A ROGUISH GENTLEMAN

I do not think that Mary Brendan knows how to write a bad novel, I liked this book & all other titles she has written, I am however finding it more & more difficult to find a source for her newest novels, I have had to purchase my most recent titles from England, which tends to be very expensive.

It's a very enjoyable book, with an excellet plot and good characters. I recommend you to read it.

Lady Elizabeth Rowe is a woman past her prime in the stylish London ton, and she knows it. Compromised years ago through an unfortunate incident with a cowardly soldier, she has resigned herself to living a good life helping the less fortunate on the seedier side of London with her friend, a penniless vicar, and is quite content to remain the spinster. Lady Rowe's grandmother, a rich widow, has other plans for her only grand-daughter, however.Viscount Stratton is an adventurer, a man who lives for self-indulgence and reckless behavior. Although many women had tried to lure him to the altar before, each one had left sorely disappointed. As a new viscount, he inherited a run-down manor near the sea. A great deal of money is required to fix up the place, and he loans money he needs to a good friend, Lady Elizabeth's grandmother. When Lady Elizabeth's grandmother insists that she cannot pay her debt, the only solution the grandmother presents is for the Viscount to marry Lady Elizabeth for her sizeable dowry. The Viscount agrees to the marriage...but is it for Elizabeth's dowry, or is it for love?I really enjoyed this book after I got past the first 50 pages or so. It took me quite a while to get into the characters of the book, particularly the grandmother (Mrs. Sampson) and Lady Elizabeth. After I got interested in the sparring matches between Elizabeth and the Viscount, however, I couldn't put the book down! The last 200 pages are so much better than the first couple of chapters, and there isn't really a dull point in the book after the first couple of chapters. The characters are realistic, three-dimensional, and thoroughly delightful. Best yet, the author clearly goes through the steps to show us how and why each character chooses their actions - something that is often lacking in many romance novels.For those readers who don't like hot and heavy sex scenes, good news - there aren't any in this book. Instead, the author focuses more on dialog and plot instead of sex, although there is unmistakable attraction between the Viscount and Elizabeth. Quite frankly, this is one of the best historical romance novels I have read lately, and it's definitely staying on my keeper shelf!