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The Ransleigh Rogues #1
Deshonrada
Cuando se es un libertino...
El diplomático Max Ransleigh, al que conocían como Max el Magnífico, era famoso por su encanto, pero una traición política le hizo perder su cargo y reputación. No parecía el salvador más adecuado para una joven de buena familia.
Pero la señorita Caroline Denby no necesitaba que la salvaran; bien al contrario, quería que arruinaran su reputación. Para Caroline, el matrimonio equivalía a una sentencia de muerte, así que cuando conoció a Max, pensó que era la solución a sus problemas. Ahora, solo tenía que convencer a aquel libertino para que hiciera algo útil con su fama.
El diplomático Max Ransleigh, al que conocían como Max el Magnífico, era famoso por su encanto, pero una traición política le hizo perder su cargo y reputación. No parecía el salvador más adecuado para una joven de buena familia.
Pero la señorita Caroline Denby no necesitaba que la salvaran; bien al contrario, quería que arruinaran su reputación. Para Caroline, el matrimonio equivalía a una sentencia de muerte, así que cuando conoció a Max, pensó que era la solución a sus problemas. Ahora, solo tenía que convencer a aquel libertino para que hiciera algo útil con su fama.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2013
23 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Julia Justiss
222 books317 followersJulia Justiss grew up breathing the scent of sea air near the colonial town of Annapolis, Maryland, a fact responsible for two of her life-long passions: sailors and history! By age twelve she was a junior tour guide for Historic Annapolis, conducting visitors on walking tours through the city that was a hotbed of revolutionary fervor. (Annapolis hosted its own tea party, dispensing with the cargo aboard the "Peggy Stewart," and was briefly capital of the United States.) She also took tourists through Annapolis's other big attraction, the United States Naval Academy. After so many years of observing future naval officers at P-rade and chapel, it seemed almost inevitable that she eventually married one.
But long before embarking on romantic adventures of her own, she read about them, transporting herself to such favorite venues as ancient Egypt, World War II submarine patrols, the Old South and, of course, Regency England. Soon she was keeping notebooks for jotting down story ideas. From plotting adventures for her first favorite heroine Nancy Drew she went on to write poetry in high school and college, then worked as a business journalist doing speeches, sales promotion material and newsletter articles. After her marriage to a naval lieutenant took her overseas, she wrote the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Before leaving Tunis, she fulfilled her first goal: completing a Regency novel.
Children intervened, and not until her husband left the Navy to return to his Texas homeland did she sit down to pen a second novel. The reply to her fan mail letter to a Regency author led her to Romance Writers of America. From the very first meeting, she knew she'd found a home among fellow writers--doubtless the largest group of people outside a mental institution who talk back to the voices in their heads.
Her second goal was achieved the day before her birthday in May, 1998 when Margaret Marbury of Harlequin Historicals offered to buy that second book, the Golden-Heart-Award winning novel that became THE WEDDING GAMBLE. Since then, she has gone on to write fourteen novels, three novellas and an on-line serial, along the way winning or finalling for historical awards from The Golden Quill, the National Reader’s Choice, Romantic Times, and All About Romance’s Favorite Book of the Year.
Julia now inhabits an English Georgian-style house she and her husband built in the East Texas countryside where, if she closes her eyes and ignores the summer thermometer, she can almost imagine she inhabits the landscape of "Pride and Prejudice." In between travelling to visit her three children (a naval officer son stationed in Washington, DC, a textiles and design major daughter who cheers for University of Texas at Austin, and a mechanical engineering major son also at UT Austin) keeping up with her science teacher husband and juggling a part-time day job as a high school French teacher, she pursues her first and dearest love--crafting stories.
To relax, she enjoys watching movies, reading (historical fiction, mystery, suspense) and puttering about in the garden trying to kill off more weeds than flowers.
But long before embarking on romantic adventures of her own, she read about them, transporting herself to such favorite venues as ancient Egypt, World War II submarine patrols, the Old South and, of course, Regency England. Soon she was keeping notebooks for jotting down story ideas. From plotting adventures for her first favorite heroine Nancy Drew she went on to write poetry in high school and college, then worked as a business journalist doing speeches, sales promotion material and newsletter articles. After her marriage to a naval lieutenant took her overseas, she wrote the newsletter for the American Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Before leaving Tunis, she fulfilled her first goal: completing a Regency novel.
Children intervened, and not until her husband left the Navy to return to his Texas homeland did she sit down to pen a second novel. The reply to her fan mail letter to a Regency author led her to Romance Writers of America. From the very first meeting, she knew she'd found a home among fellow writers--doubtless the largest group of people outside a mental institution who talk back to the voices in their heads.
Her second goal was achieved the day before her birthday in May, 1998 when Margaret Marbury of Harlequin Historicals offered to buy that second book, the Golden-Heart-Award winning novel that became THE WEDDING GAMBLE. Since then, she has gone on to write fourteen novels, three novellas and an on-line serial, along the way winning or finalling for historical awards from The Golden Quill, the National Reader’s Choice, Romantic Times, and All About Romance’s Favorite Book of the Year.
Julia now inhabits an English Georgian-style house she and her husband built in the East Texas countryside where, if she closes her eyes and ignores the summer thermometer, she can almost imagine she inhabits the landscape of "Pride and Prejudice." In between travelling to visit her three children (a naval officer son stationed in Washington, DC, a textiles and design major daughter who cheers for University of Texas at Austin, and a mechanical engineering major son also at UT Austin) keeping up with her science teacher husband and juggling a part-time day job as a high school French teacher, she pursues her first and dearest love--crafting stories.
To relax, she enjoys watching movies, reading (historical fiction, mystery, suspense) and puttering about in the garden trying to kill off more weeds than flowers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 21, 2016
3.5 stars - B- at AAR.
On the surface, The Rake to Ruin Her is a fairly run-of-the-mill marriage of convenience story, and as such, it’s well-written. I found the two principals to be engaging and fairly well-rounded given the smallish page-count allowed by the average Harlequin Historical.
Caro Denby is a rather unconventional young lady in that she has no desire to marry or make a name for herself in society. From a very young age, she has worked with her late father on his stud farm and desires nothing more than to be left alone to run it and breed horses. At a house-party held at Barton Abbey, the country home of Mrs Grace Ransleigh, Caro hits upon the idea of getting herself ruined so that she will no longer find herself being pestered by unwanted suitors and will be able to retire to her stud farm in peace.
With this end in mind, she approaches Max Ransleigh, nephew of her hostess, and proposes to him that he compromise her and then refuse to marry her so that her ruin will be complete and unalterable. But despite having a bit of a reputation with the ladies (and I have to say that I’m getting a little tired of seeing the term “rake” used repeatedly in historical romances to describe a man who is most definitely not one), he also has a strong sense of honour and understands the workings of society far more than Caro does. He refuses her request, despite being intrigued by her and the way such an intelligent and straightforward woman has managed to disguise herself so efficiently behind a succession of horrible dresses and unpolished manners.
Unfortunately however, matters do not rest there, and when Max intervenes to help Caro to repel the attentions of a suitor who tries to force himself upon her, she is compromised anyway. When he does the decent thing and offers for her hand, she refuses and goes home to her stud farm, until she is threatened with its loss and has to turn to Max for help.
What I particularly liked about this part of the book is that we’re shown how the consequences of Caro’s refusal to marry him affect Max and his social standing. He’s the younger son of an earl and was enjoying his work as a diplomat when a political scandal saw him removed from his post and his reputation sullied. Since he’s unable to reveal the truth behind his association with Caro, his reputation is further disparaged when it is learned that he has (supposedly) despoiled an innocent and is not to be married to her. Normally, it is the woman’s reputation that sustains the damage in this type of plot, but here, the tables are turned, which I thought was a refreshing change.
Max and Caro are attracted to each other from the outset (although I did get rather tired of reading about her tingling nipples and swollen breasts!) but when she insists on a marriage in name only and tells him she will not interfere with his taking his pleasures elsewhere, he accedes and they are married.
What Caro hasn’t told Max is that it isn’t the marital bed she’s worried about (I don’t think I’ve ever read a Harlequin heroine who was at such risk of spontaneous combustion if she didn’t get laid!) – but rather something she has named “The Curse” because of the fact that the majority of her female relatives, including her mother, have died in childbirth.
For a relatively short novel, I thought the author did a good job in fleshing out the principal characters and charting the progress of their relationship. Caro is refreshingly frank, despite the fact that she does not immediately tell Max about her fear of childbirth, and in fact, their relationship as a whole is very open and honest. I liked the way they were supportive of each other and understood each other, and the way their romantic relationship grew from that.
If I have a complaint, it’s that Caro went from virgin to sexpot with nothing in between. Not that it’s wrong for a woman to know what she wants from her man, but she seemed to me to be surprisingly forward for a woman of her time. I imagine the author’s continual references to the way Max’s touch had an incendiary effect on her (and her nipples!) were intended to show that Caro had the potential to be a siren in the bedroom, but I felt it was a bit too far a bit too fast.
The Rake to Ruin Her was an enjoyable read that had much more depth to it than I was originally expecting. Max and Caro are well-matched; there is a real sense of affection between them, and I can quite easily imagine them living happily in the country breeding horses and children!
On the surface, The Rake to Ruin Her is a fairly run-of-the-mill marriage of convenience story, and as such, it’s well-written. I found the two principals to be engaging and fairly well-rounded given the smallish page-count allowed by the average Harlequin Historical.
Caro Denby is a rather unconventional young lady in that she has no desire to marry or make a name for herself in society. From a very young age, she has worked with her late father on his stud farm and desires nothing more than to be left alone to run it and breed horses. At a house-party held at Barton Abbey, the country home of Mrs Grace Ransleigh, Caro hits upon the idea of getting herself ruined so that she will no longer find herself being pestered by unwanted suitors and will be able to retire to her stud farm in peace.
With this end in mind, she approaches Max Ransleigh, nephew of her hostess, and proposes to him that he compromise her and then refuse to marry her so that her ruin will be complete and unalterable. But despite having a bit of a reputation with the ladies (and I have to say that I’m getting a little tired of seeing the term “rake” used repeatedly in historical romances to describe a man who is most definitely not one), he also has a strong sense of honour and understands the workings of society far more than Caro does. He refuses her request, despite being intrigued by her and the way such an intelligent and straightforward woman has managed to disguise herself so efficiently behind a succession of horrible dresses and unpolished manners.
Unfortunately however, matters do not rest there, and when Max intervenes to help Caro to repel the attentions of a suitor who tries to force himself upon her, she is compromised anyway. When he does the decent thing and offers for her hand, she refuses and goes home to her stud farm, until she is threatened with its loss and has to turn to Max for help.
What I particularly liked about this part of the book is that we’re shown how the consequences of Caro’s refusal to marry him affect Max and his social standing. He’s the younger son of an earl and was enjoying his work as a diplomat when a political scandal saw him removed from his post and his reputation sullied. Since he’s unable to reveal the truth behind his association with Caro, his reputation is further disparaged when it is learned that he has (supposedly) despoiled an innocent and is not to be married to her. Normally, it is the woman’s reputation that sustains the damage in this type of plot, but here, the tables are turned, which I thought was a refreshing change.
Max and Caro are attracted to each other from the outset (although I did get rather tired of reading about her tingling nipples and swollen breasts!) but when she insists on a marriage in name only and tells him she will not interfere with his taking his pleasures elsewhere, he accedes and they are married.
What Caro hasn’t told Max is that it isn’t the marital bed she’s worried about (I don’t think I’ve ever read a Harlequin heroine who was at such risk of spontaneous combustion if she didn’t get laid!) – but rather something she has named “The Curse” because of the fact that the majority of her female relatives, including her mother, have died in childbirth.
For a relatively short novel, I thought the author did a good job in fleshing out the principal characters and charting the progress of their relationship. Caro is refreshingly frank, despite the fact that she does not immediately tell Max about her fear of childbirth, and in fact, their relationship as a whole is very open and honest. I liked the way they were supportive of each other and understood each other, and the way their romantic relationship grew from that.
If I have a complaint, it’s that Caro went from virgin to sexpot with nothing in between. Not that it’s wrong for a woman to know what she wants from her man, but she seemed to me to be surprisingly forward for a woman of her time. I imagine the author’s continual references to the way Max’s touch had an incendiary effect on her (and her nipples!) were intended to show that Caro had the potential to be a siren in the bedroom, but I felt it was a bit too far a bit too fast.
The Rake to Ruin Her was an enjoyable read that had much more depth to it than I was originally expecting. Max and Caro are well-matched; there is a real sense of affection between them, and I can quite easily imagine them living happily in the country breeding horses and children!
February 4, 2018
Bizdeki adıyla Kötü Şöhretin Bedeli romansında; adı bir suçlamadan dolayı kötüye çıkmış bir kontun oğlu olan Maximilian Ransleigh ve babasının ölümünden sonra at çiftliğini işletmekte kendini yükümlü hisseden Caroline Denby'nin hikayesi anlatılıyor.
İkilinin yolları bir davet de kesişiyor. Carol'un davete gitme amacı adını kötüye çıkarmak ve böylece kimsenin ona yanaşmamasını sağlamak. Amacı ise babasının çiftliğini evleneceği adamın yönetmesine izin vermemek. Babasının çiftliğini korumak için her şeyi yapmaya hazır. Bunun için kendine adı kötüye çıkmış bir eş adayı ararken yolları Max ile kesişiyor.
Max ise adı kötüye çıkmış geleceği parlak bir diplomat. Onun tek amacı ise adını kurtarmak. Ve bunun için her şeyi yapmaya hazır. Derken yolları Carol il kesişince ikili kendilerini anlaşmalı bir evliliğin içinde buluyorlar.
Başta anlaşmalı bir evlilik gibi görünse de zamanla birbirlerini tanıyıp aşık oluyorlar. Özellikle Max, Carol'un tanıdığı diğer kadınlardan farklı olduğunu görünce ona hayran kalmaktan geri duramıyor. Carol için ise Max adeta onun içini yakıyor. Max, nazik, anlayışlı, sorumluluk sahibi ve yardıma muhtaç insanlara yardım etme konusunda ısrarcı. Bu yönüyle Carol'ün kalbini çalıyor.
Carol aykırı bir karakter. Ve bu yönünü çok sevdim. O dönemin koşullarına ve şartlarına uymuyor. Tam tersi yönde hareket ediyor. Kadınların değer görmesini ve her işi yapabileceklerini göstermek istiyor. Ayrıca çok fedakar. Çalışkan ve cömert bir kişiliğe sahip. Lafını sakınmıyor. Çevresindekiler onu itici bulsa da ben kendisini, karakterini sevdim. Max ile olan ilişkileri de çok tatlıydı bana göre.. Yazarın kalemini de sevdim. Başta pek umutlu değildim ama kurgu kendini sevdirdi. Özellikle içinde böyle aykırı karakterler olunca okurken keyiften dört köşe oluyorum.
Çeviriden mi kaynaklı bilmiyorum ama okurken adapte olmakta zorlandım. Anlam kayması ve bozuklukları vardı. Redaksiyon yapılmadığı kendini belli ediyordu yani.. Bu açıdan eksi bir yön olsa da benim için severek okuduğum bir kurgu oldu. (=
NOT: Gün geçtikçe Harlequin okumayı daha çok seviyorum. Ve bu kurgudan normal bir kitap bile olurmuş, onu fark ettim.
İkilinin yolları bir davet de kesişiyor. Carol'un davete gitme amacı adını kötüye çıkarmak ve böylece kimsenin ona yanaşmamasını sağlamak. Amacı ise babasının çiftliğini evleneceği adamın yönetmesine izin vermemek. Babasının çiftliğini korumak için her şeyi yapmaya hazır. Bunun için kendine adı kötüye çıkmış bir eş adayı ararken yolları Max ile kesişiyor.
Max ise adı kötüye çıkmış geleceği parlak bir diplomat. Onun tek amacı ise adını kurtarmak. Ve bunun için her şeyi yapmaya hazır. Derken yolları Carol il kesişince ikili kendilerini anlaşmalı bir evliliğin içinde buluyorlar.
Başta anlaşmalı bir evlilik gibi görünse de zamanla birbirlerini tanıyıp aşık oluyorlar. Özellikle Max, Carol'un tanıdığı diğer kadınlardan farklı olduğunu görünce ona hayran kalmaktan geri duramıyor. Carol için ise Max adeta onun içini yakıyor. Max, nazik, anlayışlı, sorumluluk sahibi ve yardıma muhtaç insanlara yardım etme konusunda ısrarcı. Bu yönüyle Carol'ün kalbini çalıyor.
Carol aykırı bir karakter. Ve bu yönünü çok sevdim. O dönemin koşullarına ve şartlarına uymuyor. Tam tersi yönde hareket ediyor. Kadınların değer görmesini ve her işi yapabileceklerini göstermek istiyor. Ayrıca çok fedakar. Çalışkan ve cömert bir kişiliğe sahip. Lafını sakınmıyor. Çevresindekiler onu itici bulsa da ben kendisini, karakterini sevdim. Max ile olan ilişkileri de çok tatlıydı bana göre.. Yazarın kalemini de sevdim. Başta pek umutlu değildim ama kurgu kendini sevdirdi. Özellikle içinde böyle aykırı karakterler olunca okurken keyiften dört köşe oluyorum.
Çeviriden mi kaynaklı bilmiyorum ama okurken adapte olmakta zorlandım. Anlam kayması ve bozuklukları vardı. Redaksiyon yapılmadığı kendini belli ediyordu yani.. Bu açıdan eksi bir yön olsa da benim için severek okuduğum bir kurgu oldu. (=
NOT: Gün geçtikçe Harlequin okumayı daha çok seviyorum. Ve bu kurgudan normal bir kitap bile olurmuş, onu fark ettim.
January 21, 2015
Good book. Max is back in England after a political misstep that has left his reputation ruined. He and his cousin are visiting his aunt, who is holding a houeparty. Caro is there under duress. Her stepmother really wants her to get married and Caro has no desire to do so. She is happy running the stud that she and her father started. She comes up with the idea that if she were to be ruined no one would want her and she could go back to her life. When she asks Max to help her he declines. When another guest accosts her in attempt to force a marriage Max comes to her rescue but is accused of being the one who attacked her. Though they attempt to avoid it, they do end up marrying. Now they have to decide how to deal with each other.
I really liked Caro. She is an interesting combination of worldly and innocent. Her father treated her more like a son than a daughter so she is used to speaking her mind. She also has never learned any of the things that girls are usually taught and instead knows the ins and outs of the stud business and training horses. That is all she wants to do. I loved the way she came up with the idea of how to avoid marriage, but she did have a bit of trouble realizing that the consequences could be worse than she thought. I loved her conversations with Max about the subject and how easily they related to each other. She also had a wonderful way of standing up for Max whenever anyone tried to say bad things about him. I really loved the way she spoke to his father at the wedding and how much it meant to Max. I loved the way that she was so adamant that he not be blamed for what wasn't his fault and her determination to free him from responsibility. When circumstances then forced her to go to him for help I loved the way that she explained things and gave him the options she did. She really didn't expect to come to care for him and to want to give in to the attraction. Her biggest fear about the physical side of marriage was her fear of dying in childbirth as did so many of her relatives. I really liked the way that she didn't whine and moan and went on with life. She involved Max in her work in case the worst happened which brought them even closer. The more time they were together the more their feelings grew, even though neither wished to admit it.
Max had come home in disgrace and was basically hiding out with his cousin while he tried to figure out what to do. His world as he knew it had come crashing down with the end of all his plans for the future. He was surprised by Caro's proposition and was gentleman enough to refuse to do such a thing. But he was definitely intrigued by her. Behind the horrible gowns she wore he could see how attractive she was. He also found her to be completely different than any other woman he had known. Her honest speech and sense of humor really appealed to him, but he had no intention of pursuing a woman while his life was in chaos. I liked the way he tried to stay away from her while still wanting to make sure she was safe. His rescue of her from the overzealous suitor was typical of his personality even though he was accused of being the one to attack her. He accepted her wishes and did not force a marriage on her but made sure she knew he was available if she needed him. He was stunned at her arrival later begging for his help to save her horses, but couldn't resist saying yes. I loved the way he appreciated how her mind worked when she told him her plan. He was so patient with her as he did his best to seduce her. Their passion was incredible when they did get together which made his surprise at her refusal to continue that much stronger. I loved the way that he returned to her after his trip to Vienna and stayed with her as they got to know each other better. His growing happiness with her did a lot to soothe his soul. I loved his refusal to give up on her at the end and how everything turned out for them.
I really liked Caro. She is an interesting combination of worldly and innocent. Her father treated her more like a son than a daughter so she is used to speaking her mind. She also has never learned any of the things that girls are usually taught and instead knows the ins and outs of the stud business and training horses. That is all she wants to do. I loved the way she came up with the idea of how to avoid marriage, but she did have a bit of trouble realizing that the consequences could be worse than she thought. I loved her conversations with Max about the subject and how easily they related to each other. She also had a wonderful way of standing up for Max whenever anyone tried to say bad things about him. I really loved the way she spoke to his father at the wedding and how much it meant to Max. I loved the way that she was so adamant that he not be blamed for what wasn't his fault and her determination to free him from responsibility. When circumstances then forced her to go to him for help I loved the way that she explained things and gave him the options she did. She really didn't expect to come to care for him and to want to give in to the attraction. Her biggest fear about the physical side of marriage was her fear of dying in childbirth as did so many of her relatives. I really liked the way that she didn't whine and moan and went on with life. She involved Max in her work in case the worst happened which brought them even closer. The more time they were together the more their feelings grew, even though neither wished to admit it.
Max had come home in disgrace and was basically hiding out with his cousin while he tried to figure out what to do. His world as he knew it had come crashing down with the end of all his plans for the future. He was surprised by Caro's proposition and was gentleman enough to refuse to do such a thing. But he was definitely intrigued by her. Behind the horrible gowns she wore he could see how attractive she was. He also found her to be completely different than any other woman he had known. Her honest speech and sense of humor really appealed to him, but he had no intention of pursuing a woman while his life was in chaos. I liked the way he tried to stay away from her while still wanting to make sure she was safe. His rescue of her from the overzealous suitor was typical of his personality even though he was accused of being the one to attack her. He accepted her wishes and did not force a marriage on her but made sure she knew he was available if she needed him. He was stunned at her arrival later begging for his help to save her horses, but couldn't resist saying yes. I loved the way he appreciated how her mind worked when she told him her plan. He was so patient with her as he did his best to seduce her. Their passion was incredible when they did get together which made his surprise at her refusal to continue that much stronger. I loved the way that he returned to her after his trip to Vienna and stayed with her as they got to know each other better. His growing happiness with her did a lot to soothe his soul. I loved his refusal to give up on her at the end and how everything turned out for them.
April 8, 2013
Mostly I was just bored by this book. I didn't buy into the idea that the heroine would be ignorant about society's reaction if she were "ruined" (she's appalled to realize that her ruination could adversely effect her stepmother and stepsister. Um....DUH!). I also got really annoyed that she kept harping about marrying her childhood friend Harry, like he was some sort of consolation prize if, heaven forbid, she was going to be forced to marry anyone. Poor Harry! With friends like the heroine, who needs enemies? The hero was OK. I liked that he was a disgraced diplomat (a nice change from the upiquitous Duke Of Slut that seems to overrun plots of this sort). I've enjoyed other books by this author, but this one just didn't do it for me.
January 18, 2014
Kitap Adı : Kötü Şöhretin Bedeli
Yazar : Julia Justiss
Orjinal Adı: THE RAKE TO RUIN HER
Goodreads Puanı: 5/3,39
Puanım 5/4
Hiç ummadığım anda bir hazine bulmuş kadar sevindim bu kitabı okurken..Beni bu kadar etkileyebileceğini düşünmemiştim. Regency dönemine ait bir hikaye ve Napolyon zamanında geçiyor.Aşk,Tutku,Casusluk,Aile ,Sadakat temaları ile harmanlanmış..Ransleigh Rogues Serisinde yazar iki kitap yazmış ama seri devam edecek büyük ihtimal ile ..Şubat 2014'de serinin diğer kitabı yayımlanacak ülkemizde..Kötü Şöhretin Bedeli kitabın adı ve kuzenlerden Will Ransleigh'in hikayesi ..
Serinin ilk kitabı Kötü Şöhretin Bedeli'nde Max Ransleigh'in hikayesi ile başlıyor.
Çok değişik bir konusu yok ama yazarın kalemini çok akıcı ve sevimli buldum.Çeviride bir kelime dışında oldukça başarılı idi..
Biri ile bir macera yaşarken tecrübe etmediğiniz bir şeyi deneyimleyemezsiniz...Denersiniz...Lütfen çevirmenler halkın konuşma dilini kullanın lütfen..Bu kelime yüzünden sadece 1 puanı kırdım...Bu kelimenin geçtiği hiç bir kitaba da bayılsam da tam puan veremeyeceğim...
Kısaca Konusuna gelirsek ;
Max Ransleigh bir Kont'un ikinci oğludur..Biraz da babasının gözüne girmek içim İngiltere Dış İşlerinde çalışmaya başlayan genç bir diplomattır.Fakat çok önemli bir kongrede tuzağa düşürülür ve gözden düşer..
Açığa alınır..Babası da onu evlatlıktan red eder.Ne yapsa suçsuzluğunu ispatlayamaz. Onu tuzağa düşürenlere ulaşamaz..
Biraz kafa dinlemek ve hayatı ile ilgili karar vermek amacı ile kuzeni Alastair Ransleigh'tin evine gider.Şansına orada da sosyetede ki bekar kızlar ve erkekler için parti verilmektedir.Onun kötü şöhretinden davetin etkilenmemesi için ortalıkta görünmeye niyeti yoktur.
Fakat serada kitap okurken karşılaştığı Caroline Denby ile karşılaşır. Babasından oldukça yüklü bir miras kalan Carol çiftliğindeki atları yetiştirmek ve evlenmek için söz verdiği çocukluk arkadaşı Hary'nin Hindistan'dan gelmesini beklemektedir.Fakat iyi kalpli üvey annesi onu evlendirmeye kararlıdır..O yüzden bu davete gelmiş kendi kızını ve Carol'u evlendirmeye kararlıdır.
Ancak Caroline'in aklında daha değişik bir çare vardır.Babasından kalan mirasın ve babası ile birlikte geliştirdiği at çiftliğinin geleceği için bunu bir kocaya kaptırmaya hiç niyeti yoktur.Fakat davetlilerden Henshaw onu gözüne kestirmiştir..Kötü olan maddi durumunu Carol ile evlenerek düzeltebilirdi..Bunun için de ne olursa yapmaya hazırdı Carol'a tecavüz etmeye girişecek kadar de ileri götürmeye de.
Bu isteğini tam gerçekleştirmek üzere iken Max tarafından engellenir.Ama bu yapmak istediği saldırı Max'in üstüne kalır ve Carol'in onuru lekelenir..Bu tam da Carol'in istediği bir sonuçtur..Fakat hesaba katmadığı üvey kız kardeşinin onurudur çünkü bu durum onun geleceğini de etkileyecektir.
İlk gördüğü anda etkilendiği Max'ı kendisi ile evlenmesini istemez. Max ise tam bir skandalı yeni atlatmışken başka bir skandalın patlak vermesinden rahatsız olduğu kadar da şaşkındır da..Carol'un cesareti,dürüstlüğü de onu çok etkilemiştir..Aralarındaki mevcut çekimi de göz ardı edememektedir. Carol ile evlenmek fikrinin kendisini hiç de rahatsız etmediğini aksine dehşetle heyecanlandırdığını fark eder.
Çok beğenerek severek okudum...Historical seven arkadaşların severek okuyacağını tahmin ediyorum...Bence bir deneyin eminim pişman olmayacaksınız...
http://hulyami.blogspot.com/search/la...
..
Yazar : Julia Justiss
Orjinal Adı: THE RAKE TO RUIN HER
Goodreads Puanı: 5/3,39
Puanım 5/4
Hiç ummadığım anda bir hazine bulmuş kadar sevindim bu kitabı okurken..Beni bu kadar etkileyebileceğini düşünmemiştim. Regency dönemine ait bir hikaye ve Napolyon zamanında geçiyor.Aşk,Tutku,Casusluk,Aile ,Sadakat temaları ile harmanlanmış..Ransleigh Rogues Serisinde yazar iki kitap yazmış ama seri devam edecek büyük ihtimal ile ..Şubat 2014'de serinin diğer kitabı yayımlanacak ülkemizde..Kötü Şöhretin Bedeli kitabın adı ve kuzenlerden Will Ransleigh'in hikayesi ..
Serinin ilk kitabı Kötü Şöhretin Bedeli'nde Max Ransleigh'in hikayesi ile başlıyor.
Çok değişik bir konusu yok ama yazarın kalemini çok akıcı ve sevimli buldum.Çeviride bir kelime dışında oldukça başarılı idi..
Biri ile bir macera yaşarken tecrübe etmediğiniz bir şeyi deneyimleyemezsiniz...Denersiniz...Lütfen çevirmenler halkın konuşma dilini kullanın lütfen..Bu kelime yüzünden sadece 1 puanı kırdım...Bu kelimenin geçtiği hiç bir kitaba da bayılsam da tam puan veremeyeceğim...
Kısaca Konusuna gelirsek ;
Max Ransleigh bir Kont'un ikinci oğludur..Biraz da babasının gözüne girmek içim İngiltere Dış İşlerinde çalışmaya başlayan genç bir diplomattır.Fakat çok önemli bir kongrede tuzağa düşürülür ve gözden düşer..
Açığa alınır..Babası da onu evlatlıktan red eder.Ne yapsa suçsuzluğunu ispatlayamaz. Onu tuzağa düşürenlere ulaşamaz..
Biraz kafa dinlemek ve hayatı ile ilgili karar vermek amacı ile kuzeni Alastair Ransleigh'tin evine gider.Şansına orada da sosyetede ki bekar kızlar ve erkekler için parti verilmektedir.Onun kötü şöhretinden davetin etkilenmemesi için ortalıkta görünmeye niyeti yoktur.
Fakat serada kitap okurken karşılaştığı Caroline Denby ile karşılaşır. Babasından oldukça yüklü bir miras kalan Carol çiftliğindeki atları yetiştirmek ve evlenmek için söz verdiği çocukluk arkadaşı Hary'nin Hindistan'dan gelmesini beklemektedir.Fakat iyi kalpli üvey annesi onu evlendirmeye kararlıdır..O yüzden bu davete gelmiş kendi kızını ve Carol'u evlendirmeye kararlıdır.
Ancak Caroline'in aklında daha değişik bir çare vardır.Babasından kalan mirasın ve babası ile birlikte geliştirdiği at çiftliğinin geleceği için bunu bir kocaya kaptırmaya hiç niyeti yoktur.Fakat davetlilerden Henshaw onu gözüne kestirmiştir..Kötü olan maddi durumunu Carol ile evlenerek düzeltebilirdi..Bunun için de ne olursa yapmaya hazırdı Carol'a tecavüz etmeye girişecek kadar de ileri götürmeye de.
Bu isteğini tam gerçekleştirmek üzere iken Max tarafından engellenir.Ama bu yapmak istediği saldırı Max'in üstüne kalır ve Carol'in onuru lekelenir..Bu tam da Carol'in istediği bir sonuçtur..Fakat hesaba katmadığı üvey kız kardeşinin onurudur çünkü bu durum onun geleceğini de etkileyecektir.
İlk gördüğü anda etkilendiği Max'ı kendisi ile evlenmesini istemez. Max ise tam bir skandalı yeni atlatmışken başka bir skandalın patlak vermesinden rahatsız olduğu kadar da şaşkındır da..Carol'un cesareti,dürüstlüğü de onu çok etkilemiştir..Aralarındaki mevcut çekimi de göz ardı edememektedir. Carol ile evlenmek fikrinin kendisini hiç de rahatsız etmediğini aksine dehşetle heyecanlandırdığını fark eder.
Çok beğenerek severek okudum...Historical seven arkadaşların severek okuyacağını tahmin ediyorum...Bence bir deneyin eminim pişman olmayacaksınız...
http://hulyami.blogspot.com/search/la...
..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2013
This review also appears on my blog at http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspo...
Very sweet! The Rake to Ruin Her was an adorable romance that is sure to be a hit...
The concept of a historical romance heroine trying to ruin herself in order to avoid marriage is a new one but this book managed to do it differently. Caroline was completely blunt and asked Max to ruin her, point-blank. But, Max doesn't agree. So, this creates a different situation, one that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Caroline was a refreshing heroine. She was no-nonsense, logical, not prone to jumping to conclusions. It was a nice change from the heroines in other historical romances who inevitably end up coming to a gross misunderstanding and becoming overemotional about it and creating a problem where one doesn't exist. That all works fine in other books but having a heroine that was sensible and listened to reason was nice. She was clever, determined, and strong. She to keep her horse farm, against all the odds-which are many considering the time period. And I really admired her.
Max was just as refreshing. Another character ruled by reason. He's been trying to rebuild his reputation and career after a scandal cost him his diplomatic position. Which is why her isn't all for Caroline's plan to use his reputation to ruin her. Of course, that reticence only lasts so long. Max was very sweet, charming, intelligent. He, like Caroline, felt remarkably realistic. He was a brilliant hero that was very easy to fall for.
Caroline and Max were cute together. They had sparks flying immediately, and when those ignited...whew, was it hot! But, besides that, they were genuinely good together, a couple that I was happy to see get their fairy tale ending.
The plot in this book was okay, but it did stall a few times, which is why I had to knock off a point. But, it was only a few times. It wasn't so bad that I got bored. The book kept me interested the entire way. And the story line was different from other historical romances-a refreshing change. The ending was fairy tale perfect, one that will absolutely leave you smiling.
The Rake to Ruin Her was an EXCELLENT historical romance. Romance lovers, you should definitely read this one.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for a copy
Very sweet! The Rake to Ruin Her was an adorable romance that is sure to be a hit...
The concept of a historical romance heroine trying to ruin herself in order to avoid marriage is a new one but this book managed to do it differently. Caroline was completely blunt and asked Max to ruin her, point-blank. But, Max doesn't agree. So, this creates a different situation, one that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Caroline was a refreshing heroine. She was no-nonsense, logical, not prone to jumping to conclusions. It was a nice change from the heroines in other historical romances who inevitably end up coming to a gross misunderstanding and becoming overemotional about it and creating a problem where one doesn't exist. That all works fine in other books but having a heroine that was sensible and listened to reason was nice. She was clever, determined, and strong. She to keep her horse farm, against all the odds-which are many considering the time period. And I really admired her.
Max was just as refreshing. Another character ruled by reason. He's been trying to rebuild his reputation and career after a scandal cost him his diplomatic position. Which is why her isn't all for Caroline's plan to use his reputation to ruin her. Of course, that reticence only lasts so long. Max was very sweet, charming, intelligent. He, like Caroline, felt remarkably realistic. He was a brilliant hero that was very easy to fall for.
Caroline and Max were cute together. They had sparks flying immediately, and when those ignited...whew, was it hot! But, besides that, they were genuinely good together, a couple that I was happy to see get their fairy tale ending.
The plot in this book was okay, but it did stall a few times, which is why I had to knock off a point. But, it was only a few times. It wasn't so bad that I got bored. The book kept me interested the entire way. And the story line was different from other historical romances-a refreshing change. The ending was fairy tale perfect, one that will absolutely leave you smiling.
The Rake to Ruin Her was an EXCELLENT historical romance. Romance lovers, you should definitely read this one.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for a copy
August 8, 2025
This one was hard to like. Mostly because the heroine, Caro, was hard to like. She was the epitome of 'not like other girls', so-much-so we're told she 'despises' all those other stupid, simpering, useless maids of the ton. More on this later. She's also incredibly selfish and uses other people to get what she wants with no care for how other people will be hurt. She decides to ruin herself so she can be left alone to play on her stud farm, never mind the man she tricks/forces/persuades into ruining her will be dishonored by it. She also gladly throws her step-sister under the bus by ruining her season and her chance to marry (but who cares her ninny step-sister is just a vapid 'other girl'), she ruins her aunty to raised her (but who cares rite?), and she betrays her childhood sweetheart in order to hang onto her horses. She betrays the man she promised to marry, while he is away at war, in order to keep a few horses from being sold. This poor guy shows up later, is devastated, and she's not really that bothered by it. Oh, and she's a total bitch to her father in law during her wedding, she is a rude cunt to his face when he is trying to offer his congratulations.
Max is lovely, honorable, kind, patient and understanding. He is NOT a rake. Even his past behavior is not even remotely rakish. he had a mistress once, it seemed to end well. He's just a good guy.
Back to the 'not like other girls' issue. There seems to be an undercurrent of misogyny throughout this book, as we're told over and again that those 'other women' are either spoilt, pouty, tantrum-throwing ninnies or wanton sluts who spend their lives 'purring' and displaying their boobs to the men they are gagging to fuck. The only worthwhile woman is Caro, she has no female friends because women are boring and rubbish and she hates them.
This is bullshit and I hate it. I get no pleasure tearing other women down, and while I enjoy a wicked female villain I really hate the idea that ALL women are worthless because they are not the main character. Fuck off with that.
Max is lovely, honorable, kind, patient and understanding. He is NOT a rake. Even his past behavior is not even remotely rakish. he had a mistress once, it seemed to end well. He's just a good guy.
Back to the 'not like other girls' issue. There seems to be an undercurrent of misogyny throughout this book, as we're told over and again that those 'other women' are either spoilt, pouty, tantrum-throwing ninnies or wanton sluts who spend their lives 'purring' and displaying their boobs to the men they are gagging to fuck. The only worthwhile woman is Caro, she has no female friends because women are boring and rubbish and she hates them.
This is bullshit and I hate it. I get no pleasure tearing other women down, and while I enjoy a wicked female villain I really hate the idea that ALL women are worthless because they are not the main character. Fuck off with that.
December 5, 2017
Quando si hanno tanti libri da leggere e rileggere, quando si hanno le idee chiare sui propri gusti letterari e quando la trama non è entusiasmante succede quello che è successo oggi con questo romanzo. Avrei voluto lasciarlo andare pagine fa, poi mi sono convinta a dargli qualche possibilità in più. Il punto è che Julia non riesce ad appassionarmi, quindi - superato indenne uno dei momenti topici della storia - lo lascio al suo destino, per niente curiosa di sapere cosa conterranno le 80 pagine rimaste.
July 11, 2017
Lovely romantic, v sexy nonsense for a rainy afternoon
October 1, 2017
lovely book, scrumptious hero
August 30, 2018
Mehhh 2.5... Empezó bien pero fue decayendo, el final fue apresurado y superficial, me dejó con la sensación de que a la historia le faltó algo.
March 21, 2019
Started out kinda interesting, then became soft core supermarket porn. :) It's british. I don't know how to pick them out here.
June 4, 2020
First mills and boon even. Accident as it happens, but not bad !
February 18, 2013
4.5 stars Review originally published here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/02/18/...
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Publish Date: 19th Feb
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
Once a rake…
Known as “Magnificent Max,” diplomat Max Ransleigh was famed for his lethal charm until a political betrayal left him exiled from government and his reputation in tatters. He seems a very unlikely savior for a well-bred young lady.
Except that Miss Caroline Denby doesn’t want to be saved…she wants to be ruined! To Caroline, getting married is tantamount to a death sentence, and meeting the rakish Max at a house party seems the answer to her prayers… Surely this rogue won’t hesitate to put his bad reputation to good use?
Ransleigh Rogues
Where these notorious rakes go, scandal always follows…
This blurb came from the author’s website.
I usually enjoy the Harlequin Historical line so when I saw this up for review I made sure I looked at the blurb. I have seen the group of friends or male cousins that have a name or certain reputation before but usually they do not have to deal with disgrace, just marriage-minded mamas and ladies who are looking for an agreeable generous partner. I liked the thought that Max no longer had the safety of his stature in society. Caroline’s circumstances in the blurb were also different enough to really peek my interest. Instead of trying to escape a threatened or arranged marriage she just doesn’t want to get married at all. After read the blurb and seeing differences in the trope I was accustomed to reading I had to request The Rake to Ruin Her. After finishing it I am glad that I did.
Max was very interesting. He was suffering from the ruins of his planned future, his social disgrace, and his father refusing to do anything except condemn him. Luckily he did have his group of friends, the other Ransleigh Rogues, to provide him some support not to mention the military officers he served. I also really enjoyed that with his current disgrace he still retained the internal sense of honor and obligation that he was brought up with. It made his words and actions throughout the book carry added weight. There were a few moments when I had some doubts that Max was going to live up to his promise but he was able to make it through.
Caroline just wanted to run the horse training and breeding business that her father left in trust for her. She was one of the fortunate ones who had a nice stepmother and stepsister who just wanted her to be happy. I also found the tactic that Caroline used to pick out her clothes very amusing. She displayed a lot of planning in her attempts to keep the life she wanted even though she displayed a nice amount of naivety when it came to the actual execution. I also understood her fear about The Curse given all of the examples she had in her family history. I am sure that even if she had been able to arrange the life she planned, her best friend wouldn’t have been as understanding as she expected about The Curse.
I really enjoyed watching the relationship grow between Max and Caroline. Each was set in their ways but they also tried to make their marriage work. Caroline was very staunch in her defense of Max to anyone including Max’s father. She continued to prove that she took her promises to him seriously with their various encounters. Max was also very patient yet determined. I think my heart completely melted in this scene which was about two-thirds through The Rake to Ruin Her.
She angled her chin up and closed her eyes, waiting, a breathless excitement feathering through her veins. Through closed lids she could sense his face descending toward hers, feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. Anticipation coiled tighter and tighter within her, impatience mounting to at last feel the brush of his mouth against hers.
But after a moment, when he had moved no further, she opened her eyes and looked up at him puzzled.
He was gazing at her intently, the energy emanating from the molten blue of his eyes like the crackle in the air before a lightening strike. “I promised never to take from you, Caro,’ he murmured. ‘To give you only what you desire. So…show me what you want.’
I loved how this book had multiple marriage proposals and how each seemed to signify a new phase in their relationship. I also liked that Max and Caroline dealt with issues from their individual lives prior to their marriage. The resolution wasn’t always what they wanted or expected but it did allow them to continue building their life together without significant regrets or “what-ifs”.
I really enjoyed reading The Rake to Ruin Her and I look forward to seeing what happens to the other three Ransleigh Rogues. Justiss provided a great historical with some unusual characters and situations. They were sweet, caring, stubborn and dedicated to each other. I am really glad that I requested this to review.
I give The Rake to Ruin Her an A-
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
Publish Date: 19th Feb
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
Once a rake…
Known as “Magnificent Max,” diplomat Max Ransleigh was famed for his lethal charm until a political betrayal left him exiled from government and his reputation in tatters. He seems a very unlikely savior for a well-bred young lady.
Except that Miss Caroline Denby doesn’t want to be saved…she wants to be ruined! To Caroline, getting married is tantamount to a death sentence, and meeting the rakish Max at a house party seems the answer to her prayers… Surely this rogue won’t hesitate to put his bad reputation to good use?
Ransleigh Rogues
Where these notorious rakes go, scandal always follows…
This blurb came from the author’s website.
I usually enjoy the Harlequin Historical line so when I saw this up for review I made sure I looked at the blurb. I have seen the group of friends or male cousins that have a name or certain reputation before but usually they do not have to deal with disgrace, just marriage-minded mamas and ladies who are looking for an agreeable generous partner. I liked the thought that Max no longer had the safety of his stature in society. Caroline’s circumstances in the blurb were also different enough to really peek my interest. Instead of trying to escape a threatened or arranged marriage she just doesn’t want to get married at all. After read the blurb and seeing differences in the trope I was accustomed to reading I had to request The Rake to Ruin Her. After finishing it I am glad that I did.
Max was very interesting. He was suffering from the ruins of his planned future, his social disgrace, and his father refusing to do anything except condemn him. Luckily he did have his group of friends, the other Ransleigh Rogues, to provide him some support not to mention the military officers he served. I also really enjoyed that with his current disgrace he still retained the internal sense of honor and obligation that he was brought up with. It made his words and actions throughout the book carry added weight. There were a few moments when I had some doubts that Max was going to live up to his promise but he was able to make it through.
Caroline just wanted to run the horse training and breeding business that her father left in trust for her. She was one of the fortunate ones who had a nice stepmother and stepsister who just wanted her to be happy. I also found the tactic that Caroline used to pick out her clothes very amusing. She displayed a lot of planning in her attempts to keep the life she wanted even though she displayed a nice amount of naivety when it came to the actual execution. I also understood her fear about The Curse given all of the examples she had in her family history. I am sure that even if she had been able to arrange the life she planned, her best friend wouldn’t have been as understanding as she expected about The Curse.
I really enjoyed watching the relationship grow between Max and Caroline. Each was set in their ways but they also tried to make their marriage work. Caroline was very staunch in her defense of Max to anyone including Max’s father. She continued to prove that she took her promises to him seriously with their various encounters. Max was also very patient yet determined. I think my heart completely melted in this scene which was about two-thirds through The Rake to Ruin Her.
She angled her chin up and closed her eyes, waiting, a breathless excitement feathering through her veins. Through closed lids she could sense his face descending toward hers, feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. Anticipation coiled tighter and tighter within her, impatience mounting to at last feel the brush of his mouth against hers.
But after a moment, when he had moved no further, she opened her eyes and looked up at him puzzled.
He was gazing at her intently, the energy emanating from the molten blue of his eyes like the crackle in the air before a lightening strike. “I promised never to take from you, Caro,’ he murmured. ‘To give you only what you desire. So…show me what you want.’
I loved how this book had multiple marriage proposals and how each seemed to signify a new phase in their relationship. I also liked that Max and Caroline dealt with issues from their individual lives prior to their marriage. The resolution wasn’t always what they wanted or expected but it did allow them to continue building their life together without significant regrets or “what-ifs”.
I really enjoyed reading The Rake to Ruin Her and I look forward to seeing what happens to the other three Ransleigh Rogues. Justiss provided a great historical with some unusual characters and situations. They were sweet, caring, stubborn and dedicated to each other. I am really glad that I requested this to review.
I give The Rake to Ruin Her an A-
January 18, 2013
Caroline Denby is mourning the loss of her beloved Father and trying to hold on to the control/ownership of the family's horse-stud business. But her Stepmama had other ideas and won't rest until Caro is married off to the first gentleman that will have her. Besides being reluctant to be subservient to a man who may not approve of the business, Caro doesn't want to have children because almost every woman in her family has died in childbirth. So she propositions Max Ransleigh, a notrious rogue with a ruined political career, in hopes of him making her un-marriageable. When he declines her offer, but scandal erupts in an entirely unexpected way, Max and Caro end up newlyweds. But will they be able to make things work? Can the rogue and the bluestocking fall in love for real? This book was cute. That sentence pretty much sums it up for me. I didn't find any lasting feeling for it when I finished reading and the characters had too many moments of odd two-dimensional personality. Caro was a bold, honest and beautiful woman who just wanted to keep her freedom. Max was a little too modern thinking and politically correct to really fit into the time period of the book, but he was a good guy all in all. The whole Napoleonic War background and Max's struggle to clear his name of diplomatic wrongdoing were just not my cup of tea. And the amount of time that he and Caro spent in angsty agony over their respective personal issues, really got on my nerves. To be honest I thought that this book didn't have very good romance in it. I thought it would have been more interesting if it had picked a direction - it all felt very aimless. Yeah right! Like Caro would have gotten away from that situation still in polite society, with her reputation intact. Overall, a fluffy read that I will probably forget all about by the time it's published.
VERDICT: 3/5 Stars
*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is February 19th, 2013.*
VERDICT: 3/5 Stars
*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is February 19th, 2013.*
August 25, 2015
Deuxième roman de cette auteure que je lis et elle rejoint mon panel des auteurs que je pourrais acheter en fermant les yeux.
Caroline a perdu son père et a donc hériter du haras familial. Sa belle-mère lu rabâche sans arrêt qu'elle devrait trouver un mari avant que sa demi-sœur fasse son entrée dans le monde. Max est le fils cadet d'une homme très influent a la chambre des lord. Malheureusement, lors du'une mission a Vienne tout bascule et il perd la confiance de Wellington . Il est obligé de rentrer en Angleterre où son perd la banni de la maison familial.
Ayant apprécié un précédent roman de l'auteur, je me suis plongé dans celui-ci avec plaisir. Le personnage de Caroline est différent de ce que j'ai pu lire, elle est une femme qui préfère ses chevaux aux mondanité et se plait dans cette vie. Max n'est pas "une fripouille" au sens large du terme, il a beau avoir côtoyé des actrices.. il reste un gentleman près a défendre la veuve et l'orphelin.
Dès le début de l'histoire, j'ai trouvé les personnages attachants avec un caractère bien défini. C'est avec plaisir que j'ai suivis les événements parsemant la vie de nos deux protagonistes. Ils se cherchent, s'éloignent, tente de résister à leur attirance mutuelle. Il aura fallut une circonstance assez fâcheuse pour qu'ils soient enfin réunis définitivement.
Dans l'ensemble l'histoire m'a bien plu et la"malédiction" de la famille de Caroline est assez horrible, surtout qu'à notre époque, ce genre de chose est plutôt bien pris en charge.Je n'aurai quand même pas cru a une scène aussi poignante à la toute fin de l'histoire et l'amour que le personnage de Max porte à Caroline est très beau. Cet amour aura fait prendre les bonnes décisions a Max comme s'opposer au médecin qui se croit au-dessus car il a bonne réputation. Celui-là aura mérité d'être évacué de la maison comme un vulgaire déchet.
Pour conclure, un bon roman historique et une auteure que j'apprécie de plus en plus.
Caroline a perdu son père et a donc hériter du haras familial. Sa belle-mère lu rabâche sans arrêt qu'elle devrait trouver un mari avant que sa demi-sœur fasse son entrée dans le monde. Max est le fils cadet d'une homme très influent a la chambre des lord. Malheureusement, lors du'une mission a Vienne tout bascule et il perd la confiance de Wellington . Il est obligé de rentrer en Angleterre où son perd la banni de la maison familial.
Ayant apprécié un précédent roman de l'auteur, je me suis plongé dans celui-ci avec plaisir. Le personnage de Caroline est différent de ce que j'ai pu lire, elle est une femme qui préfère ses chevaux aux mondanité et se plait dans cette vie. Max n'est pas "une fripouille" au sens large du terme, il a beau avoir côtoyé des actrices.. il reste un gentleman près a défendre la veuve et l'orphelin.
Dès le début de l'histoire, j'ai trouvé les personnages attachants avec un caractère bien défini. C'est avec plaisir que j'ai suivis les événements parsemant la vie de nos deux protagonistes. Ils se cherchent, s'éloignent, tente de résister à leur attirance mutuelle. Il aura fallut une circonstance assez fâcheuse pour qu'ils soient enfin réunis définitivement.
Dans l'ensemble l'histoire m'a bien plu et la"malédiction" de la famille de Caroline est assez horrible, surtout qu'à notre époque, ce genre de chose est plutôt bien pris en charge.Je n'aurai quand même pas cru a une scène aussi poignante à la toute fin de l'histoire et l'amour que le personnage de Max porte à Caroline est très beau. Cet amour aura fait prendre les bonnes décisions a Max comme s'opposer au médecin qui se croit au-dessus car il a bonne réputation. Celui-là aura mérité d'être évacué de la maison comme un vulgaire déchet.
Pour conclure, un bon roman historique et une auteure que j'apprécie de plus en plus.
January 3, 2013
~This review is of the ARC sent by the publisher~
The Rake To Ruin Her by Julia Justiss is an engaging story about a man seeking to restore his good name and a woman hoping to ruin hers. Max Ransleigh, a peer groomed for a career as a diplomat, is not, in fact, the typical rake. He is an honorable gentleman who finds himself in disgrace after a mission involving a damsel in distress nearly leads to national disaster. While in seclusion, he is approached by Caro Denby, an heiress who has recently assumed control of her family's prestigious horse farm. Caro requests to be seen in Max's company so that she will be compromised, making her an unsuitable prospect for marriage.
Caro, under social and familial pressure to marry, has compelling reasons to remain single. Marriage would interfere with her admittedly unladylike occupation, and could transfer control of her properties to the husband altogether. In addition, she fears childbearing because women in her family have rarely survived the process. She would rather be left in peace and hopes Max will agree to be the means of achieving that goal. Neither of them expects the series of events that unfolds next, although the reader certainly will.
Max and Caro are remarkably sensible beings, disinclined to fall prey to misunderstandings. This makes for a refreshing and enjoyable story, although the current trend in Regency literature toward blatant anachronism is on full display here. Women accorded expansive leeway in behavior without social consequences, men displaying enlightened feminist sensibilities...it's all a trifle disconcerting in a tale of the Napoleonic era. Despite this, the plot is well-paced and entertaining, and the romance fulfilling.
The Rake To Ruin Her by Julia Justiss is an engaging story about a man seeking to restore his good name and a woman hoping to ruin hers. Max Ransleigh, a peer groomed for a career as a diplomat, is not, in fact, the typical rake. He is an honorable gentleman who finds himself in disgrace after a mission involving a damsel in distress nearly leads to national disaster. While in seclusion, he is approached by Caro Denby, an heiress who has recently assumed control of her family's prestigious horse farm. Caro requests to be seen in Max's company so that she will be compromised, making her an unsuitable prospect for marriage.
Caro, under social and familial pressure to marry, has compelling reasons to remain single. Marriage would interfere with her admittedly unladylike occupation, and could transfer control of her properties to the husband altogether. In addition, she fears childbearing because women in her family have rarely survived the process. She would rather be left in peace and hopes Max will agree to be the means of achieving that goal. Neither of them expects the series of events that unfolds next, although the reader certainly will.
Max and Caro are remarkably sensible beings, disinclined to fall prey to misunderstandings. This makes for a refreshing and enjoyable story, although the current trend in Regency literature toward blatant anachronism is on full display here. Women accorded expansive leeway in behavior without social consequences, men displaying enlightened feminist sensibilities...it's all a trifle disconcerting in a tale of the Napoleonic era. Despite this, the plot is well-paced and entertaining, and the romance fulfilling.
October 18, 2013
This is the first in a series about the Ransleigh Rogues and I will read the other three. In fact I'm about to start book two.
Caro is determined not to marry so that she wont have to relinquish control of her horses and business to a husband!She propositions Max to ruin her after all he has a bad reputation as a rouge so how can it hurt him?
Max is a disgraced officer wanting to clear his name. After declining this intriguing woman's offer Max later rescues her and in the process her reputation is ruined and Max is thought to be the blaggard to do it!
Eventually they marry and so their relationship begins with mutual respect and plenty of lust. Caro tries not to sleep with Max as she is terrified of The Curse but what can you say she wants her husband!
Now this story is lovely so don't go getting me wrong the ending is just beautiful and quite heart wrenching. But the man who tried to ruin Caro (he wanted her money as she is a very wealthy heiress) threatened to take revenge on both Max and Caro but we never heard of him again. Not even in passing say his body could of turned up (he was running from debt collectors after all) or Harry the man Caro had decided she would marry if she had to he eventually turns up near the end of the book once. Apparently he was meant to pop over later but six months later no sign of him! I would hate to be waiting for him to turn up for dinner as it would be well and truly ruined!
This book is worth reading and I did enjoy it but I wouldn't buy it, I am glad I rented it from the library. I'm hoping the second book will be more........ well just more I suppose.
Caro is determined not to marry so that she wont have to relinquish control of her horses and business to a husband!She propositions Max to ruin her after all he has a bad reputation as a rouge so how can it hurt him?
Max is a disgraced officer wanting to clear his name. After declining this intriguing woman's offer Max later rescues her and in the process her reputation is ruined and Max is thought to be the blaggard to do it!
Eventually they marry and so their relationship begins with mutual respect and plenty of lust. Caro tries not to sleep with Max as she is terrified of The Curse but what can you say she wants her husband!
Now this story is lovely so don't go getting me wrong the ending is just beautiful and quite heart wrenching. But the man who tried to ruin Caro (he wanted her money as she is a very wealthy heiress) threatened to take revenge on both Max and Caro but we never heard of him again. Not even in passing say his body could of turned up (he was running from debt collectors after all) or Harry the man Caro had decided she would marry if she had to he eventually turns up near the end of the book once. Apparently he was meant to pop over later but six months later no sign of him! I would hate to be waiting for him to turn up for dinner as it would be well and truly ruined!
This book is worth reading and I did enjoy it but I wouldn't buy it, I am glad I rented it from the library. I'm hoping the second book will be more........ well just more I suppose.
April 18, 2013
I think this would have made a great short story. I say that because after they married, the plot really dragged. I understand the drama about a pregnancy and why she decided to not worry about it anymore, but it just wasn't a compelling read. In fact, I was pretty bored with Max and Caro by the end of the book. It seemed like their sparks had dimmed.
There were some good things like Max and Caro's interactions at the house party at the beginning. They were both so full of life, even if Max was whining a bit about Vienna and his ruined career. I mean, he made a pretty stupid mistake. Don't they teach that in diplomat/foreign service school that you NEVER trust unknown damsels in supposed distress!!!!! I also liked the family support (except for his father, of course) that they received, but I didn't understand why the step-mother wouldn't have come to help out Caro during her confinement. To be fair, I was starting to skim pages a bit so maybe I missed that point.
I am intrigued about the other 3 Ransleigh cousins. I don't know if I would buy their stories, but I would definitely get them from the library.
So, in short, I would give this 2 stars but I wouldn't give up on the entire series yet.
There were some good things like Max and Caro's interactions at the house party at the beginning. They were both so full of life, even if Max was whining a bit about Vienna and his ruined career. I mean, he made a pretty stupid mistake. Don't they teach that in diplomat/foreign service school that you NEVER trust unknown damsels in supposed distress!!!!! I also liked the family support (except for his father, of course) that they received, but I didn't understand why the step-mother wouldn't have come to help out Caro during her confinement. To be fair, I was starting to skim pages a bit so maybe I missed that point.
I am intrigued about the other 3 Ransleigh cousins. I don't know if I would buy their stories, but I would definitely get them from the library.
So, in short, I would give this 2 stars but I wouldn't give up on the entire series yet.
January 4, 2014
So usually in Regency Romances its all about protecting your reputation and ensuring that society doesn't think that you're a naughty little girl. In this novel Caro Denby wants to be a naughty girl with a ruined reputation. A good start, and a gold star for originality.
Now, I had major issues with how the delightful Max and Caro finally came to be perceived as ruined. Caro is attacked and Max helps, but is caught in the fray and is believed to be the attacker. Fine. But Caro says she will clear his name and Max says, no point, no one will believe you... and so she doesn't say anything. It just felt too convenient and too pat, just an undeveloped way to get them to a proposal.
This in mind I was quite ready to throw in the towel, but I loved Caro and I loved Max`s reaction to Caro so much that I continued and I'm so glad I did.
The development of their romance was so perfect, from admiration and respect to caring and love. It never felt rushed, it never felt cheesy, it was so beautifully written.
The final chapters left me tearful in the emotions displayed by each of the leading couple.
One of the best written and developed romances that hasn't come out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. Loved it.
Now, I had major issues with how the delightful Max and Caro finally came to be perceived as ruined. Caro is attacked and Max helps, but is caught in the fray and is believed to be the attacker. Fine. But Caro says she will clear his name and Max says, no point, no one will believe you... and so she doesn't say anything. It just felt too convenient and too pat, just an undeveloped way to get them to a proposal.
This in mind I was quite ready to throw in the towel, but I loved Caro and I loved Max`s reaction to Caro so much that I continued and I'm so glad I did.
The development of their romance was so perfect, from admiration and respect to caring and love. It never felt rushed, it never felt cheesy, it was so beautifully written.
The final chapters left me tearful in the emotions displayed by each of the leading couple.
One of the best written and developed romances that hasn't come out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. Loved it.
April 20, 2015
Caro decides she would rather be perceived as ruined, thus she would be able to marry her childhood best friend, Harry who is in India; Harry would let her lead the life she wants. Her best choice seems to be Max Ransleigh, Magnificent Max. He might be a rogue, but he is still a gentleman and when Caro explains her situation and asks him to compromise her, he refuses. They become friends, and after some time, Max realises that Caro is quite attractive, even though he is mesmerised by her succulent bosom of hers.
What a perfectly wonderful, romantic story! Caro and Max are absolutely fascinating, as multifaceted as the most precious diamonds, but what makes THE RAKE TO RUIN HER so extraordinary is Julia Justiss’ writing. The dialogues are brilliant, the wording is exquisite, and she remains at all times entirely faithful to the Regency era. Jane Austen is weeping with joy!
What a perfectly wonderful, romantic story! Caro and Max are absolutely fascinating, as multifaceted as the most precious diamonds, but what makes THE RAKE TO RUIN HER so extraordinary is Julia Justiss’ writing. The dialogues are brilliant, the wording is exquisite, and she remains at all times entirely faithful to the Regency era. Jane Austen is weeping with joy!
May 15, 2013
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge through NetGalley for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
Really interesting tale that had my attention the whole time. The pace was wonderful and the characters engaging. Great dynamic in the relationship that made it very believable. Beautiful storytelling that entertained the whole time!
It had really great flow and did the job of making me think at times. I love a book that taps into my emotions. I am a real sucker for a sexy romance!! I laugh, I cry and I wish the hero were real so he could be mine! LOL
I would love to see more from this author! Definitely one to watch in the future.
Really interesting tale that had my attention the whole time. The pace was wonderful and the characters engaging. Great dynamic in the relationship that made it very believable. Beautiful storytelling that entertained the whole time!
It had really great flow and did the job of making me think at times. I love a book that taps into my emotions. I am a real sucker for a sexy romance!! I laugh, I cry and I wish the hero were real so he could be mine! LOL
I would love to see more from this author! Definitely one to watch in the future.
January 4, 2015
Initially, I got the book for my mom, who read it in one sitting before bed and later said something along the lines of: "It was readable when I skipped about 20 pages a couple of times and then read on, but nothing special. Thank god that I didn't purchase this!"
Her evaluation made me fear that maybe I, too, wouldn't really like the novel, but luckily I was mistaken and found this novel to be a 3-star one for me.
This book is a part of my 2015 reading challenge
For those of you who can't be bothered to open a new link tl;dr version: All in all, a lovely regency romance with a lovable hero and a heroine who prefers reason over tears and drama.
Her evaluation made me fear that maybe I, too, wouldn't really like the novel, but luckily I was mistaken and found this novel to be a 3-star one for me.
This book is a part of my 2015 reading challenge
For those of you who can't be bothered to open a new link tl;dr version: All in all, a lovely regency romance with a lovable hero and a heroine who prefers reason over tears and drama.
February 2, 2013
Regency romance with a nice plot, the damsel wants to be ruined so she doesn't have to get married and can keep on working as she used to do with her father. Of course the rake doesn't want to but things happen and they find themselves married and, obviously in love!
Romanzo regency diverso dal solito, dove la signorina desidera rovinarsi la reputazione in modo da non doversi sposare e poter continuare a lavorare come faceva quando il padre era vivo. Naturalmente lo scapolone incallito non vuole, ma capitano cose e si ritrovano sposati e ovviamente innamorati!
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND HARLEQUIN FOR THE PREVIEW
Romanzo regency diverso dal solito, dove la signorina desidera rovinarsi la reputazione in modo da non doversi sposare e poter continuare a lavorare come faceva quando il padre era vivo. Naturalmente lo scapolone incallito non vuole, ma capitano cose e si ritrovano sposati e ovviamente innamorati!
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND HARLEQUIN FOR THE PREVIEW
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December 29, 2014Miniseries: Ransleigh Rogues, series starter
Category: Historical Romance
"Justiss begins a new series about a group of cousins known as the Ransleigh Rogues, notorious rakes followed by scandal. Book one is outrageous and refreshingly inventive, with a lady in distress, an available rogue and a marriage of convenience for all. Justiss encapsulates the period, language and mores of the Regency era with great skill." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
Category: Historical Romance
"Justiss begins a new series about a group of cousins known as the Ransleigh Rogues, notorious rakes followed by scandal. Book one is outrageous and refreshingly inventive, with a lady in distress, an available rogue and a marriage of convenience for all. Justiss encapsulates the period, language and mores of the Regency era with great skill." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
March 13, 2013
The story is charming: a heroine who wants to be ruined so that she can continue to run her family's horse ranch instead of turn it over to a fortune hunter; and a hero who is a disgraced diplomat turned rake. The brief encounters between Caro and Max were awesome! But they were few and far between. And in the interim I didn't enjoy the writing style of this author. Its heavy on the exposition and the telling over showing. I only made it to 40% until I decided to give up skimming.
June 9, 2013
This is definitely not her best! At least not in my opinion.
Nothing happens, at all!! Probably one of the most boring books I've read in a while. There's no action, no drama and whatever love there is, seemed rushed or out of place.
It's like the author never really got into the story, and just doodled along to finish a book before deadline.
Nothing happens, at all!! Probably one of the most boring books I've read in a while. There's no action, no drama and whatever love there is, seemed rushed or out of place.
It's like the author never really got into the story, and just doodled along to finish a book before deadline.
August 6, 2013
I loved this book! Julia Justiss' books are always well-written and entertaining. The Rake to Ruin Her is no exception. I was surprised throughout the book. They never did what I thought they would and I loved that. Sexy, sensual and surprising. Can't wait to read all the Ransleigh Rogues.
April 9, 2016
Es el primer libro que leo de esta autora y es pesimo. Una historia "cogida con alfileres", los personajes sin chispa y tremendamente aburrida... menos mal que es corto el libro porque sino lo dejo en la pagina 20. Una perdida de tiempo, que pena!!!!
October 10, 2017
Review to come....
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