Shameless (Banning Sisters Trilogy) [Hardcover]

Karen Robards (Author)

Book Description

Series: Banning Sisters Trilogy | Publication Date: April 13, 2010

In Regency England, a beautiful young woman finds her life thrown into turmoil by the arrival of a handsome scoundrel. Lady Elizabeth, the youngest and most headstrong of the three Banning sisters, has been engaged three times, and has scandalously broken off all three engagements. Her fear of becoming any man's property has kept her from marriage and earned her a reputation in the 'ton' as a heartbreaking flirt. Neil Severin is a wicked rogue, black of heart and black of reputation. A man of no morals, devoid of compassion, he is a government-sanctioned assassin. And his newest target is a man Beth holds dear. When the flame-haired beauty thwarts his plan, Neil exacts his own brand of spicy revenge. But circumstances unexpectedly throw them together, and with Beth's life in danger, Neil finds himself in the unexpected role of hero, racing to save her. What he never expects is that instead of him saving her, Beth winds up saving him. When the ruthless organisation he works for turns its agents loose on Neil, he and Beth travel the British countryside, fleeing the killers, their attraction to each other growing. Can Neil forgive himself for his past and accept Beth's love? Can Beth overcome her fear and trust Neil? Can they both survive long enough to begin a new life together?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the long-awaited conclusion to the Banning Sisters trilogy (after Irresistible), Robards reaffirms her skill for addictive Regency romance. In 1817 London, half-British, half-French Neil Severin plies a dangerous trade as the Angel of Death, an assassin wanted dead by the War Office. Neil meets his heart's Waterloo in fiery Lady Elizabeth Beth Banning, the youngest Banning sister, who's already jilted several suitors and caused heated gossip among London's high society. During a ball, Neil breaks into the estate of Beth's sister to discover Beth fending off her outraged, newly rejected fiancé. After rescuing her, the two embark on a romance-stoking adventure involving a band of white slavers who kidnap Beth with plans to auction her off at Trelawney Castle, a hotbed of prostitution. Robards's robust narrative maintains the couple's intense passion even up to its sweet resolution, making this a satisfying read for any fan of the genre. (Apr.)
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From Booklist

Everyone loves a bad boy, although maybe not as a bad as Neil Severin, government assassin, who is slated for termination by the British government because he is too good at his job. Neil decides that the only way to save his life is by killing the Duke of Richmond, the only one who knows his true identity. While sneaking into the duke’s home during a party, he witnesses Elizabeth Banning, the duke’s sister-in-law, trying to politely extricate herself from an engagement. The fiancé reacts violently, and Neil saves the day. Now that his plan to kill the duke is foiled, he decides to kidnap Elizabeth, but someone beats him to it, leading Neil on a chase to rescue her and six other women. Now it’s up to Elizabeth to save the life of the man she thought was her hero. The last of the Banning Sisters trilogy is a delightful and intense read that proves that Robards is equally gifted in crafting historical and modern romance. --Patty Engelmann

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Gallery Books (April 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743410610
• ISBN-13: 978-0743410618
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Karen Robards is the bestselling author of twenty-seven novels. The winner of six Silver Pen awards for favorite romance novelist, as well as numerous other awards, she lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, Doug, and their sons Peter, Christopher, and Jack. She says, "I read, I write, and I chase children. That's my life."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Karen Robards does an absolutely wonderful job of creating an original and creative story with compelling and complex characters, April 12, 2010

By 

Bookaholics Reviewer (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shameless (Banning Sisters Trilogy) (Hardcover)

Shameless by Karen Robards
Historical Romance - April 13th, 2010
5 Stars

Shameless is the third novel in Karen Robards's Banning Sisters trilogy. This trilogy tells the stories of each of the Banning sisters: Gabriella, Claire and Elizabeth. The first book begins with Scandalous, then Irresistible and now concludes with the final story, Shameless.

Shameless is the story of the youngest and most headstrong sister Lady Elizabeth Banning. Despite her many seasons among the ton Lady Elizabeth is considered a heartbreaker and flirt due to the fact that she has become engaged three times and has scandalously broken off all three engagements. She is afraid of becoming a man's property. During a house party, Lady Elizabeth is attempting to end her most recent engagement when she encounters Neil Severin. He is a wicked rogue and a secret government assassin. Despite Neil's black reputation his ability to focus on the job has made him extremely successful. However, his legendary focus is disrupted when he encounters Lady Elizabeth in a difficult situation. He is immediately drawn to her and when he discovers that his most current target is someone Lady Elizabeth holds dear, it only complicates matters for him. What begins as an accidental meeting for these two strangers becomes an adventure for two people who draw out the best in each other.

Karen Robards does a fantastic job creating two main characters that you can enjoy as individuals. She takes the time to explore the different and complex natures to their personalities. The author did a particularly great job with Neil Severin character, I felt he was a bit darker than most historical heroic characters but she made him into a person who you can find redeemable and worthy of finding happiness. I truly loved how the author created characters that were interesting on their own but become even more compelling as the two character spent more time together. Karen Robards also did a fantastic job with the minor characters in the book. I found myself very interested in their lives and what might happen to them in the future.

As someone who loves historical novels as my favorite type of book to read I must say that Karen Robards does an absolutely wonderful job of creating an original and creative story with compelling and complex characters. I wanted to learn more about them and was extremely pleased when the book ended happily for them both.

I highly recommend Karen Robards latest Banning sister trilogy novel. I only suggest you triple your enjoyment and by reading the books in order to enjoy them most!

Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Love Love This Book!, April 21, 2010

By 

S. Cobb (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shameless (Banning Sisters Trilogy) (Hardcover)

I haven't read a book I liked this much in years. I read the first two books when they were released and had almost given up on the author finishing the series. It has excitement and just enough romance to keep me hooked. I loved the main characters, especially Neil, the main male character. He isn't the typical hero and he has officially become my favorite for the foreseeable future :)

If Karen Robards reads this, please keep writing historical romances. I'm not into this obsession with the vampire/supernatural books and when I find an author who can write historicals as well as you can, I hate to think there are no more to follow because it's not the trend at the moment. Thanks for the great read!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fast-paced adventure tale, April 17, 2010

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shameless (Banning Sisters Trilogy) (Hardcover)

Although the Napoleonic Wars are over with the little dictator dead, in 1817 the British War Office still seeks out French sympathizers. Near the top of their wanted dead list is dangerous half British-half French assassin Neil "Angel of Death" Severin.

When Neil and Lady Elizabeth Banning meet, each is instantly attracted to one another after he rescues her from her latest rejected suitor. However, Beth is unaware that her hero is playing a deadly game with her brother-in-law planning to use her as a pawn in a deadly cat and mouse contest. However, his scheme is devastated when he falls in love and when sex slavers kidnap his beloved Beth to sell at auction in Trelawney Castle. In spite of knowing the risk he takes, Neil attempts a rescue that if he succeeds puts him in jeopardy with the Home Office.

The third Banning Sisters Regency romance (see Scandalous and Irresistible) is a great fast-paced adventure tale from the moment Neil crashes the ball and never slows down. The lead couple is a terrific pairing as she rejects suitors though that hurts her reputation and he has a death warrant issued for his head. With a wonderful twist, Karen Robards provides a fabulous historical tale.

Harriet Klausner