Title: King of Hearts: Rogues Historical Romance (League of Rogues Book 1)
Author: Eileen Putman
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance
Book Blurb:
Not for nothing is Gabriel Sinclair known as the King of Hearts. This rootless scoundrel won't be tamed. His wit beguiles, his charm seduces, and he's never met a woman he couldn’t captivate. As for family? He's seen enough madness in his own to last a lifetime. He shuns hopeless causes, deeper emotions, any whiff of permanence.
Widowed Louisa Peabody tolerates no man's touch. Her past has shown her men are seducers and abusers. She devotes herself to helping women in need, but her clumsy efforts often end in disaster. After she accidentally saves Gabriel’s life, she persuades him to help her stage a daring rescue from a prison hulk in the Thames.
But it’s a devil’s bargain: Can she protect herself from that wild, reckless fire in his eyes? Can he care for anyone but himself?
The League of Rogues series features daring English lords who risk all for their country. Hardened and deadly, they have no use for love—until it ensnares them…
My Review:
Gabriel Sinclair loves playing cards, seducing willing females and living the life of a rogue. Lady Luck is certainly with him when he wins a yacht but as he’s walking along the pier, an old woman curses him. He sluffs it off as a stupid gypsy curse, but her words echo in his head. What harm could it do? One thing leads to another and he winds up next in line for the hangman’s noose. In a last-ditch effort, he prays for a second chance, not knowing what he’s about to get himself into.
Louisa Peabody hates men and thinks they’re all out to seduce, deceive and destroy women. She’s proof that they are nothing but trouble and makes it her life mission to help other women abused by men. Love is nothing but a four letter swear word and she’s perfectly content in her life, that is, until she mistakenly rescues Gabriel from the hangman’s noose instead of the woman scheduled for execution. One look at him and she knows he’s a rogue, sexy as sin but a scoundrel for sure.
After he’s fully recovered, thanks to Miss Peabody’s care, Gabriel’s ready to be on his way. He doesn’t want to be in the care of a man-hater any longer than necessary. But when Louisa’s propositions him to help her in her mission, he can’t resist. Maybe it’s the heaps of money or maybe it’s the challenge of winning her heart, one thing’s for sure: both Louisa and Gabriel are destined to lose their hearts.
This is my first book by Eileen Putman and I enjoyed reading the combative dialogue between Gabriel and Louisa. I connected with Gabriel right away yet found myself pulling away from Louisa. For a romance novel, she really hates men. Once they both confront their attraction to each other, it gets much more enjoyable. My heart went out to both of them for they’ve gone through a lot of pain and heartbreak. The ending was spot-on and very satisfactory. Highly recommend to all Regency Romance readers!
Favorite Character/Quote:
He lusted — if not for her, precisely, then for the possibility of shaping such passionate clay into raw sensuality. A woman who could face down death could surely face sex...
My Rating: 4 stars
Buy it now:
Amazon http://amzn.to/2CxOc0d
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/king-of-hearts-eileen-putman/1126798441?ean=2940154660430
Google Play https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Eileen_Putman_King_of_Hearts?id=u_UtDwAAQBAJ&hl=en
Author Biography:
Eileen Putman is the author of a dozen British historical and Regency romances. Her love of England’s Regency period (1811-1820) has inspired her research trips to England, Ireland, Wales, France and other countries — there being no substitute for stepping on the soil that Beau Brummell and his champagne-polished Hessians once trod.
Coming in September 2017: King of Hearts, the first book in the League of Rogues series of longer British historicals featuring Andrew Maitland’s extraordinary group of daring rogues working clandestinely during the Napoleonic Wars. These English lords risk all for their country. Hardened and deadly, they have no use for love—until it ensnares them…
The Love in Disguise Regencies include "A Passionate Performance," "The Perfect Bride," "The Dastardly Duke" and "Reforming Harriet." These new editions are not simply re-issues of previous books. Each has been lovingly rewritten.
Eileen's books have won many awards, including the Holt Medallion, the Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers Association, and the National Readers' Choice Award.
Social Media Links:
Website http://eileenputman.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/eileen_put
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/eileenput
Reviewed by: Mrs. N