One smuggler. One princess. One stolen jewel. One night that leads to breathtaking adventure and scandalous romance…Disguised as a lowly dancing girl, Princess Ashiana sets out to reclaim a priceless jewel stolen from her family by notorious English smuggler Saxon D’Avenant. But when her secret mission goes awry, she finds herself trapped aboard Saxon’s ship–and swept into passion in her … passion in her enemy’s arms. From an emperor’s royal palace to the sunlit seas of the Bay of Bengal to the fog-shadowed streets of London, the princess and her seafaring scoundrel are caught up in dangerous secrets, swashbuckling adventure…and a forbidden love that may cost them everything.
“An addictive tale of adventure and love. You’ll enjoy every page!” -Sabrina Jeffries, New York Times Bestselling Author
If you love protective alpha male heroes, edge-of-your-seat adventure, and scorching love scenes, discover why readers are raving about Shelly Thacker’s Escape with a Scoundrel series!
The Escape with a Scoundrel Series
These sexy bad boys are on the wrong side of the law–and willing to break all the rules to protect the women they love. Each book is a stand-alone steamy historical romance:
Book 1: ESCAPE WITH A SCOUNDREL (Nicholas and Samantha)
Book 2: HER SCOUNDREL EARL (Marcus and Elizabeth)
Book 3: ONE NIGHT WITH A SCOUNDREL (Saxon and Ashiana)
Book 4: A SCOUNDREL’S KISS (Max and Marie)
more
Wow, what an adventure! From start to finish, this story is filled with action and quite a few times I held my breath, wondering what was going to happen next. Very well written with characters so real, you feel every one of their emotions.
Ashiana is caught between two worlds, knowing that she is half English but prefers to follow the Hindi customs of her adoptive father, the Maharaja. When she’s told to act as a spy to try to get the 9th missing blue sapphire from notorious English smuggler Saxon D’Avenant, she embarks on an adventure that she had no idea she’d ever be on!! Saxon doesn’t trust easily but falls for Ashiana and theirs is a passion so great, when he learns of her duplicity, your heart just breaks for both of them.
From the exotic islands of India to the cold and foggy weather in England, Ashiana and Saxon’s story is one filled with danger, enemies, lies and secrets, as well as the importance of family and hope and finding out, in Ashiana’s case, where she truly belongs.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Book three of Escape with a Scoundrel Series a well written story that kept me turning pages. This is Princess Ashiana and English smuggler Saxon D’Avenant’s story of suspense, drama, danger, twists, turns, cursed jewels, and romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
One Night with a Scoundrel (Escape with a Scoundrel Series Book 3) by Shelly Thacker is a dramatic, suspenseful Historical Romance set from an emperor’s royal palace to the seas of the Bay of Bengal to the fog-shadowed streets of London.
While, book 3 it can can be read as a stand alone.
Breathtaking suspense, mystery, stolen jewels, danger, secrets and love.
Follow, Princess Ashiana, disguised as a lowly dancing girl, and Saxon D’Avenant, a smuggler and a seafaring captain, on a journey that is addictive, steamy and powerful.
Ashiana and Saxon’s path to happiness is entertaining to read about, with secrets, misunderstandings, drama, intrigue, romance and some steamy scenes to a completely addictive story of family, curses, and surprises.
I absolutely loved this story from the first page to the last page. Grabbed me from the start. Steady paced, intriguing, adventurous, captivating and entertaining. Well done, Ms. Thacker!
A must read for fans of Historical Romance, adventure, romance, mystery and suspense. An absolute thrill ride of a story!!
“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.”
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Steamy
Reviewer: AprilR
Ashiana de Canto e Calda is the adopted daughter of the Maharaja of the Ajmir Clan. Her English mother died when she was a baby and her Portuguese father was slain before her by English pirates seeking the Nine Sapphires of Kashmir. Ashiana has been raised as a Ajmir Princess and is betrothed to the Maharaja’s son Rao. She has a deep and abiding hatred for the English and longs to fit in with the Ajmir clan. So when her adopted father tells her the truth of the Sapphires and asks for her help retrieving the stolen gem she agrees without a moment of hesitation.
Lord Saxon D’Avenant’s late father was a scoundrel, the Duke of Silverton, stole a sacred sapphire from the clan of Ajmir and brought a curse down on the family. Saxon was the duke’s the second son and was charged with breaking the curse that killed his father and threatens the life of his youngest brother. He must reunite the stolen gem with the other eight stones and he has spent the last ten years of his life trying to do just that and it has cost him much. His latest attempt nearly killed him and gave his enemy, the Earl of Greyslake the opportunity to destroy him – by killing the woman Saxon married. When Saxon’s brother Julian finds him, Saxon is on the brink of losing himself. Julian refuses to let him give up and tells him of a way to finally break the curse. They will attend an event that the Maharaja will be at and hopefully learn where the sapphires are hidden. But it is not the Maharaja who attends the gathering – it is a harem girl. Saxon is horrified to find himself attracted to the girl, he tries to ignore the awareness between them and when his host gives him the girl as a gift, he wants to refuse, but Julian convinces him to accept and to see what he can learn from the girl.
Ashiana is also stunned by the attraction she feels towards the Englishman and when she meets with him later, she almost falls under his seductive spell and forgets her mission. She is tempted by him, but recalls her hatred and drugs him, steals the sapphire he wears in a pouch around his neck, but she can’t kill him or leave him to die. She ensures his safety and takes her leave – planning to meet with a clansman to take her away. But before she make her escape, she is caught by Julian, she lies and says Saxon told her to collect her belongings and he would take her with him when he leaves. Julian believes her and insists on taking her to Saxon’s ship – much to her dismay!
To say that Saxon was less than pleased to be reunited with Ashiana would be a huge understatement. But he knows she is the key to breaking the curse and vows to learn her secrets, find the sapphires and fulfill his duty to his family. And Ashiana is equally determined to outwit Saxon and stop him from finding the sapphires, no matter what the cost.
This was truly an epic tale, it is well written and it flows wonderfully but it did have a very strong late-80’s bodice ripper vibe (albeit a toned down version). I enjoyed this story, it is not your typical Georgian romance, this story is filled with action, adventure, deception, secrets, more lies, steamy love scenes, shipwrecks, abductions, sacrifice, betrayal, heartache, wonderful characters, priceless gems, a tiger and a very hard-won HEA. I must mention that despite the author’s effort to rewrite this story to appeal to a more modern audience and for the most part being successful – there is one sex scene in the book that might be offensive to sensitive readers – it is not rape or even “forced seduction” – but it might be upsetting nonetheless. I, personally, was not offended and although it did not endear me to Saxon, it did not ruin the story for me. This is the third book in the series, but the books are not connected and can be read as stand-alone titles. I liked this book and would be happy to recommend it with the notation that there is a scene that might upset more sensitive readers.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*
I loved this story! There’s adventure, suspense, romance, angst, and much more. This is the first book in this series that I’ve read and I’m planning to read the rest.
It is a good thing that I knew I could expect a HAE. There were so many twists and turns that I was not sure we would ever get there. Lots of adventure and excitement and the romance is beautiful. I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Saxon & Ashiana’s story was a wonderful journey into steamy tropical nights, evil kidnappers, revenge and love…and a tiger.
Shelly Thacker does a great job drawing the reader from lush tropical islands, into London’s society and shipboard adventures, skillfully weaving the love story of Saxon and Princess Ashiana.
Ashiana’s adoptive family convinces her that Englishman Saxon has stolen one of a legendary set of jewels from them, and she is sent to spy on and assassinate him to protect their tribe from running away to hide the jewels again and again. Saxon is unwillingly bewitched by Ashiana, but as bits of both their secrets come to light piece by piece, the pair are faced with dangers from all directions, as well as their mistrust of each other.
When faced with making ultimate sacrifices to save each other, true love does finally triumph in a quite unexpected manner.
I received a copy of this in return for an honest review, and I’m happy to say that I loved this adventure, and I loved the HEA most of all!
Really enjoyed this sexy, fun, action packed and emotional journey filled with exciting charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and undeniable passion….. was a great read! Highly entertaining and engaging romantic adventure!
Ashiana de Canto e Calda father was killed and he asked his good friend the Maharaja to raise his daughter and he adopted her and she became the daughter of the Maharaja of the Ajmir Clan. She is half English, but she has a deep hatred for the English since they murdered her father. Princess Ashiana will do anything for her adoptive family and she sets out to reclaim a priceless jewel stolen from her family by notorious English smuggler the Duke of Silverton Lord Saxon D’Avenant father. When he stole a sacred sapphire from the clan of Ajmir and brought a curse down on the family and Saxon needs all nine jewels to break the curse and save his youngest brother Max.
She disguises herself as a hareem girl to seduce the Englishman to recover the sapphire jewel and return it to the Ajmir, but fate intervenes and these two are set on a grand adventure across the seas. He thinks she’s a thief and harem girl and she knows he’s an arrogant English Captain she must not fall for in order to keep all the jewels safe. A great book has it all it’s filled with passion, adventure, sacrifice, betrayal, heartache, and a pet tiger. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.
Ashiana. What a sweetheart. Strong, smart, beautiful, faithful, and courageous.
Ashiana has been brought up as the adopted daughter of the Maharaja of Ajmir after her father was killed by pirates when she was six. Legend says that there are nine sapphires of Ajmir and many have been looking for them for years. Ashiana has always believed it was myth but then she is asked to try to get back one that was stolen by an Englishman’s family years ago. She gets the sapphire back from Saxon D’Avenant but ends up on his ship before she can return all nine to the Maharaja. This leads to a voyage of knowledge, betrayal, forgiveness, and eventually love. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Such a different story. The beginning gives us separate stories on each one. The way each delves into their lives is heart breaking and you feel their sorrow.
I must admit I didn’t care for either of them in the beginning. They each had their own motives and I am not a fan of secrets. The h more than the H manipulative the situation. There isn’t romance until the last 1/4 of the story. The H made a promise to his deceased wife and he seemed to forget it immediately. I would have liked him more if he hadn’t spoken of his undying love and promises.
There is a lot of lovemaking, outside of marriage, heat level 4 out of 5 at least, not erotic.
The ending was amazing and I really got into the story and felt a connection to them. When they started to be honest with each other the story meshed.
We have a nasty villain, a lot of suspense and twists, romance near the end, interesting secondary character’s. The h is smart and creative and can take care of herself. The H we discover is loyal and will do anything for his family.
This is my first story in the series, and I wasn’t lost, so is a stand alone. This author writes so vividly that you swear you could feel the heat of the island and the smells. I felt I was experiencing what they were experiencing.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, some romance, steam, suspense and a unique story line.
I received an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own and voluntarily given. (ljb)
Ashiana and Saxon had a long journey to their happiness. They braved so many things to be together. Ashiana is white, but lives with her adopted people. When they ask where her loyalties lie, she sides with them. They send her recover and reunite some gems that are very important to their people. Saxon isn’t looking for the rest of the gems to steal them, he is trying to save his brother. Ashiana might think all English are greedy thieves, but Saxon is very honorable. Once they face many dangers together, they just might find that they have a strong love. She doesn’t feel she can live in England, it is too cold. Saxon has someone trying to kill those close to him and he doesn’t want to put one more person’s life in jeopardy. Can they find some kind of compromise so they can be together?
There are awesome characters in this one.
What a truly grand tale it is so well written with a great flow and awesome characters. Ashiana and Saxon’s path to happiness is not clear cut but so entertaining to read about. There are secrets and misunderstanding, drama and intrigue, romance and oh some steamy scenes to a very complete story overall. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
One Night With a Scoundrel
Escape with a Scoundrel series book 3
by Shelly Thacker
A fantastic addictive read! One princess disguised as a dancing harem girl and one notorious second son of a Duke that’s all bad boy persona have the pages sizzling, with their slow burn attraction!
I was so captivated by the story I couldn’t put it down, it definitely kept hooked till the last page. I loved Ashiana de Canto e Calda she wasn’t the true daughter of the Maharajah, but his adopted daughter when her father was killed protecting the location of Nine Saphires of Kashmir. Interestingly enough Saxons father had one of the seven jewels and Saxon is tasked with retrieving the rest to put a stop to the curse that took his father’s life, which now his younger brother is in danger of succumbing to the curse as well. Ashiana is of Portuguese and English decent but had lived all her life with Ajmir clan since the death of her dear father. Never really belonging she’s tasked of retrieving the stolen jewel that Saxon has on his person and thus begins their tale of intrigue mystery and sizzling attraction that has all the feels of one epic read! A romance that’s bound to leave a phenomenal impression!
I highly recommend this fast paced read by the very talented Shelly Thacker! I voluntary read an ARC gifted by the author, this is my honest unbiased opinion.
A few years ago, I discovered Shelly Thacker in my library’s ebook section and took a chance on this new to me author with her adventurous medieval romance series, Stolen Brides (highly recommend them). I was NOT disappointed! She has such talent for creating unforgettable characters and imaginative stories. So, last week when a chance was offered to read an advanced copy of a rewritten and revamped version of One Night With a Scoundrel, I was excited to do so and this is my honest, unbiased review of it.
What a thrill to have a chance to read another outstanding historical romance by this talented author, set this time in a different period-the 1740’s and taking place on land and seas from England to India along with many destinations in between.
As the story begins, 6 year old Princess Ashiana was rescued from her burning ship after her captain father was ruthlessly killed by English pirates seeking the mythological Sapphires of Kashmir. Her savior that day- her fathers dear friend, the Maharaja of Clan Ajmir. There is nothing she wouldn’t do for her adopted father and family, to fit into their society, or to repay them for taking her in and providing her with this life of luxury.
Saxon D’Avenant, a duke’s aristocratic second son and sea captain for the British East India Company, has been searching in vane for the gemstones that cursed first his father, now his younger brother for the better part of 10 years. His promise to his father to break the curse by uniting his one stolen gemstone to the 8 remaining sapphires has just about broken him, mentally and physically but he’ll do what’s needed to save his brothers life. What his sarcastic, jaded mind doesn’t expect in his wildest dreams is that in coming back to India, the beautiful ‘dancing girl’ given to him for his pleasure will also inevitably be the one to bring him to his knees as his search for those gems continues.
This begins the sweeping saga that forces the wary, suspicious Saxon and sweet, seductive Ashiana together as they both try to do whatever it takes to get those not so mythic Sapphires for themselves and bring all 9 of them together as they are meant to be. Each wanting those stones for their own selfish purposes- prepared to do whatever it takes to get them back to where THEY think those gems belong, in the hands of THEIR own people.
From the high seas, where they form an unexpected bond, to the shipwrecked island where survival, hurt, deceit and betrayal all play their parts, Ashiana and Saxon are forever linked in their reluctant hearts and minds. Two entirely different individuals with nothing much in common but their mission, yet everything they could ever want might be found in each other, if they would only listen to those little voices in their heads. Finally rescued and taken to England, Saxon is reunited with his family, who welcome him with open arms after years apart, while vengeful foes await both he and Ashiana, ready and willing to kill for those precious gems!
This was quite an exciting, no holds barred, suspenseful book that had so many twists and turns everywhere you looked that I could barely put it down. A reminder why I love this author, how much a witty, clever and steamy historical romance can capture your heart and attention until the last wonderful page is turned. I hadn’t read anything like this for so long and it was my pleasure to read about all the interesting, well developed characters, the colorful descriptions and exotic locations that added so many layers to this story.
I’ve already gone back to look for other books to read in this time frame although One Night with a Soundrel can be read as standalone. I hope to see more of this couple in the next book featuring Saxon’s younger brother, Max. Its sure to be another ‘not to be missed’ book by Shelly Thacker and it’ll be on my to be read list, waiting for me to find!
What a detailed account of the twist and turn of this adventurous story. I like Ashiana, she’s strong, faithful, frank and so innocently sheltered. She’s also beholden and unprepared for the power of attraction. I like Saxon too, he’s rough around the edges, prideful, determined but he has a good heart. I enjoyed reading their story, it’s full of action, mayhem, revelation and undeniable attraction and pivotal journey to true love. I was provided a free copy without obligation from the author and am voluntarily reviewing.
An adventure from beginning to end that takes you through many locals and assorted characters that does not stop until the last page.
This is the story of a woman raised by the Maharaja of the Ajmir Clan after her parents had died is tasked to help obtain a stolen jewel by the English. Lord Saxon’s late father had stolen that jewel and their family had been cursed ever since. He has been trying to return it to it’s owner and the other stones that make up the set for years and has barely been able to avoid death.
As these two come together, not all is as it seems and the two have a long tumultuous journey to find their HEA.
Prepare to settle down as you get lost in the pages of this great story!
A daring story with two very determined people. Ashiana is an outsider who is trying to prove herself to her adopted family. Sacan is on a mission to save his family from disaster. This is truly an adventure story as these two fight amongst themselves and the enemy. Throw in a baby tiger and you have all the makings of a fun disaster. As they battle and defy death they find that the one thing that can truly make them happy is each other.
When her father is killed by English pirates looking for the Sapphires of Kashmir, 6 year old Ashiana, is rescued by her father’s friend, the Maharaja of Kashmir. She is raised as his daughter, a princess in the household. Years have passed and others have come looking for the sapphires, but when a ruthless Englishman comes looking, Ashiana is asked to help defend them. This Englishman has one of the sapphires and is trying to acquire the rest of them. Many years ago, his father stole that one that is currently in his possession. Ashiana is tasked with getting the sapphire back from him and reuniting it with the other Sapphires of Kashmir. Knowing that she has never really been accepted by her new family because of her English blood, Ashiana accepts this challenge, hoping that it will finally give the others a reason to accept her.
Saxon is on a mission to get the rest of the sapphires as he knows that is the reason his brother was stricken with an illness was because of the curse on the sapphires. If he can only reunite them, the curse should be lifted. When he learns that the harem woman, that he is to be given, once lived in Kashmir, he decides to take advantage of their evening together to see what she knows about the sapphires. She claims to know nothing about them, but he later wakes up to find out that he had been drugged and the sapphire that was once in his possession is now gone.
Through dumb luck, he finds Ashiana on his ship and he plans to take her as he continues his search. He didn’t count on falling for her. But when he learns there is more to the story than what he thought, what will happen to their budding romance?
Please be aware that this story was previously published in 1993. It was titled Silver and Sapphires and was part of the D’Avenant Brothers Series. The story has been revised, although the premiss of the story is still the same. Although I had read the original version, it was so long ago, I didn’t remember any of it.
I loved Ashiana and Saxon’s story!! I felt sorry for Ashiana and that she had never really felt accepted by her adopted people. But she is finally getting a chance to prove her worth in the eyes of those that don’t accept her by getting the sapphires reunited. Too bad that Saxon gets in her way. But he has his own reasons for needing them. I loved all the bantering between these two and I was laughing out loud throughout the story. I’m so glad that I took the chance of rereading a story that I’d already read (I don’t normally do that), as it was a throughly enjoyable read. I can’t wait to read Saxon’s brother’s story!!