The fast-paced romance and undercurrent of suspense keeps the pages flying. The ambitious, intelligent leads are admirable and easy to root for, and their erotic spark is undeniable. Unable to deny the sizzling attraction between them, Tristan offers to show Carys what she was missing-but what was supposed to be a purely physical arrangement becomes much more intense as feelings grow. But its a thin line between love and hate in Kate Batemans A Daring Pursuit.

When Tristan learns the truth, he’s incensed on Carys’s behalf-even more so when she admits she was underwhelmed by their lone sexual encounter. The Davies and Montgomery families have been locked in an ancient feud. as well as numerous confrontations with rival gangs and other criminals. The real reason for Christopher and Carys’s secret meetings, however, is that he’s blackmailing her with the threat of disclosing that he took her virginity. The three join forces to carry out a daring task to rob the Union Depository. But her neighbor, Tristan Montgomery, whose family and the Davies are in a centuries-long feud, believes that Carys has finally gone too far when he becomes convinced that she’s having an affair with the married Christopher Howe, who was courting and jilted Carys before his wedding. Lady Carys Davies is constantly pushing the edge of propriety with her scandalous fashion sense. But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects.Bateman’s transfixing second Ruthless Rivals Regency romance (after A Reckless Match) embraces the adage about keeping one’s enemies closer than one’s friends as members of rival families engage in a heated affair. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she’s missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they’ll go their separate ways. Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he’s never stopped wanting bold, red-headed Carys. There’s only one person who’s never bought her act-the only man who makes her heart race: Tristan Montgomery, one of her family’s greatest rivals. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she’s disillusioned with both men and love.

With her outrageous outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. For the past two seasons she’s scandalized the Staying single is the only way to hide the secret that could ruin her-and her family-if it was revealed. Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage.

A daring pursuit the ruthless rivals