Bøker av Adele Clee

How long can one keep up a charade?A gentleman who hides many secrets.Society thinks it has the measure of Lucius Daventry, illegitimate son of the Duke of Melverley, but they know nothing of the dangerous man who lies beneath the constructed façade. As a member of a secret group known as the Order of Themis, he works to right injustices, to make wicked men pay. But someone is seeking revenge on its members, resulting in the murder of their leader, Atticus Atwood, and Lucius will stop at nothing to find the person responsible.A lady with secrets of her own.Sybil Atwood still grieves the loss of her beloved father and has focused her attention on seeing the return of his personal journals and scientific artefacts. What possessed Atticus Atwood to bequeath his life's work to a man like Lucius Daventry is a mystery. Indeed, the dissolute rake is far removed from Atticus' usual associates. But having received threatening letters demanding she gain possession of the journals or face dire consequences, Sybil has no choice but to approach the devilish Mr Daventry.A clash of personalities brings about surprising rewards.Thrown together by a twist of fate, Lucius and Sybil become involved in murderous plots, secret societies and a race to catch an evil villain. In a wild adventure that takes them to the dark depths of London's underworld, they find they're inexplicably drawn to one another. Both are compelled by a powerful attraction. Can Lucius overcome his demons and open his heart to the possibility of love? Will Sybil learn to trust a man with such a scandalous reputation?Find out in The Mystery of Mr DaventryWhat Amazon readers said about Book 1 in the Scandalous Sons series."One of my very favorite authors, Adele Clee brilliantly creates a story with all of the facets of intrigue, suspense, fear and two characters who wrap around your heart.""Adele Clee does a great job mixing in an intriguing mystery with a love story about two people who aren't expecting love but find it anyway.""WOW! Just Wow! This was such an emotional rollercoaster of a story! A gritty second chance at love full of passion, sorrow, betrayals, villains bent on murder, mystery and intrigue, hope, and a love so deep that never dies."

Two lonely people discover that true love doesn't have to be perfect.The gentleman makes a wager.Devlin Drake is out for revenge. Since his brother's mysterious death, the cruel and devious Miss Bromfield has taken to spouting vicious lies, spreading vile gossip-and he vows to make her pay. How better to punish the lady than to make her his wife? A lifetime of misery is what she deserves. Knowing the lady would never accept him, Devlin devises a plan to get her to the altar-he'll win her hand in a bet.In choosing to marry the spiteful lady, Devlin must accept he will never know true love. But his fortunes turn when he's offered another tempting option.A surprise announcement. Miss Juliet Duval, the illegitimate daughter of Baron Bromfield, was taken into the lord's house after the death of her mother. The baron finds her an embarrassment, and her half-sister's jealous tirades see Juliet banished to the role of servant. That is until her father makes a foolish wager and needs a daughter to satisfy his debt.An unsuitable match.Thrown together in an odd twist of fate, Devlin and Juliet are mismatched in every regard. He is a hulking figure of a man, powerful, commanding. She is dainty and petite, used to obeying her father, and despising of masterful men. Yet both quickly become what the other needs and together must battle against those determined to tear them apart.Features: Regency historical romance novelA novel of approx 70,000 wordsContains some descriptive sex scenes

Miss Estelle Darcy is running from her past. Everyone believes she drowned in a shipwreck off the French coast, and many times she wished she had. The smugglers who rescued her are not the sort of men one crosses. Still, London is a vast city with plenty of unsuitable places where a lady might hide.Lord Trevane's pledge to find Miss Darcy has him in a quandary. The only woman ever to haunt his dreams is dead. The only woman Vane ever loved perished eight years ago on The Torrens. Moreover, how does one look for a ghost? And why would he want to when he's convinced the lady abandoned him and eloped with her lover? Besides, he has his own problems. Renowned for being the most dangerous lord of the ton, ladies are scheming to bed him. Jealous men are plotting to drive a blade through his cold heart. And he has plans to wreak vengeance on the scoundrel responsible for ruining his sister.But when fate intervenes and throws them together again, Estelle and Vane must address the mistakes of the past. Neither can risk acknowledging the love they once shared. Damaged by their experiences, both believe it's too late for second chances.So, how will they fare when the wolves come knocking? How will they fare when passion burns and their need for each other proves too tempting to resist?

The path to true love begins in the most unlikely place.A late-night encounter in a graveyard.When Lawrence Trent, illegitimate son of Viscount Ranfield, discovers someone is secretly tending his brother's grave, he feels compelled to investigate. Since his brother's mysterious death, he's been plagued by suspicions of murder and is desperate to find proof. Imagine his surprise when he encounters a young woman in the churchyard at midnight. Imagine his shock when she instructs him to strip off his shirt, demands to see if he bears the mark of the notorious gentleman's club known as the Brethren. A lady who needs to atone.Believing herself responsible for the deaths of her cousin and his friend, Miss Verity Vale can do nothing to make amends other than pay her respects. Having suffered at the hands of a Brethren blackguard, too, she is helpless when it comes to seeking justice. Until an encounter with a handsome stranger brings a perfect opportunity for vengeance.A wild and passionate adventure for two people who never hoped to find love.Thrown together in a bid to solve the mystery and find those who killed their kin, Lawrence and Verity journey into an evil world of blackmail and corruption. But it's not the shocking revelations about the Brethren that send their hearts racing. It's their growing attraction to each other. Can love blossom when the Brethren are determined to tear them apart?Find out in The Mark of a Rogue.What Amazon readers said about Book 1 in the Scandalous Sons series."One of my very favorite authors, Adele Clee brilliantly creates a story with all of the facets of intrigue, suspense, fear and two characters who wrap around your heart.""Adele Clee does a great job mixing in an intriguing mystery with a love story about two people who aren't expecting love but find it anyway.""WOW! Just Wow! This was such an emotional rollercoaster of a story! A gritty second chance at love full of passion, sorrow, betrayals, villains bent on murder, mystery and intrigue, hope, and a love so deep that never dies."

The course of true love never did run smoothly-not when it involves a duel at dawn, a fight with a monkey, and mysterious goings-on at a séance.An unexpected encounter.Lucius Valentine has vowed to marry. Being an only son, duty and obligation weigh heavily on his shoulders. But how does a man choose a bride when his heart is devoid of emotion? Deciding on the widow, Lady Durrant, he soon realises he is not the only gentleman vying for her attention. The conflict ends in a dawn appointment where a surprise encounter sends Valentine's marriage plans awry and throws his ordered life into turmoil.Even strong women crave love.Miss Ava Kendall has a hell of a game trying to keep her wayward brother out of trouble. In rescuing him from his recent escapade, she is thrown into the path of the enigmatic Lord Valentine. The man is charming, intelligent, beyond handsome, and clearly unused to dealing with a woman possessed of a sharp tongue and original mind. Gentlemen of his ilk usually avoid the bluestocking types. So why does he stare at her with hungry eyes? Why does their verbal sparring awaken a passion more profound than anything Ava has experienced before?A wild adventure leads to a passionate affair.After the theft of his mother's prized blood ruby, Valentine is tasked with finding the culprit. And who should be on the list of suspects? The outspoken Miss Kendall. All evidence points to her guilt. But there is more to the mystery than meets the eye and the couple find themselves embroiled in plots of murder and blackmail. While their attraction deepens amidst the chaos, a villain is busy working behind the scenes to ruin their happy ever after.

Can a past betrayal ever be forgiven?A shocking surprise awaits him at the Serpentine.When Benedict Cavanagh, the illegitimate son of the Earl of Tregarth, discovers the lady he was once destined to marry lying half-naked and ruined in Hyde Park at dawn, his conscience demands he does something to save her. He might have spirited her home before the first riders took to the Row, but the villain behind the staged ruination had other evil plans.A lady used as a pawn in a wicked game.The last thing Cassandra Mills deserved was Benedict Cavanagh's kindness and compassion. Five years had passed since she professed her love and promised to marry him. Five years had passed since she buckled beneath the weight of responsibility and rejected the handsome rogue. But when she finds herself in a terrifying predicament, the man who should despise her is the one who offers his help.A romantic adventure for two people looking to heal their broken hearts.Working together to find the person plotting to ruin their lives, Benedict and Cassandra attempt to unravel the pieces of the mystery. But when their suspicions circle around friends and family members, the only people they can trust are each other. Can they overcome their bitterness and learn to love again? Can they find the villain responsible for their predicament before he drives them apart for good?Find out in When Scandal Came to TownWhat Amazon readers said about Book 1 in the Scandalous Sons series."One of my very favorite authors, Adele Clee brilliantly creates a story with all of the facets of intrigue, suspense, fear and two characters who wrap around your heart.""Adele Clee does a great job mixing in an intriguing mystery with a love story about two people who aren't expecting love but find it anyway.""WOW! Just Wow! This was such an emotional rollercoaster of a story! A gritty second chance at love full of passion, sorrow, betrayals, villains bent on murder, mystery and intrigue, hope, and a love so deep that never dies."

When a lost lady discovers that love is found far from home.After confessing her love for Lord Cunningham, Lady Rose Darby is whisked away by her father in the dead of night and locked in an old asylum. With no one but her paid companion for company, six months pass before Rose manages to escape.But her plans to return to London go awry when she finds herself at Everleigh, a sprawling mansion nestled in the heart of the forest. Mistaken for a newly appointed maid, Rose is sent to meet her new master, the sinfully handsome and brooding Lord Farleigh. But how can she tell him who she really is without ruining her reputation? And why does the thought of working for a living suddenly have appeal?Christian Knight, seventh Viscount Farleigh, leads a reclusive life in his country estate. Widowed at thirty and left to care for his two young children, love and marriage are not on his agenda. What respectable woman would want to move into a house in such a state of turmoil? The staff are sick, and he can't keep a governess for more than a week. Is that why the new maid, Rose, proves too much of a distraction? As an honourable man, he knows he must fight the attraction. Yet, crippled with loneliness, his conscience is soon at war with his feeble heart.

The earl's goal was to find his missing sister.The last thing he expected to find was love.Having spent two years abroad to avoid his father's schemes to see him wed, Oliver Darby returns to England to claim his inheritance. As Earl of Stanton, and confirmed bachelor, he expects to settle into a comfortable life. But when he discovers his sister, Rose, is missing and has not been seen for six months, it's evident his father is capable of manipulating events from beyond the grave.When Nicole Flint accepted the role of paid companion to Lady Rose Darby, nothing was as it seemed. Whisked away from London to a haunted manor that once housed the insane, the two ladies are kept prisoner with no hope of reprieve. But when an opportunity arises for one of them to escape, Nicole knows she must be the one to stay. After all, her purpose for working has nothing to do with money, and everything to do with the need to hide from her controlling brother.Thrown together in a wild adventure full of lies and deceit, guilt forces Oliver and Nicole to search for the lost Lady Rose. The overwhelming attraction that exists between them only complicates matters. He's a man driven by passion and lust. She's a lady looking for true love. But on their journey of discovery, both must learn that the two are inexplicably entwined.

A gentleman with a hunger for revenge ...Leo Devlin, Marquess of Hartford, spends his days hiding from the sun as a result of his terrible affliction. At night, he wanders the ballrooms of the ton in pursuit of pleasure - in search of anything to numb the memory of the terrifying night he was stripped of his humanity. But despite his relaxed countenance, the flames of vengeance still burn brightly within. With a reputation for recklessness, Leo's friend and mentor, Elliot Markham, is the only man capable of keeping him under control. But when Elliot marries and leaves London for his estate in Yorkshire, Leo's thoughts turn to the woman he blames for the evil curse thrust upon him. Feeling alone and abandoned, Leo knows there is only one way to rid himself of the painful images of the past. But would he be able to find the golden-haired devil responsible for turning him? Would he have the courage to make her pay for all she had done?A lady with nothing left to lose ...Ivana Lockwood always knew one of her gentleman vampires would return seeking retribution. Men of their quality did not sit back and accept the devastating consequences of such a horrendous affliction. In a strange way, she welcomed the challenge. She would take great pleasure informing him exactly why he deserved such a cruel and vicious punishment. But which one of them would come? In her heart, an organ hardened to the wants and needs of men, she knew it would be Leo. Would she be strong enough to fight him? Would she still feel the same deep level of desire she'd experienced with him once before?

When a lady discovers stars shine even in the blackest sky.Ruined by a lord purely as a means to exact revenge on her brother, Lady Lillian Sandford has given up all hope of ever finding love. The two years spent abroad did nothing to quell the gossips. And with her brother's notorious reputation, it's hard to hide in the shadows. Vane is viciously protective and threatens any man who so much as glances her way.Only one man has the nerve to defy him. The one they call The Raven.After inheriting an estate on the verge of bankruptcy, Fabian Darcy, Baron Ravenscroft, made his fortune sailing the high seas. Haunted by the death of his sister, he lives far away from the society he detests, in a castle on an island off the Devonshire coast. But when he receives information that his sister may not have perished in the shipwreck, the search is on to find his missing sibling. Where better to start his investigation than with the scoundrel who ruined her life? But Vane's refusal to respond to his missive forces Fabian to take drastic action.Kidnapping Lillian Sandford serves Fabian's goal on numerous counts. Vane will have no choice but to offer his help. Marrying the chit will prove a fitting retribution. What lady wants to live on a desolate island with a crew of seafaring men? What lady wants a loveless marriage to a rogue?

A chance meeting changed everything.Damian Wycliff, the illegitimate son of the Marquis of Blackbeck-and notorious rogue-loathes most people. With a heart as dark as his Mediterranean looks, his cynical view of the world is challenged when a woman comes to his aid in a dark alley. In his world, kindness is a rare quality. Was that why he made the rash oath, a sworn promise to play the knight errant should she ever need assistance? The lady calls in the debt.Having spent three years wondering what happened to his mysterious saviour, Damian is horrified to discover the angel who saved his life is none other than the scandalous Scarlet Widow-a lady he should despise along with the other fake people who hide behind masks. So why can he not shake the memory of the sweet woman whose benevolence touched his heart? Why is he desperate to discover if she still exists beneath the daring disguise?A promise never forgotten.Someone wants Scarlett Steele dead. After surviving the numerous attempts made on her life, she no longer knows who to trust. But one man made a vow-a solemn promise to come to her aid. So when she seeks the help of the devilishly handsome Damian Wycliff, it soon becomes apparent that she isn't the only one hiding behind a façade. Does Wycliff possess the means to save her if the villain strikes again?Will lowering their guards give them both a chance of finding true love?

The wait for vengeance is over.When a man wakes to find himself gripping a dagger and sprawled next to a corpse, what else can he do but board a boat sailing for India? But after five years spent avoiding the hangman's noose, Hudson Lockhart has returned to England to prove himself innocent of any crime. Suspecting a family member conspired to incriminate him, Lockhart devises a plan to trap the culprit. All he needs now is someone to pretend to be his devoted wife.An opportunity too good to miss.Since the death of her father, Claudia Darling spends her days managing their dilapidated manor house in Falaura Glen whilst caring for her blind sister. Every day is much like the next until a dark, handsome stranger arrives in the dead of night looking for a place to stay. Claudia's attempts to discover more about the mysterious gentleman lodging in the coach house leads to an unexpected proposal she cannot refuse.Will Claudia throw caution to the wind for a chance to escape the daily drudgery and bring an end to her financial troubles?And what of her weak and lonely heart? Can she remain indifferent to the stranger's charms whilst pretending to be his wife, whilst sharing his bed?

From the back streets of London to grand country estates, theirs is a journey of self-discovery, a breathtaking story of love and redemption.Nothing is simple when it comes to seduction.Daniel Thorpe has made a point of avoiding Daphne Chambers ever since she refused his proposal of marriage. But three years have passed, and as experienced enquiry agents solving crimes against the aristocracy, their paths were destined to cross.Chasing criminals is no job for a lady. But the woman is too stubborn to take his advice. Is it any wonder she finds herself the victim of a silent stalker, one happy to hide and wait in the shadows?Daniel was surprised when she accepted his offer of help, more surprised to find that one passionate kiss in a carriage brings all the old feelings flooding back.Features: Regency romance with an emphasis on mystery.Contains descriptive sex scenes

All he wanted was to safeguard his secret.Having spent years living in the shadow of his brother's scandalous reputation, Anthony Dempsey fought hard to regain the credibility of his family name. His unwavering sense of duty is renowned and admired. But then tragedy strikes. Threatened with ruination, he withdraws from society to hide his secret and protect all those close to him.How ironic that he should finally meet a woman who captures more than his interest. Indeed, Sarah Roxbury is a dazzling beauty who ignites the flame of passion in his heart, awakens a craving deep in his core.But how can he think of love? How can he commit to anyone when the truth is sure to bring nothing but devastation and despair?All she wanted was his surrender.Despite much praise for her beauty and alluring countenance, there was only one gentleman who'd captured Sarah Roxbury's heart. But Anthony Dempsey was an enigma. He was charming, intelligent, interested in more than her beguiling smile. Then as quick as the wind could blow out a candle, he appeared cold and indifferent.What was he hiding? Why did he prove to be a constant disappointment? Desperate to uncover the reason behind his mysterious behaviour, Sarah discovers there is more at risk than a broken heart

Viscount Markham has one rule - never bed the same woman twice.But all rules are made to be broken.When Grace Denton decides to visit her sister in London, she is shocked to find the paid companion has a new profession and now earns her living as a courtesan. But when her sibling disappears after an evening out, Grace is forced to masquerade as the much sought after paramour in a bid to solve the mystery. Using information from her sister's secret diary, Grace begins her search with the arrogant Lord Markham, convinced he was the last person to see her sister alive.After being bitten by the golden-haired devil in Bavaria, Elliot Markham has learned how to navigate the world of the ton whilst hiding his terrifying affliction. But when a masked lady accosts him at a ball, posing as the famed courtesan Caroline Rosemond, he is desperate to discover more about the intriguing beauty.

An earl with a terrifying secret ...Alexander Cole was a man ruled by his voracious appetite for carnal pleasures until a golden-haired devil in the guise of a goddess lures him into an encounter that costs him his humanity. With nothing left but bitterness in his heart, he locks himself away in his dilapidated Elizabethan mansion and chains the gates to all intruders.A lady hoping to prove love conquers all ...When her aunt suffers an injury in a carriage accident, Evelyn Bromwell rushes through the forest in search of help. Drawn to the mysterious old mansion, she is left aghast to find such a frosty reception. Yet despite the earl's rude and brusque manner, Evelyn is eager to discover the reason behind his austere façade. Once desire begins to burn, Alexander and Evelyn are unable to deny the soul-deep connection that exists between them. But Evelyn must make a choice - marry the kind and affable Mr. Sutherby or risk everything in the hope of thawing an immortal's frozen heart.

He expected to be the topic of scandalous gossip.He did not expect an intriguing young lady to barge into his home with the intention of saving his wicked soul.Banished to Boston for causing the death of Lord Banbury, Lucas Dempsey vowed never to set foot on English soil again. But when his brother inherits the viscountcy and pleads for his return, the opportunity to show his contempt and loathing for the Society who turned its back on him proves to be far too enticing to resist.When the dishonourable Lucas Dempsey steps into the ballroom after a four-year absence, Helena Ecclestone is quick to label the gentleman a murderous rogue. That is until she stumbles upon a secret conversation and feels a moral obligation to see justice done. But while the ladies swoon over his handsome countenance, Helena is determined to look beyond such superficial features, intrigued to discover the true character of the gentleman he hides beneath his arrogant façade.