"A good read that has one twist too many"

In 1816 London, Lord Bellowsworth whines to the Duchess of Oakshire Obelia that her stepdaughter Lady Pearl Moreston rejected his marriage proposals twice. The Duchess blithely informs the sniveling Bellowsworth that he is to forcefully take Pearl to Hyde Park in front of a prearranged witness. Pearl overhears the plan. She believes that her odious stepmother wants her married so Pearl fails to inherit a fortune she would receive if she remains unwed at twenty-one. That fortune reverts back to the Oakshire estate.

Pearl would rather find employment than wed the whimpering Bellowsworth. She flees, but finds life not at all romantic as she envisioned after living a pampered lifestyle. However, everything looks up when she meets Luke St. Clair, who is the Robin Hood-like Saint of Seven Dials. When rumors abound that the infamous Saint kidnapped Pearl, she leaves Luke to return home to keep her beloved safe. Luke calls on the Oakshire home as a visiting Italian Comte to see Pearl. As they fall in love, his 'Robin Hood' adventures and other secrets begin to catch up to him, placing their love and perhaps their lives in peril.

ROGUE'S HONOR is a thrilling Regency romance starring two courageous lead characters. The story line is loaded with action, but a twist too many (changing from the Saint of Seven Dials to the courting foreign noble and back) will disorient the reader a bit. Still, the tale is enjoyable once the audience adjusts to the detour as Brenda Hiatt provides Regency fans with an exciting novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 4, 2001