| From RomanceJunkies.com Historical
To society, Eve Reynolds is a shy, naïve debutante. In reality, she is an experienced card shark who, following her uncle’s orders, cons people out of their money, making him a fortune. Whenever they get caught, they just move on to another location, another continent. In her one attempt to get out of this life, a couple years ago, she ran off to get married only to have the scoundrel take her virtue and leave her brokenhearted – a fact which her uncle never lets her forget. Now they are in
Julian Clay, the Earl of Westleigh, is definitely not the hero that society considers him to be. Recovering from a wound made by a bullet meant for the present Duchess of Sussex, he was indeed fortunate. Drake Sotherton, the Duke of Sussex and Julian’s former friend, was about to ruin Julian financially for betraying him with Drake’s first wife Lily when the opportune rescue occurred. In gratitude for Julian’s actions, Drake dropped his plans, even though the friendship was unable to be revived. However, now Julian has a title and lands, but no substantial income. He is a gambler but it seems that Lady Luck is not smiling on him. Fortunately, the Ton is ignorant of these facts. Nonetheless, no matter what, he is determined that nothing is going to keep him from the Season ahead and a chance to recoup his fortune.
Being a gambler himself, Julian recognizes a card shark when he sees one, and when he sees Eve at a card game, he is fascinated and wants her for his own. At the same card game, Eve befriends a group of four wealthy elderly women whom she is setting up in one of her con games. To her consternation, they treat her like a daughter and offer her advice when they see Julian watching her, envisioning a romance between the two young people.
When her uncle notices that Julian has caught him cheating at cards, he suddenly warns Eve to stay away from Julian. However, Eve is intrigued by the handsome earl, despite the fact that she knows he is on to them and can ruin everything. As Julian and Eve secretly meet, they grow closer and Eve’s guilt steadily escalates, especially where the four women are concerned. However, she supports her uncle financially so she knows he will never let her go. How can she get out of the lifestyle that she never wanted anyway? Is it possible for Eve and Julian to have a future?
A ROGUE’S GAME is an unusual but very enjoyable historical romance. Ms. Renee Bernard has taken two unlikable people, a scoundrel who even sleeps with his friend’s wives and gambles for a living and a card shark who befriends and then cheats the elderly, and turned them into people I found myself rooting for. Julian and Eve seem to bring out the best in each other. The secondary characters are exquisite; I especially liked the four elderly women. Including steamy love scenes, witty dialogue and an interesting plot, this is not a book to miss. I recommend A ROGUE’S GAME to those who like steamy historical romance novels.
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