A standard Jo Beverley book.Which means dynamic interactions between a number of exciting characters, each as detailed as necessary - but no more than needed. The book does not get bogged down in unnecessary detail, contains an excellent supporting staff, and a goodly dose of suspense. When the ship-board villain was revealed, my mouth fell open for a moment!This book is the romance of Simon St Bride, at the beginning of the book just a standard "mister." His bride to be is as low-born as possible (by her notions, as least). However, they meet in Colonial Canada, where the class distinctions are, in some ways, blurred. The marriage comes before any declarations of love, as there are circumstances beyond the control of anyone that demand Jancy be protected, and lay Simon as the only possible man for the job. His near-death in a duel (in which he kills the other man) make his return home a more pressing concern.Approximately a third of the action of this book takes place on board a ship. Despite the crowded conditions, a majority of the interaction is between the two main characters, as they get to know each other. This period of near-exclusivity, which is highly charged emotionally, and tense, is bookended by two sections rich in characters. In both sections, death rears its head, and changes the lives of the characters forever. I really enjoyed this book, although perhaps not as much as some of the other Rogue stories. Perhaps the ease with which Jancy moves from one lifestyle to another is a bit less than believable, especially when discussing her acceptance by her foster mother.
What do You think about The Rogue's Return (2006)?
Simon St. Bride is a rescuer, so when a dying friend begs him to marry his orphaned niece, Simon agrees. Problem: He has dirt on some bad guys in Canada and the bad guys don't want him getting home to England with his info. Jane Otterburn loves Simon, so part of her is aux anges over this marriage of convenience. But the more practical side of her sees problems. Lots of problems. CONVOLUTED BACKSTORY ALERTJane is really Jancy, Jane's bastard sister. When Jane's mum died the two girls were sent to Canada to Jane's mum's brother. And then Jane had the nerve to go and die on the voyage to Canada. Terrified that Jane's (not Jancy's) uncle would reject her and leave her to fend for herself in a strange land, Jancy assumed her half-sister's identity. By the time she realized that the uncle was the kind of guy who would've cared for her even tho they weren't blood kin, she was already arse-deep in lies, and stuck with them. But Jancy isn't really the kind of gal a man like Simon would be proud to call his wife. Simon is in line for an earldom—it's a tenuous line, but it's a line. And earls don't marry bastard daughters of schoolmasters who whored around with kinda gypsy/traveler tramps. And Simon himself—well the man's a bit of a snob, and if he knew… [image error]
—Elis Madison
