Constance Danbury is fleeing an arranged marriage to lecherous Lord Burton, a man who has blackmailed her father and is nearly twice her age. Her escape takes her aboard a merchantman bound for Spain, where she hopes an aunt will help her procure funds to save her father’s dwindling reputation. But fate intervenes. Constance is captured by a pirate with a wit and stubbornness to match her own, and a secret he’ll do anything to keep.
Nobleman Percival Avery is a member of Nelson’s Tea, an elite group whose members are first sons from every tier in society. Undercover, he disguises himself as a pirate to infiltrate the gang of cutthroats responsible for his sister’s death. But when his vessel attacks a merchantman with valuable cargo, Percy is forced to choose between vengeance and saving the life of his commander’s niece, Constance Danbury. Mutiny is sure to obliterate his well-laid plans. It also aligns him with the one woman sure to see through his disguise. Forced to play the fop by day to outwit his enemies, he masquerades as a rogue by night in order to avenge his sister’s death – and to win his true love’s heart.
Addicted to history and romance, Katherine spent the better part of her childhood roaming the globe as an Army brat. Then while attending college, she was swept off her feet by a military officer. Yes, reader she married him, and they continued traveling the world. Four children, two Labradors and three cats later, Katherine put down roots in the south. Where, at last, she pursued her lifelong passion of creating vivid stories that came calling with abandon. Adventure. Mayhem. Swashbuckling heroes. Her books are pure escapism at heart.
If you'd like to follow Katherine's adventures on the literary seas, sign up for her Rogues, Rebels & Rakes Newsletter at: http://www.katherinebone.com/contact/
Duke by Day, Rogue by Night was an okay book. I mean, it has pirates and such but I didn't really connect with the characters. I definitely tried to but nothing was working. The only thing I really liked about this book was how short it was.
In it, you will meet Lady Constance and Percival Avery. Constance is about to get married to a horrible man, Lord Burton. Well, maybe.. because on her way there her ship is somehow mysteriously attacked by a pirate.
Dun dun dun!
Among the crew, you will meet Percy and he is a spy. Of course things go way out of whack and plans are thrown into the air throughout the book. Honestly, I would blame Constance for all that happening but I can't really put all the blame on the girl. Mostly because Percy is not a knight in shining armor either.
Even though he knows who she is and such.. he is kind of a douche. This is because he takes and uses her without ever telling her who he is. Eh, the name isn't that big of a deal to me BUT I hated how he used her throughout the book.
In the end, things were predictable and I'm not sure if I want to continue on with this series right now. Maybe later. Who knows.
In her debut novel Katherine Bone drops you right into the action aboard a merchant ship bound for Spain that is being attacked by pirates, setting the pace for the rest of the book, which is filled with adventure, mystery, passion and romance. Set during the Napoleonic wars of the early nineteenth century, this book uses some of the amazing seafaring characters of this classic British historical era – pirates, merchants, naval officers and Nelson’s own double agents. But not all of the action takes place on the high seas of the English Channel, because the main characters return to London – to the grimy, violent patrons of the docks and its local public houses and to the aristocratic finesse and extravagance of the London Ton, dancing in balls and driving in the park.
The pace of this book is fast pretty much throughout; it is a page turner that keeps you asking what is going to happen next, will they work it out, will they survive, will they kiss…? The mystery of who killed Percival’s sister and the double agents in the book mean that there are many twists and turns that keep you guessing. Added to that an apparent love triangle between a lady, a pirate and a nobleman and you can’t put the book down. Is she going to work out their connection, or is he going to tell her?
Yet how was it her body ignited beneath her enemy’s caress when Burton’s touch filled her with horrible misgivings? Surely the opposite should be true. Burton was a member of the ton, the pirate wasn’t. Was she doomed to end up on the streets, cast out of society? She couldn’t allow it to happen. She needed a plan.
Katherine Bones paints a world rich in intrigue. Told from a range of perspectives, the book enables the reader to really feel for the main characters. You cannot help but cheer on the fiery lead female character, Constance, who wants to marry for love, not duty or money, and is prepared to risk her own life to do so. Who would want to marry the ghastly Lord Burton, who believes women are there to be used and discarded? You can’t help but fall in love with the two alter egos of Percival Avery either – pirate and gentleman. You hope that the frightful Lord Burton and the horrendous pirates get their comeuppance, and you are left intrigued by Henry Gruffald – ideal because he is the lead of Katherine’s next book, which I very much look forward to reading.
Katherine Bone immediately plunges her readers into icy ocean waters as a respectable boat gets overrun by pirates. Constance is on board with her lady’s maid, on the run from her father’s choice of husband. She believes if she can only get to Spain and to her wealthy aunt, her father’s financial woes will subside and she will be free to marry for love, not money. Percy is a duke, who is posing as a pirate, looking for clues to avenge the death of his sister, Celeste. What is a girl to do when placed in close quarters with a devilishly handsome and dangerous pirate? Her fate is sealed with a glance and a touch. They part ways once the ship returns to shore. Constance never gets to Spain and is still obliged to marry her father’s choice. But she now has a child to think about, and keeps that fact from the man who steps in at the last minute to offer marriage. But he has his own secrets. Can these two, entwined in their separate webs of lies and duplicity, find the true love that will last a lifetime?
I’m a sucker for pirate stories, and this swashbuckling adventure appealed to me. The intricate story kept me guessing until the last page. The only complaint I have is that Constance gives up her virginity way too fast. I would have liked more tension, more tap dancing before the final number. But then, she was face to face with a dashing pirate. What is a girl to do?
First in the Nelson Tea series, this is the story of Lady Constance Danbury who in 1804 sailed from London to Spain to seek her Aunt Lydia’s support to escape an arranged marriage to the horrible Lord Burton. On the way, her ship is attacked by the same pirate who killed her mother years before. Among his crew, however, is a spy—Percival Avery, the Marquess of Stanton—pretending to be a pirate to find the one responsible for his sister’s death. Constance interferes in his plans, forcing him to take over the ship before he was ready in order to save her from the lecherous pirate captain.
Though Percy knows Constance is the daughter of a duke, he takes her innocence and, in his own words “well uses her,” never telling her his real name or that he’s a peer or the heir to a dukedom. In other words, he’s a true cad. Yeah, he’s a part of some super secret “Nelson’s Tea” group, but still. Constance finds she is with child (no surprise there), and panic sets in. Must she marry the man she hates, or is there another option?
Bone has talent and can write well as many passages attest, however, detracting from an otherwise entertaining story were repetitious passages and dialog, incorrect forms of address among the nobility, incorrect ship terminology and some highly improbable elements for the early 19th century.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
We've all seen the movie. This is the literary equivalent. I bought it, thinking "a Duke and a rogue...oh, my! " and settled in for a comfy evening of escapism. Instead, I found myself burning up my kindle with notes and highlights. I will only subject you to an example that generated both. After her ship is boarded by pirates for the second time in her life, our heroine stays dressed only in her shift, stays barricaded in her cabin because an officer instructed her to do so, leaves her money sown into her riding habit, and arms herself with a bedwarmer. Our hero, posing as a pirate, meets her shortly thereafter and is overwhelmed by her "wit and courage". Her lack of either (from failing to dress herself before exposure to known rapists, not learning to swim after watching her mother drown, to constant screaming and swooning) is obvious. Save yourselves.
I sat down to start this book the night I got it. I could not put it down, continuing to read until I finished it--way past my bedtime! Great story and romance. I highly recommend. :)
Since I do so enjoy a good historical romance I also enjoy ones with lots of action and adventure and this one sure has that and more. Reading historicals is a good way of going into the past and experiencing what was or could of been through the eyes and talent of a author but they have to be able to be believable and have some meat to them for me to not put them down. This author has that ability with her writing. Right from the beginning she grabbed my attention with Constance trying to escape a unwanted match to a man who gave her the creeps who asked for her hand to her father so her uncle has helped her with passage to her aunt's to plead her case. Traveling in those days alone was not accepted so she had a companion Mrs. Mortimer with her on the ship. But this journey was not meant to be it would seem because they are set upon right away by pirates attacking the ship. Now this is no mansy pansy attack written of either. It is filled with action that has you gripping the book and riveted word by word on oh dear what will happen to them sort of stuff. Of course at times the action is intense fitting of the times and place. Hero in the form of captain of the ship but will it be enough? On the plus side for her is that the pirate captain is not the one who discovers her but a pirate that is described quite yummy and good enough to eat by the accounts written. Percy but known by a different name in the pirate world has claimed the prize in more ways than one but also knows who she really is and why he must keep her safe regardless how it might affect him in the long run. He is also forced to take over with "mutiny" from the black hearted Captain Frink before he had wanted to in order to rescue her and the men following him cause things have gone a little south so to speak. So the setting as I have said has captured me right away almost like Constance by Percy ha ha. So I barrel through the adventure on the seas and Constance and Percy do more than share a cabin in time she grows to love him and his heart is also captured but alas he thinks he once on land cannot be good enough for her. Events that follow keep you tuned to these two with other colorful characters. I found I had a love/hate feeling for her father though. Men of those times were just that men. Women had very little freedoms and the rules of society made things quite difficult to say the least. Of course there is the more than one black hearted fellow in here the one she was running from to begin with. The vivid scenes of drama and adventure keeps you captured that you too forget the time cause of the talent she has to wisk you away. The romance is quite dashing also warms the blood and chases any chills if you have any away. The intensity of the love these two develop is the kind hoped for today and satisfies any romance reader. There is also great humor at times that brings a chuckle out loud a time or two. Read for yourself why the title for this is a not to be missed adventure filled romance of the high seas kind. Villains will be brought down and anyone missing this treat could find themselves in the brigade of woo for not having sampled it themselves.
This is an impressively written debut, chock full of adventure and intrigue, lust, wit, and deception, the first in the Nelson Tea Trilogy by Katherine Bone. The series features the stories of brave men, all first sons of the peerage, who work undercover with Admiral Nelson to thwart Napoleon’s advances.
Percival (Percy) Avery is a duke’s son, in disguise as a pirate, working with an elite espionage group, Nelson’s Tea, as he also seeks vengeance for the ruthless violation and ruin of his beloved sister, Celeste, when Lady Constance Danbury gets in his way. She’s en route to Spain to ask help from her estranged aunt to save her family’s fortunes so that she won’t be forced to marry the brutal and quite horrible Baron Burton. The story teeters on caricature at times, but the writing is so strong, I could suspend my occasional disbelief and it also has shades of Ann Radcliff’s The Mysteries of Udolfo, with its victimized heroine and cruel oppressor; Constance is willful, strong, and a survivor, determined to do anything rather than marry without love.
If you enjoy romances with adventure and intrigue, then you’ll love Duke by Day, Rogue by Night! Percy and Constance meet when Percy, who is masquerading as a pirate, seizes her ship and she ends up his captive. What follows is an exciting romance filled with unexpected twists as Constance begins to unravel the truth about Percy’s true identity and Percy must protect her while he hunts for his sister’s killer. I loved the suspense in this book as well as the romance. It is set during the Napoleonic Wars so fans of that time period will enjoy this book, and of course, for all of you who love pirate romances, you’ll love this one!
I wanted to like this book.....really, I did...I mean, it's a really cute title....(although I'm not sure about the trilogy name....Nelson's Tea? Unless it's meant to be a play on Admiralty...you know, Admiral Nelson...Nelson's Tea....I don't know...)
What I didn't like....*******SPOILER ALERT*********
I love books with pirates and adventures at sea. There is just something about the hero and heroine being trapped together at sea. I recently went to Boston and ventured onto the Constitution aka Ironsides. It was tight and dark and cramped and to be honest kind of ruined my fantasies of what a ship was like in the 1900th century. However, that is the magic of books; you can imagine anything you want. This book is full of lavish and elaborate descriptions that made me feel like I was actually on the Striker and locked in the captain’s quarters. Nelson Tea is the name given to men who work for the crown and infiltrate the seas to do the deeds that must be done. The work is dangerous and a life time commitment. We get a glimpse of a few of the twenty members in this book and a hearty dose of the dangerous work they do. This book was at times very graphic and realistic and occasionally a little farfetched. I really enjoyed this book though and I have already purchased the next book in the series and will start it as soon as I finish this review. I loved Percy/Thomas. Thomas is the quintessential swashbuckling pirate. He wears all black and a bandana. His shirt is open to reveal his broad chest. Yum. This is just the way I like my pirates. Full of swagger and arrogance. We meet him as Thomas Sexton, but it is an elaborate ruse to hunt down unscrupulous men who stole his young sister and raped her, turned her into a prostitute and then died of syphilis. The alter ego is the dashing pirate who sails the seas, but his real identity is the Marquis of Stanford, Percy Avery. He acts as a fop for the ton, obsessed with fashion and fripperies. It is an effective guise as no one would imagine the Marquis is really a stone cold killer and spy. There was a compelling sensuality that oozed off of Percy in whatever role he was playing. I found myself deeply attracted to the man on the pages. His lust and vengeance were a heady mix and I liked that it took him time to reconcile himself with doing the right thing for reasons of his heart rather than propriety. Constance is a beautiful woman who has been bartered away in marriage to a horrible man, Lord Burton. She is desperate to avoid the marriage and sails to Spain to plead her case with her aunt. Her father and uncle (Simon is the leader of Nelson Tea) have had unbelievable bad luck with their finances of late and are about to enter dun territory. The match to Burton will save the family name and future. She shows great spunk and determination when pirates attack her ship. In the heat of the battle, Thomas asks her to trust him with her life and he saves her repeatedly. Although grateful, she engages in a battle of wits with him, but her body deceives her. He is irrestible to her and she can’t deny her attraction to him any longer. For much of the book, Constance is a pawn in men’s games of war. She is tugged in different directions to suit the needs of the men in her life. She was definitely not ‘too stupid to live’, but trapped in the farces of financial need and desires of men. At the end of the story, it was a showdown by all the men who wanted to capture her for a variety of reasons. She isn’t Helen of Troy, but a woman who has been lied to, mistreated and left with many secrets to burden her. I felt sorry for Constance, but also relieved that she had Percy/Thomas to take care of her. Recently I have been reading a lot of books, but they have all lacked great action in the bedroom. It’s hard to get totally immersed in a book and the characters if you are shut out of the intimacy they are developing. That’s why the bedroom scenes are so vital to romance novels. This book gets the action started pretty early on and it continues throughout the book. The sex scenes are hot and steamy and you almost feel like you are there in the humid cabin with Thomas and Constance. This story was well developed with intricate details and a lot of back story to flesh out the characters. I really enjoyed the adventure on the high seas, the ball with the ton and the quiet sanctuary of the character’s homes. A great pirate adventure has heroes, villains and intrigue. This book had all of those elements and is really well done. I’m very glad I picked up this book and am so looking forward to the next in the series! Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com
A great way to be introduced to this author's writing was this novel. Since I do so enjoy a good historical romance I also enjoy ones with lots of action and adventure and this one sure has that and more. Reading historicals is a good way of going into the past and experiencing what was or could of been through the eyes and talent of a author but they have to be able to be believable and have some meat to them for me to not put them down. This author has that ability with her writing. Right from the beginning she grabbed my attention with Constance trying to escape a unwanted match to a man who gave her the creeps who asked for her hand to her father so her uncle has helped her with passage to her aunt's to plead her case. Traveling in those days alone was not accepted so she had a companion Mrs. Mortimer with her on the ship. But this journey was not meant to be it would seem because they are set upon right away by pirates attacking the ship. Now this is no mansy pansy attack written of either. It is filled with action that has you gripping the book and riveted word by word on oh dear what will happen to them sort of stuff. Of course at times the action is intense fitting of the times and place. Hero in the form of captain of the ship but will it be enough? On the plus side for her is that the pirate captain is not the one who discovers her but a pirate that is described quite yummy and good enough to eat by the accounts written. Percy but known by a different name in the pirate world has claimed the prize in more ways than one but also knows who she really is and why he must keep her safe regardless how it might affect him in the long run. He is also forced to take over with "mutiny" from the black hearted Captain Frink before he had wanted to in order to rescue her and the men following him cause things have gone a little south so to speak. So the setting as I have said has captured me right away almost like Constance by Percy ha ha. So I barrel through the adventure on the seas and Constance and Percy do more than share a cabin in time she grows to love him and his heart is also captured but alas he thinks he once on land cannot be good enough for her. Events that follow keep you tuned to these two with other colorful characters. I found I had a love/hate feeling for her father though. Men of those times were just that men. Women had very little freedoms and the rules of society made things quite difficult to say the least. Of course there is the more than one black hearted fellow in here the one she was running from to begin with. The vivid scenes of drama and adventure keeps you captured that you too forget the time cause of the talent she has to wisk you away. The romance is quite dashing also warms the blood and chases any chills if you have any away. The intensity of the love these two develop is the kind hoped for today and satisfies any romance reader. There is also great humor at times that brings a chuckle out loud a time or two. Read for yourself why the title for this is a not to be missed adventure filled romance of the high seas kind. Villains will be brought down and anyone missing this treat could find themselves in the brigade of woo for not having sampled it themselves. Received a arc for a honest review.
The book opens with a literal bang, and the pacing holds up pretty well from there on. The prose has an immersive, classic feel to it—with notable strength in dialogue and the depiction of action scenes.
Percy was easily the highlight of this story. With something of a self-imposed split personality, it can take a bit of getting used to before readers incorporate his three modes into one complete package. (Yes, three. Allow me to explain...) The first Percy we meet is in the form of the swashbuckling rogue Thomas, his undercover identity...one he's lived with for so long—witnessing, allowing, and participating in such soul-tainting activities—that his true sense of self at the start seems in utter jeopardy. The second Percy I will refer to as the Fop, as this personality is a whimsical dandy with a wit as keen as his projected taste for eccentric extravagance. (This reader ADORED the Foppish version of Percy, despite it being more of an amusing facade.) And finally, there is Percy number three: Lord Percival Avery Stanton, future Duke of Blendingham. (And yes, this version is as complicated as his name/title. I'd argue him to be the truest version of Percy, fusing traits of the first two with the weighty mantle of guilt and responsibility.)
To be honest, this reader wasn't a tremendous fan of Constance. (Fragile, damaged women aren't my favorite archetype for a heroine.) But considering her societal station and past trauma, she's completely believable in the historical context. And readers can be assured that her character sustains marked growth and healing by the time the story reaches a point of resolution.
As more of a side note: I did find all of the titles, rules, and intricate proclivities of the Ton to be a bit overwhelming. (I'm not a total stranger to this particular era of historical fiction, but I have to confess I've never had much interest or understanding for the Ton and the sociological stranglehold it held during it's Hay Day.) The author at least seems to have an extensive grasp of such things, offering a depth of perspective I hope some will appreciate more than this reader could.
All together, a promising introduction to Katherine Bone's storytelling capacities.
Lady Constance Danbury is a wanted woman ----wanted by 4 very different men. Lord Burton is an older man known to be violent with women and use them for his own perverted sexual pleasure. He won’t stop until Lady Constance is his wife. His threats drive Lady Constance away from her home in England. Lieutenant Henry Guffauld is tasked with protecting her while she is on board a ship bound for Spain. He also falls under her spell. Unfortunately, Lady Constance’s trip is interrupted when pirates attack her ship. A deranged captain, Frink, attacks the vessel and acts without mercy. One of his commanding officers, Thomas Sexton/Percival Avery, finds Lady Constance in her cabin. After he sees her he knows nothing will ever be the same again. Too bad Captain Frink decides that he must have Lady Constance. But Thomas isn’t backing down.
The storyline takes off from there. The author does an excellent job of weaving suspense, drama, and romance together for a nonstop roller coaster ride. Every time I thought I figured out exactly what was going on and tried to predict the ending another twist happened. I was glued to this novel day and night until I could finish it. There was no lull in the story. There were also some areas where I found myself laughing out loud. I think the author’s description of Percival Avery and the confrontation between Percival and Lord Burton had me doubled over laughing. So the storyline had the best of everything suspense, humor, romance, and action.
The author did an excellent job of introducing characters and making them complex. I loved that the author took great care to share the self-talk that Thomas had while trying to figure out how to navigate his relationship with Constance while pursuing his own goals. Thomas and Constance had a passionate romance. The sizzle could not be denied. Constance was no shrinking violet. She was independent and unafraid to take a leap into the unknown. She also had a strong spirit and despite being plagued by nightmares she continued to display great courage. I loved the display of love that was woven throughout the storyline. Both Constance and Thomas had strong family ties. At the heart of these characters their love of each other is what drove them to act the way they did.
Duke by Day, Rogue by Night paints a beautiful picture of love, loss and what could be. Ms.Bone has a way of writing that draws you in to the point that you are transported to her world completely. You care about her characters. You can see their world as they see it. You actually care about what happens to them. Do they find love? Do they overcome their loss?
There were so many different aspects to this novel from Percy's double life as both a Duke and a Rouge and the evil men behind the tragic death of his sister, to Constance's impending marriage to a much older scoundrel, that made this novel a gripping page turner. This was a book in which the action begins straight away, and does not let up until the very (surprising) end.
This novel held a lot of firsts for me. It was not only the first novel I've read by Katherine Bone, it is also the first novel I've read that contained pirates (shame on me I know). It was also the first novel in which a character leading a double life has seemed that real to me. Usually, the "two halves" are generally so much alike I'm beating my head into the wall trying to figure out how it is the other characters haven't figure it out yet. However, this is not the case here. In Duke by Day, Rogue by Night, the characters of Percival Avery and Thomas Sexton are (in appearance) enough to fool most anyone. Thomas is murdering one-eyed pirate and sexual fantasy all rolled into one. Percival Avery, however, is most commonly referred to as a (two-eyed) Popinjay. It was easy to see by Ms.Bone's use of descriptions how it was this man was able to fool so many people.
Speaking of the characters - you either loved them, hated them, or were unsure of them. And while this may lead people to believe that they were one-dimensional, trust me when I say they were anything but. Each and every one of the characters you meet has clear motives when it comes to acting the way that they do.
After reading this novel, I absolutely cannot wait to read more by Katherine Bone!
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not reflected upon my review in any way.
A tawdry romance for the pirate lovers! Secrets that didn’t need to be held, heaving bosoms and other of the such. It was a lovely cheese of a romantic romp.
For some reason it took me a little while to get into the book, even though it starts off very action packed. I also found myself really not liking the lead female at the start of the book, but I have a feeling that this is a ploy by Katherine Bone to demonstrate how trials and tribulations can develop a person's character. For by the end of the book, you begin to see her strength and resilience through dealing with difficult and trying circumstances.
The book is extremely action packed. It was hard to put down at times because I just wanted to know what would come next. The book also offers intrigue and mystery, which keeps the reader guessing into the last 30 pages of the book about who's done what and why. The romance was also done very well. Katherine Boone builds up the steamy parts of the book and contrasts them nicely with each other. The end of the book also leaves the reader feeling satisfied with a conclusion to the action and the romantic entanglements.
I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone who loves action, mystery and romance. Not to mention pirates!
This was my first Katherine Bone book, and I couldn't have been more entertained than reading this book. It's fabulous! Oh my, Lord Avery! He's every ladies dream pirate come to the rescue; and Lady Constance most definitely needed rescuing, as she certainly got in over her head in her attempt to help her Father out of financial ruin. This book has everything, a great plot, and wonderful characters, there is action and adventure aplenty. I was so captured by Katherine Bone's writing that as soon as I finished this book I began book #2 in Nelson's Tea Series. Do yourself a big favor and read this book. If you've never read a book of her's before, you'll be happy you didn't wait another day!
What can I say but that I really enjoyed this book..Katherine makes you feel like your there, I smelled the stench of blood and smoke from the fighting, and then I found myself hold my breath in one scene when the Damsel in distress fell into the flooded hold of the ship..and the cold sea water engulfed her. My face felt the caress of his kisses, my body tingled..I really got into this story "Big Time" I don't give spoilers, and I love to be surprised..and so will you reading this artful;y written book..You will want to read more of her works..The New Cover is Beautiful and So Perfect for this Story.
I'd been wanting to read this book for a while, and I'm glad I finally picked it up. I enjoyed it very much. It is full of adventure, exciting secrets and intrigue. I liked the fast pace. It kept me moving forward and wanting to know more. I totally enjoyed the alter egos which are clearly suggested by the title, so I don't guess I'm giving anything away. Constance was also great and her dilemma quite exciting! For anyone who enjoys romance and adventure--this won't disappoint!
Baby, I'm home. I cut my romantic teeth on pirate love stories so when I heard this was coming out, I put it on my must read list. So worth it. Duke by Day, Rogue by Night brought back all the wonderful things I enjoyed about these adventurous stories. I'd forgotten what I was missing. I'll be watching for the next swashbuckling scoundrel from Katherine Bone.
I received this book free from the Goodreads giveaway. Loved this book. Adventure, drama, romance all in one. Wasn't able to put it down. Very good read!!
Percival Avery, Duke of Blendingham, despises pirates and yet here pretending to be one, at the duplicitous Captain Barnabas Frink’s quartermaster. As part of Nelson’s Tea, Percy’s mission is to find out who is funding Frink’s smuggling operations. Percy is told by Frink that he will be entrusted a woman, and Lady Constance Danbury is that woman. Constance is sailing on the Octavia to Spain to secure her trust, or she will have to marry the fat, old and vile Lord Burton to save her father from ruin. Alas, Constance is to relive a childhood nightmare when the Octavia is attacked by the pirate crew of the Striker and she is kidnapped. At least, the pirate who minds her is devilishly handsome …
The Nelson’s Tea series continues with Percy’s adventures, which I was very much looking forward to and it was not quite what I expected. Maybe Percy got used a tad too much at playing the pirate, because I didn’t find him very gentlemanly and not because of his actions as a pirate, but in relation to Constance, and I didn’t like him that much. I did not appreciate his behaviour, which I find objectionable, even by today’s standards; it was not sexy, it was creepy. Yet, it seemed it was sufficient for Constance to lust after her captor. There is no accounting for taste, I suppose. And I also think he could have confided in her that he was not really a pirate, without revealing his true purpose. Constance is quite spirited, reckless, resourceful, except when she isn’t; I thought her a bit of a ninny. I also found a bit tiresome all the fuss made over Constance’s precious virginity, not that it was not all important in 1804. I would have enjoyed the second half of the book so much more if the first half had been condensed in a few chapters. There was so much talking and thinking about what had happened, what could happen, what might happen, and so little actual doing, with the exception of the pirate attack of the Octavia. The action sequences, however, were dazzling and lively, and the period details stunning. The second half was so much better, but I was still a bit dazed by all the verbal assault of the first half, I found it difficult to get invested. And no, I did not read it all at once.
Katherine Bone’s writing is always stellar: her vocabulary is so original, colourful, her prose so precise, eloquent and effortless, it shimmers. I found Constance and Percy’s romance somewhat unconvincing; I do not equate lust with love, and their relationship was based on little else but the former and gratitude on Constance’s part. I love Katherine Bone’s writing, I love her pirates, and it pains me to say that this book just didn’t work for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Duke by Day, Rogue by Night is the first book in the Nelson's Tea series by Katherine Bone.
Constance Dewbury is being forced into a marriage in order to save her father from bankruptcy. In order to get out of the marriage, she foolishly sets out on a ship to Spain in order to try to convince an aunt of hers to let her have money that she is entitled to when she reaches age. If she can have that money she won't have to marry at all. Unfortunately, her plans die a death when the ship she is on is taken over by pirates and she is taken by them. Fortunately though, one of the pirates is actually working for the English as a spy and he promises to get her home to her father safely.
That pirate is actually a Duke in disguise. Percival Avery takes on the persona of Thomas Sexton a rogue and a pirate in order to discover secrets for the English government. This particular mission is personal too, he is on the trail of the person who killed his father and sister. When the captain of the ship he is on 'takes' the Octavia which Constance is on, he recognises her as the niece of his friend and boss. He and his men mutiny and he becomes the new captain in order to keep Constance safe.
From there the story escalates into one that was full of suspense and romance. Suspense because we follow Percy's attempts at finding his parents murderers, which ends up quite the twisted tale with discoveries abounding that nobody expected. Romance because of course Percy and Constance are attracted to each other despite the fact that she believes him to be a pirate, and he knows she is off limits as his boss's niece. Is there any chance of them being together, never say never! Reading how they overcome any obstacles including possible death to one or both of them was a real pleasure to read. I loved how Constance accepted both the personas of Percy and Thomas once she found out about his dual life. As he said, she loved him as Duke by Day, Rogue by Night! A perfect line which makes the perfect title for the story.
I really loved this book and cannot wait to read the next in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.
When a number of ill-advised financial dealings threaten her father’s reputation, Lady Constance Danbury finds herself facing an arranged marriage to Lord Burton a cruel man nearly twice her age. Willing to do anything to escape the betrothal, she boards a merchantman The Octavia bound for Spain to enlist her estranged aunt’s aid. But when the ship is overtaken by pirates led by Captain Frink. Percival Avery, Duke of Blendingham, is a member of Nelson’s Tea, an elite group of patriots assigned to protect England’s shores at any cost. Service to the Crown requires heroic sacrifice, and for Percy, that means living a double life. On land, he is a mysterious nobleman, and at sea, he is a dangerous pirate Thomas Seaton infiltrating the underbelly of society. He takes great care to keep his two identities separate, but while investigating a notorious pirate ring, Percy finds them coming to a head. Now, he must choose between completing his mission and saving the life of the beautiful woman he recognizes as his commander’s niece. I was drawn in from page one & was engrossed all the way through. The characters are very well portrayed & have plenty of depth. The story flowed so well in fact at times I couldn’t read fast enough! The details & descriptions of the storming of the Octavia had me squirming & if it had have been a film I’m sure my eyes would have been closed at times. I fell for Percy in the first book of the series, he’s just so very Scarlet Pimpernel & I’m glad he found love. Both Percy & Constance are dealing with losing loved ones & finding who was behind their deaths. There are twists & turns along the way to their HEA. The villains are horrid & made my skin crawl. I now look forward to Guffald’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Katherine Bone is a new author to me. I have only read book 1 in this series. Although I have seen her name in some anthologies and while searching around Amazon for books to read. With a new author, a book cover is what always grabs my attention first. I ran across this cover and thought it looked interesting so I had to check the series out. I researched her a bit and although readers didn't give her great reviews on Amazon, I do like to form my own opinion. I also like that they have espionage and spy storylines and doesn't sound like the usual ton read.
So early in, Constance grew to be a bit irritating at times. Yes I get her predicament but she seemed so strong one minute and a spoiled brat the next. I really liked Percy. I wouldn’t have minded be captured by that pirate. 😊😉 I have definitely been interested in the storylines. Love the concept of pirating and pirates but for the good guys plus there was finally a small sex scene. hahaha 😊 These have been really interesting reads.