Review: What a Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden
December 26, 2007
Alicia Thomas's review of What a Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden
Historical romance published 1 Sep 07 by Zebra
Blurb:
Notorious rogue David Reece is determined to mend his wicked ways. Vivian Beecham is the very last sort of woman to help him do that, as an admitted thief and a thief who robbed him, no less. But the last sort of woman David needs in his life might just be the only one he can't live without…
Read an excerpt.
After reading What A Gentleman Wants (read my review here), I had to read What a Rogue Desires.
David is a lovable scoundrel, like many of my favorite male characters, but he's guilty of a bit more than just sneaking away with a lady here and there. He can't hold his head up in most circles by the beginning of this book. He is willing to take his medicine and straighten his life out, though. His honest repentance is what redeems him in my eyes.
Vivian is his perfect heroine. He has to deal with her crime but, at the same time, he can hardly cast any stones. While he wants her to tell him how to get his stolen property back, she's smart and tough and he has to admire her.
The characters were wonderfully well drawn and the dialogue was enjoyable. There was a bit of a lag while he was waiting for her to break down and talk to him but it picked up again before long. There are fun situations. Their relationship grows believably. The tension was excellent with breath-taking effect. All of these things I expected and was not disappointed.
I did have a couple of problems. First, it nagged at me that Vivian let go of her concern for her brother so often and so easily. I don't think I could have stayed and enjoyed anything at all in her shoes. She had made major life decisions and taken beatings for his sake, so it didn't feel in-character for her to stay with David while he didn't know where she was.
Then, I didn't have a clear idea of how she and David were going to play out their HEA. I bought that they were in love and that they would live "happily ever after" but does he stay in town with her and just disregard society? Do they stay in the country? Does he pretend she's someone acceptable? The end was sigh-worthy (in a good way) but for this particular couple I wanted more specifics on how they were going to make it work.
Grade C+
Tags: Caroline Linden, Review, What a Rogue DesiresCaroline Linden does a bad, bad thing…
September 4, 2007
I did a Very Bad Author Thing (apparently).
I wrote a character into a book with NO INTENTION of giving him his own book. None. (People who thought I was being cute and setting up for a sequel from the beginning...nope.) I was never going to see him again, so I felt completely free to make him as awful as I wanted. He's not the villain, no, but he comes pretty close at times. He's the bad twin brother of my hero.
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Guest Author Day: Caroline Linden
September 4, 2007
The ever darling (even though she is mean to me) Caroline Linden will be guesting with us today!
AND today is the official release of her newest historical:
We have some great posts, a contest, a very thought out deep and meaningful Q&A but sadly no funny meeting Caroline Linden stories at RWA (that would be Anna 
).
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EXCERPT: What A Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden **OUT NOW**
September 4, 2007
What A Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden
Notorious rogue David Reece is determined to mend his wicked ways. Vivian Beecham is the very last sort of woman to help him do that, as an admitted thief and a thief who robbed him, no less. But the last sort of woman David needs in his life might just be the only one he can't live without...
Book Alert: What A Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden **Sept 2007**
September 4, 2007
What A Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden
I WANT! Mine, mine, alllllll mine!!!!
I am thinking Zebra is trying to help Justin bring sexy back...
September is shaping up to be a great month for upcoming historicals from Zebra. What do you think of the cover? Like it better than the other two?
I still don't like the idea of messing with the 'branding' of a series. I mean the first two books follow a theme. But maybe they didn't sell well? I am not sure.
I liked both of them so if this will help and not hurt I am all for it. Sadly to see if it works...
There still isn't much on her website but I do have this quote I found when she did a guest day last year.
Tags: Caroline Linden, Historical, September 2007, What a Gentleman Wants, What a Rogue Desires, ZebraI just finished a follow-up to WHAT A GENTLEMAN WANTS, in which the very wicked brother, David, gets his comeuppance.
It's a bit about not knowing what you've got until you're about to lose it. I didn't begin WHAT A GENTLEMAN WANTS with the intention of writing David's story, so I made him pretty bad, and left myself quite a hole to climb out of with him!
But his heroine is one of my favorites; she's very smart-mouthed, and clear-eyed about the world, and she doesn't take any baloney from anyone, especially not David which is exactly what he needs. And now I'm getting started on Marcus's and David's younger sister, Celia.
What a Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden
September 8, 2006
What's next for Caroline Linden?
Check out her coming soon page:
sadly there isn't much there BUT there is a link to join her yahoo group for news and info. And keep the link to check back later!
In her blog chat with Teresa Bodwell, they spoke of What a Rogue Desires and Caroline answered:
I just finished a follow-up to WHAT A GENTLEMAN WANTS, in which the very wicked brother, David, gets his comeuppance.It's a bit about not knowing what you've got until you're about to lose it. I didn't begin WHAT A GENTLEMAN WANTS with the intention of writing David's story, so I made him pretty bad, and left myself quite a hole to climb out of with him!
But his heroine is one of my favorites; she's very smart-mouthed, and clear-eyed about the world, and she doesn't take any baloney from anyone, especially not David which is exactly what he needs. And now I'm getting started on Marcus's and David's younger sister, Celia.
Something to keep in mind as you read What a Gentleman Wants. Check out the completely chat here
Tags: Caroline Linden, Historical, What a Gentleman Wants, What a Rogue Desires, ZebraWomen, Rogues and Gentlemen
September 8, 2006
What a Gentleman Wants
September 06.
(RIGHT NOW! WAITING FOR YOU TO BUY IT!)
Do I read my finished books:
Yes.
It's a sick habit, and I always find a typo, but by the time the book comes out, it's been so long since I wrote it, it’s like a whole new story to me: hey, I wrote that?
The hero did what? Wow...who knew?
It's almost like revisiting a prior life--although it may just be proof that I am losing my mind.
Have I always wanted to be a writer:
Nope. I spent college trying NOT to write (see: math major; problem sets). It left more time for TV viewing and partying.
How long does it take to write a book:
One bottle of Kahlua, three viewings of Pride and Prejudice (BBC version), and multiple batches of chocolate cookies.
Plus a zillion hours of web surfing, aka ‘research.’
Where do I get my ideas:
In the shower. Sometimes at the grocery market. And once at the dentist's office.
What's next:
What A Rogue Desires, in September 2007 (or thereabouts).
Anyone who reads What A Gentleman Wants will probably be able to guess who the rogue is.
It wasn't my plan to write that book, but (honest) my editor asked for it.
Now it is your turn!Have a question for Caroline? Go for it!
Tags: Caroline Linden, Guests and Events, What a Gentleman Wants, What a Rogue Desires
