Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord »

Since being named “London’s Lord to Land” by a popular ladies’ magazine, Nicholas St. John has been relentlessly pursued by every matrimony-minded female in the ton. So when an opportunity to escape fashionable society presents itself, he eagerly jumps—only to land in the path of the most determined, damnably delicious woman he’s ever met!

The daughter of a titled wastrel, Lady Isabel Townsend has too many secrets and too little money. Though she is used to taking care of herself quite handily, her father’s recent passing has left Isabel at sea and in need of outside help to protect her young brother’s birthright. The sinfully handsome, eminently eligible Lord Nicholas could be the very salvation she seeks.

But the lady must be wary and not do anything reckless and foolish…like falling madly, passionately in love.

Library Journal

Though a second son, Nicholas St. John has kept out of the limelight in deference to his slightly older identical twin brother, Gabriel, Marquess of Ralston (hero of MacLean's adult debut, Nine Rules To Break When Romancing a Rake). A former tracker for the War Office, Nick finds his new status as a Lord to Land quite vexing. To avoid female mass hysteria, Nick answers a friend's plea to find his missing sister, which takes Nick north to Yorkshire. There he runs into (literally) Lady Isabel Townsend, an independent, straightforward woman who operates a secret safe house for girls and women, including Nick's quarry. Isabel is desperate for money, so she reluctantly accepts Nick's offer to appraise her cherished marbles. Unfortunately, his skills might be more dangerous to Isabel's heart than to her secrets.Verdict MacLean imbues her protagonists with enough emotional baggage to weigh down a mail coach, yet each parries with wit and charm that belie their turbulent pasts. Clever inner dialog and intricate descriptions of sculpture give readers even more than they might hope for in this radiant romance. [MacLean will be reading at New York's Lady Jane's Salon (http://www.ladyjanesalon.com) on November 1.]—Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal

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