What a Rogue Desires

This is the story of David Reece twin of the Duke who gets caught doing stupid things all the time. Vivian Beecham is a thief who was with the gang that robes David. David decides to get back his stolen items and kidnaps Vivian and holds her in his home.... A great historical far-fetch happy every after story (my favorites)- enjoy! Looking forward to her next novel, A Rakes Guide to Seduction (Celia's story) due out June 2008

Posing as a widow on a stage to London, Vivian Beecham is a highway robber as well with her brother. Having lost their mother at a very young age they have turned to a life of crime to make ends meet and survive. While on their latest robbery attempt they encounter problems when one of the victims has no intention of losing his valuables. Knocking him out they think they are in the clear until a couple of days later when Vivian is kidnapped outside a pawnshop. Taken to his home and held prisoner Vivian is hostile and no help to her captor, but as time goes by she is slowly falling in love with him and understands him like no other person has done before. David Reece is one of London's most reputable rogues; he is irresponsible, reckless and a ladies man. When his brother turns over his estate to him to run while away, bets circulate through London to see how long it will take David to wipe out the family fortune. David is on the stage that is going to London when it is robbed, devastated that he lost his family ring; he sets a trap for the robbers in London. Now he has one of the thieves held hostage in his house as time goes by, he sees that deep down she is a woman that matches his desires and needs from life and is clearly torn when he wants to seduce her as his past would dictate he do. But in a strange twist of fate, David is accused of being the "Black Duke" robbing the stages on route to London. Together they devise a plan that hopefully will clear his name and save her from the gallows. What A Rogue Wants is Caroline Linden's third novel; it is a charming and engaging story that held me captive while reading it. Vivian is a heroine that is not noble by birth but does contain morals that keep her torn through out most of this novel. David is a rogue that grows up in this novel and his friend's reactions are pretty funny as he is doing so. What A Rogue Wants is a novel that will keep the reader entertained as they flip the pages reading to the very end, it contain, drama, humour and very sexy love scenes. Caroline Linden shows she has great career writing Historical Romance before her. Each book gets better and better and I look forward to reading what she is publishing next.

Stand and deliver!.....Those are not the words one wants to hear while traveling on the road. Apparently the day has just gotten even worse for David Reece. First his brother, the duke, decides to leave the care of his entire finances to David while on his honeymoon trip abroad for three months. The pressure enough of that responsibility is suffocating. Next he becomes stranded while his horse goes lame on the way to London. And finally he's forced to take a smelly, dusty and dingy coach the rest of the way. Now he has to deal with highwayman! Bloody hell! Life was so much easier when he had no responsibilities; gambling away his fortune, dallying with any willing woman and drinking till he couldn't remember where he was or where he'd been. Life has never been easy for pickpocket and thief Vivian Beecham, but that hasn't stopped her from getting what she can for her and her brother. It may be illegal but it keeps food in her belly. But when she tries to pawn some stolen goods, its her that gets captured by none other than one of her victims. Only this time its not the constable she has to worry about. The danger lies in the rogue who just might steal her heart. So good! Not precisely a reformed rake story but similar. David has already decided to change his scandalous behavior on his own. Vivian just adds fuel to the fire. Their relationship begins rather oddly (he keeps her prisoner in his house!) and then changes several times through out the the book. Great characterizations by Linden (author). I was particularly impressed by the way she showed the consequences of Davids lifestyle. I don't think I've ever really read that before. It always seems that the rogue hero's life is secretly envied and even admired by everyone. Obviously thats not true. Seeing the ramifications was eye opening. I also love how Vivian is a real commoner and not someone who is, for example, the long lost daughter of an earl. Just makes the whole book more credible. David needs someone like Vivian who understands the lows and highs of his life and his shame. Definitely a stand alone book, but I strongly recommend the prequel 'What a Gentleman Wants' (great Lizzy/Darcy thing going on in that one). I normally don't say this but you'll miss out if you don't read it first. David's scandalous behavior is highlighted there. You'll get a better general picture of who he was and why he determined that he must change. So if you haven't read it, go and read it first.

A Rogue is a scoundrel, overbearing, lusty, wicked, troublesome and this is only in polite company. Who would know that the man would try to amend his ways! Oh well, it can be done, but can David Reece really be that man? If you read the previous book titled What a Gentleman Wants, you couldn't believe that David could become a responsible person. He meets his match in Vivian Beechman who was in on a robbery in the coach he was riding. This story was so great, I love the exchange between David and Vivian. Ms. Linden's writing shows such depth in her characters. The story flows so sweetly but can turn sensual in a moments time. Thanks again Ms. Linden for telling David's side. Can't wait til the next one comes out. Bravo!!