A Rogue by Any Other Name: A Historical Romance Novel by Sarah Maclean
Sarah Maclean: A Rogue by Any Other Name Epub 99
Introduction
If you are looking for a historical romance novel that will sweep you off your feet, you might want to check out Sarah Maclean's A Rogue by Any Other Name. This is the first book in the Rules of Scoundrels series, which follows four notorious gentlemen who run the most exclusive gaming hell in London. In this book, you will meet Michael Lawler, the Marquess of Bourne, who lost everything in a card game and became a ruthless rogue. You will also meet Penelope Marbury, his childhood friend and the daughter of an earl, who is desperate to escape her dull life and find adventure. When Michael inherits half of Penelope's dowry, he sees an opportunity to regain his fortune and his reputation. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Penelope, who agrees on one condition: he must help her ruin herself. What follows is a passionate and witty story of love, redemption, and scandal.
sarah maclean a rogue by any other name epub 99
What is the book about?
A Rogue by Any Other Name is a historical romance novel set in Regency England. It tells the story of Michael Lawler, the Marquess of Bourne, who was once a respectable and wealthy nobleman until he gambled away his entire inheritance to his enemy. He then became a partner in the Fallen Angel, the most notorious gaming hell in London, where he earned a reputation as a cold and ruthless rogue. He vowed to reclaim his lands and his title, no matter the cost.
Penelope Marbury is the daughter of an earl and the former fiancée of the Duke of Leighton. She was once considered one of the most eligible debutantes in London, until her engagement was broken off and she became a spinster at twenty-eight. She has resigned herself to a life of boredom and duty, until she learns that her father has added half of the Bourne estate to her dowry. She realizes that this is her chance to find adventure and excitement, something she has always dreamed of.
When Michael discovers that his ancestral home is now part of Penelope's dowry, he decides to marry her and take back what is rightfully his. He kidnaps her from her engagement ball and forces her to sign a marriage contract. He promises to give her everything she wants, except his heart. He plans to use her as a pawn in his scheme to destroy his enemy and restore his honor.
However, he soon realizes that Penelope is not the timid and obedient girl he once knew. She is smart, spirited, and determined to make him fall in love with her. She challenges him at every turn and shows him that there is more to life than revenge. She also has a secret that could ruin them both.
Who is the author?
Sarah Maclean is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance novels. She is known for writing witty and sexy stories that feature strong heroines and swoon-worthy heroes. She has won several awards for her books, including the Romance Writers of America RITA Award and the RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award. She is also a columnist for The Washington Post, where she writes about romance and feminism. She lives in New York City with her husband, daughter, and dog.
Why should you read it?
You should read A Rogue by Any Other Name if you enjoy historical romance novels that are full of humor, passion, and emotion. You will love the chemistry and banter between Michael and Penelope, who are both flawed and lovable characters. You will also be captivated by the plot, which is fast-paced and full of twists and turns. You will find yourself rooting for Michael and Penelope to overcome their pasts and find their happily ever after. You will also be intrigued by the other scoundrels who run the Fallen Angel, who each have their own stories to tell in the rest of the series.
Main Body
The plot
The plot of A Rogue by Any Other Name is a mix of romance, drama, and suspense. It follows the journey of Michael and Penelope as they enter a marriage of convenience that turns into a marriage of love. Along the way, they face several obstacles and dangers, such as:
Michael's enemy, Viscount Langford, who wants to ruin him and take his lands.
Penelope's secret letters, which reveal her true feelings and desires.
Michael's guilt and shame over his past actions and mistakes.
Penelope's family and society, who disapprove of their scandalous relationship.
Michael's friends and partners, who have their own agendas and secrets.
The plot is well-written and engaging, with enough twists and surprises to keep the reader interested. It also balances the dark and serious aspects with the light and humorous ones, creating a satisfying and enjoyable read.
The characters
The characters of A Rogue by Any Other Name are well-developed and realistic. They have distinct personalities, backgrounds, and motivations. They also have flaws and strengths that make them relatable and likable. Some of the main characters are:
Michael Lawler, the Marquess of Bourne: He is the hero of the story, who is driven by revenge and ambition. He is cold, ruthless, and arrogant, but also loyal, protective, and passionate. He has a dark past that haunts him and makes him feel unworthy of love. He is determined to win back his lands and his title, even if it means marrying Penelope against her will. He thinks he can control her and use her as a tool, but he soon discovers that she is more than he bargained for.
Penelope Marbury: She is the heroine of the story, who is looking for adventure and freedom. She is smart, spirited, and brave, but also naive, innocent, and lonely. She has been rejected by society and her former fiancé, making her feel unwanted and unloved. She agrees to marry Michael because she hopes he can help her ruin herself and find happiness. She thinks she can change him and make him love her, but she soon realizes that he has a lot of demons to face.
Viscount Langford: He is the villain of the story, who is Michael's enemy and rival. He is cruel, greedy, and manipulative. He cheated Michael out of his fortune in a card game when they were young, and he wants to finish him off for good. He also has a personal grudge against Penelope, who rejected his advances in the past. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
The other scoundrels: They are Michael's friends and partners in the Fallen Angel. They are Temple, Cross, and Chase. They are all mysterious, charming, and dangerous in their own ways. They have their own stories to tell in the rest of the series.
The setting
The setting of A Rogue by Any Other Name is Regency England in 1831. It is a time of social change, political unrest, and cultural diversity. The story takes place in various locations, such as:
The Fallen Angel: This is the most exclusive gaming hell in London, where Michael works as a partner. It is a place of sin, temptation, and danger. It is where Michael meets Penelope again after ten years.
Falconwell: This is Michael's ancestral home in the countryside, which he lost to Langford in a card game. It is a place of memories, regrets, and hopes. It is where Michael takes Penelope after their wedding.
The conflict
The conflict of A Rogue by Any Other Name is both external and internal. The external conflict is between Michael and Langford, who are enemies and rivals. They are competing for the same lands, the same title, and the same woman. They are willing to do anything to destroy each other and get what they want. The internal conflict is within Michael and Penelope, who are struggling with their own fears and insecurities. They are both haunted by their pasts and unsure of their futures. They have to overcome their own doubts and prejudices to trust each other and find love.
The style
The genre
The genre of A Rogue by Any Other Name is historical romance. It is a type of fiction that is set in a historical period and focuses on the romantic relationship between two or more characters. It usually follows a formula that involves a hero and a heroine who meet, fall in love, face some obstacles, and live happily ever after. It also incorporates historical details and events that add authenticity and richness to the story.
The tone
The tone of A Rogue by Any Other Name is a mix of serious and humorous. It reflects the emotions and attitudes of the characters and the situations they face. It is serious when it deals with the dark and tragic aspects of the story, such as Michael's loss, Penelope's rejection, Langford's cruelty, and the dangers they encounter. It is humorous when it shows the witty and playful interactions between Michael and Penelope, their friends and family, and the other scoundrels. It creates a balance between drama and comedy that makes the story enjoyable and engaging.
The language
The language of A Rogue by Any Other Name is simple, clear, and elegant. It uses words and phrases that are appropriate for the historical period and the social class of the characters. It also uses some slang and colloquialisms that add flavor and realism to the dialogue. It avoids using anachronisms or modern expressions that would break the illusion of the setting. It also uses some literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, alliterations, personifications, hyperboles, and irony, that add beauty and depth to the descriptions and the narration.
The review
The pros
Some of the pros of A Rogue by Any Other Name are:
The characters: They are well-developed, realistic, and likable. They have flaws and strengths that make them relatable and sympathetic. They also have chemistry and banter that make them attractive and entertaining.
The plot: It is well-written, engaging, and suspenseful. It has enough twists and surprises to keep the reader interested. It also balances the dark and serious aspects with the light and humorous ones, creating a satisfying and enjoyable read.
The style: It is simple, clear, and elegant. It uses words and phrases that are appropriate for the historical period and the social class of the characters. It also uses some literary devices that add beauty and depth to the descriptions and the narration.
and their fears to trust each other and find love.
The cons
Some of the cons of A Rogue by Any Other Name are:
The clichés: Some of the elements of the story are clichéd and predictable, such as the marriage of convenience, the childhood friends, the rogue and the spinster, the revenge plot, and the happy ending. They are not very original or innovative, and they might bore some readers who are looking for something different or surprising.
The length: The book is quite long, with over 400 pages. Some parts of the story are slow and repetitive, such as the descriptions of the settings, the inner thoughts of the characters, and the arguments between Michael and Penelope. They might drag the pace and lose the attention of some readers who prefer a shorter and faster read.
The errors: The book has some errors and inconsistencies that might annoy some readers who are attentive to details. For example, there are some typos and grammatical mistakes, such as missing commas, apostrophes, and quotation marks. There are also some historical inaccuracies, such as the use of modern words or expressions that did not exist in the Regency period.
The rating
The rating of A Rogue by Any Other Name is 4 out of 5 stars. It is a good historical romance novel that will appeal to fans of the genre and of the author. It has well-developed and likable characters, a well-written and engaging plot, a simple and elegant style, and a passionate and emotional romance. It also has some clichés and predictable elements, some slow and repetitive parts, and some errors and inconsistencies that might lower its quality. However, it is still a satisfying and enjoyable read that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, A Rogue by Any Other Name is a historical romance novel by Sarah Maclean that tells the story of Michael Lawler, the Marquess of Bourne, who lost everything in a card game and became a ruthless rogue. He decides to marry Penelope Marbury, his childhood friend and the daughter of an earl, who is desperate to escape her dull life and find adventure. He plans to use her as a pawn in his scheme to destroy his enemy and restore his honor. However, he soon realizes that she is not the timid and obedient girl he once knew. She is smart, spirited, and determined to make him fall in love with her. She also has a secret that could ruin them both. What follows is a passionate and witty story of love, redemption, and scandal.
Recommendation for the readers
and predictable elements, or who prefer a shorter and faster read.
Call to action
If you are interested in reading A Rogue by Any Other Name, you can find it in various formats and platforms. You can buy it as a paperback, an ebook, or an audiobook from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or other online retailers. You can also borrow it from your local library or download it for free from some websites. You can also check out the other books in the Rules of Scoundrels series, which are One Good Earl Deserves a Lover, No Good Duke Goes Unpunished, and Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover. You can also visit Sarah Maclean's website to learn more about her and her other books.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about A Rogue by Any Other Name:
Q: Is A Rogue by Any Other Name based on a true story?
A: No, A Rogue by Any Other Name is a fictional story that is not based on any real people or events. However, it does incorporate some historical details and events that were relevant to the Regency period, such as the Reform Bill, the Luddites, and the gambling culture.
Q: What is the meaning of the title A Rogue by Any Other Name?
A: The title A Rogue by Any Other Name is a play on the famous quote from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". It implies that Michael is still a rogue no matter what name or title he has, and that Penelope loves him for who he is and not for what he has.
Q: How old are Michael and Penelope in A Rogue by Any Other Name?
A: Michael and Penelope are both twenty-eight years old in A Rogue by Any Other Name. They were eighteen when they first met and became friends, and they were separated for ten years before they met again and got married.
Q: What is Penelope's secret in A Rogue by Any Other Name?
A: Penelope's secret in A Rogue by Any Other Name is that she has been writing letters to an anonymous correspondent for four years. She calls him Mr. X and he calls her Lady P. They share their thoughts, feelings, and desires with each other, without knowing each other's identity. Penelope keeps these letters hidden in a box under her bed, but Michael finds them and reads them. He realizes that he is Mr. X and that Penelope is his perfect match.
Q: How does A Rogue by Any Other Name end?
A: A Rogue by Any Other Name ends with Michael and Penelope confessing their love for each other and defeating Langford. Michael regains his lands and his title, and Penelope finds her adventure and her freedom. They live happily ever after in Falconwell with their son, who they name Henry after Penelope's father.
71b2f0854b