From Netgalley in exchange for a review. This is the third in the “Lord of” series, and therefore a companion piece to Lord of Pleasure. It’s standalone enough for me to not twig for the first few chapters and there is little overlap between the two stories.

Dahlia is unusual in that she spends much of her time at the School, teaching the children many of the things they will need to go into service – cleaning, cooking, etc, whilst also teaching them a little “fun” like dancing and acrobatics (another word for “self protection”). Mainly girls, these pupils are the type that would otherwise end up on the street, usually as prostitutes, as they have little education and no money. However, it is the lack of fee paying students, and the loss of much needed donations, that has forced Dahlia into pilfering small objects from the homes of her wealthy friends in order to pawn them.   Her domineering mother cant see the point of spending all this time on the school, wants Dahlia to get married, and reminds her that her father “is far too busy” to talk to her.

Spaulding comes across Dahlia one evening when she is rescuing a girl from a potential rape. Despite seeing things in black and white, he soon becomes infatuated with this rebellious woman who wears trousers to teach her pupils to dance. A man with few friends, mainly as a result of a constant desire to work, he is on the hunt for the Mayfair Thief. He inveigles his way into a gambling club on the dodgy edge of the posh part of town, only to find that some of the clientele are titled gentry – including his half brother Hawksbridge (who was born on the right side of the blanket).

Both leads have issues with their families – Dahlia with her mother, and Spaulding with his brother, who he thinks got the good end of the bargain on everything (but Hawksbridge thinks Spaulding got the best of everything, as he is not restricted by having a title).

Despite how she spends most of her days (and nights), Dahlia is still able to keep her good name within society, and gets invited to plenty of soirees where she has the chance to pilfer stuff. She is ultimately caught by Spaulding, who has laid a trap over something that Dahlia cannot resist. Therefore Simon on presented with the choice of dobbing in the woman he loves, or ignoring the fact that she’s been stealing things, even if the people do get their goods back.

There is an unusual twist on the “sexy time”, which makes for a little surprise.

Great addition to the series!

This was so good!

I really loved how original the characters were and the fact that pretty much everything was set to keep them apart.
It was really funny, sweet and so heartwarming that I pretty much a huge smile plastered to my face while reading the whole book.
Erica is a really fantastic author and I cannot wait to be reading more from her for sure!  I am a bit sad that I discovered this series on book 3, but I am going back and starting to read the series from the start. Plus to be honest, I am dying for the next one with Dahlia's best friend story with Hawkridge!
This is going to be great friends and I am going to highly recommend it!

Book Review: Lord of the Night by Erica Ridley

A slightly late review about the latest book of Ms. Erica Ridley, "Lord of the Night", the third book in the Rogues to Riches series, I am quite lucky to be given an ARC in exchange for an honest review about the book. As the blurb of the story goes: 

In the Rogues to Riches historical romance series, sigh-worthy Regency rogues sweep strong-willed young ladies into whirlwind romance with rollicking adventure.

Unlike proper debutantes, Miss Dahlia Grenville is secretly Robin Hood in a bonnet. Her home for wayward girls has too many dependents and not enough donations. But just as she's about to pull off the heist of the Season, she tumbles straight into the arms of the handsome detective who has sworn to deliver Mayfair's mysterious thief straight to the gallows.

Highly principled Bow Street runner Simon Spaulding's world is black and white. There's no mastermind too clever, no criminal alive who can escape the hangman. Until he realizes the delightful young lady he's been courting is a liar and a thief. Suddenly, his career—and his heart—are in peril. How can he bring her to justice when it means losing her forever?

It was an exhillirating read from start to finish...I believe that making opposites attract is right up Ms. Erica Ridley's alley, I love how the mysterious Miss Dahlia collides with the seriously serious Simon Spaulding. I have been an avid reader of historical romance and this story gave me a much wider scope on the lives of Bow Street Runners. I love how historically accurate Ms. Ridley is. 

With a lot of things going on Miss Dahlia's mind being the Head Mistress for her girls, Simon Spaulding is a rather unwelcomed distraction and together they ignited such chemistry. Since Miss Dahlia is living a different life under her bonnet and Simon is a strickler for rules, a LOT of things happened. Let's just say that Cupid can be so careless and meticulous at the same time! 

Five Sparkling Stars on a Broom for Erica Ridley's "Lord of the Night"

Heartfelt and beautifully written, this is the take of Robin Hood in ringlets and she stole my heart. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because of how quickly the ending came. It wasn't rushed but it did end quite quickly. I would have liked the last bit drawn out just a little more. Beyond that, the characters were delightful and I found myself laughing out loud many times.

Four wonderfully written stars; Ms Ridley never fails to pull me in and make me feel right along with these characters. Each book brings us new unique couples and stories and leaves me looking forward to the next! 
Dahlia Grenville lives on the edge of the Beau monde; the daughter of a baron but determined to save the poor girls of St.Giles she all her pin money no nyting she can sell to the pawn brokers to run a school for these girls . Her mission , her passion is keeping her boarding school open at all cost for the sake of these girls who would otherwise be relegated to the streets , prostitution or the workhouses; at her school they will learn skills , skills to help rise them in station no give them a chance at something better , she may only be teaching the skills of a maid to them and reading and writing but those skills will earn them a salary and out a roof over their heads. However for Dahlia being a headmistress for a school that is not a fine finishing school has almost pushed her from the Beau monde if not for her mother's constant diligence it would have.
Me does not go out at night into the streets of St Giles,mbut for Dahlia a scream is not to be ignored and in running to the rescue of a young women armed with nothing but a broom, she finds herself being rescued by Simon Spaulding who takes off after the attacker, sure he will not return she gathers the young girl and brings her into the safety of the boarding school , but finds herself more made hours later when Simon shows up at the door to inform her the tracker was captured no imprisoned , turns out Simon is an Inspector for Bow street.
Simon the illegitimate son of a Duke and his mistress sees everything n the back and white of the law , however this headmistress begins to open his eyes to things and possibilities , she draws him out of his singleminded shell, involves him in the school activities. As the two become closer however the subtle lies become a bigger issue, Simon does not know the Dahlia Grenvile , the barons daughter, he knows the headmistress that will do anything for these girls. He sees the Dahlia that he can not imagine living without; but in his effort to capture the Theif of Mayfair , and secure a promotion Simon will get his fragile new heart broken , then get a glimpse at the Dahlia he has not seen before.
The question is will his world remain black and white , will he remain the upstanding honest inspector when all of Dahlias secrets are revealed or will love change all that for him?

This arc copy was provided by Ms Ridley, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

'Lord of Night' by Erica Ridley is book Three in the "Rogues to Riches" series.  This is the story of Dahlia Grenville and Simon Spaulding.  I have read the other books in this series but feel this is easily a standalone book. 
Simon is an Inspector with the Bow Street Runners. Simon's fellow workers call him a "Lone Wolf"  Simon likes being thorough in his duties and feels he is wed to his job as his other friends are wed to their wives.  Simon feels the unjust in some of the poor areas were there are no Watchman, or the Watchman doesn't stay on his post.  
Dahlia is the second daughter of a good family but has taken on the task of starting a school for young girls who are in trouble. Dahlia is the headmistress also.  With so many girls to save it doesn't take long for her school to fill up.  One night while while finishing up she hears yet another girl in need.  Dahlia goes to that girls rescue because she knows no one else will.  There are not Watchman in the area and lots of time they won't help if they were.  But on this night when she gets the girl free and with the bad guy chasing them...someone does show up....Simon.  
Simon returns to the school to let Dahlia know he caught the man.  Simon is taken back by the mystery that is Dahlia...not to mention his attraction to her. 
Dahlia too is surprised that Simon even return much less that she finds him interesting. 
Simon tries to stick to his lone ways but he can't fight the feelings he is growing for Dahlia . 
But Dahlia has allot going on and doing questionable things to keep her school going.  
This was a joy to read and I can't wait for the next book by Ms. Ridley. 
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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Sparks fly from the start with this one. How can you not love a female Robin Hood and a man who sees everyone as the same? Their first meeting is not one you expect and I loved how they didn't deny or fight their attractions to each other. They were opposites in many ways but were perfect for each other. When she was found out I had no clue how he would react or what was going to happen but the way it worked out was perfect. His proposal is what dreams are made of and one of my favorites. The ending was amazing too. 

Dahlia is one of my favorite heroines. She doesn't hold back anything but has a bit of a mystery about her. I loved her right away because she was not afraid to protect a young girl and would do anything to help those girls. I could really connect with her.

Simon has set out to be the best he can. I love that he didn't look down on the people in St. Giles and treated them the same in every way. His past can break your heart, but as the story unfolds and he learns more it changes in many ways.

I can't wait for the next one to see what happens.

Sweet romantic story of how we never truly know the deep desires of our hearts until we find true love. While Simon and Dahlia come from different classes, their lives meet because of her heartfelt love and sympathy for downtrodden young girls. They both learn valuable lessons and how to overcome life's obstacles.

A moving and enticing story which speaks about giving others less fortunate than yourself an opportunity to improve and make themselves more attractive to the job market. Dahlia is no delicate flower she has a loving and caring heart bolstered with a feisty spirit, she is trying to make life safer and happier for girls less fortunate. We also have Spaulding a man trying to make the place safer for the citizens and who does everything by the book but that imp Cupid surely put him to the test by mixing his black and white with colors but when cupid started nudging him, his black and white had some colors mixed in, what an interesting tangle. The storyline is a gem and the characters are great, it is heartwarming and very thought provoking, a most enjoyable read.

Lord of night is the 3rd in the series and we join Simon and Dahlia in their quest to figure out what they need and want from life. Simon lives by the law. he's a bow street runner and will do what he can to keep the city of London safe. 

Dahlia will do whatever she can do to keep her school running. She has rescued 24 girls from the streets of london and wants to do nothing more than give them a better life. Crossing paths they are instantly attracted to each other, but when they realize that hes straight lace and follows the law to the letter. Dahlia knows she falls more into grey area when it comes to the law. She will do whatever she needs to do to keep those girls protected. Will they survive?

I am voluntarily submitting my honest review after receiving an ARC of the ebook from NetGalley.

This unique addition to the Rogues to Riches series explores the collision of the ton with London's underworld. Heroine Dahlia's sense of social and moral obligation drives her to open a boarding school for the young girls the high society Dahlia was born into would rather forget, and as these girls charm their way into her heart, becoming more of a family to her than her own blood, Dahlia is driven to do whatever it takes to keep her girls fed, clothed, and off the streets. Add in a devastatingly sexy Bow Street Runner with an uncompromising sense of right and wrong, sparks fly. As our Bow Street Runner falls in love with the Dahlia the headmistress, we are taken on a delightful journey as he learns that there is more to life than career and duty and we see him open to love and break free of the pain of his past. But the Dahlia he knows harbors many secrets our inspector may not be able to accept. The tension Ridley creates as Dahlia's own past threatens her budding romance makes for a novel that is hard to put down. This is a fun, quirky read that explores the shades of gray that persistently bleed into the black-and-white order Regency's society strives to impose upon the world.

A very enjoyable romance story set in London. I felt the characters were described very well and the story unfolded without any major flaws. A lot of desire but not a lot of needless sex scenes. Could have knocked me over when I discovered who the rake in the story turned out to be. 

I have rated this book 4.5 stars and recommend it to anyone seeking a pleasant romance story to read.

I obtained an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review.

STORY-LINE LORD OF NIGHT BY ERICA RIDLEY:

Miss Dahlia Grenville and Simon Spaulding, featured in Lord Of Night, represent poplar opposites in regard to the law.  Dahlia, a Lady of the Ton and headmistress of the impoverished St. Giles School For Girls, sees the need of her school to save girls from the street.  As a result she's willing to do whatever necessary to get funding for the school from begging, asking members of society, and theft. She sees the world in shades of gray because nothing is ever strictly black and white in the law or the world.

Simon Spaulding, Inspector with the Bow Street Runners, sees the world in black and white with only law and lawless with nothing in-between.  He's dedicated, upright, moral, and determined to bring each criminal to justice.  His world's rocked on meeting headmistress Dahlia Grenville.  He sees a beautiful young woman trying to help underprivileged girls make a better life.  Little does he realize the criminal he's chasing is none other than the love of his life, Dahlia. Simon has a moral dilemma he must reconcile.  What will he do?  My review of Lord of Night follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, AND DEVELOPMENT:

In Lord Of The Night we see characters from the earlier books as the story continues of the rogues of society.  Lord of Night feature Simon and Dahlia.  What a dilemma Simon has on his hands.  Born on the wrong side of the blanket to a courtesan and Marquess, his life has been one of jealousy, pain, injustice, and denial.  As a result, he does not see the gray areas of crime or life.  To Simon you are either guilty or not guilty where no justification condones breaking the law.  Simon's a man torn by emotions.  A childhood of denial by his wealthy father and hiding their existence from the Marquis' family and the ton, developed Simon into an upright honorable man. But Simon must learn to how to add compassion to his book of rules in Lord Of The Night.

Falling for a gracious Headmistress seems the highlight of his life until he learns her secrets.  Watching Simon come to terms with his past, I felt great satisfaction; for he learns from Dahlia how to feel compassion, reasoning, and not hold jealousy or hurt in his heart .  He realizes his birth and childhood gave a purpose in life; to become a better man and make something of himself.

As member of the ton, Dahlia almost lost her place due to her determination to help the poor and needy girls of the street.  Relying on donations to keep the school running, staying one step ahead of the bill collectors, and out of debtor's prison, she had to resort to desperate measures.  Pilfering small value items from members of the ton was a last resort.  How can she tell Simon who she really is and what she has done?

Filing this story with emotion, conflict, and moral obligation, I found Lord of Night an entertaining read.  Ridley developed the characters skillfully as they grew through the story.  With a many layered plot, Ridley brought the plot thread smoothly together to a surprising and satisfying finish.  I found the pace correct for the length of the book and the scene transition smooth. Showing the depth of disparity in social classes, she demonstrates the life, the world, and justice must sometimes appear in shades of gray; nothing is always black or white, there is a middle road.   How sad the wealthy saw these girls beneath the pale and less than human.
LORD OF NIGHT RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4

I found Lord Of The Night a sold well-written regency romance and a great addition to the Rogues to Riches series.  I recommend this book for mature young adults and adults as it has intense steamy love scenes.

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I received this book from the author and Netgalley and I chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest romance book reviews. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion.  Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions.  No one influenced my voluntary romance book reviews.

The characters of Simon and Dahlia are absolutely enthralling and pull you into the story right from the first page. They both are loving, courageous and brave, making them the perfect match for each other. I really adored their story and look forward to reading the next book in this "Rogues to Riches" series. 

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

An enjoyable third installment in 'Rogues to Riches' series; Erica Ridley does not disappoint.  The story has a reality aspect to it, but also teaches that there can be a grey area in life, though with consequences.  A pleasant profound read.

I’ve enjoyed all the books in the Rogues to Riches series so far, and Lord of the Night is another charmer.  Simon Spaulding is not a lord, he is just a mister, but a highly competent Bow Street Runner.  Dahlia is a (reluctant) member of the haut ton, who would rather be with her beloved adopted girls than dancing at Almack’s.  Both are very likable characters, who, despite some significant differences, are clearly bound to find their way to love.

I think this is a great addition to the Rogues to Riches series, even though Simon is very much the zealous, law-and-order Bow Street inspector and not a rogue. Dahlia, on the other hand, was quite set in her plan to forsake the environment of riches in which she was raised in order to make the world a safer place for a group of children who she rescued from the streets of the most dangerous part of London.
In a short span of pages, Ms. Ridley creates a strong backstory for Simon and fleshed out the tidbits we already know about Dahlia from her sister's story, while continually moving the story forward. With an unstoppable force undeniably drawn towards an immovable object, I kept waiting for the inevitable  collision between the two. Much to my delight, it came about differently than I expected. I was a captive audience until I was finally assured of a favorable outcome for this unlikely couple. I recommend this to my fellow lovers of regency/Victorian romance with a moderate amount of angst.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

This is the third book in the series Rougues to Riches. To be honest, this is the first book by Erica Ridley that didn't grab my attention right away. I love all her other books including this but there was something off about it for me. Halfway in the book- it turned into a page turner. I did enjoy the end of the book very much. I enjoyed seeing characters I already knew. I am looking forward to the next book!

I received a copy of this e-book and am voluntarily leaving an honest opinion.

Dahlia comes from money, although not the top of the ton. While her parents expect what ll parents expected at that time, for her to marry well, Dahlia wants her life to have more meaning.

Simon is an Investigator, one of the Bow Street Runners, and about the best there is. He is all about his job, protecting people who cannot protect themselves. He was "born on the wrong side of the blanket" and decided he wouldn't let that ruin his life, which is why he is so loyal to his profession.

Dahlia has opened a "school for girls" in not so affluent neighborhood. She wants these young girls to have some sort of chance at life besides a workhouse, brothel or an early death. She survives on donations, oh... and a bit of thievery when desperate.

One night she hears screams and stops a man from attacking a young girl. Simon comes upon them and goes after the man when he runs. This is how they meet.

Dahlia and Simon like one another as people. Each thinks the other is smart, handsome/beautiful and caring as a person. They do begin to spend more time together and become involved in each others life.

Dahlia knows they cannot be together though, because Simon's newest assignment is to find the "Thief of Mayfair" and he could get a very nice promotion from it. The problem is, Dahlia is the "Thief of Mayfair"....plus Simon doesn't really know where she really comes from...

I did enjoy this story although it felt it was a bit boring at a few points. This was in the first third of the book. What I loved about it was the support system that developed between Dahlia and Simon. Even though there was an attraction, they really did have a nice relationship as friends.

Simon was stuck with anger issues over his childhood and Dahlia really helped him to explore and deal with those issues. It would only turn Simon into a better man. This was hard for Simon as he really saw "in black and white".

What he learns about Dahlia will be the real test.....will they survive?

I feel like a bit of the story was not resolved, like her parents and their need for her to marry well and be in Society. The next book is about Dahlia's good friend and it may be addressed there but it would have been nice to see it in this book.

All in all, I did like the book...