"Intriguing Trip to Regency England"
TO TAME A ROGUE is the first of a pair of time
travel
romances by Ms. Kay. Look for TO CHARM A KNIGHT in November
2001. Born in the early nineteenth century, Tobias Thistlethwaite
is the last in his family line of witches and wizards.
These were practical times. Few believed in magic and his
parents had rarely practiced their craft. Upon their deaths
Tobias inherited the magical artifact referred to as
Merlin's Stone. Once Tobias realizes the stone's secret, he
makes it the cornerstone of his business, the Any Time, Any
Place time travel agency. Tobias is certain that the
stone's power is finite, and so he chooses his clients from
the very, very wealthy. His price, a cool million, round-
trip. Of course if the client finds their heart's desire on
the journey, so much the better. Mardi Gras should be a time of fun and celebration, but not
for St. Claires, one of New Orleans' oldest and wealthiest
families. Arden would say they were stuffy. She was tired
of towing the family line as she had dutifully done after
her parents' accidental death. Arden's St. Claire's
guardians had held her dare-devil mother, Jeanne Freret,
responsible for the deaths. Arden's Freret blood comes to the surface when she passes a
building she's never seen before, a travel agency. Perhaps
she will take a trip. Just once she would have fun before
settling back down to the grindstone. Immediately Arden
notices something unusual about the travel posters. They
are of various historical eras. That in itself was not
strange but what were now ruins appeared brand new. The
proprietor, Tobias Thistlethwaite insists that a trip to
the Regency era is just what Arden needs. Arden is convinced that this is merely a historical tour,
but can't help thinking what if......? As the d�cor in the
shop shifts to suit the backwards time travel, Arden
becomes a believer. She can't wait to have a London season,
to enjoy the pleasures of mingling with the ton. But solar
flares disrupt her travel. She arrives in the right time,
but the wrong place. Emerging in the woods, she interrupts a murder attempt on
the life of a boy Duke. The child's uncle, Captain Royce
Warrick, has returned from the wars and is determined to
protect the boy. Arden cannot explain her presence in the
woods. Uncertain if she is in on the kidnappers plot, Royce
hires her as the boy's governess to keep her close. One
thing he is certain of, she is not a lady. Royce, the second son, had given up his roguish ways, upon
the deathbed request of his older brother. The fun loving
Royce had chosen a suitable bride, for beauty and
bloodlines. They would wed as soon as the plot to kill his
nephew is uncovered. He would settle down to a respectable
life. So why can't he get his mind off the beautiful,
disreputable stranger? Royce appears to be as stuffy as her St. Claire relations,
so why do his rare smiles melt Arden's heart? She is
certain that his fianc�e is not right for him, and even
more certain he doesn't love the cold beauty. In the short
time she has, can Arden untame this former rogue and find
her heart's desire? TO TAME A ROGUE was delightful reading. Arden was strong
and brave, everything a true lady should be. She redefines
the word for Royce, who deep down had always wished to
marry for love. Royce is stubborn, but honorable, charming,
and incredibly passionate, beneath his studied decorum.
The plot was intriguing, the seduction was great fun, a
highly recommended read. Copyright 2001
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted June 27, 2001
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