This book continues the first installment in finding the true heir to inherit the title of Lord Moreton though it starts with Nathaniel Roy looking to expose "The Seer of London" - a trixter who offers people false belief and hope for more than just a pretty penny. You might remember Nathaniel as Clem's friend who helped him a bit legally. Though Nathaniel used to be in fact a lawyer is is content with his current job as a journalist. From his first interaction with said "Seer", Nathaniel can't stand the guy but he also for some reason can't stay away. There is something almost enchanting about him and how he handles himself, his confidence, his smarts, he's a real challenge - one Nathaniel haven't dealt with for a long time maybe even forever.
Justin Lazarus doesn't really enjoy his work as "The Seer of London" but he is proud of what he made of himself. It earns him money and considering he came from nothing he is determined to make enough to buy his freedom. He has his "familiars", mostly the young girl he is tutoring and another who cares for the house. They are his true family and the only people in this world he cares about. All the others he has no problem to cheat into believing whatever it is they want to believe. He might be excellent at what he does, but they WANT to believe and it's their problem they are willing to while paying him to trick them. He will not feel remorse for their stupidity or naivety. Yet there is something about Nathaniel that makes him take his step a bit too far. He knows Nathaniel's real interest yet pushing him more and more feels almost out of his control.
These two come together with Justin's knowledge of Emmeline Godfrey, the first woman Edmond Taillefer married and since he has never renounced the married is in fact his only true wife (nullifying the current / second woman he married as well as his son from her). At first (rather in during most of the first installment) it wasn't clear what it's going to mean. But once it was clear Emmeline had twins from her marriage to Edmond the race to find the two became earnest. Though it isn't clear what are the motives for the loose torturer and killer but anyhow Nathaniel as well as Mark are determined to do their best as the man to take the Lordship (if the twin aren't found) is going to take everything away from their friend Clem.
When two men appear at Justin's door wanting a seance with the dead Emmeline in search for her lost children he doesn't think much of it, these two are not to his liking but he realizes he could make another pretty coin from Nathaniel when he remembers the guy wrote an article about said twins - Repentance and Regret - in the paper. But things gets complicated pretty fast when Justin finds himself in the worst side of these two trying to extort anything they can from him. They surely underestimated his abilities, but they still left him with no place to go in the foggiest day in London. Not knowing where to turn he goes to Nathaniel.
The interaction between the two up until Justin appears on Nathaniel's door beaten and bruised was a banter I couldn't stop laughing from. They were WONDERFUL together but in a way they were both in their element and while won't admit it - enjoying themselves and the attraction resulting from the duel of wits. Things change at that point, when Justin comes (almost) empty handed and in true need of help. Nathaniel who never lacked a thing in his life, offers his help no strings attached. For Justin it's an unknown concept. Everything comes with strings.. He would just prefer to know in advance what they are and what he'll be expected to pay.. It doesn't work this way in Nathaniel's world.
With at least one killer (if not more) on the loose and probably after both of them, they fled to a house in the country owned by Nathaniel's family. They spend two weeks there together, getting to know each other, and realizing there is much more to their interest in one another. For Nathaniel it's a novelty. His lover had died 6 years ago in a freak accident and ever since then he had NEVER found interest in anyone. Justin couldn't be more different than Tony and maybe that's the reason for the attraction? Yet there is something MORE to Justin than just being the total opposite of the man he loved. But there is also a very significant problem with Justin's occupation. Something he can't put aside, and Justin for sure won't let him. Justin is coming to care for Nathaniel even if he can't admit it even to himself, though at a certain point he does slip up and admits to being jealous of a dead man. Nathaniel is everything Justin could want and never guess he could have, but he is what he is, and Nathaniel loath dishonestly and taking advantage of others which is what Justin does, and does WELL. It's also the only thing he knows how to do.
Nathaniel would have offered the world to Justin if he would just take it. But Justin can barely give honestly though he asks Nathaniel for his own honesty needing to hear it from him just not knowing how to accept it or offer it from himself. Their interaction was mostly brilliant and funny but it was also heartfelt and tender at times. It wasn't easy for both of them to be trusting or accepting and especially not hopeful but in the country, with a big empty house with a forest around them with just birds and rabbits running around, with no fog to mask everything they both have time to consider their life choices and also each other.
There is a bit of action at the very end (as was more in the beginning of the novel) but it was mostly these two dueling with one another making this book one of THE BEST I've ever read. There is a HFN for them in the end as well as another notch in the story being revealed with a promise of a new duel between Mark and Pen (Repentance Godfrey) or rather the new Lord Moreton. Can't wait to get into it, though in a way I don't want to, I would rather stay with Justin and Nathaniel a bit more.
This book is best read after the first installment though it's all explained well so you don't have to. Just know that the general plot and mysteries of the series isn't over and won't be until the end of the next installment.
OUTSTANDING. A MUST READ.
 |
Rating:
★★★★★ |
E-Book
Edition |
238
pages
|
Read on:
11-12 April 2020
|  |  |  |  |  |
ABOUT THIS SERIES
Sins of the Cities is a Historical Romance / Romantic Suspense series by KJ Charles.
While each book centers around one couple, the mystery plot spans the
whole of the three novels. The story evolves around the Taillefer family
and who is going to inherit the title Earl of Moreton.
The first story centers around Clem Talleyfer the current heir's half (an illegitimate) brother. Edmund isn't very fond of his half brother but in his own attempt to care for him he gives him a house to manage with a free tennant everyone despises. When said tennant is tortured and killed and then dropped by Clem's door the mystery begins. Why is Edmund paying to keep a drunken ex-priest and what secret documents did he have?
Throughout the next two installments Edmund's past and other family secrets are exposed putting more than just Clem and his lover Rowley's life on the line. As well as complicating the already fragile relationships in this cold family. Bigamy, betrayal, illegitimate marriages and sons, estate affair, fraud, torture and murderers we've got them all in this one. But besides that there are three wonderful romance stories each unique in it's own. I applaud KJ for the characters she chose to write in this series and how they found the love in each other.
I'll admit I had my issue with the first one, but the second of Justin and Nathaniel was one of my absolute favorite book of all times! The third, which brought this whole series together was a great read as well though I admit had my little issues with it. But there is no doubt in my mind when I WHOLE HEARTEDLY recommend this series.
A MUST READ!
KJ got us a spin off series "Lilywhite Boys" 20 years after the plot of this one. We mostly get names dropped though there is a wonderful surprise in Susan Lazarus or rather Sukey as we've met her - Justin's little helper. She has a role in both books - more significant in the second where she is the MC (also it's the only heterosexual romance novel in the series). I LOVED this series as well. Start from this one and then head over to the Lilywhites it's a BEAUTIFUL way to say farewell to the series.
Books:
1. An Unseen Attraction [Clement "Clem" Talleyfer & Rowley Green] (Published 21 February 2017) ★★★½
2. An Unnatural Vice [Nathaniel Roy & Justin Lazarus] (Published 6 June 2017) ★★★★★
3. An Unsuitable Heir [Mark Braglewicz & Pen Starling] (Published 3 October 2017) ★★★★½
The first story centers around Clem Talleyfer the current heir's half (an illegitimate) brother. Edmund isn't very fond of his half brother but in his own attempt to care for him he gives him a house to manage with a free tennant everyone despises. When said tennant is tortured and killed and then dropped by Clem's door the mystery begins. Why is Edmund paying to keep a drunken ex-priest and what secret documents did he have?
Throughout the next two installments Edmund's past and other family secrets are exposed putting more than just Clem and his lover Rowley's life on the line. As well as complicating the already fragile relationships in this cold family. Bigamy, betrayal, illegitimate marriages and sons, estate affair, fraud, torture and murderers we've got them all in this one. But besides that there are three wonderful romance stories each unique in it's own. I applaud KJ for the characters she chose to write in this series and how they found the love in each other.
I'll admit I had my issue with the first one, but the second of Justin and Nathaniel was one of my absolute favorite book of all times! The third, which brought this whole series together was a great read as well though I admit had my little issues with it. But there is no doubt in my mind when I WHOLE HEARTEDLY recommend this series.
A MUST READ!
KJ got us a spin off series "Lilywhite Boys" 20 years after the plot of this one. We mostly get names dropped though there is a wonderful surprise in Susan Lazarus or rather Sukey as we've met her - Justin's little helper. She has a role in both books - more significant in the second where she is the MC (also it's the only heterosexual romance novel in the series). I LOVED this series as well. Start from this one and then head over to the Lilywhites it's a BEAUTIFUL way to say farewell to the series.
Books:
1. An Unseen Attraction [Clement "Clem" Talleyfer & Rowley Green] (Published 21 February 2017) ★★★½
2. An Unnatural Vice [Nathaniel Roy & Justin Lazarus] (Published 6 June 2017) ★★★★★
3. An Unsuitable Heir [Mark Braglewicz & Pen Starling] (Published 3 October 2017) ★★★★½
 | |  |
No comments:
Post a Comment