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The Rake and the Recluse #3

TAKEN : The Rake And The Recluse : Part Three

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A woman out of time.
A man stifled by propriety.
A nemesis determined to take her away.
A brother to the rescue.

How will a powerful Duke deal with a woman who doesn't know her place? How will a woman used to the 21st century survive in time where she is considered property?

THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE Part THREE brings Francine and Gideon closer than they ever imagined possible, until the unimaginable tears them apart. What will Gideon do if he loses her, this time, forever? This is the third installment of the completely revised novel, with all new material.

Francine Larrabee woke up on the wrong side of the century. She was fairly certain she went to sleep in her own comfy bed, but she doesn’t quite seem to be there now. Only adding to her problems is that she has no voice, is constantly being glowered at by a large, stunning man who is obsessed with propriety, and she is apparently betrothed to another horrid little man, determined to ruin her, and any other girls that get in his way.
How does she find herself in the past, when she couldn’t even find herself in her present? How does a self sufficient businesswoman survive in a time when women were still considered property for the whole of their lives and what is she going to do with this man who draws her to him so fiercely.

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First published January 3, 2011

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About the author

Jenn LeBlanc

39 books204 followers
Jenn LeBlanc is a Colorado girl living in a Hollywood world. She writes “wildly original” illustrated Victorian erotic romance.
She wrote, photographed, and published the first ever Illustrated Romance and is Queen Of StudioSmexy.
She loves getting new research books and chatting with readers.
The Rake and The Recluse is the first book in the illustrated Lords of Time erotic romance series.



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5 stars
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45 (36%)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Sarah Fuller.
1,020 reviews15 followers
June 26, 2017
I know Gideon wants to make it all "respectable" but I'm with Francine, do it already! I'm enjoying this ride. Though I very much dislike Hepplewort.
Profile Image for Kati .
198 reviews66 followers
March 1, 2012
***original review and pictures posted at Romancing Rakes***

Kati: ZOMG! I somehow misplaced the first email that contained TRATR part 3. Don’t look at me like that, all Gideon glarey-eyed. I had to ask Jenn to resend and she also gave me The Gideon. But let me tell you. Forget about flipping through and looking at the pictures! It started off with an almost ruination and a half naked Roxleigh was pretty easy on the eyes at 7 in the morning.

Did you flip through or did the first page keep you from finding the rest of the pictures?

Jamie: What a way to start off Part 3! Hello Gideon! GAH! The pictures in that first chapter. For once I just started reading and every time I came across a picture I nearly died. Good thing I had my fan on.

Kati: Haha. Yup. I think I stayed on that picture for a good 5 minutes with a silly grin on my face.

Jamie: I still go back to look at and I’m not ashamed to admit it. But, anyway... PART 3! So much happens! We learn more about Gideon and Perry’s mom. And then there is the mystery of the hidden room that Shaw discovered. Plus, Perry is still flustered over his new duties as guardian to three young ladies and Francine finally reaches her breaking point. Oh, there’s just so much. What was your favorite part of Part 3?

Kati: There’s so many great parts, it’s hard to choose. I think I will have to go with:
You either need to find your way out of my bed, or I will find my way into you.

*swoon* That’s just sexy. What about you?

Jamie: Oh, I love that part. But I think my favorite is when Gideon and Perry are swimming and Perry notices some scratch marks on Gideon’s arse.
On one hand, I am your brother and this type of discussion is suitable indeed. On the other hand, I am her guardian and you should be admonished. To be blunt, I believe I should call you out. But in truth I simply want to shake your hand.
Oh that Perry, he’s such a rake.

Kati: *giggle* Oh, I’d forgotten that part. How could I forget it? There’s even a picture or two that goes with it.I feel like I might be getting ahead of myself or disclosing spoilers since we’ve read the original and this is broken down into parts.

Jamie: Its just that Perry is quite... well, just quite. He gets us all distracted. But back to the task at hand...Taken. Well, I think the title says it all.

Kati: So another 5 hearts read? I think so! New pictures, laugh out loud moments, the sexy brothers Trumbull, a shady little man who is beyond a mama’s boy and lots of cousins. I must say thought that Ms. LeBlanc, once again, keeps us on our toes giving us enough to quench our need to know more but not completely satiated. We’re still hanging on the ledge, waiting for something to take us over the edge. It’s like a miniseries, our very own Perry *wipes drool off face*... Uh, TAKEN. Yes. Francine/Madeleine is TAKEN from Hepplewort by Roxleigh. Melisand, Perry and Rox’s mother, was TAKEN from her home because the previous Duke thought she was a danger to herself. Francine’s virginity was almost TAKEN by Gideon (sheesh! Part 3 almost starts off with a bang *waggles eyebrows*)

Jamie: Yes, she knows just how to keep us wanting more! I will now be awaiting the next part.


***review copy provided by author***
Profile Image for Heather Book Savvy Babe.
495 reviews134 followers
January 23, 2012
*I received this book for review from author. Since The Rake and a Recluse is a serial series, I have read and reviewed parts 1-3 together. Read the full review at: Book Savvy Babe*

Review Thoughts on the series:

Jenn LeBlanc’s photography interspersed throughout the story only enhances the story. Illustrated novels are a very new concept (as far as I know, unique to Jenn LeBlanc), but with both visually stunning photographs and impressive writing Jenn LeBlanc has created a new format for a literary masterpiece.

Each installment of this series is uniquely crafted to focus the storyline and engage readers. With the story broken into segments, the reader is able to really learn each of the characters and understand the setting. The reader is transported from the pages of the book into the story.

Review for Part 3:

In Taken, Gideon and Francine’s relationship moves into hot territory. The pair have finally come to terms with their attraction to each other, and have embraced that attraction. The chemistry that stems from their relationship sizzles, but at the same time, the respect they have for each other is shown creating a believable, very solid relationship. Gideon and Francine submit to propriety by courting properly and having a chaperon present on outings (this does not stop them from stealing private moments alone). Soon, the group is off to London to take care of business and announce Francine to society. Just as soon as Francine and Gideon are ready to start their lives together, Francine is kidnapped and her hopeful future is crashed.

Taken is the hottest installment in the series thus far. However, the steamy scenes are not the only hot part, the language is stunning as well. The interactions and the dialogue between the characters is beautiful. The quality of Ms LeBlanc’s work has me amazed and my devotion to this series is solidified. When I read this installment, I felt emotions right along with the characters, and the words became so much more than mere words. Taken ends at a very volatile time, Francine is Taken, and Gideon and Perry can only guess as to the best way to find her. One thing is for sure, part four of the series, Ruination, holds much promise.
Profile Image for Lela Whitus.
22 reviews3 followers
January 16, 2012
If you are not following along with Jenn LeBlanc’s book, what are you waiting on?!? You have got to read this story!

What can I say about TAKEN, the third installment of her unique, six book, illustrated romance The Rake and the Recluse serial? Several things come to mind. Before I start, there is one key suggestion for enjoying this story to its fullest and that is the books should be read in order. You cannot just jump into book three and know what is going on, you need to start at the beginning, because it’s a very good place to start.

Jenn LeBlanc not only draws you into a well-written story, but she incorporates one of her other passions, photography into the story. Not only is the story great, she is able to draw on that photographer’s eye to give such detail in her writing that it is almost tangible.

In TAKEN, Gideon begins to come loose of his propriety shell when it comes to Francine. We start to see glimpses of that ”thing” that his brother Perry, the rake has. Francine, our 21 century, time traveling heroine, tempts Gideon, and herself, looking for the elusive happiness she has wanted. But there is trouble far closer than either of them expect…

Perry finds himself as the guardian of three young ladies, and now starts to appreciate those rules that he so enjoyed breaking, and I believe he gets a little kick discussing propriety with Gideon about Francine. Perry hires a tutor and chaperone for his new charges, and she is definitely a firecracker, keeping the men on their toes.

Jenn has succeeded in turning up the heat in TAKEN! Every book manages to get a few degrees hotter than the previous, and this is no exception. A midnight make -out session. a private dance lesson, not-quite-proper horse rides through the park… Yes, steam is in the pages of this one. The chief complaint? Being forced to wait for book four, but I am certain it will be worth it.

So, as I said, “What are you waiting for”? Get your copy of TAKEN, and be prepared to be taken on a fun ride!
Profile Image for Monique.
213 reviews17 followers
February 6, 2012
Originally posted at AsianCocoa's Secret Garden.
This serial novel needs to read in order. This review may contain spoilers.

Taken is part three in The Rake and the Recluse serial novel. This part begins with a great love scene between Gideon and Francine that was full of sensuality. I was surprised by Francine’s boldness and even more shocked by Gideon’s act of self-control in the midst of such wicked temptation. This scene was sexual tension written to perfection.

The romance intensifies as Gideon continues to court Francine and plans are made for her coming out ball. The two get to know each other better and fall deeper in love with one another. I was happy when Francine finally gets her voice back and with it returns her 21st century feistiness.

The repulsive villain, Hepplewort returns in this episode and stirs up more trouble. And a few new characters are introduced as well. You can infer from the title that someone is taken during this part. Taking into consideration the events that lead up to the kidnapping, I found it hard to believe how the heroine, Francine was taken so easily. I wanted to slap the characters for letting it happen.

The pictures in Taken: The Rake and the Recluse: Part Three have been my favorite so far in this serial novel. As I stated in my review of Found I suspected the photos would get a bit sexier and I was not wrong. There were several bare chest photos of Gideon and pretty pictures of Francine in her ball gown. I am eagerly awaiting Ruination: The Rake and the Recluse: Part Four to see how Francine survives her captivity.
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,377 reviews58 followers
June 23, 2012
Roxleigh is still getting to know Francine. Her "parents" come and a new agreement is drawn up between them and Gideon. Hepplewort kidnaps Francine and holds her at his estate. His mother's an SOB. I like the characters. Still problems with transitioning between scenes but I'm getting used to it.
Profile Image for MarytheBookLover.
456 reviews953 followers
July 12, 2012
Oh My. I am soooo LOVING this series!! Why haven't I read this sooner!! On to four right after my review book. But, I soooo can't wait. I will review 1-3 & then 4-6.

Such a great series!
Profile Image for Kathryn.
2,907 reviews91 followers
July 14, 2013
Cliffhanger! Good thing I already have the next one. One note to the author... the pictures you have inserted into the story are wholly unnecessary. I find that my imagination is much better than those given to us. They are very distracting right in the middle of reading.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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