About the Book:

A winter’s heart…
“Debonair, handsome and with a devil’s smile. How could any woman resist?”

The Marquess of Winterbourne has long been guided by his Rules of the Rogue, but as emissary for the Crown, his next mission will break every single one. Sent to the wilds of Cornwall to beguile secrets from a country miss, the last thing this rogue expects is to unearth his own buried heart.

A taste of spring…
“A rogue and a fribble. How could any woman succumb?”

Miss Tamsyn Penrose remains far from impressed by charming London scoundrel Lord Winterbourne, preferring a wild gallop over the moors to flashing black eyes and fulsome flattery. But as danger lurks and prejudice ebbs, she uncovers a complex man who awakens her hidden strength and arouses her forgotten fire.

Seasons collide…

Desire sparks and passion flares in this Cornish land of cove and tor. Can Tamsyn step from the shadow of her past? And will Jack Winterbourne tear up the rules for a woman who maddens his senses and thaws his heart?

A sensual Regency Romance with warmth and wit, this story also includes a fusty valet with a secondary love story, picnics, swordplay, peacocks and…piskies.

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:                                                  Marquess to a Flame (Rules of the Rogue Book 3)

My Review:

When Tamsyn Penrose was just sixteen years old, she and her dearest friend, Jonathan, stumbled upon the notorious French spy known as “The Bat.”  Unfortunately, Jonathan was immediately killed, but the spy was enchanted by Tamsyn’s defiance and apparent fearlessness.  Though The Bat never leaves any loose ends, he chooses to let Tamsyn live, but threatens the lives of her, her family and friends if she ever speaks about him.  Then he brutally injures her and lets her know he’ll be back for her someday.  Though Tamsyn showed bravado, she is terrified, and, in fact, loses her ability to speak for many years.

Jack, Marquess Winterbourne, is known as a stylish, charming, superficial rake and rogue.  Jack purposely cultivates that image so that no one suspects he is also secretly a government agent, who, much to his chagrin, has been dubbed, “Moth.”  When it appears that The Bat is still alive, and that Tamsyn has regained her voice, Jack is assigned to charm her, and to find out what information she remembers from her attack six years ago.

Jack initially is undercover, posing as a guest of Tamsyn’s father, as he tries to earn her trust and friendship.  Though stories (many exaggerated or downright false) of Jack’s escapades have reached Tamsyn, she can’t help but like him.  And being an intelligent young lady, she soon figures out Jack’s real purpose and decides to confide to him all she remembers from that horrible night.

I loved the developing relationship between Jack and Tamsyn.  She was badly scarred, both physically and mentally, by The Bat, and has let her fear deprive her of much of her joy in life.  Jack’s acceptance of her scars, and his means of helping her to accept them is truly beautiful. Though Jack greatly desires Tamsyn, his own code doesn’t permit him to ruin an innocent.  He truly feels he’s the shallow man his reputation labels him.  When they finally succumb to the passion they are both feeling, Tamsyn is determined not to try to trap or tie down Jack in any way.  She plans to enjoy their brief time together and cherish the memory.  A strangely sad Jack returns to London, not realizing that he’s leaving his heart behind in Cornwall.

MARQUESS TO A FLAME is a charming, heartwarming, and delightful read.  I love the gentle humor that flows throughout the book, causing smiles without hitting you over the head.  Little details, like some of the character’s names, for example, Rufus Sewell, and Lady Cooch, are brilliant, as was Tamsyn’s fascination with moths.  I truly adore Emily Windsor’s writing, and MARQUESS TO A FLAME has everything I desire in a historical romance, particularly, a lovable hero and heroine who discover their own self worth, and find a warm and satisfying happy ever after.    ~Rose