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The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne (Rescued from Ruin Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Elisa Braden (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,450 ratings
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Readers call Elisa Braden's stunningly sensual debut “dark, sexy, and riveting,” and declare, “I loved it from beginning to end.” Discover what has them craving more in Book One of the hot-selling Rescued from Ruin series.

The night that changes everything …
Life for Victoria Lacey should be perfect. And it is—perfectly boring. Agree to marry a lord who has yet to inspire a single, solitary tingle? Why, of course. Smile as though this is not the thousandth time he’s mentioned hounds and hunting? It’s all in a day’s work for the oh-so-proper sister of the Duke of Blackmore. Surely no one would suspect her secret longing for heart-racing, head-spinning passion. Except, perhaps, a dark stranger … on a terrace … at a ball where she should definitely not be kissing a man she has only just met.

The obsession that leads to ruin …
Hatred, not love, drives Lucien Wyatt, Viscount Atherbourne, to tempt the “Flower of Blackmore” into sin. Her brother has done unthinkable damage to Lucien’s family, and he intends to exact revenge in the only way left to him: Ruining his enemy’s sister, then stealing her from Blackmore by making her his own.

The woman who will set fire to her husband’s heart …
As Lucien carries out his ruthless plan, tutoring his new bride in the finer points of pleasure, her surrender leaves him breathless … and soon a new obsession awakens—a scandalous fascination with his irresistible wife.
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  1. Book 1 of 11
    Rescued from Ruin
  2. Print length
    328 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    January 4, 2015
  6. File size
    2769 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Reading romance novels came easily to Elisa Braden. Shes been doing it since she was twelve. Writing them? That took a little longer. After graduating with degrees in creative writing and history, Elisa spent entirely too many years in real jobs, writing T-shirt copyand other peoples resumesand articles about giftware displays. But that was before she woke up and started dreaming about the very unreal job of being a romance novelist. Frankly, she figures better late than never. Elisa lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, where youre constitutionally required to like the colors green and gray. Good thing she does. Other items on the like list include cute dogs, strong coffee, and epic movies. Of course, her favorite thing of all is hearing from readers who love her characters as much as she does.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00RUAFXGO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Elisa Braden (January 4, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 4, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2769 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,450 ratings

About the author

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Elisa Braden

Elisa Braden

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Reading romance novels came easily to Elisa Braden. Writing them? That took a little longer. After graduating with degrees in creative writing and history, Elisa spent too many years in “real” jobs writing T-shirt copy ... and other people’s resumes ... and articles about giftware displays. But that was before she woke up and started dreaming about the very unreal job of being a romance novelist. Better late than never.

Elisa lives in the Pacific Northwest, where you're constitutionally required to like the colors green and gray. Good thing she does. Other items on the "like" list include cute dogs, strong coffee, and epic movies. Of course, her favorite thing of all is hearing from readers who love her characters as much as she does.

If you're one of those, get in touch on Facebook (@authorelisabraden) and Twitter (@trueelisabraden), visit her website (www.elisabraden.com), and - most importantly - be the first to hear about new releases, price specials, and fun bonuses by signing up for her email newsletter (bit.ly/ElisaBradenNewsletter). It's easy, quick, and FREE.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
3,450 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Cynthia L. Bogner
5.0 out of 5 stars Third time as charming as the first
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
I have no idea why I have not left a review before, as this is in my top 10 romance books since revisiting the genre in 2019. I can only explain it by acknowledging that the first time around I didn’t quite realize what a gem this was amidst the substantial mediocrity that followed from other authors. And perhaps the second time I did not have the energy to give this the review it deserves. Better late than never.

The hero and heroine, especially the hero, have come to my mind at various times throughout the years since I originally read this book. And that has become something of a benchmark for how good a HR is, as I’ve literally read almost 1500 of them in the last four years.

Not only that, the revenge marriage trope is expertly executed here, so that every other book I read with this plot is compared to this one and either measures up (rarely) or is found lacking.

The hero is an utterly irresistible alpha male. Seriously. Perfectly damaged. Excruciatingly mended. The heroine is so sweet and charming, but totally relatable, even when considered against women today who go along with what they think is expected of them when they know in their heart of hearts it is all wrong. That’s the crux of the romance where fate steps in and saves the heroine from a dull and passionless future.

But the side characters are equally captivating. And as you will discover, they become as priceless as if they were your own family. Or you wish they were.

But all these facts alone would not make this a great book. It is only the addition of expert writing and seamless plot development. There’s not a single time where I was taken out of the story by a loose thread or lazy plot point. In fact, I would reread this series - and this book more often - but I do need to eat and sleep and find I become obsessed with the endeavor.
10 people found this helpful
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Linda A. Thompson
4.0 out of 5 stars Another great read.
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2023
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Another unique story with wonderful characters. Filled with drama, love, strong women, sexy men, Looking forward to more of these novels.
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Blondebell
5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 rounded up
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
I am so happy I have discovered this author. Her romances feel so fresh and fun and serious at the same time. I love her hero’s. I wish I had started this series with the first book so I had more background in later characters involved in the series. I avoided it because I was put off by the revenge plot/ enemies to lovers trope. But Lucien is never horrible to Victoria. And the bit before they wed is short. The resulting story was really good as he battled his insta love/lust for Victoria while she was also part of his plan for revenge. The secret being kept till the end made for a great climax to the story. Loved it
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maria elena noble
5.0 out of 5 stars What a Delightful Read
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2023
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Been looking for months to find a novel I can sink my teeth into!
Well, Elisa Braden did not disappoint me in the least. It is well written and edited so well, I didn't find any grammatical mistake that always drives me crazy. A beautiful story with a heroin that shows her strength and endurance without losing herself. I highly recommend this beautiful novel and I'm purchasing the rest of the collection to keep this "happy feeling" going for as long as possible!
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Tabby1249
4.0 out of 5 stars Well written, absorbing
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2015
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The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne contains all the necessary ingredients for a satisfying romance: a dashing, devastatingly handsome but tortured male protagonist, a beautiful, kind and loving female protagonist, a revenge plot, a not too surprising plot twist, good character development, and a hard fought for HEA. Some authors take these elements and create a really good story that clips along and others, with all those same elements create drudgery. I am happy to report that Ms. Braden's efforts fall into the former rather than the later.

For me, the characters' actions need to have some logic behind them, the plot complications need to feel believable, the characters need to develop and grow over the course of the story and the ending needs to make sense. Happily, this story and its characters make sense, is well written and absorbing and the ending made me cry. One of the highlights of this book is the character development, especially that of the the hero, Lord Lucien Atherbourne. The cause of his tortured angst is completely justified even if his method of revenge seemed a little far fetched. However, I felt that the characterization of the heroine, Victoria, was a bit weaker. It took her a little too long to to find her spine, but not so long that I lost patience with her as I so often do in romance novels. There are some interesting secondary characters who make significant contributions to the story. I especially liked the Greek chorus like comments of Lady Wallingham found in the chapter headings. They were pithy, humorous and set a slightly more sophisticated tone than what is often found in Regency Era romance novels.

Bottom line: You may find that this story drags a bit through the first half, that Victoria shouldn't have been surprised as she was at the depth of Lucien's commitment to revenge, and that she gives in a shade too often to sexual attraction when she shouldn't, but you will also find that this is a very well written book. I'm pretty sure that you'll care about the characters and you'll be invested in their achieving a happy ending. In short, it's worth your time and your money. Now I'm off to get the second book in the series.
16 people found this helpful
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JCBWallis
3.0 out of 5 stars Slimey.....but good grammar for the most part
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
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Why do authors who can write ruin their work by adding porn? I would have given 5 stars for the writing and the story but I deducted 2 due to the unnecessary explicit sexual content.
4 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
Loved the trope and the hea. There's always a smattering of humor in Ms. Braden's work; that's what draws me to her stories. There's also the fact that the books are well written and intelligent.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Dagmar
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic!
Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, my first by this author. Writing style is detailed and engaging. Classic historical romance with every base covered: brooding hero who becomes lovestruck despite himself, multi-layered revenge plot, and insta-lust marriage of convenience boiling over with steam, a creative and spirited heroine who stands her ground, dry aristocratic wit, familial bonds, absorbing characters with depth. A perfect balance of angst and romance, this story would appeal to any historical romance lover.
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lipsita bishwal
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely storytelling!
Reviewed in India on July 18, 2022
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Must read for readers looking for a classic love story with lots of twists and turns. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
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giki
5.0 out of 5 stars A historical romance in the grand tradition.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
Victoria Lacey is an innocent caught in the crossfire of a vicious feud between her brother and Viscount Atherbourne. Publicly disgraced she becomes the instrument of the viscount's revenge against her brother.
When she is discovered in a scandalous embrace with Atherton on a terrace at the grandest ball of the season, her pristine reputation is in tatters and her wedding cancelled. When Atherbourne offers to marry her she takes the chance to lessen the scandal. But there is also something about the viscount that draws her to him, his passionate kisses, his heated whispers. Nothing like the safe, dull fiancée who cast her off at the first hint of trouble. Perhaps she has a real chance for happiness here, two people brought together for the wrong reasons might just work out well. But Athertbourne's revenge has only just begun, Victoria has yet to discover just how nasty he can be.
This is a fun read and although it does touch on serious themes it remains positive and engaging. I developed a real soft spot for Atherton, especially when he was at his most vengeful.
The redoubtable Dowager Marchioness of Wallingham– who's pithy wit and wisdom starts every chapter, is a real star. She more than makes up for the fact that Victoria can be a bit of a drip at times,
One person found this helpful
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Rosane Reis
5.0 out of 5 stars ótimo
Reviewed in Brazil on April 29, 2015
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Muito bom.primeiro livro que compro dessa autora ,porém não me decepcionei ,pois gostei.vou buscar outros titulos dessa mesma autora para comprar.
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Cristella
5.0 out of 5 stars HOT and Firey
Reviewed in Australia on February 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
YUM ! YES ! 5 STARS
Sexy, exciting and a great read...
I loved every minute of it..
When young Victoria is caught out in a compromising position, scandal runs riot with the TON of the day. But when the gentleman who has stirred her innocent fires, later requests her hand in marriage, he saves her from ruin in a shocked narrow-minded society, but what are his motives?
Two people drawn together for different reasons, marry and very soon find they are each irresistible to the other..
Yes, there is hot sex but its not ugly. In fact it adds to the story of unquenchable early marriage bonding that will build a hopefully lasting relationship between two fascinating people.

Well written with intrigue, mischief, sadness, guilt with the reader hoping for reconciliation.
This story will NOT disappoint.
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