{Saints & Scoundrels Review} The Elusive Earl by @MMichaelsAuthor

The Elusive Earl by Maddison Michaels
Published by Entangled: Amara on August 27, 2018
Pages: 470
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Brianna Penderley has a knack for getting into precarious situations, especially when it comes to her love for archaeology. In the heart of Naples, her terrible Italian has her accidentally becoming engaged to two men at the same time. Of course, Daniel Wolcott—the Earl of Thornton and the only man ever able to vex her—shows up to rescue her.

Daniel has spent the majority of his life exercising rigid control over his emotions, determined never to become the rake his father was. But when he goes to aid his mentor’s danger-prone niece once again, he finds himself struggling to control his attraction to a woman who is his complete opposite.

When their situation goes from bad to worse, Daniel and Brianna find themselves swept up into a perilous adventure, and they must work together to set things right. Now, if they can just avoid killing each other in the process.

I received The Elusive Earl for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When I requested to review this novel, I didn’t realize it was the second book in this series. Right away I went to check on the first novel, The Devilish Duke. I purchased it at once and gobbled up the whole story within days. Soon after, I was granted a review copy of The Elusive Earl and I got the chance to experience a whole new tale from Maddison Micheals set far from England’s shores in the breath-taking land of Italy.

From the brief summary of this novel, I was hooked. How does a young lady accidentally become engaged to two men? Now we learn why Daniel Wolcott, The Earl of Thorton, left for Italy during The Devilish Duke. It was at the behest of his mentor and as it happens the damsel in distress’ uncle.

Brianna Penderley was the child of a second son/archiologist and an Italian princess. After the couple was slain in front of an infant Brianna, the murderer told his man to kill the child as well. Brianna’s Italian grandfather  was left to believe her dead as well when her British uncle smuggled her out of the country to raise in England. Back in Italy many years later with her mother’s journals, her aunt, and two cousins in tow, she falls into one deadly trap after another. Daniel has always been there to save Brianna, whether he wants to or not. To solve the problem of too many fiancés, Daniel provides a fake marriage certificate and gives him as her husband.

But more danger lurks in every corner when people are murdered and her male cousin is kidnapped. Daniel and Bree have to attempt to get along while pretending to be husband and wife. A feat that is greater than one might think.

I fell in love with Michaels writing style in the first novel and it only got better throughout this tale. The search for ancient treasure in the sometimes harsh Italian environment was as thrilling as it was romantic. While there were twists a plenty in this novel, I was never left wanting. Each turn begot a new reason for Bree and Daniel to fall further into a relationship years in the making.

With her brilliant storytelling and world building abilities, Maddison Michaels has a long and successful career ahead of her. I’m so privileged to add her to my favorite authors while she is just releasing her second novel. I’m sure I’ll have many years to enjoy every single word she releases. I hope we will get another installment of the Saints and Scoundrels series as soon as Michaels is able to conjure it up.