Alastair Ransleigh has returned from war unscathed, which is a miracle considering the hopeless missions he had risked his life on. But the last person he expected to see, while visiting his sister in Bath, is Diana, the woman who broke his heart over eight years ago. Having been engaged, Alastair was sure that he and Diana were going to have a long and happy life together, and was devastated and humiliated when she was publicly announced to be marrying the Duke of Graveston, an old and unlikable man. Suddenly meeting her and her son, thrusts Alastair back into the past, and he struggles to control his feelings of anger and betrayal.

Diana is surprised to see the man she has always loved, standing before her. Having been forced to marry the Duke of Graveston all those years ago, to protect her father and Alastair, Diana has suffered severe cruelty and abuse at the hands of her husband. Finally, with the Dukes death, she is now free. But having built a mask to protect herself, Diana struggles with her emotions, but is determined that Alastair should understand the reason for her marriage.

Unwilling to believe her, Diana wants to make amends to Alastair, and states if there is anything she can do for him, he need only ask. Flippantly, Alastair states he needs a mistress, and surprisingly Diana agrees. As their affair begins, passion erupts between them, and as Alastair spends more time with Diana, he starts to believe her tale. Learning more and more about the type of life she had been forced to lead, Alastair is determined to bring his Diana back to life. But as the Dukes heir takes his position, he vows revenge for his mother and himself, and he will stop at nothing to see Diana rot in prison, while taking her son away from her for good. Will Alastair be able to protect the woman he loves now, as he failed to do in the past? Will Diana ever be able to open the lock on her feelings so that she may live and enjoy life again?

THE RAKE TO RESCUE HER by Julia Justiss is the third novel in this series, but can easily be read as a a stand alone tale. This Regency romance swept me up and transported me back in time, to witness the type of love that most people dream of. Having been cruelly torn apart all those years ago, my heart broke for Diana, who sacrificed herself to protect those she loved. Watching Alastair coax Diana back to life, was both sweet and sad at the same time. Add in passion, a dangerous enemy, and a heroine struggling to trust both herself, and everyone else, and you will find the perfect love story. I have fallen in love with THE RAKE TO RESCUE HER by Julia Justiss, and I highly recommend you read the series so far. After all, you can never have enough dashing heroes and spirited heroines.

Book Summary

He's never forgotten her. But can he forgive her?

When Alastair Ransleigh sees Diana, Duchess of Graveston, for the first time since she jilted him, he makes her a shockingly insulting offer-the chance to become his mistress. And even more shockingly, she accepts!

But the widowed duchess is nothing like the bold, passionate girl Alastair once loved. Years of suffering at the hands of a cruel husband have taken their toll. And as Alastair resolves to save Diana from the damage of the past, their chance meeting turns feelings of revenge to thoughts of rescue.

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