Customer Reviews

A Reputable Rake (Harlequin Historical)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Cyprian Sloane has a wretched reputation. A known rake, gambler and smuggler, he also worked as a spy. But those days are over. Sloane is determined to be accepted by society and gain respectability. Unfortunately, he meets Morgana Hart, whose altruistic nature is bound to ruin her reputation and his respectability.

All Morgana wants to do is save her maid from prostitution. Unfortunately, in doing so, she has acquired a house full of ladies of the evening. Morgana's plan has gone slightly awry. Now, she has placed her reputation in jeopardy. And Sloane's as well.

Sloane is faced with a decision. His goal of respectability or Morgana. Unless he can find a way to have both, he must chose one over the other.

My favorite part of reading A Reputable Rake was the way in which Ms. Gaston drew me into the story. I was unable to see a tidy resolution to Sloane's dilemma and that's what makes this such a great story. You are turning every page with anticipation to see HOW these two will find their happily ever after. Because, after getting to know Morgana and Sloane, I was desperate for them to find happiness together. Ms. Gaston did not disappoint.

I'm a big fan of historical romance. And, I have been missing out on a really great author. If A Reputable Rake is typical of Ms. Gaston's writing, Diane Gaston writes really good historical romances. Now that I've met the characters in A Reputable Rake, I want to go back and read The Mysterious Miss M and The Wagering Widow. Diane Gaston has won another fan!

Annabelle
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Diane Gaston, aka Diane Perkins, has done it again in "A Reputable Rake" - a novel nominated for the coveted RWA RITA Award for 2006. It's easy to see why, for "A Reputable Rake" is an outstanding, exciting tale of respectability and the dark side of England's ton life. The characters are enchanting, vividly alive and the story is intriguing, filled with danger and excitement that will keep the reader turning the pages. I literally could not put down this book until I reached the last page, and even then, I wanted more. An excellent, highly enjoyable read I'd recommend to all.

As I anxiously waited for this book to come out, I wondered if my expectations would be too high and I would be disappointed. Needless to say I wasn't, this book meet all of my expectations.

Cyprian Sloan our hero is one amazing man!!! (Other reviewers have already described him). Morgana our heroine, is outspoken, caring and speaks her mind.

Without realizing it, Cyprian ends of helping Morgana in her latest scheme to help turn four destitute young women into "courtesans". Poor Cyprian all he wants is to be accepted back into society and helping Morgana could just hurt his chances. He has his heart set on marrying Morgana's cousin, who could drive anyone crazy with her chatter.

Your fall in love with Cyprian's nephew David, the rest of the "courtesans" and the butler too. I loved the trap that David and Cyprian set up with Cyprian's father and David's grandfather.

This book is a definite keeper for me; Ms. Gaston is an amazing writer whose books are different and so creative. If you haven't read The Mysterious Miss M and The Wagering Widow, pick them both up, you won't regret it.

Her characters are so well developed it's difficult to remember they aren't real. She has a remarkable ability to create a world both vivid and believable. I found myself caring about more than just the main characters but secondary characters as well, and delighted in the interweavings of the story within A Reputable Rake and with other books she has written, namely The Mysterious Miss M and The Wagering Widow, though all the stories stand alone. I now own all five of her books and have bookmarked her eHarlequin The Diamond, for rereading whenever I'm in the mood for intelligent heroes and heroines with heart, and stories that are intriguing with exciting twists and turns, not to mention the well placed clever humor. Brava! Encore!

In his earlier days, Cyprian Sloane was a less than reputable gentleman. He embraced the life of a rake, gambler, smuggler, even though some of those deeds were committed as a cover-up while spying for the crown during the war. Now, he wants respectability, not so much for himself, but to rub it in the face of a father who has always despised him. As he took steps to gain his rightful place in ton society he crossed paths with the caring, determined, and outspoken Miss Morgana Hart. Without choosing to, he became embroiled in Morgana's latest madcap scheme of turning four destitute young woman into `courtesans'. If discovered, any inroads he'd made for a successful entre into ton society and a suitable betrothal to a respectable but boring young woman would all be for naught. Sloane would have to make a decision as to whether retribution for the cruelty of his childhood was worth losing the remarkable woman he'd come to love.

Ms. Gaston is a remarkably gifted author of extremely well written regency tales which encompass an amazing zest for creativity. I find her stories original, bringing to life well-developed characters that will remain in your thoughts long after the last page has turned. This latest, after such stellar releases as THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M, and THE WAGERING WIDOW clearly show this author has what it takes is one to watch, enjoy, and savor as well as put on `auto-buy' status!

Sloane, the hero of A REPUTABLE RAKE, is a very complex character, more so than most romance heroes I've encountered, since, as a former rake, spy, and smuggler, his entire quest is to become respectable, and thus, in the novel, he denies himself the pleasures of Morgana, the heroine, for quite some time. This created a fair bit of tension, but of the page-turning sort -- the good kind!

Sloane's physical heroism, past exploits, and spy work afford him the means to get needed information about those who are a real danger to Morgana and her charges. But Morgana's plans for 'educating' these young women fly squarely in the face of Sloane's plans for respectability and his hoped-for acceptance into the upper echelons of Regency society. His motivations for wanting this respectability are also not typical at all, but I don't want to give it away. Suffice it to say, Ms. Gaston's characters are ORIGINAL, fresh, and different.


Morgana is quite outspoken and unconventional, but not in an annoying way. I liked her immediately. Ms. Gaston's characters are quite simply the most "realistic" of any romances I've read, and I've read my share of them. They're beautiful but flawed characters, with quirks and foibles such as we all have. The reader feels great empathy for them; we truly care what will become of them. Even her secondary characters seem very real;
I especially love Elliot, Robert Duprey(if he cares about Mary Phipps, that's all I need!), Rose, Lucy, and Cripps.. oh, and the Dowager Lady Hart... and Miss Moore, too, and "Madame Bisou"...
they all seem like real people.

The love scenes are beautiful -- somewhat delayed, due to the plotline constraints.. anything earlier wouldn't have fit the character's traits. But WELL WORTH the wait!

A plot twist at the novel's end is quite brilliant. Indeed I wondered how Sloane could possibly manage to stay with Morgana without playing the complete cad in a previous near-betrothal, but the solution was perfect.

This novel is rich and full of beauty -- the characters grow before our eyes, and learn so much about themselves and about their own motives; and Morgana, thanks to Sloane, finally comes to believe she is desirable and beautiful. I was left quite starry-eyed, reading it all. A REPUTABLE RAKE is definitely a 'keeper', and I eagerly await the author's next effort.

The third book by Diane Gaston, A Reputable Rake, is the best thus far! Turning once more to the seamier side of London Ton life, Diane Gaston tells the story of a rake in the course of redemption and a well-bred young woman treading on the edge of the abyss of social suicide.

Cyprian Sloane, gambling partner of Lord Keating in The Wagering Widow, is a cuckoo-in-the-nest and has never been allowed to forget it; his vengeful father even named him Cyprian, meaning whore, in order to embarrass his faithless wife. Excluded from family life, Cyprian embarked on a series of adventures as a young man including, we gather, spying for the government during the war with France. (Sadly this background is largely undeveloped and I wanted to know more as these adventures were fundamental in terms of his character development.)

Morgana Hart is the daughter of a diplomat who grew up in the Peninsula during the war and, we are given to understand, witnessed harsh and difficult events. They have strengthened her, however, and she is independent minded and straightforward.

In the story, she becomes entangled with four young women who are about to enter the life of prostitutes and Morgana rescues them and takes them into her home. They all seem determined to become "ladies of the night" anyway so she decides that at the very least they ought to become high class courtesans a la Harriette Wilson, the most famous of the Regency demi-monde. She inadvertently sets up a "school for courtesans".

Cyprian Sloane, already attracted to her, finds himself living next door to her and although the Ton pairs him off with her silly, flighty young cousin, he finds himself becoming more and more involved in Morgana's life in order to restrain her somewhat naïve efforts to school her girls. However, it eventually becomes clear to him that the reputation he is trying so hard to resurrect is likely to be destroyed by his involvement with her and harsh words are exchanged.

The story moves on through excursions to various Ton and demi-monde events and as in every good romance, eventually things get straightened out. The pull of sexual as well as intellectual attraction between these two is strong. Eventually, despite themselves, they find themselves unable to resist each other and the author gives us a highly charged scene of consummation.

I do hope Diane Gaston continues at the same pace. As I noted in another review, she brings a strong, polished style of writing, shows evidence of careful research into her setting and period and her own working background enables her to create quite powerful characters and conflicts. Highly recommended.

Unmistakably, Diane Gaston's approach to the Regency period is often SURPRISING and her newest novel, A REPUTABLE RAKE, is no exception! Certainly, Gaston's storyline is innovative and original - no Regency template found here!

Miss Morgana Hart cannot help her soft-hearted manner. Intensely, she cares. However, now she pushes the boundary! Her neighbor, the dashing Cyprian Sloane, thinks her latest liberal idea will surely bring about their damnation! A plan to turn destitute girls into courtesans is . . . unbelievable! Does this lovely woman not know what she is doing? After all, she is a member of the 'Beau monde'! Yet, she will destroy everything - EVERYTHING - Cyprian Sloane has accomplished. All Cyprian wants, is acceptance - an entry into proper society - and that little hoyden, Morgana Hart, is hell-bent on ruining it!

Initially, author Diane Gaston made romance history by writing her stunner THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M. Such lofty achievements are generally hard to duplicate! Nevertheless, in A REPUTABLE RAKE, the threat of societal destruction and a troublesome, rival Madam nicely establish the story's "rocky road." But, it is the glandular pull between Morgana and Sloane that is truly Gaston's trump card. Whenever her two lovers are together, Gaston's pages practically steam. Unfortunately, the author chose to delay the much anticipated buff action. Regrettably, when her lovers finally got it on, it felt forced. This is a shame, for Gaston had the PRIZE - THE PRIZE to exploit - the courtesan instructions. Just imagine the rakish Sloane and the innocent Morgana experimenting with her sexual lessons! The "Golden Prize" was there . . . there for the taking . . .

A REPUTABLE RAKE does refer to characters and references from the author's previous two books, but such recognition has absolutely no effect on this read. Without a doubt, this story stands alone. Although A REPUTABLE RAKE may not be "ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER," it is a pleasant read and Diane Gaston's endeavor does deserve consideration!
Grade: B

MaryGrace Meloche.

Once you meet this Reputable Rake, you're going to want one of your own! Sloane and Morgana are fun, sympathic characters who run into trouble trying to do the right thing. A can't-put-it-down page-turner just perfect for summer reading.

I enjoy giving deserving books 5 starts, because then I feel like I've added a valuable collection to my library thereby getting my money's worth.

Everything I needed to pacify my reading appetite (I can never satisfy my appetite for reading) was placed so eloquently before me with this book.
Ms Gaston/Perkins took her time to develop the characters for us, giving us glimpse and hints of the novel's unfolding plots and twists.
The synopsis has been described in detail by other reviewers and I am glad to stand up with the majority here, to say that this is a very well written Regency Romance novel.
From Dialogue to humor to accuracy to passion and even drama, page after page made the book a page turner.
Two thumbs way up.