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A Rogue's Promise
When her brother mysteriously disappears along with an ancient artifact that had once belonged to their father, Lady Joanna Fenton is forced to enter the seedy underworld of London to find the truth and encounters MacDonald Archer, the bastard son of a viscount, who vows to help her, and in the process, awakens a fierce passion within her. Original.
338 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 25, 2016
3.75 Stars
If you enjoy Regency romances and are looking for another author, try this story. Ms. Waide wrote four romances that were published between 1999 and 2002 and this was her last. Taking place in London in 1816, it has all the elements for a light read. A handsome hero who falls in love against his will. A heroine who borders on being a milquetoast one moment and, at the same time, a strong, intelligent and assertive woman without being annoying.
Exasperating? This is how 'Mac' Archer feels when he meets Lady Joanna Fenton. He is a by-blow, a smuggler, and a rogue. He has always played his cards close to his chest. His true friends are few but for them he will do anything.
Joanna puts herself on the back burner when it comes to her family. At two and twenty, she believes she is on the shelf. Her father passed on over a year before, leaving her mother and siblings in a bind. Her family spends more than they own and Joanna feels responsible for taking care of everyone. When her brother goes missing along with a valuable treasure, Joanna hires Mac to help her find both.
She intrigues him. He sees someone that others are quick to dismiss. At first he tells himself she is just a business interest. He certainly didn't plan to like her. To want her.
He fascinates her. Joanna thinks Mac is arrogant. And dashing, kind and charming. The wordplay between the two is at times both witty and humorous. He likes to get a rise out of her. Her shyness at certain moments only makes him want her more. They soon find themselves paired together in this airy adventure.
Unlike traditional regencies, this book contains some some sex after a good amount of tension. But not before both hero and heroine have their fair share amount of wondering about it.
Why not five stars? At times, the author let some contemporary lingo slip by. IMHO things were a little too predictable in the end. Still, I managed to breeze through this romance within a day. Just be prepared for some fun fluff with a dash of adventure and you won't be disappointed. 3.75*
If you enjoy Regency romances and are looking for another author, try this story. Ms. Waide wrote four romances that were published between 1999 and 2002 and this was her last. Taking place in London in 1816, it has all the elements for a light read. A handsome hero who falls in love against his will. A heroine who borders on being a milquetoast one moment and, at the same time, a strong, intelligent and assertive woman without being annoying.
Exasperating? This is how 'Mac' Archer feels when he meets Lady Joanna Fenton. He is a by-blow, a smuggler, and a rogue. He has always played his cards close to his chest. His true friends are few but for them he will do anything.
Joanna puts herself on the back burner when it comes to her family. At two and twenty, she believes she is on the shelf. Her father passed on over a year before, leaving her mother and siblings in a bind. Her family spends more than they own and Joanna feels responsible for taking care of everyone. When her brother goes missing along with a valuable treasure, Joanna hires Mac to help her find both.
She intrigues him. He sees someone that others are quick to dismiss. At first he tells himself she is just a business interest. He certainly didn't plan to like her. To want her.
He fascinates her. Joanna thinks Mac is arrogant. And dashing, kind and charming. The wordplay between the two is at times both witty and humorous. He likes to get a rise out of her. Her shyness at certain moments only makes him want her more. They soon find themselves paired together in this airy adventure.
Unlike traditional regencies, this book contains some some sex after a good amount of tension. But not before both hero and heroine have their fair share amount of wondering about it.
Why not five stars? At times, the author let some contemporary lingo slip by. IMHO things were a little too predictable in the end. Still, I managed to breeze through this romance within a day. Just be prepared for some fun fluff with a dash of adventure and you won't be disappointed. 3.75*
September 8, 2019
This was in a pile of free give away books so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was surprised that it wasn’t too bad.
It was a quick,light, fluff read. As you read, it becomes obvious that there was a previous book w/these characters but b/c the author does a good job of summarizing, the reader isn’t lost.
I will look for more books by this writer. I’d recommend it as an easy travel/beach read.
It was a quick,light, fluff read. As you read, it becomes obvious that there was a previous book w/these characters but b/c the author does a good job of summarizing, the reader isn’t lost.
I will look for more books by this writer. I’d recommend it as an easy travel/beach read.
August 13, 2008
Lady Joanna Fenton is in way over her head. The ancient Chinese statue that would have saved her family’s finances is gone, along with her younger brother. With her mother’s ostrich-like attitude and the date of the auction, where the statue would’ve been sold, drawing near, Joanna doesn’t know where to turn.
On a friend’s recommendation, she boldly decides to go where no lady of the Ton has ever ventured before, and enters a seedy tavern in search of one MacDonald Archer. She hopes the man used to move in the underbelly of London, might help her find her brother and the statue, all the while keeping at bay a scandal that might ruin her sister’s possibilities of a prosperous marriage.
What she finds in the tavern is not at all what she’s expected. Mac looks more a gentleman than a (retired) smuggler, his educated manners belie his surroundings, and he has no intention of helping her.
Mac is just one illegal shipment away from forsaking his smuggler’s ways and try his hand at legal trade. The danger and adventure are no longer satisfying and in truth he doesn’t know what exactly he’s missing or looking for.
When Joanna enters his life and immediately intrigues him. He sees beyond the veneer she sports in front of the society and her intent on saving her family piques his interest. She is a puzzle, both vulnerable and determined and he soon joins her on her hunt fro answers.
Though at first glance this book is a romantic suspense novel from the regency era, the mystery subplot serves more as the backdrop for the romance and the necessary character development that comes along with it.
Unlike other historical suspense novels that focus mostly on the mystery subplot, reducing the romance into graphic coupling scenes with no romance and even less love, the romance in this book is strong and endearing. The author made an effort to incorporate equal amounts of sensuality and romance and her effort paid off.
Though Lady Joanna Fenton is a model of HR heroines, strong, determined, feisty, her lack of confidence and continuous disbelief in compliments Mac pays her really got on my nerves from time to time. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a wonderful character. Despite the fact that her family often takes her for granted and her reputation has been torn to pieces a few years back, she hasn’t fled to the country or doesn’t stay locked up in the house, but faces the polite society with as much dignity as she can possess. As Mac notices, she’s a mix of determination and vulnerability, and luckily by the end of the novel, she stops behaving like a martyr to her mother and brother, and decides to take Mac’s words to heart.
What to say of Mac? He is McDreamy and McSteamy blended into one, every woman’s fantasy come true. He’s a walking contradiction, which all women find appealing. He’s a bad boy one moment, and the next he’s putty in the hands of the woman he loves. Strong yet gentle, with an extremely short fuse, but caring, passionate, and with a sensual touch that turns both Joanna and the reader into mush.
With a combination of romance, suspense, and danger this book is one breathtaking rollercoaster. Yet despite all the action, the true gem of this book are the two main characters.
On a friend’s recommendation, she boldly decides to go where no lady of the Ton has ever ventured before, and enters a seedy tavern in search of one MacDonald Archer. She hopes the man used to move in the underbelly of London, might help her find her brother and the statue, all the while keeping at bay a scandal that might ruin her sister’s possibilities of a prosperous marriage.
What she finds in the tavern is not at all what she’s expected. Mac looks more a gentleman than a (retired) smuggler, his educated manners belie his surroundings, and he has no intention of helping her.
Mac is just one illegal shipment away from forsaking his smuggler’s ways and try his hand at legal trade. The danger and adventure are no longer satisfying and in truth he doesn’t know what exactly he’s missing or looking for.
When Joanna enters his life and immediately intrigues him. He sees beyond the veneer she sports in front of the society and her intent on saving her family piques his interest. She is a puzzle, both vulnerable and determined and he soon joins her on her hunt fro answers.
Though at first glance this book is a romantic suspense novel from the regency era, the mystery subplot serves more as the backdrop for the romance and the necessary character development that comes along with it.
Unlike other historical suspense novels that focus mostly on the mystery subplot, reducing the romance into graphic coupling scenes with no romance and even less love, the romance in this book is strong and endearing. The author made an effort to incorporate equal amounts of sensuality and romance and her effort paid off.
Though Lady Joanna Fenton is a model of HR heroines, strong, determined, feisty, her lack of confidence and continuous disbelief in compliments Mac pays her really got on my nerves from time to time. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a wonderful character. Despite the fact that her family often takes her for granted and her reputation has been torn to pieces a few years back, she hasn’t fled to the country or doesn’t stay locked up in the house, but faces the polite society with as much dignity as she can possess. As Mac notices, she’s a mix of determination and vulnerability, and luckily by the end of the novel, she stops behaving like a martyr to her mother and brother, and decides to take Mac’s words to heart.
What to say of Mac? He is McDreamy and McSteamy blended into one, every woman’s fantasy come true. He’s a walking contradiction, which all women find appealing. He’s a bad boy one moment, and the next he’s putty in the hands of the woman he loves. Strong yet gentle, with an extremely short fuse, but caring, passionate, and with a sensual touch that turns both Joanna and the reader into mush.
With a combination of romance, suspense, and danger this book is one breathtaking rollercoaster. Yet despite all the action, the true gem of this book are the two main characters.
August 20, 2008
One of my all time favorite Regency Romances
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews