'Alexandra Battle is desperate enough to accept a new post as governess to the illegitimate daughter of Sir Nicholas Swan, without having met either of them. Fortunately, Evelina turns out to be delightful as well as challenging, though her father, from their first encounter in the dead of night, remains a disturbingly attractive mystery.

Why does a wealthy, well-born baronet choose to live in an old, dusty house in an unfashionable area of London? What is he hiding there that clanks in the night? And who is the dying lady he brought home with him from Italy? Even more worryingly, why does he have such an effect on the prudent Alexandra’s senses?

When Evelina vanishes one day, the search threatens to expose secrets they would both rather hide, not least Alexandra’s growing feelings for her distraught employer. Alexandra asks for the help of her friends, Lady Grizelda and Dragan Tizsa, who never leave a puzzle unsolved.'
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3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

Dangerous Lover is the third book in Mary Lancaster's Crime and Passion series and is a historical mystery and romance.

I have read other books from this author before, but not the previous two books in the series. Despite two main characters from an earlier book showing up quite often here, I don't feel that my enjoyment of the book suffered at all from having not read the other books. Therefore I would say that this book can serve as a stand-alone if you wish.

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the storyline, which was very much front and center in the plot. The series is called Crime and Passion and I think that is an apt name because the mystery or crime aspect is the main driving force of the plot, whilst the passion or romance simmers quietly in the background until everything comes together with the plot. The mystery was easy to unravel, there are some clear clues, but I enjoyed reading the unveiling even if I knew what the reveal would be.

I enjoyed this book and will probably read more from this series, perhaps going back to read the book about Gris and Dragan because I was intigued by the glimpes into their backstories that we saw.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Drangonblade Publishing for sharing an eARC of Dangerous Lover with me. This is my honest review.

Mary Lancaster has written an ominous suspenseful book that has such an explosive storyline the pages almost turn themselves!
Who hires a governess for their child without interviewing them? Sir Nicholas Swan returns from Italy to London and it seems dark and mystifying things occur.
Alexandra Battle is put in a precarious position and finds she needs a position. She takes the governess placement and never imagines that she will become embroiled in murky circumstances.

I enjoyed the characters and the storyline.

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

Dangerous Lover by Mary Lancaster is an enticing love story full of intrigue, lies, and mistrust. It is a Crime and Passion book #3. One of the best things about it is how much we see of Griz and Dragan. It is a stand-alone but we have met these characters in the past. Alexandra Battle is just starting her third job as a governess and, to be honest, she is startled by the state of the house. It is an older home, perched in a neighborhood that has seen better days. Mrs. Dart met her at the door and introduced her to Evelina, who would be her charge. The house was definitely in a period of transition. Some of it was spotless, some of it was not. Alexandra had definite ideas about how to do her job. There were few rules here, and none she couldn't obey. After just a day, she became aware that Sir Nicholas was a touch over protective of his daughter, but Alex could deal with that, too. It became clear to her that Evelina was both spoiled and neglected. She threw tantrums, occasionally, bad ones. Alex could help with that. Sir Nicholas was a frightening man, except when he wasn't. Alex fell a pull toward him, but she never trusted him. Her self-esteem was so low that she anticipated being let go on a daily basis. It was all very strange. Then Evelina was taken, and Alex called Dragan and Griz for assistance.

Alex had lived a privileged life on the good days and one of poverty on other days. Her father was a less than honest man, and she had helped fake his death to save his death. In actuality she was glad to be rid of him. She really needed this position but no man had ever affected her as Sir Nicholas did and there were so many secrets. Nicholas carried many burdens, but he was a kind man at heart. He had been hurt when his father and his brother stopped communicating, but her deserved that, too, in a way. His luck with women had been dismal and he had paid for that as well. He was a good man, when all he secrets were uncovered, and he loved Alex, despite their difference in station. The journey to their happily-ever-after was an interesting one. A clever story, full of clever people. I enjoyed it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Dangerous Lover by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dangerouslover

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book early. Rating and review are my own.

I did not know this book was the third in a series when I got the arc. However, it is not needed to enjoy this story. There are characters on the side from the previous books, and I liked this book and those characters enough to want to go back and read the ones before!
This book is about a governess and her mysterious employer and a mystery involving missing children. I don't think I have read a historical romance quite like this before but I am pleasantly surprised by it. I enjoyed the mystery and I liked the characters and though at first I did not feel their immediate attraction to each other, I was fully there for it by the end!

I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical romances with more unique characters and a little mystery.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mystery and romance combine to deliver a brilliant, intelligent, passionate story. There is no doubt that this book is the author’s most exemplary. I was intrigued from page one. The romance combined with the mystery created a rich world which captivated me.

Sir Nicholas Swan hires a new governess, Alexandra Battle, to teach his illegitimate daughter, Evelina. The connection between the couple came from a place of genuine respect and burgeoning love. The passion was elemental. The couple complimented each other perfectly. The main characters were lovingly written with care and precision. I fell in love with Evelina from her first scene. Returning characters from previous books brought a rich world-building feel. The couple’s love for one another ignited the page.

This book was as much a mystery as it was a romance. However, the two different themes complimented each other. I was drawn into the drama and complexity of the plot. The story kept my attention and was a page-turner. The romance and mystery were combined effortlessly. I was guessing the resolution of the puzzle up until the very end. Sparks flew between the couple at their first meeting and grew in intensity from there.

I enjoyed the other books in this series. However, this one is by far the best. This story proved that two people who are both generous and flawed could find happiness. I wished that there had been an epilogue; these books do not have them. The book ended to my delighted satisfaction. I do not read many mysteries, but these books caught my attention. The journey is fraught with peril, yet the wild ride is very entertaining. This story is a journey well worth taking.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Governess Alexandra can't help the attraction she feels to Sir Nicholas, her mysterious new employer. She soon discovers that he's keeping secrets. Could he be connected to the kidnapping ring threatening the children of Mayfair?

This romantic mystery has a gothic feel to it. It's a quick read with a satisfying conclusion to both the romance and the mystery plots. I always enjoy Lancaster's characters, and this book did not disappoint.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Dangerous Lover is the 3rd book in the Crime and Passion series by Mary Lancaster. I loved the previous books in this series and this one did not disappoint.

This book is about Alexandra Battle who is hired as a governess to teach Sir Nicholas Swan's daughter, Evelina. Alexandra and Evelina quickly become very close and sir Nicholas starts to have feelings for Alexandra.

There are many twists and turns because of secret pasts and the kidnapping of children of wealthy parents. That is where Tizsa and Lady Griz come in to help find the boys and find out who is kidnapping them.

I loved everything about this book. I enjoyed getting to see Tizsa and Griz again, they are the main characters in the first book Mysterious Lover. I really enjoyed everything about this book, actually the whole series is very good! I would recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys historical romance and mystery books!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for granting me this book!

Alexandra Battle is hired as governess to the illegitimate daughter of Sir Nicholas Swan, without having met either of them. Fortunately, Evelina turns out to be delightful as well as challenging, though her father is more enigmatic. When Evelina vanishes one day, the search threatens to expose secrets they would both rather hide, not least Alexandra’s growing feelings for her distraught employer. Alexandra asks for the help of her friends, Lady Grizelda and Dragan Tizsa, who never leave a puzzle unsolved.
This is the third book in the series & is easily read on its own. A lovely mix of romance, mystery, kidnappings & secrets. I loved both Nicholas & Alexandra both had secrets a plenty but their attraction sizzled from their first meeting. It was a fast paced book that at times had me at the edge of my seat. It was also very touching in parts especially surrounding Lady Nora, which heightened my opinion of Nicholas. I loved the verbal banter & the family dynamics & of course Evelina was a true delight. A very well written book, which I read in two sittings
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Mystery, intrigue and suspense had me invested in this book from the opening chapter, which had a Gothic feel to it. Knowing that Lady Grizelda and Dragan Tizsa play a part in the investigation also had me sold. After laying her father to rest, Alexandra is forced to fend for herself and as a young woman with a lifetime of experiences and the ability to speak other languages, she is grateful to accept the post offered by Lord Swan as governess to his young daughter. Young Evelina has a complicated past but Alexandra is more than able to manage her. Her employer is another matter altogether. Enigmatic, mysterious, and living on the borderline of respectability, Nicholas has a checkered past, and the activities taking place in his home both during the day and at night, leave Alexandra on edge. However, when Evelina disappears from the garden, Griz and Dragan step in to assist and the novel takes on a faster pace. The romance that develops between Alexandra and Nicholas moves fairly slowly but also escalates towards the end. Despite difficult family relationships, this novel does come to a good and satisfactory conclusion, and most of my questions were answered. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Nicholas is a mysterious man who has come home with his illegitimate young daughter and a dying woman. Alexandria, with secrets of her own, accepts a job as the governess. Mysteries abound in children gone missing and strange noises in the house late at night. Alexandria asks her old friends Griz and Dragan to help solve the mysteries. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

5 stars

Excellent story and a great addition to the series.

Griz and her husband (book 1) turn up in this book. Alexandra, the heroine, is a member of Griz's music group. She is working as a governess to Evalina, Sir Nicholas's illegitimate daughter. The hero is mysterious and brooding. He's also at odds with his brother, who has usurped his house and is busy spending his money. Evalina goes missing so Alex asks Griz to solve the mystery and find her. When she's returned, Sir Nicolas reluctantly visits his brother's family, and it's obvious that the nephew is missing too. It's a good mystery and an interesting set of characters. I'd throughly recommend not just this book but the whole series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

A very suave and charismatic male in this romance, he will have you swooning for sure.
Nicholas has secrets that will intrigue you and make sure you stick with this story, his affection for the governess is another wonderful part of this book that rivets you to the pages.

There are twists in this tale and many tense moments too.
With kidnappings, and secretive pasts, families at odds, this is a great read.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

I voluntarily read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley.

Dangerous Lover by Mary Lancaster follows Alexandra Battle a governess recently hired to take care of Sir Nicholas Swan's illegitimate daughter. The daughter Evelina turns out to be a delightful little girl with a habit of tantrums and Alexandra bonds with her almost immediately. But her father.... Nicholas seems dangerous to Alexandra and yet they are drawn together.

This novel definitely felt more like a mystery and day to day life with an undercurrent of romance. There was a lot of will they wont they moments in which I was on the edge of my seat. The author really knows how to write a slow burn that lets you know how much both characters want each other. Due to their misunderstandings and the fact that they both are hiding numerous secrets it keeps them dancing around each other until the very end.

I really liked the family dynamic in this and I found myself loving the moments where they were interacting with each other. I also liked that the mystery is heavily connected with one of their secrets. It made the realization later on so much more sweet. One of the biggest joys of reading this was every time Alexandra thought she was learning something about her employer it always ended up going a lot deeper.

I definitely recommend this book and think its worth the read. I look forward to reading more from this author.