The Dutiful Rake (Historical)

Rating:
Summary: The rake's redemption...
Review: Although Marcus, the Earl of Rutherford, is a confirmed bachelor and a most notorious rake, he knows that he must resign himself to marriage in order to produce an heir. His current air, his cousin, has no desire to become a duke, and would rather spend his time in scholarly pursuits than the duties of a duke. So Marcus, intent on marrying someone just as cynical and hardened as himself, decides to propose a marriage of convenience to a widow with a dubious reputation, his mistress. But before he can do so, he is called out of town to settle his dead great-uncle's estates - and returns to London with a wife!

Miss Marguerite Fellowes had spent her life suffering from the scandal of her parents' deaths, always the unwanted relation. When Marcus comes, she is near death from influenza, and because Marcus nurses her back to health, her reputation is in shambles and no one will want to employ her again. So when Marcus proposes a marriage of convenience to her, she accepts, but soon discovers there is a vast difference between Marcus, the private person, and the Earl of Rutherford, his public personality.

I read this book directly after reading "The Unexpected Bride" by the same author, and quickly realized that the plot was virtually the same, with a few minor alterations here and there. That was a bit disappointing, since the plot of the former book was still fresh in my mind. Still, I did enjoy this book, but not as much as I probably would have had I waited to read it.

As mentioned by another reviewer, all of the disagreements between the hero and heroine could have probably been solved by a long talk, but after learning more about Meg and Marcus's childhoods and personalities, the occurrence of such a talk looked pretty remote unless extenuating circumstances forced them to come clean to one another. I didn't understand Sir Winterborne's fascination with desiring to harm Meg, nor did I understand why Winterborne was so hateful towards Marcus. An explanation was eventually given, but it wasn't a credible one in my view. Also, Marcus' tendency to distance himself from his emotions was never adequately explained for my liking. Oh well, this book was still pretty good, and I'd probably read it again.

Rating:
Summary: In my opinion
Review: Harriet Klausner summarized the plot so I won't do that here, but her 5 star review is way off, in my humble opinion. This novel had such a nice beginning -- spirited & independent heroine; masculine but not overly domineering hero who was attracted to the heroine without really wanting to be...Well, all that burnt out real quick, and the heroine became timid & easily led into stupid situations, while the hero became thick-headed & unreasonable...I don't like novels where it's obvious that just a simple conversation between the H/H will clear the air & resolve their differences! It's not a bad novel, it's not badly written, but I got more & more annoyed with the plot and the characters as I read on. I think Ms. Rolls is capable of much better than this.


Rating:
Summary: superb historical romance
Review: His sister and his aunt rage at Marcus Langley insisting that the thirty-five year old rake marry and have a son so that the line can continue. The angry Duke knows he needs a spouse, but detests the pushy interference of his relatives. He scares them by showing interest in a loose widow.

Marcus travels to his newest estate that he inherited from a penny-pinching great uncle. He is shocked to see the horrendous condition of Fenby and even worse how ill resident Marguerite Fellowes is. He brings in the doctor and nurses the sick woman back to health. He also spends money to help the impoverished tenants. Marcus knows that he has compromised Marguerite, but concludes that he had no choice. When she recovers, they argue about her future. Ultimately, he offers her a marriage of convenience in which after the heir is born they go their own separate ways. However, they fall in love and Marcus wants to renegotiate the deal, but has to convince his spouse even while his enemy sniffs after his beloved wife like a prize.

Although at first brush, THE DUTIFUL RAKE seems typical of the Regency sub-genre with an innocent woman and a rake falling in love. However, the superb historical romance insures that the initial look at the lead couple is peeled away so that the true inner essence of kindhearted caring souls emerge with the twist that Marguerite has the scandalous background. The story line focuses on the lead duo with the support cast (friends, family, and foes) enhancing what the reader knows about this delightful pair. Readers will demand to know the tale of Marcus' pal Jack.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: superb historical romance
Review: His sister and his aunt rage at Marcus Langley insisting that the thirty-five year old rake marry and have a son so that the line can continue. The angry Duke knows he needs a spouse, but detests the pushy interference of his relatives. He scares them by showing interest in a loose widow.

Marcus travels to his newest estate that he inherited from a penny-pinching great uncle. He is shocked to see the horrendous condition of Fenby and even worse how ill resident Marguerite Fellowes is. He brings in the doctor and nurses the sick woman back to health. He also spends money to help the impoverished tenants. Marcus knows that he has compromised Marguerite, but concludes that he had no choice. When she recovers, they argue about her future. Ultimately, he offers her a marriage of convenience in which after the heir is born they go their own separate ways. However, they fall in love and Marcus wants to renegotiate the deal, but has to convince his spouse even while his enemy sniffs after his beloved wife like a prize.

Although at first brush, THE DUTIFUL RAKE seems typical of the Regency sub-genre with an innocent woman and a rake falling in love. However, the superb historical romance insures that the initial look at the lead couple is peeled away so that the true inner essence of kindhearted caring souls emerge with the twist that Marguerite has the scandalous background. The story line focuses on the lead duo with the support cast (friends, family, and foes) enhancing what the reader knows about this delightful pair. Readers will demand to know the tale of Marcus' pal Jack.

Harriet Klausner