Lady of Desire by Gaelen Foley

Challenge: Read a trilogy or series- part II
(the Knights Miscellany)
Rating: 5

B&N overview: Impetuous Lady Jacinda Knight is the daughter of a scandalous woman. Though society predicts she’ll follow in her mother’s footsteps, the spirited beauty stands unashamed of her passionate nature. Then one night, in flight from a safe but loveless marriage arranged by her strict older brother, Jacinda finds herself alone on a dark and dangerous street face-to-face with Billy Blade, the notorious leader of a band of thieves. His stolen kisses awaken in her a longing for a man she can never possess.
A handsome scoundrel running from a secret past, Billy Blade has never met a woman like Jacinda–her fiery innocence and blossoming sensuality set his rebel’s heart ablaze. Having turned his back on the privilege and power of his tyrannical father’s house years before, he vows to return to his rightful place and reclaim his title, Earl of Rackford–to win the love of the ravishing beauty who has stolen his heart . . .

Review: A delight to read. I wasn't a huge fan of the previous book in this series (Lord of Ice), but this one more than made up for it. Jacinda is just a little bit wicked, being the daughter of the Hawkscliffe Harlot, which was sorta fun. And Billy is totally wicked! I confess I love the word wicked. Billy is a very unusual hero -- he ran away from home as a pre-teen and learned to survive on the streets. As the leader of a gang, he is not your typical, run of the mill, aristocratic hero. He's rough, he has tattoos (!!!!), and he is not society wise. I found him refreshing and charming. And wicked, of course. I am totally annoyed at Jacinda's brother Alec. His story would be next, but I am going to skip over his story for now and read about the black sheep of the family -- Jack. I am certain he will be very wicked.