Customer Reviews

The Rogue's Return

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Truth to tell, I have mixed feelings about Jo Beverly's latest Rogue book. On the one hand, it is an extremely well written and satisfying examination of love that develops between strangers forced by circumstances to marry (strangers from different social classes at that); on the other hand, however, for its length, I felt (traitorously) that "The Rogue's Return" rather lacked depth and complexity.

Unlike the rest of his family, Simon St. Bride has always longed for adventure (which he found plenty of in Canada). Now, however, it is time to think of returning home to England and being with his family once again; also, having gathered evidence of fraud and misappropriation of funds at the Indian Affairs Department, Simon is eager to get the evidence to England, where, hopefully something concrete will be done about this shameful state of affairs. Unfortunately only days before he is set to leave, he finds himself not only fighting a duel with the very man he suspects of the embezzlement, but also, because of a set of tragic circumstances, forced to marry his mentor's orphaned niece, Jane (Jancy) Otterburn. Simon is in a bind: he knows very little about Jancy, save that she is capable, rather attractive and that she comes from a social class much lower than his own. but he feels obligated to marry the young lady in spite of his misgivings. As for Jancy, much as she admires Simon, he obvious aristocratic background fills her with unease, especially since she's hiding a secret that could prove the undoing of her. For Jancy is not who she claims to be, and lives in dread of being unmasked, especially
to the husband she has come to love quite deeply...

I enjoyed "The Rogue's Return" on several levels. It was a deeply satisfying love story -- it was wonderful to read of how Simon grew to appreciate Jancy's strength and resolve, and to love her for them. It was also good to see how the real Jancy emerged from behind the mask that she had assumed, and so become a fuller, more complete woman. This, was definitely a well thought out and executed character driven novel. However, in spite of that, I couldn't help wishing that the book had been slightly more complex and that there had been more -- more intrigue, more conflict, (and perhaps more angst? goodness I'm picky!) True, the secret that Jancy keeps from Simon is a rather big plot conflict that adds to the air of suspense as one wonders if and when Jancy will be exposed. Also adding to the tension is the realisation that one of the embezzler's cohorts may be on board and may be out to get Simon. And yet, in spite of all this tension and suspense, I kept wanting more plot complexity and texture. And truth to tell, the pacing was slightly off: the first two-thirds of the book deals, sedately, with the couple's journey back to England and the development of their relationship. The last third of the book deals with an unexpected loss in Simon's family that affects them all and with the unmasking the other villain of the piece. The thing was that too much happened in the last third (and at a brisk pace at that) and as a result the pacing of the novel overall felt a little off. Perhaps I'm being a little too demanding of Jo Beverly, but she's spoilt me by giving a great many fantastic reads, and I just expected "A Rogue's Return" to stand up to those other books. All in all, this was a good 4 star read, just not a fantastic one.

Jo Beverley once again shows her great storytelling ability and pleases her fans by returning to The Rogues Series to tell Simon St. Bride's story. The love between Simon and Jancy is so sweet and seductive; you can't get enough of them! It is great to have glimpses of Hal Beaumont and Lord Darius (Dare), but if there is one disappointment it is in not having The Rogues reunite to help these characters out. Taking the series to Canada was very interesting, but the story seemed to go flat, or too fast, once returning to England. I was so hoping to have the head Rogue, Nicholas Delaney and the Roguettes (wives of The Rogues) work to clear Jancy's troubled past and those plaguing her, as in the other books of this series. A totally enjoyable read, but one that makes you wish there was more.

Beset by illness, danger and death, a socially disparate couple finds unexpected love in this sweet and captivating romance. An easy pace and an abundance of interesting historical details add to the charm of the story, the latest entry in the "Company of Rogues" series. Rogues' member Simon St. Bride, oldest son of a wealthy aristocratic family, has been in Canada for four years investigating corruption for the British government. He is about to return home to England with his findings, when he becomes involved in a duel with the very man who is his principal suspect. The duel is over Simon's suggestion that the man is an embezzler, but it really started when the man questioned the virtue of Jane Otterburn. Jane is a reserved young woman who recently came from England to live with her Uncle Isaiah following the deaths of her mother and cousin. Simon also lives with Isaiah, who is his close friend and mentor. Before the duel is completed, Simon is called away because Isaiah accidentally shot himself and is dying. He had been preparing his dueling pistol so that he could take Simon's place in defending Jane's honor.

With his dying breath, Isaiah asks Simon to marry Jane because she is now all alone in the world. Simon agrees, partly out of guilt and partly out of respect, and they are wed immediately. Simon is soon quite taken with the enigmatic Jane, who is no long so reserved and is at times quite assertive. What Simon does not know is that Jane is really her cousin Jancy, known as Nan. Jancy switched identities when her cousin died aboard ship, because she feared being on her own in a new country. She thought Isaiah might not welcome her, or feel it improper for her to live with him, since she was not a blood relative. Now Jancy does not know what to do. She has been secretly in love with Simon for months, but feels like an impostor as well as a social inferior. Moreover, she is not really Jane's "cousin," but her illegitimate sister. Her true identity has always been hidden but could surface at any moment, and Simon is a bit of a social snob. It could ruin their marriage and Simon's reputation, at a time when Simon is planning a political career. On top of this is an unfinished duel, a hazardous journey to England, danger surrounding Simon's investigation, and unforeseen illness and death. The newlyweds clearly have their work cut out for them.

This story has the easy, comfortable pace of a Jane Austen book or a British mystery. It is captivating in an often quiet, everyday, slice-of-life way, and there are somber moments along with the hopeful ones. The Canadian and shipboard scenes contain many interesting historical touches, and the comings and goings of the passengers and crew provide good intrigue. The story does not hit you over the head with action, but instead relies on the characters' conversations, thoughts and behaviors to charm the reader and move the story along. The effect is very satisfying. The romance is sweetly done and seems genuine, but could have been more sensual. There is a nice secondary performance by Simon's old friend Hal Beaumont. Hal lost an arm in the war and loves a woman who is far less socially acceptable than Jancy. This adds much-needed perspective to the problems of the lead couple. Overall, this is a worthy addition to the Rogues' series, and a good read on its own.

I've loved them all, even Nicholas, King Rogue, whose saga "An Arranged Marriage" is perhaps the most disturbing of all Beverley's Rogues. This time around, the protaganist is Simon St. Bride, who has been merely a reference in previous tales while off in the wilds of Canada. To fulfill his promise to a dying man, he marries Jane, who (we learn long before he does) is not at all what she seems. Of course, their marriage evolves into the real thing (this is, after all, a romance), but along the way the reader encounters intrigue, betrayal, lies, conceits, tangles, misunderstandings and cross-purposes--ah, the path to true love! One can begin the Company of Rogues series with this book, even though it is the second-to-last tale, because it is not directly connected to the European goings-on of the time, as the other books are. Nevertheless, I recommend beginning, as they say, at the beginning, with Beverley's "An Arranged Marriage" (a much darker tale) and moving forward from there. Still, although a bit richer when read in context, this novel stands alone quite well. As always, Beverley delivers a well-written, cleverly plotted, and sublimely romantic page-turner.

I love Jo Beverley and she never disappoints. This Rogue book combines a plot centering on the class divisions in English society with the problems of sea travel and Indians in the New World. I really liked the main characters, although, as is typical of Jo Beverley characters, they have their flaws. I also found the book to be very fast moving, held my interest all the way through, and I wasn't sure of the villain until he appeared!! A wonderful read, and I was sorry to finish it!
Cynthia Mcginnes

A new Rogue novel from Jo Beverley! I had been eagerly awaiting this one, and even more so since its setting is Canada, my new adopted home.

Simon St Bride, one of the 'absent' Rogues, is finally preparing to come home after several years in Upper Canada. However, he is investigating what he believes to be embezzlement related to funds which should have gone to the native tribes. At the same time, the man he suspects of being behind it is doing his best to provoke Simon into a duel, and he chooses the niece of Simon's landlord as the bait.

Jane Otterburn has been living in the same house as Simon for almost a year. At this point, it seems as if Simon barely knows her. Yet, when we first meet Jane, it's clear that she's in love with him. I think this is one of my disappointments with the book: we never really see Simon and Jane/Jancy fall in love. It's all very pragmatic, but suddenly they just are in love.

Simon and Jane are forced to marry when Jane's uncle, in trying to stop the duel, accidentally shoots himself. On his deathbed, he pleads with Simon to marry Jane to protect her. Unable to refuse, they are married in the dying moments of her uncle's life.

And we discover then - though Simon does not until much later - that Jane is not Jane Otterburn, but her illegitimate cousin Jancy (called Nan by the Otterburn family). Jancy does not tell Simon this, and this is the main conflict of the book: how will Simon react when he discovers his wife's true identity? Especially when he is hesitant when he hears that his close friend Hal is going to marry Blanche Hardcastle, a former prostitute and his mistress of a couple of years.

So this, I think, is another of my problems with the book. I didn't much like Jancy - partly because of her deception, and partly because (and maybe this is snobbishness) I didn't like her background. Yes, Beverley has set a tradition of giving her aristocratic characters spouses who are not from their world, but Jancy's background - the product of an affair between a middle-class schoolmaster and essentially a gypsy woman - was a bit much for me. Even had she really been Jane Otterburn, the marriage would have raised eyebrows in Simon's world.

I agree with another reviewer, too, that the main part of the book seemed very slow, as compared to the rushed pace once they were back in England.

What saved The Rogue's Return for me was the appearance of Hal and the resolution of his romance with Blanche, and the brief glimpse we got of Dare towards the end of the book. I'm now very much looking forward to Dare's story, To Rescue a Rogue, coming in the autumn.

- wmr-uk

THE ROGUE'S RETURN by Jo Beverley
May 6, 2006

Amazon Rating: 4/5 Stars

THE ROGUE'S RETURN is part of the series of books by Jo Beverley, centering on a group of men who call themselves "The Rogues". In this novel, one of the last in the popular series, focuses on Simon St. Bride, a man who participates in a duel to defend the honor of his dear friend's niece, the mysterious Jane Otterburn. Unfortunately, Lancelot McArthur shoots Simon before the signal to commence, and injures Simon. Simon shoots Lancelot, as is his right and thus ends the duel, and Lancelot's life. Jane happened to be at the scene to tell the men that her uncle is in serious condition, having shot himself shortly before the start of the duel.

Simon goes with Jane to see to his friend, and hears Isaiah Trewitt's dying wishes. Jane and Simon are to wed per Isaiah's request, and because Simon will not dishonor his friend, he marries Jane, despite the fact that he does not love her. Jane is known to be somewhat eccentric, and doesn't fit the mold of the typical woman, wearing clothing that does not suit her, and prefers to be alone instead of socializing with others. Jane, however, has always had feelings for Simon, and cannot believe her good fortune.

Simon's injuries become worse, due to an infection, and Jane nurses him back to health. In the mean time, there is reason to believe that someone is trying to kill Simon, and it has to do with some papers he has hidden away, information that could bring trouble if they were ever revealed.

The ship they are to board to return to England, after the two of them had lived in Canada for several years, will depart before Simon will have fully recovered, but they board the ship anyway, and he finishes his recuperation on the ship. (Missing this boat would have meant waiting for months for the next one to arrive in Canada). Weeks of living on the ship finally wear Jane down, and she becomes ill. It is now Simon's turn to care for her.

Throughout their adventures, the two become acquainted with each other and fall in love. Jane, however, has many secrets that she is afraid will come out in the open, thus destroying what trust she has built up in her marriage. She does not want to lose him, but the probability of a future child motivates her to do what is right. She refuses to tie Simon to her because of a baby, knowing that once he finds out the truth about her, he will want nothing to do with her.

Having now read THE ROGUE'S RETURN, I will gladly read the other books in this series. It was an enjoyable historical romance, taking me to 1800's Canada and back to England. A lot of adventure, romance, and intriguing characters to keep any reader of historical romance interested.

I was so happy when I found this book in the store! Finally! It had been several weeks since I had found a good book by a favorite author. I'm happy to report that this book was very good. It is a certain improvement from the previous one in the series, (Skylark) which I found a little boring. But this book proves that Jo Beverly is back!

We had not heard much about Simon in the other Rogue's books, so he was kind of an enigma. But I liked him a lot. He is honorable, sensible, caring and strong. The heroine, Jancy, was very likeable too. Very mature, sensible and sweet. I think they make a good pair, and their feelings for each other are evident early in the book.

The story is entertainning, and I like the fact the Jo Beverly always manages to teach us something in her books. I was fascinated to learn about the use of maggots to treat infected wounds. It shows that she really does her homework and reasearches the time period she is writting about carefully. You won't find stupid mistakes in her books, like in so many others of this genre. I think that is what separates a good writer from a mediocre one.

If I have any complain about this book is that most of the Rogues were not present. The only one present is Hal, and although I like him inmensely, I would have liked for the others to take part in this book too. On the bright side, I liked that Hal and Blanche's romance had its happy resolution. We have seen this couple throughout most of the series and I'm glad that they finally found their happy ending.

Maybe we will see all the Rogue's come together in the next book, Dare's story, since it appears it will be the last Rogue book, unless there are other spin offs.

I would definetely recommend this book, specially if you have been following the Rogue's series. If you have not, it is still good on its own, but I would recommend reading the rest of the books in the series. Some of them are a little controversial, and some I have enjoyed more than others, but most of them are worthy of reading, if only to learn more about this intrepid group of young men. My favorite of the series is still "Forbidden" though.

In 1816 York in Upper Canada, British aristocrat Simon St. Bride feels he has enough evidence to see that Lancelot McArthur goes to jail for embezzling money and goods intended for the Indians. He needs to bring his proof to England. Currently, Simon plays whist when Lancelot makes a nasty insinuating comment about Simon's friend Isaiah Trewitt and his prudish eighteen years old niece Jane Otterburn. Simon challenges Lancelot to a duel, which he accepts.

The next morning, Jane busts in on the duel screaming that Isaiah is dying and wants to see Simon. Lancelot fires, but misses. Simon leaves without a shot. Apparently, the ailing Isaiah learned of the duel and was planning to fight Lancelot when his gun discharged. He begs Simon to marry Jane right now in front of him. Simon agrees as honor calls for him to do so. A reluctant Jane and Simon marry just before Simon dies.

Simon's friend fellow rogue Major Hal Beaumont promises to take Jane and the evidence to England if his pal dies in the duel. Meanwhile Jane mourns her loss, but also worries her true identity as Jane's half-sister Nan will make Simon hate her. Still she owes him the truth. After dispatching Lancelot but hurt in the duel, Jane and Simon journey to England. On the trek, they fall in love, but a scoundrel plans to use her secret to save his hide from prison and gain wealth through blackmail.

The eighth Rogue tale stars an incredibly courageous heroine whose bravery will touch the audience as few characters do. Simon's adjustment to falling in love handled over time is a response to his admiration of his intrepid beloved. Though the villain proves too weak, fans will cherish this strong historical romance thanks to a wonderful lead pair. Jo Beverly pens another winner.

Harriet Klausner

In the Rogues series, Simon has been in Canada in search of adventure, and finds it--he's in the middle of a duel instigated because he accused a man of corruption, when Jane, the niece of the friend with whom he's been residing, interrupts, saying that her uncle is dying.

Uncle Isaiah, on his deathbed, begs the two to wed, for his niece's protection. Unfortunately, Jane isn't really Jane--she's her illegitimate sister Nan, also known as Jancy.

They plan to settle Isaiah's estate, then return to England, but there's the matter of the aborted duel and the associated corruption, the secret hanging over Jancy's head, and the impending death of Simon's uncle and cousin, putting him unexpectedly in line for an earldom.

Lots of romance and adventure, and a really nice portrayal of how keeping a big secret (Jancy's true identity) can eat at you.