Customer Reviews

Return of the Rogue

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Honora Tannach's life is very difficult; her mother has died and her stepfather Calum treats her cruelly, regularly beating her. Honora's mouse-like nature has been noticed by others, most notably the oddly-named Cavan Sinclare, the man her father wants her to marry. Unfortunately for Calum, Cavan was unwilling to marry someone who wasn't strong and courageous. However, several years later it appears that Calum is getting his wish - Cavan has gone missing and his next brother, Artair, has agreed to marry Honora. But after the wedding ceremony is completed Honora's life turns upside down again when Cavan reappears and her father proves that Honora was married to the Laird's Heir, not to Artair in particular, and she is now Cavan's wife.

Cavan doesn't want a wife, particularly not a quiet mousy woman like Honora, and especially as his whole focus is on trying to discover there whereabouts of his brother Ronan who was captured by barbarians at the same time as Cavan. But as Cavan and Honora spend time together and as she escapes her stepfather's influence they both discover that Honora is rather different than she first appeared. Can Honora help Cavan to overcome his feelings of responsibility in Ronan's situation? Can Cavan vocalise his feelings of love? Is the evil person working for the barbarians going to be unmasked?

This was rather a lightweight story with the central section rather losing its way and the instigator of the plot against Cavan's family obvious from the first. The historical detail was interesting in places although the dialogue occasionally slipped into American rather than Scottish. Characterisation also felt a little weak with peoples feelings explained rather than described. It wasn't a bad book, just felt rather light on plot and characterisation and many of the characters that peopled the pages did feel rather stereotypical of this kind of book.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

This was a very pleasant read! Both characters are likable enough at the beginning but what really impressed me was that the author did not linger on their "old selves"/flaws...it prevented the novel from being too tedious and frustrating. It was a relief to have the main conflict evolve outside the relationship of the hero and heroine, not to say that there wasn't any between them but the outside conflict allowed the characters to develop without me ending up hating them because they were too blind or stupid to overcome some needless, invented contention as happens in so many other romances!

In the late sixteenth century in Scotland, her abusive stepfather Calum Tannach arranges for Honora to wed the oldest son of Laird Sinclare, Artair. However, on their wedding day, Cavan Sinclaire, thought dead, crashes the ceremony. Calum realizes he is the rightful heir and demands he marry Honora. She knows he once saved her life when she was eight years old, but one look at her new betrothed leaves her fearful that this big man will be as brutal as her stepfather although his eyes twinkle with kindness.

Cavan knows his immediate need is to keep his people safe from raiders, but he will honor the wedding contract that states the eldest Sinclaire will marry Honora. Still although he believes she is a pretty lass; he will not allow her to interfere with his obsession to insure his clan's safety. As passion turns to desire and desire to love, Cavan believes he is fortunate, but now must convince his wife they were intended for one another even as someone causes dissension, despair, and destruction.

Though typical of the historical highlander romance especially the return of the prodigal son, readers will appreciate this fine sixteenth century tale. The lead couple is a fabulous pairing as neither is prepared to marry the other, but obligation (and contracts) supersedes their desires; soon love supersedes all desires. Fans will appreciate the RETURN OF THE ROGUE as he understands his duty to his clan and to his wife while she proves his equal.

Harriet Klausner

I want to preface this by saying that I read The Buccaneer before I read this book. Although the Return of the Rogue was a decent read, when compared to the previous book, it fell far short of my expectations. This is definitely not a book that swept me into the storyline.

I found that Return of the Rogue seemed to drag on for me. Consequently, I started skimming each page to try and find the shallow plot between the lackluster "love" scenes. In general, there was too much description and not enough action. For example, you get every detail of the nightgown worn but the characters just seemed to wander around the properties doing uninteresting things like playing with puppies or sewing.

The bottom line is that if you're looking for passion or a quick moving, interesting plot, this isn't the book for you. However, if you you want a light read that will help you sleep, get this one.

When Honora Tannach was a child Cavan Sinclare saved her from fall that more than likely would have killed her. Twelve years later, Honora is about to wed Cavan's brother Artair. Honora was offered to Cavan by her cruel and abusive step father Calum Tannach, but Cavan refused her.

Cavan and his brother Ronan were captured in battle by barbarians but only Cavan managed to escape. On Honora and Artair's wedding day, Cavan returns home and because he is the next in line to become laird, he becomes Honora's husband. Cavan does not want a wife. He is tortured by his brother's absence and focuses all of his energy on finding him rather than getting to know his wife. Honora wants desperately for Cavan to honor his vows to her. As Cavan and Honora begin to embrace their marriage a plot surrounds the Sinclare clan, one that threatens Honora and their family.

Cavan is a tortured hero in Return of the Rogue. He is an honorable man and a fierce warrior. I was anxious for him to let his guard down with Honora. Honora is outwardly meek and submissive but underneath she is a woman with strength and passion. They make a beautiful couple. Donna Fletcher's Return of the Rogue is a wonderful romance filled with sensuality and suspense.

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I really loved this book. I found my self not wanting to put the book down. I loved Crevan. There is everything you could want in one book!!!

Awesome book! This book pulled you in with the emotions and passion. Great way to start off a new series!

I can't help but like a story where a young woman, Honora, who has been dominated by a cruel stepfather throughout the course of her life finally comes into her own, with the help of her new husband, Cavan Sinclaire.

Good characters, well written, and interesting. The weak point in the book was at the end where I felt as a reader, there should have been more detail offered about the punishment the cruel stepfather would be receiving, especially since he was a major character in the story, so I felt a little let down in that, but not enough to not give the book it's five stars.

This book was what i needed.
After finishing one book (the seventh one-- latest one to be exact) from this series that i love ( The Black Dagger Brother Hood by J.R. Ward) i needed a good, solid, vampire free romance novel. I stumbled onto this book ;which starts of a series for the Sinclaire Brothers. I loved Honora and Cavan (even though Cavan was kind of a jerk), they made this book from me.

Not to mention Artair and Lachlan. Artair's book was equally good, Lachlan's fell short (sadly), now it's up to Ronan to bring it back up. :)

The year was the late 1500s. The place is the Scottish highlands.

Honora Tannach's stepfather, Calum has arraigned for her marriage to the next laird of the Sinclare clan. Honora does not mind as she has gotten to know her proposed husband, Artair a little bit, so he isn't a total stranger to her. Much to Honora's surprise, she comes to discover on the day of her wedding that she is not to marry Artair but Cavan. To add insult to injury, Cavan does not want Honora; much less any wife.

Cavan didn't know what to expect about his homecoming after being gone so long. He had been a prisoner of barbarian leader, Mordrac. All, Cavan did know was that he did not expect to be married. Will Honora and Cavan make this marriage work or was it a lost cause from the very beginning?

Honora has a very caring, honest, and friendly nature about her that just makes everyone around her fall in love with her, including me. Then there is Cavan, who is strong, brooding but a good protector. Honora and Cavan meshed well together. I admit that I am impressed by how much I liked Return of the Rogue. I read this book with ease. It is books like these as to why I enjoy reading this genre of historical, romantic novels. I plan on reading more books by Donna Fletcher.