Book Giveaway & Toni's Review of The Rake by Mary Jo Putney ***5 Stars***

A man's past doesn't have to map his fate, especially when a woman holds the key to his destiny in this timeless novel by New York Times bestselling author and legend in historical romance Mary Jo Putney...

Disinherited and disgraced, Reginald Davenport's prospects cried for a dire end. But fate has given him one last chance at redemption—by taking his rightful place as the heir of Strickland, his lost ancestral estate. Davenport knows his way around women, yet nothing prepares him for his shocking encounter with Lady Alys Weston.

Masquerading as a man in order to obtain a position as estate manager of Strickland, Alys fled a world filled with mistrust and betrayal. She was finished with men—until Strickland's restored owner awakens a passion she thought she would never feel. A passion that will doom or save them both…if only they can overcome their pasts...

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Special note: This is a rerelease of the award winning 1989 novel The Rake and the Reformer. As the author has noted, the story has been polished but the plot remains the same.

An unconventional partnership turns to love. Two very unlikely people are about to meet. Country life in Dorset is going to get very interesting. How can an alcoholic and a female estate manager find their happily ever after? It will not be an easy road. Especially when there are three wards, an evil advisory and a secret past that will get in the way.

Reginald lost his whole family and was taken in by his uncle at a very young age. He went from a beautiful loving child to a sad lonely boy and then eventually became bitter angry adult. He was never good enough for his uncle and could do nothing right, so he didn’t. The only thing he ever excelled at was drinking and womanizing. He was raised to eventually take on the role as Earl of Wargrave, but even that was taken from him, when a lost relative was located. Now he survives on the goodwill of the new Earl, his younger cousin Richard. Richard is about to change Reggie’s life forever. He is taking away his allowance and giving him some responsibility. He is going to sign over the Strickland estate in Dorset to Reggie. The last place he ever expected to return.

For four years Alys has been the estate manager of Strickland. The original owner never checked on the property, just collected the monies earned. The earl never knew he hired a woman. Richard Davenport, the new earl, has only inspected the property once. Since Alys has plenty of notice, she was able to avoid meeting him, hence keeping her secret a little longer. Now she really has a problem. The Earl of Wargrave has signed over ownership to his cousin. A cousin Alys has heard many rumors about and they have not been very good. What will she do? How can she convince the new owner to allow her to keep her position? She needs this employment, because she also has guardianship of three young wards.

Alys has a past that she must keep hidden and Reggie won’t have a future unless he can straighten out his life. These two have a very long hard road ahead of them and there are many obstacles that they have to hurdle. But if they can open their hearts and heal their past hurts, maybe they can each find happiness.

I will admit that I have not read many historical romances. I have many under my belt, but I missed the historical craze years ago, but it is one of many genres I currently enjoy. Even though I don’t have the background of reading dozens upon dozens of historical romances I can say this about The Rake, I have never read a novel like this one before. The hero is an in-your-face but in denial alcoholic and the heroine is a strong willed woman, working in a man’s field when that was rarely if ever done in this time period. All I can say is WOW!

What a great story! The Rake was involved, emotion filled and well written. This might be a romance novel, but the sex is behind closed doors and it happens very late in the story. I did miss it, but Ms. Putney more than made up for it in plot. You get so involved with the novel that you don’t even realize what you are missing.

The Rake is an exceptional story that I would highly recommend. The story was amazingly developed, the characters where complex and engaging and the book as a whole, kept me riveted and glued to my seat. This book is a keeper in my mind and I will be looking for more novels written by Ms. Putney. She has another devoted fan.

Read an excerpt

Thanks for reading - Toni

Book Giveaway

Kensington is giving away one (1) copy of The Rake!

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