The Lady is Trouble

TITLE: The Lady is Trouble

SERIES: League of Lords #1

AUTHOR: Tracy Sumner

RATING: 

STEAM: 

THE SYNOPSIS

In the first in Tracy Sumner’s sizzling League of Lords historical series, mysticism and paranormal abilities in Victorian England set the stage for a captivating love affair...

He’s a viscount with a dark past who yearns for the one woman he can’t have. She’s a psychic firebrand. Rebellious, spurned by society and determined to change his mind.

What’s a defiant woman to do when the man she’s meant for doesn’t believe in love?

After three years of waiting for Julian Alexander to realize they are destined to be together, Lady Piper Scott takes matters into her own hands. Because her gift as a healer has never done anything but distance her from the most principled man in England. A meaningless diversion as a medium, all done to gain a certain wandering viscount’s attention, backfires. As most endeavors have for a woman known in the ton as Scandalous Scott.

What’s a reluctant viscount to do when the woman he can’t have becomes the woman he can’t live without?

Julian Alexander, Lord Beauchamp, battled his way from the lowliest slum to assume his title. He carries not only a turbulent past, but a mystical psychic gift that separates him from society. Honorable to his core, he is committed to protecting a community of outcasts with abilities like his own. He has no time, no place, for love. Or repeatedly rescuing the most outrageous, beguiling woman he’s ever known. Even if she needs his protection most—and he desires her above all others.

Seduction, intrigue and desire lead to an explosive passion…Julian vowed to shield Piper from the deadly foes seeking to possess her powerful gift. Although he needs her help in controlling his own, the mix could be deadly. Soon what was once a simple agreement to work together becomes enchantingly complex as they surrender to a timeless love…

THE REVIEW

Let me start by saying that I adore everything that comes out of Tracy Sumner’s pencil. I open one of her books with caution because I know I am going to be lost to the world she has created within its pages until the last page. The Lady is Trouble was difficult for me; for the first several chapters I felt lost to the plot and a little confused. I was immediately sucked in like I usually am after only one chapter!

BUT, I know better than to give up and I pushed through my confusion and about 40% into the book, I was able to understand the characters better and their background and was instantly invested in their HEA! The story, series actually, takes place in Victorian England around a group of people with paranormal abilities. All of whom are treated poorly by their families and society. 

Julian Alexander, Viscount Beauchamp, has the paranormal ability to touch an object and be transported to the owners world. With his mother gone, his father tried to beat the visions out of him until he ran away to the gutters of London. He lived a dangerous life until he was rescued by a man who wanted to study his powers and help him understand them. He avoided his father until his death, when he was forced to take up the title. 

Lady Elizabeth Piper Scott is the granddaughter of Julian’s rescuer and has the ability to heal people and soften the affects of others powers. When Julian arrives at Piper’s home, their chemistry is instant and undeniable. For years, they spend all their time together and develop a very close bond, even while Julian continues his education at university.  However, when her grandfather is killed by intruders seeking his book of research, with his dying breath, he warns Julian that Piper is not for him. Julian takes up the mantle as Pipers guardian and immediately sweeps her and puts her in hiding in the country. 

Three years later and Piper is bored and hurt and restless. Julian has shut her out and left her to solitude and she is much to lonely to stay that way. With the death of her guardian, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Julian and Piper are forced back together and their chemistry is still undeniable! Julian is determined to fight it to keep her safe, whereas Piper isn’t taking no for an answer.

And that’s where the story really picked up for me; I started to understand their backstory more and more which helped me invest in their HEA and I finished the book within hours! Although, I was a little disappointed at the climax of the story when Piper was in danger, Julian and Piper’s angsty romance made up for the lack.  The side characters were great and I am so excited for the next story! 

TROPES

Historical Romance, Victorian Era, Country Life, Artist Hero, Damaged/Tortured Hero, Grumpy Hero, Orphan Hero, Protective Hero, Titled Hero, Aggressive Heroine, American Heroine, Damaged/Tortured Heroine, Hoyden Heroine, Orphan Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Angst Romance, Caught Between Duty & Love, Forbidden Romance, Second Chance Romance, Unrequited Love, Heroine in Danger, Suspense/Danger/Murder, Byronic/Brooding Hero, Outdoor Steam, Could-Get-Caught Steam, Desk Steam, Four Star, Three Flame

HistoricalRomance, VictorianEra, CountryLife, ArtistHero, Damaged/TorturedHero, GrumpyHero, OrphanHero, ProtectiveHero, TitledHero, AggressiveHeroine, AmericanHeroine, Damaged/TorturedHeroine, HoydenHeroine, OrphanHeroine, VirginHeroine, AngstRomance, CaughtBetweenDutyandLove, ForbiddenRomance, SecondChanceRomance, UnrequitedLove, HeroineinDanger, Suspense/Danger/Murder, Byronic/BroodingHero, OutdoorSteam, Could-Get-CaughtSteam, DeskSteam, FourStar, ThreeFlame