About the Book:

Mercy Goode, is only truly good at one thing: finding mischief wherever she goes. Such as getting arrested at a murder scene with Raphael Sauvageau, a brutally handsome, ruthless smuggler with a dangerous past and a dubious future. The silver-tongued devil doesn’t deserve a lick of her confidence, but she has evidence that he’s not the killer.

But she can’t deny that he’s relentlessly wicked.

Raphael has no time for obsession. He’s an empire to run, a murder to avenge, and a plan to save his brother that is likely a suicide mission. But this clever, infuriating bluestocking who insists she’s an amateur sleuth keeps showing up where she doesn’t belong. And for some bloody reason they can’t seem to be in the same room without him yanking her into his arms and kissing her until they’re both breathless.

Power, prestige, and a staggering fortune hasn’t filled the abysmal void where Raphael’s heart should be…

Perhaps what he needs is a night with her.

Perhaps what he needs is redemption.

Perhaps what he needs is a bit of Mercy.

AMAZON US BUY LINK: Dancing With Danger

My Review:

Mercy Goode is beautiful, and the daughter of a baron, yet she is somewhat of a misfit due to her blunt speaking, intelligence, and interest in protecting abused women and amateur detective work.  When a woman the Lady’s Aid Society was planning a new life for turns up murdered, Mercy is there at the scene, much to the dismay of the officials.  When one officer becomes physical, Mercy is rescued by none other than a notorious criminal.

Raphael Sauvageau, is the leader of the criminal gang, the Fauves, though, in fact, it is his brother who is the true top man.  The brothers were born into this gang, courtesy of their father, and now it appears there is no way out.  The Fauves have their hands in all the London underworld activity, and Raphael is particularly interested in this murder.  He was hiding on site, when he was compelled to emerge to keep Mercy from being abused by a corrupt officer.

Mercy and Raphael briefly met before, at a shady incident involving some stolen treasure.  While Mercy doesn’t immediately acknowledge the strange feeling she’s experiencing is desire, Raphael has no hesitation in admitting that he badly wants to become Mercy’s lover.  After they discuss the murder, and their thoughts on who the killer may be, they share a kiss that rocks them both off their feet.  Raphael bluntly asks if Mercy is willing to become intimate with him, and she agrees, believing that she’ll never marry, and wanting to experience genuine passion at least once in her life.

The stolen night that they spend together is hot, and I do mean really hot!  Raphael uses every bit of skill and knowledge he has to ensure that the innocent Mercy is fulfilled and satisfied.  Inside, Raphael’s heart is breaking because he and his brother, Gabriel, are just about to enact a desperate plan, one that will take them out of this despised life they both hate.  Raphael is determined that Gabriel will be the one to make it out alive, as he has every expectation that his life will be coming to an end.   Raphael has finally found the perfect woman for him, but it’s too late.

I admit to not being fond of heroes who are criminals, but Raphael melted my heart.  Despite all the awful things he’s done, his treatment of Mercy is swoonworthy – from his protectiveness, his courtesy, his respect of her intelligence, and even his liking of her unusual personality.  (Not to mention, as a lover…) I came to realize that he did not choose this life, but became so enmeshed in it, that it seemed impossible to leave it behind.  Mercy is fearless, bold, and eager to be free of her restrained life where she doesn’t seem to fit in.  I loved both these characters, hoping against hope for a miracle so they could find a way to have a future together.  DANCING WITH DANGER is fast paced, romantic, steamy, and captivating, a book I’d definitely recommend.  I am also chomping at the bit for Gabriel’s story, as he seems to have even more heartbreak to deal with than Raphael.  It’s not necessary to have read the previous books in the Goode girls series to appreciate DANCING WITH DANGER, but I can highly recommend those, as well.    ~Rose