A winter’s heart…“Debonair, handsome and with a devil’s smile. How could any woman resist?”The Marquess of Winterbourne has long been guided by his Rules of the Rogue, but as emissary for the Crown, his next mission will break every single one. Sent to the wilds of Cornwall to beguile secrets from a country miss, the last thing this rogue expects is to unearth his own buried heart.A taste of … own buried heart.
A taste of spring…
“A rogue and a fribble. How could any woman succumb?”
Miss Tamsyn Penrose remains far from impressed by charming London scoundrel Lord Winterbourne, preferring a wild gallop over the moors to flashing black eyes and fulsome flattery. But as danger lurks and prejudice ebbs, she uncovers a complex man who awakens her hidden strength and arouses her forgotten fire.
Seasons collide…
Desire sparks and passion flares in this Cornish land of cove and tor. Can Tamsyn step from the shadow of her past? And will Jack Winterbourne tear up the rules for a woman who maddens his senses and thaws his heart?
A sensual Regency Romance with warmth and wit, this story also includes a fusty valet with a secondary love story, picnics, swordplay, peacocks and…piskies.
Note: contains scenes of a sexual nature.
These books can be read stand-alone or as part of the Rules of the Rogue Series.
1 – An Earl in Wolf’s Clothing
1.5 – Merry Christmas, my Viscount (Christmas novella)
2 – Let Sleeping Dukes Lie
3 – Marquess to a Flame
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Jack Winterbourne, the Marquess of Winterbourne is attending Viscount Rainham’s wedding, a marriage he takes full credit for, number 4 if anyone is counting, when Rainham tells him he has a new mission for him. Jack has been working as a spy for Rainham and is known as the “Moth” – much to his dismay. He is a rogue and a rake, his missions usually include seducing information, so he is upset to learn that the woman he must “woo” is an innocent and in Cornwall! But she may hold information that will help them find La Chauve-Souris – The Bat
Tamsyn Penrose survived an attack by La Chauve-Souris 6 years ago and did not speak for almost five years – the attack left her childhood sweetheart dead and her cut and broken. She lived in fear that he would return and kill all those she held dear. Thanks to her loving father, Sir Jago and her dear friend/companion Lowdy, she has finally regained her voice, but she is just a shadow of her former self, she is quiet, wears grey clothing and does her best to blend into the background. When she learns Jack is coming to visit her father, she is suspicious – even in Cornwall she has heard of his exploits and doesn’t believe for a second that he is coming to discuss business. She wonders if he is coming for her, but dismisses the idea after meeting him – he is a fribble!
Jack is a bit stunned by his reaction to Tamsyn, she is lovely, but she is an innocent and he may be a rogue, but he has hard-fast rules – no innocents or married women! He isn’t sure how to proceed, especially when it is clear she doesn’t like him. He is used to women falling over themselves to claim his attention and is at a loss with how to deal with one how doesn’t. Matters are further complicated by his valet (who is also his illegitimate half-brother) who seems to know Tamsyn’s companion Lowdy and possible competition in the form of a suitor for Tamsyn’s affections.
Tamsyn and Jack seem to be complete opposites and she doesn’t like him, but soon she begins to realize that Jack is not all that he seems. She tries her best to wheedle information about his true purpose for visiting, but he manages to evade answering for several days. But while trying to glean her secrets, Jack finds himself sharing his own with her. When she learns the truth about his visit, she shocks him by agreeing to tell him everything that happened. Too long has she lived in fear and she wants to be free again. She shares her story with him and he holds her, encouraged, she shares her with him her final shame. Jack is angry, not at Tamsyn, but at the monster who hurt her, he swears to keep her safe and kisses her. He cares for her, but doesn’t believe that it is in his nature to truly love someone, he is a Winterbourne and they are all rogues, he will only end up breaking her heart and he cares too much to let that happen.
This is a well written, fast paced, complex tale that is both emotional and entertaining. Jack and Tamsyn are both incredibly easy to like and your heart will break as you learn of their pasts, you will laugh with them, cry with them and want to smack them both for being fools, but more than anything, you will love them and root for their HEA. They are complimented by a wonderful cast of secondary characters, who add a lightness to the story and keep our hero and heroine grounded. There is action, secrets, steamy love scenes, cameos from the previous heroes and heroines as well as Lord Byron, a truly evil villain, sword fights, a drunk companion writing hilarious letters, spies, surprises, ogling ladies, a peacock and probably the best declaration scene I have ever read. This book is the third in the series and it can easily be read as a stand-alone title without any problem, but do yourself a favor and read the series in order!
This line from the book blurb hooked me: “A rogue and a fribble. How could any woman succumb?”
A thoroughly enjoyable historical romance.
I loved everything about this book! The romance, intrigue, characters, and the fabulous witticisms.
While book 2 is full of inventive “Irish” curses, here there are numerous -and confusing – Cornish sayings. I have no idea if any are real or stem from the author’s imagination, but they’re certainly entertaining.
The prologue brought on an “Oh, no!” and is sobering. Quick change to London and Jack gets his next assignment in the Crown’s service.
I enjoyed the subtle humor as Jack meets his match.
Oh, how the mighty rogue has fallen. From the moment they met when she almost trampled him you know he’s met his match. She needed him to bring back the fire and he needed her to find his heart. They surprise you and each other at every turn with how they interact and understand each other. The scene with the months just has all the feels and you know they are soul mates.
You will be shocked with just how close the danger lurks and not seeing coming or who it is. I couldn’t decide between two people throughout the story and was still surprised in the end. I love a good sword fight and this one does not disappoint.
The added second love story of Oliver and Lowdy was also amazing. They were meant for each other and both just needed a little push.
Tamsyn survived a terrifying event and is just starting to live again when it all comes back to haunt her. I loved her from the start because that spark in her was waiting to fully come back. She saw the real him that others didn’t and knew she wanted him even if she would have to let him go.
Jack is very much the peacock that loves attention. But as soon as he interacts with Oliver you know there is more to him. He knows how to lift someone up and never lies. I loved that he thought he had caught something because he didn’t believe he could love. He’s been a favorite of mine since the other books he’s been in.
I loved how her father and so many others could see what was between them and kept pushing them to admit it. The scene in the ballroom said it all to everyone that he had fallen. I’m so glad that the weddings were included because everything that happened there made me smile.
What a great story for Jack!
A vicious attack left Miss Tamsyn Penrose hiding in silence for years, too terrified to say a word about who hurt her.
Now she is starting to recover with the help of her friend.
Jack, the Marquess of Winterbourne works as a spy for the Crown. His best friends and fellow spies have one by one found love, usually with a little matchmaking from him. Now he is being sent to the wild coast of Cornwall to get information on a particularly vicious French spy. He is much more used to the hustle and bustle of life in the city, he is sure to be bored so far from anything remotely exciting.
Our heroine is much stronger than she ever believed, and she will need every ounce of that strength. Our hero is a very well known rogue. Nobody knows better than him that a persons reputation doesn’t always reflect the truth.
A very exciting story full of danger and fun. All characters have lots personality. This is part of a series but each book can be read on it’s own. It will probably tempt you to read the rest in the series. They are all well worth reading.
I loved it.
Finally, Jack’s story! The indomitable rogue finds his match in lovely Tamsyn, a Cornish lady with a troubled past. She isn’t impressed by Jack’s charm and doesn’t believe in his good heart.
Another well-written, fast-paced, and light-hearted novel full of romantic moments, witty remarks, and a bit of suspense.
Also, a fierce peacock and a conversation with Lord Byron!
I am loving the Rules of the Rogue series! Jack and Tamsyn were both characters to like. He was an affable rogue, she a strong and likable heroine, not wishy-washy or combative. I loved the honesty between them (except they weren’t so honest about their feelings for a while), and the storyline was enough to keep you turning pages. Looking forward to reading another in the series (reading out of order, but it works).
Another beautiful story with great characters
This is another beautifully written story, that has a plot full of intrigue. The characters are brilliantly crafted and have the strength required to overcome their fears and obstacles. This is a brilliant book that would be suitable for all those who love steamy historical romances, that have a bit of suspense.