A Delightfully Romantic Deliverance From Debauchery  

Title: Always a Rogue, Forever Her Love Scandalous Seasons Series, Book 4
Author: Christi Caldwell
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
Story Setting: London, , 1819
Published By: Christi Caldwell
Published Date: September 15, 2014
Sold By: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Pages: 241
ASIN: B00MTACTLM

Scandalous Seasons Series 

Book 1: Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride  

Book 2: Never Courted, Suddenly Wed

Book 3: Always Proper, Suddenly Scandalous

Book Description: Miss Juliet Marshville is spitting mad. With one guardian missing, and the other singularly uninterested in her fate, she is at the mercy of her wastrel brother who loses her beloved childhood home to a man known as Sin. Determined to reclaim control of Rosecliff Cottage and her own fate, Juliet arranges a meeting with the notorious rogue and demands the return of her property.

Jonathan Tidemore, 5th Earl of Sinclair, known to the ton as Sin, is exceptionally lucky in life and at the gaming tables. He has just one problem. Well…four, really. His incorrigible sisters have driven off yet another governess. This time, however, his mother demands he find an appropriate replacement.

When Miss Juliet Marshville boldly demands the return of her precious cottage, he takes advantage of his sudden good fortune and puts an offer to her; turn his sisters into proper English ladies, and he’ll return Rosecliff Cottage to Juliet’s possession.

Jonathan comes to appreciate Juliet’s spirit, courage, and clever wit, and decides to claim the fiery beauty as his mistress. Juliet, however, will be mistress for no man. Nor could she ever love a man who callously stole her home in a game of cards. As Jonathan begins to see Juliet as more than a spirited beauty to warm his bed, he realizes she could be a lady he could love the rest of his life, if only he can convince the proud Juliet that he’s worthy of her hand and heart.

My Thoughts: Even though Jonathan Tidemore was a devil of a rake, selfish and greedy and much too stuck on how he affected women, he was an exceptional brother who took his responsibilities seriously when it came to protecting his sisters. He lived up to his nickname Sin. Sin being short for 5^th Earl of Sinclair. And for me, his concern and love for his sisters was his saving grace. He selfishly manipulated those around him to suit himself. He handled his meeting with Miss Juliet Marshville in the way he handled himself at the gaming tables. He was out to wager and win. He liked what he saw in this women, looking at her body and spirit which he readily and willingly would use both to quench his thirst. Yes, he was a rather nasty man. But when it came to his sisters I could see they were his Achilles’ heel and just perhaps his salvation.

Miss Juliet Marshville, known as Miss Marsh to Jonathan’s sisters was certainly more than she first appeared. Of course she was spitting mad, both at her brother and Jonathan Tidemore, for playing cards using her property as collateral. She was beyond angry with her brother wagering it off and equally angered that the earl would accept the cottage once he won it. With plenty of spunk she fought for the right of her property. Believing in her capabilities, she stood up to Jonathan’s challenge for her to produce proper English ladies of his sisters. If she could, her cottage would be given back to her. But Jonathan wasn’t nice. That was just a way to get her into his house, to seduce her and make her his mistress. Do you see why I loved to hate him?

There were fun, laughable scenes when the girls would try Miss Marshville’s patience. There were others where Miss Marshville touched certain chords within the girls, also softening my heart toward the hellions. The younger girls slowly started to respect their governess. Sometimes, the young can see with their feelings better than their minds.

Through the lies and half-truths that Jonathan used to get her into his family and have her as governess ended up hurting many. As bonds of friendship were nurtured, outside evil lashed out to ruin the lives of Jonathan and his sisters. Would Miss Marshville be capable to set all to rights?

This Regency story deals with the problems of women in a society where one must do the proper thing. If something someone does is construed as wrong, even though it isn’t, a reputation will be bruised or destroyed. I’m mighty thankful I don’t live during those times!

I liked the story, the emotion that pulled our hero and heroine apart and the same which made them whole. I enjoyed Jonathan becoming a better person and figuring out that life isn’t just about gambling and lifting skirts!

I didn’t have the chance to read books 1-3 of this series. Always a Rogue, Forever Her Love is easily a stand-alone. That being said, since Christi Caldwell writes such charming, tender love stories, you undoubtedly should read her others.

About the Author: USA Today Bestselling author, Christi Caldwell blames Judith McNaught’s “Whitney, My Love,” for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and try her hand at writing romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections and she rather enjoys tormenting them before crafting a well-deserved happily ever after!

Christi makes her home in Southern Connecticut where she spends her time writing, chasing around her feisty six-year old son and caring for her twin princesses in training!