A Rogue's Promise [Mass Market Paperback]

"A Rogue's Promise" has two very strong points in its favour: 1) it possesses a really appealing heroine, and 2) the romance subplot (which actually is the primary storyline) is a really strong and endearing one. However, it also suffered from one huge flaw that might make some avid Regency romance buffs wince -- Peggy Waide's prose style (unfortunately) does need some polishing -- it was a bit too modern and Americanized, and after a while this really jarred. However, if you're not too much of a stickler, I can assure you with some certainty that this novel will chain and entertain.

Lady Joanna Fenton is in a bind. Her feckless brother, Randolph is missing along with a priceless Chinese statue. Because of Fentons precarious financial situation (Randolph seems to have a gambling habit, and their mother is busy spending money they don't have on a Season for younger sister, Penelope), Joanna has decided to auction off the statue. With the date of the auction drawing closer, and with Randolph and the statue missing, Joanna doesn't know which way to turn or what to do. (On top of it all Joanna has begun receiving threatening messages on Randolph's behalf.) So that when a friend recommends that she hire adventurer MacDonald Archer to help her locate the missing statue, Joanna eagerly seeks the man out. What she didn't count on was that Archer would revive in her all her old dreams of love, desire, marriage and children. And unbelievably, Archer seems to find her (plain, ordinary Joanna) fascinating and desirable too. Should she believe this adventurer's sweet words? But with time running out and the Fentons' fortunes on the line, Joanna has no time for daydreams and dalliance. Or does she?

The mystery subplot was pretty much the usual fare -- so don't expect too much from it. What really made this novel memorable was that the romance subplot dominated. Far too often novels such as "A Rogue's Promise" focuses more on the mystery/spy subplot. The romance subplot than degenerates to some really graphic sex scenes in which the romantic element is either totally absent or lacking. Fortunately, this was not the case with this novel. Peggy Waide made the effort to paint a romance plot that was both sensual and romantic and her effort is paid off in spades! Another thing that I really liked about this novel was Waide's portrayal of the book's heroine, Lady Joanna Fenton. Joanna is the kind of heroine that most will find easy to empathise with and approve of. In spite of the fact that she's been reduced to being her family's unpaid housekeeper and accountant, that her family quite frequently takes her for granted, and that her dreams of falling in love and marrying have been shattered, Joanna is not someone who sits about the place feeling maudlin and sorry for herself. She's not someone who acts and behaves like a martyr either. (There is a wonderful scene a few chapters from the end between Joanna and her brother. I won't reveal the details of this scene so as not to spoil it but I mentally cheered). Indeed, she's a wonderful mix of sense and vulnerability. And I couldn't help but root for her to have it all!

I rather liked "A Rogues' Promise" in spite of its prose style. It niggled, but I managed to overlook it (more or less). And if you can do the same, well then I cannot recommend this novel heartily enough.

Though she kept the debt collectors away for quite a long time, by 1816 Joanna Fenton is desperate as creditors hover closer and closer to ruining her family. Her brother has vanished and the Chinese sacred two-headed dragon statuette is stolen. She needs help so she boldly goes where no woman has gone before. She enters a dive of a pub seeking to gain the assistance of nearly retired smuggler MacDonald Archer.

Mac's plans to become respectable as an above the board shipper ends the moment he meets the intrepid Joanna. He follows her as she takes him on a tour of London that would frighten dockworkers. As they work in close proximity on recovering the artifact, they fall in love, but both have reasons to avoid commitment.

ROGUE'S PROMISE is a strong Regency romance that never allows the audience to catch their breath. Yet while all that action is occurring, the talent of Peggy Waide shines through the plot as she provides the audience with two complete lead characters whose motives are understood and make sense. Ms. Waide endows readers with a powerful historical tale worth reading by anyone who enjoys good writing.

Harriet Klausner

If you enjoy Regency romances and are looking for another author, try this story. Ms. Waide wrote four romances that were published between 1999 and 2002 and this was her last. Taking place in London in 1816, it has all the elements for a light read. A handsome hero who falls in love against his will. A heroine who borders on being a milquetoast one moment and, at the same time, a strong, intelligent and assertive woman without being annoying. Exasperating? This is how 'Mac' Archer feels when he meets Lady Joanna Fenton.

He is a by-blow, a smuggler, and a rogue. He has always played his cards close to his chest. His true friends are few but for them he will do anything.

Joanna puts herself on the back burner when it comes to her family. At two and twenty, she believes she is on the shelf. Her father passed on over a year before, leaving her mother and siblings in a bind. Her family spends more than they own and Joanna feels responsible for taking care of everyone. When her brother goes missing along with a valuable treasure, Joanna hires Mac to help her find both.

She intrigues him. He sees someone that others are quick to dismiss. At first he tells himself she is just a business interest. He certainly didn't plan to like her. To want her.

He fascinates her. Joanna thinks Mac is arrogant. And dashing, kind and charming. The wordplay between the two is at times both witty and humorous. He likes to get a rise out of her. Her shyness at certain moments only makes him want her more. They soon find themselves paired together in this airy adventure.

Why not five stars? At times, the author let some contemporary lingo slip by. IMHO things were a little too predictable in the end. Still, I managed to breeze through this romance within a day. For those of you that need to have some sex with your romance, it is there. Both Mac and Joanna think about it but the actual deed doesn't happen until later on. Just be prepared for some fun fluff with a dash of adventure and you won't be disappointed.