Sometimes beauty… of the house where she’s hiding, claiming he was sent by the Pimpernel. Recently escaped from La Force prison, the former Marquis de Montagne is sinfully handsome and charming. He’s also desperate enough to kidnap Honoria. So much for her return to the quiet life.
Can be a beast…
Laurent is a consummate rake, but even he is captivated by the beautiful Honoria. Laurent cares almost nothing for his own life, but he was always close to the royal family and the little princess was like a sister to him. He will risk everything to save her from a life of imprisonment and possible execution. His plan is risky and surely doomed, but if he can convince Honoria and the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel to help him, it just might succeed. The only question is how far he’s willing to go and whether he’s willing to risk the life of the only woman he’s ever loved to save a doomed princess.
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What a wonderful, intriguing story of fabulous deep characters. I fell in love with. Laurent and the situation he faced. Great couple. Highly recommend.
Honoria Blake is a great beauty and wants to be seen as more than just a pretty face. She longs for adventure and her talents in forgery brought her to the attention of the Pimpernel. So she traveled to Paris to work with the members of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. So far she has not seen much, her beauty is a hinderance and makes her too noticeable, but all that changes when she meets Laurent Bourgogne, the former Marquis de Montagne.
The league has freed Laurent from La Force, they need information that he has regarding the Tower and hope that he will agree to help them. Laurent is surprised to be alive, after being beaten and left for dead. He makes his way to the safe house and does not make a good first impression on Honoria.
When the other members of the league return, Laurent makes it clear that he will only help them if they agree to help him rescue the dauphin and Madame Royale from the tower. He is friends with the royal family and promised Marie Antoinette that he will help her children if anything happened to her. Laurent is a rake, he is arrogant, entitled and unaccustomed to asking for help. When the members refuse to rescue the children, Laurent takes matters into his own hands and takes Honoria hostage, escaping the safe house and determined to honor his vow to the Queen.
Honoria does not go quietly and fights him every step of the way – when they finally make it to his secret apartment, she tries to reason with him and after hearing his story, agrees to help him, IF he will return her to the safe house and let her talk to the members. He is reluctant, but agrees.
Their return is fraught with peril and has them running for their lives, but the battle is far from over, they still have to convince the members to help him rescue the children, which could end up being a suicide mission. But Honoria champions his cause and makes it clear, that she will help him, with or without their assistance. They agree and a plan is formed, Laurent is awed by Honoria, he knows that nothing can come from their mutual attraction – she will be returning to England and he to Austria with the children – assuming they are not killed first – but that doesn’t stop him from wishing circumstances where different, which shocks him, he has never wanted a woman to be a permanent fixture in his life. But the more time he is with her, the more he wants.
This was a very well written, complex tale of two people finding love during the horrific Reign of Terror in revolutionary France. It is an exciting non-stop adventure, with lots of action, near death moments, steamy love scenes and wonderful secondary characters. I highly recommend this series, it is amazing and is not your run of the mill Historical Romance! This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title without any problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*
Honoria Blake had lived a quiet, boring life in London; she had hoped it would change the moment her services were requested by the League of the Pimpernel, and that she could make a difference. Her natural talent at forgery is essential to help the French who want to make it out of Paris alive. Her adventures begin when Laurent, the Marquis de Montagne, covered in blood and grime, knocks on the door of the flat she occupies with her friend Alexandra, which also serves as a safe house for the Pimpernel’s agents. Laurent is on a mission, he intends to proceed his way, and it’s not the men from the League who will stop him from rescuing Marie-Thérèse, Queen Marie Antoinette’s daughter.
Honoria didn’t have to wait long for some excitement, as the action begins almost immediately in TAKEN BY THE RAKE. Shana Galen’s extraordinary romantic fresco set during the French Revolution has not a single boring, as Laurent and Honoria run for their lives while trying to find the little French princess. The author’s research is so extensive and thorough that you can google the facts, and you’ll see they’re all accurate. Seldom has a fictionalised moment in history felt so real, particularly in a romance novel. I adored Honoria! She is extremely beautiful, but because of her past, focuses on her talents, with which she earns an honest living; she is bright, quick-witted, and practical. Laurent is precisely how we imagine a French aristo to be: a consummate rake who, upon seeing Honoria, can only think about bedding her; he’s condescending, smug, and doesn’t seem to quite realise that not everyone is at his beck and call, like it was before the Revolution. I took a long time for me to somewhat warm up to him; his intentions were noble, he behaved honourable towards Honoria, but I found his arrogance grating, but in the end, Ms. Galen won me over.
The Scarlet Chronicles are an extremely bold endeavour, and Shana Galen has again written an epic romance while doing justice to a most tumultuous period of history. In TAKEN BY THE RAKE, Shana Galen demonstrates that a novel can have a very romantic love story that shines as brightly as the historical events it portrays.
This is the third book in this series centered around the French Revolution.
This one is my pick of the series so far for three reasons: more in-depth characterization for the leads and more growth of the same (shown especially well in the hero, Laurent); more daring adventure with interesting locations/historical tweaks; good chemistry between the leads (and especially well-written love scenes).
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. However the opinions are strictly my own.
It was the worst of times – literally. Can you picture yourself living in the time of the Reign of Terror in France? A time where anyone, noble, merchant or peasant could have their heads lopped off just because someone else accused them of something – no proof – just guilty until proven innocent. But then, proving innocent wouldn’t do you any good because you’d already be dead. Nobody can be trusted. The King has been beheaded and the Queen will be next. Armed mobs roam the streets and there is no safety. That is the setting for this series of books and the author does an outstanding job of making you feel the tension and terror of the time. She takes you right there so you feel, taste, hear, and see what was going on in Paris. She made it so interesting that I had to go out and do some research into the times myself. It makes a person shiver to think about what those people went through.
This book focuses on the Scarlet Pimpernel’s group attempting to rescue the king’s young children from the tower in Paris where they are imprisoned. There is the young son who, technically, is now king, and his older sister. They are separated and imprisoned with no idea what their fate might be. Those children must have been terrified.
Laurent, former Marquis de Montagne, begins to slowly come-to-grips with the fact that his wealth, title and position in society are gone and he is a hunted man. His growth throughout this book is a sight to behold. He slowly realizes that he has squandered his wealth and privilege by living the life of a debauched, unappreciative rake. He’s arrogant, self-centered and reckless – and you will fall in love with him! He’s also determined to rescue the king’s children or die trying.
Honoria Blake is the daughter of a gentleman, but she has no means and has to support herself by working as an antiquities expert at the British Museum – and – well – she also does expert document forgeries. Honoria was orphaned at fifteen and her stunning beauty has brought her nothing but problems her entire life, so she does her best to hide it by wearing clear gasses, dull clothes, and severe hairstyles. She desperately wants to be appreciated for who she is and what she can do rather than her beauty. She also distrusts men – all men – and she has no intention of ever letting one use her again. She really wants to work for the Scarlet Pimpernel and quickly heads to Paris when he asks her to help.
Although they don’t know it, the Pimpernel’s goals match those of Laurent. They rescue him from La Force prison where he is in the process of being beaten and murdered by a mob in the courtyard. He is quickly handed a note and told to go to the address and he’ll be safe. The difference between the two is that the Pimpernels want to plan and execute the rescue with the highest chance of success and Laurent wants to move quickly with little or no planning.
There is a knocking at the front door of the safe house and when she answers it she finds a bruised and beaten man there. Things quickly go downhill and Laurent ends up kidnapping Honoria because the Pimpernel group won’t help him quickly enough (I did say he was reckless). Their trip across Paris to Laurent’s rented flat is fraught with danger and your heart will be pounding by the time they get to their destination. That is just the beginning to an exciting, heart-pounding, romance and adventure – read the book to see it in all of its glory!
It is heartwarming to watch Laurent grow and learn to love and to see Honoria learn to love and trust. Their romance is lovely and you truly believe they are in love.
The story is well-written, well researched, tightly plotted and fast-paced. The author owns this period and place! I highly recommend the book and the series.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
Fantastic read! The author engages all the senses in the story. She creates a vivid picture in words by allowing the reader to hear, smell, see and be able to clearly imagine what would have been taking place on Paris as she describes it. Honoria and Laurent are both hiding secrets and trying to compensate by fighting for the people of France. They are both beautiful people on the outside looking for people to also see the beauty inside them as well. They embark on a rescue mission that is fraught with danger, but brings them to being able to support and rely on each other. When it comes right down to the line they are a perfect match to love each other and see the beauty they they both are. They gang of Scarlet Pimpernel acquires two more members and the missions proceeds.
I must admit I’m beginning to be a bit fed up with the French Revolution in Shana’s books, especially when the hero is one where the heroine ends up in love with him despite him being a prat at the beginning who, in my opinion, is still pretty much a prat at the end, which this one was. With my usual reminder to myself that it has always been worth the effort before, however, I kept going and I did in the end enjoy the book – as usual, with Shana’s excellent writing and storytelling winning the day. You won’t regret reading this book, although if you enjoy reading of war, specifically the French Revolution you’ll love it much more!
Taken by the Rake is set in Paris during the French Revolution. The legend of the Scarlet Pimpernel has always appealed to me—love the idea of a group of spies working undercover during the French Revolution.
Shana Galen pairs Honoria Blake, a beautiful, antiquities expert turned forger, with Laurent, a charming rake and former Marquis in this novel. I adored Honoria; she was dedicated to the League and wanted to prove herself. It took me awhile to warm up to Laurent. The author perfectly crafts this character—he oozes charm and believes he is entitled to get what he wants… now! Both characters change during the story. It takes Laurent awhile to accept that aristocratic way of life has ended. Honoria’s decision to help Laurent shows her bravery and dedication to the cause and also her ability to trust Laurent. Honoria understands why it is so very important for Laurent to undertake this rescue mission.
The characters, the setting and the suspense filled storyline kept me reading. Ms. Galen’s descriptive writing style makes this book hard to put down; I felt that I was in Paris witnessing the mobs of people attacking the aristocrats and running through the streets of Paris with Honoria and Laurent. I definitely was absorbed in the characters, their passion and desire to complete their mission.
If you are looking for a historical novel which blends passion and suspense; one click Taken by the Rake I tried my best not to give away the story and keep my review spoiler free!
I highly recommend this novel—it’s fabulous
4.5 Stars!! I really loved this book! It’s got romance, mystery, danger, surprises, daily killings, history and so much more! I read the first book, “To Ruin a Gentlemen”, in this series, ‘The Scarlet Chronicles’, but never read the 2nd book, ”Traitor in Her Arms”. This series is all standalone books though, so missing one won’t make understanding the other books difficult! The main characters in this book, Laurent and Honoria, are pretty much complete opposites on the inside but very similar on the outside! Both are extremely good looking – not that I’m jealous or anything!! Anyway… besides that, they couldn’t be more different! He’s noble, she’s a commoner. She hates her beauty, he used his to get what he wanted! He’s arrogant while she isn’t! She’s intelligent & worked for a living & he came from a wealthy family and the only work he seemed to do was eat, drink, shop and have fun! So, you get the picture! I didn’t know if I liked him at all at their first meeting. As the book went on, he seems to change a bit. This was a great book & I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! This book made me wonder about the French Revolution & if anything in this book ever really happened, I hope not because it seemed really awful!
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher.*
Stories of the Scarlet Pimpernel and rescuing innocent during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. This is an ambitious undertaking for a romance author. It was such a violent era in history and difficult to write about. But it’s the setting for Shana Galen’s Scarlet Chronicles, her take on the legend of the Scarlet Pimpernel. She’s set up a League that was actually the Scarlet Pimpernel and they set about rescuing innocent people out of Paris and off to safety elsewhere. Such a group of brave souls.
This edition is about Honoria Blake an expert in roman antiquities who works for the British Museum who volunteers to forge papers for those who escape. She has unique skills being a perfectionist whose parents were natives of Brussels so french was her first language. She finds herself in the safehouse in Paris making forged official looking papers with the league members currently in Paris. She can’t leave because she’s been cursed with extreme beauty and has been on her own since she was 15.
Laurent Bourgogne, Marquis de Montague, has been rescued from La Force prison by the league sending him to the safehouse and Honoria. He has vital information about The Temple where the Queen, the queen’s sister Madame Elisabeth, princess Marie-Therese and her brother dauphin Louis Joseph. He used to play in The Temple as a child so he knows it and all the hidden passages.
This story is about the rescue of Marie-Therese and the love story of Laurent and Honoria. It was full of adventure, risks, violence and passion. This is not my favorite era in history to read about but Ms. Galen weaves a rich story of love, rescue and friendships. She is at her best storytelling. There were times I could identify with Honoria and I found myself growing frustrated by Laurent’s impulsive impatience. She does a good job with maturing Laurent’s character throughout this book as his world is not the same as it was. He’s struggling to be an everyday man rather than a rich, titled favorite of the Queen. Honoria gets the adventure she’s yearned for and finds she’s more courageous than she thought.
Another thrilling tale of the League of the Scarlett Pimpernel!
This series just gets better and better with each book! In Taken by the Rake Honoria proves to herself and the entire league that she is more than a pretty face while Laurent proves he’s not the spoiled noble he once was.
Set against the back drop of the French Revolution’s Region of Terror, every chapter is full intrigue and danger that has you desperately turning the page to find that Honoria and Laurent have won the day and each other’s hearts.
Impatiently waiting for Alex’s story!
Honoria Blake is in Paris to assist the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, using her skills as an expert forger to produce documents for the people they’re helping to escape France and the Reign of Terror. When the League helps Laurent, the former Marquis de Montagne, escape from La Force prison in order to use his knowledge of the Temple prison, he repays them by kidnapping Honoria, hoping to buy himself time to come up with a way to rescue the royal princess. After dangerous and terrifying adventures trying to travel around Paris together, Laurent realizes he’ll need to work with the League to accomplish his goal. This was an unlikely couple at first, with Laurent showing himself as a great example of the proud, arrogant aristocrat that provoked the trouble in France, and then kidnapping someone who was trying to help him, I thought he was pretty unlikable. Honoria was a well meaning young woman who wanted to help people and escape a safe but dull life, but she got more excitement than expected once she met Laurent. After they began working together and sharing more of their backgrounds and motivations, I could see why they would come to care for each other – and I began to like Laurent much more. A terrifying and dangerous time reveals the best in some people and I look forward to reading more adventures.
Honoria Blake is an expert forger and is recruited by The Scarlet Pimpernel, she travels to Paris & there forges papers for the League. Then a bloody man staggers to the door of the safe house where she’s working, claiming he was sent by the Pimpernel. Recently escaped from La Force prison, the former Marquis de Montagne is sinfully handsome and charming. Laurent is a consummate rake, but even he is captivated by the beautiful Honoria. Laurent cares almost nothing for his own life, but he was always close to the royal family and the little princess Marie Therese was like a sister to him. He will risk everything to save her from a life of imprisonment and possible execution.
The book takes place in October 1793 & Paris wasn’t a place you wanted to be let alone trying to rescue the Dauphin & his elder sister. I found this book to be totally enthralling, captivating & like the previous two books in the series brilliant. The pace is fast & at times breakneck speed, the characters are very well portrayed. I loved how the author conveys the horrors of life in Paris, being caught up by a mob & the bravery of the League members. I really had to stop myself from flicking to the end to read the ending & I’m pleased that I didn’t. I also loved Laurent & Honoria, the road to them falling in love wasn’t easy but it was very touching & very believable. Laurent the arrogant aristocrat who had a heart of gold & was so honourable that he would put others before himself. Honoria an intelligent woman also willing to help others. The pair of them made me feel quite humble. Whilst this book could easily be read on its own I’d strongly recommend reading the series in order because it’s so very very good
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Enthralling, intriguing romance with danger all around. A lesson in the meaning of true sacrifice and not to judge a person by their surface. The story kept me riveted.
Taken by a Rake:
Honoria was living a boring life in London, when she was approached by Scarlet Pimpernel to use her forgery skills to help forge documents to get people out of France during the Reign of Terror.
Her job was to make perfect copies of signatures of Robespierre and his associates sign visa and documents to get out of Paris.
Honoria lived a safe house in Paris working with The League forgering documents when a man came bloody and wounded saying Scarlet Pimpernel sent him to safe house for help.
Recently escaped from La Force prison, the former Marquis de Montagne is sinfully handsome and charming. Laurent was raised in palace and tutored the royal children.
Laurent made a promise to Madame Royale that he protect the princess and the dauphin, children as dear to him as any sibling of his own, he would never leave them. He hadn’t forgotten that promise.
Laurent needed the League’s help to get back into the palace to rescue the princess and the dauphin. With the king killed and Queen on trial for treason he knew it was only a matter of time to save the children.
Laurent needed Honoria forgery skills to get documents for the princess and the dauphin so he could get them out of country and to safety in Austria.
Laurent kidnapped Honoria to escape the safe house and get back to palace after the League was determine to only get the princess out and left the dauphin behind. Honoria knew she had to help to Laurent and find away to be part of the rescue.
Working together Laurent and Honoria found a way into the palace only thing was they needed the League help to get the children out safely.
Going back to the safe house Laurent and Honoria made plans with the League to get the princess out. Laurent planned on going behind the League back once inside to get the dauphin too.
Laurent and Honoria found love during the struggles and dangerous of the mission.
Honoria Blake is an expert in Roman Antiquities and forgeries. She has left her job at the British Museum to help the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel in Paris. Her main job is to provide legitimate looking papers for French citizens, mostly the aristocracy, to leave the country.
The League has helped Laurent, Marquis de Montagne, escape from prison and taken him to a safe house where Honoria will make him new papers. He refuses to leave Paris without rescuing Marie Antoinette’s children. After much discussion, the League will help him retrieve the Princess, Marie-Therese, as it is too dangerous to take both children. They will try to rescue the prince at another time. The King’s natural daughter, who the king and queen adopted when her mother died, wants to help them. She resembles her half-sister and is willing to stay in prison to save her siblings. Then fireworks!
I don’t like spoilers, so you’ll have to read this! It’s a wonderful story with great characters and history. As in all good romances, Laurent and Honoria, are together and will continue their work for the S.P. This has been a great series so far and I look forward to the next book!
Another great novel in The Scarlet Chronicles series by Shana Galen! I have learned so much about the French Revolution because of this series. It is hard to picture how things were at that time but reading this series puts me right there in the thick of things. I even researched some of the locations because I wanted to know more. The intensity of the situation makes the connections between the characters more intense as well. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
Love love loved this one!
Honoria Blake sought adventure when she joined the Scarlet Pimpernel’s League to help others using her skill at forging documents in Paris during the Reign of Terror. Soon the sheer violence and uncertainty she faces has her longing for her quiet life as an antiquarian in London. When a bloody, barely conscious man claiming to have been sent by the Pimpernel staggers into her safe house, Honoria is most definitely not safe. Laurent Bourgoyne, the Marquis of Montagne, has just escaped La Force prison and the handsome aristocrat is desperate. He just needs a bit of rest before he attempts to rescue the princess Marie-Therese, who is like a sister to him. The League needs Laurent’s knowledge of the Temple, the medieval fortress where the dauphin is being held prisoner as well, but Laurent has no time for the Pimpernel’s plans and hopes only to rescue the royal children. When the League’s initial plans fall through and it becomes apparent they will not be helping him rescue the Madame Royale, Laurent takes matters into his own hands by kidnapping Honoria so he can use her skills and keep her fellow Englishmen at bay. Soon Laurent must decide if he can bear to risk the safety of the woman he has rapidly come to love.
Laurent is arrogant and transforming from the selfish, debauched noble he used to be to the brave and caring man he truly is. He needed to be taken down a peg or two from his high handed ways, but the horror of the Revolution has truly hit home for him and for the first time since his sister’s death, he truly cares about something– someone– other than himself. He was lovely.
Honoria has always tried to hide her stunning beauty, as it makes her vulnerable around men and hated by women. She came to Paris looking to help the victims of the Revolution, but also to have some excitement away from her quiet life. Honoria immediately puts Laurent in his place and he finds he likes it, once he gets over the initial shock. The connection between the two is strong from the start and is sharpened by the perils they face together.
This book was intense and kept me engrossed the entire time, just from the general stress of their position in a very volatile France. I enjoyed this one even more than its predecessor and could not put it down. Now I can hardly wait for the next book.
I was gifted with an ARC in exchange for a review. Thank you!! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wonderful Story!! Great third for this series.
many great and amazing things about this book! The story takes place during the Reign of Terror in France, a time when being wealthy or a peer of the French Realm meant certain death. Honoria and Laurent meet in the most unexpected circumstances and their romance takes flight in even worst conditions.
An enemies to lovers of sorts, this story kept me engrossed from page one. The fact that is loosely based on true events made it even more intriguing. The romance is believable even if it happened in a short span. Their initial antagonism was well depicted and made the HEA even more delectable. She was compassionate, caring, and kept her cool at critical moments. I love me an intelligent woman who acts on par to that intelligence and Honoria was that woman.
I’ve read book where the romance takes central stage and others where the suspense/non-romance aspect takes the spotlight away from the romance but this book has a good balance of both. Totally worth a re-read. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
** I received this book at no cost to me and I volunteered to read it; this is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher **