The Wicked Rebel

Blackhaven Brides #3

by Mary Lancaster

BOOK THREE IN THE BESTSELLING BLACKHAVEN BRIDES SERIES - ALSO IN KINDLE UNLIMITED! ***** At eight-and-twenty, Lady Arabella Niven is gentle, sickly, and firmly on the shelf. Having disobliged her father by refusing her last chance of marriage, she has been sent in disgrace to Blackhaven with two domineering aunts. Her one wish is to be left alone in a quiet cottage to write books on history. However, everything changes when she tries to rescue a naked man apparently drowning at sea. Thus begins an odd, fun friendship that quickly becomes passionate. For Captain Alban, the hero with a shady past, is rebellious and unconventional by nature. Marriage between such a man and a duke’s daughter is inconceivable, and yet Alban’s feelings for her drive him to face his past in order to create a new future that would be unendurable without her. Oppressive family, neglected children, fortune hunters, past loves, and old crimes all contrive to keep the pair apart. But when danger threatens Alban, it is the duke’s gentle daughter who rides to his rescue.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Regency, Fiction, Adventure

231 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2017

About the author

Mary Lancaster is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance. She lives in Scotland with her husband, one of three grown-up kids, and a small dog with a big personality.

Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.
Her most recent books are light fun Regency romances, with occasional forays into Victorian mystery.

Connect with Mary on-line:
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Reviews

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋
Excellent book really loving this series x

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, really enjoyed this book. It started off as a light romance and then continued on to include intrigue, mystery, tension and some light comedy. The last chapters reminded me of a Georgette Heyer novel as all the characters were gathered in the one place for the finale.
I liked Arabella a lot, even though at times I wanted to shake her and tell her to stand up to her family.
Alban is a great hero type and played his part well.
It was a tad drawn out towards the end. Of course we had the obligatory steamy chapter which I skimmed over and still didn't miss out on any of the story.
This is my first book by this author and even though it's number three in a series, it's a standalone novel. I'll definitely be reading more of her books.

[Tracy DeNeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackhaven is swiftly replacing Bath as the spa town of choice for me these days! Mary Lancaster has once again written a richly descriptive story that engages the senses and allows her readers to immerse themselves in her world.

Lady Arabella Niven just wants what every 28-year old spinster by choice wants. A quiet cottage of her own where she can be alone with her thoughts and her books. And what's wrong with that, I ask?

What she has are annoying, if well meaning, relations who drive her absolutely batty. For each of their own distinct reasons, her spinster aunt, her married aunt and uncle, and her boorish father, the Duke, are all hellbent on her accepting a marriage with her father's elderly crony. Yeah, no.

Captain Alban of the Albatross is a fearsome, intense sort of man who brooks no nonsense from those around him. He's an enigma. Touched emotionally by no one until the day he swims up alongside her rowboat. He doesn't know why, but somehow she is different and worth knowing.

In this novel, we are transported back to the seaside town of Blackhaven to enjoy another quiet romance between two unlikely parties. What happens when a chronically ill, nearsighted, spinster lady meets a vitally healthy and robust alpha of a male and sparks fly on both sides?

Family expectations and disappointments play a major part in this story. Can these factors truly impact one's physical wellness? Absolutely! Sometimes, the cure one needs is distance, but what does a 19th century woman do when she is prohibited from doing anything? Bella shows us that remarkably the answer can be whatever she darn well pleases in the right situation.

My favorite scene? The "secret marriage and children" scenario toward the end of the book. I roared with laughter throughout that entire scene. Bella was always going to be a favorite heroine from her first scene, but that one just did it for me. I will habitually revisit that scene in the future.

Alban reminds me so much of Ross Poldark that I pictured Aidan Turner in his role. I know that I always make Aidan Turner my hero model, but Captain Alban totally embodied Aidan/Ross in this book. Poldark fans will know what I mean when they read the book.

There is so much for you to love about this story, so I strongly urge you to buy this book and read it for yourself. You won't regret it.

[OLT · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) Third in Lancaster's Blackhaven Brides series, this is comparable in quality to the first two. The romance is good, between a jaded, cynical ship's captain and the 28-year-old daughter of a duke who is a controlling, distant father. Bella has little self esteem or backbone. Thought to be sickly, perhaps consumptive, she is tightly controlled by two aunts in the foreground and her father in the background.

Daddy Duke has recently promised her in marriage to an old portly fellow. It would be an advantageous match for the duke and the old, portly guy, but not for our poor, put-upon heroine who would like some romance in her life.When in Blackhaven to take the waters for her health, Bella meets up with Captain Alban and the story takes off. It's an opposites-attract romance. He gives her some much needed freedom and adventure. She gives him stability and grounding.

Alban has secrets in his past which will be revealed over the course of the story. They connect him to Bella's father, not in a good way. So Bella will eventually have doubts. Is Alban a fortune hunter? Does he really love her or is this just a way to avenge himself for past injustices?

As usual for Lancaster, the story begins very well. And, as usual, the last quarter becomes a bit too hectic, with characters running hither and thither. Eventually things settle down and we have the HEA.

This is a 3-4 star read for me. Lancaster's writing is competent and she creates interesting characters. I don't get very emotionally engaged, however, in her romances, and the progression of her plots is a bit formulaic. Usually that formula requires the heroine to do something TSTL and need rescuing. This time the heroine's actions weren't all that stupid and she did some rescuing of her own, so that was good.

[Mojca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Arabella Niven, the youngest daughter of the Duke of Kilburn, is exiled into Blackhaven for not accepting the man her father had chosen for her. One day she's taking a boat ride alongside the shore, when she goes to the rescue of a supposedly drowning man.

Yet Captain Alban is far from drowning and the two strike a strange friendship that quickly blossoms into romance as both discover they can finally be themselves when the other is around.

But their love is star-crossed, since she's the daughter of a duke, while he's only a lowly sea captain...Or is he?


This was the best story in this series so far. The romance was solid on both parts, the supporting cast was a hoot (especially Bella's two aunts), it was lovely seeing Kate and Tris again), the suspense, though rather faint, struck the right notes.

I loved the two protagonists; Captain Alban with all his mysteries, idiosyncrasies and impeccable sense of honor and the sickly (it was all stress, mind you), quirky Arabella. I admit she started to get a little annoying in her incapability (or was it unwillingness) to stand up for herself, especially with that ass she had the misfortune to call a father and her smothering aunts, but as her true self slowly emerged, I (almost) forgot that particular character flaw.
Alban's don't-care-what-anyone-thinks-about-me attitude brought out the fighter in Bella, while her gentle nature smoothed out his harsher edges and showed him what he could have if he stopped being stubborn about it.
These two, utterly opposite characters, came together rather perfectly and created a sweet romance that brought a genuine smile on my lips. They were super cute together.

The rest of the story more-or-less paled in comparison to the two and their quest for a future together, but the tempo was spot-on with barely a lagging moment here and there, the supporting cast provided a good backdrop, the action scenes were intriguing, the humor was added at the right moments...

A very good read.

[L J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book- this series is wonderful!

Bella and Alban, both having suffered in different measures as a result of family, meet in the village of Blackhaven. Oh what a meeting it is too! These are two people with interesting pasts who are each looking at lonely boring futures until their fateful introduction. Bella's family believes her to be sickly and weak, Alban's believes he's dead, but both couldn't be farther from reality. The two strike up a friendship that evolves into a heated desire for each other in a short time. This love is aided by a series of events in which they assist each other escape harm all the while falling more deeply into each other's embrace.
This is the third in a series of terrific stories of characters, including marauding pirates, that live in, visit, or pass through the tiny seaside village of Blackhaven. Several of these colorful people reappear in this story along with a few new ones. I sincerely hope this author continues this series- maybe a Wicked soldier or Wicked artist?!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and just couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it to lovers of historical fiction as it will be on my " keeper" shelf for a long time to come.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Arabella Niven often struggles for breath, but never more so than when her family are pressuring her. Having a desperate need for air she takes a rowing boat out on the harbour. It's not only peace and quiet she finds out there on the water.
Captain Alban is a " free trader" with a reputation in the English seaports. He discovers news about his family that he must investigate. That could be a dangerous thing to do.
A lovely adventure for our downtrodden, shortsighted heroine. Courage comes in many forms and at unexpected times.
Our hero must face the past to embrace the future.
A sweet historical romance with wonderful characters and lots of excitement.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

And I'm continuing my little Blackhaven series spree. :D

Another good read. We have the piratical Captain Alban and the oh so proper duke's daughter Lady Arabella. *sigh*

And they do make a great couple.

What did bother me a bit here is the big kerfuffle at the end, it was just a bit too much, and somehow unnecessary at that. Also there were some plot points that bothered me, seemed a bit shallow and contrived. Also, didn't it occur to Alban to check his legal status or something. Also he left those children in the care of people who abused them with only a maid that has proven she isn't capable of standing up to the brutes.

Notwithstanding that, it's a compelling read and a very satisfying romance.

[Marina Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story in the Blackhaven series. The humor, the characters drew me in from the beginning to the end. The hero, so delicious and the heroine, also wonderful are that and more. My third book I have read of this series and I cannot wait to read the next installment of this series. This is fast paced, fun, witty, humorous read that I didn't want to put down. I LOVED IT.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set during the time of Wellington and privateers, this charmingly unusual tale of love when it is not thought possible is a breath of fresh air.

Read full review in the 2018 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Pauline Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Lancaster has rapidly become one of my favourite authors, with her witty and jolly romps in the emerging spa town of Blackhaven. This is the third in the series, and continues the trend of likable heroines, sexy and slightly bad-boy heroes, and a nicely crafted plot.

Here’s the premise: Lady Arabella Niven is the last remaining unmarried daughter of a duke, a gentle soul who would love to retreat to an isolated cottage somewhere and write books, but is being pushed into marriage to a portly old gentleman very much against her will. Her health is uncertain so she’s been sent to Blackhaven to take the waters, along with two aunts who fuss and fret her half to death. In a bid to find just an hour or two’s freedom from harassment, she takes a small rowing boat out into the bay where she spots a man apparently drowning. Rowing fearlessly to the rescue, the man emerges, totally naked, from the water and climbs into her boat. And so begins a most unlikely romance between a duke’s daughter and a smuggler. Or free trader, as Alban likes to call himself.

The author is not one to leave a romance to build slowly, so there’s an instant attraction between the two, and a dilemma for both of them. Can she walk away from the pressure of her family’s expectations? Can he, as an outlaw, risk an entanglement with such a high-ranking lady? And there’s a certain amount of family history lurking in the background. It’s problematic. And as they gradually try to determine what they want from the future, the past catches up with them and puts various people in jeopardy.

This is another fun read, with no real surprises along the way, and a certain amount of stupidity on the part of both hero and heroine (him in leaving two defenceless children in the care of people who have already proved they can’t be trusted, and her in allowing herself to be manipulated, even when she knows very clearly what she wants). But (surprise!) it all works out happily in the end, the bad guys get their comeuppance, our romantic pair get together and everybody else gets put in their place.

Terrific fun, lots of humour, a great romance. Lady Arabella in particular is beautifully drawn, a woman who is too timid to stand up to her domineering family openly, but smart enough to thwart their will in a thousand quietly subversive ways. She knows very well what she doesn’t want (an enforced marriage to an uncongenial man) but it isn’t until she meets Alban that she discovers what she actually wants, and the backbone to reach out and take it. I liked her very much. She totally deserves a hot bloke like Alban. There’s a fair amount of lusting and passionate kissing, and one sex scene. Five stars.

[AVA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of potential. From its description, I expected something completely different. I think the overall concept was quite good, but it’s execution was lacking. I kept finding myself thinking, “I think I would have written it this way.”

It’s pretty obvious that Arabella isn’t truly sick. I think she probably has something like asthma that also manifests with psychosomatic symptoms in relation to stress. I like that she grows quite a bit as the story goes.

I found Alban to be a bit stiff. The story constantly comments on how he can’t laugh or smile or that he’s forgotten how to be happy. Honestly, I don’t really see why. His “tragedy” didn’t seem traumatic enough to elicit such a flat and stoic personality. Plus, I couldn’t really get over him leaving the children in hopes that their mother would be there soon.

I think they had some good moments, but the plot really dragged for me.

[Kiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 of the Blackhaven Brides series had a darker tone than the first two books. It also had some pretty unsavory characters. Although darker, it was definitely better than the first two.
The two main characters, 28-year-old Lady Arabella (Bella) Niven, eldest daughter of the Duke of Niven, kept defying her father's attempts at marrying her to a man nearly 3 times her age (which really pissed her father off). Because of this, the Duke sent her to Blackhaven with two of her aunts as well as a husband to one of the aunts who were all just as controlling as her father.
The other main character, who had been mentioned frequently in the first two books, was Captain Alban, whose mysterious past was, in a way, linked to Lady Bella's. Alban was the captain of the Albatross ship that was seen often in the Blackhaven harbor.
All of Bella's family that made an appearance in the book, except for one, were utterly detestable. They treated Bella worse than a servant, and with total disregard for her wants, desires, or wishes.
There was plenty of drama, angst, and intrigue in this book that kept the reader glued to the story. The chemistry, passion, and humor were in abundance as well. The reader did not want for anything in this book.
The ending of the story was one that had the reader's heart pounding until the very last word. It was such a good book that it definitely found a place among the Keeper for the Shelves books.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Love, friendship, adventure on both the high seas and of the fighting variety.

Bella thinks that she's very sickly and she lets her family push her around. So when in a moment of rebellion, she runs away and meets Captain Alban the notorious smuggler.

They are both quite smitten with each other, but there is a lot standing in their way. Both the fact that her father has already decided who she will love, and the fact that Alban thinks he is a wanted man.

There are a lot of characters who are either passively bad, controllingly bad, or down right evil. Surprisingly, none of them are any of the pirates.

I do wish Bella has more of a backbone. I jumped up out of my seat when she almost married George after everything that happened. I mean there is not liking confrontation and then there is being ridiculous.

Still I loved her and Alban together. They smiled so much together. Even if Alban wasn't smiling on the outside. That made me smile.

I could barely put this book down, and I smiled during almost every page. I want to read every book in the series and lots more by this author.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in the process of reading through this series. I was sent these books in exchange for an honest review. Mary Lancaster's next book in the series is due in April.... so, in all honesty... I loved this book! So far, I feel it is the best of the series, and I enjoyed the first two books. I have a couple more yet to read but this book was wonderful. You don't need to start with the 1st book, The Wicked Baron, this can be read as a stand-alone. I loved the characters, the story, the writing.. I just really liked this book. I felt the understated humor was infectious, laughing aloud in a few spots, startling the dog dozing at my feet and causing my husband to look to look over and comment he thought I was reading one of "those romance" books.. lol. This book is not a comedy but it does have its moments. The storyline was well thought out and flowed very well. I like the way Mrs. Lancaster inserts her twists and turns to her stories that keep the reader interested to read onward. The I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I think you will too.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Wicked Rebel! The characters are so well developed that you think of them as actual people and not just characters. This series is well written with the characters from one each book showing up the the others. I met Captain Alban in a pervious novel and was really intrigued by his character so obviously I was thrilled to find that he was the Wicked Rebel. This book, like the others in this series, touch on all the emotions, faults, vulnerabilities, and strengths of the main characters. You see how they’ve been influenced by past experiences in their life so you have a better understanding of the character and why they do things the way they do, or react to situations the way they do. I love that the lead female character was one considered “on the shelf” being over 25. It is refreshing to be able to identify more closely with the heroine. I have been addicted to this series since the beginning! Another excellent romantic adventure by Mary Lancaster.

[Jini · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down.

This book was going at a decent pace and then went on full steroids for the last 30 pages. So many characters going from one place to the other.

The ending also seemed ridiculous since the duke had contrived to get Bella married half a dozen times and then simply sat down and accepted what happened. IMO it would have been more in character for him to simply storm out along with the rest of the family save Sebastian.

The rating has been rounded down due to that ONE scene where she says no a couple of times and he still continues. Also, he must had several lovers in that exact place previously but at least one that we do meet in this book.

ps: How awful was that mother?

pps: Mary Lancaster has improved leaps and bounds - A couple of later books in this series and especially the Petteril and the Crime and Passion series have way more organic romantic build-ups than this insta-lust between the leads.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Lady Arabella Niven and Captain Alban's story. The plot was very interesting. She is at the age of 28 and on the shelf. Her father the Duke is bound and determined to marry her off even to an older gentleman. Arabella has always been sickly since childhood. She has two over caring aunts who are overbearing at times. Then one evening she rows herself out to sea on a small boat. She never expected to find a handsome naked man in the ocean.

Captain Alban is notorious. What people don't know is his past and it is one he does not share. Less than a handful of people know his secret. The clumsy Pretty Woman who has problems with her eyesight and who states she is sickly intrigues him more than she should.

These two opposites definitely attract one another much to their own surprise.

This was a really nice story.

[Melanie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meet the NEW Regency romance heroine

I really had serious doubts at first. Like, when the hero/pirate actually turns out to be a good guy, a Daddy done him wrong guy, a noble self-sacrificing martyr guy, and (UGH!) a titled lord himself... Now how many of those have I read...
Hah! Interesting and different kind of heroine to the rescue. She's his opposite: tiny, nervous, sickly and circled by vicious control-freak relatives like sharks circling chum. Up until now, every character has been a complete stereotype, but the mousy little thing meets the big bad/good pirate - and she starts to wise up, look around her with a more critical eye, and ends by getting up and standing up for herself. AND THEN she goes into outright scandalous rebellion. I cheered the gel on from my chair. Loved every bit of her - she lit up the book, made it worth reading.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can Arabella help Captain Alban rescue his past?

Lady Arabella Niven is staying in Blackhaven with her two aunts having been sent there by her father in disgrace for refusing to marry a much older man.

She attempts to rescue a man she believes to be drowning, only to discover he is fine (if naked)! Under these circumstances Arabella and Alban strike up what starts as an unusual friendship but gradually develops into more.

Alban has several secrets of his own which are gradually revealed.

When Alban is put into danger it is the supposedly sickly Arabella who rides to his rescue with a number of his motley crew.

This was a fun read and I looking forward to more of the series.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape from your chaperones, rent a boat, rescue a naked man in the sea-just an afternoon in the life of Lady Arabella. The banter between Arabella and Alban during and after the rescue is humorous and such a delight. Alban, unaware that his brother was deceased, his widow had remarried and the children were in peril-is given the news by a trusted friend. Knowing that he needs to take responsibility for them finds The Lady helpful and a bit distracting. Their mutual admiration and affection are a delight to read and fun to follow along in their adventure.

[Barbara Literski · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rebel to Love

Great book written by Mary Lancaster! The two main people are Captain Alban and Lady Bella. They find that they are good for each other, fall in love but Lady Bella’s father has different plans for her. So much more happens that I think anyone would enjoy reading the book! ENJOY!!!!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I like!

Closely built characters playing out a delicately balanced plot make this book one to read and re-read. The scenery closes in, then opens, letting the characters swim farther into a series of plots that give the book ocean-like depths. I can admit, this book has further hooked me on the series.
And the author.

[bibliolatry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

I can’t believe how good all of the books in this series have been so far.

One funny thing is that Blackhaven has no need for wedding planners. A large formal wedding is definitely not a priority in this town! I have loved the way the weddings have happened in the first the first three books. I hope this trend continues.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Arabella Niven is a spinster who has rejected the old man her father wanted her to marry and is in Blackhaven to take the waters. She yearns for a quiet life in a cottage, where she is free to read books and write novels. Somehow she ends up with Captain Alban, a free-trader and French prisoner carrier with a past. There's plenty of action in getting there.

[Alicia Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is better than some of the others

The characters are three-dimensional and the situations are funny and poignant but not necessarily all at the same time. There was a variation on the constant theme of kidnapping which was amusing. And lots of fun comebacks. I made a couple of notations on the words “in to” and “into”, which ought to be instructional for everyone

[anne million · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read

Both the heroine and hero of the story are likeable and believable characters. The plot moves quickly and enjoyably to it's happy conclusion. There are moments of suspense as well as humor. A truly satisfying story!

[Autumn Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Love, LOVE this book!!

I purchased this as a .99 (or so) read and can't say enough about how much I enjoyed it. Great story, great characters and a bit of adventure thrown in. Would love to see Sebastien's story (this is my first Blackhaven Brides so it maybe out there-if not, it should be!) I preferred this romance because it was more about the characters and less about their sweaty romps of bodily fluid exchanges. (Ugh!) Well written, well edited and formatted, I will read more by this author.

[Cynthia Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebel

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is a fabulous series. Arabella and Captain Alban' s story is a sweet story with the right amount of action and intrigue to make this a wonderful read. I didn't want it to end.

[Maria Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wicked Rebel

I so enjoyed reading this book so very much, one of my favorites, you are a great writer and will definitely read as many of your books as I can, thank you for writing such great stories and truly recommend this book to everyone