Torn from her life of privilege by her father’s death, Kate Morgan relies on her knowledge of finery to survive in one of London’s dark and depraved rookeries as a fence for stolen goods . The last man she ever expects, or wants, to see again is Daniel O’Reilly, the man who promised to love, honor and protect her, but who instead fled amidst accusations of murder.

One drunken night cost Daniel O’Reilly the woman he loved and the life he’d worked so hard to create. If he ever wants to reclaim that life—and Kate—he’ll not only have to prove he’s innocent of murder, but convince the pistol-wielding beauty to forgive his many sins.

With a killer on the loose, time is running out for them…

“What part of ‘I shall make you bleed’ did you not understand?” Kate kept her hands hidden behind the solid wood of the banister, preferring him to think she might be armed.

He rounded the last step, coming to a stop in front of her.

Kate retreated against the banister, which came up to her hips. “Why are you here, Daniel? I already told you I wouldn’t help you.”

“I need to know.” Daniel took another step forward, effectively boxing her up against the banister.

She leaned back further, unbalanced. What did he need to know? Who had killed Dalton? If she believed him? Or worse, if she still loved him?

Cold air swept in through a broken window on the first floor, ruffled the knotted ribbon of her straw hat underneath her chin. Her fingers clenched around the worn wood of the railing, gripped so tightly her knuckles became white.

She might never feel sure of her footing again.

“You let it pass for three years,” she charged. His urgency made no sense.

“I shouldn’t have. I won’t this time. Dalton deserves justice, and so do I. I’m going to investigate Dalton’s murder whether or not you help me.” Daniel brought his hand to rest on her arm, heat penetrating through her greatcoat. “But truly, I came back for you.”

He leaned his head down, so that their eyes met. His gaze pulled at her. Her body longed for his touch, craved it, as if he was the answer to every question she’d had in the past three years. He could not love a woman so wrecked.

She retreated back again. Bent against the banister, it sagged against her weight and a threatening groan echoed from the wood. She didn’t move, knowing that if she did she’d be back in his arms within seconds.

He took one look at the banister, then at her, and tugged her closer to him. His hold was strong, but not unrelenting. She was flush against him, so close she could feel the beating of his heart. Warmth replaced brisk wind, and his presence blotted out loneliness until she was part of something greater, something powerful beyond herself.

She feared that heady sensation. Passion didn’t stick to predetermined routes and checklists.

When he spoke, his breath tickled her skin. His voice rumbled in her ear. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

A tremble tore through her. In those few months after he left, she’d woken with those words on her lips, whispers from dreams wherein he’d fulfilled his promise to return for her. He was here, and she forgot the reasons why she should loathe him.

Everything but the smell of bergamot and cloves disappeared. An altogether familiar aroma, one intrinsically locked in her mind as his, yet different this time without the overlay of pine needles. It enveloped her, clouded her senses. She lifted her head from his chest.

She looked him in the eye. But that was a mistake, for his eyes shone with the same desire she kept trapped.

“If I didn’t know better, I might believe you.” She forced herself to step away from him. “I can’t be with you again.”

“Kiss me.”

 

Review Companies MR Review
Rating:
Reviewer: IvyD

Kate Morgan has learned to survive in the three years since her fiancé, Daniel O’Reilly was accused of Tommy Dalton’s murder and disappeared. This loss was quickly followed by her father’s illness, death, and the bankruptcy of his business.  Kate was unprepared but refuses to be a victim or put her fate in a man’s hands again. She’s free and surviving just fine when Daniel O’Reilly walks back into her life.

 

 

 

 

If you’re a historical lover in search of a read that’s out of the norm A DANGEROUS INVITATION is definitely that.  Descriptively vivid, you feel as if you’re right there with Kate and Daniel in Bethnel Green, Jacob’s Island, the docks, and other rookeries in London circa 1832.  Ms. Monroe’s vibrancy doesn’t stop with locations but extends to her characters as well.  Jane, Sally, Atlas, Owen, Ezekiel, and others spring to Technicolor life in London’s rookeries. 

 

Kate Morgan is an exceptional heroine.  She uses her wits, knowledge, and stubborn determination to keep her fall from defeating her.  Instead of becoming a victim she uses the skills learned in her father’s shipping business to make a living, albeit illegally as a fence, but at least she isn’t owned and on her back. 

 

Daniel O’Reilly is Irish to the core, ginger or red haired and Catholic at a time when it wasn’t in anyone’s favor to be any of these.  Daniel is also a recovering alcoholic.  He struggles to not succumb to the lure of gin while adjusting and adapting to a Kate he hardly recognizes.  A Kate he deserted.  Daniel has returned to clear his name, find Tommy’s real killer, and win Kate’s trust and love again.  Without Kate he believes he has nothing.

 

Jane Putnam is Kate’s friend member of the Chapman Street Gang.  Jane is a true friend and blessing to Kate. 

 

Atlas Greer, The Gentleman Thief and true friend to Daniel.  Atlas has contacts, means, and methods of getting things done.  He’s helping Daniel clear his name.  Atlas doesn’t think much of Kate.

 

Owen Neal, housebreaker, jewel thief, and charmer.  Owen has his eye on Kate but Jane doesn’t like him claiming something about him is off.

 

You’ll meet these and many more characters in 1832 London’s rookeries.  I thoroughly enjoyed the colorful characters, their use of accurate slang, and the credible portrayal of life in the rookeries, no sugar coating or romanticizing; like resurrectionists and their ilk, a reviled and feared fact of life.  The mystery is believable and fascinating with plenty of leads for the reader to follow. 

Kudos to Kate for making Daniel prove to her and himself the veracity of his claims, refusing to give up her hard won independence.  She’s free and values it.  Daniel’s struggle to understand this new Kate and not give into the siren call of gin is well done.  Daniel, as do all alcoholics, takes it one day at a time. 

My only issue comes near the end with a good gravy WTFrill are they doing/thinking episode.  While I understand the why behind it, for me personally, this didn’t fit with prior behavior and did detract a bit.

The authenticity of the characters, their emotions and struggles, the rookeries, combined with a good solid mystery and villain make A DANGEROUS INVITATION an exciting and highly readable historical second chance romance-mystery.  Since I harbor hopes for Atlas and Jane I’ll certainly be reading the next in the series.

* Disclosure: Reviewers are compensated for book reviews.

       No comments available.