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Stonecliffe #2
A Rogue at Stonecliffe
New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp invites you back to Stonecliffe, where an unwelcome reunion between a lady and a rogue calls up old feelings…and new dangers.
When the love of her life left without any explanation, Annabeth Winfield moved on despairingly, knowing she’d never have a love as thrilling as her first ever again. Sloane Rutherford was roguish and daring, but as Annabeth grew up, she realized that their reckless romance was just a passing adventure, never meant for stability. Twelve years later, Annabeth is engaged to someone new, ready to start her life with a dependable man.
That’s when Sloane returns. And he brings with him a serious Annabeth is in trouble.
After spending the past dozen years working as a spy, Sloane thought he’d left espionage behind him. But now a dangerous blackmailer is after Annabeth. Sloane offers to hide his former lover at Stonecliffe, the Rutherford estate, but stubborn Annabeth demands to be part of the investigation. As the two embark on a dangerous and exciting journey, memories of their past romance resurface. Sloane and Annabeth aren’t the wide-eyed children they used to be, but knowing they’re wrong for each other makes a nostalgic affair seem very right…
When the love of her life left without any explanation, Annabeth Winfield moved on despairingly, knowing she’d never have a love as thrilling as her first ever again. Sloane Rutherford was roguish and daring, but as Annabeth grew up, she realized that their reckless romance was just a passing adventure, never meant for stability. Twelve years later, Annabeth is engaged to someone new, ready to start her life with a dependable man.
That’s when Sloane returns. And he brings with him a serious Annabeth is in trouble.
After spending the past dozen years working as a spy, Sloane thought he’d left espionage behind him. But now a dangerous blackmailer is after Annabeth. Sloane offers to hide his former lover at Stonecliffe, the Rutherford estate, but stubborn Annabeth demands to be part of the investigation. As the two embark on a dangerous and exciting journey, memories of their past romance resurface. Sloane and Annabeth aren’t the wide-eyed children they used to be, but knowing they’re wrong for each other makes a nostalgic affair seem very right…
384 pages, ebook
First published June 27, 2023
124 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
Candace Camp
123 books1,253 followersCandace Camp is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty books.
Her first novel, *Bonds of Love*, was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Two pseudonyms (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens)and many books later, Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp and still loves creating stories.
Candace lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and is the mother of Young Adult author Anastasia Hopcus.
Her first novel, *Bonds of Love*, was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Two pseudonyms (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens)and many books later, Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp and still loves creating stories.
Candace lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and is the mother of Young Adult author Anastasia Hopcus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 29, 2023
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
A ROGUE AT STONECLIFFE (A Stonecliffe Novel Book #2) by Candace Camp is an intriguing and fast-paced historical second chance romance/romantic suspense set in the Regency period. This is the second book in the series following An Affair at Stonecliffe and while you have more background on the relationships between characters if you read these books in order, this second book still stands well on its own.
Sloane Rutherford is considered a rogue in the worst sense of the word. He broke the heart of his young love when he left and became a spy and smuggler during the war twelve years ago with the belief that he had no choice. He has returned and has no love of his noble relations as he runs his shipping line, gambling hells and taverns and believes he is done with espionage.
Annabeth Winfield is shocked when the man who left her heartbroken returns to Stonecliffe to warn her that her life may be in danger. A letter of confession her father wrote while he was still alive is a danger to an unknown person and they are willing to do anything to find it. Annabeth thought she was done with Sloane, but when there is an attempt made to kidnap her, he is determined to protect her, find out where the letter is and who is after her. Annabeth is no longer that you girl left behind and she demands to part of the investigation.
Annabeth and Sloane are investigating a world of lies, double agents, and traitors all while the love they thought they had buried once again grows. Will Sloane walk away again?
I really loved Annabelle and Sloane and believe they made a wonderful pair. Second chance romances are always so interesting because I get to understand them as young characters and then see how they have changed and matured as they come back together. The sex scenes are steamy, but not gratuitous. All the secondary characters are fully drawn and believable and I especially love Lady Lockwood, Annabelle’s grandmother. The mystery/suspense plot in this story is just as prevalent as the romance plot and kept me turning the pages as Annabelle and Sloane traveled London and the countryside searching for her father’s letter.
This is an exciting and entertaining historical second chance romance/romantic suspense and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
A ROGUE AT STONECLIFFE (A Stonecliffe Novel Book #2) by Candace Camp is an intriguing and fast-paced historical second chance romance/romantic suspense set in the Regency period. This is the second book in the series following An Affair at Stonecliffe and while you have more background on the relationships between characters if you read these books in order, this second book still stands well on its own.
Sloane Rutherford is considered a rogue in the worst sense of the word. He broke the heart of his young love when he left and became a spy and smuggler during the war twelve years ago with the belief that he had no choice. He has returned and has no love of his noble relations as he runs his shipping line, gambling hells and taverns and believes he is done with espionage.
Annabeth Winfield is shocked when the man who left her heartbroken returns to Stonecliffe to warn her that her life may be in danger. A letter of confession her father wrote while he was still alive is a danger to an unknown person and they are willing to do anything to find it. Annabeth thought she was done with Sloane, but when there is an attempt made to kidnap her, he is determined to protect her, find out where the letter is and who is after her. Annabeth is no longer that you girl left behind and she demands to part of the investigation.
Annabeth and Sloane are investigating a world of lies, double agents, and traitors all while the love they thought they had buried once again grows. Will Sloane walk away again?
I really loved Annabelle and Sloane and believe they made a wonderful pair. Second chance romances are always so interesting because I get to understand them as young characters and then see how they have changed and matured as they come back together. The sex scenes are steamy, but not gratuitous. All the secondary characters are fully drawn and believable and I especially love Lady Lockwood, Annabelle’s grandmother. The mystery/suspense plot in this story is just as prevalent as the romance plot and kept me turning the pages as Annabelle and Sloane traveled London and the countryside searching for her father’s letter.
This is an exciting and entertaining historical second chance romance/romantic suspense and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
April 22, 2023
Romantic mystery- quite unique.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say, I really enjoyed this particular story because it was more of a spy and mystery story with that romance flowing throughout. Camp really reels us in with this one, offering layers of undertone that she builds into this book.
We get things like espionage and spying, double agents, moles, and traitors. We also get longlasting love, deep connections, slow-burn build-up, and some steamy romance. It really has it all.
Rich writing and wonderful characters make this book come alive. Annabeth was a force to be reckoned with and many times she frustrated me with her stubborn, unwavering resistance to anything. Got a bit crazy for a minute, but then Camp saved this one with a wonderful ending that leaves you smiling.
I did not read book one, but A Rogue at Stonecliffe is a standalone that you can escape into easily!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-rogue-at-s...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say, I really enjoyed this particular story because it was more of a spy and mystery story with that romance flowing throughout. Camp really reels us in with this one, offering layers of undertone that she builds into this book.
We get things like espionage and spying, double agents, moles, and traitors. We also get longlasting love, deep connections, slow-burn build-up, and some steamy romance. It really has it all.
Rich writing and wonderful characters make this book come alive. Annabeth was a force to be reckoned with and many times she frustrated me with her stubborn, unwavering resistance to anything. Got a bit crazy for a minute, but then Camp saved this one with a wonderful ending that leaves you smiling.
I did not read book one, but A Rogue at Stonecliffe is a standalone that you can escape into easily!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-rogue-at-s...
June 16, 2024
This is my second time reading this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love spy plots with my historical romances and this one has the main characters running all over to track down evidence. It’s also a second chance romance, one of my favorite tropes. On to the ARC of book 3!
August 10, 2024
⭐⭐⭐💫
3½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Somewhat “older” heroine (30) 👍
Second chance romance.
Interesting side characters.
Somewhat interesting main characters.
Interesting plot.
OK romance/romantic build-up and chemistry.
Good hero.
Spy/mystery romance vibes.
➖ What I disliked:
Vague character description/visual appearance of both the main characters.
(There is so very little info on their looks/visual appearance.)
The heroine was a little too naive about many things for being a 30 year old woman(even in that era)…. Many different things and also about sex and pleasure.
The heroine glorified and hero worshiped her father a little too much for an adult woman…...even after she knew what her father did.
The story dragged a tiny bit in the start of the story.
The heroine was a little too contrary in some places in the story.
The heroines annoying and ornery grandmother.
June 19, 2023
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Stonecliffe #2
Publication Date: 6/27/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 348
I thoroughly enjoyed this story as I do most stories written by this author. Secrets, in real life or fiction, annoy me because they cause more pain than they alleviate. They are, however, a part of both real life and fiction. The secret in this book caused a massive amount of pain for both the keeper of the secret and the one the secret was supposed to shield.
Twelve years before the time this story takes place, Annabeth Winfield and Sloane Rutherford were totally, completely, indelibly in love. Though they were both still teenagers, they wanted to marry as soon as she reached her majority. While both families were equals in social standing, Sloane always felt inferior because of his father's wastrel ways. That, of course, didn’t keep him from loving Annabeth with his entire being – and he would do anything or give up anything to protect her – or would he? Annabeth certainly didn’t feel protected or loved when Sloane gave her up and left to become a smuggler and a spy for the French.
Now, the war is over and Sloane is back. He’s wealthy, still charming and handsome – and also a social pariah because of spying for the French. He knows he cannot rekindle his relationship with Annabeth, but he can protect her from the danger she is now in. Or can he? Will she allow it? She wants nothing to do with the man who broke her heart and ruined her life. Her family, and particularly her betrothed, certainly don’t want him around her in any respect. Can they keep her safe without him?
It was delightful to see how Sloane and Annabeth had grown and matured from those two bright-eyed teenagers who were so in love. Annabeth’s strength, resilience, and resourcefulness amazed Sloane. It was lovely to see the now-grown adults they now are find their way through the bitterness and unhappiness to a mature relationship.
I enjoyed the two main characters, of course, but I also loved the supporting characters. The crotchety grandmother, Lady Lockwood, will make you snicker. She takes no prisoners and doesn’t suffer fools. Nathan, Annabeth’s betrothed, is a sweet and gentle man you will adore – and we’ll see more of him in the next book. Verity, one of Sloane’s former spy partners, is enigmatic and puzzling – and we’ll see more of her in the next book as well.
We have a book with spies, betrayals, traitors, danger, excitement, road trips, and an epic love story -- what is not to love? I recommend the story and hope you will love it if you choose to read it. For me though, it just didn’t feel completely finished. It begged for an epilogue with a wedding. Why? Well – we’d already been to the point where they were in love and going to marry – and look what happened. So, for me to feel comfortable – as if they really had their lasting HEA – I needed a wedding – and maybe a baby on the way or something.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Stonecliffe #2
Publication Date: 6/27/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 348
I thoroughly enjoyed this story as I do most stories written by this author. Secrets, in real life or fiction, annoy me because they cause more pain than they alleviate. They are, however, a part of both real life and fiction. The secret in this book caused a massive amount of pain for both the keeper of the secret and the one the secret was supposed to shield.
Twelve years before the time this story takes place, Annabeth Winfield and Sloane Rutherford were totally, completely, indelibly in love. Though they were both still teenagers, they wanted to marry as soon as she reached her majority. While both families were equals in social standing, Sloane always felt inferior because of his father's wastrel ways. That, of course, didn’t keep him from loving Annabeth with his entire being – and he would do anything or give up anything to protect her – or would he? Annabeth certainly didn’t feel protected or loved when Sloane gave her up and left to become a smuggler and a spy for the French.
Now, the war is over and Sloane is back. He’s wealthy, still charming and handsome – and also a social pariah because of spying for the French. He knows he cannot rekindle his relationship with Annabeth, but he can protect her from the danger she is now in. Or can he? Will she allow it? She wants nothing to do with the man who broke her heart and ruined her life. Her family, and particularly her betrothed, certainly don’t want him around her in any respect. Can they keep her safe without him?
It was delightful to see how Sloane and Annabeth had grown and matured from those two bright-eyed teenagers who were so in love. Annabeth’s strength, resilience, and resourcefulness amazed Sloane. It was lovely to see the now-grown adults they now are find their way through the bitterness and unhappiness to a mature relationship.
I enjoyed the two main characters, of course, but I also loved the supporting characters. The crotchety grandmother, Lady Lockwood, will make you snicker. She takes no prisoners and doesn’t suffer fools. Nathan, Annabeth’s betrothed, is a sweet and gentle man you will adore – and we’ll see more of him in the next book. Verity, one of Sloane’s former spy partners, is enigmatic and puzzling – and we’ll see more of her in the next book as well.
We have a book with spies, betrayals, traitors, danger, excitement, road trips, and an epic love story -- what is not to love? I recommend the story and hope you will love it if you choose to read it. For me though, it just didn’t feel completely finished. It begged for an epilogue with a wedding. Why? Well – we’d already been to the point where they were in love and going to marry – and look what happened. So, for me to feel comfortable – as if they really had their lasting HEA – I needed a wedding – and maybe a baby on the way or something.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 17, 2025
Meilės istorija XIX a. pradžios Anglijoje. Kupina intrigų, paslapčių, šnipų, pavojų. Kitokių nei pirmoje dalyje. Patiko ir nekantrauju imtis trečios dalies.
May 4, 2023
3.5 stars Annabeth Winfield loved Sloane Rutherford, but he left her and she realized their reckless romance was never meant for stability. Twelve years later, Annabeth is engaged to someone new. After working as a spy to save Annabeth’s father’s reputation, Sloane thought he’d left espionage behind him. But now a dangerous blackmailer is after Annabeth.
This is #2 in the series and there were a lot of background characters introduced in the beginning. Probably best to read in order.
This had a good balance between the spying mystery and the second chance romance. The arguing over how involved Annabeth would be in helping resolve the threat went on a little long. Good character development even if the pacing was choppy for me. Some sections were page turners and other times I kept putting it down and coming back. Some readers might miss an epilogue, but I’ll come back for Verity and Nathan’s story.
I received an arc from NetGalley
This is #2 in the series and there were a lot of background characters introduced in the beginning. Probably best to read in order.
This had a good balance between the spying mystery and the second chance romance. The arguing over how involved Annabeth would be in helping resolve the threat went on a little long. Good character development even if the pacing was choppy for me. Some sections were page turners and other times I kept putting it down and coming back. Some readers might miss an epilogue, but I’ll come back for Verity and Nathan’s story.
I received an arc from NetGalley
July 2, 2023
Annabeth Winfield moved on after her first love Sloane Rutherford left her. She believes their romance was reckless and temporary, and could never last. Twelve years later, Annabeth is engaged to a dependable man, ready to move on to the next stage of her life. Of course, that's when Sloane returns with a warning. He had been a spy for years, and a dangerous blackmailer is after Annabeth. He offers to hide her at Stonecliffe, the Rutherford estate, but she demands to be part of the investigation. Their old romance is about to be rekindled, no matter what else is happening around them.
A Rogue at Stonecliffe is the second novel in the Stonecliffe series, following An Affair At Stonecliffe. The Rutherford family is full of secrets, this time because of Sloane's job as a spy. We have a few callbacks to the first book in the form of returning characters in the beginning, seeing the effects of that happily ever after. Sloane from the start is blackmailed into being a spy for the sake of Annabeth's reputation, as he couldn't allow it to hurt her if news came out that her father worked with traitors. Documents outlining her father's past work might still be around, so even though he's dead, Annabeth is still in danger. He still loves her and always will, and she protests that her love for him had died years ago with his silence, which allowed her to get engaged to someone else. But everyone else around her knows full well that she still has feelings for him.
There are several secrets that are uncovered along the way, which sends Annabeth and Sloane to several different locations across England. They argue and can't agree on Sloane's actions in the past. He maintains he was protecting her, she maintains he didn't trust her or believe that a marriage between them would work. They work together to figure out the past, and by the end are debating suspects together and figure it all out. Their emotions are rekindled, and Sloane must admit that their love is stronger than his fear. It all works out in the end, of course, and we get a happily ever after that fits them.
A Rogue at Stonecliffe is the second novel in the Stonecliffe series, following An Affair At Stonecliffe. The Rutherford family is full of secrets, this time because of Sloane's job as a spy. We have a few callbacks to the first book in the form of returning characters in the beginning, seeing the effects of that happily ever after. Sloane from the start is blackmailed into being a spy for the sake of Annabeth's reputation, as he couldn't allow it to hurt her if news came out that her father worked with traitors. Documents outlining her father's past work might still be around, so even though he's dead, Annabeth is still in danger. He still loves her and always will, and she protests that her love for him had died years ago with his silence, which allowed her to get engaged to someone else. But everyone else around her knows full well that she still has feelings for him.
There are several secrets that are uncovered along the way, which sends Annabeth and Sloane to several different locations across England. They argue and can't agree on Sloane's actions in the past. He maintains he was protecting her, she maintains he didn't trust her or believe that a marriage between them would work. They work together to figure out the past, and by the end are debating suspects together and figure it all out. Their emotions are rekindled, and Sloane must admit that their love is stronger than his fear. It all works out in the end, of course, and we get a happily ever after that fits them.
June 26, 2023
Title: A Rogue at Stonecliffe
Author: Candace Camp
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
I enjoyed seeing this continuation of the Stonecliffe series. This was filled with mysteries, secrets, and red herrings, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Annabeth’s grandmother was definitely the scariest character in the novel, but she was such a great character! I loved how even the secondary characters were so vivid and believable. This is a solid romance read, perfect for a lazy weekend afternoon.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Canary Street Press in exchange for an honest review.)
Author: Candace Camp
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
I enjoyed seeing this continuation of the Stonecliffe series. This was filled with mysteries, secrets, and red herrings, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Annabeth’s grandmother was definitely the scariest character in the novel, but she was such a great character! I loved how even the secondary characters were so vivid and believable. This is a solid romance read, perfect for a lazy weekend afternoon.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Canary Street Press in exchange for an honest review.)
June 27, 2023
Sloane and Annabeth are on the hunt to find hidden papers that her father may or may not have written before his death. While looking into this mystery the love that the two have for each other is still there even though Sloane had sworn to stay away from Anna twelve years earlier in order to protect her.
The mystery and intrigue of this book held me captive right up till the end.
I would definitely recommend this book and eagerly look forward to reading more!
***I was gifted this book and I am voluntarily reviewing.
The mystery and intrigue of this book held me captive right up till the end.
I would definitely recommend this book and eagerly look forward to reading more!
***I was gifted this book and I am voluntarily reviewing.
June 27, 2023
She hasn't moved on in twelve years....
Seriously, twelve years! Back then, that was a third of your life! Annabeth is making a feeble attempt to move on from Sloan, who ghosted her twelve years before. He certainly moved on in a huge way. He's a spy, keeping secrets and I didn't really buy that he thought he wasn't good enough. He pulled a Poldark and wanted adventure over marriage.
Seriously, twelve years! Back then, that was a third of your life! Annabeth is making a feeble attempt to move on from Sloan, who ghosted her twelve years before. He certainly moved on in a huge way. He's a spy, keeping secrets and I didn't really buy that he thought he wasn't good enough. He pulled a Poldark and wanted adventure over marriage.
August 28, 2023
Working for the crown, spy masters, "The Agency".... the back and forth "I love you but we can never be together".... I couldn't really get into their chemistry because they were both so mired in the past. This was a mediocre book at best.
June 21, 2023
Newly engaged, Annabeth receives a visit from her first love, Sloane, with a warning that she's in danger. During their investigation, secrets from their past come to light. Will their discoveries bring them closer together or tear them apart?
This book was a little slow to start, but the pace soon picked up. I really enjoyed these characters and the mystery plot. While Sloane wanted to protect Annabeth, she wanted to make her own choices. He proves that he's willing to become the man she needs.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book was a little slow to start, but the pace soon picked up. I really enjoyed these characters and the mystery plot. While Sloane wanted to protect Annabeth, she wanted to make her own choices. He proves that he's willing to become the man she needs.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
June 29, 2023
It's summer and I'm the mood for entertaining novel and travelling back to Stoneville was a good way to relax, have fun and escape reality.
A well plotted story featuring strong characters, a lot of fun and a compelling plot.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
A well plotted story featuring strong characters, a lot of fun and a compelling plot.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 11, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.
When espionage and renewed interest into her father’s mysterious death bring childhood sweethearts Annabeth Winfield and Sloane Rutherford back together after a painful separation, they must work through old hurts and misunderstandings in order to build a brighter future and uncover a plot that threatens England’s security.
After loving the first book in this series, I was excited to revisit the world of the Rutherfords and Stonecliffe. Although the first book might still be my favorite— this one dragged a bit in the middle for me— I still found this to be a great read for people looking for some intrigue alongside a heartfelt regency romance. I really enjoyed it and will look forward to Nathan and Verity’s book. 4 stars.
When espionage and renewed interest into her father’s mysterious death bring childhood sweethearts Annabeth Winfield and Sloane Rutherford back together after a painful separation, they must work through old hurts and misunderstandings in order to build a brighter future and uncover a plot that threatens England’s security.
After loving the first book in this series, I was excited to revisit the world of the Rutherfords and Stonecliffe. Although the first book might still be my favorite— this one dragged a bit in the middle for me— I still found this to be a great read for people looking for some intrigue alongside a heartfelt regency romance. I really enjoyed it and will look forward to Nathan and Verity’s book. 4 stars.
June 12, 2023
I liked this one quite a bit! I enjoy Camp's writing style and her suspense plots, so this series has been exciting. I love a second chance romance, and it's also kind of an enemies to lovers. I love the tension between them, the return of the family outcast, and the HEA is very satisfying.
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June 1, 2023Action & Adventure Romance, Historical Mystery & Detective Fiction, Regency Romance
Miniseries
A Stonecliffe Novel (Book #2)
Miniseries
A Stonecliffe Novel (Book #2)
March 25, 2023
We’ve got a second chance romance with lots of spying going on! Sloane was forced to leave Annabeth years ago- he was forced into spying to protect Annabeth’s father. But she could never know that. Annabeth has been unable to get over what she sees as Sloane’s rejection. Of course, just as she has agreed to marry another, Sloane pops back in. Her life is in danger and Sloane is going to sort this out. What a tangled web we weave!
Sloane is a hunk- and a hard, dangerous man now. Annabeth has a hidden backbone and refuses to let the action happen without participating. She’s fearless, though she presents as calm and demure.
But oh, there’s some heady sexual tension, longing and yearning, going on! What a thrilling mix for a riveting romance read. I loved going along for this exciting sexy ride.
By the way, I went back to read the first in this series and it was wonderful! It is An Affair at Stonecliffe in case you want to get your hands on it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sloane is a hunk- and a hard, dangerous man now. Annabeth has a hidden backbone and refuses to let the action happen without participating. She’s fearless, though she presents as calm and demure.
But oh, there’s some heady sexual tension, longing and yearning, going on! What a thrilling mix for a riveting romance read. I loved going along for this exciting sexy ride.
By the way, I went back to read the first in this series and it was wonderful! It is An Affair at Stonecliffe in case you want to get your hands on it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 8, 2023
3.3 stars
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
To save the woman he loved, he would have to give her up.
A Rogue at Stonecliffe stars two characters that were introduced in the first of the series, An Affair at Stonecliffe. While you'd be a little lost understanding some family and friendship dynamics, I do think you could jump into the series here. Annabeth and Sloane were two characters that instantly caught my attention when I was reading the first. Annabeth the quieter friend and Sloane the black sheep cousin, and when it was hinted at that these two had a past, I was highly anticipating their book. I was locked into the beginning of this with a prologue that showed these two madly in love, only to have it come to a screeching halt when Sloane is approached by a spymaster for England's foreign office and blackmailed to become a spy and smuggler. Turns out that Annabeth's father has been dealing with his own blackmail and is in danger of being outed as a turncoat, giving English secrets to the French. Sloane, not wanting Annabeth to have to reap the emotional and societal repercussions of having her father revealed as a traitor, breaks off their engagement and leaves to go be a spy in the war.
“I didn't lie to you.” His eyes burned into hers, and he moved closer.
Twelve years go by and Sloane's looked down in society as a smuggler and traitor to England, so even though the war is over and he's made money, he still stays away from Annabeth. If you read the first, you'll remember that Annabeth finally agreed to become engaged to her childhood friend Nathan when he was on his deathbed. When she starts cleaning out the home her father left her in his will for them to move into after they're married, it stirs up a hornet's nest. Like I said, I loved the beginning of this, with seeing how happy and in love Annabeth and Sloane were to the heartbreaking decision Sloane had to make to not tell Annabeth why he was abruptly leaving her. When these two finally talked after the twelve years separation, you could feel the love and hurt. It was teeth gritting emotion that I anticipated burning up the pages but the story took a little bit of a pivot with concentrating more on the spy mystery.
He'd been chasing the wrong villain.
Annabeth gets kidnapped with her maid and when Nathan goes to Sloane, thinking he's behind it, it alerts Sloane to the danger Annabeth is now in. Sloane realizes that Annabeth's maid is really an old spy buddy he worked with during the war, Verity. Verity was hired by a P.I. to find a document that was supposedly written by Annabeth's father outing, not only himself as a traitor, but the person that blackmailed him into committing his acts and is a traitor themselves and one the foreign office has been searching for. The plot pulls in the spymaster Sloane and Verity worked for and some of Annabeth's family and friends as they become redherrings, along with Annabeth's grandmother and her not to be messed with pug readers will remember from the first. The mystery plot gets a bit loose with having to search out puzzle boxes Annabeth's father made and hoping the document is in one of them and they begin to travel around sort of searching for them. Really though, it's to deliver the forced proximity for our second chance couple.
Was it because she wanted to prove that she could resist Sloane? Or because she wanted to give into the temptation?
I thought this couple had the chemistry in the beginning and the potential for amazing explosive emotion to revel in throughout the story and when they were together and focusing on their issues, I did feel pulled back in but the mystery just takes over too much in the second half. It gave the story kind of an uneven pace, heating up when Annabeth and Sloane focus on them and then slowing when the mystery plot dragged out too much with it's going in circles. There was also too much stagnated repetitiveness with some of the relationship, I wanted Annabeth and Sloane to get into it earlier and develop from there instead of saying some of the same stuff over and over.
Sloane was not the boy she had loved. But she had the uneasy feeling that she was falling in love with the man he'd become.
I did enjoy how Annabeth's character did show some growth, she realizes that she has just been letting other people dictate her life, she didn't fight for Sloane when he first left her. I liked how this had Annabeth taking more agency at the end and fired up her character. I'm not sure I saw the same in Sloane, he has some of that self-righteousness attitude, saying he left and took all the blame when he was trying to protect Annabeth but gets called out on it some when it becomes clear he never truly felt good enough for her and was always waiting for the other shoe to drop in their beginning relationship. I would have liked Sloane to show more actionable want for Annabeth at the end, that we got glimpses of in the beginning.
A groan sounded deep in his throat and he turned, setting her on the dresser, sweeping away the objects atop it and sending them tumbling to the floor.
The ending reveal of who was behind the traitorous deeds was somewhat predictable but delivered with some last second danger. I was a little disappointed in how quickly and a bit ho-hum, with the oft used, “she almost died!” so now I'm going to go for her declaration of love we got from Sloane at the very end. I wanted a bit more of the beginning's teeth gritting emotion instead of the focus on the spy mystery but I still think this was a couple that people will enjoy reading about.
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
To save the woman he loved, he would have to give her up.
A Rogue at Stonecliffe stars two characters that were introduced in the first of the series, An Affair at Stonecliffe. While you'd be a little lost understanding some family and friendship dynamics, I do think you could jump into the series here. Annabeth and Sloane were two characters that instantly caught my attention when I was reading the first. Annabeth the quieter friend and Sloane the black sheep cousin, and when it was hinted at that these two had a past, I was highly anticipating their book. I was locked into the beginning of this with a prologue that showed these two madly in love, only to have it come to a screeching halt when Sloane is approached by a spymaster for England's foreign office and blackmailed to become a spy and smuggler. Turns out that Annabeth's father has been dealing with his own blackmail and is in danger of being outed as a turncoat, giving English secrets to the French. Sloane, not wanting Annabeth to have to reap the emotional and societal repercussions of having her father revealed as a traitor, breaks off their engagement and leaves to go be a spy in the war.
“I didn't lie to you.” His eyes burned into hers, and he moved closer.
Twelve years go by and Sloane's looked down in society as a smuggler and traitor to England, so even though the war is over and he's made money, he still stays away from Annabeth. If you read the first, you'll remember that Annabeth finally agreed to become engaged to her childhood friend Nathan when he was on his deathbed. When she starts cleaning out the home her father left her in his will for them to move into after they're married, it stirs up a hornet's nest. Like I said, I loved the beginning of this, with seeing how happy and in love Annabeth and Sloane were to the heartbreaking decision Sloane had to make to not tell Annabeth why he was abruptly leaving her. When these two finally talked after the twelve years separation, you could feel the love and hurt. It was teeth gritting emotion that I anticipated burning up the pages but the story took a little bit of a pivot with concentrating more on the spy mystery.
He'd been chasing the wrong villain.
Annabeth gets kidnapped with her maid and when Nathan goes to Sloane, thinking he's behind it, it alerts Sloane to the danger Annabeth is now in. Sloane realizes that Annabeth's maid is really an old spy buddy he worked with during the war, Verity. Verity was hired by a P.I. to find a document that was supposedly written by Annabeth's father outing, not only himself as a traitor, but the person that blackmailed him into committing his acts and is a traitor themselves and one the foreign office has been searching for. The plot pulls in the spymaster Sloane and Verity worked for and some of Annabeth's family and friends as they become redherrings, along with Annabeth's grandmother and her not to be messed with pug readers will remember from the first. The mystery plot gets a bit loose with having to search out puzzle boxes Annabeth's father made and hoping the document is in one of them and they begin to travel around sort of searching for them. Really though, it's to deliver the forced proximity for our second chance couple.
Was it because she wanted to prove that she could resist Sloane? Or because she wanted to give into the temptation?
I thought this couple had the chemistry in the beginning and the potential for amazing explosive emotion to revel in throughout the story and when they were together and focusing on their issues, I did feel pulled back in but the mystery just takes over too much in the second half. It gave the story kind of an uneven pace, heating up when Annabeth and Sloane focus on them and then slowing when the mystery plot dragged out too much with it's going in circles. There was also too much stagnated repetitiveness with some of the relationship, I wanted Annabeth and Sloane to get into it earlier and develop from there instead of saying some of the same stuff over and over.
Sloane was not the boy she had loved. But she had the uneasy feeling that she was falling in love with the man he'd become.
I did enjoy how Annabeth's character did show some growth, she realizes that she has just been letting other people dictate her life, she didn't fight for Sloane when he first left her. I liked how this had Annabeth taking more agency at the end and fired up her character. I'm not sure I saw the same in Sloane, he has some of that self-righteousness attitude, saying he left and took all the blame when he was trying to protect Annabeth but gets called out on it some when it becomes clear he never truly felt good enough for her and was always waiting for the other shoe to drop in their beginning relationship. I would have liked Sloane to show more actionable want for Annabeth at the end, that we got glimpses of in the beginning.
A groan sounded deep in his throat and he turned, setting her on the dresser, sweeping away the objects atop it and sending them tumbling to the floor.
The ending reveal of who was behind the traitorous deeds was somewhat predictable but delivered with some last second danger. I was a little disappointed in how quickly and a bit ho-hum, with the oft used, “she almost died!” so now I'm going to go for her declaration of love we got from Sloane at the very end. I wanted a bit more of the beginning's teeth gritting emotion instead of the focus on the spy mystery but I still think this was a couple that people will enjoy reading about.
July 1, 2023
Fictionally speaking, the Napoleonic Wars are a gift that just keeps on giving. And taking, as happens in this second book in the Stonecliffe series, after last year’s An Affair at Stonecliffe. (Which I have not read – yet – but am now looking forward to!)
The Napoleonic Wars are long over when that rogue of the title returns home to Stonecliffe, but that is not when this story begins. It began twelve years earlier, in 1810, when the war within the war known as the Peninsular War was still going hot, and the cold and chill war of spies and smugglers was complicating progress on both sides of the Channel.
Sloane Rutherford and Annabeth Winfield were young, in love, and expecting to marry as soon as Anna attained her majority at 21. As the children of somewhat spendthrift second sons of the aristocracy, they’ve been raised on the fringes of the ton without ever being truly part of it. They can marry for love – and that’s exactly what they intend to do.
At least until the seemingly endless war interferes with their hopes and dreams, in the person of Britain’s spymaster, Asquith. Asquith needs someone to pose as a disaffected spy and smuggler, and has decided that Sloane is the perfect man for a job that the younger man has no desire to do.
But Asquith has leverage. Not against Sloane himself, but against Anna’s beloved father, who has turned traitorous spy because someone in France has leverage on him. Sloane is faced with an impossible choice, whether to give up Anna, let everything think he has turned his back on his own country, and steal back the incriminating documents that keep her father in thrall, or let Asquith expose her father’s treachery and let the ensuing scandal fall on Anna and her family.
Sloane is damned if he does – literally – and equally damned if he doesn’t. So he does, because his choice is always going to be action over inaction. He leaves Anna in the painful lurch, and pretends to be everything that the ton ends up believing, that he’s a rogue, a smuggler, and a spy.
Even after the wars are over, and Sloane is back in England running the shipping empire that was his well-earned pay for a deadly and dangerous game, he and Anna stay far, far away from each other.
Until that incriminating paper that was once held over her father’s head puts Anna’s life in danger. So Sloane does what he always does – he acts. He’s the only one who takes the danger seriously enough to protect Anna at any and all costs – especially to his own heart.
Escape Rating B: The story in A Rogue at Stonecliffe reads like a combination of the chickens coming home to roost and an old truism about it not being the original crime that gets someone in trouble nearly half so much as it’s the coverup that does them in.
Mixed with a second chance at love story whose tension isn’t “will they, won’t they” because they already did, or even “should they or shouldn’t they”, because it’s obvious early on that they should, but much more about whether they can manage to get past all the damage that they’ve already done to each other.
Or more to the point, all the damage that Sloane has already done to Anna. Because he seriously effed up by taking solely unto himself a whole heaping helping of decisions that should rightfully have been shared. And that’s something they’re going to have to work on together in order to have any kind of future.
And it’s not easy to do that when bullets are flying and people are trying to kill one or both of them and there’s a dangerous secret at the bottom of the dirty barrel that neither of them knows the full depths of until it’s nearly too late.
There’s more than a bit of romantic suspense in this, as Sloane and Anna are searching for a secret that once damned her father and has the capacity to take the rest of the family down with him now that he’s dead. All the while, Sloane is trying to keep both of them a few steps ahead of a traitor who has been hiding in plain sight for over a decade.
But what makes this one so much fun is Anna and her relationship with Sloane. Not the hazy dream they had in the past, but the real, and increasingly honest and equal one they have in the present. Sloane wants to keep her safe. Anna has the right to know all the truths and make her own decisions. Navigating that minefield is even more of a threat to any possibility of their future happiness than any sharpshooters taking potshots from the woods.
The Stonecliffe series has proved to be a fascinating mix of historical romance and romantic suspense, at least based on this second book in the series. So I’ll be reaching back for that first book, An Affair at Stonecliffe, and looking forward to the third, A Scandal at Stonecliffe, coming next year.
Originally published at Reading Reality
The Napoleonic Wars are long over when that rogue of the title returns home to Stonecliffe, but that is not when this story begins. It began twelve years earlier, in 1810, when the war within the war known as the Peninsular War was still going hot, and the cold and chill war of spies and smugglers was complicating progress on both sides of the Channel.
Sloane Rutherford and Annabeth Winfield were young, in love, and expecting to marry as soon as Anna attained her majority at 21. As the children of somewhat spendthrift second sons of the aristocracy, they’ve been raised on the fringes of the ton without ever being truly part of it. They can marry for love – and that’s exactly what they intend to do.
At least until the seemingly endless war interferes with their hopes and dreams, in the person of Britain’s spymaster, Asquith. Asquith needs someone to pose as a disaffected spy and smuggler, and has decided that Sloane is the perfect man for a job that the younger man has no desire to do.
But Asquith has leverage. Not against Sloane himself, but against Anna’s beloved father, who has turned traitorous spy because someone in France has leverage on him. Sloane is faced with an impossible choice, whether to give up Anna, let everything think he has turned his back on his own country, and steal back the incriminating documents that keep her father in thrall, or let Asquith expose her father’s treachery and let the ensuing scandal fall on Anna and her family.
Sloane is damned if he does – literally – and equally damned if he doesn’t. So he does, because his choice is always going to be action over inaction. He leaves Anna in the painful lurch, and pretends to be everything that the ton ends up believing, that he’s a rogue, a smuggler, and a spy.
Even after the wars are over, and Sloane is back in England running the shipping empire that was his well-earned pay for a deadly and dangerous game, he and Anna stay far, far away from each other.
Until that incriminating paper that was once held over her father’s head puts Anna’s life in danger. So Sloane does what he always does – he acts. He’s the only one who takes the danger seriously enough to protect Anna at any and all costs – especially to his own heart.
Escape Rating B: The story in A Rogue at Stonecliffe reads like a combination of the chickens coming home to roost and an old truism about it not being the original crime that gets someone in trouble nearly half so much as it’s the coverup that does them in.
Mixed with a second chance at love story whose tension isn’t “will they, won’t they” because they already did, or even “should they or shouldn’t they”, because it’s obvious early on that they should, but much more about whether they can manage to get past all the damage that they’ve already done to each other.
Or more to the point, all the damage that Sloane has already done to Anna. Because he seriously effed up by taking solely unto himself a whole heaping helping of decisions that should rightfully have been shared. And that’s something they’re going to have to work on together in order to have any kind of future.
And it’s not easy to do that when bullets are flying and people are trying to kill one or both of them and there’s a dangerous secret at the bottom of the dirty barrel that neither of them knows the full depths of until it’s nearly too late.
There’s more than a bit of romantic suspense in this, as Sloane and Anna are searching for a secret that once damned her father and has the capacity to take the rest of the family down with him now that he’s dead. All the while, Sloane is trying to keep both of them a few steps ahead of a traitor who has been hiding in plain sight for over a decade.
But what makes this one so much fun is Anna and her relationship with Sloane. Not the hazy dream they had in the past, but the real, and increasingly honest and equal one they have in the present. Sloane wants to keep her safe. Anna has the right to know all the truths and make her own decisions. Navigating that minefield is even more of a threat to any possibility of their future happiness than any sharpshooters taking potshots from the woods.
The Stonecliffe series has proved to be a fascinating mix of historical romance and romantic suspense, at least based on this second book in the series. So I’ll be reaching back for that first book, An Affair at Stonecliffe, and looking forward to the third, A Scandal at Stonecliffe, coming next year.
Originally published at Reading Reality
June 22, 2023
Good combination of second chance romance and spy story. The book opened twelve years before the main story. Sloane and Annabeth are teenagers in the throes of first love. They are full of plans for their future, including marriage, as soon as Annabeth is old enough. But fate has other plans for them. Sloane is approached by a man who tells him that Annabeth's father is selling secrets to the French. He promises Sloane he won't turn in her father if Sloane goes to work for him as a spy and smuggler. Sloane will do anything to protect Annabeth from the scandal of having a traitor for a father, so he agrees. But he can't tell Annabeth why he's leaving, so he just disappears.
Sloane is back in London twelve years later, his spying days behind him. He's turned his smuggling into a successful business, but rumors that he was spying for the French have made him a social pariah. He avoids society whenever possible and doesn't care about their opinion of him. When he gets word that Annabeth is in danger because of either his or her father's actions, Sloane is determined to protect her. The trouble is Annabeth wants nothing to do with him or his protection.
Sloane's abandonment devastated Annabeth, and it took her years to put him behind her. She's engaged to Nathan, a good man she can depend on. Their relationship may lack the fire of her time with Sloane, but passion isn't everything. She's furious when he reappears in her life, claiming she's in danger and trying to get her to leave London. But when she is kidnapped and only escapes with the help of her maid (who isn't really a maid), she agrees that she needs help.
I loved that Annabeth wouldn't sit back and be taken care of. The news that she is in danger because someone wants one of her father's papers has her determined to be involved in finding the paper. Sloane walks a fine line between truth and deception, keeping what is in that paper a secret. There's plenty of action as he and Annabeth travel all over while attempting to find the missing document. It doesn't take long for their old feelings to come back to life, but Annabeth isn't sure she's ready to trust Sloane with her heart again. It doesn't help that she's certain he's still keeping secrets, and his lack of trust feels like another betrayal.
I liked seeing the changes in Sloane and Annabeth. She is no longer the naïve teenager who believes love is all she needs. Her strength, determination, and resourcefulness amaze Sloane. At the same time, Annabeth can see that Sloane is just as charming as ever and more confident than he was as a boy. Both need to let go of their past hurts and bitterness before they can look to a future together. And to do that, they must learn to trust each other. It wasn't easy, but the emotional clearing of the air gave me hope for a bright future for them.
The suspense of the story was well done. I was glued to the pages through each step of the search. Some intriguing twists kept Annabeth and Sloane on their toes. As the story progressed, I got the feeling that there was more to the missing paper than they knew. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was resolved, and the bad guy was caught in his own web.
As is usual with the author's books, the secondary characters play critical roles in the story. Annabeth's fiancé, Nathan, is a nice guy, and I felt bad for him once Sloane reappeared on the scene. Not only does he do the right thing, but he also becomes an active participant in resolving the mystery. Also involved is Verity, a former spy partner of Sloane's. She is bold, beautiful, and extremely good at what she does. The antagonism between her and Nathan is hilarious, and the sparks of attraction leap off the page. It looks like they will be the main characters in the next book, and I can't wait to read it. I also adored Annabeth's grandmother, Lady Lockwood. She is a hoot to watch as she keeps everyone in line.
#netgalley
Sloane is back in London twelve years later, his spying days behind him. He's turned his smuggling into a successful business, but rumors that he was spying for the French have made him a social pariah. He avoids society whenever possible and doesn't care about their opinion of him. When he gets word that Annabeth is in danger because of either his or her father's actions, Sloane is determined to protect her. The trouble is Annabeth wants nothing to do with him or his protection.
Sloane's abandonment devastated Annabeth, and it took her years to put him behind her. She's engaged to Nathan, a good man she can depend on. Their relationship may lack the fire of her time with Sloane, but passion isn't everything. She's furious when he reappears in her life, claiming she's in danger and trying to get her to leave London. But when she is kidnapped and only escapes with the help of her maid (who isn't really a maid), she agrees that she needs help.
I loved that Annabeth wouldn't sit back and be taken care of. The news that she is in danger because someone wants one of her father's papers has her determined to be involved in finding the paper. Sloane walks a fine line between truth and deception, keeping what is in that paper a secret. There's plenty of action as he and Annabeth travel all over while attempting to find the missing document. It doesn't take long for their old feelings to come back to life, but Annabeth isn't sure she's ready to trust Sloane with her heart again. It doesn't help that she's certain he's still keeping secrets, and his lack of trust feels like another betrayal.
I liked seeing the changes in Sloane and Annabeth. She is no longer the naïve teenager who believes love is all she needs. Her strength, determination, and resourcefulness amaze Sloane. At the same time, Annabeth can see that Sloane is just as charming as ever and more confident than he was as a boy. Both need to let go of their past hurts and bitterness before they can look to a future together. And to do that, they must learn to trust each other. It wasn't easy, but the emotional clearing of the air gave me hope for a bright future for them.
The suspense of the story was well done. I was glued to the pages through each step of the search. Some intriguing twists kept Annabeth and Sloane on their toes. As the story progressed, I got the feeling that there was more to the missing paper than they knew. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was resolved, and the bad guy was caught in his own web.
As is usual with the author's books, the secondary characters play critical roles in the story. Annabeth's fiancé, Nathan, is a nice guy, and I felt bad for him once Sloane reappeared on the scene. Not only does he do the right thing, but he also becomes an active participant in resolving the mystery. Also involved is Verity, a former spy partner of Sloane's. She is bold, beautiful, and extremely good at what she does. The antagonism between her and Nathan is hilarious, and the sparks of attraction leap off the page. It looks like they will be the main characters in the next book, and I can't wait to read it. I also adored Annabeth's grandmother, Lady Lockwood. She is a hoot to watch as she keeps everyone in line.
#netgalley
June 27, 2023
Once upon a time, Annabeth Winfield and Sloane Rutherford were in love and had plans for a rosy future that included marriage and children. But when Sloane is approached by a stranger and learns that Annabeth’s life would be ruined by her father’s actions, Sloane steps up to save her that humiliation, but the cost is high, his reputation, and Annabeth’s love.
Twelve years later, the war is over, and Annabeth has finally moved on and is engaged to her dear friend Nathan. But before she can settle into her new life, Sloane reappears convinced that Annabeth is in danger. It isn’t until she is kidnapped that she admits that Sloane might be right, and they will have to work together to find something her late father wrote naming the English traitor before the villains looking for it either find it or kill her. The assignment is dangerous, not just to her person, but more so to her heart. Because being around Sloane again congers up old feelings, and she must resist him because Annabeth knows two things for certain; he is still keeping things from her, and she won’t be able to survive losing Sloane twice.
This was a well-written, nicely paced, second-chance love story that also featured an interesting mystery. I was impressed by the growth of these characters, especially Annabeth, who when from a starry-eyed teenager in the throes of love to a mature and admirable young woman who has lost her first love (and still doesn’t know why) as well as her beloved father yet has found a way to move on and to be happy. This book is filled with secrets, heartbreak, betrayal, wonderful secondary characters, lots of sexual tension, a bit of angst, danger, surprising revelations, adventure, puzzle boxes, traitors, and finally a second chance at HEA. I enjoyed the story, but I must agree with my blog partner, the story needed an epilogue that gave the reader a glimpse into their HEA, because as is, it felt unfinished. This is the second book in the series, but they are very loosely tied together and can easily be read as standalone titles. All in all, this was a good addition to the series and an enjoyable read that I am happy to recommend.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Twelve years later, the war is over, and Annabeth has finally moved on and is engaged to her dear friend Nathan. But before she can settle into her new life, Sloane reappears convinced that Annabeth is in danger. It isn’t until she is kidnapped that she admits that Sloane might be right, and they will have to work together to find something her late father wrote naming the English traitor before the villains looking for it either find it or kill her. The assignment is dangerous, not just to her person, but more so to her heart. Because being around Sloane again congers up old feelings, and she must resist him because Annabeth knows two things for certain; he is still keeping things from her, and she won’t be able to survive losing Sloane twice.
This was a well-written, nicely paced, second-chance love story that also featured an interesting mystery. I was impressed by the growth of these characters, especially Annabeth, who when from a starry-eyed teenager in the throes of love to a mature and admirable young woman who has lost her first love (and still doesn’t know why) as well as her beloved father yet has found a way to move on and to be happy. This book is filled with secrets, heartbreak, betrayal, wonderful secondary characters, lots of sexual tension, a bit of angst, danger, surprising revelations, adventure, puzzle boxes, traitors, and finally a second chance at HEA. I enjoyed the story, but I must agree with my blog partner, the story needed an epilogue that gave the reader a glimpse into their HEA, because as is, it felt unfinished. This is the second book in the series, but they are very loosely tied together and can easily be read as standalone titles. All in all, this was a good addition to the series and an enjoyable read that I am happy to recommend.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
June 27, 2023
A Rogue at Stonecliffe is the second book in the Stonecliffe series, but can easily be read as a standalone. Annabeth Winfield and Sloane Rutherford grew up as friends and eventually fell in love. They wanted to marry, but Sloane's father had gambled away their fortune and he knew he couldn't marry Annabeth until he could support her in the way she was accustomed. He is approached by a government agent and offered a chance to own his own ship, but he would have to work for the government and spy on France. He refuses until he is told that Annabeth's father was a spy for France and he would be outed, unless Sloane agreed. Sloane disappears from Annabeth's life without a word as he embarks on his life as a spy for Britain. Fast forward twelve years and Sloane is no longer working as a spy, but finds out that Annabeth is in danger. He reappears in her life to protect her and find the document that someone is willing to kill for.
I enjoyed this book, but it was a bit slow to start. I'm glad I hung in there because once the story picks up, I couldn't stop reading. Although this is a romance, there was more of a mystery, spy story and adventure than romance. There was chemistry and slow burn romance, but it was not acted on until the last quarter of the book. I really liked Annabeth. She was a smart, independent woman who was not going to be hidden away while the investigation happened, she was right in there and was able to protect herself a couple of times when it was necessary. Sloane is a swoon worthy hero. He gave up who he loved when he found out about her family's problems. Although he never stopped loving Annabeth, he was willing to do what was necessary for her to have a happy life, and he didn't think it was with him. The writing was wonderful, the plot well-developed and the dialogue and banter enjoyable. With this book you get espionage/spying, double agents, moles, and traitors, as well as a slow-burn romance, deep feelings and a bit of steam. A welcome addition to the Stonecliffe series and one that I enjoyed. If you like a good historical romance that has some meat to the story, I recommend you pick up A Rogue at Stonecliffe.
I enjoyed this book, but it was a bit slow to start. I'm glad I hung in there because once the story picks up, I couldn't stop reading. Although this is a romance, there was more of a mystery, spy story and adventure than romance. There was chemistry and slow burn romance, but it was not acted on until the last quarter of the book. I really liked Annabeth. She was a smart, independent woman who was not going to be hidden away while the investigation happened, she was right in there and was able to protect herself a couple of times when it was necessary. Sloane is a swoon worthy hero. He gave up who he loved when he found out about her family's problems. Although he never stopped loving Annabeth, he was willing to do what was necessary for her to have a happy life, and he didn't think it was with him. The writing was wonderful, the plot well-developed and the dialogue and banter enjoyable. With this book you get espionage/spying, double agents, moles, and traitors, as well as a slow-burn romance, deep feelings and a bit of steam. A welcome addition to the Stonecliffe series and one that I enjoyed. If you like a good historical romance that has some meat to the story, I recommend you pick up A Rogue at Stonecliffe.
July 8, 2023
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Candace Camp delights historical romance readers with her latest irresistible tale full of intrigue, passion and seduction: A Rogue at Stonecliffe.
Annabeth Winfield had been devastated when the love of her life had left without an explanation. Sloane Rutherford had captured her heart with his intelligence and daring and when he’d left her, Annabeth had known that she would never find another man like him. Twelve years later, she’s ready to start a new life and is engaged to a safe and dependable man. Annabeth never imagined that she would meet another man like Sloan’s, however, fate had other ideas in store for her…
Nobody is more shocked than Annabeth when Sloan saunters back into her life with a shocking message: she’s in terrible danger. Sloan has spent the last twelve years working as a spy and thought he’d left espionage behind him – until he uncovers the threat to her life. Determined to protect Annabeth at all costs, Sloan offers to hide her at Stonecliffe, the Rutherford estate. But if Sloan thought that Annabeth was just going to sit idly by while he chases the bad guys, then he had another think coming!
As the two embark on an exciting and dangerous investigation, old feelings quickly resurface. Will it be second time lucky for Annabeth and Sloan? Or are there simply too many obstacles standing in their way?
Candace Camp’s A Rogue at Stonecliffe is an enjoyable historical romance spiced with plenty of humor, suspense, tension and seduction to keep readers on the edge of their seats and completely gripped from the first page till the last. A second chance historical romance that tugs at the heartstrings and raises plenty of smiles, A Rogue at Stonecliffe is the latest enjoyable historical romance by Candace Camp.
Candace Camp delights historical romance readers with her latest irresistible tale full of intrigue, passion and seduction: A Rogue at Stonecliffe.
Annabeth Winfield had been devastated when the love of her life had left without an explanation. Sloane Rutherford had captured her heart with his intelligence and daring and when he’d left her, Annabeth had known that she would never find another man like him. Twelve years later, she’s ready to start a new life and is engaged to a safe and dependable man. Annabeth never imagined that she would meet another man like Sloan’s, however, fate had other ideas in store for her…
Nobody is more shocked than Annabeth when Sloan saunters back into her life with a shocking message: she’s in terrible danger. Sloan has spent the last twelve years working as a spy and thought he’d left espionage behind him – until he uncovers the threat to her life. Determined to protect Annabeth at all costs, Sloan offers to hide her at Stonecliffe, the Rutherford estate. But if Sloan thought that Annabeth was just going to sit idly by while he chases the bad guys, then he had another think coming!
As the two embark on an exciting and dangerous investigation, old feelings quickly resurface. Will it be second time lucky for Annabeth and Sloan? Or are there simply too many obstacles standing in their way?
Candace Camp’s A Rogue at Stonecliffe is an enjoyable historical romance spiced with plenty of humor, suspense, tension and seduction to keep readers on the edge of their seats and completely gripped from the first page till the last. A second chance historical romance that tugs at the heartstrings and raises plenty of smiles, A Rogue at Stonecliffe is the latest enjoyable historical romance by Candace Camp.
February 1, 2026
#perskaičiau 10 / 80
🩷 Candace Camp - Atgimusi meilė Stounklife (#2 Stonecliffe serijos knyga) 🩷
Istorija apie Anabetę, merginą, kurią jos gyvenimo meilė, nieko nepaaiškinęs palieka. Ji mano, kad niekada nebepatirs tokios meilės ir santykio, koks buvo su pirmąja meile. Slounas buvo drąsus ir suktas, bet kuo Anabetė darosi brandesnė, tuo labiau supranta, kad jų beatodairiška meilė - tik trumpalaikis nuotykis, negalintis virsti amžinu ryšiu. Praėjus 12-kai metų po Slouno dingimo iš jos gyvenimo, ji nusprendžia pradėti naują gyvenimą su patikimu ir mielu vyru, taigi ji susižada.
Tuomet grįžta Slounas ir viskas apsiverčia aukštyn kojom. Nes jis tikina, kad jai gręsia pavojus. Taigi jai tenka slėptis ir aiškintis paslaptis, ieškoti įrodymų ir pnš. Taigi vis daugiau laiko ji praleidžia su Slounu. Kuo ilgiau jie būna dviese, tuo sunkiau abiems nepasiduoti jausmams vienas kitam, nors ji susižadėjusi, o jis nebe tas naivus ir jaunas vaikinas, kuris norėjo tik susituokti su ja ir susilaukus vaikų, gyventi ramų ir gražų gyvenimą kartu. Tai ar pavyks jiems būti kartu ar visgi nieko nesigaus?...
Taigi, po pirmosios serijos dalies, kuri man patiko, sakau reikia pratęsti šią seriją. Taigi paėmus šią knygą, ja mėgavausi, beet gal kiek mažiau, nei pirmąja, nes nelabai patiko vienas dalykas, kad visa knyga buvo sukoncentruota į paieškas įkalčių ar įrodymų, taip pat aiškinimąsi paslapčių. 🤗 Visumoje nebloga knyga. Meilės linija labai faina, gyvi dialogai, vertybės ir jaučiamos ribos tarp norų ir to kas nepriderama. Paskutinią trečiąją dalį tikrai skaitysiu, nes įdomu kaip eisis kitai porelei. 🤭 Istorinės knygos nelabai mano mėgstamiausios, bet ši autorė užkabino mane. 🩷
4⭐️
🩷 Candace Camp - Atgimusi meilė Stounklife (#2 Stonecliffe serijos knyga) 🩷
Istorija apie Anabetę, merginą, kurią jos gyvenimo meilė, nieko nepaaiškinęs palieka. Ji mano, kad niekada nebepatirs tokios meilės ir santykio, koks buvo su pirmąja meile. Slounas buvo drąsus ir suktas, bet kuo Anabetė darosi brandesnė, tuo labiau supranta, kad jų beatodairiška meilė - tik trumpalaikis nuotykis, negalintis virsti amžinu ryšiu. Praėjus 12-kai metų po Slouno dingimo iš jos gyvenimo, ji nusprendžia pradėti naują gyvenimą su patikimu ir mielu vyru, taigi ji susižada.
Tuomet grįžta Slounas ir viskas apsiverčia aukštyn kojom. Nes jis tikina, kad jai gręsia pavojus. Taigi jai tenka slėptis ir aiškintis paslaptis, ieškoti įrodymų ir pnš. Taigi vis daugiau laiko ji praleidžia su Slounu. Kuo ilgiau jie būna dviese, tuo sunkiau abiems nepasiduoti jausmams vienas kitam, nors ji susižadėjusi, o jis nebe tas naivus ir jaunas vaikinas, kuris norėjo tik susituokti su ja ir susilaukus vaikų, gyventi ramų ir gražų gyvenimą kartu. Tai ar pavyks jiems būti kartu ar visgi nieko nesigaus?...
Taigi, po pirmosios serijos dalies, kuri man patiko, sakau reikia pratęsti šią seriją. Taigi paėmus šią knygą, ja mėgavausi, beet gal kiek mažiau, nei pirmąja, nes nelabai patiko vienas dalykas, kad visa knyga buvo sukoncentruota į paieškas įkalčių ar įrodymų, taip pat aiškinimąsi paslapčių. 🤗 Visumoje nebloga knyga. Meilės linija labai faina, gyvi dialogai, vertybės ir jaučiamos ribos tarp norų ir to kas nepriderama. Paskutinią trečiąją dalį tikrai skaitysiu, nes įdomu kaip eisis kitai porelei. 🤭 Istorinės knygos nelabai mano mėgstamiausios, bet ši autorė užkabino mane. 🩷
4⭐️
June 24, 2023
I'm normally a huge fan of Candace Camp's books and I really enjoyed book 1 in this series, but I didn't really get into this book. Annabeth is trying to move on with her life and marry Nathan, despite only seeing him as a friend, she no longer believes she is capable of the passionate love she felt for Sloane when they were young, before he abandoned her. Sloane thinks he isn't good enough for Annabeth because of everything he's done during and after the war. He's got plenty of secrets and doesn't think she can handle his kind of life. When it looks like she's being targeted because of something from the past, Sloane plans on helping protect her, then disappearing.
Annabeth wants to solve the mystery that has put her at risk and is willing to stand up to everyone telling her not to put herself in danger. I definitely liked that about her. I wasn't as impressed with how long it took Sloane to realize that she wasn't the naive girl he had left behind and that maybe she had opinions about how her life should be lived, but I get that plenty of that is down to the time period. There's a lot of feeling like they should hate each other without really hating each other, nearly angsty emotions that didn't really work for me. The pacing also dragged a lot for me, very unusual for one of Candace Camp's books.
Plot, pacing, and characters just didn't mesh into an engaging story for me this time.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
Annabeth wants to solve the mystery that has put her at risk and is willing to stand up to everyone telling her not to put herself in danger. I definitely liked that about her. I wasn't as impressed with how long it took Sloane to realize that she wasn't the naive girl he had left behind and that maybe she had opinions about how her life should be lived, but I get that plenty of that is down to the time period. There's a lot of feeling like they should hate each other without really hating each other, nearly angsty emotions that didn't really work for me. The pacing also dragged a lot for me, very unusual for one of Candace Camp's books.
Plot, pacing, and characters just didn't mesh into an engaging story for me this time.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
July 1, 2023
INCREDIBLE!!! A Rogue at Stonecliffe by Candace Camp is book 2 in the A Stonecliffe Novel series and oh what a series this is. Though in a series this book can be read as a standalone. What I loved about this book was not only the strong women Anna was but the the mystery had me guessing until the very end. I had not clue which makes a book all the more exciting. This book explains why Candace Camp is on the New York Best Seller’s List… Classic Candace. I found this book to be so well written, very easy to read, original, had the real feel of the regency era, wonderful characters, vivid description and I could not put this book down. This second chance at love story has a lady that has her heart broken, a loving father, a kinsman that is believe to be a smuggler and traitor to his country, blackmail, death, spies, looking for a confession, puzzle boxes, attempted murder, good friend, a cranky grandmother who everyone fears, a nasty stepfather, lies and giving everything up for the one they love. I am so very highly recommending you read this book!! It’s FANTASTIC AND INCREDIBLE!!!
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
April 29, 2025
Sloane and Annabeths story was teased in the first book.-this was a nice follow up which I liked much better than book 1.
I really like first love brought back together, and the prior book and the prolonged sets this up well.
Sloane is an angst anti hero who becomes a spy in order to protect his love from finding pur her father is selling secrets to the French. To protect his missions, he is known as a smuggler and generally assumed to have been a Frend agent. His family hates him, and he's been lost and longing for his one true love. But now, someone is after documents that Annabeth's father may have hidden. Only the two of them can successfully figure it out.
I liked both characters, their rekindled love was sweet and sent sparks flying. I was able to suspend my rolling eyed disbelief and go along with it.
A few big annoyances- really they waited 12 years???!! why? just dumb.
Annabeth was a bit of a milksop for their 12 year separation. I wish she'd had her own life and interests- she didn't quite seem worth all the admiration Sloane had for her.
I really like first love brought back together, and the prior book and the prolonged sets this up well.
Sloane is an angst anti hero who becomes a spy in order to protect his love from finding pur her father is selling secrets to the French. To protect his missions, he is known as a smuggler and generally assumed to have been a Frend agent. His family hates him, and he's been lost and longing for his one true love. But now, someone is after documents that Annabeth's father may have hidden. Only the two of them can successfully figure it out.
I liked both characters, their rekindled love was sweet and sent sparks flying. I was able to suspend my rolling eyed disbelief and go along with it.
A few big annoyances- really they waited 12 years???!! why? just dumb.
Annabeth was a bit of a milksop for their 12 year separation. I wish she'd had her own life and interests- she didn't quite seem worth all the admiration Sloane had for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2023
This Regency romantic suspense and mystery
Is a great mix of drama, spies and history.
With a hero determined to protect his love always
Even if he's the one who always pays....
Secrets, missions, spies and traitors, too,
Keep you guessing all the way through.
The class system, beliefs and attitudes all make
This a great read on which to partake.
Uncovering her father's past is the quest
But doing so will her feelings test.
Who can you trust to be true
And who should you be wary of, too?
A fascinating page turner with great characters who
Keep you guessing what will the traitor do?
Can Sloane and Annabeth put old feelings away
Can they solve the case or will their past make them pay?
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Is a great mix of drama, spies and history.
With a hero determined to protect his love always
Even if he's the one who always pays....
Secrets, missions, spies and traitors, too,
Keep you guessing all the way through.
The class system, beliefs and attitudes all make
This a great read on which to partake.
Uncovering her father's past is the quest
But doing so will her feelings test.
Who can you trust to be true
And who should you be wary of, too?
A fascinating page turner with great characters who
Keep you guessing what will the traitor do?
Can Sloane and Annabeth put old feelings away
Can they solve the case or will their past make them pay?
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
October 8, 2023
What a phenomenal read for a historical fiction novel that contains both spies and romance! Candace Camp is a fabulous writer. Her skills are proven by how far her words have dragged me into her fictional world full of secrets, betrayal, and love. Suspenseful, action-packed, and intriguing A Rogue at Stonecliffe was fun to read. The lead female character takes action and makes her man heel. I loved their banters! I love her grandmother's words and actions, especially how the men feared her dog and cane. Then, there was this heated attraction that the hero and heroine kept trying to avoid but had to face or else risk exploding in front of audiences. Funny and charming, this is a must-read for all historical regency and mystery fans.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
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