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Company of Rogues #11
The Rogue's Return
After years living in the new world of Canada, Simon St. Bride is ready to return to aristocratic life in England. But his plans are delayed by a duel and a young woman he feels honor-bound to marry, knowing that his family is unlikely to welcome her. For despite her beauty and seeming innocence, Jane Otterburn is hesitant to speak of her enigmatic past... Then treachery strikes their world, and, as Simon and Jane must fight side-by-sideagainst enemies and fate, on land and at sea, he discovers a wife beyond price and a passion beyond measure. But will the truth about Jane tear their love asunder?
370 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 7, 2006
146 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
About the author
Jo Beverley
140 books1,129 followersMary Josephine Dunn was born 22 September 1947 in Lancashire, England, UK. At the age of eleven she went to an all-girls boarding school, Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool. At sixteen, she wrote her first romance, with a medieval setting, completed in installments in an exercise book. From 1966 to 1970, she obtained a degree in English history from Keele University in Staffordshire, where she met her future husband, Ken Beverley. After graduation, they married on June 24, 1971. She quickly attained a position as a youth employment officer until 1976, working first in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and then in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
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February 26, 2021
4 Estrellitas. Puede que echase mucho de menos a los Pícaros, o el hecho de que llevase más de dos años sin leerlos, pero ésta sequía ha hecho que disfrute de éste libro muchísimo más de lo esperado.
Admito que con sus rarezas y argumentos rebuscados Jo Beverley no es una escritora fácil para muchas lectoras, o sus libros gustan mucho o no gustan nada, pero en éste caso "El regreso del canalla" me ha convencido mucho.
La primera mitad del libro ocurre en Canadá, en el pequeño pueblo de York (Toronto), donde está asentado un destacamento británico que combatió en la guerra de 1812. Gracias a las historias de los Pícaros, sabemos que algunos de sus protagonistas estaban destinados allí, a Hal ya lo conocimos en anteriores libros, y a Simon, que es el protagonista, lo conocemos aquí.
Simon es un hombre de una familia privilegiada que está muy cerca de conseguir un condado. Lo cierto es que no tiene mucha prisa por volver a casa, pero la guerra ha terminado y acaba de hacer una reserva para volver a Inglaterra.
Una pelea y discusión con otro soldado sobre los derechos de los indios y los insultos a una dama, llevarán a Simon a batirse en duelo. Un duelo que será interrumpido por Jane Otterburn, la dama en cuestión y sobrina del militar de más rango.
Jane interrumpe el duelo al oír el estruendo de que su tío ha tenido un accidente mortal y éste necesita a Simon. Simon siempre ha sido como un hijo para el tío Isaiah, y antes de morir Isaiah le pide a Simon como última voluntad, que se case con Jane y cuide de ella, al carecer ésta de toda familia.
Desde que llegara un año antes a Canadá, Jane siempre ha sido sombría y misteriosa, algo gazmoña y pasando por la vida sin llamar la atención. Es cierto que todos los soldados la encuentran hermosa, incluido Simon, pero ésta nunca dio señales de querer nada con ninguno.
Pese a todo Simon y Jane se casan apresuradamente para después disponer de los papeles y venta de la casa del tío Isaiah, pues Simon volverá a Inglaterra con su flamante esposa.
Al principio no será fácil para los protagonistas, pues el duelo que interrumpió Jane deberá volver a celebrarse, además Simon posee una serie de papeles muy peligrosos que involucran a ciertas personas. El viaje a Montreal no será fácil y mucho menos cruzar el Atlántico hasta Inglaterra, bajo la sombra de alguien que los vigila y persigue.
Si además tenemos que añadir algo a éste misterio, es el gran secreto de Jane, pues toda su vida ha sido una mentira. Su propia vida, su crianza, sus padres, hasta su propia identidad. Pero Jane se ha quedado huérfana muy joven y sin nadie en su vida hasta que llegó a Canadá, sola y asustada e Isaiah se convirtió en un pilar fundamental para ella.
Será el romance entre Simon y Jane lo que aflore lentamente y lo que haga que el libro merezca la pena, pues ha sido muy bonito, de los mejores que he leído de Jo Beverley. Pese al secreto de Jane, Simon siempre ha sido un caballero con ella y la ha tratado muy bien, no es raro que poco a poco se convenza de que su matrimonio es real y se está enamorando de su esposa. Si algo me ha gustado es que no ha dudado de ella en ningún momento, ni siquiera en los más cruciales del final del libro.
Quizás los capítulos finales se han llevado con más precipitación, pero igualmente me han gustado y acabado bien para nuestros protagonistas. Aquí ya se deja ver quiénes serán los protagonistas de la siguiente entrega y los tengo muchísimas ganas. Preveo que estos últimos libros que escribió Jo Beverley serán de los mejores.
Admito que con sus rarezas y argumentos rebuscados Jo Beverley no es una escritora fácil para muchas lectoras, o sus libros gustan mucho o no gustan nada, pero en éste caso "El regreso del canalla" me ha convencido mucho.
La primera mitad del libro ocurre en Canadá, en el pequeño pueblo de York (Toronto), donde está asentado un destacamento británico que combatió en la guerra de 1812. Gracias a las historias de los Pícaros, sabemos que algunos de sus protagonistas estaban destinados allí, a Hal ya lo conocimos en anteriores libros, y a Simon, que es el protagonista, lo conocemos aquí.
Simon es un hombre de una familia privilegiada que está muy cerca de conseguir un condado. Lo cierto es que no tiene mucha prisa por volver a casa, pero la guerra ha terminado y acaba de hacer una reserva para volver a Inglaterra.
Una pelea y discusión con otro soldado sobre los derechos de los indios y los insultos a una dama, llevarán a Simon a batirse en duelo. Un duelo que será interrumpido por Jane Otterburn, la dama en cuestión y sobrina del militar de más rango.
Jane interrumpe el duelo al oír el estruendo de que su tío ha tenido un accidente mortal y éste necesita a Simon. Simon siempre ha sido como un hijo para el tío Isaiah, y antes de morir Isaiah le pide a Simon como última voluntad, que se case con Jane y cuide de ella, al carecer ésta de toda familia.
Desde que llegara un año antes a Canadá, Jane siempre ha sido sombría y misteriosa, algo gazmoña y pasando por la vida sin llamar la atención. Es cierto que todos los soldados la encuentran hermosa, incluido Simon, pero ésta nunca dio señales de querer nada con ninguno.
Pese a todo Simon y Jane se casan apresuradamente para después disponer de los papeles y venta de la casa del tío Isaiah, pues Simon volverá a Inglaterra con su flamante esposa.
Al principio no será fácil para los protagonistas, pues el duelo que interrumpió Jane deberá volver a celebrarse, además Simon posee una serie de papeles muy peligrosos que involucran a ciertas personas. El viaje a Montreal no será fácil y mucho menos cruzar el Atlántico hasta Inglaterra, bajo la sombra de alguien que los vigila y persigue.
Si además tenemos que añadir algo a éste misterio, es el gran secreto de Jane, pues toda su vida ha sido una mentira. Su propia vida, su crianza, sus padres, hasta su propia identidad. Pero Jane se ha quedado huérfana muy joven y sin nadie en su vida hasta que llegó a Canadá, sola y asustada e Isaiah se convirtió en un pilar fundamental para ella.
Será el romance entre Simon y Jane lo que aflore lentamente y lo que haga que el libro merezca la pena, pues ha sido muy bonito, de los mejores que he leído de Jo Beverley. Pese al secreto de Jane, Simon siempre ha sido un caballero con ella y la ha tratado muy bien, no es raro que poco a poco se convenza de que su matrimonio es real y se está enamorando de su esposa. Si algo me ha gustado es que no ha dudado de ella en ningún momento, ni siquiera en los más cruciales del final del libro.
Quizás los capítulos finales se han llevado con más precipitación, pero igualmente me han gustado y acabado bien para nuestros protagonistas. Aquí ya se deja ver quiénes serán los protagonistas de la siguiente entrega y los tengo muchísimas ganas. Preveo que estos últimos libros que escribió Jo Beverley serán de los mejores.
August 1, 2016
Again, it's been a few days, so details may escape me. And as with others in the series, you're probably better off if you've read a few before—and this one finally resolves the Hal/Blanche off-screen romance, so if you don't know who they are, you haven't read enough of them, yet.
And really, if it weren't for the Hal/Blanche wrap-up, I'd be tempted to advise skipping it. They're married really fast and fall in love shortly after so the tension is all internal from there. And it's all about poor Jane ("Jancy") and her insecurities. And what a pain this is to endure for . Seriously, I get it, her background may cause problems. And worse, beloved Simon, the dorkmonkey, has actually expressed classist sentiments (though eavesdropping, so, yeah). And that may have been an interesting side issue. Only it was front and center for entirely too long.
Also, the plot itself was boring (must protect the papers because they're important and will fix the Indian problem and right wrongs and create justice. And with a hidden villain who was .
So it was a mundane plot and a heroine who was a damp dishrag and kind of plodding. Which would normally have been two stars (if not less), but, well, Hal and Blanche!
A note about Steamy: This was a bit weird because they get married practically from the start so the shenanigans can start early, too. Only because <contrivance> not as much (i.e. average for the series and the middle of my steam tolerance). Oh! And the sexy times are caught up in Jancy's self-worth issues and Beverley contrives a way for Simon to go along. So they aren't actually doing the sexy all the time the way they could be...
And really, if it weren't for the Hal/Blanche wrap-up, I'd be tempted to advise skipping it. They're married really fast and fall in love shortly after so the tension is all internal from there. And it's all about poor Jane ("Jancy") and her insecurities. And what a pain this is to endure for . Seriously, I get it, her background may cause problems. And worse, beloved Simon, the dorkmonkey, has actually expressed classist sentiments (though eavesdropping, so, yeah). And that may have been an interesting side issue. Only it was front and center for entirely too long.
Also, the plot itself was boring (must protect the papers because they're important and will fix the Indian problem and right wrongs and create justice. And with a hidden villain who was .
So it was a mundane plot and a heroine who was a damp dishrag and kind of plodding. Which would normally have been two stars (if not less), but, well, Hal and Blanche!
A note about Steamy: This was a bit weird because they get married practically from the start so the shenanigans can start early, too. Only because <contrivance> not as much (i.e. average for the series and the middle of my steam tolerance). Oh! And the sexy times are caught up in Jancy's self-worth issues and Beverley contrives a way for Simon to go along. So they aren't actually doing the sexy all the time the way they could be...
May 24, 2009
It's rather sad when the hero of a romance is so much more likable than the heroine; especially when you keep thinking to yourself every time she questions their relationship something along the lines of, "no, you don't deserve him. Just throw yourself overboard already."
July 20, 2022
Simon St. Bride, aristócrata que trabaja para la Corona en Canadá, se ve en un matrimonio de circunstancias con Jane Ottenburn, «Jancy», la sobrina de su mentor. Todo esto ocurre bien al principio de la novela, y el resto se dedica al viaje de Simon y Jancy de regreso a la Gran Bretaña. La tensión se mantiene porque Jancy guarda un secreto, sobre ella, su pasado y esas cosas, que el lector sabe y Simon desconoce y tú estás todo el rato preguntándote cómo se desvelará y cuál será la reacción de Simon. Porque es algo que la convertiría en una persona totalmente inapropiada como esposa de un aristócrata. Una novela que me maravilla, porque monta la trama con poquita cosa y, sin embargo, consigue mantener el interés hasta el final. Eso es arte.
Una de amor y aventuras un poco de las de antes, pero, afortunadamente, sin machismos por en medio. La leí en español y reconozco que la traducción me sacó de la lectura más de una vez.
Para saber más, mi blog.
Una de amor y aventuras un poco de las de antes, pero, afortunadamente, sin machismos por en medio. La leí en español y reconozco que la traducción me sacó de la lectura más de una vez.
Para saber más, mi blog.
June 7, 2020
I find Jo Beverly’s novels to be wildly uneven-though she’s written some books, such as An Arranged Marriage and her early Malloren books that are are easily some of the best works of modern historical romance, with highly psychologically complex characters and a greater degree of attention to historical detail than many of her peers (the wound care scene was probably the most erotic thing in this entire book to me since all of the characters 100% embraced pre-bacterial medicine in all of its bizarre glory). She’s also just an all around good writer whose prose generally doesn’t go beyond lilac.
But, Miss Beverley is often pretty hit-or-miss with her plots and main characters. At her best, she can create characters with complex inner voices, dealing with harrowing but historically rooted situations. At her worst her characters are inconsistent and irrational, while her plots are unfocused and convoluted, drawing attention away from the main romance.
This book is one of the latter. I must say that I really enjoyed Miss Beverley’s depictions of early Canada, both as a Canadian who enjoys representations of her country’s history and as a history nerd who really appreciated the clear amount of research that she put into this book (I loved the obligatory John Strachan cameo because, again, massive history nerd). But, alas this was wasted on a fairly subpar plot and main characters. Simon was fine. He wasn’t as flat as Skylark’s Stephen Ball, but he was also nowhere near as dynamic as An Arranged Marriage’s Nicholas Delaney, An Unwilling Bride’s Lucien, or, most obviously Hal Beaumont, who has been a secondary character in many of the books in this series. No, it is the heroine, ‘Jane’. Sigh. I want to like her, because I think that the premise of her situation is interesting and unusual, but she’s just absolutely insane. Which might be okay, except that I don’t think that she’s supposed to be insane, I think that she’s just extremely inconsistently written, veering between wildly competent and collected and paranoid and hysterical with absolutely no middle ground. Which I think is a shame, because there is so much about this book that is good and promising, so the fact that it kind of sucks is even more disappointing.
But, Miss Beverley is often pretty hit-or-miss with her plots and main characters. At her best, she can create characters with complex inner voices, dealing with harrowing but historically rooted situations. At her worst her characters are inconsistent and irrational, while her plots are unfocused and convoluted, drawing attention away from the main romance.
This book is one of the latter. I must say that I really enjoyed Miss Beverley’s depictions of early Canada, both as a Canadian who enjoys representations of her country’s history and as a history nerd who really appreciated the clear amount of research that she put into this book (I loved the obligatory John Strachan cameo because, again, massive history nerd). But, alas this was wasted on a fairly subpar plot and main characters. Simon was fine. He wasn’t as flat as Skylark’s Stephen Ball, but he was also nowhere near as dynamic as An Arranged Marriage’s Nicholas Delaney, An Unwilling Bride’s Lucien, or, most obviously Hal Beaumont, who has been a secondary character in many of the books in this series. No, it is the heroine, ‘Jane’. Sigh. I want to like her, because I think that the premise of her situation is interesting and unusual, but she’s just absolutely insane. Which might be okay, except that I don’t think that she’s supposed to be insane, I think that she’s just extremely inconsistently written, veering between wildly competent and collected and paranoid and hysterical with absolutely no middle ground. Which I think is a shame, because there is so much about this book that is good and promising, so the fact that it kind of sucks is even more disappointing.
September 21, 2012
Simon St. Bride is a rescuer, so when a dying friend begs him to marry his orphaned niece, Simon agrees. Problem: He has dirt on some bad guys in Canada and the bad guys don't want him getting home to England with his info.
Jane Otterburn loves Simon, so part of her is aux anges over this marriage of convenience. But the more practical side of her sees problems. Lots of problems.
CONVOLUTED BACKSTORY ALERT
Jane is really Jancy, Jane's bastard sister. When Jane's mum died the two girls were sent to Canada to Jane's mum's brother. And then Jane had the nerve to go and die on the voyage to Canada. Terrified that Jane's (not Jancy's) uncle would reject her and leave her to fend for herself in a strange land, Jancy assumed her half-sister's identity. By the time she realized that the uncle was the kind of guy who would've cared for her even tho they weren't blood kin, she was already arse-deep in lies, and stuck with them.
But Jancy isn't really the kind of gal a man like Simon would be proud to call his wife. Simon is in line for an earldom—it's a tenuous line, but it's a line. And earls don't marry bastard daughters of schoolmasters who whored around with kinda gypsy/traveler tramps. And Simon himself—well the man's a bit of a snob, and if he knew…
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Jancy decides to carpe diem, and enjoy her marriage to Simon until they reach England. Then she'll tell him everything and let the chips fall where they may.
Meanwhile somebody's trying to keep Simon's info from reaching England's shores. Who is it? IMO the answer was a little obvious, but writers see set-ups where readers might not.
So by the time Jane's ready to 'fess up, Simon's all
And the baddies are all
No big surprises here, but it's a good read, and I wanted more—so clearly the story works.
Jane Otterburn loves Simon, so part of her is aux anges over this marriage of convenience. But the more practical side of her sees problems. Lots of problems.
CONVOLUTED BACKSTORY ALERT
Jane is really Jancy, Jane's bastard sister. When Jane's mum died the two girls were sent to Canada to Jane's mum's brother. And then Jane had the nerve to go and die on the voyage to Canada. Terrified that Jane's (not Jancy's) uncle would reject her and leave her to fend for herself in a strange land, Jancy assumed her half-sister's identity. By the time she realized that the uncle was the kind of guy who would've cared for her even tho they weren't blood kin, she was already arse-deep in lies, and stuck with them.
But Jancy isn't really the kind of gal a man like Simon would be proud to call his wife. Simon is in line for an earldom—it's a tenuous line, but it's a line. And earls don't marry bastard daughters of schoolmasters who whored around with kinda gypsy/traveler tramps. And Simon himself—well the man's a bit of a snob, and if he knew…
[image error]
Jancy decides to carpe diem, and enjoy her marriage to Simon until they reach England. Then she'll tell him everything and let the chips fall where they may.
Meanwhile somebody's trying to keep Simon's info from reaching England's shores. Who is it? IMO the answer was a little obvious, but writers see set-ups where readers might not.
So by the time Jane's ready to 'fess up, Simon's all
And the baddies are all
No big surprises here, but it's a good read, and I wanted more—so clearly the story works.
March 3, 2009
It's been a while since I had read the other Rogue books but after reading Hazard and enjoying it so much I couldn't resist picking up the other Beverley's I had in the TBR pile. The first one was this story, the story of Simon St Bride who, when the story opens, is in America investigating a case of misappropriation of money. He has made himself quite a few enemies and one of them questions one of his friend's honour leading him to challenge him to a duel.
The duel ends up being interrupted and that same night Simon's friend dies after asking him to marry and take care of his niece. Simon agrees and even if the bride is less than enthusiastic they are married. Since this is a romance novel they are immediately attracted to each other but what I found refreshing is that Jane (or Jancy) is not who Simon believes her to be and we know that from the beginning and watch her struggle with herself on whether to tell him the truth or not.
I really liked both of them, Simon is a nice guy, trying to do the right and honourable thing. He is dependable and once he decides Jancy is the woman he loves he is totally determined to make their marriage work. Jancy is the tortured one and not only is she trying to adjust to the new reality of being part of the ton as Simon's wife when she is a nobody as she spends quite some agonising on how to tell Simon the truth. Some unexpected events occur that lead her not only to tell him but for the both of them to face it together and that was really nice.
I'm also very happy that Hal Beaumont finally had his happy end here.
Grade: 4/5
The duel ends up being interrupted and that same night Simon's friend dies after asking him to marry and take care of his niece. Simon agrees and even if the bride is less than enthusiastic they are married. Since this is a romance novel they are immediately attracted to each other but what I found refreshing is that Jane (or Jancy) is not who Simon believes her to be and we know that from the beginning and watch her struggle with herself on whether to tell him the truth or not.
I really liked both of them, Simon is a nice guy, trying to do the right and honourable thing. He is dependable and once he decides Jancy is the woman he loves he is totally determined to make their marriage work. Jancy is the tortured one and not only is she trying to adjust to the new reality of being part of the ton as Simon's wife when she is a nobody as she spends quite some agonising on how to tell Simon the truth. Some unexpected events occur that lead her not only to tell him but for the both of them to face it together and that was really nice.
I'm also very happy that Hal Beaumont finally had his happy end here.
Grade: 4/5
March 22, 2012
OMG I really do try to make it through every book that I start, but this one is proving harder then most... Its dragging on and on and its getting on my nerves. I ALWAYS bring my book to bed with me for some reading but I left this one down stairs for fear that I might read some more and be stuck with that being the last thing on my brain before I fell out... I'm just about done and I've given up hope that this book will turn out better then a 2... I just put it down and cant even remember the names of the h/h.. how sad...
so after finishing this book one word comes to mind forgettable.
so after finishing this book one word comes to mind forgettable.
August 14, 2016
Due to circumstances beyond control (a situation that explains her entire life), Jancy marries Simon who belongs to a fellowship of Peers who call themselves Rogues. She is not of his social class and this is the crux of the story as we are reminded of this frequently, several times in most chapters. While this was a true dilemma in those days, reiterating it became tedious and detracted from the story, what there was of it.
July 4, 2024
This was a bit confusing and dull at times.
March 30, 2018
Wow! The first Regency romance I've encountered that could officially qualify as CanLit (Canadian Literature), having both a Canadian author and a Canadian setting for a significant portion the book.
The story starts in Canada, in old "muddy York", which eventually became the city of Toronto, the area where I have lived for most of my life, so the book gets a star for that. Nicely portrayed, too. The story is not much of a romance per se, since the heroine loves the hero right from the start and the hero realizes that he loves her fairly soon into the book. Mostly it is about their journey back to England. The hero has to return to take up his duties as the heir to the Earl of Marlowe, as well as redress some injustices towards the Canadian aboriginal tribes who aided the British during the Napoleonic Wars. Meanwhile the heroine, who was impersonating someone else while she was in Canada, has to tell the truth to her husband, and struggles with both herself and some others who figure out, or come close to figuring out, the truth. Very, very nicely told.
The story starts in Canada, in old "muddy York", which eventually became the city of Toronto, the area where I have lived for most of my life, so the book gets a star for that. Nicely portrayed, too. The story is not much of a romance per se, since the heroine loves the hero right from the start and the hero realizes that he loves her fairly soon into the book. Mostly it is about their journey back to England. The hero has to return to take up his duties as the heir to the Earl of Marlowe, as well as redress some injustices towards the Canadian aboriginal tribes who aided the British during the Napoleonic Wars. Meanwhile the heroine, who was impersonating someone else while she was in Canada, has to tell the truth to her husband, and struggles with both herself and some others who figure out, or come close to figuring out, the truth. Very, very nicely told.
October 18, 2017
Simon St Bride is planning to return home to England from Canada along with evidence of wrongdoing in Indian affairs by some British officials. He becomes entangled in a duel that goes wrong and he is forced to marry the niece of a friend. Jane has had a crush on Simon since she met him, but is living a life of lies; she's not who she says she is. Rather than confess she marries him anyway, somehow reasoning that she'll tell him the truth when they reach England and everything will work out. Of course, they fall in love along the way.
I was never quite sure why Simon fell in love with Jane. She's kind of whiney and a liar. I thought Simon deserved someone better. I did enjoy the Canada setting and reading about some of the other Rogues.
I was never quite sure why Simon fell in love with Jane. She's kind of whiney and a liar. I thought Simon deserved someone better. I did enjoy the Canada setting and reading about some of the other Rogues.
August 13, 2011
Hiding the past is never a good sign. Generally this means it will come to bite you in the ass when you least need it. I like reading forced weddings which end up happily ever after though. Of course, this only happens in fiction, never the real world.
February 6, 2015
Love the Canadian setting in the first half of the book. A nice mystery subplot, too.
November 9, 2017
Pretty damn boring. It honestly got 2 stars because it had some spice to it and wasn't a "wholesome" romance.
January 27, 2025
Although 11th in the series, you can get by reading this as a stand alone.
Copyright 2006, which is the copy I have. There's some information about the company of Rogues at the end of the book, as well as a brief history of events of the time period that the author gives you.
So, this is a reread, but not a frequent one. While first reading I couldn't understand why not.
Hero Simon is a member of the Rogues & he's been in Canada for 2 years trying to get evidence for the government about fraud with the local government.
Heroine Jane has been in Canada for 1 year, staying with her Uncle. Simon is staying in the same house. Jane has many secrets about her identity. She's not who she says she is & there's 2 layers to that lie.
More than half the book is in Canada. Hal is the only other Rogue appearing during this time.
He's frustrated that Blanche won't marry him, so he goes to Canada on business with Simon. Fortunately he's there since there's a duel where Simon is injured, a fire & a marriage of convenience. Simon & Jane flee Canada & head to England. There are loooong chapters of the ocean voyage & Jane's seasickness. Throughout the month they're at sea Janes dithers about telling Simon the truth.
Once back in England we meet a Rogue we haven't met before : Dare. He's introduced in a set up for the next book.
So, I think the reason this was never a favorite was the heroine lies throughout the majority of the book. She thinks she has good reason to, but it drags on for too long. She tell Simon half the truth at 3/4s of the book & the whole truth at almost the end. The ocean voyage is also too long in the telling, but there are some advances in the story.
There's a HEA for both our main couple & Blanche & Hal.
Copyright 2006, which is the copy I have. There's some information about the company of Rogues at the end of the book, as well as a brief history of events of the time period that the author gives you.
So, this is a reread, but not a frequent one. While first reading I couldn't understand why not.
Hero Simon is a member of the Rogues & he's been in Canada for 2 years trying to get evidence for the government about fraud with the local government.
Heroine Jane has been in Canada for 1 year, staying with her Uncle. Simon is staying in the same house. Jane has many secrets about her identity. She's not who she says she is & there's 2 layers to that lie.
More than half the book is in Canada. Hal is the only other Rogue appearing during this time.
He's frustrated that Blanche won't marry him, so he goes to Canada on business with Simon. Fortunately he's there since there's a duel where Simon is injured, a fire & a marriage of convenience. Simon & Jane flee Canada & head to England. There are loooong chapters of the ocean voyage & Jane's seasickness. Throughout the month they're at sea Janes dithers about telling Simon the truth.
Once back in England we meet a Rogue we haven't met before : Dare. He's introduced in a set up for the next book.
So, I think the reason this was never a favorite was the heroine lies throughout the majority of the book. She thinks she has good reason to, but it drags on for too long. She tell Simon half the truth at 3/4s of the book & the whole truth at almost the end. The ocean voyage is also too long in the telling, but there are some advances in the story.
There's a HEA for both our main couple & Blanche & Hal.
February 10, 2020
Simon St. Bride, uncommon among his kin because of a throw back inherited characteristic evidenced by his black hair with its fire~red tips from the same unusual landless knight ancestor, the tourney prizes collector and wanderer, Black Ademar. Simon was in Canada in answer to the call of adventure (another inherited trait) and for the Crown's business. After rooting out anomalous transactions regarding land compensations due to the dispossessed Indians, he was ready to go home and make his report, when he was embroiled into a duel with the prime defrauder after overhearing the villain maligning the lady and niece of a man Simon respected. The duel was interrupted by its cause, Jane... Isaiah inadvertently shot himself on the abdomen and was dying... when Simon reached him, the former schoolmaster extracted a deathbed promise from St. Bride to marry his niece while he was still alive to witness the ceremony... and so it was done as he desired. They were married but Jane had a secret which may affect their union. The interrupted duel resumed and Simon was wounded though he killed the cheating bastard. Another entertaining adventure from this beloved author.
November 5, 2018
Sin dudas, una novelita muy interesante. Nunca me había leído algo que se desarrollará en el Canadá de 1800, y por esa parte fue muy refrescante. Simon es uno de los picaros, y solo se menciona en el primer libro, y poquísimo.
Simon es un personaje muy real, tiene sentimientos encontrados con respecto a su matrimonio y a su mujer, pero el gusto y la atracción física se imponen (y vencen jaja). Jane es una mujer muy comedida. Debido a sus orígenes, se la pasa pensando que no es digna de Simon y se esfuerza siempre por complacerlo. La verdad, esa tarea no se le hace difícil, sobre todo cuando Simon se da cuenta del amor que ella puede entregarle.
En esta novela hay mucha acción…imagínate que empieza con un duelo, una muerte y una boda jaja Mas, se desborda jaja. Algo que me encantó fue saber de la vida de los otros picaros y de Hal, pero sobre todo me llamaron la atención las entradas de Dare…y estoy loca por empezar su libro.
Simon es un personaje muy real, tiene sentimientos encontrados con respecto a su matrimonio y a su mujer, pero el gusto y la atracción física se imponen (y vencen jaja). Jane es una mujer muy comedida. Debido a sus orígenes, se la pasa pensando que no es digna de Simon y se esfuerza siempre por complacerlo. La verdad, esa tarea no se le hace difícil, sobre todo cuando Simon se da cuenta del amor que ella puede entregarle.
En esta novela hay mucha acción…imagínate que empieza con un duelo, una muerte y una boda jaja Mas, se desborda jaja. Algo que me encantó fue saber de la vida de los otros picaros y de Hal, pero sobre todo me llamaron la atención las entradas de Dare…y estoy loca por empezar su libro.
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January 2, 2023Simon really didn't strike me as much of a rogue, per se. He was more responsible about his duties than many other book characters (or people!) are, in my opinion. The female protagonist, known in York, Canada, as Jane, and by various other names in various other places, was interesting. She had a lot of skills, many of them unladylike but useful.
I was trying to figure out where in Canada the town of York would be. I knew that Upper Canada was actually the most southern part of Canada, confusingly enough. Montreal was an established city at the time. It turned out that the name of the town had changed between then and the present day. The characters soon set off on as quick a trip as possible to England, though. As fast as possible in the Age of Sail meant several weeks at least, though.
It was a good book.
I was trying to figure out where in Canada the town of York would be. I knew that Upper Canada was actually the most southern part of Canada, confusingly enough. Montreal was an established city at the time. It turned out that the name of the town had changed between then and the present day. The characters soon set off on as quick a trip as possible to England, though. As fast as possible in the Age of Sail meant several weeks at least, though.
It was a good book.
April 18, 2023
This is the story of the Rogue who's been in Canada, andis nowreadytohead home to England. He's been investigating an official in charge of dealing with the natives and cheating them to enrich himself, and the guy tries to force a duel. Things happen and the hero winds up marrying his mentor's niece. Then he fights the duel, kills the other man, but is injured himself. And all the while, they're trying to sail from what will be Toronto (It's still named York in 1816 or so) before winter freezes the St. Lawrence and they're stuck in Canada til spring. So part of this is a road trip story: sailing ship version. It also has an arranged marriage element, plus a secret history for the heroine, in that she's not who she says she is. It's a good read, one of the series I hadn't read before. I'm glad I caught up with it. I liked it.
April 17, 2018
This is the story of Simon St. Bride and Jancy Otterburn. Simon is in Canada where realizes the man in charge of Indian affairs is corrupt. He compiles papers on him to take back to England. Jane(Jancy--Nan) lives with her uncle? and takes care of his house. Simon lives there too. Simon fights a duel , is wounded, and nearly loses an arm. Jancy saves him and his arm. Jancy and her cousin travel to Canada, but Jane dies and Nan takes her identity.Simon and Jane marry at the request of her uncle who is about to die. Can Jancy(Jane--Nan ) admit her ruse to Simon? Will Simon still love her.? Their adventure takes them back to England where Jancy is afraid someone will recognize her. She also fears becoming part of society. How does she cope with these problems?
January 25, 2021
Il romanzo non mi ha convinto molto.
L’inizio è lento, poi c’è una ripresa per calare di nuovo quando cambia l’ambientazione (la parte in Inghilterra) ma la trama è abbastanza articolata: piena di misteri, qualche colpo di scena inaspettato e naturalmente una storia d’amore che dovrà superare differenze sociali e segreti.
La storia d’amore tra i due protagonisti, si sviluppa un po' troppo rapidamente per i miei gusti mentre il problema della protagonista si risolve in maniera troppo facile e poco convincente.
Molto interessante è la parte ambientata in Canada dove l’autrice si occupa delle condizioni delle tribù native.
I personaggi principali sono abbastanza simpatici ma non ho apprezzato Simon, soprattutto quando assume quei comportamenti, secondo me, poco coerenti.
L’inizio è lento, poi c’è una ripresa per calare di nuovo quando cambia l’ambientazione (la parte in Inghilterra) ma la trama è abbastanza articolata: piena di misteri, qualche colpo di scena inaspettato e naturalmente una storia d’amore che dovrà superare differenze sociali e segreti.
La storia d’amore tra i due protagonisti, si sviluppa un po' troppo rapidamente per i miei gusti mentre il problema della protagonista si risolve in maniera troppo facile e poco convincente.
Molto interessante è la parte ambientata in Canada dove l’autrice si occupa delle condizioni delle tribù native.
I personaggi principali sono abbastanza simpatici ma non ho apprezzato Simon, soprattutto quando assume quei comportamenti, secondo me, poco coerenti.
February 17, 2024
I found this book very tedious. There were two plots.
The sub-plot, which was fine, had Simon investigating a crooked gov't agent in charge of Indian Affairs in Canada. Someone is working with Simon but he does't know the culprit's identity.
The main plot is Jane's romance with Simon and her secret about her true identity. Jane goes on ad infinitum about how scared she is about Simon finding out her true roots and how she should tell him but she doesn't want to lose him. Then when she finally tells him she doesn't tell him all of it so we have to hear her whine about it some more.
I found the ending ridiculous, personally.
The sub-plot, which was fine, had Simon investigating a crooked gov't agent in charge of Indian Affairs in Canada. Someone is working with Simon but he does't know the culprit's identity.
The main plot is Jane's romance with Simon and her secret about her true identity. Jane goes on ad infinitum about how scared she is about Simon finding out her true roots and how she should tell him but she doesn't want to lose him. Then when she finally tells him she doesn't tell him all of it so we have to hear her whine about it some more.
I found the ending ridiculous, personally.
March 2, 2021
Simon St. Bride is all set to return to his native England from Canada when the death of a dear friend changes everything for him. Fulfilling his dying friends request, Simon weds his niece Jancie, Jane Otterburn. Jane though has secrets and Simon has an enemy. When treachery strikes their world, Simon and Jane must fight side-by-side-and they discover a love beyond price and a passion beyond measure.
Overall a good read that has you rooting for the newly wed couple. Good characters, great story line.
Overall a good read that has you rooting for the newly wed couple. Good characters, great story line.
December 20, 2022
And it started out so well. A duel, an accidental suicide, and a shotgun wedding. Whew!
And then a bunch of dithering and lying and a whole lot of "oh woe is me."
Blech.
Somehow the hero is just so madly in love with this woman that he was hurriedly married to while his friend lay there dying of a gunshot wound. Lie after lie and dither after dither, his ardor and love for her is rock steady.
Right.
And then a bunch of dithering and lying and a whole lot of "oh woe is me."
Blech.
Somehow the hero is just so madly in love with this woman that he was hurriedly married to while his friend lay there dying of a gunshot wound. Lie after lie and dither after dither, his ardor and love for her is rock steady.
Right.
January 15, 2025
ไซม่อนเป็นโร้คเพียงคนเดียวที่ไม่ปรากฎตัวในเรื่องชุดนี้แม้แต่ฉากเดียวก่อน หน้าเรื่องราวของตัวเขาเอง นั่นเพราะเขาเป็นทหารประจำการในแคนาดา แต่เนื่องจากตัวละครกำลังจะหมดชุดแล้ว ก็จึงมีความจำเป็นที่ต้องเรียกตัวไซม่อนกลับมาประจำการในอังกฤษโดยด่วน
แต่ก่อนที่ไซม่อนจะกลับมาอังกฤษ ชีวิตเขาก็เข้าไปพัวพันกับเจน หลานสาวของเพื่อนสนิทที่ฝากฝังเธอไว้กับเขา ก่อนตาย และด้วยเหตุนั้นเขาจำเป็นต้องแต่งงานกับเธอโดยหารู้ไม่เลยว่า เจนไม่ใช่คนที่เขาคิดว่าเธอเป็น
คะแนนที่ 67
August 2, 2021
It was ok. “Jane” came to live with an uncle in Canada when she and her cousin were orphaned. Her cousin died enroute and Jane took her identity. As a gypsy illegitimate she keeps her secrets tight and is forced to marry her crush whose life is in danger because he has secrets of Indian agent dishonesty. Pretty average and disappointing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2018
She dithers. She dithers. I enjoyed this a lot, but I can tell where some would be critical. Jo Beverley's prose is so enjoyable for me, it didn't matter that there were large swathes of the plot that seemed rather repetitive.
May 25, 2017
But of course another wonderful read. Kept you guessing but as always the rogue gets what he wants and fixes the problem.
September 29, 2018
"If God had meant people to go on the water, He'd have given us feathers and webbed feet!" p 275.
Typo?
p 7 Ten Years .. 1815-1815
Typo?
p 7 Ten Years .. 1815-1815
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