"Tremendous Finale for Company of Rogues"

Lady Mara St. Bride with the telling hair of the more adventuresome St. Bride's was ripe for an adventure. Sneaking out of the house to experience a "gaming hell" with an older family acquaintance she never thought she'd later find herself barefoot, wearing nothing but a chemise, and wrapped in a blanket while running through the streets after escaping unwanted amorous attentions. It was providence that the person who came to her rescue was none other than Lord Darius "Dare" Debenham -- bosom friend of her brother Simon and a fellow 'rogue'.

After the battle of Waterloo, Dare had been presumed dead. Instead he'd been rescued and kept prisoner of sorts by a bitter enemy of the founder of the 'Rogues'. Mortally wounded he was initially given laudanum for the pain but was then given larger amounts than needed for a longer period of time to purposely turn him into an addict. Now two years later Dare, once one of the more carefree and boisterous of fellows, fought a tortuous battle to free himself from the 'monster within'. The battle would be laden with many pitfalls, least of all rumors that Dare had cowardly fled the battlefield. As Dare fights his addiction, Mara appoints herself to be the one who brings the 'old Dare' back into the light, redemption, and land of the living and loving.

*** Jo Beverley has always pushed the envelope with her edgy historicals and has concluded her "Company of Rogues" with one of the more powerful and compelling reads in a tremendous finale of this exceptional series. The last unmarried rogue, Dare Debenham's battle to overcome his addiction was extremely well done giving the reader an unforgettable experience of the ravages of addiction and the tortuous journey one needed to free oneself from the beast. Additionally, Mara was developed as an inspiring and outstanding heroine whose strength of purpose and determination in supporting Dare through his addiction and battling for his love made for an unforgettable heroine.

In a masterful stroke Beverley scores a big hit in bringing all the rogues back to rally around one of their own. Additionally, she shores up this impressive story by filling the pages with wonderful secondary characters and some poignantly emotional moments. Suffice it to say, Jo Beverley remains at the top of her game as one of the true Queens of Regency romance with this fabulous Rogue finale.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO -- Reviewers International Organization

Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau
Posted October 11, 2006

Summary

Now, in a special treat, the New York Times bestselling author brings all twelve Rogues together to guarantee a splendid series finale for the last bachelor in their Company.

Lady Mara St. Bride has never backed down from a good adventure, which was how she wound up roaming the streets of London in the middle of the night, wearing nothing but a shift and corset beneath an old blanket. Luckily, her brother's oldest friend, the devilishly sexy Lord Darius Debenham, answered her plea for help. Now she intends to repay the favor...

Before he was wounded at Waterloo, Dare had embraced everything life had to offer. Forever changed by the war, he now believes nothing—not even the interference of a lovely young minx like Mara—can rescue him from his demons. But Mara is determined to reignite his warm smile, and enlists the help of all the Rogues to offer Dare a temptation he cannot resist...