Seducing the Rake

Dangerous Heroes #2

by Christina Skye

Like a cat, a beautiful figure prowls London's shadowed roofs, stealing into the boudoirs of the rich and powerful in search of an ancient jewel-encrusted pillow book. Only with this rare treasure can Chessy Cameron barter for her father's life.

But neither Chessy's martial arts nor her stubborn heart can protect her from the one man she can never forget -- the polished scoundrel who destroyed her hopes and then vanished without a trace.

Lord Anthony Moreland seeks the pillow book as well, under urgent government orders to smooth diplomatic relations between England and the Chinese emperor. But five men have already died in search of the erotic manual. And now fiery, stubborn Chessy stands in his way, a temptress the earl cannot resist.

Through London's hectic social season to the sunny seclusion of a beautiful country manor, the two stubborn lovers fight the call of fate until they yield to reckless passion, reinventing the arts of love even as they track the ancient book. And all the while, somewhere in the shadows, an evil master lies in wait.

Originally published by Dell Publishing under the title EAST OF FOREVER.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Friends To Lovers, British Literature

455 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

AKA Roberta Helmer

Roberta Helmer is an American writer of Chinese art and culture and as Christina Skye is a best-selling USA Today and Publishers Weekly writer of over 23 romance novels. Her romance book have been translated into 8 languages.

Roberta Helmer was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., an is a descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a doctorate in classical Chinese literature at Ohio State University, where she learned to speak fluent Chinese, French, and Japanese. Later, she worked as translator and as a consultant to the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History. She lived in on the western slopes of McDowell Mountains in Arizona.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read: 2013
Reread: 2015
Reread: 202o
Reread: 2/3/22

Also called Seducing the Rake or East Of Forever

Fantastic! One of my favorite books! Chessy is bring blackmailed into finding the infamous pillow book. Lord Anthony is also tasked to finding the book by the Duke Of Wellington. There have already been several breakends (thanks to Chessy).

When Anthony visits the old professor he's shocked to find his old love all grown up and very angry at him. This can't be the same Chessy that broke his heart! 10 years ago Cheesy's father (an explorer) hired Anthony when he was 21 years old. Both fell in love in the South Seas. Unfortunately, the professor sends Anthony away bc he's too old at the time for his daughter.

Anthony does everything he can to take care of Chrissy and bring her into society, something she doesn't want. Unbeknownst to Anthony, Chessy has learned to fight with the greatest Chinese trainers. She's a total badass! He soon discovers how great she is when she saves his life from poison.

I love watching these two fall in love again. I also love that he wrote her every week in the army but she never opened i bc she couldn't read. Now, all he has to do is earn her trust and convince her to marry him.

I also love his niece and nephew! They were soo cute and added to the story along with their grandmother.

The mystery was also a shocking for the most of the book. This is a hard book to explain but definitely worth the read! I highly recommend!!!

Great second change romance

Sidenote: in the beginning, the H does sleep with mistress while the h is secretly hidden.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread: 2023
Called Seducing the Rake
Review under other name

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this under the new title Seducing the Rake. At first I really liked the story. Chest was a strong female hunting for an elusive book to save her father. But then she became some weak woman despite being trained as a warrior. Plus, the story threw way too much in there. The Triads, Louisa, the evil twin, the lost parent, the duchess, Wellington, and the cameos from what I guess were from other books. Too much. I did finish but I came close to just giving up quite a few times.

[Darbella]

New title is Seducing the Rake.

[Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to see Tony find love, since he had fallen privy to the girls in The Black Rose, as well as Defiant Captive. But I think the plot was a bit overstuffed. Tony was searching for the pillow book and hell-bent on getting it too, and then the people he meets to ensure this happens (his associates) are never seen/heard again. Also. I feel like Ms. Skye was a soap opera writer with the organ worthy twist you never see coming, so it should be satisfying, but really feels like a desperate move to gain interest when the plot is basically wrapped up. Another thing that kind of irked me, is that Chessy is supposed to be this bad ass martial arts chick, but the most we ever see of her "fighting" is her admittedly impressive rooftop work. I did like the fact that Tony and Chessy had met each other ten years prior to this story taking place, so the insta love was thwarted. Tony was a confusing hero, because he was feeling guilty about falling for her, (as he is not only older than her, but her father's friend) but blatantly touches/kisses her when she says "no". But then, he also tells her to say if she doesn't like something as they're about to make the beast with two backs. I want more romance in my romance!! I can't stop reading her, for the hope that the last two I have left will bring me some kindness in the dialogue. Show some appreciation for the person (regardless of sex) who saved your life. Cue that old Black Eyed Peas, "Where is the Love?"

[Tonileg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical English mystery with cat burglars and secret agendas while everyone runs around trying to find a kinky Asian pillow book.
My favorite pillow book is by The Pillow Book, but that might be because it is the only one that I've every read, and if you like The Tale of Genji the I would definitely recommend Sei's classic autobiographical book.
Lord Anthony Moreland and Chessy were meant to be, but Tony had to wait to let her grow up because 15 is a bit young for marriage, etc. I liked the illiterate aspects of the story, but it was a little unbelievable because Chinese is 100 times harder to learn then English and she should have been able to do that in two weeks time! Lots of death threats, kungfu action so much so that this would have made for a great Jackie Chan historical film.
Fun crazy read with everyone keeping secrets and a HEA.
455 pages although it felt more like 350 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars

[L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel gypped. The very first scene begins with the heroine traipsing acrobatically across the rooftops, utilizing the skills she learned from the Shao-lin monks. I thought, "Alright! We're going to get some action in this story." Well, there is action but it's the usual kind you get from these books.

Francesca Cameron is in London on a secret mission when she runs into Anthony Morland, a man from her past. These two spend a majority of the time absolutely drooling over each other while I'm over here shouting, "What about the mission!? Everybody should be kung fu fighting."

No one is kung fu fighting.

How could the author tease me with a character who has a particular set of skills to kick ass, who never kicks any ass? In fact, 'Chessy' (which I kept reading as Cheesy) turned out to be rather lame. So disappointed.

1-25-2026

[bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

east of forever 1993

because it was so good in the middle, it made everything that wasn’t good really bad. eastern themes felt pretty good, but also kind of shoehorned.

things i want to remember:
-writing is handsy, groping through rooms and feelings in a wildly clumsy, yet sexual way. finds its rhythm around page 80. truly unapologetic female prose. pure flowery fancy.
-first man she fell in love with
-marriage pushed on the leads regardless of the couple’s feelings (by an older woman, not a mother)
— long separated parents reunited
—the rake and the virgin
—pleasure forced upon our heroine
—i laughed outloud multiple times (in good ways because it was funny when it was supposed to be funny)
—pet name: Cricket
—advocate: sponsor

themes:
—masking pain
—secrets
—aging/age
—sex and confession/truth
—communication
—fury and independence
—literacy

pros:
—vulnerable man
—historically grounded
—fantastic middle section tight on plot and romance and fantasy
—pleasurably molested, never raped
—male desires her pleasure first
—couple’s history was relevant the whole
book
—Barnaby

cons:
—indulgent, flowery prose gets overboard and loses itself. 6 pages for one kiss is a little much. almost unreadable in some places (almost won me over by the end, if i had gotten a legit married sex scene maybe it would have been enough to win me)
—pacing pacing pacing. 150 pages of not great, 80 pages of great, then we slump, then we’re back, then we don’t get good sex again while there are dramatic action sequences
—regularly forgot to care about the plot, and there was a lot of it
—keeping information from the heroine for unclear sexist reasons
—many characters that don’t seem relevant, may be more relevant from the book that came before, but not elegantly integrated into this one
—Connor

[Susan Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off really well and then... it became tedious. I like sex in books but not as filler, and that's exactly what the sex scenes in this book started to feel like. Practically the whole book was how Chessy and Tony were lusting for each other.

Chessy starts off as a strong heroine trained in the marshal arts and then what happened? She became useless.

The plot was very convoluted with with lost mothers and brothers showing up out of nowhere for no particular reason that I could see and misconceptions and disappearing plot lines. Ugh.

And the epilogue, what in the world was that? It told nothing.

I finished the book but barely. I usually enjoy this author.

[SuzyHD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding 5*+

Quite the passionate adventure for Chessy and Tony. Intriguing stories within the story, never a dull moment with dangerous situations everywhere. Subduction and sexual advances by enemies and heroes alike. Fun entertaining storyline which I enjoyed very much.

[Gretchen B. Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, Enticing, Extraordinary

Wonderful characters, Twists & Turns, Unexpected Delights. Love the Adventurous Spirit of the Women, & the Men who "Try to Tame" them but truly Admire , Love & Appreciate them just as they are.

[Helen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seducing The Rake

Adventures abound keeping the suspence building. A readers delight to experience as the pages fly by. The heroin keeps the novel moving at a fast pace. The hero is hard pressed to capture this lady. This is a novel you do not want to put down. Readers read while it is "hot" .

[Tracy Emro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the re-released ebook version titled Seducing the Rake. The book was OK - I found it to be very "put downable".

The hero Tony was alright - he was definitely a rake - if you like that sort of hero - I prefer reformed/reforming rakes. He kind of put me off at the beginning of the book and never quite redeemed himself in my eyes.

Chessy the heroine was pretty much unbelievable - and not in a good way. She was wishy washy and I never saw her incredible fighting skills in action.

The premise for the story was good and the writing wasn't bad per se - it just didn't hold MY attention. It seemed a but choppy and disjointed at times and there seemed like there was a lot going on - but in reality there wasn't.

This was not the worst book I have ever read - it is not even close to the worst. But it is not a keeper either.

[SylviaV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free e book on amazon.com
Was first published in 1993 and now available as an e book.
I read this under the new title Seducing the Rake.
It is an historical romance story with a fair amount of story twists and turns,
and some interesting historical facts thrown in for good measure.
Overall an entertaining read.

[Erin]

Read this many years ago when it came out. I just ordered a new copy for me and am going to re-read it because it is all very fuzzy what I remember. Excited to get my hands on it and see if it is as good as I remember.

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was fine. Fun but disjointed and it went on too long. Too many things tidily cleaned up too easily. But readable and it passes the time.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I would like to see a follow up book about Conn.

[Danielles · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nou dat viel tegen,...............heel saai en saai,...en saai,......

[Darbella]

Original title East of Forever.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intertaining with lots of happy endings and a suprizing villain.

[RomLibrary]

Like a cat, violet-eyed Chessy Cameron prowls London's night - dark roofs, stealing into the rooms of the rich and powerful in search of a priceless, ancient book.

But Lord Tony Morland is also obsessed with securing the book - and the heart of this mysterious temptress.