Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best! ~ Wicked and Sensual!, December 4, 2007
When Rona Sharon wrote her debut "My Wicked Pirate," It was considered an unbelievably well-written story that read like it was written by an author that had written many books. Now with "Once a Rake," Ms. Sharon has proven with her complicated storyline and in-depth characters that her debut Historical Romance was not first time luck, but rather a debut of an extremely talented writer that is and will become a Historical Romance Reader's favorite for years to come.
In this heartwarming story, the strong, troubled, lonely and handsome Paris, Earl of Ashby leaves England to fight Napoleon with his best friend Will and returns with physical as well as emotional scars, which include not returning with his best friend Will. He returns with what he left behind, which is an even stronger love for Will's little sister Isabel. Lady Isabel Aubrey is even more beautiful, independent and strong than when she was thirteen years old when Paris last saw her. They both fondly remember that last kiss on a garden bench; Isabel's first. Returning scarred in so many ways, he realizes he loves Isabel even more, but is not good enough for her. But Isabel, stronger than she was as a young girl, has never forgotten that first kiss on a garden bench long ago and has rejected numerous marriage proposals, leaving her heart open for Paris. Paris returns a recluse, but she tracks him down and brings him back to life on so many levels. Because of his love for Isabel, he eventually finds himself returning to society, and also helping her and her friends with their charity for war widows. But there are those who want to destroy Paris and Isabel's love, and even go as far as ruining the society that Isabel created that is helping so many war torn families.
Isabel learns the difference between young puppy love and true sensual love while Paris comes to realize that he is more than a beautiful face. Once a rake, and at the top of society, he discovers true love is more than sensuality and passion, but true friendship and companionship. As Isabel and Paris learn the true meaning of life and love there is mystery, suspense, and an evil out to destroy what they have. Can Paris return to society, while Isabel learns to accept the changed Paris that is now so different from the handsome rake she first kissed so long ago?
This story is another hard to put down book that keeps the reader engrossed until the end. It is a true delight and not to be missed for those who love good, solid Regencies with mystery and sensuality.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"An emotional and heart-warming novel." 4.5 Stars, December 3, 2007
Isabel Aubrey once fancied herself in love with friend of the family and her dear departed brother's best friend - Lord Ashby, who Society now refers to as the "gargoyle". Having not seen him since before he left for the war, she bravely calls on his home to ask him if he will sponsor her charity that she and her two friends, Iris and Sophie are trying to organize. However theman she meets is not the friendly and affectionate man she once knew... he is a bitter and angry man, hiding behind a mask. Isabel is intent on bringing him out of his shell and to remind him how things could and can be. But is she prepared for the emotional lord and his growing desires as they both remember a time long ago, when the only thing that separated them was age and an impending war?
Lord Ashby is a man of few words; the war against Napoleon cost him, it shattered his soul, he lost his best friend Will... something he carries immense guilt and shame over. Returning from the war he shut himself away in his house and wallowed in self-pity until Isabel re-appeared and put a spark back into his soul. Realizing his intense feelings for Isabel, he desires to be the man Isabel has always thought him to be. During his courtship of Isabel, he does everything wrong... potentially costing him the love of his life. Now desperate and intent on getting her back into his life, Lord Ashby does the impossible, he ventures back into Society... With the hope of driving Isabel right back into his arms as his wife. But he has an enemy, one who claims Isabel for himself and will do anything including revealing horrible and scandalous secrets about Ashby on the battlefield to win her heart.
From the battlefields fighting Napoleon to the glittering ballrooms in Regency, England, Rona Sharon delivers a well crafted and executed novel of the emotional and physcial scars one man suffers from being in the war. ONCE A RAKE is Rona Sharon's second novel and much like her first it is full of history and rich details laying a strong foundation for her characters to thrive and grow under her powerful pen. Her characters are human, full of flaws, self-doubts and insecurities, something I found vastly appealing and attractive reading this novel.
The author delves into the darker aspect of The Regency Era as those fighting the war saw and lost more than the average person would be expected to endure. Lord Ashby was one of those soldiers; it would be asinine to assume that a person would rise from the ashes - emotionally intact. Rona Sharon wrote her characters with deep torment, while I was rattled and frustrated with Isabel during the middle part of this novel. She appealed to me, her naiveté outshone her good heart and warm personality. It was easy to see why Lord Ashby was so taken with her but reluctant to let his heart's desire be known.
ONCE A RAKE is an emotional and heart-warming novel, telling the story of a tormented man desperately in need of love and a woman strong enough to break through his reclusive shell. It pulls at your emotions whether basking in the happiness of the characters, or in abject anger as the situation took a turn that appeared to be lost to them forever. I recommend this novel to any Romance Reader who is looking to read past the scandalous parties and glittering ballrooms of the regency era.
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A romance after my own heart, December 8, 2007
I'm absolutely in awe over this book. I used to love regencies but after so many disappointments from my favorite authors, I didn't think I would pick one again for a long time. Then I saw that newbie Rona Sharon (whose debut book My Wicked Pirate I enjoyed very much) was coming out with a Regency romance. So I decided to give the sub-genre another go. I am so glad I did! I'm writing this review still enjoying the afterglow of a beautiful, witty, and sensual book that gripped me from page one and wouldn't let me go. I can't tell you how good it felt to lose myself in a well-crafted, heartwarming, powerful romance again.
I loved Ashby's character. Having commanded the 18th Hussars cavalry brigade during the long and gory Napoleonic wars, this once handsome and rakish earl returns to England scarred and devastated over the death of his best friend Will, who died on the battlefield. His conscience is haunted by the terrible sights and deeds that were his lot on the Continent. He is a sad and lonely man, subject to horrible nightmares, with nothing to look forward to except solitude and black despair.
In comes Isabel Aubrey, a softhearted, strong, and beautiful young woman full of life who can't forget the hussar of her girlish dreams. She is his friend Will's little sister, who despite Ashby's transformation from a fun-loving, easygoing rake to a remote and introverted man suffering of terrible emotional scars, she refuses to leave him in peace to wallow in his solitary misery and guilt.
Isabel is a wonderful heroine. She is compassionate, loyal and clever. I really liked her. I enjoyed every encounter between her and Ashby because the relationship they were building was profound and positive. I totally agree with the reviewer who said this book had a great feel to it. They were a wonderful couple. The problems and conflicts that needed to be worked out between them were believable and interesting (no "big misunderstanding" to keep the plot moving.) Ashby was older, in some ways "wiser", and has seen too much suffering in his life to maintain his old carefree self. Isabel wanted to help him resume a more healthy lifestyle, but he was not an easy "project".
The side plot about the charity agency strengthened my fondness for her. She fought like a tigress for her "unfortunates" and enlisted Ashby to help with his power and wealth and his realistic ideas. Aside from his help and from wanting to help him, she also wanted him for herself and was not ashamed to admit it. But she wanted to be loved for who she was, and not to be desired as the only woman he has seen in a long time. I really felt for her. She gives him so much love, and Ashby, while he wants her just as badly (if not more), seemed to be frozen in a bad moment he could not get out of.
The way Isabel brings Ashby back to life is enticing and beautiful. The dialogues between them were delicious. So much chemistry, honesty, laugh out loud moments, and deep layers of craving and hidden pain...
No wonder I read this book in one sitting. It was great!
There is such strength in Rona Sharon's writing that so many of my auto-read authors are missing lately. I can't wait for her next book.
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