THE WEDDING NIGHT OF AN ENGLISH ROGUE

Author: Jillian Hunter ISBN: 0345461231 6/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: BALLANTINE/Ivy
Time Period: Regency

Lord Heath Boscastle's attraction for Julia Hepworth begins with a bang. She shoots him at a hunting party-accidentally, of course. Though the shot grazes his shoulder, her beauty pierces his heart. Sparks fly soon after when they find themselves dangerously close to a compromising position. Too inexperienced to understand such overwhelming emotions, Heath and Julia part ways. Now, years later, Heath is a high-ranking intelligence officer, asked to protect his commander's fiancée, Julia, while he chases down an elusive spy. Heath quickly regrets his promise when he meets Julia again-and their mutual desire still burns hotter than ever. Of course he will protect her. There is danger in the air. And Heath would never think of betraying his friend, until he learns that Julia herself has been betrayed. Suddenly seduction Boscastle style is the name of the game. Yet Julia has a trick or two up her own sleeve-and is determined to be a player, and not a mere pawn, in his wicked game.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Fresh off the heels of THE SEDUCTION OF AN ENGLISH SCOUNDREL and THE LOVE AFFAIR OF AN ENGLISH LORD, Jillian Hunter ends her Bocastle series with THE WEDDING NIGHT OF AN ENGLISH ROGUE. Or does she? *G*

Darker, deeper, and more sensual than both its predecessors, THE WEDDING NIGHT OF AN ENGLISH ROGUE seems to lack the trademark wit and humor Ms. Hunter showcased so well in the previous two books; yet WEDDING'S darker atmosphere, combined with Heath's brooding and dangerous personality and the seriousness of the plot, would have understandably made that type of dialogue seem totally out of place. Far from a light read, this book contains mature characters who emanate raw power, seduction and jaw dropping sensuality.

That's not to say there's not some bumps and slow patches along the reading, as the storyline seemed to lag just a bit in spots with the second half of the story quickly outpacing the first. The reappearance later on of several characters from the previous books, i.e. Grayson and Jane, and the deeper involvement in the plot by the remaining two Bocastle brothers, Devon and Drake, helped to bolster things back up to speed.

In all honesty, while THE WEDDING NIGHT OF AN ENGLISH ROGUE is my least favorite offering of this trilogy, I am sorry to see these rogues' stories come to an end. However, with a couple of bachelor Bocastle brothers still at large, and a beautiful widowed sister to find a beau for, somehow I don't think Ms. Hunter has let us hear the last from this brood. I, for one, surely hope not! Bring 'em on!

Nancy Davis