Rogue’s Holiday

I say the same thing every single time I read a Regan Walker book, and I think Regan must be tired of reading it from me, never-the-less, I am going to say it again and that is; she really has a gift for story-telling. Every time I pick up a Regan Walker book, I know that I am going to be in for a treat, she stun’s with her eloquent and magical writing, she never disappoints, and this is no exception.

To say I have been looking forward to this book is an understatement, it’s been a long torturous wait (believe me, I am not the most patient of people, I don’t even like waiting in line in the supermarket) for Robbie’s story, yet he was worth the wait. Since we first met him in the previous; A Secret Scottish Christmas, I was completely taken with him, I loved how we got to know him and the relationship with his twin brother; Nash, in that book, I knew that he needed a story of his own there was something very intriguing about him. So you can understand how excited I was when I head that Regan Walker would indeed be giving Robbie a story of his own and oh boy, its a doozy! I definitely think that he has stepped out of his brothers, and his families shadow and come into his own to be the brilliant hero, I knew he would be.

Spy for the crown; Robbie Powell has gone and helped disband a brutal gang of treasonous conspirators who planned on murdering cabinet ministers, to say thank for all he has done for his country and the crown; King George IV bestows on him a Baronetcy and grants him an exclusive and much deserved holiday in his very own Pavilion in Brighton. Our Robbie jumps at the chance to finally be aware from all the spying lark, deep down he has had enough of dodging knives and bullets, he wants nothing more than a little peace and to finally be able to have a good time and maybe a quick fumble with an available woman. When the fabulous Dowager Countess of Claremont learns of Robbie’s destination, her sly mind starts to plot and she asks him to look after the niece of a good friend of her, an feisty, misbehaving errant child.

Little does our Robbie know that the ‘child’ is in fact a young woman, with a mind of her own. Chastity is the bane of her families lives, she isn’t the sterotypical little miss that everyone thinks she should be, she isn’t even the sterotypical regency debutante. She is a woman who thinks for herself and does as she pleases, even if some do class her as an uncontrollable hoyden. Chastity’s family decides that she must be reigned in, so they decide to ship her off to live with her great aunt in Brighton where they are hoping she will finally become respectable – I’m not laying any bets on that, for the very aunt she is going to stay with is just as mischievous as her niece.

Once there she meets a devilishly handsome rogue, who just happens to wear a fine pair of boots – you see, our Chastity designs footwear, she notices these things – that first meeting between them, before they actually know who the other is, is so much fun and really shows just how rakish and cheeky Robbie is; honestly grabbing a unknown woman in a hotel and kissing her senseless, scandalous

Robbie and his uncle Jean-Jacques (Jack) arrive in Brighton and are looking forward to having a little down time and enjoying themselves, but the holiday does not go to plan not only do they both meet beautiful woman who each have their own charms and quirks and make Robbie and Jack go a little mad with want and lust. But, there is also the fact that Robbie’s secret life may have caught up with him, putting all around him in terrible danger.

You wouldn’t believe how happy I am that the fabulous Lady Claremont appears again and she is on brilliant form as usual, don’t you just love a match-maker? Well, maybe not Robbie at first, I’m sure his twin brother felt the same and look how that ended As soon as Muriel learns of Robbie’s destination she puts her little plan of match-making into action with brilliant results.

I have a real soft spot for these character’s, each are wonderfully crafted and very real and relatable; Chastity is an absolute delight to get to know, she is such a bright spark I love that she designs shoes, she fits in so well with the other ladies in Robbie’s family. I utterly adored Jack; Robbie’s cheeky, roguish uncle he is just as quick witted and as predatory and Panther like, something we avid readers of this series have come to associate and love about his father; Jean Donet. It is no secret how mush I fell hopelessly head over heels for Jean Donet from Echo in the Wind, but Robbie and Jack have definitely stolen my heart aware from that rugged silver fox of a piratical Frenchman.

My only qualm with this, is that I felt a little disappointed that we may not get Jack’s story, this is just my view going by how this book ended – I do hope I am wrong as I adored Jack, he may be one of my favourite character’s from the series (him and his gorgeous father; Jean) I adored his roguish yet serious and gentlemanly personality, there were times where delicious Jack did steal the scene away from equally delicious Robbie, but apart from maybe not having another Agent’s of the Crown story featuring Jean-Jaques Donet (I have my fingers crossed there will be) I loved this book.

What I love about Ms Walker’s books is that I always learn something about our history, that I had never heard of before and this is the case with the Cato Street crime. I found that utterly fascinating and especially as Ms Walker has meticulously integrated the real life history with Robbie’s story, it’s so cleverly done and makes for brilliant and immersive reading.

This book is mesmerising, I have never been to Brighton, yet because the writing is so crystalline clear, fully detailed, plus passionately and superbly researched. It brings the whole time to life, it’s vivid and very effective at allowing the reader to immerse themselves into another time and place, I felt as though I was standing right there beside Chastity and Robbie in regency Brighton.

As always the author’s note at the back is hugely fascinating, for those who love their history, then that is a must read.

Overall this is an intelligent and beautifully written romance, that is expertly infused with intrigue and danger.

Rogue’s Holiday a wonderful story for Chastity and Robbie. It can be read as a stand alone. But I absolutely love the Powells and Donets. I love how Robbie decided Chastity was the one for him what he told Chastity’s dad gave a awesome connection. Regan puts the research into her stories. I like to read a book that tells of the events of the time period. The details of the surroundings and clothing let see it in my mind while reading it.

A well written book by Author Regan Walker. This book has wonderful characters, and a great storyline, returning with Robbie Powell, a spy for the crown, Jack Donet, and then introducing Miss Chastity. The poor girl has her own problems, not fitting in with her family for one, except for a dear, somewhat eccentric Aunt Agatha in Brighton, who she will spend the summer with. A funny thing happened on their way to Brighton though, Chastity kinda runs into Robbie, well….I don’t want to spoil anything! If you like to read of British spy’s, charming miss’s who may or may not get into occasional mischief, and you like a well researched book then this is a must read!!