Wicked Temptation (Nemesis, Unlimited #3) by Zoe Archer

Historical Romance

From Goodreads:

Award-winning author Zoë Archer returns with another novel of breathtaking suspense as Nemesis, Unlimited schemes to avenge injustice…and conquer a woman's heart.

Fate Brought Them Together.

Newly widowed, Bronwyn Parrish's fortune has been spent settling her late husband's debts—thanks to an unscrupulous business manager—and now there's nothing left. Society has no place for a woman without means, and with nowhere to turn, Bronwyn is lost…until, from out of nowhere, a handsome gentleman steps in and makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Will Desire Tear Them Apart?

Secrets and subterfuge are in Marco Black's blood. As one of Nemesis, Unlimited's most senior agents, Society women aren't his usual cup of tea. But Marco's sixth sense tells him that there's more to Bronwyn than meets the eye…and he wants to help the brazen beauty retrieve her lost fortune. But is his attraction to her worth the risk? His mission will lead him all the way to Les Grillons, France's most ruthless crime syndicate. Soon, Marco and Bronwyn will find themselves facing a danger that could cost them their lives—and a passion that is priceless.

Marco Black has been the stoic member of Nemesis Unlimited.  He seems to have ice water in his veins but when he start to help Bronwyn Parrish that ice water starts to heat up.  Bronwyn has that effect because she also changes.  She learns to stand up for herself, to see the world in a very different way and to face danger without backing down.  I loved how she grew and matured as she and Marco worked together to recover her stolen money.  For Marco it is a wake up call.  He did not want to help Bronwyn.  He felt she was part of the problem but soon saw that she was not like others in her class.  Even before her husband's death she cared about all the people around her not just those in her social class.

The two have an exciting journey to recover what was stolen from Bronwyn.  It takes Marco awhile to realize what he has in Bronwyn and to let go of his past and grab a future full of love.

So far three of the Nemesis Unlimited members have found love.  It will be interesting to see who is next.

St. Martin’s Paperbacks published Wicked Temptation by Zoe Archer in 2014.

Sweet Revenge, A Nemesis Unlimited Novel by Zoe Archer

Historical Romance

What Goodreads says:

"The first in a breathtaking new series about the dangerous business of undercover revenge—and the undeniable pleasure of passion…
In the Business of Vengeance
When Jack Dalton escapes from Dunmoor Prison, he has only one thing in mind—finding the nobleman who murdered his sister and making him pay. But when he reaches the inn where the Lord Rockley is rumored to be staying, three well-dressed strangers are there to meet him instead. And the pretty blonde is aiming a pistol right at his head…
Desire Is Always Dangerous
Joining Nemesis, Unlimited has made Eva Warrick much more than the well-mannered lady she appears to be—one who can shoot, fight, and outsmart any man in the quest to right the injustices so often suffered by the innocent. She’s not afraid of the burly escaped convict, but she is startled by their shared attraction. She and her partners need Jack’s help to get to Rockley, but Eva finds she wants Jack for scandalous reasons all her own."

Characters:  This is the first book in a new series so the main characters have to be introduced.  Eva Warrick is a strong woman who believes in helping those who have no place else to turn.  She is part of Nemesis Unlimited and is the focus of this book.  Jack Dalton is the other focus.  He is a very strong personality who starts out thinking of himself as good for nothing but a dumb bodyguard.  With the help of Eva and others his character develops and he starts to see that he is a man with great intelligence and strength.  He and Eva both change and become a great team.  Other members of the team have an important part in the book and while they their characters development is not complete it is enough to help carry the story.

Plot:  This is interesting and different.  It starts with Jack Dalton in prison and being told his arch enemy is in the neighborhood.  This starts a chain of events that include a jailbreak, introduction to Nemesis Unlimited and the job they have signed up to do.  An important part of the plot is the fact that Nemesis helps those who have no other place to go for justice.  While action is a big part of the plot so is the character growth that brings Eva and Jack together.  This is after all a romance and needs a HEA.

Writing:  I have had mixed feeling about books written by Zoe Archer.  She writes in the passive mode in some books and the active in others.  I always like a story told written in the active.  Sweet Revenge hits the mark in active writing.  There is dialog, action, more dialog and more action that kept my attention and kept the story moving at a fast pace.  I never questioned Archer’s writing skill just the mode she writes in.  This is a very well written book.

World Building:  Much of this is based on the class history of the times.  Using that history Archer has created an undercover group that helps those who have no voice that allows them to get justice when treated unfairly by the upper class.

I found Sweet Revenge to be a great start to a new series and I will be looking for the next book Dangerous Seduction coming in December 2013.

St. Martin’s Paperbacks published Sweet Revenge by Zoe Archer in 2013