Encounters with a Rogue

Fun read

A pair of charming Regency romances with depth

This boxed set contains two previously published novellas, so make sure that you don’t already own both before you buy this.
“An Unexpected Encounter” is a unique and heartwarming governess romance. I am impressed with Deb Marlowe’s astute grasp of the subtleties of human nature and interactions. The tenderness between the young lady Lizbeth and 8-year-old Aurelia is really touching. Aurelia is such a lovely child dealing with the grief of her parents’ deaths. Lord Cotsworth is an idiosyncratic, reclusive man who has been hiding from society in a way, but this young girl becomes his ward. The hero and heroine were both likable and admirable. This is an excellent and must-read example of governess-themed romance. FYI, there is only one somewhat steamy and lightly graphic love scene.
The subtle strategizing by the characters reminds me of Courtney Milan’s Brothers Sinister series. Courtney Milan fans should try this Half Moon series by Deb Marlowe, especially this one. I also really love that this novella is bookended with scenes showcasing how the smart and bold Hestia Wright, an illustrious former courtesan, is helping people. I do not know of any other historical romance series doing anything quite like it. Furthermore, we see a fascinatingly intimate moment of Hestia’s letting us know a secret from her past.

I also fell in love with the second novella, “A Waltz in the Park”. Deb Marlowe is a really good Regency romance writer. If you like Candice Hern, Lisa Kleypas, or Sabrina Jeffries, try this novella.
James Vickers is a viscount’s son with a bad reputation, and he is having an ongoing battle with his father. Adelaide is a young lady entering society who trying to do right by her family while also trying to be true to herself. The main characters in this book have complex motivations and are quite likeable. These two people are not one-dimensional at all. The author also does a great job with the couple’s interactions and conversation with each other. There are some swoon-worthy moments! I also really like the plot developments. In addition, there are some unique and sparkling secondary characters. I really want Hestia to have her happily ever after, too. This novella is a “clean” romance (just kissing), which was really nice. I can recommend it to a wider audience who want romance without the love scenes.
I received a free advanced reading copy from the author, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

An Unexpected Encounter – Deb Marlowe (Deb Marlowe – Sept 2013)

Tall, practical girls might not be worth much in a man’s world, but Miss Lisbeth Moreton knows she’s worth more than the squire’s prized heifer. To change her fate she’s run off to a date with destiny at the British Museum. Her would-be suitor never shows, but an unexpected encounter with Lord Cotwell and his lonely ward might lead to altogether new prospects . . . and perhaps to love.

Good book. Lisbeth fled her home when her stepfather attempted to arrange a marriage for her in exchange for a prize bull. She agreed to meet a friend at the British Museum, but he never showed up, leaving her stranded with nowhere to go. Hestia Wright, a former courtesan who now helps other women, asked her to keep an eye on an unattended young girl until she can return to assist her. Lisbeth and the little girl, Aurelia, connect quickly. When Aurelia’s guardian, Lord Cotwell, tracks her down, Aurelia is quick to engineer a way to keep Lisbeth as her governess.

Edmund, Lord Cotwell, is a big bear of a man, gruff and reclusive, who has no clue how to deal with his ward. She ended up with him when her original guardian refused even to see the girl. Aurelia’s father was Edmund’s best friend, and he wants to do the right thing. Hiring Lisbeth relieves his worries over her care.

I enjoyed the development of Edmund and Lisbeth’s relationship. Tired of how Society treats him because of his size and social awkwardness, Edmund spends his time shut away in his laboratory working on his inventions. Lisbeth suffered years of her stepfather’s constant denigration of her looks and abilities. They first become friends as they share their concern for Aurelia and her grief over her parents’ deaths. Lisbeth also takes over as housekeeper, bringing order to Edmund’s home and life. Edmund, who locked away his emotions years earlier, finds those feelings stirring back to life around the two females. Lisbeth also feels a growing connection to Edmund though neither feels that they are good enough for the other. A crisis with Aurelia creates the opportunity for some soul-searching, but it’s a different encounter that opens Edmund’s eyes to the truth. I loved his big moment at the end.

A Waltz in the Park – Deb Marlowe (Deb Marlowe – Feb 2015)

James Vickers once believed honor and family duty to be his life’s work. Now he knows better–and he’s appointed himself as silent witness to his father’s sins. His greatest goal is to act as the continuously pricking thorn in his lordship’s side–and scandal is his greatest weapon. He has no use for an innocent young miss.

Propriety is Miss Adelaide Stockton’s most important asset. She must be all that is prim and proper if she’s to live down her parent’s misdeeds and have any hope of catching a husband. She must avoid scoundrels like Vickers at all costs.

Yet fate has thrown them together–and given each a key to the other’s ambition. A bargain is struck…but together they find that gaining what one desires most is far more difficult than a waltz in the park.

Very good story. I liked this one much better than An Unexpected Encounter. The characters were more interesting and the story more complex. Addy is a young woman whose life has been upended by the death of her mother. Her father leaves her and her baby sister with relatives and goes off on a journey alone. Addy’s great-aunt believes the best thing to do is marry Addy off as soon as possible, while Addy isn’t so sure. She tries to be everything her aunt requires while wanting to be true to herself. It isn’t an easy process, especially after she catches sight of James Vickers across a crowded ballroom.

James cultivated a scandalous reputation intentionally. Once proud of his family name, everything changed after he learned something horrifying about his father. Now he uses scandal to remind his father of what he knows. James appeared in the previous book, An Unexpected Encounter, as the friend who let Lisbeth down and rejected his guardianship of Aurelia. A conversation with his friend Hestia at the end of that book turned his efforts in a slightly different direction, still against his father but with a changed intent. While his scandalous reputation remains, his pursuit of it diminished, and a more honorable man begins to emerge.

I liked the first meeting between Addy and James. He is determined to speak with Addy’s chaperone, her cousin Rosemond, who was one of his father’s mistresses. Rosemond put those wild days behind her to help with Addy’s season and wants nothing to do with him. Addy promises James that she will help him with Rosemond if he introduces her to Hestia. James hesitates because he can’t see how an innocent can help him but decides to give her a chance. The attraction that flares between them complicates matters.

I loved the complex and complicated steps that James and Addy had to take to carry out their plans. Addy has quite the inventive mind, while James has plenty of experience in sneaking around. As their search for the proof James needs against his father throws them together frequently, James and Addy learn more about each other. The more they know, the greater the feelings that develop between them, but the obstacles in front of them grow too. The tension mounted as they came closer to finding what was needed. I ached for them both when using that information could destroy Addy’s family. Both James and Addy had decisions to make after harsh words flew between them. James received some excellent advice and used it effectively to solve part of his problem. Meanwhile, Addy faced her role in their argument and realized she had a choice to make. I loved her big moment as she showed James how important he was to her. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up to the story.

#netgalley

Two easy stories that keep you involved and happy.

What more can you ask for? Two stories in one book! These novellas are part of the Half Moon House series and together you will see one character pass over to the second novella.
An Unexpected Encounter- Elizabeth Moreton refuses to marry the man her step father has chosen. She will not be traded for chattel! She decides to take matters into her own hands and makes her way to London. But as things often go, she ends up alone and maneuvers herself into pretending to be a governess for a ward of Lord Edmund Cotwell. Edmund has become a recluse and has cut himself off from society. This is the story of two souls who need to be rescued but can they find happiness?
A Waltz in the Park – James Vickers and Miss Adelaide Stockton have their own agenda. James does anything to thwart his awful father and tries to act the reckless rake. Adelaide tries to act with the strictest of propriety in order to not create any scandal in her life. She has endured enough from her mother’s fall. These two who seem the opposite meet and cannot help to be attracted. Can they aid each other? This is really a lovely romance and has a lot of humor and the story goes quickly
I loved both of these books and recommend you read these and the rest of the series. Prepare your heart to be warmed!!