Elizabeth Boyle
This Rake of Mine (2005)
Author: Elizabeth Boyle
Genre: Romance (Regency Historical)
Plot Summary:
Lord John Tremont ruined Miranda Mabberly’s reputation in one kiss and she was forced by her father to leave London. Nine years later, the reader learns Miranda has been hiding from society as Miss Jane Porter, the decorum teacher at a finishing school. She runs into Tremont again when he arrives at the school to pick up his niece, but he doesn’t recognize her. Thinking she has seen the last of the man, she decides to leave the school with her new inheritance and live her life as a spinster. Circumstances lead her to his door where dark family secrets and political intrigue threaten their reawakening passion.
Geographical Setting: England
Time Period: Early 1800s
Appeal Characteristics:
A 2006 RITA nominee for Best Long Historical, the book’s pace is quick with likeable characters helping propel the story forward. The tone is light and whimsical even though the story deals with scandal, a family curse, and secrets. The romance quickly builds over the course of the story as main characters are pushed together by humorous supporting characters. The main female character is a passionate woman who hides behind an image of an uptight spinster. The main male character is a lord also affected by the scandal. He seems sinful, but he also has a noble side.
Read-alikes: Some characters briefly mentioned This Rake of Mine are also in Something About Emmaline (2005), another novel by Elizabeth Boyle. It tells the story of a baron who makes up a wife so society will leave him alone. Unfortunately, the woman does exist and she is very tempting. Another title readers may like is The Heir (2000) by Johanna Lindsey. It tells how a family curse affects the main characters and how society can affect someone’s future. For a title that uses political intrigue and matchmaking to help draw the main characters together, readers could choose Castles (1993) by Julie Garwood. The Proposition (1999) by Judith Ivory is another story of a young woman who must support herself as a teacher. Her life becomes mixed up with a wicked but charming man who awakens her hidden passion. Readers can choose another humorous Regency period romance that deals with second chances by choosing The Dragon’s Bride (2001) by Jo Beverly. Love's Reward (1997) by Jean Ewing is another RITA award winner. It uses humor to tell the story of a rake and an artist forced to marry because of scandal.
Red Flags: sexual content
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