Aloah to Katharine Ashe and I LOVED A ROGUE - Book Review

In the third in Katharine Ashe's Prince Catchers series, the eldest of three very different sisters must fulfill a prophecy to discover their birthright. But if Eleanor is destined to marry a prince, why can't she resist the scoundrel who seduced her?

She can pour tea, manage a household, and sew a modest gown. In short, Eleanor Caulfield is the perfect vicar's daughter. Yet there was a time when she'd risked everything for a black-eyed gypsy who left her brokenhearted. Now he stands before her—dark, virile, and ready to escort her on a journey to find the truth about her heritage.

Leaving eleven years ago should have given Taliesin freedom. Instead he's returned to Eleanor, determined to have her all to himself, tempting her with kisses and promising her a passion she's so long denied herself. But if he was infatuated before, he's utterly unprepared for what will happen when Eleanor decides to abandon convention—and truly live.

Cornish cost near Tintagel Castle
English Heritage (link)

All, everything that I understand, I only understand because I love. — Leo Tolstoy

I LOVED A ROGUE is the last book in the series but the first book I have read. Perhaps this gave me the opportunity to focus on Eleanor and Taliesin who are probably the "quieter" of the characters in the series. Previous characters (Eleanor's family) make a guest appearance at the start and end of the story, but I LOVED A ROGUE is all about Eleanor and Taliesin.  Eleanor and her sisters were adopted by their father, a parish vicar, when they washed ashore from a shipwreck off Cornwall.  Taliesin was part of a gypsy family who annually migrated to St. Petroc to sell their wares.  Eleanor and Taliesin became friends as children.  Their friendship was tested as they both grew into teens, forcing Taliesin abandon St. Petroc ... and Eleanor.  

Eleven years later, Taliesin attends the vicar's wedding to a local widow.  His reappearance disrupts Eleanor's plans to make her own way as she believes she must leave her home for her father's new wife.  Taliesin reignites feelings within Eleanor but she holds onto her resentment that he abandoned her.  As Eleanor struggles with these feelings, her sister Arabella tasks Eleanor to continue the search for more information about the shipwreck.  Arabella then asks Taliesin serve as Eleanor's guide since he is familiar with the Cornish coast.  Thus begins a wild adventure for the fated lovers with a pinch of Jane Austen and a dash of Daphne Du Maurier.  

At first, Ashe employs internal dialogue to create the emotional conflict between Eleanor and Taliesin.   Once they depart St. Petroc, their external dialogue further drives them apart as they cannot see that they compliment each other. Their search is akin to National Treasure - a clue leads to another clue that leads to another clue.   This romance laced with mystery kept my attention to read straight through the story.   The added bonus is the history Ashe shares about Cornwall and its connection to the Caribbean.   Recommended read for Regency fans seeking something outside the London Ballroom.

I received a print copy from Harper Collins for an honest review.

St Petroc's Church, Bodmin
Cornwall Guide (link)

I am giving away a print copy of I LOVED A ROGUE to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about the Caribbean - have you visited any of the islands?  I have not despite growing up in Florida.   I would like to visit Puerto Rico for its colonial history.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 28, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Katharine and her books at katharineashe.com.

Speaking of the Caribbean, check out my weekly column, State of Romance, for USA Today's HEA Blog - today we visit the US Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands at this link.