Pink Heart Reviews
Luck of the Devil
Emily Baker
Zebra Books, May 2005, 317 pages
ISBN# 0-8217-7793-9
Historical Romance, Ireland, 1820
$5.99 (U.S) $7.99 (CDN)
Reviewed by Erin
August 2005
LUCK OF THE DEVIL begins with a legend about The Green Dragon. It is said long ago the King of Ireland entrusted three knights with the safety of the Irish people. It is said the knights were to serve the king and the Irish people until they were unable and then pass the duty through their families creating generations and generations of heroes. The Black and White knights’ generations did not survive the ages but the Green Knight known as the Green Dragon still rides the Irish countryside saving the destitute form the English that would take advantage of them. This Irish Robin Hood is the hero of Ireland and is where our story begins in 1816.
Garrett Lynch is a man of leisure. Known mostly for his prowess at gaming tables he leads a life of relative luxury. Or so it seems. In actuality he is none other than the infamous Green Dragon. Gallivanting through the streets of Dublin and across the Irish countryside he helps those in need of assistance whether it is from unreasonable landlords or attempted murder. His legend grows with each escapade but now one knows who hides behind the mask and brandishes the sword of the Green Dragon.
Maura Fitzgerald is as much of an enigma as the legendary hero. She has so many roles in her life it is a wonder she can keep them all-straight. She is Mrs. Fitzgerald, mistress of wealthy heir Freddie Stanhope. She is Mrs. Eagan, widow and proprietor of a local drapery store. She is also a schoolmistress of sorts for girls who are in trouble sometimes with their families sometimes with their former employers. All the girls have been taken advantage of in one way or another and they come to Maura for help. She teaches them a new trade and makes it possible for the girls to enter into the world again as respectable women.
These two mysterious characters cross paths at a card party Maura is hosting for her protector, Lord Stanhope. She is about to inquire after supper preparations when she literally runs into him in her foyer. As a gentleman he catches her before she falls to the floor but as he holds her they both realize and instant attraction for each other. They each know nothing could ever become of it. Maura is another man’s mistress and Garrett has been commissioned by that very man’s family to attempt to end their liaison immediately. It appears nothing is as it seems.
LUCK OF THE DEVIL was a good read with likable characters. I think there could have been more emphasis on Garrett Lynch’s sex appeal. After all he was the Irish hero, The Green Dragon but I didn’t feel he was quite as sexy as other heroes with less going for them. I would have liked to see him ooze sex and danger. Maura Fitzgerald was a nice heroine with a bad past and a heart of gold. She was pleasant but I wasn’t blown away.
The plot was interesting, well written and had a nice flow. I did find myself struggling through the middle of the book for a few chapters and lost some interest but the authors did a nice job of picking it back up and making for a decent ending. This is the first I have read of Emily Baker and I am likely to read her again.
