From the moment the mysterious Mr. Steele “almost” kissed her, Gwendolyn Lanscarr's life was changed. Beckett Steele has lived his life as a loner but, after a war injury, he is desperate to find the pieces of his missing past. Gwendolyn thinks Beck owes her favor, but he's the one who inevitably needs her help, support, and love.

This is the third book in The Gambler's Daughters series. Beck and Gwendolyn meet in the first book, so their attraction is already established when this story begins.

I've been waiting for Beck and Gwendoly's tale and it was well woven. Beck does not remember much of his past. He lived in a brothel for a number of years before being removed and sent to school. He assumed that his mother was a prostitute and that he was the illegitimate son of a lord. After a war injury triggers memories, he starts searching for clues...eventually needing Gwendolyn's help to gain access to a country house party.

I thought the writing was pretty clearly foreshadowing the truth about Beck and I liked how the duo worked together throughout the story. Because the couple had met before, the chemistry was already there. There were a few things at the end that kept this from hitting five stars for me, but I am hopeful that there might be a spinoff series with another gentleman that might continue the story a bit.

Tropes: Road Trip Romance, Forced Proximity/House Party, Disguised Character-ish

Steam: 1

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review

Cathy maxwell always weaves a great story and this one did not disappoint! Mr. Steele has been in and out of the heroines life and finally he calls up on her to help him with a mission and they're thrown together. My one negative point about this is that the "mystery" or twist of this book is so very obvious, it didn't compel me to keep reading it. I actually put it down for several weeks before finally coming back to it because i knew what was going to happen. That said, Cathy Maxwell is a great writer and she always delivers a fun romance romp!

Romance, mystery and a quest for origins. It’s gotta be good. And it lives up to the promise. Beck enlists Gwendolyn in his search. She is to act as a whist player to insinuate them into a manor party where the answers may lie. It becomes quite the adventure: secrets revealed, betrayal exposed, guns ablaze and with a bit of kidnapping thrown in for spice.

Of course, Gwendolyn has fallen in love with Beck. No fainting miss, she is fearless both when it comes to getting them out of danger and in acknowledging her love him. She is a very strong character. She faces things squarely and forces herself to see clearly. At points she feels disappointed in him or feels rejected. However she intentionally turns herself around, choosing to acknowledge that his motives come out of a life of fear and hurt.

Beck starts out as a man adrift, searching for his identity and unable to trust or be in a relationship. He too is a strong character - resolute, sexy and mysterious. Although obsessed with his quest, Beck is falling in love with Gwendolyn. He wants to protect her, though she ends up protecting him most of the time. He is solicitous and passionate. While he is determined in his quest he is just as determined to see to her needs.

It is a fun romp filled with mystery and adventure. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cathy Maxwell is one of my go to reads for historical romance. A pure delight from start to finish. I was so looking forward to Steele’s story and it did not disappoint. Gwen and him together are a fierce combination; so much humor, sass, adventure and heat, plus a truly dynamic female heroine who is brave and bold. I’m sad for the trio of sister stories to come to an end, but an eagerly anticipating Maxwell’s next creation.

What a delicious ending for the Gambler’s Daughters series. After a chapter or two, I thought I had the ending figured out. Nope, there were still a few surprises. Although A Touch of Steele is third in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone.

I loved how Gwendolyn always wants to help Beckett as he is firmly sending her away for her own good. Gwendolyn chips away at the hard shell around his heart with her sweet personality. And, Beckett -- he is a good man, just the man for Gwendolyn. He has good motives and treats those who have wronged him, more than fairly.

Just as I, you will love how Cathy Maxwell brings the three gambler’s daughters to aa very satisfying ending!

I absolutely loved reading, A Touch of Steele. I was shocked at how Beckett handled the situation of his birth and his family. He is definitely a bigger person than I would have been. Gwendolyn was so right giving him his space to come to his own conclusions about the two of them. It happened much faster than scaring him into something that he didn't want.

A fitting end to The Gambler’s Daughters trilogy. Cathy Maxwell does a superb job in telling Gwendolyn and Beckett’a love story. Trying to root out the secrets of his past, Beckett Steele calls in his “favor” from Gwendolyn. Readily agreeing, they set out on a quest (in the form of a house party) looking for clues to Beckett’s past and the cause of his nightmares. While claiming he wants to be alone, Gwendolyn is able to reach through his rough exterior to fluffy center. While the plot twist could be seen.a mile away, the book is a comforting, easy read.

Thank you Netgalley,author and publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this beautiful story .Below is my honest review.

My Rating Rating: 4/5 Stars

A Touch of Steele is the third installment in the Gambler's Daughters series, weaving a tale of intrigue, romance, and self-discovery. The narrative centers on Gwendolyn Lanscarr, an aristocratic Irish noblewoman, and Beckett Steele, a man of enigmatic origins and multifaceted talents. Their paths cross in Dublin, leading to a partnership that delves into Beckett's mysterious past and challenges societal norms.

Gwendolyn is portrayed as a strong-willed and resourceful heroine, unafraid to confront the challenges that come her way. Her interactions with Beckett are marked by witty banter and undeniable chemistry, making their evolving relationship both engaging and heartfelt. Beckett, with his complex background and ability to navigate both aristocratic circles and the underworld, adds depth to the story. His quest to uncover his true heritage, with Gwendolyn's assistance, forms the crux of the plot, leading to revelations that test their bond and individual convictions.

The novel's pacing is generally well-maintained, with a balance between action-driven sequences and character development. However, certain plot points could benefit from deeper exploration to enhance the narrative's richness. The supporting cast, while contributing to the storyline, occasionally lack the depth that would make them more memorable.

The writing style is reminiscent of classic literature, providing detailed insights into characters' motivations and actions. This approach, while informative, sometimes minimizes dialogue, which could have added more dynamism to character interactions. Nonetheless, the prose effectively conveys the historical setting and societal intricacies of the time.

In conclusion, A Touch of Steele is a compelling addition to the Gambler's Daughters series, offering a blend of romance and mystery. Fans of historical romance will appreciate the strong leads and the journey they undertake together. While there are areas that could be further developed, the novel delivers an enjoyable reading experience that leaves readers anticipating future installments.

A Touch of Steele, the third book in the Gambler's Daughters series by Cathy Maxwell shows many correlations to the TV series Remington Steele. The hero Beckett Steele has the upbringing of an orphan in search of his birth parents when he becomes an adult, similarly to the TV character Remington Steele. Maxwell's Steele, like the TV character Remington Steele, is a man of many talents, carving out a niche for himself among the English artistocrats and among England's underworld, moving comfortably between the two classes.

This is the second historical romance in 2024 that has shown correlations to the TV series Remington Steele in its hero. That one being How To Fall For A Scoundrel by Kate Bateman. Curiously, Bateman's story as well as Maxwell's latest offering are geared to present strong heroines but it is the heroes in both that intrigue the reader, compelled to find out how these heroes turn out.

On the fringes of the English aristocracy, Irish noblewoman Gwendolyn Lanscarr is solicited by Beckett Steele to help him acquire entrance to Colemore, the family estate of Lord Middlebury, whom Steele has been led to believe is his birth father. Colemore becomes a den of wolves that includes a former would-be betrothed of Steele, Violent Danvers now Lady Rabron, strategizing how to control Steele before he discovers the truth about his heritage.

Maxwell's writing style is informative, feeding the reader details and material facts about the characters. The reader does not figure out who are the deceivers, Maxwell comes out and tells the audience who they are. The minimizing of dialogue and interaction among the characters will remind readers of old-school authors like Charles Dickens and Jane Austen, who wrote as though holding the reader's hand, interpreting people's actions and drawing conclusions for the reader.

Like the TV character Remington Steele, Beckett Steele is an endearing hero, who keeps the reader wanting to learn more about him. The gambler's daughter Gwendolyn Lanscarr is a Girl Friday, an Eliza Doolittle to Steele, which is a romance that likely many of Maxwell's readers will find stimulating.