Tuesday, February 24, 2015

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

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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.


17331373I Adored a Lord (The Prince Catchers, #2)


25 comments:

  1. We have gone on a few cruises in the Caribbean and have enjoyed seeing the different islands.

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  2. I haven't yet,but I hope I will in near future :)
    Great review!

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  3. I won a trip to Puerto Rico 16 years ago. We had a delightful time. We went back a few years ago, spent a week, then sailed out of San Juan on a cruise. We did it that way because it was actually cheaper to fly to PR and cruise because of the difference in port fees there and in the US. It also allowed us to have a cruise that visited more ports since we didn't have to spend the days to and from Puerto Rico. We discovered that the big cruise ship culture isn't for us. We have friends and family that love cruising, it just isn't for everyone.
    We travel for history and nature. We soaked that up in Puerto Rico. We took what tours we could on the islands we visited on the cruise, but a short day stop isn't time enough to explore. It is fine for sitting on the beach or shopping if that is what you like.
    I look forward to reading the Princess Catchers series.

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  4. The Caribbean is not on my travel wish list. I suppose because we have beautiful islands here to visit.

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  5. No I have never been to the Caribbean. Its not really on my list but it would be nice if it just wasn't so sunny and hot.

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  6. I haven't traveled much & have never been to the Caribbean.

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  7. No, I've not but then it's way too far & expensive for me since I live half a world away!

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  8. No, I have never visited the Caribbean and I have to admit it's not even on my bucket list.

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  9. I have never but I would love to visit the Caribbean! If not for the sun and the beach, then for the history :) thanks for sharing!

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  10. I have been to several - Jamaica, Caymans and Virgin Islands.

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  11. I've never visited the Bahamas, or the Caribbean, despite living in South Florida. I have, however, visited Cornwall several times, and loved it. I have put "I Loved a Rogue" on my "wish list". ;-)

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  12. I've been to Aruba a few times, but that was over 10 years ago. This has been such a long cold winter so I'd love to be there right now!

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  13. I went on a cruise several years ago and visited Nassau, Bahamas, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. It was a wonderful cruise and a wonderful opportunity :)
    Lori

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  14. Nope, never visited the Caribbean islands. Would love to, of course. But I'd like to visit the ones not so crowded with tourists and enjoy hiking and the natural beauty of beaches and greenery...like Barbados and the Caymans. Thanks for the interesting question, Kim! And, BTW, Katharine is one of my fave historical romance authors, although I haven't purchased the last two due to budget constraints. Sigh. The economy still hasn't completely recovered, has it. jdh2690@gmail.com

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  15. I haven't visited Caribbean islands.

    I'm so looking forward to Katharine's concluding book in the trilogy. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  16. Never been to anywhere in the Caribbean. But it sounds nice! :)

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  17. I've been to the Bahamas and Bermuda, even though it's not technically in the Carribean.
    Would love to win this book. I love Katharine's books!!

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  18. my husband has been to the Bahamas twice, but I've never been to the Caribbean.

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  19. Eons ago a group of us went on a high school graduation cruise. We visited Grand Bahamas and a small island that was a cruise ship day trip destination. We only had a day on the island so I really didn't get to see much.

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  20. Even though I've lived in Florida for the last ten years, I haven't been to visit any of the Caribbean islands. I keep meaning to take a cruise, but I just haven't yet.

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  21. I haven't been to the Caribbean before, but it always looks so gorgeous with the clean blue water. Maybe one day, I'll get a chance to visit the islands!

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  22. I've never been to the Caribbean before, but I definitely would love to visit that area! I'm hoping to take a cruise through the islands sometime.

    brookeb811 at gmail dot com

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  23. I've never been to the Caribbean before, but would love to go sometime.

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  24. I've been on a number of cruises that took us to the Caibbean islands - love it!

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