And the Widow Wore Scarlet

Damian Wycliff, the illegitimate son of the Marquis of Blackbeck and Scarlett Steele aka the Scarlet Widow first met as Damian bled out in a dark dirt filled alley, 3 years later Scarlett searches Damian out in order to collect on the oath he made her when she saved his life – someone is set on ending Scarlett’s life and she needs Damian’s protection and help in locating the would-be murderer. <br /><br />Both Damian and Scarlett have constructed intricately woven personas that shield them from the world and the Ton, as well as concealing the scars both live with, scars that have them wary of the feelings they have for one another, but their connection is one they can only silence for so long. As a couple, they work fabulously, both have endured much in different ways. The moments of vulnerability that Damian has when in the presence of Scarlett tugged at my heart, and the flaws the author has given the two make them all that more human and real.<br /><br />The pacing of this story was well done, plus the attraction/heat, tension and angst between Damian and Scarlett simmered of the page wonderfully. <br /><br /><b>Potential Triggers:</b><input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="0c1964d8-cc36-4a3a-adfb-839363f8a04b" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="0c1964d8-cc36-4a3a-adfb-839363f8a04b">Domestic violence (is referred to) and attempted murder is also a strand of the tale. </label><br /><br />Acquired via KU (will be purchasing when price drops).

<blockquote> <i>"Mother, if you are watching from your heavenly plane, do something to save your errant son." The words lacked conviction, for he did not believe that the power of love could work miracles.<br>He did not believe in the power of love at all.</i> --Damian</blockquote><br>This was another outstanding novel from the amazing Adele Clee, who has quickly become one of my favorite HR authors. Adele's stories are filled with so much heart, while her characters are flawed and far from perfect yet still capable of branding your soul, and this novel was no different.<br><br>Both Scarlett and Damian are broken and beaten souls, determined to hide behind the personas they have cultivated in order to shield their hearts from more pain and heartache. While Scarlett wears the physical evidence of her trauma like a protective armor, Damian's scars are less prominent but just as raw. They have both created impenetrable masks that work to ward off anyone from getting too close and to protect their vulnerable selves from suffering further damage by the savage <i>ton</i>. However after they find their way back to each other due to a binding oath made by Damian and murderous attempts made on Scarlett's life, they are reminded of the one time they were truly vulnerable and that they may just find the salvation they have been yearning for in each other.<br><br>I absolutely LOVE this trope--one of the MCs lives are in danger and only the hero/heroine can help save them, even though they have previous misconceptions/prejudices against them--and Adele executed it so well. The pacing was perfect, the attraction and angst and denial between the two MCs was electric, and the danger and numerous twists added a nice background to the story. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy HRs with an emotional storyline, murder-mystery subplot, a broody and tortured but sweet hero, and a strong and kind heroine.<br><br>My Damian and Scarlett, both able to finally let their masks slip and just be....<br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1564289514i/27898227._SY540_.jpg" width="190" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><i> <b>*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*</b> </i>

DNF at 40%.<br /><br />I'm at this stage of my life that if something doesn't grip me by almost half way of the book and I don't see the potential that it could, I am simply just putting it down. Maybe it's just that time of the month? Well, all I know it did not excite me or enchant me like I wish it did.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️<br />??<br />Totally addictive and thoroughly satisfying.<br />That would be my immediate response to this book .<br />A new series, with a first book that will blow you away , a plot that will leave your head spinning as to the perpetrator, and a cast of characters whose affection for each other will leave you weak at the knees . <br /><br />The scarlet widow is a woman who has a persona that many would like to uncover , and a body many men want to bed .<br />Her secrets known only to herself , soon to be given to the only man she feels she can trust with her life , Wycliffe.<br /><br />He’s the bastard son of a Marquess. A man so perfect in looks and body he can choose any woman as his next conquest , he’s a rake and a rogue , but his heart is cold and belongs to no one but himself.<br />Unless you count the woman who nursed him after a near deadly attack . Scarlet, that was her name , he gave her his word her would return to help her if ever she called , she never did .<br /><br />Years later , he’s asked to fulfill that pledge , but who’s asking , and will he go to her aid . <br /><br />This is a brilliant story and I highly recommend it to everyone. I loved every page , the emotional and physical pain these two must experience before they find their HEA is heartbreaking, but it’s not all doom and gloom there are some lighthearted moments too , I must say Adele’s books are getting better with every series .<br /><br />I’m seriously looking forward to the next instalment , Trent and Cavanagh will have some great stories. <br /><br />I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

This was just fine. This was just an average historical romance and I really don't mean that in a bad way. A three star rating me me is a rating for that just sort of average romance that I still enjoy for the most part. I did have some issues with this. I don't think we ever really learned how Scarlett got her scarlet widow reputation that would cause people to bet very large amounts of money on who could sleep with her first. I also wish we had learned more about the backstories of both Scarlett and Damien. We know Scarlett was an actress and Damien is a bastard but not a lot else. Overall, this was fine and I definitely would read more by this author but I was left wanting a bit more.

Oh this was a nice surprise ... relationship between H and h was really lovely ... definitely worth reading ... they both have scars and they both work to overcome them ... h is very brave and there is no denying that both of them fell in love much when they initially met ...<br />look forward to other books in this series ...

Since she saved his life three years ago after a terrible beating, the notorious Damian Wycliff has never quite forgotten Scarlett. Now Lady Scarlett Steele and known as the Scarlet Widow, she's sought Damian out to help her, calling in the vow he made to her when she saved him.<br /><br />Scarlett married the repugnant Lord Steele for his protection from someone who was out for her life, but Damian is incensed that she didn't seek him out instead. When she reappears to ask for his help, reminding him of an oath he made to his beloved, late mother, he finds he cannot refuse.<br /><br />Damian is much rougher now than he was three years ago, but Scarlett has nowhere else to turn. She asks him to allow her to pose as his mistress whilst he helps her find her would-be murderer. Her connection to Damian will also increase her own notoriety, which can only help her cause.<br /><br />The more Damian learns, the more complex Scarlett's situation becomes. There are many with a potential motive for wanting her dead and he becomes determined to keep her safe. As the three years worth of longing pent up between them boils to a head, Damian begins to rethink the need to seek revenge against his father, a marquess, for not marrying his actress mother, that has been the motivation of his entire existence up until this point. He begins to wonder if he can truly have the idyllic dream life with Scarlett, but he must first keep her safe.<br /><br />Damian and Scarlett were both hurt and damaged, hiding their true selves behind the masks they show the world. Damian annoyed me at first with his hypocritical obsession with Scarlett's past as the innocent actress, but soon he simply wanted her for who she was and I liked him more, especially after we started to see more of who he really was as well. It was nice to see these two begin to open up to each other and take a chance on being who the truly were.<br /><br />I really enjoyed this one and look forward to following this new series.<br /><br />I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Adele Clee is a wonderful Author, I enjoy her Historical Romances.<br /><br />It starts off with Damien Wycliff the illegitimate son of the Marquis of Blackbeck, his life has not been an easy. A handsome rogue, one night he is saved by a mysterious lady after being brutally attacked. While recovering, her request for helping him heal, is that if she ever needs his help, he promises to give it.<br /><br />A few years later, and still thinking about the mystery lady, he is surprised to find her. Or she finds him and she reminds him of his promise to help her. But, at first he is angry to discover who she really is, the scandalous Scarlett Widow.<br /><br />She needs his protection, because someone is trying to kill her. Sh doesn't know who, so Damien agrees to help. So begins a mystery and suspense to try and find the person/s trying to kill her and why.<br /><br />In the meantime, their is definitely chemistry, an attraction between them. But, they each are tortured souls. They each confess to each about their past and it just brings them closer in so many ways. <br /><br />The storyline was well paced, I enjoyed the mystery, danger. Also, their love scenes were sweet.

For any lover of historical romance, this novel by Adele Clee is a true delight! <br /><br />Read full review in the <a href="https://www.indtale.com/reviews/historical/and-widow-wore-scarlet-scandalous-sons-%E2%80%93-book-1%E2%80%A8" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">2019 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.</a>

This was historical romance at its BEST! I loved Damien and Scarlett. My heart physically hurt, thinking about the one mistimed moment, that changed their course so drastically. <br /><br />I was riveted trying to figure out the mystery that was central within the story. Every woman needs a rogue and every man needs a scarlet woman. <br /><br />This was my first read by this author, but will not be my last. I greatly enjoyed this story.