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Regency Rakes #1-3
Regency Rakes: Boxed Set
Be swept off your feet with this special Regency Rakes collection - three sexy Regencies by #1 Amazon bestselling author Wendy Vella
DUCHESS BY CHANCE
In this captivating historical romance, the Duke of Stratton is shocked to learn he has a fiancée he’s never met. Forced to wed Miss Eva Winchcomb, can they make their marriage real despite coming from two completely different worlds?
Winner: Romance Writers of New Zealand Clendon Award for a full-length romantic manuscript.
RESCUED BY A VISCOUNT
Miss Claire Belmont’s life is thrown into turmoil when she finds out her brother left something behind in France before he died. Going against her family’s wishes, she is determined to uncover the secret of what it is, and is forced to turn to the one man she vowed to avoid at all costs for help. Claire has always feared that if anyone can disrupt her well-ordered life and see the vulnerable woman behind the polite facade, it will be Viscount Kelkirk and now they are thrown together, she realizes her fears were justified.
TEMPTING MISS ALLENDER
Seven years after her disastrous debut, Miss Patience Allender has reluctantly returned to society to chaperone her sister. No longer the meek, mild Miss, she will never again allow a man to humiliate her. However, Patience’s resolve is severely tested when she comes face-to-face, with the very man who shattered her heart. Desperate for help when her family is thrust into danger, Lord Belmont is the only one she can turn to - but can she do so and keep her heart whole or will he destroy her once again?
DUCHESS BY CHANCE
In this captivating historical romance, the Duke of Stratton is shocked to learn he has a fiancée he’s never met. Forced to wed Miss Eva Winchcomb, can they make their marriage real despite coming from two completely different worlds?
Winner: Romance Writers of New Zealand Clendon Award for a full-length romantic manuscript.
RESCUED BY A VISCOUNT
Miss Claire Belmont’s life is thrown into turmoil when she finds out her brother left something behind in France before he died. Going against her family’s wishes, she is determined to uncover the secret of what it is, and is forced to turn to the one man she vowed to avoid at all costs for help. Claire has always feared that if anyone can disrupt her well-ordered life and see the vulnerable woman behind the polite facade, it will be Viscount Kelkirk and now they are thrown together, she realizes her fears were justified.
TEMPTING MISS ALLENDER
Seven years after her disastrous debut, Miss Patience Allender has reluctantly returned to society to chaperone her sister. No longer the meek, mild Miss, she will never again allow a man to humiliate her. However, Patience’s resolve is severely tested when she comes face-to-face, with the very man who shattered her heart. Desperate for help when her family is thrust into danger, Lord Belmont is the only one she can turn to - but can she do so and keep her heart whole or will he destroy her once again?
735 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2015
643 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Vella
96 books829 followersWendy Vella is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of historical romances filled with mystery, intrigue, unconventional heroines, and dashing heroes.
Connect with Wendy in her Facebook reader group facebook.com/groups/wendyvellareaders or sign up for her reader newsletter at WendyVella.com to get goodies, exclusive excerpts and behind-the-scenes peeks.
Wendy also writes small town contemporary romances under the name Lani Blake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
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July 31, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/31/2020)! 🎁
October 20, 2020
Three historical novels written by Wendy Vella! Each can be read as a standalone. Fun, interesting stories with different plots and I really enjoyed this set. I felt that the characters in each of the novels were well developed and thought out. Feisty and spirited, stubborn or reluctant.... felt each book had something to offer. I can see why Wendy Vella is a bestselling author! She layers her characters with humor, a little suspense and spicy romances.
April 14, 2023
2.5⭐️ “It sounds like something my wife would read about in one of those hideous novels,”
-A direct quote from one of the MCs in the collection, and no truer words could describe the first and last books, Duchess by Chance and Tempting Miss Allender. As for Rescued by the Viscount, boring. Such a disappointment, because I liked Simon in Duchess. Hisflirtation banter with Daniel was adorable. The charm displayed in the first book was barely on display in the second.
I seem to be in the minority opinion, but besides the melodrama which would have been a better fit for stories set in the latter part of the Victorian era, the novels were in desperate need of an editor to clean up historical inaccuracies, punctuation, typos… you name it.
-A direct quote from one of the MCs in the collection, and no truer words could describe the first and last books, Duchess by Chance and Tempting Miss Allender. As for Rescued by the Viscount, boring. Such a disappointment, because I liked Simon in Duchess. His
I seem to be in the minority opinion, but besides the melodrama which would have been a better fit for stories set in the latter part of the Victorian era, the novels were in desperate need of an editor to clean up historical inaccuracies, punctuation, typos… you name it.
June 8, 2022
I am, somewhat slowly, working my way through a history of the French Revolution (Peter McPhee's Liberty or Death), and I needed a break but didn't want to read something that would significantly distract me from the history. These 3 stories, at least 2 of which are really novellas, and the third should have ended several chapters before it did, are formulaic and dull. They are interconnected, mostly through the heroes--Daniel, Duke of Stratton; Simon, Lord Kirkdel, a viscount; and Matthew Belmont, Marquis (of who knows what). There are also other issues--some 20th/21st C-sounding dialogue, and a really poor understanding of how titles work (the h of the 2nd book is called "Miss," but she is the daughter of a marquess (her brother inherited the title), so she should be addressed as "Lady").
Duchess by Chance, the first novella, starts with the tired trope of people forced to marry because of a contract between their parents. In this case, two infants being contractually bound to marry because the fathers are gamblers, and one of them (the noble, of course) loses to the commoner, who demands that the noble's heir marry his daughter. I question whether such a contract would be enforceable, particularly 20 or so years later, and why a duke would agree to honor a wager made by his father (which doubt could be legally binding on the adult son). Of course, the two fall in love. The second and third stories, Rescued by a Viscount and Tempting Ms. Allerton, focus on two Belmont siblings: Claire, the h of the first, and her brother, the Marquis, the H of the second.
I very much dislike the fact that all of the H have no problem ignoring boundaries. Simon, the viscount, is the least annoying, and even he pesters Claire repeatedly for information that she clearly doesn't want to share. Stratton and Belmont just routinely tell their wives/love interests what to do and override their concerns (Belmont never actually proposes--he just tells his h that they're getting married, then announces it to their families without her knowledge or consent--of course, she yells at him a bit and then continues to let him announce their marriage--never demanding that he actually ask).
But I also dislike all of the h because they are so supposedly sensible but actually quite stupid. Eva refuses to trust Daniel with the truth of her machinations, even after she acknowledges that she trusts him. Claire comes up with a harebrained and reckless scheme to redeem her dead brother's lost "belonging" (1 guess on what that actually is) because she has a gut feeling that the anonymous and cryptic note author is telling the truth and has no nefarious intentions. Admittedly, her brother (the 3rd book's H) is more than a bit-of-an-ass, but her plan is phenomenally stupid. I actually regretted that she was proven right. And Patience, who is terrified for her younger brother's safety, refuses to tell anyone else who shows friendship to her (Matthew or Claire) about the danger he's in because, 7 years before, Matthew hurt her feelings (though he didn't know it at the time). His excuse for why he was a jerk is lame (he was supposedly numb from his brother's death, which is apparently a reason to insult a childhood friend behind her back), but he demonstrates time and again to Patience that he is trying to be a better friend. He's not entitled to her forgiveness, but, given the threat to her brother and the fact that Patience needs help desperately, you'd think she could separate her wounded feelings from her brother's life and ask for help.
I know the h are supposed to be plucky and the H loving and protective, but they almost all came off as irritating (I found Simon to be likeable (for the most part)).
Duchess by Chance, the first novella, starts with the tired trope of people forced to marry because of a contract between their parents. In this case, two infants being contractually bound to marry because the fathers are gamblers, and one of them (the noble, of course) loses to the commoner, who demands that the noble's heir marry his daughter. I question whether such a contract would be enforceable, particularly 20 or so years later, and why a duke would agree to honor a wager made by his father (which doubt could be legally binding on the adult son). Of course, the two fall in love. The second and third stories, Rescued by a Viscount and Tempting Ms. Allerton, focus on two Belmont siblings: Claire, the h of the first, and her brother, the Marquis, the H of the second.
I very much dislike the fact that all of the H have no problem ignoring boundaries. Simon, the viscount, is the least annoying, and even he pesters Claire repeatedly for information that she clearly doesn't want to share. Stratton and Belmont just routinely tell their wives/love interests what to do and override their concerns (Belmont never actually proposes--he just tells his h that they're getting married, then announces it to their families without her knowledge or consent--of course, she yells at him a bit and then continues to let him announce their marriage--never demanding that he actually ask).
But I also dislike all of the h because they are so supposedly sensible but actually quite stupid. Eva refuses to trust Daniel with the truth of her machinations, even after she acknowledges that she trusts him. Claire comes up with a harebrained and reckless scheme to redeem her dead brother's lost "belonging" (1 guess on what that actually is) because she has a gut feeling that the anonymous and cryptic note author is telling the truth and has no nefarious intentions. Admittedly, her brother (the 3rd book's H) is more than a bit-of-an-ass, but her plan is phenomenally stupid. I actually regretted that she was proven right. And Patience, who is terrified for her younger brother's safety, refuses to tell anyone else who shows friendship to her (Matthew or Claire) about the danger he's in because, 7 years before, Matthew hurt her feelings (though he didn't know it at the time). His excuse for why he was a jerk is lame (he was supposedly numb from his brother's death, which is apparently a reason to insult a childhood friend behind her back), but he demonstrates time and again to Patience that he is trying to be a better friend. He's not entitled to her forgiveness, but, given the threat to her brother and the fact that Patience needs help desperately, you'd think she could separate her wounded feelings from her brother's life and ask for help.
I know the h are supposed to be plucky and the H loving and protective, but they almost all came off as irritating (I found Simon to be likeable (for the most part)).
May 5, 2021
Always a good read
I enjoy this author quite a bit. Her characters are strong, kind and compassionate. While there is always some intrigue it varies nicely between stories. In the first story we meet Daniel and Eva( her real name is ghastly! And the author never explains it origin) who were betrothed by their fathers when she was a baby, to settle Daniel's father's gambling debt. Through this story we meet Daniel's goid friend, Simon. Simon's story is next with Claire, the younger sister of an acquaintance. Simon helps Claire deal with an interesting problem and when they are discovered, lies and says they are betrothed. Lastly, we have Matthew's story. He is Claire's older brother and he becomes embroiled in issues of childhood friend, Patience. Easy, fun stories all with their own HEAs
I enjoy this author quite a bit. Her characters are strong, kind and compassionate. While there is always some intrigue it varies nicely between stories. In the first story we meet Daniel and Eva( her real name is ghastly! And the author never explains it origin) who were betrothed by their fathers when she was a baby, to settle Daniel's father's gambling debt. Through this story we meet Daniel's goid friend, Simon. Simon's story is next with Claire, the younger sister of an acquaintance. Simon helps Claire deal with an interesting problem and when they are discovered, lies and says they are betrothed. Lastly, we have Matthew's story. He is Claire's older brother and he becomes embroiled in issues of childhood friend, Patience. Easy, fun stories all with their own HEAs
January 19, 2021
Easy read if you just want some mindless reading for a break.
It's not historically correct except for the use of some archaic words scattered around. It would be so great if the author would learn that to my wife and I or for Matthew and I is bad grammar. One does not say "to I" or "for I". But the stories were fun. I liked the characters. I was nice seeing how the fit into all three books.
It's not historically correct except for the use of some archaic words scattered around. It would be so great if the author would learn that to my wife and I or for Matthew and I is bad grammar. One does not say "to I" or "for I". But the stories were fun. I liked the characters. I was nice seeing how the fit into all three books.
October 21, 2021
Entertaining Series Book Set
Overall, the Regency Rake Collection has three easy and entertaining reads by Wendy Vella.
I read Duchess by Chance as a single and rated it as 4 stars. I also read Rescued by a Viscount as a single and rated it as 5 stars. The only one I had not read was Tempting Miss Allender. Sadly, after reading it (for me) it only rates 3.5 stars.
Content 411: This set of books contains secular and religious swearing, as well as descriptive sexual intimacies.
Overall, the Regency Rake Collection has three easy and entertaining reads by Wendy Vella.
I read Duchess by Chance as a single and rated it as 4 stars. I also read Rescued by a Viscount as a single and rated it as 5 stars. The only one I had not read was Tempting Miss Allender. Sadly, after reading it (for me) it only rates 3.5 stars.
Content 411: This set of books contains secular and religious swearing, as well as descriptive sexual intimacies.
September 10, 2020
I picked this up when it was free. As I started reading the first story, I realised I'd already read it (as a single novel). Oddly, I enjoyed it more this time than I apparently did the last time (according to my last review). I also enjoyed the other two stories. There were plenty of things going on, plenty of sizzle, and I thought it was a good read.
May 18, 2022
Excellent!,
This is a fair book. Patience does truly frustrate the reader! She is so controlling and stubborn. Thereby, she makes many bad choices and is not always a lady to her family and others. In fact those traits are so extreme, I actually thought about not finishing the book! I don’t like books that make me tense and this one did!
This is a fair book. Patience does truly frustrate the reader! She is so controlling and stubborn. Thereby, she makes many bad choices and is not always a lady to her family and others. In fact those traits are so extreme, I actually thought about not finishing the book! I don’t like books that make me tense and this one did!
December 8, 2018
A Trio of Interwoven families
Each book stands alone and truly could read them in any order. Yes the characters have family members in each couple. Fun story lines with a nice balance of drama and wit. I enjoyed each.
Each book stands alone and truly could read them in any order. Yes the characters have family members in each couple. Fun story lines with a nice balance of drama and wit. I enjoyed each.
March 25, 2019
Got to get this box set
This box set cost me a lot of sleep as l just could not get enough of these beautiful people who went from one book to another. If you like adult Regency .gull of Rakes with hearts of gold this is for you
This box set cost me a lot of sleep as l just could not get enough of these beautiful people who went from one book to another. If you like adult Regency .gull of Rakes with hearts of gold this is for you
August 8, 2020
A steamy regency box set
3 enjoyable books in a lovely series. If you love a strong determined heroine then these are the books for you. These ladies are no shrinking violets and the men they meet and fall in love with are their perfect match
3 enjoyable books in a lovely series. If you love a strong determined heroine then these are the books for you. These ladies are no shrinking violets and the men they meet and fall in love with are their perfect match
August 12, 2020
❤
Great Regency box set, I like the fact each story is a stand alone,but also a continuous from the characters based on the same families and friends. Lots of adventures and excitement, and passion.
Thank you ❤
Great Regency box set, I like the fact each story is a stand alone,but also a continuous from the characters based on the same families and friends. Lots of adventures and excitement, and passion.
Thank you ❤
August 16, 2020
love, Love, LOVE!
I’m a longtime fan of cella’s. I’ve actually read all these books when they originally came out. However, when I saw the collection, I knew I had to read them all over again. They were just as good the second time around.
I’m a longtime fan of cella’s. I’ve actually read all these books when they originally came out. However, when I saw the collection, I knew I had to read them all over again. They were just as good the second time around.
October 15, 2020
Rakish delight
What a fun read! I was looking for something charming and I found it. Three wonderful stories about men who thought they were fierce, until they met their match. All three couples indeed are their matches! Well done!
What a fun read! I was looking for something charming and I found it. Three wonderful stories about men who thought they were fierce, until they met their match. All three couples indeed are their matches! Well done!
January 15, 2021
Loved these books
I am a fan of Wendy Vella's , though I have only read her historical books. She is a fabulous story teller and maker each character and book unique. You will enjoy each of these books and it will leave you wanting for more.
I am a fan of Wendy Vella's , though I have only read her historical books. She is a fabulous story teller and maker each character and book unique. You will enjoy each of these books and it will leave you wanting for more.
February 5, 2021
Outstanding Read
This 3 book family series is a wonderful read, filled with adventure, deception and exciting story lines. I've enjoyed it so much I've just order another 2 sets which I look forward to enjoying also. thank you Wendy for your clever wit and story telling. Kris
This 3 book family series is a wonderful read, filled with adventure, deception and exciting story lines. I've enjoyed it so much I've just order another 2 sets which I look forward to enjoying also. thank you Wendy for your clever wit and story telling. Kris
April 15, 2022
A lovely collection of passionate regency romances with well written stories and wonderful intriguing characters. Each story - Duchess by Chance, Rescued by a Viscount and Tempting Miss Allender give you something different and worthwhile.
May 6, 2022
Reread it's that good
I just reread the boxset. Over the last 2 weeks I have been on a Wendy binge. Reading and rereading books in my library, plus Kindle Unlimited books. The suspense, the love and yes the connections to family. Can't go wrong with a Wendy Vella series
I just reread the boxset. Over the last 2 weeks I have been on a Wendy binge. Reading and rereading books in my library, plus Kindle Unlimited books. The suspense, the love and yes the connections to family. Can't go wrong with a Wendy Vella series
May 29, 2022
romantic and intriguing
I really liked most of these love stories filled with intrigue and lovely romance. My only criticism is that with such good stories the sex scenes don’t have to be so explicit. Oral sex isn’t romantic for the reader.
I really liked most of these love stories filled with intrigue and lovely romance. My only criticism is that with such good stories the sex scenes don’t have to be so explicit. Oral sex isn’t romantic for the reader.
June 9, 2022
Loved the stories
The author makes the characters come alive and it was hard to stop reading each day! I looked forward to starting again the next day! I will definitely be checking out her other books!!
The author makes the characters come alive and it was hard to stop reading each day! I looked forward to starting again the next day! I will definitely be checking out her other books!!
August 11, 2022
A nice diversion
The second story in this trilogy was my favorite, it seemed to have the right balance of elements for an entertaining romance. The other two were not really my cup of tea.
The second story in this trilogy was my favorite, it seemed to have the right balance of elements for an entertaining romance. The other two were not really my cup of tea.
October 2, 2022
Love can be hard to admit
Each book was filled with excitement and suspense. I couldn't put the series down. I highly recommend everyone read. Wendy Vella is now 1 of my 2 favorite authors
Each book was filled with excitement and suspense. I couldn't put the series down. I highly recommend everyone read. Wendy Vella is now 1 of my 2 favorite authors
August 11, 2023
From Heartbreak to Love
I absolutely loved reading all three books. Eva and Daniel, Claire and Simon and Patience and Mathew. Going from heartache to finding that all consuming love. You will love each store. I cried, I laughed but loved when they all realized what was important.
I absolutely loved reading all three books. Eva and Daniel, Claire and Simon and Patience and Mathew. Going from heartache to finding that all consuming love. You will love each store. I cried, I laughed but loved when they all realized what was important.
April 23, 2024
Love Love Love is in the air.
I love the time frame of these 3 books and they have it all. Dukes and Dutchess, Lords and Ladys. Balls dancing all night debutons,. Drama great characters and love after over coming some bumps in the road to achieve their happily ever after.
I love the time frame of these 3 books and they have it all. Dukes and Dutchess, Lords and Ladys. Balls dancing all night debutons,. Drama great characters and love after over coming some bumps in the road to achieve their happily ever after.
June 9, 2018
Regency Rakes Boxed Set
What a wonderful day to indulge myself in reading this set of books. Each was better than the previous, and I loved them all!
What a wonderful day to indulge myself in reading this set of books. Each was better than the previous, and I loved them all!
April 5, 2020
Great series
Such a wonderful series. Each book stands alone but by reading the series together it felt like a complete story from beginning to end. I would highly recommend.
Such a wonderful series. Each book stands alone but by reading the series together it felt like a complete story from beginning to end. I would highly recommend.
August 3, 2020
Easy read
The second t reading these as a group though this time. All had a certain amount of humor and of course damsels that needed rescue or help.
The second t reading these as a group though this time. All had a certain amount of humor and of course damsels that needed rescue or help.
August 6, 2020
Great feading
This bundle is terrific. I love reading a series that follows family or friends. Even knowing how each will end, the stories are worth reading.
This bundle is terrific. I love reading a series that follows family or friends. Even knowing how each will end, the stories are worth reading.
August 11, 2020
Great Reading
Loved all three stories. I read them in one sitting. I love a series where you get all the character's stories. Well written. Great storylines.
Loved all three stories. I read them in one sitting. I love a series where you get all the character's stories. Well written. Great storylines.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews