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This Wicked Man
Meg Holstock cannot think of anybody less suitable than herself to take care of a young child, yet she becomes responsible for her orphaned nephew anyway. Thrust into the wilds of Surrey - and the charms of a rundown cottage - she believes life will be singularly dull. But that is before she meets her neighbor, a sinfully wicked viscount whose reputation for seduction is legendary...
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2012
21 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Kate Harper
115 books50 followersLike most writers I've always read and I've always got something going on in my head, story-wise. Mostly dialogue - at least, I hope that's dialogue and not something more serious - which inevitably makes demands on me.
I can recall lying under my bed when I was nine with a candle, a piece of scrap paper and a pencil, rewriting a disappointing ending to a book that had been pretty good up until those final pages. I'd 'borrowed' a highly unsuitable romance from an elderly lady and had gobbled it down in a day. I took away three things from that first sojourn into making up my own, far more satisfactory world. 1/ the hero really needs to end up with the heroine, no matter how irritating she is cause that is what romance is all about. Happy endings, even if they're unexpected. 2/ I liked storytelling so much that maybe it was something I could do on a regular basis. My people could behave as they were supposed to. And... 3/ burning a candle under a pile of highly combustible bedding is a really stupid thing to do. Or so my mother pointed out. I'm lucky I'm not toast.
Writing is a wonderful escape and nothing says run away with me better than romance. So that's what I pursue... historical (particularly Regency... oh man, Regency. Where the men wore breeches and the women appreciated the fact), suspense and contemporary. You can always check them out on Amazon or at www.kate-harper.com. On a more personal note, I live with my partner (no breeches), my kids and a hoard of animals that shed fur into my coffee on a regular basis. We live in a particularly beautiful part of Victoria, in Australia and feel pretty lucky to do so.
I can recall lying under my bed when I was nine with a candle, a piece of scrap paper and a pencil, rewriting a disappointing ending to a book that had been pretty good up until those final pages. I'd 'borrowed' a highly unsuitable romance from an elderly lady and had gobbled it down in a day. I took away three things from that first sojourn into making up my own, far more satisfactory world. 1/ the hero really needs to end up with the heroine, no matter how irritating she is cause that is what romance is all about. Happy endings, even if they're unexpected. 2/ I liked storytelling so much that maybe it was something I could do on a regular basis. My people could behave as they were supposed to. And... 3/ burning a candle under a pile of highly combustible bedding is a really stupid thing to do. Or so my mother pointed out. I'm lucky I'm not toast.
Writing is a wonderful escape and nothing says run away with me better than romance. So that's what I pursue... historical (particularly Regency... oh man, Regency. Where the men wore breeches and the women appreciated the fact), suspense and contemporary. You can always check them out on Amazon or at www.kate-harper.com. On a more personal note, I live with my partner (no breeches), my kids and a hoard of animals that shed fur into my coffee on a regular basis. We live in a particularly beautiful part of Victoria, in Australia and feel pretty lucky to do so.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 1, 2014
This was a really nice find! 99 cents, cute cover, impressive writing, and a nice little story. 193 pages was just right. Not too short and not too long. I loved the slow burn of the hero and heroine falling in love with each other. It wasn't rushed and it was believable. Also, the budding relationship between the heroine and her nephew was interesting and touching. I was engaged in this story until the very end. I am most of all impressed with the author's writing abilities. I was not expecting that from a self published writer. Yes, there were mistakes with misspelled words and such, but it did not impede my enjoyment of the story. I think we need to give a little slack since she is a self pub author and the book was only 99 cents. All in all, this was a simple but very nice read. It was nice to read a newer traditional regency.
June 21, 2012
This is a fun, romantic novel which I enjoyed. Kate Harper has a talent for storytelling. The author is self-published, and unfortunately, she has not had the services of a good proofreader, who could have corrected some of the egregious spelling and grammar errors. I suppose that for 99 cents on Kindle, there's a limit to the level of quality that readers may expect, but I found it terribly distracting, and I don't plan to read any of her other books.
Kate Harper has published 13 titles on Amazon during the past year. I strongly suggest that she slow down and take time to read and proof her manuscripts more carefully.
Kate Harper has published 13 titles on Amazon during the past year. I strongly suggest that she slow down and take time to read and proof her manuscripts more carefully.
July 14, 2015
I liked this book! Harper's books tell the story from just one perspective---the heroine (at least in the books I've read so far) so sometimes it's hard to know what the hero is thinking...but this book was engaging!
July 7, 2017
Fun, mostly well written romantic story
A cute love story with well written prose. Great for a quick romantic read. Unfortunately could do with some better editing, many obvious typos. Yet the working was well done and the story was sweet and entertaining. If you like a good (not very steamy) romantic romp, it is worth the read.
A cute love story with well written prose. Great for a quick romantic read. Unfortunately could do with some better editing, many obvious typos. Yet the working was well done and the story was sweet and entertaining. If you like a good (not very steamy) romantic romp, it is worth the read.
July 4, 2012
An enjoyable read, with shades of Venetia one of my all-time favourite Heyer titles.
This was available at a bargain price on Amazon, and despite that (!) it was well written and didn't boast too many blatant Americanisms. I do think it could do with a decent proof-read, though.
The hero, Viscount Chetwyn has mis-spent his youth and is known all-around as an out-and-out rake; the heroine, Meg Holstock is twenty-eight, on the shelf and a bit of a bluestocking. She has also recently inherited the guardianship of her nephew after the death of his parents, and has no idea really, what to do with a grieving, ten-year-old boy.
She and Chetwyn immediately strike up a friendship which, from the outset, has flirtatious undertones and of course, she can't help but fall in love with him and he with her - but (like Venetia's Damerel) he believes himself to be so far beyond the pale as to be unworthy of her and doesn't want to ruin her chances in society.
Of course, all's well that ends well, but the book is no less enjoyable for being predictable. The central characters are well-drawn and Meg is especially appealing. The author writes about her growing relationship with Emmett (her nephew) very sensitively so that the reader is almost as unprepared as is Meg for the revelation that, though she didn't know what to do with him at first, she's become irreconcilably attached to him.
This is an ideal read for that wet Saturday afternoon, or that cold evening in front of the fire with a box of chocs!
This was available at a bargain price on Amazon, and despite that (!) it was well written and didn't boast too many blatant Americanisms. I do think it could do with a decent proof-read, though.
The hero, Viscount Chetwyn has mis-spent his youth and is known all-around as an out-and-out rake; the heroine, Meg Holstock is twenty-eight, on the shelf and a bit of a bluestocking. She has also recently inherited the guardianship of her nephew after the death of his parents, and has no idea really, what to do with a grieving, ten-year-old boy.
She and Chetwyn immediately strike up a friendship which, from the outset, has flirtatious undertones and of course, she can't help but fall in love with him and he with her - but (like Venetia's Damerel) he believes himself to be so far beyond the pale as to be unworthy of her and doesn't want to ruin her chances in society.
Of course, all's well that ends well, but the book is no less enjoyable for being predictable. The central characters are well-drawn and Meg is especially appealing. The author writes about her growing relationship with Emmett (her nephew) very sensitively so that the reader is almost as unprepared as is Meg for the revelation that, though she didn't know what to do with him at first, she's become irreconcilably attached to him.
This is an ideal read for that wet Saturday afternoon, or that cold evening in front of the fire with a box of chocs!
November 29, 2017
Somehow I ended up with two novels by this author in my kindle stash. I was so horrified by the other I deleted it from my collection. How I skipped this one, I have no idea but it is getting deleted also.
While I admire the author tremendously for having the talent and drive to write and publish, I have very real issues with her plots and characters. My personal preference is for heroes who are not vile human beings and Ms. Harper seems to prefer hers as vile as possible. The readers first introduction to the hero is while the heroine and her 10 year old nephew are out hiking the neighborhood and the hero is apparently frolicking in the great out of doors with two barely dressed whores. What’s not to love here other than a full array of STDs. Thank you no. I prefer for my heroes to not require constant dosing of penicillin.
While I admire the author tremendously for having the talent and drive to write and publish, I have very real issues with her plots and characters. My personal preference is for heroes who are not vile human beings and Ms. Harper seems to prefer hers as vile as possible. The readers first introduction to the hero is while the heroine and her 10 year old nephew are out hiking the neighborhood and the hero is apparently frolicking in the great out of doors with two barely dressed whores. What’s not to love here other than a full array of STDs. Thank you no. I prefer for my heroes to not require constant dosing of penicillin.
February 21, 2013
This self-published book is so riddled with careless errors, typos, misspelled words, mangled grammar and poor punctuation, I demanded a refund on principle. I wasted my time/energy trying to figure out what the hell she meant too much of the time. Way too many mistakes -- not just a few typos. This goes on page after page and ruined the story for me. Could've been good, if she'd cared enough to proof her work. But she was too busy churning out gobs more equally unedited dreck for a dollar. Lesson learned.
March 2, 2013
Very good relationship development and dialogue. This author is a diamond in the rough. Here's hoping for more, and an editor.
October 9, 2017
Liked very much
I've read this several times. Could use a bit of editing but I was not bothered by that. I really liked the characters, the settings and the story. Regency era. I don't think it's historically accurate but I found it entertaining.
I've read this several times. Could use a bit of editing but I was not bothered by that. I really liked the characters, the settings and the story. Regency era. I don't think it's historically accurate but I found it entertaining.
May 18, 2018
Quite a good read
Always good to find a book that exceeds ones expectations. An intelligent heroine with a sense of humor and few choices in life takes on the welfare of her orphaned nephew and finds love with a notorious rake. Gentle story with satisfying ending.
Always good to find a book that exceeds ones expectations. An intelligent heroine with a sense of humor and few choices in life takes on the welfare of her orphaned nephew and finds love with a notorious rake. Gentle story with satisfying ending.
November 17, 2022
Wonderful
This is one of my favorites. I like how Meg doesn't immediately fall in love "at first sight" Instead she and the Viscount start as friends and work their way to love. I also like the quick wit and banter between the main characters.
This is one of my favorites. I like how Meg doesn't immediately fall in love "at first sight" Instead she and the Viscount start as friends and work their way to love. I also like the quick wit and banter between the main characters.
January 3, 2023
This Wicked Man
I love this author’s books i have never been disappointed this one is very good I loved Meg she was every bit a Bluestocking but so witty and funny and so well matched with Chetwyn it was a lovely romance and I loved the epilogue.
I love this author’s books i have never been disappointed this one is very good I loved Meg she was every bit a Bluestocking but so witty and funny and so well matched with Chetwyn it was a lovely romance and I loved the epilogue.
October 12, 2019
Egypt?
What a fun book that moves along nicely. I thought the personal relations among the characters was far more interesting than the usual Regency novels.
Well done!
What a fun book that moves along nicely. I thought the personal relations among the characters was far more interesting than the usual Regency novels.
Well done!
March 16, 2020
Very enjoyable.
September 1, 2021
Passable. Unrealistic, though. Why do heroines always think they can reform rakes? It's a tedious trope.
November 3, 2024
Delightful
A whirlwind of fresh ideas.
bringing a dashing rake into the life of a poor spinster, but Oh so charmingly!
A whirlwind of fresh ideas.
bringing a dashing rake into the life of a poor spinster, but Oh so charmingly!
August 25, 2012
I read this last night, and I thougth it was awesome.
I'm suddenly now loving romance, chick lit and historial romance stories. Its great. Maybe its a sign, I dunno, but either way this book rocked.
In a way it reminded me a bit of Sense and Sensibility, but instead of the horse, the hill and the rain, you got a bramble bush.
It was just perfect, and I learned a lot of new words too. Thank you kindle dictionary!
Just awesome :D
I'm suddenly now loving romance, chick lit and historial romance stories. Its great. Maybe its a sign, I dunno, but either way this book rocked.
In a way it reminded me a bit of Sense and Sensibility, but instead of the horse, the hill and the rain, you got a bramble bush.
It was just perfect, and I learned a lot of new words too. Thank you kindle dictionary!
Just awesome :D
June 10, 2013
This Lady gains a the responsibility for a nephew and a new home. She meets her less then proper neighbor but despite the bad behavior he has displayed over the past decade, can't help but become friends with him. With a friendship that come so easily, so does the attraction. This rogue knows better then to ruin the one lady the respects the most out of anyone and tries to push her away with more bad behavior. Can he forgive himself for the wrongs of his past? You'll have to see.
February 8, 2025
I should downgrade this to a three because of so many errors. Enjoyable story, though. On rereading, I did downgrade to a 3.
August 26, 2012
I honestly can't remember the last time I enjoyed a HR so much. Very entertaining romance book with an exceptionally interesting leading female character!
October 14, 2012
An enjoyable read, and a fun story, if made a little unbelievable as a Regency romance by the heroine's more contemporary outlook.
January 24, 2013
Really good read. Some typos though
Might write more later.
Might write more later.
October 1, 2015
I think edition I read must have been updated/amended - there were no typos - beautifully written story. I loved this immensely. A delightful read!
November 4, 2013
Very nice light regency romance. Good heroine and hero and secondary characters. Gave a nice, warm, glowing feeling. A nice way to wile away a few hours.
September 9, 2016
5 a. nothing innap. preM no descp.
September 6, 2015
Entertaining
I found this story entertaining but the hero was a bit too much. He was very promiscuous and would have had an STD and numerous illegitimate children.
I found this story entertaining but the hero was a bit too much. He was very promiscuous and would have had an STD and numerous illegitimate children.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews