by Elizabeth Hoyt
Blurb:
HE
CAN GUARD HER
Lady
Phoebe Batten is pretty, vivacious, and yearning for a social life befitting
the sister of a powerful duke. But because she is almost completely blind, her
overprotective brother insists that she have an armed bodyguard by her side at
all times-the very irritating Captain Trevillion.
Captain
James Trevillion is proud, brooding, and cursed with a leg injury from his
service in the King's dragoons. Yet he can still shoot and ride like the devil,
so watching over the distracting Lady Phoebe should be no problem at all-until
she's targeted by kidnappers.
BUT
PASSION ITSELF
Caught
in a deadly web of deceit, James must risk life and limb to save his charge
from the lowest of cads-one who would force Lady Phoebe into a loveless
marriage. But while they're confined to close quarters for her safekeeping,
Phoebe begins to see the tender man beneath the soldier's hard exterior...
and the possibility of a life-and love-she never imagined possible.
Themes: Historical
Rating: 4.25 starsHeat Rating:
Review:
The long awaited story of Ms. Phoebe has
finally arrived, with a vengeance to be sure.
I have been dying to read this one for a long time now, wanting to see
Lady Phoebe come out of her shell and find her way into the arms of a truly
sexy and bad ass (for that era at least) guy of her very own. Living the life
of a sheltered lady is usually enough reason for me to want these ladies to
have an adventure, but Phoebe’s disability had me rooting for her even more to
find a way to spread her wings. Fans of
this series have also followed the harrowing story of Captain James Trevillion
from villain to hero and every step in between as his life and way of thinking
changes. Hoyt has a way of making even the most
mundane of adventures seem earthshattering and truly keeps life interesting for
her characters. I am curious where the
story will be going next, but have my suspicions and am looking forward to it
for sure.
Phoebe
and James have slowly become more and more dependent on one another as he
protects her and keeps her safe from the world she cannot see around her, even
as she has fought her gilded cage. James
has slowly begun to fall for Phoebe’s sweetness and sass, even as he warns
himself from losing his objectivity.
Phoebe takes for granted he will always be there to protect her and spar
with her, until the moment when he no longer is. But when a plot against Phoebe’s brother puts
her directly into the path of danger James will do whatever it takes to keep
her safe, including giving up his own sanity or life. Being forced into close quarters means that
they have to each come to terms with their feelings and deal with the intense
attraction between them, or risk losing it all when the danger passes.
Dearest Rogue
is the kind of story that will keep you interested for every moment, especially
as you see Phoebe growing into a woman and taking her stand. Though the story moves very quickly, James
and Phoebe’s relationship has been slowly blooming for a long time now and
there is no denying the depth or sincerity of their love. Phoebe may have always lived in the shadow of
her family’s protection, but falling in love with a man like James is no easy
road and she is willing to walk every step beside him. James has led a life far more complicated
than readers ever imagined and we get to see a lot of the reasons for his
determination and anger in previous novels.
The best part of this story is that James finally accepts that, while he
may not be the best match for Lady Phoebe on paper, he is the best and only man
to make her happy, and he will beat any obstacle thrown between them to prove
it and win her heart. I enjoyed seeing
couples from previous novels as well and seeing how well they have been living
their lives. I enjoy this series very
much and continue to be amazed at the varied and ingenious ways that Hoyt
brings her readers into the darker side of Georgian London and the highs and lows
of the day-to-day living of that era.
One of my favorite historical authors, Hoyt manages to always put me
right into the world her characters exist in and uses the setting not just as a
place the story happens, but an integral part of the story itself. Masterful as always Elizabeth, Carry On!
*ebook provided by publisher (via
netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.
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