Ash’s review of Scoundrel by Zoe Archer
Paranormal Romance released by Zebra 01 Oct 10

I really loved the first book in this series, Warrior, and when that happens I am always scared to read the second. I didn’t have much to worry about though, Zoe Archer delivers with Scoundrel.

We are back with the Blades of the Rose and this time it’s Bennett Day off to save the world. He is the scoundrel of the story and everyone knows it. I absolutely loved Bennett. He is a ladies man, but he’s not a jerk about it. He says that he loves every woman he is with and I believe it. It goes to show how great of a guy he is that I don’t mind that he is the love ’em and leave ’em type. When he meets London he of course wants her, and I was happy to see that when he finds out who she really is, he doesn’t treat her like she enemy. He is different from the norm, at least the norm I see with his type of character. He lets London know that he has no plans to stick around, yet when he finds himself falling in love with her, he doesn’t fight it. He admits to her that he’s in love, he doesn’t get mad or try to walk away when he realizes his feelings. My thoughts while reading it were that finally, a story with a man not afraid of love. I couldn’t get enough of him.

London I didn’t like as much, or rather I didn’t feel much towards her either way. She was just there and I didn’t find her up to par with the rest of the characters. I felt like Bennett deserved someone better, more interesting. She does have some redeeming qualities though, like the fact she doesn’t freak out over the littlest, or biggest, things. Her whole world is turned upside down and she does the smart thing and realizes the truth when it’s in front of her. And when Bennett says he loves her, she doesn’t just assume that he is in love with her. One thing I really hate is a heroine who gets the wrong idea from just sleeping with a guy. She acted like a smart woman and not like some love sick teenager.

The action part was the best to me. It takes place mostly at sea while they try to track down a magical artifact before the bad guys, who are close behind them. There are numerous fights between the two groups, and the Blades really have to work hard to get to where they are going. There are mermaids, giants, magical fish, and some terrific friends to help. The two other people aboard the ship are the witch Athena, and Kallas, the boats captain. They added something special to the story, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship change over the course of the book. I am looking forward to what else Zoe Archer can come up with.

Grade: B+

Summary:

READY FOR ACTION…

London Harcourt’s father is bent on subjugating the world’s magic to British rule. But since London is a mere female, he hasn’t bothered to tell her so. He’s said only that he’s leading a voyage to the Greek isles. No matter, after a smothering marriage and three years of straitlaced widowhood, London jumps at the opportunity—unfortunately, right into the arms of Bennett Day.

RISKING IT ALL…

Bennett is a ladies’ man, when he’s not dodging lethal attacks to protect the powers of the ancients from men like London’s father. Sometimes, he’s a ladies’ man even when he is dodging them. But the minute he sees London he knows she will require his full attention. The woman is lovely, brilliant, and the only known speaker of a dialect of ancient Greek that holds the key to calling down the wrath of the gods. Bennett will be risking his life again—but around London, what really worries him is the danger to his heart…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: