Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Nov08

If I had to make a list of unlikely settings for a humorous and witty romance, I’m pretty sure a convent would be fairly high up on that list. Yet Maya Rodale has managed that with “The Rogue and the Rival”, the follow-up to her debut novel, “The Heir and the Spare”. After having enjoyed this book so much, it looks like I’ll be heading to pick up a copy of her first, especially since a few characters from that first book make a return appearance in this one.

Angela is a fallen woman. After she disgraced her family six years ago, she was asked to leave. Rather than go to the scoundrel who ruined her and left her for another, she came to Stanbrook Abbey and has been there ever since, supposedly preparing to take her vows. But no matter how much she distrusts titled men, heck all men, she just can’t quite give up her dream of a home and family of her own. Even so, how in the world can she be willing to trust one of the most scandalous rakes in the ton?

Lord Phillip is a total rogue. He freely admits it and is almost proud of it. After his unsuccessful bid to steal his twin’s bride and dowry, he fled to France in an orgy of bad behavior. When he runs out of money, he decides to return to England. Unfortunately, he still owes a good sum to a nasty loan shark whose men follow Phillip back to England and catch up with him on a country road. He was lucky enough to be found and brought to nearby Stanbrook Abbey to recover. Or is that unlucky? After all, his room is spare and grim and there’s not a drop of alcohol to be found…the only saving grace is the presence of the irritated angel who cares for him.

What a pair! And what witty repartee; from the first ‘Lord Invalid’ comment to Phillip’s hilarious effort to re-ingratiate himself into Angela’s heart (as well as that of her dragon aunt who dislikes him for a darn good reason!), I couldn’t keep the grin off my face for most of this read. The setting itself, late Regency England, provided plenty of ammunition for poking fun at the highly structured society of those times and the author didn’t stint in doing so. Even when the story required a more serious tone, one of the characters usually was quick with biting sarcasm or black humor to swing the pendulum back to the light and frothy style of the rest of the story.

“The Rogue and the Rival” is not a read for those looking for a serious historical tale. But if you like an amusing plot, sparkling wit, and characters that are funny even when they smack of stereotyping, then I really suggest you pick up a copy of Maya Rodale’s latest. She’s an author I’ll be watching.