Fifth in the series. Dynamic read with verve!

Ok this was both terrific, and occasionally terrifying. Captain Nathaniel (Nate) Reed of the King’s Horse Guards, natural son of Earl of St. James much to his dismay (there’s a history there!), dubbed the hero of the battle Toulouse after Waterloo.
Flushing out the leader of Scepter is his game, the widow, Baroness Sydney Rowland is his aim. Obviously a member of that revolutionary movement, why else her involvement with persons of interest who’ve had their life threatened? Except Sydney has a very good reason for her actions and being caught in the home office. Not that she’s ever going to expose them, ever!
This story has its own momentum and fascinating spin around the central theme of exposing the Scepter villains. The title is matched in its tension, unique storyline, and fascinating attraction between the lead characters. The frisson between the Captain and the widow is divine.
Another taut tale about the members of the Armory, a reminder of their mission and their battle with Scepter:
“—The Armory, Where Evil Fears to Tread." A place for ex soldiers, a sanctuary, where these loyal men will, "band together and use [their] skills to shut down Scepter and to help those in need, wherever they might be, no matter the threat." (from An Inconvenient Duke Lords of the Armory #1)

A Sourcebooks ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quote was taken from an advanced reading copy may have been subject to change ( )

Anna Harrington is one of my favorite authors and this book is another superb offering from her. It neatly wraps up the series by adding another superb, steamy romance as well as providing the identity (and punishment) of the villain that has run through the entire series. I quickly came to love the characters, but that was easy because we’d already met them.

Scepter is an organization determined to murder England’s leadership and bring down the monarchy. They’ve made several attempts on the Prime Minister’s life and the Regents. The Lords of the Armory have managed to thwart the group so far, but they know Scepter will just keep trying until they succeed – unless they are stopped. Their best clue so far is Sydney Rowland. Is she a member of Scepter – perhaps even the leader – or is she being blackmailed into helping as so many others have been? It is up to Captain Nathaniel Reed to figure that out and, either way, extract all of the information she has.

Baroness Sydney Rowland avoids love in whatever form it might appear. Everyone she’s ever loved has been taken away from her, betrayed her, or despised her – so it is just simpler not to love anyone at all. Now, as a widow, her life is finally safe. She has money, no emotional encumberments, and one huge secret she must protect at all costs.

Captain Nathaniel Reed is the illegitimate half-brother to Alexander Sinclair, Earl of St. James. Nathaniel has no use for the legitimate side of his family, but he has to work closely with Alexander on this mission, so he’d better suck it up and get on with it. His part of the mission is to determine if Sydney Rowland is a friend or foe and to extract all of the information she has – whether she knows it or not. She’s definitely hiding something. Is she the leader of Scepter? If so, how can he be so drawn to her?

Excitement and romance abound in this delightful story. I love that the leader of Scepter is identified and gets adequately punished. But, we are left wondering if that is the last we’re going to hear from Scepter – after all – it seems more like a Hydra with multiple heads and multiple directions. Can’t wait to see if we hear from them again.

One of my favorite things about this series is that each romance is steamy and unique and it is accompanied by an equally unique mystery to go along with it. I like that so much better than just a plain ‘no frills’ romance.

I can definitely recommend this book – and this series – and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )