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Taming the Tudor Male in Three Easy Lessons #2
Once A Rogue
Sometimes a bad boy is just a hero in disguise.
Before Lucasta Collyer resigns herself to an arranged marriage she wants one night of discovery…on her own terms…with a complete stranger. But Lucy’s plan for a single night of anonymous passion is destined for trouble. Her fortress heart, once fiercely protected, is breached by John Carver, a blue-eyed, salty-mouthed, yeoman farmer. He also happens to be a self-professed former rogue. John is brazen, arrogant and refuses to obey orders. He’s everything Lucasta shouldn’t want yet she can’t resist the challenge.
John has never bowed to nobility, nor will he be the plaything of an imperious, icy-tempered, young hussy. Clearly Lucasta needs a lesson in what it’s like to toy with with a man, and it’s one he’ll gladly teach her. But this rogue might not be as reformed as he wants everyone to believe.
Can Lucasta and John go back to their own worlds and forget one another after their one night together, or will they risk everything for love?
Before Lucasta Collyer resigns herself to an arranged marriage she wants one night of discovery…on her own terms…with a complete stranger. But Lucy’s plan for a single night of anonymous passion is destined for trouble. Her fortress heart, once fiercely protected, is breached by John Carver, a blue-eyed, salty-mouthed, yeoman farmer. He also happens to be a self-professed former rogue. John is brazen, arrogant and refuses to obey orders. He’s everything Lucasta shouldn’t want yet she can’t resist the challenge.
John has never bowed to nobility, nor will he be the plaything of an imperious, icy-tempered, young hussy. Clearly Lucasta needs a lesson in what it’s like to toy with with a man, and it’s one he’ll gladly teach her. But this rogue might not be as reformed as he wants everyone to believe.
Can Lucasta and John go back to their own worlds and forget one another after their one night together, or will they risk everything for love?
290 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2011
11 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 29, 2021
***SPOILER***
Brief physical abuse.
England 1588.
Lucasta "Lucy" was soon to wed Lord Winton, old
enough to be her father. She hoped to thwart him by
getting rid of her pesky virginity by paying a man to
seduce her (before her wedding day). She chose John
a farmer to do the honors, but acted condescending
toward John.
Lucy & John both had tempers and acted distrustful.
Each acted younger than her/ his stated age. Why did
John assume Lucy was a trollop w/o talking this out
with her first? John had a sweetheart, Alice, who every-
one assumed he'd wed. Alice's friend insulted Lucy, &
these 2 women engaged in fisticuffs and wrestling.
Huh?
I could take or leave the leads. John's widowed Mom
was the most interesting character.
Brief physical abuse.
England 1588.
Lucasta "Lucy" was soon to wed Lord Winton, old
enough to be her father. She hoped to thwart him by
getting rid of her pesky virginity by paying a man to
seduce her (before her wedding day). She chose John
a farmer to do the honors, but acted condescending
toward John.
Lucy & John both had tempers and acted distrustful.
Each acted younger than her/ his stated age. Why did
John assume Lucy was a trollop w/o talking this out
with her first? John had a sweetheart, Alice, who every-
one assumed he'd wed. Alice's friend insulted Lucy, &
these 2 women engaged in fisticuffs and wrestling.
Huh?
I could take or leave the leads. John's widowed Mom
was the most interesting character.
February 1, 2018
Enjoyed the Tudor time period and the fact that neither hero nor heroine were nobility.
February 15, 2018
I always love a Jayne Fresina book! This one is one of her earliest published books, and it's noticeable. I enjoyed it greatly, but I love her more recent titles even better.
August 11, 2024
Dnf at 10% but maybe I’ll give it another chance
December 24, 2011
originally posted at http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
There’s just something endearing about a woman who wants to lose her virginity to thwart her soon-to-be-bridegroom. From page one of Once A Rogue, Lucasta Collyer proves to be a spitfire in search of life on her own terms, in a time when women were little more than possessions. In fact, the fiery hero and heroine are two of the major attractions in Jayne Fresina’s historical romance, set in 1588.
Quite often in romance novels we see the old adage “opposites attract” played out through a series of spirited encounters. Lucy Collyer and John Carver, however, prove that two like souls can provide just as many fireworks. Both hero and heroine are feisty, headstrong, passionate characters whose pasts have led them to the chance encounter that changes their lives. I was particularly drawn to Lucy, ready to defy all the male figures in her life to get what she wants for the first time.
The plot also captures the reader from the opening scene—Lucy in a bawdy house choosing the man to whom she will give her maidenhead. Disguise and mistaken identity, a night of passion and a morning of reckoning, flight and discovery all move the story along at a steady pace as Lucy and John meet and part repeatedly. Each encounter syncs them more securely together, though they constantly protest their attraction.
The major drawback to Once A Rogue, in my opinion, is not enough historical grounding. Ms. Fresina set her tale during the English Renaissance, a colorful time with the possibility of rich settings and costumes. With my love of the period, I craved the minute details that would set the characters and action firmly in that particular world. Even though much of the novel is set in a rural cottage, I still wanted to revel in that part of the Renaissance as well. And though she does include some well known events, like the defeat of the Armada, they seemed far removed from the action and therefore less part of the world of the novel.
If you enjoy a sexy romp with strong characters vying for control in and outside the bedroom, you will surely want to read Once A Rogue. The title is suppose to refer to John Carver’s past exploits, but it could just as easily describe Lucy’s roguish rebellion. As I said before, they are so much alike they have to be made for each other.
There’s just something endearing about a woman who wants to lose her virginity to thwart her soon-to-be-bridegroom. From page one of Once A Rogue, Lucasta Collyer proves to be a spitfire in search of life on her own terms, in a time when women were little more than possessions. In fact, the fiery hero and heroine are two of the major attractions in Jayne Fresina’s historical romance, set in 1588.
Quite often in romance novels we see the old adage “opposites attract” played out through a series of spirited encounters. Lucy Collyer and John Carver, however, prove that two like souls can provide just as many fireworks. Both hero and heroine are feisty, headstrong, passionate characters whose pasts have led them to the chance encounter that changes their lives. I was particularly drawn to Lucy, ready to defy all the male figures in her life to get what she wants for the first time.
The plot also captures the reader from the opening scene—Lucy in a bawdy house choosing the man to whom she will give her maidenhead. Disguise and mistaken identity, a night of passion and a morning of reckoning, flight and discovery all move the story along at a steady pace as Lucy and John meet and part repeatedly. Each encounter syncs them more securely together, though they constantly protest their attraction.
The major drawback to Once A Rogue, in my opinion, is not enough historical grounding. Ms. Fresina set her tale during the English Renaissance, a colorful time with the possibility of rich settings and costumes. With my love of the period, I craved the minute details that would set the characters and action firmly in that particular world. Even though much of the novel is set in a rural cottage, I still wanted to revel in that part of the Renaissance as well. And though she does include some well known events, like the defeat of the Armada, they seemed far removed from the action and therefore less part of the world of the novel.
If you enjoy a sexy romp with strong characters vying for control in and outside the bedroom, you will surely want to read Once A Rogue. The title is suppose to refer to John Carver’s past exploits, but it could just as easily describe Lucy’s roguish rebellion. As I said before, they are so much alike they have to be made for each other.
April 11, 2016
This is the second book of the Taming the Tudor Male in Three Easy Lessons Series.
Once a Rogue, tells the story of Lucasta, a young lady that refuses to enter her arranged marriage being a virgin. But when she decides to spend the night with an escort she didn't imagine he would deny to follow her orders in the bedroom. John, a former rogue, becomes fascinated with the woman in front of him. She's bossy, spoiled and apparently always gets her way - not this time.
As their story progressed their struggle for power receives more and more attention. I loved the tension between them and all the twists Fresina had for this story. The plot was really tight and the characters amazing. I loved the secondary cast of characters too. I would have liked the end better if the last chapter wasn't there, and instead using this material for The Savage and the Stiff Upper Lip (the next book). Jayne has improved immensely since her first published novella, Engraved, that I had the pleasure to review previously and give it 4 stars!
I'll definitely read all the books of this series and the other incredible stories Jayne Fresina will come up with next! She has captivated me and now she has a new fan!
Originally posted at thetbrpile.weebly.com
November 28, 2011
Enter Contest Here: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...
I loved the tension between them and all the twists Fresina had for this story. The plot was really tight and the characters amazing. I loved the secondary cast of characters too. I would have liked the end better if the last chapter wasn't there, and instead using this material for The Savage and the Stiff Upper Lip (the next book). Jayne has improved immensely since her first published novella, Engraved, that I had the pleasure to review previously and give it 4 stars!
I'll definitely read all the books of this series and the other incredible stories Jayne Fresina will come up with next! She has captivated me and now she has a new fan!
I loved the tension between them and all the twists Fresina had for this story. The plot was really tight and the characters amazing. I loved the secondary cast of characters too. I would have liked the end better if the last chapter wasn't there, and instead using this material for The Savage and the Stiff Upper Lip (the next book). Jayne has improved immensely since her first published novella, Engraved, that I had the pleasure to review previously and give it 4 stars!
I'll definitely read all the books of this series and the other incredible stories Jayne Fresina will come up with next! She has captivated me and now she has a new fan!
December 20, 2013
A good romance that starts with Lucy determined to give her virginity to a man of her choice (its John's lucky day) as long as it's not the husband she'll be marrying the next day. While not as comedic as her Miss Ellie Vyne book, Ms Fresina does another great job with the banter between the two main characters, giving the heroine sass and strength despite her circumstances. Alarming was the references of ownership and women as possessions, though no doubt that was more the reality of the time. The passion and love that grows is a slow burn.
August 1, 2012
I'm really enjoying this book so far. It's somewhat unusual in that the hero is a farmer (!!) or all things & is sometimes portrayed as being somewhat uncouth (written very well so it's not off putting). Secondary characters are lovely - his mother, the dog!! Loved when the hero discovered he'd fallen in love with Lucy - he gets very nicely possessive.
July 20, 2014
Very good. I read the first book in this trilogy, Seducing the Beast, I have to say I was wonderfully surprised with both books and looking forward to the next one The Savage and the Stiff Upper Lip". This is a new author for me and I truly love her books.
November 8, 2015
cute but something about the way she writes doesn't work for me.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews