Once a Scoundrel

August 13, 2018
Putney’s third Regency Rogues Redeemed historical (after Once a Rebel) sizzles with passion and adventure. Gabriel Hawkins Vance is dismissed from the Royal Navy after abandoning his post to rescue a midshipman, but he continues his seafaring career, eventually captaining his own ship and earning a living as a blockade runner. He sails to the Barbary Coast to rescue Lady Aurora “Rory” Lawrence and her companion and cousin, Constance. They are being held by pirate Malek Reis for a ransom of £50,000—money that Malek needs to ransom his own wife and children from his ruthless cousin, Gürkan. Though Malek is unwilling to release the women for less than £50,000, he agrees to let Gabriel take Malek, Rory, and Constance to Constantinople, where Gürkan awaits them. As Gabriel and Rory fall in love, they share the fear that Gabriel’s plan will fail. Despite the clichéd threat that Malek will sell Rory and Constance into harems, Putney takes care to respectfully portray her Turkis characters. Subtle yet sensuous romance keeps the pages turning.

Narrator Beverley A. Crick admirably juggles the three storylines that make up this historical romance set predominantly at sea. Charged with delivering a ransom for a young woman who would otherwise face life in a harem, Gabriel Hawkins is all too aware that the desire he feels for Lady Aurora Lawrence puts both of them in danger. Aurora has reservations as well, but, knowing that her future is uncertain, she decides to take her chances with the captain. While the narrative itself struggles with secondary plots that overtake the central romance, Crick's solid performance will keep listeners from being confused by the many perspectives. Her delightful portrayals of the diverse characters work to the story's advantage. A.L. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine