1.5 rounded up to 2 stars. I think this author's writing just isn't for me, and I'm going to stop this series here. I just couldn't buy-into any of it. The writing felt like bad TV to me, and the humor fell flat. It's too bad, but there are always more books. ( )

Fierce!

Anna Harrington, became “ hooked [on Regency romance] and longed to create...independent and spirited heroines and dashing heroes.” (Goodreads) Well, she’s done just that with this fabulous episode in the “Lords of the Armory” series. In my mind Lord Merritt Rivers ex-soldier, and now a solicitor and Veronica Chase, (think Regency Marvel heroine type) thief hunter, protector of the innocent and daughter of Count.
A captivating couple of characters! Dynamic and fascinating. Their introduction is thunderous. Their continuing attraction and activities are fraught, dangerous and definitely steamy.
Merritt and his fellow Armory members chase for Scepter continues with happenings taking on new perspectives.
Not only does it seem that riots on the streets might be linked to and manipulated by Scepter, but there’s a strong indication that the poison leads right to the top powers in the land. As events come to a head, Merritt and Veronica have their hands full trying to stem a bloodbath on the streets of London, whilst simultaneously avoiding attempts to be captured by unknown minions.
Meanwhile Merritt keeps reliving the fact that he couldn’t keep his fiancé safe during a riot. This goads him to track down those who kill and maim for pleasure. It is this that keeps him roaming the streets seeking to bring justice and vengeance, always looking for the face of the monster who destroyed his love.
These two, with their deep secrets, just kept me enthralled!

A Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley ( )

OMGoodness! What an exciting, wild ride this was! With non-stop action, engrossing mystery, and fascinating characters you’ll find yourself totally unable to put this book down. Seriously, don’t start reading it in the evening if you need to get up the next morning! While this book can be read as a standalone, to get the full understanding and enjoyment of the overarching story of the series, you’ll want to read them all.

Rioting has become rampant in London and it is getting more and more violent. The Home Office and the men of the Armory are sure that Scepter is behind the riots just as they have been behind all of the plots in London over the last while. As they investigate more, they learn the ultimate goal of the Scepter organization – just not WHO is behind it. The goal is diabolical and if it is successful, it will be the end of everything England is and everything it stands for.

Merritt Rivers had a life-altering tragedy in his life five years ago and it has driven his every move since then. He immediately left London and bought himself a commission in the army where he spent the next several years fighting Napoleon. He used those years to hone his fighting skills and now that he has returned, he prowls the night looking for the man who changed his life. When he finds him …

Merritt is a gifted barrister, and now he has become a blasted baron thanks to Prinny. He is, essentially, two men – one who upholds the law and fights for justice during the day – and another who prowls the lowliest neighborhoods in London by night. He’s also a member of the Armory, a group of returned soldiers who are still fighting for England – just behind the scenes. On one of his nightly prowls, he hears raised voices and heads toward them – only to find a woman, dressed as a man, holding a thief at bay. Not only is she dressed as a man, she is wielding a sword and is armed to the teeth with knives. She asserts she is a thief-taker – which, of course, is ridiculous. Women aren’t thief-takers. Then – shock of all shocks – he discovers she is the escaped convict the Home Office has asked him to find. Uh-Oh! He apprehends her and takes her to the Armory. This woman is all of the things he despises – primarily, a criminal.

Veronica Chase’s life has changed dramatically in the last ten years and she’s escaped from the war-torn continent to London to try to make a life for herself. What she has certainly isn’t anything close to what she had, but it is the best she can do. She does her best to protect the innocents who live at the Court of Miracles with her. She even confessed to a crime she didn’t commit in order to help keep them safe. She managed to escape Newgate after six months imprisonment and she’ll never, ever go back there – even if it means working with the infuriating man who has just apprehended her.

We’ve already met and loved Merritt in previous books in the series and now we get an even better understanding of him and what drives him. Now, we meet Veronica Chase and you will absolutely LOVE her. She’s extremely talented, smart, wise, strong, and resilient – all without any of those TSTL moments we see in most of the female leads we read. I admired her pragmatism and tenacity as well as her fighting prowess and street-smarts. She was definitely as formidable as Merritt and they made a perfect match for each other

I highly recommend this entire series – and definitely this book. It is well-written, excellently plotted, and perfectly paced. Of course, having visits from the characters featured in the first two books was a bonus. I can hardly wait to see what happens next and how the group will finally put an end to Specter.

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