From award-winning author Kelly Bowen comes an enchanting historical short story perfect for fans of Grace Burrowes, Sarah MacLean, and Tessa Dare. Can he trust her with his darkest secret? Ruthless. Dangerous. Known simply as King. No one knows his true name or where he came from. And when he learns that the man who betrayed him has returned to London, King has only one goal: vengeance. But … London, King has only one goal: vengeance. But first, he must seek out an unlikely ally to aide him in his pursuit…
Adeline Archambault is as mysterious as she is beautiful. Exiled after the French Revolution, she’s determined to reclaim her birthright and deliver the justice that is owed her. King’s offer to help her, in exchange for her assistance, is a bargain she can’t refuse. But will this deal with a devil lead to a future she never dared hope for?
40,000 words
King is the man to know if you want to deal with stolen or smuggled goods in London. Consider the lord of the underworld, he’s not one to be toyed with and he takes it very seriously when he founds a certain woman stealing from him.
Adeline Archambault is in a shady business herself and when she’s caught by the man known only as King while in the process of recovering a stolen item from him, she’ll end up striking a bargain with him in order to fulfill her contract.
I came into this story as a bonus read from another book and, though I hadn’t read the author before, it was short so I decided to give it a chance.
I’m happy to report it was a really good read, fast paced and with a few twists and turns, just like I like my stories. It’s well written and nicely developed and the only issue I could point out is that easily predicted the outcome. Still it was enjoyable and entertaining enough if you are in the market for something short to pass the time.
This is an author I see myself reading again.
King is an enigmatic character who makes key appearances throughout a number of Ms. Bowen’s novels and I was looking forward to reading his story and seeing the kind of woman he would end up with. This is a great novella, it starts off with a bang and never slows down (the benefit of the short format is that the author does not have the space for filler and the story must always move forward) while answering the questions about the mysterious King, I loved the heroine, she is a survivor like him and does not judge the choices he made to survive, This is a story of redemption and accepting the choices you are forced to make to survive. I really liked this novella and would recommend it as a quick, satisfying read.
Throughout this series we’ve known that the enigmatic character of King, with his ties to the underworld and the wrong side of the law, had deep, dark secrets. He is most definitely a scoundrel, and it will take an amazing woman to stand by his side.
Enter Adeline Archambault, a well-armed woman who can stand toe-to-toe with one of London’s most notorious men and make him sit up and take notice. Adeline, aka Adrestia (A goddess of retribution), takes on commissions to right wrongs and King becomes obsessed with the dangerous and goddess. Together they will bring down those who believe themselves above the law, and maybe prevent a dangerous predator from King’s past from doing further damage to the innocent.
An excellent entry into a very good Regency series, and highly recommended for readers who like men who love and appreciate strong and capable women.
I discovered Kelly Bowen via her story in a duology with Grace Burrowes and went in search of more of her work. This is the first of what I expect will be many stories of hers that I will enjoy. Both the hero and heroine are wounded yet decent people (deep down) and very competent at what they do. This is a winning combination for me and it was very well written. I heartily recommend this novella.
I loved to finally learn about King’s background finally and see him find the woman meant for him. I love Kelly Bowen’s prose and her skill with creating complex characters you can’t help but love. Another winner!
I loved Kelly Bowen’s “Night of the Scoundrel,” a unique and engaging tale featuring likeable characters that were incredibly well developed for such a short story. I was intrigued by the male lead character, King, when he was introduced in a previous story, so it was very exciting for me to learn more about him in this novella. At first, King seemed like such a contradiction because he was a leader of the criminal underworld but at the same time so urbane, demonstrating great interest in fine art and a talent for playing the piano. Given those interests, I wasn’t surprised to learn that King was connected to the aristocracy in his childhood. It was nice to see him get the opportunity to reclaim some of his past after the trauma of his youth, as well as find a partner like Adeline who made him so happy.
Adeline was also an intriguing lead character. She had to find a way to survive on her own after losing her parents during the French Revolution, and she came up with a very clever, if unorthodox, way of doing so that allowed her to help others at the same time. I really admired Adeline’s strength and independence, as well as her willingness to show her vulnerability with King, expressing her feelings for him even though she didn’t know how he would respond. It was lovely that King and Adeline were able to bring light to each other’s lives after they both experienced so much darkness in the past.
Even though this novella is nominally a part of the Devils of Dover series and follows up on King’s appearance in the third book, it seems to me to be more strongly connected to the Season for Scandal series because the secondary characters who appear in this story were all featured in that series. Regardless of its connection to both of those series, this novella stands very well on its own. I have only read one or two of Ms. Bowen’s earlier books but did not feel lost at any point, although it’s possible that I would have enjoyed the story even more if I fully understood the characters’ background and relationships.
At any rate, I very much look forward to reading more of Ms. Bowen’s work in the future!
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Night of the Scoundrel by Kelly Bowen is book 3.5 in The Devils of Dover Series. This is the story of Adeline and King. I have read the previous books which I think helped with my enjoyment and understanding of this one but you could make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. King is a mysterious underworld who has gotten the name King. King is out for revenge and needs the help of Adeline. Adeline is just a mysterious as King. When they start working together of course their feelings take over. I am a big fan of Ms. Bowen so this was a must read for me.
Simply known as King. No one knows his true name or where he came from. And when he learns that the man who betrayed him has returned to London, King has only one goal: vengeance.
Adeline Archambault is as mysterious as she is beautiful. Exiled after the French Revolution, she’s determined to reclaim her birthright and deliver the justice that is owed her. King’s offer to help her, in exchange for her assistance, is a bargain she can’t refuse.
A short story that certainly packs a punch & I read it in a sitting as I just couldn’t put it down. Whilst it could be read on its own I’d recommend reading the series in order to fully appreciate it. Characters of depth & a fast paced story made for a riveting read. King is an enigmatic character & I just loved him, Adeline is certainly no simpering debutante & together they sizzle. I only wish it had been longer as I didn’t want it to end.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The enigmatic King takes the stage in this new addition to the Devils of Dover series. As you may have read from many of the reviews, his story was long in coming, but well worth the wait.
One of my favorite hero’s… dark, mysterious, ruthless, but with a past that breaks your heart because you know this is a soul that needs to find love and acceptance or as near to that as possible.
He finds it in his female counterpart, Adeline Archambault. Deadly, take no prisoners and with that outer layer of armour just as King.
As these two come together, a combustable spark ignites and it may be like has found like and there may be a chance at a road to happiness if that is possible.
Amazing, intriguing, dark and romantic while keeping me riveted to the pages. What more can you ask for? Perfect
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Night Of The Scoundrel, by Kelly Bowen, is available at booksellers on 11-26-19, just in time for the holiday weekend. Scoundrel is a novella, 3.5, in The Devils Of Dover series, but works well as a stand alone. It’s always helpful to have the full background of characters in a series but not necessary. I’ve given Scoundrel a, rare for me, 5 stars. Ms Bowen gave me an adventure, mystery story with romance as a side story. I love it. Not too much sex, and what there is happens between two consenting of age adults with experience. No virgins here.
I’m drawn to anti-hero male characters. Their redemption is always a blast to read. They get their comeuppance, delivered by a loving female. King is just such a man. He’s called the king of the underworld and it fits. Smuggler is only one of his job titles. He’s got plenty of reason to be a closed off, unemotional person. I won’t tell you why, you have to read the story. He’s complicated and yet when you peel back the layers he’s a mess like everyone else. I became invested in his journey and that’s the sign of a good book.
Our heroine, Adeline Archlambault, was more difficult to like. I did like that she works to right wrongs. She’s a pistol and very good at what she does. She went from cold to hot a little quick for me. She’s complicated too, and I’m left with the feeling that she needs her own novella. What we’re told of her life is interesting and would make a good tale. Adeline and King remind me of an old joke. How do two porcupines make love? Carefully. These two are porcupines.
#Netgalley #KellyBowen #NightOfTheScoundrel #TheDevilsOfDover #HachetteBookGroup #HistoricalRomance
As the undisputed ruler of the London underworld, the man known simply as King is shrouded in danger and mystery. No one knows his true name or origins, not even the one man he calls friend. When the man who betrayed him years ago, a man he believed dead, returns to London, King is determined to have his revenge. But King can’t trust himself not to simply kill the man, so in order to make sure his enemy truly suffers, he’ll need an unlikely helper.
Adeline Archambault is also surrounded by mystery. Since her family was destroyed by the French Revolution she has lived a life in exile, working to bring peace and justice to those her hire her to seek retribution from their enemies. Now she’s determined to reclaim her family’s vineyard in France and try to find some measure of peace for herself. When King offers to help her achieve her goal in exchange for her assistance, she cannot refuse, but the unseemly deal rapidly leads her to hope for things she never dared dream of.
This book was fast-paced and I couldn’t put it down. I loved finally learning King’s story and my goodness was it heart wrenching. Even though this was only novella length, I found it to be very emotional. Adeline was the perfect foil for King and his learning how to trust and open up to another person again was as lovely as it was gut-wrenching. He had so many layers and it great to see them peeled back. With the nearly instant attraction these two had and their deeper connection beyond the physical, the pacing of their story felt perfect. This was a fantastic story with an absolutely fabulous, rather tragic anti-hero turned hero in truth.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
King’s story and what a fabulous story it is. I know everyone has been waiting on his story and it does not disappoint. King needed a love who was not the normal lady of society. Along comes Adeline who stands toe to toe with him. King is his usual standoffish self but with Adeline he comes alive. Their back and forth dialog and his, and her, emotional story really touched me. I have not cried while reading Ms. Bowen’s books but this one I could not see the page for the tears. Takeaway, it was great! A wonderful love story that I could have continued reading. Thank you Ms. Bowen.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Night of the Scoundrel
A Devils of Dover novella
Kelly Bowen
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKellyBowen/
Release date 11/26/2019
Publisher Forever Yours
Blurb :
Can he trust her with his darkest secret?
Ruthless. Dangerous. Known simply as King. No one knows his true name or where he came from. And when he learns that the man who betrayed him has returned to London, King has only one goal: vengeance. But first, he must seek out an unlikely ally to aide him in his pursuit…
Adeline Archambault is as mysterious as she is beautiful. Exiled after the French Revolution, she’s determined to reclaim her birthright and deliver the justice that is owed her. King’s offer to help her, in exchange for her assistance, is a bargain she can’t refuse. But will this deal with a devil lead to a future she never dared hope for?
My review :
When he meets a woman who can stand by him, which road will he choose …
I felt like I had slipped in a spy tale with the heroine as a feminine version of The Saint. She is skilled and determined, she needs no one’s help.
Adeline like many has lost everything due to the French Revolution, and it shaped her future, to become an avenger for those whom are left behind by justice.
And sure for her time, she is an anomaly, but never felt as if she was out of place. Even more she is justified.
King, as it is my second read by Mrs Kelly Bowen, I do not remember him but behind the mask, he is just WOWWWW, my heart beat faster at each of his appearance.
While I immediately knew what was driving Adeline, King is like his name, a mystery, he is so multi-layered, I did not know who I faced, a gentleman, a vigilante, a criminal. He is a chameleon, with many purposes and adapting to every new situations.
Why they were perfect for each other, despite she having to hide to reach her goals, and his flirting with the sunlight to attract his preys, she is the diamond to his gloom, if he chooses to step fully into the light to claim her.
It is a very emotional read Mrs Kelly Bowen offers us, and one definitively to not miss as it will make you sense the tragedy but also the love hiding in both these resilient and shrewd souls.
5 stars
I was provided through Netgalley by the publisher an advance copy, I purchased my own too.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/507343383188171?d=n&sfns=mo
Kelly Bowen did it! She totally did it! If you have been waiting for King’s story for years, as I had, fear not and grab this amazing book as soon as you can!
The dangerous, mysterious, enigmatic King, the “lord of London’s underworld”, who solves problems when others can’t, gets you what you want, and demands a steep price for it. Now King has met his match, Adeline Archambault – Adrestia – the “goddess of retribution”; she gives people peace of mind and revenge. King has one unresolved issue and Adeline will help him; this he cannot do alone.
NIGHT OF THE SCOUNDREL starts out with a bang with the introduction of the magnificent Adeline, and the story continues in the same fashion to the perfect conclusion. As much as I wanted King’s story, I was afraid some things would change, but Kelly Bowen stayed faithful to the character while providing us with his horrifying backstory, which made him the man he is.
The atmosphere remains as dark as it had been every time King appeared in a novel, where danger and secrets lurk around every corner, and few are to be trusted. This is not a story for the faint of heart; King’s world is a brutal one, so is Adeline’s. They are extraordinary characters, beautifully fleshed out, lethally seductive, ideally suited to each other, and their romance is entirely convincing. Their attraction is visceral, powerful; the romance evolves exactly as it should have.
The writing is impeccable, flowing and eloquent; the dialogues meaningful and deep; the descriptions vibrant; and every emotion – from tenderness to passion to murderous rage – expressed in startling clarity. I had hoped that Ms. Bowen would give King a satisfactory story, and she went above and beyond: NIGHT OF THE SCOUNDREL is epic, spectacular, phenomenal. It was well worth the wait; I am ecstatic! If you don’t know the fabulous King, it’s high time to meet him.