Could a despicable Bargain Lead to Love?

Brendan makes a disgraceful bargain with Laura’s brother. What kind of brother would allow his sister to have an affair so he could get out of his financial difficulties? Fearing her brother might kill himself, Laura went to the earl’s estate. She was expecting a ruthless rake, but what she found was entirely different. Brendan was a man, haunted by his past. Could Laura reach him? What started out as a brazen bargain would turn into unexpected love. However, Brendan vowed never to marry. Why was Brendan determined to let go of the woman who could be his salvation?

This is a story about love, redemption, and second chances. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with mystery and suspense.

This is the third book of the Improper Lords series. Brendan, Earl of Debnam, is reputed to be a rake and is dubbed The Phantom Earl. Though he has short-lived affairs, he longs for the love of a woman in his life but because of a family tragedy, he is determined never to marry. That all changed when Laura came into his life. Laura's brother has destroyed the family's finances and in an attempt at recovery he sells her off to the Earl of Debnam. This will surely ruin her reputation, because Laura is expected to stay with Brendan for a month. But during that time, she gets to know the real Brendan and she is determined to find out what has made him the way he is. Laura's sweetness and charm begin to chip away at Brendan's heart and he begins to fall for her.
The story was interesting and well-written and kept my interest from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and had depth and were likable.i enjoyed this latest installment and look forward to reading more.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

The third story in the Improper Lords, Laura Peyton is back on the marriage mart at 26 and Brendan Cowper, Earl of Debnam known as the Phantom Earl's story. Both of them have things to overcome in this engaging story if they are to get a happy ending. A well written story that held my interest until the end. I want to read the other books in this series. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

All three books in the series are very good reads, but by far this is my favorite. Lady Laura Peyton is a twenty-five year old spinster. Now seeing herself firmly on the shelf, she is shocked her brother agrees to Brendan's, the Earl of Debnam, bargain. A month long affair in exchange for paying off her brother's debts. The bond between Debnam and Laura is wonderful and painful. Brendan's past sets his determination to never marry. Once again Laura looks at a lonely future until clues to Brendan's past may set him free. All he needs is proof. Enough angst and hope for the future keeps the pace from slowing down.
Some descriptive sex with hot kisses.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

S brother up to his eyeballs in debt is willing to bargain his sister to gain financial freedom.
I could have throttled the brother. How dare he! The gentleman in the story tries to be a true gentleman. I thought this book was going to be all steam. So much so I almost didn't read it. But it turned out to be a pretty good plot and storyline with just a little bit of steam at the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

The writer has something going here. After reading the book, I like how the book kept me motivated to read the book with mystery and intrigue between the two main characters. There was a little something called romance that also persuaded me to stay the course of reading the story. I found the book very entertaining. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reading observations -
Did earls really openly speak of "becoming lovers" to well brought up unmarried women in 1819 England?

Laura's brother was an emotionally abusive and manipulative a**hole who sells her to an earl to solve his own poor past financial issues. His behavior is consistent throughout his character’s appearances in the story.

I did like Aunt Gertrude.

……..

Okay, this was a little insta for me and then… crickets. I love historical romance and I had hoped this one would be some fluffy fun, but the plot veers far off the romance aspect into other territory and I found this one too difficult to lose myself in.

I wasn’t the right reader for this.



Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

The Earl’s Brazen Bargain by Maggie Andersen is a Regency romance of the first order. Miss Laura Peyton was a spinster, or the next thing to it at twenty-six years of age. She is at a ball where she meets and dances with the notorious rake, the Earl of Debnam. He is known as the Phantom Earl as he is seldom present. She found herself unaccountably drawn to this man, but knows nothing could come of it as he has sworn never to marry. Then, while back at their family’s estate, Longworth, her brother received a letter from the earl with a proposition: if Laura would come and spend a month with him at his country estate, he would pay all of Robert’s (and the estate’s) bills. He had already accepted, despite the inappropriateness of of the suggestion and the harm it would do to her reputation. She was aghast, but after considering it, she realized she had no choice. She was extremely surprised when he arrived in the carriage sent to retrieve her. The expected seduction was postponed when he and his driver pulled an injured woman and her daughter out of a creek into which their carriage had crashed.

This was a truly lovely book about a good man, who did the right thing, not matter how much he wanted it to be different. He was protective and kind, although not forthcoming about his past. She found much of that information from a talkative maid. Laura was kindness itself. It wasn’t long before she was popular with the staff, more popular than he, really. She had blind faith in him, something he had never experienced before. He found it liked it. As he was led to investigate the mysterious things in his past, she was as well, and between the two of them they discovered the truth of the mystery that had haunted him for years. It was a well-written, mystery, and a truly lovely romance. Brendan, Earl of Debnam, was a good man trying to do the right thing. Miss Peyton had found the man she loved and would look no further, even if nothing came of it. It was enough to break one’s heart.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Earl’s Brazen Bargain by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dratgonblade #MaggieAndersen #TheEarlsBrazenBargain

The 'Phantom Earl' can't resist her sweet caring charm!
My favourite in the series so far...I really felt the chemistry crackle between Brendan and Laura and the will-they-won't-they push and pull that radiated so sweetly in THE EARL'S BRAZEN BARGAIN. A close proximity romance with a hint of threat on the horizon and a touch of a dark secret unfolding, to haunting degree - that just plain refuses to be left undiscovered - to add to the suspense, hype up lingering fears and finally provide those much needed answers Brendan so longs to hear.
From first dance, you could feel the resistance to allow their feelings to fully bloom, despite wanting to desperately, as pulse leapt and heart raced, beneath the pretense they alluded to. Allowing misunderstandings to swirl as a strum of nervous tension charged their attraction and drew them together to unpick the depth of the pain of uncertainty that resided soul deep and manifested as their greatest fears. For her, spinsterhood versus a passionless marriage meets a creeping to the surface of uncontrollable madness and violence for him. And thanks to one, distasteful bargain on the surface, (guilt tripped into it by one irritating, selfserving brother, you just can't help rolling your eyes at) two surprisingly find mutual ground, admiration and joyous yearning, as they are brought together when they needed it the most.
The plot, though if I'm honest was predictable in exposing culprit and past heinous deed, the tale that unravelled was well executed, tangled with a touch of mystery, anxiety and a deep fascination which drove the romance, connection and acute longing for me. In many ways hyping up the delicious banter and charm that dazzled all the more for its subtlety. Through their basic need to see the other smile and understand them wholeheartedly, while resisting the sexual tension they so keenly want to be seduced by and nurture.
The exploring of each other as individuals added a truly enjoyable layer that kept me reading, invested me in the seeking out of how they would grow as individuals as they so engagingly pulled towards each other and kept me yearning for all to come out right and their happiness rewarded.
A sweetly tender, fun character revealing romance with a healthy dollop of intrigue and jeopardy lingering just out of sight to keep you hooked. A really enjoyable read from a series well worth your time!

The Earl's Brazen Bargain is the third book in the Improper Lord's Series.

The Earl of Debnam refuses to marry. Fears from his past keep him from seeking a bride. But when he meets Laura Peyton, he is taken with her. They waltz together at a ball which only makes him wish for things he refuses to have.

Laura's brother has many gambling debts which are causing many problems. When the Earl reaches out with a proposition for Laura to stay at his home in the country, she agrees with the condition that he take care of her brother's debts. Her brother agrees to 'give' her to the earl for a month in exchange for the payment of his debts.

Laura shows that she is more than an aging wallflower. She is kind and giving and prone to caring for "strays." The more time the Earl spends with Laura, the more he cares for her and is determined to send her back to her brother before he does something he regrets. But a threat puts Laura and the Earl in danger.

I loved this story. The characters were wonderfully written and very likeable. The threat on the Earl was predictable but still a good plot. There was a lot of time spent weaving the story, but the reveal of the perpetrator was wrapped up too quickly for me. I would have liked more investigating, but that's just me.

In this historical romance our hero has has had great tragedy in the past. That has resulted in his decision for the future, and his behaviour as a Rake.

Our heroine has had a loving upbringing, but the sudden loss of their parents, sent her brother into a downward spiral. It's up to her to put thing right.

A slightly steamy and adventure filled story with lovely characters. It is part of a series but each book can easily be read alone.

Good fun.

It took me a little while to get past the initial plot point of Brendan making a bargain with Laura's brother for her to stay with him for a month and do anything he wanted. The word that came to mind for this was "icky". And it's kind of made worse by Laura pretty much saying it's okay that he would go to such lengths because she rejected having a tryst with him. Laura's brother part in all of it is pretty despicable too - even afterwards he has the nerve to act morally superior and know what it best for her. I could have smacked him when he basically tells Laura that it is okay for him to marry for love but that she should settle because women aren't allowed to feel passionate about their husband. Back to Brendan and Laura - I got more on board with their story once the plan was set in motion. The author does a good job of allowing Laura to be interested in sex and passion without having her feel shame and guilt about it. She's definitely got a huge heart because she sees there is more to Brendan without any actual evidence. Lucky for him she believed him to be worth more than what he showed to the world. The mystery surrounding his parents adds an extra dynamic to their relationship and some extra drama. Although the villain in all of it wasn't a huge surprise the way in which it played out and why was interesting. I also liked Aunt Gertrude - I think she really understood Laura and wanted to make sure she could have a happy life. She may have pushed Laura in the direction of a few men who weren't right for her, but once Laura explained why she didn't want to marry those men Gertrude backed off. It was interesting how their romantic lives were so similar (with them comparing every man they met to the one they were really in love with). Once you get past the "icky" part, this is actually a pretty good story and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I was going t0.

An Earl has a secret and will never marry. Laura had a loving family but a worthless brother. When these two people are thrown together, they develop first a lovely friendship during a very difficult arrangement. The third book in the series, this one is my favorite. The writing is creative, the characters well defined and the story moves at a decent pace.

Back on the London marriage mart at almost twenty-six and with no dowry, Laura Peyton holds little hope that a gentleman will want her for herself. When her brother makes a financial agreement with the Earl of Debnam to save his estate, Laura’s reputation may be ruined once and for all. She finds herself staying at the estate of the rake the ton call “the Phantom Earl,” where she is expected to fulfil his wishes for a month-long affair. The mystery surrounding the elusive earl makes her determined to stay long enough to discover why he is the way he is. Because of a family tragedy, Brendan Cowper, Earl of Debnam, is determined never to marry.
The third book in the series & my favourite so far. I loved how Brendan & Laura’s relationship changed, grew & deepened. The pace is good & the characters have depth, I really liked both Brendan & Laura but I disliked Laura’s brother & twenty first century me was up in arms for the way he used Laura, thank goodness Brendan was a gentleman. An interesting & entertaining romance
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Earl of Debnam does not trust himself to marry after the tragedies experienced by his family, but when his one chance at happiness stares him in the face, he offers the only solution he can to experience a little of life he longs for. Laura is already on the shelf as far as the marriage mart is concerned and her brother's irresponsible behaviour is not helping her. When her brother receives an offer from the Earl, he grabs it without any thought for his sister's needs or reputation. Despite feeling humiliated, Laura nevertheless senses the darkness and pain that Dednam has buried within him, and they quickly become friends, if not lovers. Laura's visit to Dednam's country home opens up new and unexpected information about the death of his family members and although they part for a while, the novel does eventually come to a happy and successful conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Their waltz was the beginning of their lives intertwining. His brazen bargain was how they learned to see the real person and fell in love. Both characters are lovely with caring dispositions. Except his fears would set them apart. How that was resolved makes this an interesting and enjoyable read.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

Life is hard. Romance novels should be an escape of sweet proportions. Maggi writes them exactly that way.

No, I’m won’t say how or what happens.., but this book is a hug that lasts as long as you read/remember it.

I liked this one the most of the three in the series. I liked watching the romance between Brendan and Laura grow in the first half of the book. I do think her brother was the worst though and never actually apologized for selling her off nor destroying the family financially but was upset anytime she questioned him to make sure he wasn’t messing up. The mystery was pretty much a give away (not sure how Brenden never suspected the truth). Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Laura has nothing going for her but her looks. When her debt ridden brother sells her to Brendan for a month long affair out at his country estate she goes along because she is attracted to him. Brendan acts the gentleman because he realizes she is a virgin and as he gets to know her he becomes even more obsessed with her. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Brendan is a tortured soul beginning with the death of his parents and continuing with his own trials.
Laura comes into his life to fulfill certain expectations but he began to care for her.
Obstacles to overcome, family interference, and honorable challenges.
I expected a little different storyline based on the descriptive paragraph but it truly was a heartwarming love story with a few twists.