romance

This is the last book that I’ve read in the Company of Rogues series, however I have several more on my TBR pile – expect more thoughts in the  future…

Left penniless after her parents’ death, Meg Gillingham is in dire straits. Her cruel landlord threatens to turn her and her siblings out of their home at Christmastide — unless she surrenders her young sister to his lecherous whims. Only a miracle can save them: a magic statue that grants wishes — for a price. Meg never expected the statue to bring her a handsome earl offering marriage, and warily waits for the sting in the magic’s tail. Soon, however, charming, eccentric Sax is weaving magic of his own — until the statue is lost and Meg is plunged into danger of losing him, her family, and perhaps even her life.

In Forbidden Magic, Jo Beverley once again crafts a truly magical book. Meg Gillingham is left penniless after the death of both of her parents within a short period of time. Her cruel landlord threatens to evict her and her siblings unless she gives up her younger sister to his lecherous plans. Meg is desperate, and it’s almost Christmas – a time for miracles!! Meanwhile, Sax, the earl of Saxonhurst, is reminded that he has agreed some time ago to marry by the time he turns 25 or his grandmother gets to choose his bride. At the time the story starts he has 24 hours to find a wife.

Sax has a wonderfully eccentric collection of misfits for servants who band together to help him find someone to marry. One of his beloved servants has a sister who knows of Meg’s situation and Sax agrees to send the woman to Meg to propose marriage if she will show up to the church the following day. Out of other options, Meg agrees to the marriage which starts the crafting of a wonderful love story. Again, this story doesn’t really involve members of the Company of Rogues but the explanation of Sax’s participation as a boy exists for the connection of this series of books. Many reviewers don’t consider this book to be one of the “Company of Rogues” books. I disagree.

Several reviews that I have read of this book comment on Sax as a unique hero in the Regency Romance genre. Often the heros are dominant characters, taking charge with a great deal of arrogance (as illustrated in other books in this series). True, the heroines usually temper that arrogance in some fashion or another. Sax is an unusual hero. He is both sexy and endearing while being very eccentric. His symbiotic relationship with his servants is both touching and humorous. Due to his antagonistic relationship with his grandmother, he has an unpredictable temper. When he’s in a foul mood he often takes to smashing things in his bedchamber – with his servants betting on what he will smash next! His collection of servants and pets are another example of his endearing qualities. They are an interesting collection of people many with criminal pasts or physical disabilities. His collection of misfit pets mirrors his servants.

This book is an example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover! The blurb on the back didn’t encourage me to read it, but I did as this book was the next one in the “Company of Rogues” series. I was quickly drawn into a magical love story that was almost impossible to put down. Definitely a keeper!

The Romance Reader gives this book 4 hearts and says: “Just don’t judge this book by its cover, or rather the blurb on the back cover. It makes this terrific tale sound stupid and it’s not even an accurate depiction of the facts — this book deserves better.”  I like it when someone agrees with me 🙂

Forbidden Magic is available from Amazon

 

…yet another Company of Rogues book in my trip down memory lane…

(From Jo Beverley’s website) Lord Darius Debenham caught the attention of readers even from small appearances in the earlier books, and the report of his death in An Unwilling Bride led to a campaign of “Dare lives!” Well, he did, but was discovered frail from his wounds and ill-treatment and addicted to opium. As the author, I’d put him in that situation and I had to rescue him and restore the joy in his life.

My assistant in this is Lady Mara St. Bride, sister to Simon St. Bride of The Rogue’s Return. She has the St. Bride need to champion causes, and shares Simon’s tendency to plunge into action. She’s always thought of Dare Debenham as a beloved brother, and she cannot let a beloved brother suffer. She soon finds, however, that he is simply beloved.

The Rogue that is rescued in this, the 13th installment of the “Company of Rogues” series is Darius (Dare) Debenham.  As we know from previous books in the series, Dare was declared dead at the end of the war, but his body was never found.  We also found out in a previous book that Dare was found after the war by Therese Bellaire – one of the Rogue’s archenemies because of her dealings with Nicholas Delaney.  Therese gave him extra strong doses of opium to keep him drugged and ultimately dependent on opium until she was ready to hatch her devious plan (we read about this story-line in “The Devil’s Heiress” when Therese comes into contact with Hawk) In that story we also found living with her two children of unknown parentage.  (something that is speculated about, but we never actually determine the parents of these children).

In “To Rescue A Rogue” we find Dare and his two adopted children living with Dare’s family and he is trying various methods to deal with his opium addiction.  In comes Mara St Bride, sister to Simon St. Bride, Dare’s best friend.  She has always viewed Dare as another big brother and is a bit headstrong, seemingly always running into trouble.  The story begins with Mara trying to find her way home in the middle of the night wearing nothing but a shift, a corset and a blanket, and luckily finds her way to Dare’s house where she is re-introduced to Dare after many years of separation.  Mara appoints herself to be the one who brings the “Old Dare” back into the land of the living.

I found this novel less steamy than the others as it dealt with Dare’s efforts to break his addiction to opium.  It is, however, a wonderful conclusion for the “Company of Rogues” series proper. (there is one more book that deals with Dare’s sister’s story) Most of the Rogues make an appearance in this book, complete with their wives and whatever children they now have.  They show that although years have passed, the friendships remain.  The following quote I found in another review and it better expresses my feelings for this series than I could myself! “Jo Beverley has always written edgy historicals and has concluded her “Company of Rogues” with one of the more powerful and compelling reads in a tremendous finale of this exceptional series.  The last unmarried Rogue, Dare Debenham’s battle to overcome his addiction was extremely well done giving the reader an unforgettable experience of the ravages of addiction and the tortuous journey one needed to free oneself from the beast.  Additionally, Mara was developed as an inspiring and outstanding heroine whose strength of purpose and determination in supporting Dare through his addiction and battling for his love made for an unforgettable heroine.”  The Library Journal declares “To Rescue A Rogue” to be “An exquisitely rendered story”  and the Romantic Times states, “…well-crafted, delicious and wickedly captivating.”

I find myself agreeing with the majority.  This book shows off Jo Beverley’s skills as one of the premier Romance Novelists of our time.  “To Rescue a Rogue” has to be my most favorite book of Jo Beverley’s.

To Rescue a Rogue can be purchased from Amazon

 

…another Company of Rogues book in my trip down memory lane…

Simon St. Bride, man of mystery! He’s the Rogue who’s hardly been mentioned in the previous books except to say that he’s in Canada. Where in Canada? York, which is now Toronto. What’s he been doing there? Fighting in the War of 1812, then attempting to tidy things up afterward. Now it’s 1816 and time to return to England, but a duel and an unwanted wedding get in the way. Then someone really tries to kill him.

The Rogue’s Return, the 12th book in the “Company of Rogues” collection introduces us to Simon St. Bride – a Rogue that has been referred to but we haven’t met, as he has been out of the country.  Simon was sent to Canada, specifically York, (which is now known as Toronto) to accomplish many things.  He fought in the War of 1812 and then was involved in tidying things up in the aftermath of the war.  He is gathering evidence of misappropriation of funds at the Indian Affairs Department and hoping that something will be done about what he considers a shameful situation.  Days before he is due to return to England he is challenged to a duel by the man he suspects is the embezzler. Because of a strange set of circumstances he is forced to marry Jane (Jancy) Otterburn, his mentor’s niece.  This creates a sticky situation for both of our primary characters; Simon is a member of the aristocracy and he will be bringing Jane (who is not) home to his family.  Jane is hiding secrets that could prove to be the undoing of her if she is found out.  She lives in fear of just that as she comes to love her husband quite dearly.

This book provides many positive aspects.  We are provided with many scenes that provide interesting historical information.  This is of particular interest as “The Rogue’s Return” is the only book that is set in Canada – quite a departure from the glam and glitter of Regency England!  This particular story isn’t one of the action packed ones but rather a slow, gentle and sweet development of romance that charms the reader.  We are given another glimpse into the life of Hal Beaumont – one of the Company of Rogues who lost an arm in the war and loves a woman far less suitable than Jane.  The inclusion of Hal and Blanche provide a much needed perspective to the the problems of the lead couple.

Although I was happy to read yet another Rogue book, I felt that this particular novel was a bit off.  The first third of the book deals with Simon’s life in Canada, his duel and subsequent marriage of  Jane (Jancy).  It seemed odd to me that Simon had to be involved in the duel and then had to marry Jane (Jancy).  I felt the connecting points to be thin.  The middle third of the book covers their boat ride back to England and although there was some tension around whether or not the embezzler is on board, it is also a rather sedate furthering of the couple’s relationship – their learning more about each other.  The last third of the book deals with an unexpected loss in Simon’s family and the discovery of the identity of the villian.  This part had alot of action packed into a small period of time.  It seemed to rush the book to it’s end.

The Romance Reader shares my opinion.  They gave this book 4 stars and say the following: “The Rogue’s Return has earned four hearts because the writing is superior to that in many other romance novels and the character development is particularly strong. Nevertheless, this is not a unqualified recommendation, and other readers may find themselves sharing my exasperation over Jancy and her secrets.”

The Rogue’s Return can be purchased from Amazon