Dashing and rakish by day, secretive and daring by night, Reed Valentine, Duke of Keswick’s uncanny ability to lie at a moment’s notice makes him an ideal candidate to spy for His Majesty’s Secret Service. But now that the war is over, and Napoleon is exiled to the island of St. Helena, he finds himself adrift. The life of a wealthy nobleman isn’t enough to satisfy him.When the government tasks … tasks him with one last mission—to find out who is trying to kill Napoleon—Reed takes on the job with gusto. Disguising himself, he slips into the Romani world while convinced that one of them will know who was responsible for the attempt.
Orelia finds herself charmed by the stranger in their midst. When he comes to her rescue, however, that infatuation quickly comes to an end. As far as Orelia is concerned, the Romanis are being used as scapegoats—as usual. She’s determined to prove Reed wrong.
Together, they set out to find the truth. With their combined quick tongues and ability to slip in and out of society, it should be easy. But the more time spent together, the harder it becomes to understand—why can’t a duke and a poor gypsy girl be together? Will their wits be enough to carry them through their treacherous journey and bring them together, or will their differences and the danger force them apart?
more
The Rake Who Rescued Me Samantha Holt is the story of Reed Valentine, Duke of Keswick and Orelia.
Reed was a spy for His Majesty’s Secret Service but now he is living as a board title man. When he gets the opportunity to got back undercover to find out who is trying to kill Napoleon, he jumps at the chance. Along the way he meets Orelia who is living with her mother and working as a fortune teller.
There he saves Orelia from her mother’s lover and learns that her mother is selling off her daughter, Orelia. Reed offers to buy Orelia and this sets in motion for Reed and Orelia to take off to solve the mystery of Napoleon.
This book took me in from just the first few pages and I could not put it down! Loved it!
This is a wonderful, romantic story that is rich in intrigue and suspense. Reed is charming, gallant, caring, amusing and resourceful. Orelia is smart, brave and strong. While investigating a matter for the crown, Reed ends up buying Orelia from her mother to save her from a bad marriage. He puts her to work helping him investigate her people, and the longer they work with each other, the more he discovers how amazing she is. They have fun with the parts they play, even though the situation is dangerous, and gradually become very close. They know that society will not welcome a Romani into it’s folds, and Orelia is looking forward to her freedom, but that doesn’t stop them from falling in love. There’s an intense twist to the investigation that puts them at odds with their futures, but loyalty and love come together in the end. I loved this story and I hope that Noah will get himself a HEA too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksprout. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
Reed St. Vincent, Duke of Keswick, once a spy for the crown, has been given one last mission. He must find who is attempting to assassinate Napoleon, an act which would surely mean a return to war with the French. Based on information from the Secret Service, he goes to the Romani camp near his home to search for leads. While there he rescues Orelia from abuse from her mother’s lover and from being sold into a potentially more abusive marriage. How does he do this? Well, he buys her himself. The two of them team up to investigate and discover the assassins. They work well together and like each other. Even though they come from different worlds in society, they develop an easy friendship. That’s all that can be between them, or is it? Will they catch the bad guys? Is there a happily ever after in their adventure for either of them, both, together?
The Rake Who Rescued Me is a solid page-turner full of adventure, mystery, danger, lots of humor, and romance. Reed and Orelia have a wonderful chemistry, entertaining and funny. There is so much more to both of them beneath the surface. The story is fast paced and exciting with twists, turns and surprises right up the end. Samantha has another hit with this one, and I highly recommend it to fans of historical romance.
Hampshire, England 1815 Reed Valentine was a Duke, but grew bored quickly at his mundane life. That is why he had his brother taking care of estate business while he maintained his activities as a spy for the Crown! Unfortunately, the war was over and he only had one more small mission to complete. Find a villain that is thought to be a gypsy. So what does he do? Go to the Romani camp disguised of course and he ends up with beautiful half Romani/half English gypsy Orelia. There is an entire story in how that happened! Needing her to help him ferret out the suspects he takes her home and they begin their investigations. Of course, the unexpected happens and an attraction forms. But how can a gypsy and an English peer work together, much less have a romance? A delightful story that takes you through some intrigue, suspense and great characters as Samantha Holt can only conjure up! Cannot wait for hopefully Noah’s story!!
Wasn’t interested in finishing
THE RAKE WHO RESCUED ME is a stand-alone historical romance. The romantic in me suggests that there should be a companion novel for Reed’s brother, Noah.
There is a modernity to the attitudes of Reed and Orelia – women and men working together as spies for the good of the government – that runs in juxtaposition to the Regency era that I thought just proved that people are the same no matter the period.
Orelia is at times strong, but vulnerable, a perfect picture of all of us kittens who want to roar. I love how Reed encourages her to roar! I love how they roar together!! This is a wonderful romance, sweet-spy adventure, and story of acceptance in differences (gypsies, disabilities, classifications – it doesn’t matter!).
I will always one-click a book available from Samantha Holt! I’m sure you heard me squee from here to where you live when I saw this one put online. Now, I’m going through my Kindle to see what I have next…. See you soon!
Title: THE RAKE WHO RESCUED ME
Series: N/A
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Received from: Amazon purchase
An interesting twist in Regency characters, with addition of Romanies. Unpredictable good characters
So – so
I loved it
Samantha Holt NEVER disappoints. This story is a nice change from the usual “ton” stories.
Made you believe you are right there with them.
This book had intrigue, suspense, romance & endearing characters. Reed Valentine, Duke of Keswick, has been a spy for the Crown during the war & had turned the “Duke duties” over to his younger brother, Noah while he continued spying. Now the war is over & Reed is bored until the Crown contacts him with one final mission. His last mission is to find the person or group of gypsies attempting to murder Napoleon which would throw England back in the a war again. He begins his investigation & immediately meets Orelia, a lovely half English/half Romani in their gypsy camp. After a few conversations & unexpected dangers, Reed takes her home to start their investigations – he wants to prove the Romani gypsies guilty & she want to prove them innocent. Well, shocking but they find themselves attracted to one another along the way but a Romani Gypsy & a Duke – NEVER SAY IT! I highly recommend this great story to all historical romance readers & I personally can’t wait for the next book – I hope it is Noah’s story!
4.5 Stars
Reed Valentine, Duke of Keswick’s been a spy for His Majesty’s Secret Service. However the war is over, and Napoleon is exiled to the island of St. Helena, he finds himself adrift. When the government tasks him with one last mission to find out who is trying to kill Napoleon Reed takes on the job with gusto. Disguising himself, he slips into the Romani world while convinced that one of them will know who was responsible for the attempt. Orelia finds herself charmed by the stranger in their midst. When he comes to her rescue, however, that infatuation quickly comes to an end. As far as Orelia is concerned, the Romanis are being used as scapegoats. She’s determined to prove Reed wrong. Together, they set out to find the truth.
Another well written page turning read from the author. The characters are well portrayed & I loved the charming Reed. The attraction between Reed & Orelia is there from their first meeting & as they work together it grows & grows. The pace of the story is also very good & flows extremely well & you are kept guessing as to who’s responsible for the attempts on Napoleon’s life. I did feel the ending was a little rushed but didn’t detract from a very enjoyable read.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read