HAVE YOU ANY ROGUES? is a novella in the author's Rhymes
With Love series. Some novellas are basically a teaser for
a full length book in a series. I was very happy to
discover that this was not the case with this story. HAVE YOU ANY
ROGUES
is a complete story with three-dimensional characters, and
a satisfactory ending. It's a very entertaining frame
story.
The setting is All Hallow's Eve -- a time, where according
to one character, "spirits of the past would be haunting
the roads". This story is very much about ghosts of the
past but its romance, rather than anything malevolent or
spooky, which haunts the characters.
Henrietta, Lady Juniper, is packing up her family home. She
is planning to travel to London accompanied by her maid
Poppy and Mr. Muggins -- an Irish setter belonging to her
nephew's new wife. Before leaving, Henrietta comes face-to-
face with a ghost from her past -- Crispin, Viscount Dale.
He and Henrietta have a complicated past. Though neighbors,
her family (the Seldons) and his family (the Dales) have
been longtime enemies. The feud between the two
aristocratic families started over dogs. It is therefore
appropriate that a dog brings the two of them together
again. Crispin comes over to drop off some pups fathered by
Mr. Muggins. The two wind up accidentally locked in the
wine cellar together. They use the time to reminisce over
their star-crossed romance which has spanned the past nine
years.
Each vignette is poignant and effectively
illustrates the chemistry between the two. They also show
how the family feud has impacted them and influenced their
decisions. I found this story to have just the right degree
of romantic longing and sentiment without too much anguish.
I found Hen and Crispin to both be very likable characters
and I was able to see things from both perspectives. HAVE YOU ANY
ROGUES
IS very charming and pulled me in right away. I was
able to enjoy this story without having read the previous
books in this series. However, after reading this, I am
eager to hunt down the previous stories and give them a
whirl.
The Seldons and Dales have been mortal enemies for centuries …
But that hasn't stopped the roguish Crispin, Viscount Dale,
and the impetuous Lady Henrietta Seldon from waging their
own battle … of the heart. Every stray glance, every chance
encounter threatens to reveal the secret passion that keeps
drawing them together.
But finally, after years of flirting with disaster …
Crispin and Henrietta find themselves locked in a wine
cellar, and now there is no denying the love and loyalties
that have lured them in and torn them apart time and time
again. Will this one last chance—this tempting night of
desire—ignite a fire that will never be extinguished, no
matter the price?
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