Review: Along Came a Rogue

Along Came a Rogue (Secret Life of Scoundrels - Book 2) by Anna Harrington

Publication Date: 02/23/2016
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 352
ISBN-10: 1455534056
ISBN-13: 978-1455534050

(Received for an honest review from Forever)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Anna Harrington on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Secret Life of Scoundrels

1. Dukes Are Forever
2. Along Came a Rogue

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Along Came a Rogue, courtesy of the author's website

Synopsis:

THE WICKEDEST SECRET . . .
Major Nathaniel Grey is free to bed whomever he wants, whenever he chooses, and that's exactly how he likes it. His only loyalties are to country and the two friends he served with-brothers he'd do anything for. So when one of them is gravely injured and asking for his little sister, Grey will move heaven and earth to bring her home. He's greeted not by the gangly girl he remembers, but a stunningly beautiful woman holding a loaded musket. And he's utterly captivated by her . . . 

IS A SECRET SEDUCTION
Once upon a time, Emily would have loved nothing more than a stolen hour with her brother's best friend, the dashing officer who captured her heart and soul. But things are different now-and so is she. Gone is the eager young woman who believed in love. In her place is a widow weighed down with secrets who desperately needs to disappear before they're revealed. But Grey's sinfully sexy smile offers protection unlike anything she's ever known, tempting her to risk everything . . . even her heart.

Thoughts:

Anna Harrington brings readers the second book in her Secret Life of Scoundrels series, Along Came a Rogue. This one is quite the steamy read even from the first paragraph! It's easy to see why Harrington is quickly becoming an author to keep an eye on in the historical romance genre. Compelling characters with plenty of secrets, a touch of mystery and tons of action both in the bedroom and out. A great new book from Anna Harrington!

What I liked:

Regency romances are all about the splendor and opulence of the ton. It's about decorum and the proper way to do things. Anna Harrington's writing adheres to a lot of those norms that readers expect from a Regency author, but she isn't adverse to taking a few risks either. I thought this story showed a lot of confidence in the author's ability to sell her story to her audience. She may be writing about earls and marque's and the like, but she also writes about rogues and orphans. The balance between what the ton expects and what the ton gets was just perfect in this one. 

Emily has a big secret, that may determine her future in every way. Nathaniel has a big secret that could deter everything he has ever worked for in his life. This story is about secrets and how they define the characters in the book. Grey is a rogue that operates on the outskirts of the ton, enjoying the benefits, but not really being a part. I loved the fact that Harrington makes the reader think he doesn't really care about that, but then shows that he does. Emily is his best friends little sister. A stolen kiss sets her life in a spiral, and now her life is threatened. She is not longer the brat, Grey once knew. But a strong and capable woman. Great characters all around! Multi-faceted and intense.

Thomas is practically on his death bed and all he wants is his sister. Grey takes it upon himself to retrieve the young widow, but gets a whole lot more than he bargains for. There was plenty of action in this one, in the bedroom and out. Emily and Grey are instantly reminded of a kiss they shared when she was just a girl. The intensity of their attraction ramps up throughout the book and gives the reader a lot of swoon worthy moments. But, there is a touch of mystery here as well. Emily's husband was murdered and she is in danger. Grey wants to protect her but his station in life is nothing compared to hers. I loved the balance and the way the author was able to focus on the romance, but still keep the mystery alive, throughout.

Something to remember:

This one starts off racy from the get go. The opening paragraph is somewhat graphic even for a romance. But I think the author had to establish Grey as a real rogue right off the bat. Someone who doesn't care about the conventions of the ton or about the feelings of the women he entertains. I liked that spicy start. I was intrigued and wanted to know more about this man. I was amazed at how he went from scoundrel to attentive lover throughout the book. Even if the first page makes you blush... don't stop reading... it's a good thing.

Bottom Line:

This is a great book by Anna Harrington. I had not read the previous book in the series and still felt right at home with this one. It was engaging and a bit naughty. The hero and the heroine have a lot of secrets that could change everything for them and that makes for an intense read. The big secrets are handled well and the reader will find this one very satisfying. Great balance and complex characters. A great addition to this series!

Along Came a Rogue is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apple from my book bag!

About the Author:

Anna is an English professor in Chattanooga Tennessee and a lover of all things chocolate and coffee. She's a member of RWA and when she's not hard at work writing her next book or planning her next series, she's watching BBC and piloting her own aircrafts.