Sandy M’s review of A Rogue’s Game (Mistress Trilogy, Book 3) by Renee Bernard
Historical Romance published by Pocket 29 Apr 08
I really liked the gambling, winner-risk-all aspect of this book. The author had fun with it and, thus, so did I. She brought two unique characters together in an equally unique way, gave them uncertain futures but a lust for freedom and living and a banter that made getting to know them a game in itself.
Eve is a star at roll playing. She’s had a number of years now to perfect the calling her uncle has foisted upon her to bring in cash for his comfort and gain. Being her only living relative and having an ill-timed and ill-advised romance with the wrong man keeps Eve in line and at the gaming tables, tricking everyone out of their money. Tricking, not cheating. She’s much better at cards than anyone gives her credit for, thanks to her playacting and a (late) gambler father who taught her everything she knows. But Eve has had it with her uncle’s selfishness and vindictiveness, and soon she won’t have to put up with them anymore. Her plan to escape his clutches is going as well as her luck at gambling. There’s only thing that now stands in her way. Or one man that is.
Having survived a bullet when saving his former friend’s wife, Julian has had quite a tweak in the way he looks at his own life now. The debauchery he reveled in no longer has any hold over him, and when he spies a certain young woman trying to keep her expertise at cards under wraps, he’s intrigued. And in lust. In no uncertain terms, once he has her alone, he tells her he intends to seduce her relentlessly and with no mercy. He knows there’s so much more to Eve than meets the eye and he plans to find out all there is to know about her, illicit or not, while enjoying her in his bed in the meantime.
When Eve finally decides to give herself to Julian, to taste love and romance just once before she runs for her freedom, I had such fun with their rapport and banter along with their lovemaking. They’re both witty, sexy, and they love a good game, whether it’s at the tables or in a feather bed.
I really liked how Ms. Bernard didn’t let Eve fall for the schemes of the jealous former lover or let her fall to pieces when she thought Julian truly was gone from her life like we see in so many books nowadays. And Julian isn’t the typical man denying his feelings for Eve, thinking he can’t have her because their stations in life are so far apart. He knows what he wants and he plays everyone beautifully just like the gambler he is.
Here I am on the back end of a trilogy once again and I’m off to find the first two books because I’m just as intrigued with the hero and heroine of those books based on what I read here. I have a feeling I’ll have just as much fun with them too.
Grade: A-
Summary:
Lovely Eve Reynolds plays the role of a naive young debutante, but her demure appearance hides an experienced cardplayer who, at her uncle’s instigation, is engaged in fleecing London aristocrats in the high-stakes card games favored by society. Only London’s most notorious rake, Julian Clay, the Earl of Westleigh, sees through her wiles, for he recognizes a fellow gambler when he sees one. Lured by the passion in Eve’s stormy eyes, so at odds with her reserved elegance, Julian lays impassioned siege to her. And Eve responds with a rising fire of desire that leaves behind all sensible caution, until both Julian and Eve can think of nothing but the searing hours they spend in each other’s arms.
But Eve’s uncle wants her to play for the highest stakes by making a respectable match with a wealthy lord…and Eve has her own secret reason for following his plan. Although Julian began to play recklessly to seduce a clever young lady, now he wants much more from Eve, and no one will stop him from risking everything on one final game that might win him Eve’s heart and soul forever.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
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