The Rogue's Return 24-Copy Floor Display [Paperback]

Truth to tell, I have mixed feelings about Jo Beverly's latest Rogue book. On the one hand, it is an extremely well written and satisfying examination of love that develops between strangers forced by circumstances to marry (strangers from different social classes at that); on the other hand, however, for its length, I felt (traitorously) that "The Rogue's Return" rather lacked depth and complexity.

Unlike the rest of his family, Simon St. Bride has always longed for adventure (which he found plenty of in Canada). Now, however, it is time to think of returning home to England and being with his family once again; also, having gathered evidence of fraud and misappropriation of funds at the Indian Affairs Department, Simon is eager to get the evidence to England, where, hopefully something concrete will be done about this shameful state of affairs. Unfortunately only days before he is set to leave, he finds himself not only fighting a duel with the very man he suspects of the embezzlement, but also, because of a set of tragic circumstances, forced to marry his mentor's orphaned niece, Jane (Jancy) Otterburn. Simon is in a bind: he knows very little about Jancy, save that she is capable, rather attractive and that she comes from a social class much lower than his own. but he feels obligated to marry the young lady in spite of his misgivings. As for Jancy, much as she admires Simon, he obvious aristocratic background fills her with unease, especially since she's hiding a secret that could prove the undoing of her. For Jancy is not who she claims to be, and lives in dread of being unmasked, especially

to the husband she has come to love quite deeply...

I enjoyed "The Rogue's Return" on several levels. It was a deeply satisfying love story -- it was wonderful to read of how Simon grew to appreciate Jancy's strength and resolve, and to love her for them. It was also good to see how the real Jancy emerged from behind the mask that she had assumed, and so become a fuller, more complete woman. This, was definitely a well thought out and executed character driven novel. However, in spite of that, I couldn't help wishing that the book had been slightly more complex and that there had been more -- more intrigue, more conflict, (and perhaps more angst? goodness I'm picky!) True, the secret that Jancy keeps from Simon is a rather big plot conflict that adds to the air of suspense as one wonders if and when Jancy will be exposed. Also adding to the tension is the realisation that one of the embezzler's cohorts may be on board and may be out to get Simon. And yet, in spite of all this tension and suspense, I kept wanting more plot complexity and texture. And truth to tell, the pacing was slightly off: the first two-thirds of the book deals, sedately, with the couple's journey back to England and the development of their relationship. The last third of the book deals with an unexpected loss in Simon's family that affects them all and with the unmasking the other villain of the piece. The thing was that too much happened in the last third (and at a brisk pace at that) and as a result the pacing of the novel overall felt a little off. Perhaps I'm being a little too demanding of Jo Beverly, but she's spoilt me by giving a great many fantastic reads, and I just expected "A Rogue's Return" to stand up to those other books. All in all, this was a good 4 star read, just not a fantastic one.

Jo Beverley once again shows her great storytelling ability and pleases her fans by returning to The Rogues Series to tell Simon St. Bride's story. The love between Simon and Jancy is so sweet and seductive; you can't get enough of them! It is great to have glimpses of Hal Beaumont and Lord Darius (Dare), but if there is one disappointment it is in not having The Rogues reunite to help these characters out. Taking the series to Canada was very interesting, but the story seemed to go flat, or too fast, once returning to England. I was so hoping to have the head Rogue, Nicholas Delaney and the Roguettes (wives of The Rogues) work to clear Jancy's troubled past and those plaguing her, as in the other books of this series. A totally enjoyable read, but one that makes you wish there was more.

Beset by illness, danger and death, a socially disparate couple finds unexpected love in this sweet and captivating romance. An easy pace and an abundance of interesting historical details add to the charm of the story, the latest entry in the "Company of Rogues" series. Rogues' member Simon St. Bride, oldest son of a wealthy aristocratic family, has been in Canada for four years investigating corruption for the British government. He is about to return home to England with his findings, when he becomes involved in a duel with the very man who is his principal suspect. The duel is over Simon's suggestion that the man is an embezzler, but it really started when the man questioned the virtue of Jane Otterburn. Jane is a reserved young woman who recently came from England to live with her Uncle Isaiah following the deaths of her mother and cousin. Simon also lives with Isaiah, who is his close friend and mentor. Before the duel is completed, Simon is called away because Isaiah accidentally shot himself and is dying. He had been preparing his dueling pistol so that he could take Simon's place in defending Jane's honor.

With his dying breath, Isaiah asks Simon to marry Jane because she is now all alone in the world. Simon agrees, partly out of guilt and partly out of respect, and they are wed immediately. Simon is soon quite taken with the enigmatic Jane, who is no long so reserved and is at times quite assertive. What Simon does not know is that Jane is really her cousin Jancy, known as Nan. Jancy switched identities when her cousin died aboard ship, because she feared being on her own in a new country. She thought Isaiah might not welcome her, or feel it improper for her to live with him, since she was not a blood relative. Now Jancy does not know what to do. She has been secretly in love with Simon for months, but feels like an impostor as well as a social inferior. Moreover, she is not really Jane's "cousin," but her illegitimate sister. Her true identity has always been hidden but could surface at any moment, and Simon is a bit of a social snob. It could ruin their marriage and Simon's reputation, at a time when Simon is planning a political career. On top of this is an unfinished duel, a hazardous journey to England, danger surrounding Simon's investigation, and unforeseen illness and death. The newlyweds clearly have their work cut out for them.

This story has the easy, comfortable pace of a Jane Austen book or a British mystery. It is captivating in an often quiet, everyday, slice-of-life way, and there are somber moments along with the hopeful ones. The Canadian and shipboard scenes contain many interesting historical touches, and the comings and goings of the passengers and crew provide good intrigue. The story does not hit you over the head with action, but instead relies on the characters' conversations, thoughts and behaviors to charm the reader and move the story along. The effect is very satisfying. The romance is sweetly done and seems genuine, but could have been more sensual. There is a nice secondary performance by Simon's old friend Hal Beaumont. Hal lost an arm in the war and loves a woman who is far less socially acceptable than Jancy. This adds much-needed perspective to the problems of the lead couple. Overall, this is a worthy addition to the Rogues' series, and a good read on its own.

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