagery and eloquence. A story seeped with emotion and hope.
A fitting conclusion to the Victorian Rebels series.
Highly recommend.
Purchased.

After The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo I was dying to read Morely’s story and had high expectations and as ever I was not disappointed. Honestly no one writes historicals like Kerrigan Byrne. The book was fabulous, the writing exceptional and the storyline enthralling. Highly highly recommend!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Thank you NetGalley and Gnarly Wool Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Kerrigan Byrne book and she did not disappoint. There were so many twists and turns to the story, I had to finish it in one day just to know what happened. I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a historical romance with plenty of steam and adventure!

4 stars

Fate has a way of bringing opposites together… and when the get together, they light up like a match in a gas leak… B-A-M!!!

All I can say is that this book started off with a bang (literally ;)) and held on for the rest of the story!

Sir Carlton Morley, Cutter is a character wrapped in shadows He has risen ups from the streets on lies and secrets, but one night in a shadowy garden cracks his reserve and he now needs to find a way to live and trust in the truth.

Prudence Goode doesn’t want a loveless marriage to a man needing her dowery and going after anything in a skirt. She decides to choose herself and visits a hedonistic garden to give the gift of her body to the man of her choice. These memories will keep her warm in her loveless marriage… until her shadowy lover becomes her husband.

Morley was a hero that reminds you of Batman and sexy as hell. He could have carried this story himself, but Pru added another dimension as the king to his yang. A perfect pairing!

As book 7 in the Victorian Rebels series other characters showed up from past books… This was my first book I have read from the series and I found that it could easily be read as a standalone - BUT this book was so good and the side characters so intriguing that I now need to go back up and catch up on all the other Victorian Rebels!

A Dark and Stormy Night by Kerrigan Byrne is scheduled to release June 2nd, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gnarly Wool Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Blog: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-dark-and-stormy-night.html

#ADarkandStormyKnight #KerriganByrne #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

How glorious it is to witness the most strait-laced, stern and obstinate hero act so out of character! To think the most selfless woman could bring such an intransigent and strong man to his knees. Brilliant!

“For future reference, you’re being neither prudent nor good.”

I have been so curious about Chief inspector Morley from the beginning of this series, wondering about his past, his upbringing and what lead him to become the figure of authority he so carefully set himself to be.

A Dark and Stormy Knight not only provides a great insight at Morley’s tragic childhood but moreover Byrne strips him off his many layers of morals and inflexibility unveiling above all the man behind the badge and the mask.
I don’t think I will recover from Morley’s cracking jokes or the peek at his inner cocky point of view!

“Now was not the time to notice her nudity. This was quite possibly a medical crisis.
He refused to glance down at her breasts.
He glanced.
He refused to look.
He looked.
Well he refused to appreciate.
Goddamnit.”

And what A. Man. *lustful eyes*

The story literally starts with a bang—pardon my crudeness but we’re not talking about guns here. By chapter three, I was so consumed with Carlton “Cutter” Morley and Prudence Goode first encounter, I had to praise the author on social media about her writing skills for delivering such a masterful and sexy wicked scene. My brain had just about fried and I could only nod my head in approval at the heroine choice of words to describe her very first completion under Morley’s tongue. “Bliss, rapture, heaven.” GIRL. SAME.

“She was too pleasured to be scandalized by their wickedness. Too captive of her passions to be worried about discovery. ”

I was pleasantly surprised with the pairing of Morley with such a sweet and candid heroine. Prudence in her relentless quest for innocence revealed to be quite the headstrong woman, I liked to see that side of her, her resilience. I love the romantic concept that only a gentle and delicate touch could open Morley’s cold and steel guarded heart.

“ She’d stripped him bare, laid him wide open and dangerously close to defenseless. The intimacy he felt forming between them, the bond that wove between his ribs and hers, stiching their ticking hearts together, was made of some stronger material than the steel and ice he’d encased around his heart. ”

There’s quite a bit of angst built around Morley’s inability to trust Prudence despite her unwavering faith that at least her own husband will come to believe she’s telling the truth. Though no amount of angst could hinder the chemistry between Prudence and Morley, that he believes her guilty or innocent doesn’t matter much in Morley’s mind, Prudence became a part of him, his weakness and there’s much delight in witnessing him fail to observe the detachment he’s usually so fond of. The need to protect her and his secret yearning for love will overrule his most strongest ethics!

“Why did he have to be so unspeakably handsome? Why did he have to be so categorically inaccessible?”

Oh this book has it all, mystery, murder, a vigilante fighting crime, a marriage of convenience, a tortured hero, swooning romance, sinfully loaded encounters, an epilogue SO good it needs its own epilogue, all of it beautifully penned by Byrne, infused with humor, heart and drama. I’m IN LOVE!

I’ve been enjoying most of the Victorian Rebels series, I’m seriously addicted to Kerrigan Byrne brand of historical romance, she delivers sexy and passionate romance and heroes with an edge. A Dark and Stormy Knight is book 7 of the Victorian Rebels series, it reads as a standalone but in all fairness, you’d have a better understanding and appreciation of all the side characters reading at least book 1, The Highwayman which I believe is currently on sale for only 99 pennies and is an AMAZING read!

“I am a knight. A man with a code. A warrior with a creed. I vow, from this moment onward to be YOUR knight, wife. They will believe you, as I believe you.”

Historical romance with a broken hero and a daring heroine.
An up comong unwanted marriage,a night of passion with a masked stranger leads to a god interesting story with mystery,twists and wow a romance.
A part of series so you get to see some old characters.
Enjoyed the story.
Voluntarily reviewed.

A DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT is the seventh book in Kerrigan Byrne’s “Victorian Rebels” series. Although it’s part of a series, I think this works well as a standalone novel as well. Kerrigan Byrne gives enough background tidbits on any relevant characters from previous books. This book has a few of my favorite things. The gothic touches are, as always in a Kerrigan Byrne book, spot on and fab. I am also a huge comic book fan and Cutter “Deadeye” Morley aka Chief Inspector Carlton Morley is basically Batman. Instead of the wealthy playboy Bruce Wayne persona that is Batman’s alter ego, by day Morley is a well-respected and high-ranking policeman. By night, however, he is the mythic Knight of Shadows and acting as a vigilante. I love it.

There are many elements of A DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT that are like something out of the penny dreadfuls mentioned in this book. Like Batman, Morley has a tragedy in his past that spurs him to find justice as best he can. Under extremely unconventional circumstances Morley and the virginal Prudence Goode have a torrid and anonymous tryst before her wedding day. On that wedding day, they are reunited in a spectacularly awful way when he finds her drenched in blood and standing over her murdered fiancé-almost husband. Superb storytelling. Another scene harkens back to the Batman universe when Morley’s childhood friend Ash and his frenemy Dorian Blackwell banter back and forth in front of him, poking fun at his uptight persona. This totally made me think of Catwoman and Harley Quinn taking a few friendly jabs at Batman. Yes! Morley is a man under an incredible amount of stress as he deals with a new wife, a baby on the way, and several mysteries to solve – several of the mysteries directly affecting him. Although the hero in A DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT takes center stage, I really like this heroine. Pru is 29, not 17. She has recently discovered that the people she trusted betrayed her to varying degrees, but that does not make her stupid. Pru is a mix of romantic and pragmatic. She wants to help Morley investigate her late fiance’s murder in whatever way she’s able, since she is very much invested in the outcome.

A DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT is a marvelous mix of madmen, dark avengers, and gothic romance. I like how Kerrigan Byrne bucks the historical stereotype and has the victims of the mysterious madman be men. As a fan of this series, it was great seeing well-placed appearances of favorite characters from past books. I look forward to reading Kerrigan Byrne’s next book.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. A Dark and Stormy Knight by Kerrigan Byrne is the seventh book in her Victorian Rebels series. I have not read all of the books in the series and had no problems reading this book as a stand-alone, but I am definitely going back to read the rest of the series because they are so enjoyable to read. Sir Carlton Morley has played many roles in his life, orphaned street rat Cutter Morley, decorated war hero Carlton Morley, Chief Inspector Sir Carlton Morley of the London Police force, and the Knight of Shadows who chases down justice that the law can’t always provide. It’s as this latter persona that he first encounters Prudence Goode, who no longer desiring to be a good(e) girl decides to take control of something in her life, and seeks out the Stags of St. James to experience pleasure as she’s unlikely to find it in the marriage that’s been arranged for her by her family. The Knight of Shadows chasing down the murderer of young men with ties to the Stags of St. James meets Prudence in their garden, and she mistakes him for one of the Stags propositions him, and he enchanted by her agrees. Their next encounter is on her wedding day when she’s accused of murdering her spouse to be, and he finds out that she’s having his child. As always, Kerrigan Byrne writes captivating stories with compelling protagonists, and I stayed up way too late in order to finish reading this book. Medium Steam. Publishing Date June 2, 2020. #ADarkAndStormyKnight #KerriganByrne #HistoricalRomance #GnarlyWoolPublishing #bookstagram #MysteryAndRomance

If anyone is on the market for a dark, steamy historical romance with grit, look no further. Reading this book was an incredible experience that moved Kerrigan Byrne’s books up several slots on my TBR list. This is everything I wanted out of a historical romance: dark, damaged heroes with a tragic past, a plucky heroine who knows how to stand up for herself, an actual PLOT (!) and a complex love story that goes beyond mere physical attraction and delves deep into the psyches of the characters.

I was hesitant going into this novel because I thought that it was going to go in a certain direction (i.e., adultery), but thankfully Kerrigan Byrne did not go there. The opening of this novel was incredibly steamy. Let me just say, the way these two characters first met may have singlehandedly been responsible for the AC unit in my house breaking, because DAMN is it hot in here.

Our main character, Prudence Goode (an ironic and yet somehow suitable name if I ever heard one), is not afraid to reach out and take what she wants, even if it means circumventing all the prim and proper rules of society. Her love interest, Carlton Morley, has so many different facets to this character, and it was absolutely wonderful to see his character slowly evolve as Pru tore down his walls. They had the perfect amount of chemistry, but we also got to see them gradually form a deeper connection and recover from the trauma in both of their pasts.

I finished this book in one day when I only intended to read half of it. If I had to categorize this novel, it would be a historical romantic mystery with Gothic undertones. Byrne does not shy away from exploring the dark underbelly of society, including murder, prostitution, drug smuggling, trauma and more. The best words to describe this novel was gritty and steamy. I was so compelled by the central mystery, along with the romance. I like a little plot with my steamy historical romance, and Byrne is a master at it. Yes, the final reveal at the end was rather predictable, but that’s fine given the romance was the reason why I picked this book up in the first place.

My only issue with this novel is that sometimes the prose could get a little too purple for my liking. Other than that, this was fantastic and I am so glad I discovered Kerrigan Byrne at the start of my historical romance journey.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Dark and Stormy Knight by Kerrigan Byrne


‘“What are you called?”

A sad smile touched his lips as he lifted a lock of her hair that’d escaped its coiffure. He tucked it back in place, smoothing it down with such a tender motion, her throat ached. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just a shadow.”’


Every time Kerrigan Byrne writes a book, I’m convinced it’s my absolute favourite book, that is, until she writes another. Chief Inspector Carlton Morley has been prevalent throughout this incredible series, always on the peripheral, staid, stalwart and a little mysterious. It’s only now that we get to see into the very heart of this beautifully complex man. A man mired by grief, impaired by secrets and bruised with guilt, but a man with convictions, a heroic soul and a heart that is silently screaming for love and comfort. He was simply breathtaking. A protagonist who was layered, enticing, a little dangerous, and a whole lot jaded. His brooding was a daunting mass, sexy and alluring, constantly captivating me, making me want to get to the very heart of the man and soothe him in all ways.


‘She’d stripped him bare, laid him wide open and dangerously close to defenseless. The intimacy he felt forming between them, the bond that wove between his ribs and hers, stitching their ticking hearts together, was made of some stronger material than the steel and ice he’d encased around his heart.’


Enter Prudence Goode, a woman who was straining at the shackles being imposed upon her, a woman with a broken heart and a shattered view of the world around her. There was an endearing naivety about her, no matter how much she got knocked down, how much darkness pervaded her little world, she fought through it all, strong, loving and loyal to the very end. Prue was a remarkable heroine. Resplendent in her proclaimed innocence, defiant in the face of adversity and heartrending in her devotion. Even when those around her denied and distrusted her. She was magnificent. A heroine through and through. Selfless, sweet and deep. By integrating the dark and tempting with the sweet and innocent, author Kerrigan Byrne has given readers a taste of profound desire, an array of wickedly sensual sex scenes and a stunning and weighty love story. It isn’t simple or easy. It’s dazzling, daring, exhilarating and highly emotive. Every emotion, every sigh, skipped heartbeat and laugh will belong to this story.


It was so lovely to see all of the previous characters from this series in this one. You got a real sense of comradery, of the loyalty and ribbing that these men give each other. It’s a real, honest and slightly menacing brotherhood. Yet, somehow they produced the biggest comedic scenes here and the heartiest laughs. Particularly when it came to the discussion of kidnapping techniques.



A Dark and Dangerous Knight is an astoundingly seductive, thrilling and inspirational historical romance. Beautifully written, with wonderful characters and a sensational plot, this book will have you swooning, melting, falling, sobbing and rejoicing. And as I always say, when a book can hold you in it’s grasp like that, you know you have an absolutely tremendous author and story in your hands.

I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is Morley's story. When I heard it was coming, I was excited the series was continuing. However I hadn't really been that interested in Morley as a character. This book changed that...and more!!

Kerrigan Byrne had me crying by the end of chapter 3. I couldn't believe I was already so involved with the main characters that soon. She truly does write so well.

Chief Inspector Carlton Morley has many secrets. All of which he wants to hide. Prudence Goode has to marry a man her father chose. Their paths cross before the wedding, and lighting strikes.

On the day of the wedding, they meet again. This time, Prudence has a knife in her hand and her husband to be isn't doing well....at all. Morley must determine the truth, but he fears he risks his heart in the search.

Y'all, this book is so well written. I didn't want to put it down. It made me want to go back and read the whole series again. She left me wanting more, but in the best way possible.

Must read!!

I have waited for the story of Carlton Morley since I first read The Highwayman years ago. I can’t believe it took this long. First, let me say, if you aren’t familiar with the series, you could read this without the others because it’s impossible to not like this book, but you would be doing yourself a disservice. You should at least read The Highwayman and The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo to fully appreciate Morley and where he has come from before this book.

Nothing about the story is like I ever imagined it would be. Given Morley’s past, Prudence Goode is the opposite of who I would have imagined for him. And yet, that is exactly why they worked so well together. I didn’t foresee that he was, in fact, the darkest of the dark souls in the series and needed the brightest light. Seeing him struggle to accept where he came from and who he became and how that fit with his new relationship was an interesting journey that sucked me in from the very first pages of the story. As always, Kerrigan Byrne’s character development is intricately detailed and beautifully woven so that every action reflects who they are and who they are struggling to become. It’s truly a marvel.

I received an electronic ARC of this in exchange for an honest review, but I am already anxious for the paperback to arrive in the mail so I can reread it and sigh over all of the best parts all over again. Kerrigan Byrne’s books are among the few on my shelf that I read repeatedly, and this will be no different. I know I will discover new depths to the characters each time.