The Wicked Baron - Premium Gothic Fashion for Men & Women | Perfect for Halloween, Cosplay & Dark Aesthetic Outfits

I first started reading this new author when she published Vienna Waltz, Book 1 in her Imperial Series. I loved that novel so much that I read Book 2, Vienna Woods, and then Book 3, Vienna Dawn. Now Mary Lancaster wrote Book 1 in a new series entitled "Blackhaven Brides."I'm totally mesmerized by Ms. Lancaster's writing. She pens deeply rich, three-dimensional characters. The humor in it sneaks up on you too. You can visually picture the story as she's crafting the tale.THE WICKED BARON tells the story of debauched reprobate Lord Wickenden and his first introduction to Gillie Muir. From there the tale starts and the fireworks commence. The Wicked Baron first mistakes her card party for a gaming hell. He realizes his mistake when his romantic overture is rebuffed and he's booted from Gillie's home. He says to his friend, “It’s not a gaming hell, is it?” Braithwaite blinked. “Good God, no. Who told you it was? They just do card parties rather well.” He then says, "Miss Muir—is no game girl. Nor even a scheming courtesan.” His friend is speechless and says, “Game girl? Courtesan? No! She’s the respectable daughter of an army officer."We slowly see the Wicked Baron realize he needs to be worthy of the Miss Muir as their romance blossoms. Here you have a very wealthy lord falling for a lady not of his social status, who doesn't even dress very well, but who fascinates him on every single level. My favorite scene occurs on one of his visits to Gillie. He stays a little while to visit, and then abruptly turns to leave at the end of their conversation. She asks him if he's in a hurry, and thus he delivers my favorite line as he's quickly leaving her home:He glanced back over his shoulder, a faint smile hovering on his lips. “I’m being good. I just can’t keep it up for very long.” He opened the door and was gone.Loved it! He realizes that if he stays any longer he'll start to kiss her, and he wants to her like him for the good changes he's making, and not let his wicked passions overcome him.I rarely have an auto-buy author, but Miss Lancaster is an auto-buy for me. If she can hurry and write the rest of the books in the Blackhaven Brides series I would be very, very happy.I'm so glad I discovered this hidden gem of an author. You will not be disappointed reading any of Mary Lancaster's novels. If I could give this 10 stars, I would - this story is THAT good!