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Author Reviews
The Last Rake In London
Nicola Cornick
Harlequin Historical – June 2008, 273 pp
ISBN-10: 0373294992
ISBN-13: 978-0373294992
Period: Edwardian, circa 1908
$5.99 (U.S) $6.99 (CDN)
Reviewed by Laurel
July 2008
Jack Kestrel is cool and calculating when he decides to destroy the woman who is blackmailing his uncle. Sitting in Sally Bowes club The Blue Parrot, playing a game of cards with the King, he decides that bankruptcy is one way to go. After accusing Sally of blackmail, he learns he's accused the wrong sister. He is really looking for Sally's sister Connie. Which is a good thing, because Sally intrigued him with her dignified and calm ladylike manner. Intrigued he ups his ante and offers her a daring proposal.
Sally is shocked at his audacity but finds herself attracted to his charm and irresistible good looks. However she is concerned and devastated that her sister has put her reputation on the line once again and this time it can literally ruin her. After a confrontation with her sister Connie, Sally informs Jack that her sister is back and together they seek her out. But they are too late; Connie has fled with his cousin to elope before anyone else can stop them. Not believing that Sally did not help them escape he forces her to tag along with him as they follow the pair of lovers, arriving at his sister's estate smack dab in the middle of a family gathering. As to not alarm the others of their real reason for being there, they pretend to be engaged and madly in love. A situation that neither claims they can tolerate, but privately wish was a reality.
Nicola Cornick's latest novel THE LAST RAKE IN LONDON is a novel for any historical romance reader looking for a sweet love story. It is well written, with the right blend of a humour and drama to match the engaging story and well-developed characters. Jack was considered to be the rakes of all rakes in this turn of the century novel. He was a cool reserved character, with an egotistical charm determined not to love another woman again. Sally is a widow and successful businesswoman who started her life over by opening the Blue Parrot escaping the sorrow and pain from her past. She would do anything for her two sisters even if it casts doubt on her intentions which leads Jack to think the worst of her. She is a strong and likable character, a perfect match for a man whose own sister thinks, "He's a great rake trapped in the wrong century." Something I found rather humorous but in this case entirely true. I enjoyed this story and characters; I look forward to reading more novels from this talented author.