Well researched, well written and an historical romance with plenty of punch, Mia Marlowe and Connie Mason's collaboration must be rated a success. The characters seem to behave within the parameters set by their historical circumstances, the passion and emotion is certainly appropriate and the story line has enough twists and turns to captivate most people who enjoy historical romance.

On a personal level, however, I did not enjoy the reading of BETWEEN A RAKE AND A HARD PLACE. I respect and have enjoyed many books by Connie Mason in the past, and I think I have also read some Mia Marlowe works I enjoyed. What set this book into a niche rarely occupied, a book I find difficult to read is probably a foible of my own, and should not be used to judge the book by other readers' standards. On the off chance a reader shares my particular quirk, however, my own sense of responsibility as a reviewer means I need to lay it out, so they can be warned off a bit.

What happens is the two main characters have secrets one from another, most especially the male lead has necessary secrets that are kept from the female lead. These are secrets that would betray not only himself but others should he share them. Because of those secrets, however, the female lead jumps to an erroneous conclusion and makes a decision and takes an action that could very well mean the man she loves would lead a shadowed life forever after. On a positive note, Marlowe and Mason have clearly created characters I found easy to care about, or that particular twist would have meant very little to me.

I truly hate that type of situation, where the ignorance of a character causes the plot to twist in a way horrible to read about. Like I said, it is an oddity in my own reading profile. If that sort of thing adds to the enjoyment of a book, or doesn't particularly bother you then BETWEEN A RAKE AND A HARD PLACE is a very good book to read.

Book Summary

Wealthy heiress Serena Osborne feels like her father is determined to sacrifice her on the marriage altar. The Duke of Kent is negotiating for a bride, and the wickedly appealing Sir Jonah Sharp is sent to woo the Lady Serena on the Duke's behalf. It only muddies the waters when she succumbs to Jonah's charm. Repeatedly. But Jonah has a secret agenda-to prevent the marriage at any cost. When Serena is kidnapped in a desperate attempt to force the royal betrothal, Jonah realizes his new agenda is to secure a bride-for himself.