The Rogue's Bride

Lady Simone Turnbridge may have come from the street, but she could care less what society thinks about it-or anything she does now, for that matter. She does care, though, about Emmaline Townsend, whose overbearing mother doesn't help Emmaline's withdrawn nature, so she agrees to help her socially. Tristan Townsend has suddenly inherited the title (Duke of Steadman) after the death of not just his father, but his brother as well. When he returns from his shipping empire in America, rumors that his brother and father died under suspicious circumstances soon reach his ears, and he determines to investigate. He finds Simone a definite distraction, and when she braves a fire to help with a rescue, he's impressed with her courage and character as well. The story has rather a slow start, and never quite gets around to the action hinted at by Tristan's investigation into the murder of his family until late in the book, when it places both Tristan and Simone in danger. Though Tristan soon has Simone reconsidering her `no marriage' vow, the love affair between the two principles is warm, but not overly steamy, though their characters are interesting enough to keep the reader reading. The relationship never seems to quite attain the hoped for depth to be a deeply satisfying read, but the story is a moderately pleasant and comfortable read, perhaps best enjoyed on a cold day with a cup of hot chocolate to hand. Reviewed by Lee M Copyright © 2006 CK2S Kwips and Kritiques. All rights reserved.

Mix together a handsome, sexy rogue and a willful, sensual, beauty and you are bound to have scandal. And while scandal is the main theme of this book, scandal has never been so enjoyable. The reason being is that Leslie LaFoy has the talent for developing a well-researched and written story blended with passion that has you riveted to the pages. Tristan Townsend has been in America for years creating a very successful, lucrative, shipping empire. Just as his latest lover is to walk down the aisle to marry another man, he sits down at this desk to find three letters. The first is from his step-mother stating his father and eldest brother have passed in an accident. The second is from his second brother stating he doesn't want to be the next Marquis and is depressed about it. The third is notification that his brother has died, his body found floating in the Thames, and Tristan is now the next Marquis of Lockwood. He arrives in England to find a mess of the family fortune and a mother-in-law he is highly suspicious of, as it seems she took out insurance policies on the heirs that have passed on. Amongst this upheaval and mystery he attends a ball and sets his sights on a vision of loveliness, Lady Simone Turnbridge. The beautiful Simone, under the care and ward of her sister's husband, the Duke of Ryland, has lived under the veil of scandal herself, as her mother was a former protitute and Simone lived her early years as a street urchin. She is trying her best for the love of her family to complete a season without trying to break too many ton rules. She meets and befriends Tristan's sister, Emily, at the ball and just as Tristan finishes watching this lovely vision with his sister and wants to make his way across the room to meet her, a fire breaks out in the mansion and all must flee, but not until he grabs Simone, cuts her skirts off to use as a rope to lower them out of the burning mansion, and smacks her with a kiss Simone feels is enough to have been the cause of the fire in the mansion. The sparks fly between these two after that meeting and Tristan and Simone's sensual natures are such that they can't seem to stop thinking and wanting to be with each other. Simone's friendship with Emily is the perfect excuse to keep seeing each other. Eventually they have a passionate evening and are caught the following morning. Tristan realizes the evening spent with Simone was nothing like he has ever experienced and he wants Simone and is eager to meet with Drayton, the Duke of Ryland to discuss Simone's future. But as the meeting progresses, Triston realizes he is not only next in line for the title, but also for murder and does not want Simone involved. Drayton agrees and demands Tristan stay away from Simone. Simone and Tristan are both confused and heartbroken, but passion cannot be denied between these two and as much as they try, they simply cannot keep from lusting for each other. Lust and passion lead to love and a surprise ending as to who th

He never expected to become the Duke of Steadman, but with the sudden deaths of his father and his brother the heir, in 1886 the spare Tristen Townsend inherits the title. The shipping magnate heads to England from his American base of operations as soon as he can, stunned by the news. He quickly hears rumors that both deaths are suspicious so he decides to learn whether his relatives were murdered and if yes why. Former street urchin Lady Simone Turnbridge is unable to follow the correct behavior expected by the Ton, and more important she could not less what others say. However, she feels for her reticent friend Emmaline Townsend and agrees to help her with high society especially the girl's martinet mother. Already attracted to Simone, Tristen admires her courage as she bravely helps with a rescue during a fire. As they fall love, his need to uncover the truth about his late relatives' deaths lead both Simone and Tristen into danger. The unparalleled Simone makes this late Victorian romance a terrific refreshing tale (just watch out for that's second hand smoke). Tristen recognizes how delightfully brave and unique Simone is while she finds the American shipping magnate fascinating to the point of relooking her declaration to never marry. The suspense comes late, but no one will care as this couple enchantingly carries this superb historical with their love for one another. Harriet Klausner