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The Saint of Seven Dials #1
Rogue's Honor
Librarian's Note: This is an alternate cover edition of ASIN: B005Y4EM0Q
In this sparkling first installment of her popular "Saint of Seven Dials" series, Brenda Hiatt has created "a most different and dashing rogue," according to bestelling author Kasey Michaels.
To escape her stepmother's matchmaking machinations, Lady Pearl runs away, pretending to be a common housemaid, with the help of her abigail. When she is rescued from near disaster by a charming serving-man, Pearl pretends to be simpleminded to safeguard herself from any unwanted advances. But soon she begins to suspect that her rescuer is far more than the common servant he seemed at first.
Luke St. Clair lives a double life, pretending to be a gentleman while in reality sustaining himself and the needy as that notorious Regency Robin Hood, the Saint of Seven Dials. The last thing Luke needs in his life is a beautiful simpleton in need of protection, but "Purdy" soon proves to be anything but simple--or common! Once he learns the truth, does he dare continue, in the ballrooms of the elite, the flirtation that began in the slums of London? The risk is enormous, but Lady Pearl's sweet kisses may just be worth it.
In this sparkling first installment of her popular "Saint of Seven Dials" series, Brenda Hiatt has created "a most different and dashing rogue," according to bestelling author Kasey Michaels.
To escape her stepmother's matchmaking machinations, Lady Pearl runs away, pretending to be a common housemaid, with the help of her abigail. When she is rescued from near disaster by a charming serving-man, Pearl pretends to be simpleminded to safeguard herself from any unwanted advances. But soon she begins to suspect that her rescuer is far more than the common servant he seemed at first.
Luke St. Clair lives a double life, pretending to be a gentleman while in reality sustaining himself and the needy as that notorious Regency Robin Hood, the Saint of Seven Dials. The last thing Luke needs in his life is a beautiful simpleton in need of protection, but "Purdy" soon proves to be anything but simple--or common! Once he learns the truth, does he dare continue, in the ballrooms of the elite, the flirtation that began in the slums of London? The risk is enormous, but Lady Pearl's sweet kisses may just be worth it.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2001
About the author
Brenda Hiatt
90 books501 followersBrenda Hiatt is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sparkling romantic adventure. She's written twenty-five novels (so far), including sweet and spicy historical romance, time travel romance, humorous mystery, and her young adult science fiction STARSTRUCK series. Brenda began in traditional publishing with Harlequin, HarperCollins and Avon Books and later made a transition to indie publishing as she began getting rights back to her older books. So far, she hasn't been sorry! She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc, where she has served as president. In addition to writing, Brenda is passionate about embracing life to the fullest, to include scuba diving (she has over 60 dives to her credit), Taekwondo (where she is working toward her 4th degree black belt), hiking, traveling…and reading, of course!
Learn more at http://brendahiatt.com
Learn more at http://brendahiatt.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
January 2, 2016
A 1.5, but I'll be kind and round up.
Last year I severely curtailed the amount of Kindle freebies I downloaded, and a much higher quality reading year ensued. This year, I completely ignored that fact when I was sent a link to Book Bub and went to town on the download button. Rogue’s Honor was the first of that bunch of freebies and doesn’t bode particularly well for my enjoyment of the rest. It wasn’t written so poorly as to be offensive to my eyes, but it didn’t really have much going for it either.
Set in Regency England, Lady Pearl is a noble do-gooder aching to get down and dirty with the poor of London so that she can improve their situations and bask in the glow of her own wonderfulness. Disguising herself as a servant she soon finds herself in one of London’s slums and in the company of the notorious Saint of the Seven Dials, a Robin Hood type figure who robs the nobility blind so he can improve the situations of the poor while sating his own feelings of hatred toward the ruling class. Of course, the two go gaga over one another. But…will Luke (the aforementioned Saint) still want Pearl once he realises she’s part of the hated nobility?
With both characters perfectly in love with one another there was no real tension throughout the book, and the many twists of the story were mostly ridiculous obstacles put in their way for them to hurdle on their way to a happy-ever-after that was never in doubt. Instead of adding much-needed tension to the tale, these merely added extra padding and helped make a light, inconsequential book drag on for way too long.
Pearl, despite apparently being a spirited, intelligent woman, seemed to employ insane troll logic to make most of her imbecilic decisions and I actually started to hope that she’d been knocked up during one of her illicit trysts and would have her reputation ruined, leading to abandonment by Bellowsworth and discovering that Luke was really a rogue after all who had no intention of marrying her, so she could find out first-hand what it was actually like to be one of London’s poor. Sadly, I was disappointed in this and will have to content myself with not reading any of the rest of this series.
**Also posted at Randomly Reading and Ranting**
Last year I severely curtailed the amount of Kindle freebies I downloaded, and a much higher quality reading year ensued. This year, I completely ignored that fact when I was sent a link to Book Bub and went to town on the download button. Rogue’s Honor was the first of that bunch of freebies and doesn’t bode particularly well for my enjoyment of the rest. It wasn’t written so poorly as to be offensive to my eyes, but it didn’t really have much going for it either.
Set in Regency England, Lady Pearl is a noble do-gooder aching to get down and dirty with the poor of London so that she can improve their situations and bask in the glow of her own wonderfulness. Disguising herself as a servant she soon finds herself in one of London’s slums and in the company of the notorious Saint of the Seven Dials, a Robin Hood type figure who robs the nobility blind so he can improve the situations of the poor while sating his own feelings of hatred toward the ruling class. Of course, the two go gaga over one another. But…will Luke (the aforementioned Saint) still want Pearl once he realises she’s part of the hated nobility?
With both characters perfectly in love with one another there was no real tension throughout the book, and the many twists of the story were mostly ridiculous obstacles put in their way for them to hurdle on their way to a happy-ever-after that was never in doubt. Instead of adding much-needed tension to the tale, these merely added extra padding and helped make a light, inconsequential book drag on for way too long.
Pearl, despite apparently being a spirited, intelligent woman, seemed to employ insane troll logic to make most of her imbecilic decisions and I actually started to hope that she’d been knocked up during one of her illicit trysts and would have her reputation ruined, leading to abandonment by Bellowsworth and discovering that Luke was really a rogue after all who had no intention of marrying her, so she could find out first-hand what it was actually like to be one of London’s poor. Sadly, I was disappointed in this and will have to content myself with not reading any of the rest of this series.
**Also posted at Randomly Reading and Ranting**
January 26, 2018
Rating 3.5
This was a good book, I enjoyed the plot, it was interesting and different in its own way.
Lady Pearl is tired of all the matchmaking her stepmother forces her to make conversations with. If there is one thing I love about Pearl, it's her independence. She relies on no one and doesn't let others, particularly men tell her how to live her life.
Pearl also likes to learn academically, which is unheard of in a lady of her position.
Which is what leads her to make a plan. In order to stop her stepmother from leading on suitors, Pearl wants to runaway for a while as a servant and learn what it is like to live in their world, and this is where she meets Luke St. Clair.
Luke is a nobody, yet he manages to stay in the upper class status but only to avenge his mother, for the treatment she received from the upper class before she died. He strongly believes that all aristocrats are selfish and arrogant. But meeting up with Pearl, there may be others like him.
Together they journey into a road for self discovery, and what they find out can change things for the better or for worse
As mentioned, I liked how the story progressed, but I feel that it was getting very angst by the second half of the book. Perhaps it took a little longer than it should but I did find myself eventually enjoying how the book ended.
Nevertheless still a really good book
Received a copy from the author herself, but still wrote a voluntary honest review as well.
This was a good book, I enjoyed the plot, it was interesting and different in its own way.
Lady Pearl is tired of all the matchmaking her stepmother forces her to make conversations with. If there is one thing I love about Pearl, it's her independence. She relies on no one and doesn't let others, particularly men tell her how to live her life.
Pearl also likes to learn academically, which is unheard of in a lady of her position.
Which is what leads her to make a plan. In order to stop her stepmother from leading on suitors, Pearl wants to runaway for a while as a servant and learn what it is like to live in their world, and this is where she meets Luke St. Clair.
Luke is a nobody, yet he manages to stay in the upper class status but only to avenge his mother, for the treatment she received from the upper class before she died. He strongly believes that all aristocrats are selfish and arrogant. But meeting up with Pearl, there may be others like him.
Together they journey into a road for self discovery, and what they find out can change things for the better or for worse
As mentioned, I liked how the story progressed, but I feel that it was getting very angst by the second half of the book. Perhaps it took a little longer than it should but I did find myself eventually enjoying how the book ended.
Nevertheless still a really good book
Received a copy from the author herself, but still wrote a voluntary honest review as well.
April 21, 2013
"I have behaved rather . . . unwisely."
Seems to be a running theme for the whole book.
Decent premise. It started off rather well, then plunged into the gutter. One doesn't have to act on every single, tiny urge they have. I'm not a fan of sex in my books. That's not why I read. That aside, it was just plain stupid. One doesn't have to be compromised to be ruined. If you want to render yourself unmarriageable, you have to be caught. Why sneak around and hide it making sure no one sees? All you have to do is lie about it, causing enough scandal to achieve your goals. I liked the hero. He tried to hold her off out of decency and respect, but she just plowed on through. It made it a sex scene just for the sake of having a sex scene. She basically whores herself for the sake of the experience. Couldn't like her after that. She spent the rest of the book being meddlesome, interfering and annoying. Running into the fray without a thought. She didn't get better or grow or mature by the end.
I would've liked to have seen the step-mother get more of a set down after deliberately trying to ruin the 'heroine.'
The one redeeming part of the book was the haunting scenes. I haven't laughed that hard over a book in a long time.
Seems to be a running theme for the whole book.
Decent premise. It started off rather well, then plunged into the gutter. One doesn't have to act on every single, tiny urge they have. I'm not a fan of sex in my books. That's not why I read. That aside, it was just plain stupid. One doesn't have to be compromised to be ruined. If you want to render yourself unmarriageable, you have to be caught. Why sneak around and hide it making sure no one sees? All you have to do is lie about it, causing enough scandal to achieve your goals. I liked the hero. He tried to hold her off out of decency and respect, but she just plowed on through. It made it a sex scene just for the sake of having a sex scene. She basically whores herself for the sake of the experience. Couldn't like her after that. She spent the rest of the book being meddlesome, interfering and annoying. Running into the fray without a thought. She didn't get better or grow or mature by the end.
I would've liked to have seen the step-mother get more of a set down after deliberately trying to ruin the 'heroine.'
The one redeeming part of the book was the haunting scenes. I haven't laughed that hard over a book in a long time.
December 3, 2015
What a delightful take
A thief and a lady. When Pearl decides to escape into the London streets she meets a man as she is working at a party. With no where to stay he offers his couch at his place. As time goes on she learns this rogue of a man is of higher class, a Duke to be exact and then the tale takes a turn.
A thief and a lady. When Pearl decides to escape into the London streets she meets a man as she is working at a party. With no where to stay he offers his couch at his place. As time goes on she learns this rogue of a man is of higher class, a Duke to be exact and then the tale takes a turn.
February 12, 2022
enjoyable
love a romance where the heroine/hero falls in love and marries out of their class (thinking of Alice Coldbreath’s epic prizefighter books) and so I dived right in.
The plot was good: spunky aristocratic heroine defies evil stepmother and ends up seeing more of the world, specifically the slums of London, than she bargained for. And in the process falls in love with the dashing thief who lives there and got her out of a tight spot. So far, so good.
But then it kinda dragged in parts and the whole transformation of the hero from roguish Robin Hood of the slums into…something else, felt unwieldy and contrived. And there was a plot hole big enough to drive a Mack truck thru and that was—-what happened to the Bow Street Runners who were on the hero’s tail? No explanation is given for why they just gave up. Or how about the heroine makes a deal with the hero, “ruin me by taking my virginity so I’ll be unmarriageble” and then keeps it to herself so she’s still able to marry another. Or, even more annoying, get herself engaged to another man when she thinks the hero hates her. Just kill me now.
Also, waaaaayyyyy too many details of the hero’s std-riddled past. Apparently sliming with the whores of aristocratic lords was a way to get his jollies. Grosssssss.
At the end, there was just something a bit unsatisfactory about it. I think it would’ve made more sense for the heroine to get ruined, get pregnant, seize her inheritance, establish her independence and then, using her ruination and independence as a fait accompli, get her wealthy powerful fathers support in marrying the man she loves. Yeah, she may have lost her station, but it would’ve made a far more powerful story—giving up her position for love and finding an enriching life helping others, while happily married to a common man. But that’s not how it went and so it just kinda felt a little silly after a while.
Not safe, hero was a giant manwhore, although after heroine he is celibate. Heroine is a virgin. There is lots of OM as heroine has suitors and gets engaged with one of them but no sex or intimacy or any physical contact with him. No cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue
love a romance where the heroine/hero falls in love and marries out of their class (thinking of Alice Coldbreath’s epic prizefighter books) and so I dived right in.
The plot was good: spunky aristocratic heroine defies evil stepmother and ends up seeing more of the world, specifically the slums of London, than she bargained for. And in the process falls in love with the dashing thief who lives there and got her out of a tight spot. So far, so good.
But then it kinda dragged in parts and the whole transformation of the hero from roguish Robin Hood of the slums into…something else, felt unwieldy and contrived. And there was a plot hole big enough to drive a Mack truck thru and that was—-what happened to the Bow Street Runners who were on the hero’s tail? No explanation is given for why they just gave up. Or how about the heroine makes a deal with the hero, “ruin me by taking my virginity so I’ll be unmarriageble” and then keeps it to herself so she’s still able to marry another. Or, even more annoying, get herself engaged to another man when she thinks the hero hates her. Just kill me now.
Also, waaaaayyyyy too many details of the hero’s std-riddled past. Apparently sliming with the whores of aristocratic lords was a way to get his jollies. Grosssssss.
At the end, there was just something a bit unsatisfactory about it. I think it would’ve made more sense for the heroine to get ruined, get pregnant, seize her inheritance, establish her independence and then, using her ruination and independence as a fait accompli, get her wealthy powerful fathers support in marrying the man she loves. Yeah, she may have lost her station, but it would’ve made a far more powerful story—giving up her position for love and finding an enriching life helping others, while happily married to a common man. But that’s not how it went and so it just kinda felt a little silly after a while.
Not safe, hero was a giant manwhore, although after heroine he is celibate. Heroine is a virgin. There is lots of OM as heroine has suitors and gets engaged with one of them but no sex or intimacy or any physical contact with him. No cheating or abuse. HEA with epilogue
April 8, 2017
Rogue's Honor was another delightful well written Historical Romance by Brenda Hiatt. I loved the H/H Luke di Santo/ Earl of Hardwyce and Lady Pearl Moreston daughter of the Duke of Oakshire. Both characters were intelligent and enjoyable characters too read. I like the way all the characters were written and the back story of why Luke became The Saint of Seven Dials. Stealing from the Rich and giving to the Poor was a creative storyline. Pearl was a real treasure to read. She is everything you want to read about a female lead in a HR story. Now the step mother I think she dissevered to be found out how mean and demeaning she was to the Dukes daughter Pearl. I wanted the Duke to give an embarrassing sit down and send her away to live her life out in the Country to stop her scheming. This is the only part that fall short in the entire story. Obelia the Duchess Step Mother just gets away with her mean spirited scheming against Pearl. Other then that this story was perfect!! I Highly Recommend Rogue's Honor.
September 17, 2019
A Match made in Heaven with two Do-Gooders
Set in London in 1816, this is the story of Lady Pearl Moreston and Luke St. Clair. The physical attraction was instantaneous for Lady Pearl and Luke. They met when both were in disguise, he as a man of Seven Dials, living fairly well as he steals from the rich to help the poor, and she as a poor maid to learn to understand the poor. Two do-gooders who found each other one night in London.
Lady Pearl is anxious to be “ruined” so that her stepmother will stop trying to match her with the men of the ton. And Luke is only too happy to oblige. Mind you, she is the daughter of a duke, but no matter. What the lady wants she gets. Not just ruined but compromised. Though he is of common breeding (he thinks), he manages to blend in with the ton under an assumed name, even lying his way into Oxford, paying for it himself on his ill-gotten gain.
Luke courts her and then rises to find his lost past and become an earl. Of course there is another suitor and Pearl will accept him rather than allow her stepmother to force Luke to wed her. A bit of a merry-go-round ensues.
Fans of Hiatt will, no doubt, enjoy the story. It’s the first in the Seven Dials series.
Set in London in 1816, this is the story of Lady Pearl Moreston and Luke St. Clair. The physical attraction was instantaneous for Lady Pearl and Luke. They met when both were in disguise, he as a man of Seven Dials, living fairly well as he steals from the rich to help the poor, and she as a poor maid to learn to understand the poor. Two do-gooders who found each other one night in London.
Lady Pearl is anxious to be “ruined” so that her stepmother will stop trying to match her with the men of the ton. And Luke is only too happy to oblige. Mind you, she is the daughter of a duke, but no matter. What the lady wants she gets. Not just ruined but compromised. Though he is of common breeding (he thinks), he manages to blend in with the ton under an assumed name, even lying his way into Oxford, paying for it himself on his ill-gotten gain.
Luke courts her and then rises to find his lost past and become an earl. Of course there is another suitor and Pearl will accept him rather than allow her stepmother to force Luke to wed her. A bit of a merry-go-round ensues.
Fans of Hiatt will, no doubt, enjoy the story. It’s the first in the Seven Dials series.
March 4, 2023
The beginning was okay, but then it went downhill and never recovered.
February 20, 2012
This book was okay. The premise was interesting (who doesn't like Robin Hood-type heroes?) so I was pretty excited to read it.
Luke is a thief who helps people, and Pearl is a duke's daughter interested in improving life for the less fortunate. Sounds like they can get into some great adventures together, right? Well, not so much...
Anyway, I really like Luke's character. He's such a sweetheart, and he decides pretty early on that Pearl is different and just might be the one. Pearl, on the other hand, strikes me as stubborn to the point of being a little silly sometimes. That could just be me, but that's how I feel.
That being said, I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but after a certain *ahem* intimate scene it gets a bit strange (for me anyway). Luke and Pearl seem to be able to read each other quite well, so it's weird that they have a willful misunderstanding, Pearl decides to accept the man she was trying so hard to avoid, and it turns out Luke was super worthy all along!
Now, I love happy endings, so I liked those things... perhaps it was timing that made it feel a tad off for me.
Overall, the book was okay. Not bad, but I didn't love it either.
Luke is a thief who helps people, and Pearl is a duke's daughter interested in improving life for the less fortunate. Sounds like they can get into some great adventures together, right? Well, not so much...
Anyway, I really like Luke's character. He's such a sweetheart, and he decides pretty early on that Pearl is different and just might be the one. Pearl, on the other hand, strikes me as stubborn to the point of being a little silly sometimes. That could just be me, but that's how I feel.
That being said, I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but after a certain *ahem* intimate scene it gets a bit strange (for me anyway). Luke and Pearl seem to be able to read each other quite well, so it's weird that they have a willful misunderstanding, Pearl decides to accept the man she was trying so hard to avoid, and it turns out Luke was super worthy all along!
Now, I love happy endings, so I liked those things... perhaps it was timing that made it feel a tad off for me.
Overall, the book was okay. Not bad, but I didn't love it either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2015
A rags to riches hero story.
This was such a fun book to read! Loved the heroine, Pearl she was smart, funny, and strong, not a crybaby simpering heroine at all! The hero was sexy and smart and witty. They had some great chemistry together, and a couple of nicely written sex scenes, (not erotica). There was lots and lots of dialogue throughout the entire book, and it was not full of filler nonsense. The story line and plot were great and the writing was fantastic the entire story flowed very nicely. This was like a rags to riches hero! Really enjoyed this book very much.
This was such a fun book to read! Loved the heroine, Pearl she was smart, funny, and strong, not a crybaby simpering heroine at all! The hero was sexy and smart and witty. They had some great chemistry together, and a couple of nicely written sex scenes, (not erotica). There was lots and lots of dialogue throughout the entire book, and it was not full of filler nonsense. The story line and plot were great and the writing was fantastic the entire story flowed very nicely. This was like a rags to riches hero! Really enjoyed this book very much.
April 10, 2017
The year is 1816, the British troops are back from the war and Napoleon is safely confined to the distant island of Elba. London is coming back to life. For some the times are good and for others they are bad and for either the future prospects won’t be changing anytime soon.
Lady Pearl Moreston, daughter of the Duke of Oakshire, has passed the traditional age for a young girl to wed. This isn’t due to a lack of suitors. She would be hard put to count, on both hands, the marriage proposals she has received and refused. Lady Pearl has other plans and doesn’t want to get lost in the glitter of the ton. As an intelligent, well-educated, opinionated, and socially conscious woman, she is interested in the people outside Oakshire House, Berkley Square and her upper-class neighborhood of Mayfair. She is interested in the lives of the common men, women, and children that bore the brunt of the recent war and now toil to reestablish a life in the aftermath. Her dream, her calling in life, as you will, is to quietly retire to Fairbourne, the smallest of her father’s estates and independently run it.
Lady Obelia, Duchess of Oakshire and Pearl’s stepmother, has plans of her own and they in no way coincide with those of her stepdaughter. She is scheming to marry her stepdaughter off to a titled suitor, leaving her husband’s titles and estates intact for her son and the Duke’s only male heir. To protect herself and glean social knowledge not contained in books, she steals herself away, with the aid of her handmaid, in the dead of night, into greater London, to see for herself how the less fortunate fair. This act of social defiance sets her on an adventure she would never have dreamed of.
Luke St. Clair is a scoundrel, rogue, villain, highwayman, and thief and like Robin Hood, he steals from the rich to give to the poor. He grew up outside of London and witnessed, first hand, the injustice that prevails in England. The rich and titled landowners have little or no thought, compassion, or charity for the tenant farmers that provide them their wealth. He too has a calling. He is willing to risk his life and liberty to relieve, in some part, the suffering that surrounds him.
These two people, from opposite ends of the social spectrum, meet and magic occurs……
The tales of Robin Hood and the Prince and the Pauper are combined to create this story of love, passion, and adventure. The long buildup to a union of both bodies and mind was disappointing anticlimactically written, leaving me wanting. I feel that the story could have more actual historical content and at times the characters and their situations didn’t seem to ring true, but as a whole it was entertaining, forming a good autumn afternoon read in front of the fireplace. My final word on this book is that it could have been much, much more…..
I have always loved the written word. Language, any language is a living thing that develops and mutates with the passing of time. It grows and expands, with the creation of new words, while retaining the old. I’ve always held the belief that a large and well-rounded vocabulary is a sure sign of a good education. Many books these days don’t challenge their readers with refreshing ways of saying something. Brenda Hiatt has succeeded in throwing down the gauntlet and incorporating seldom used but nevertheless colorful and intriguing words to turn a phrase. What I missed in raw passion was more than made up by a cacophony of delightfully rare words.
Lady Pearl Moreston, daughter of the Duke of Oakshire, has passed the traditional age for a young girl to wed. This isn’t due to a lack of suitors. She would be hard put to count, on both hands, the marriage proposals she has received and refused. Lady Pearl has other plans and doesn’t want to get lost in the glitter of the ton. As an intelligent, well-educated, opinionated, and socially conscious woman, she is interested in the people outside Oakshire House, Berkley Square and her upper-class neighborhood of Mayfair. She is interested in the lives of the common men, women, and children that bore the brunt of the recent war and now toil to reestablish a life in the aftermath. Her dream, her calling in life, as you will, is to quietly retire to Fairbourne, the smallest of her father’s estates and independently run it.
Lady Obelia, Duchess of Oakshire and Pearl’s stepmother, has plans of her own and they in no way coincide with those of her stepdaughter. She is scheming to marry her stepdaughter off to a titled suitor, leaving her husband’s titles and estates intact for her son and the Duke’s only male heir. To protect herself and glean social knowledge not contained in books, she steals herself away, with the aid of her handmaid, in the dead of night, into greater London, to see for herself how the less fortunate fair. This act of social defiance sets her on an adventure she would never have dreamed of.
Luke St. Clair is a scoundrel, rogue, villain, highwayman, and thief and like Robin Hood, he steals from the rich to give to the poor. He grew up outside of London and witnessed, first hand, the injustice that prevails in England. The rich and titled landowners have little or no thought, compassion, or charity for the tenant farmers that provide them their wealth. He too has a calling. He is willing to risk his life and liberty to relieve, in some part, the suffering that surrounds him.
These two people, from opposite ends of the social spectrum, meet and magic occurs……
The tales of Robin Hood and the Prince and the Pauper are combined to create this story of love, passion, and adventure. The long buildup to a union of both bodies and mind was disappointing anticlimactically written, leaving me wanting. I feel that the story could have more actual historical content and at times the characters and their situations didn’t seem to ring true, but as a whole it was entertaining, forming a good autumn afternoon read in front of the fireplace. My final word on this book is that it could have been much, much more…..
I have always loved the written word. Language, any language is a living thing that develops and mutates with the passing of time. It grows and expands, with the creation of new words, while retaining the old. I’ve always held the belief that a large and well-rounded vocabulary is a sure sign of a good education. Many books these days don’t challenge their readers with refreshing ways of saying something. Brenda Hiatt has succeeded in throwing down the gauntlet and incorporating seldom used but nevertheless colorful and intriguing words to turn a phrase. What I missed in raw passion was more than made up by a cacophony of delightfully rare words.
August 2, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A smart, bold, rather reckless, heroine and a handsome rogue hero who is, of course, honorable in his own way.
Want to read
May 5, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/5/2019)! 🎁
March 5, 2023
I'm not sure how to write a review on this book.
I liked part of it, but mostly I yawned or rolled my eyes, sometimes both.
I liked part of it, but mostly I yawned or rolled my eyes, sometimes both.
April 1, 2009
This is book 1 in Ms. Hiatt's Saints of Seven Dials series. It was okay. It started out very slow, and then got better around page 40. Then got slow again, then better. So, this book felt like a roller coaster. This takes place in Regency England with Lady Pearl Moreston as the heroine and Luke St. Clair (or is that his real name) as the hero. The hero is a Robin-Hood like figure (although I thought it could have been written better). He falls in love with Pearl when he thinks she is nothing more but "Purdy" a governess, and Pearl is reluctant to tell him the truth when Luke had already revealed his dislike for the ton. So, it seems like this book should have a little bit of mystery in it, however, Luke finds out that Purdy is Pearl near the beginning of the book. So, Ms. Hiatt has to invent another intrigue to keep the reader interested. This time.... could Luke actually be a Lord? Well, I guess you'll just have to read this "okay" book to find out. I sincerely hope that the rest of the Saints of Seven Dials books are better than this one.
March 20, 2016
A very nice story
This was a very good story. Luke St.Clair was the Saint of Seven Dials, a modern day Robin Hood. Lady Pearl was not going to be forced into a marriage she didn't want by her step-mother decided to run away and take a job as a servant. Things didn't work out too well for her. That same night she met Luke and, with nowhere to go since she didn't know where her maid Hattie had gone, she ended up going home with Luke, who thought she was a slow servant girl. He began to have his doubts about her when she started speaking French to someone he was trying to help when she stepped in. The story takes a turn when she returns home and is determined to find out who he really is. She is quite surprised when she learns the truth, but when she tells him he, at first, doesn't believe her. There are many twists and turns to this story and, if you like historic s l romances, you'll love this story.
This was a very good story. Luke St.Clair was the Saint of Seven Dials, a modern day Robin Hood. Lady Pearl was not going to be forced into a marriage she didn't want by her step-mother decided to run away and take a job as a servant. Things didn't work out too well for her. That same night she met Luke and, with nowhere to go since she didn't know where her maid Hattie had gone, she ended up going home with Luke, who thought she was a slow servant girl. He began to have his doubts about her when she started speaking French to someone he was trying to help when she stepped in. The story takes a turn when she returns home and is determined to find out who he really is. She is quite surprised when she learns the truth, but when she tells him he, at first, doesn't believe her. There are many twists and turns to this story and, if you like historic s l romances, you'll love this story.
October 19, 2016
The story is going really well until about 30-40% of the way through. Then, suddenly, it becomes very contrived. It turns very unrealistic, but I continued reading hoping it would get better. It only, in fact, gets worse and I'm struggling to finish even though I'm 80% done. I started out liking the heroine, but now I just need to slap her. I hate her. I hate how she thinks, and I'm pretty sure she's screwed up her life by her drama queen decisions. I really want the hero to say "So, you've made X decision, well good luck with you life" and leave her. The novel just drags on with more contrived stupidity. Seriously, it would be so much better if Pearl acted like an adult rather than some immature 13 yr old brat. What happened to the momentum from the beginning? The beginning was good.
January 20, 2013
All I can say about this book is if you have never read a Regency novel, this book would show you what they are all about. Moralizing about the difference between the aristocracy and the poor. Yet, no true exploration of the "plight of the poor" in Regency England. A lady that is "uncommonly educated," but no more informed or intelligent than most modern women. She isn't spouting Socrates or talking about the scholars at the time. Other cliches a rogue with a good heat, a dastardly villian, and a "found" heir. I've read a lot of Regency and I'm always looking for a riff on the formula, something unusual that sets the novel apart just didn't find it here.
May 31, 2016
Despite some of the negative reviews, I gave this free e-book a chance and am profoundly grateful that I did. It was a wonderful love story written in the style of Robin Hood. The hero was dashing with a fair portion of scoundrel around the edges. The heroine, while idealistic to a fault, was a strong-willed young woman who knew want she wanted and did everything she could to make her plans come to fruition. Although I had many interruptions and distractions while attempting to read this, all in all I finished it rather quickly considering the length of it. I didn't want to put it down. I am definitely looking forward to other titles from Ms. Hiatt. Bravo!
October 17, 2013
A lovable, romantic and funny Regency-historical romance. And definitely not the typical conventional Hero of commoner people, and that of our female protagonist! "Saint of the Seven Dials" rogue will win you heart with his dashing charm, soft-heart and honoring plans for the well being of the poor and less fortunate. The story of Luke and Pearl will make you turn the pages fast and will set your heart beats pump fast as you try to guess what will happen next and what will Luke or Pearl do to keep their hearts entwined forever.
September 26, 2018
.
This book definitely sported a good many twists and turns, some believable and some not so much so. But it is a work of fiction.
There H/H cloaked their deception and a blatant breaking of societal rules. However, together they discover a kindred spirit in helping others. The characters were strong, intelligent, and shared a cohesive chemistry.
There were slight descriptions during sensuous scenes, but not obnoxiously so.
This 'free' ebook was able to stand on its own and concluded with a fairy tale H.E.A.
This book definitely sported a good many twists and turns, some believable and some not so much so. But it is a work of fiction.
There H/H cloaked their deception and a blatant breaking of societal rules. However, together they discover a kindred spirit in helping others. The characters were strong, intelligent, and shared a cohesive chemistry.
There were slight descriptions during sensuous scenes, but not obnoxiously so.
This 'free' ebook was able to stand on its own and concluded with a fairy tale H.E.A.
January 24, 2017
716 page-r on my Nook!
Was very pleased with the interaction, characterization, and just plain fun of this novel. It is a long one, but it's a good one.
And I have read it before, which I think is funny, because it wasn't previously logged into my Goodreads account. I wonder when I read it last.
Anywho--it's a fabulous one!
At time of posting; FREE nook-book on B&N.com
Was very pleased with the interaction, characterization, and just plain fun of this novel. It is a long one, but it's a good one.
And I have read it before, which I think is funny, because it wasn't previously logged into my Goodreads account. I wonder when I read it last.
Anywho--it's a fabulous one!
At time of posting; FREE nook-book on B&N.com
November 11, 2016
Rogue's Honor (The Saint of Seven Dials Book 1)
Completed the book in record time...could not put it down...even let phone calls go to voice mail!!! Loved all aspects of the novel. This is a very good Regency Romance for anyone who likes reading about that time period.
LaMa
Completed the book in record time...could not put it down...even let phone calls go to voice mail!!! Loved all aspects of the novel. This is a very good Regency Romance for anyone who likes reading about that time period.
LaMa
September 20, 2016
Great book
I'm looking forward to reading more books from this author. So far all the books I've read have been great
I'm looking forward to reading more books from this author. So far all the books I've read have been great
September 29, 2016
Wonderful
September 26, 2017
I purchased this book so long ago I had to search my Kindle account to see it was back in 2013. My lazy gene must have kicked in right back then because holy cow how can I have left this lovely book sitting in my Kindle for soooooo long??? Rogue's Honor is the first book in the The Saint of Seven Dials series, a well written timeless tale of female self-assertiveness at a time when women were considered as commodities at best; this is a tale of love in a world that sees marriage as an economical bargain and of man's honour when his status alone seems an all-encompassing definition of his true self. The Lady Pearl is an amazing character; at first she might seem a silly young girl who is only bent to thwart all her step-mother's attempts to find her a suitable husband but the more I read the more Purdy came across as a young woman fully determined to not fall into the trappings of society conventions, to the point of almost ruining her whole life. The Saint of Seven Dials is a sort of Robin Hood, such a romantic character no wonder there are more than a few swooning hearts all secretly rooting for him. Together they spark fireworks.
I truly liked Author Hiatt's portrait of the dynamics between members in a 19th century family as well as her London society seen both from the inside through Lady Pearl's eyes, and from the outside through The Saint's scathing point of view. It will take them more than an effort to get to their happy ending, but happily thereafter they are going to live.
This is my first book from Author Brenda Hiatt and it sure won't be the last. I can't wait to see where Book #2, Noble Deceptions, will take me.
I truly liked Author Hiatt's portrait of the dynamics between members in a 19th century family as well as her London society seen both from the inside through Lady Pearl's eyes, and from the outside through The Saint's scathing point of view. It will take them more than an effort to get to their happy ending, but happily thereafter they are going to live.
This is my first book from Author Brenda Hiatt and it sure won't be the last. I can't wait to see where Book #2, Noble Deceptions, will take me.
June 6, 2018
The blurb was very appealing, so as I’m in a regency romance period, this one was perfect.
I loved both characters until their stubbornness and lack of communication gave me the need to slap their head.
I know it is more a world of appears than being but how many hurts and tourments they would have avoided with less pride and more words.
Whatever, in all, it is a good book with a plot driven by many twists and turns.
Lady Pearl may appear as very naive at the beginning, but she is, like most of the women she was sheltered all her life, unaware of what is life outside her well guarded house. But she is willing to learn, totally oblivious of the dangers lurking in any corner, lucky for her to cross the road of Luke St Clair, the famous robber, a kind of Robin Hood.
They together feel an instant chemistry but lies are what drove them together, more are on their way.
Luke St Clair grew up on the wrong side of the path, but he is not a bad man, he tries to steal to the worst to give to the poorest. When he learns who she really is, he feels unworthy of her.
They are good together, each one accepting the flaws of the other, they do communicate well when they do not have assumptions and they want obviously to be together whatever they told to themselves.
Besides their lack of communication, I was not satisfied that Pearl’s stepmother was not rewarded for her misdeeds. I give this first book in a series a 4,5 stars rate.
I loved both characters until their stubbornness and lack of communication gave me the need to slap their head.
I know it is more a world of appears than being but how many hurts and tourments they would have avoided with less pride and more words.
Whatever, in all, it is a good book with a plot driven by many twists and turns.
Lady Pearl may appear as very naive at the beginning, but she is, like most of the women she was sheltered all her life, unaware of what is life outside her well guarded house. But she is willing to learn, totally oblivious of the dangers lurking in any corner, lucky for her to cross the road of Luke St Clair, the famous robber, a kind of Robin Hood.
They together feel an instant chemistry but lies are what drove them together, more are on their way.
Luke St Clair grew up on the wrong side of the path, but he is not a bad man, he tries to steal to the worst to give to the poorest. When he learns who she really is, he feels unworthy of her.
They are good together, each one accepting the flaws of the other, they do communicate well when they do not have assumptions and they want obviously to be together whatever they told to themselves.
Besides their lack of communication, I was not satisfied that Pearl’s stepmother was not rewarded for her misdeeds. I give this first book in a series a 4,5 stars rate.
June 10, 2019
This is a hard book to review, as there is many twist and turns in the plot. Lots of understanding, on both Luke's and Pearl.
Pearl is the daughter of The Duke of Oakshire, a very wealthy and powerful man. Her stepmother is not only evil, but worst then Cinderella's ! She wants her married before her 21st birthday so she can't inherit property left her by her mother. Pearl will go to any length to not marry so she can get said property and use it to help the poor.
When her father leaves town on business she runs away pretending to be a maid, after she over hears Obelia her stepmother trying to talk one of her suitors into ruining her.
She runs into Luke who is also at the party to steal items to help the poor. He helps her so she is not seen by people who know her. She doesn't know he is the notorious Saint of Seven Dials, and he doesn't know she is one of the ton, and a Dukes daughter !
There is the mystery of who Luke really is, intrigue as to what happen to his family and by who.
The problem with the wicked stepmother, who I hated. How the Luke and Pearl handle how they feel when the both learn the truth about each other. To say anymore would give away to many much and ruin the story....
It's a great start to a new series, and we also get a little look see at the next book too.
Pearl is the daughter of The Duke of Oakshire, a very wealthy and powerful man. Her stepmother is not only evil, but worst then Cinderella's ! She wants her married before her 21st birthday so she can't inherit property left her by her mother. Pearl will go to any length to not marry so she can get said property and use it to help the poor.
When her father leaves town on business she runs away pretending to be a maid, after she over hears Obelia her stepmother trying to talk one of her suitors into ruining her.
She runs into Luke who is also at the party to steal items to help the poor. He helps her so she is not seen by people who know her. She doesn't know he is the notorious Saint of Seven Dials, and he doesn't know she is one of the ton, and a Dukes daughter !
There is the mystery of who Luke really is, intrigue as to what happen to his family and by who.
The problem with the wicked stepmother, who I hated. How the Luke and Pearl handle how they feel when the both learn the truth about each other. To say anymore would give away to many much and ruin the story....
It's a great start to a new series, and we also get a little look see at the next book too.
December 3, 2017
A thrilling adventure as well as mystery that has not palled in the re~read. Because of my memory lapses where i recall the first chapters but not the middle and the last ones, it felt like I was reading it the first time. With the proliferation of mangled Regencies and Historicals which has something to do with Time Warps and confusing Timelines and the total disregard for the given categories that give insult to both reader and genre, Ms. Hiatt's Regencies are a welcome addition to a discerning reader's bookshelf.
Aside from the thrilling exploits of the Saint of Seven Dials (by providing titillation to the ladies of the ton and adding spice to their on dits), the mystery of his origins and his romance with Lady Pearl; what I find most relatable and real is the character of Bellowsworth. He maybe the epitome of banality yet he is still a gentleman of honor and fairplay and no one can fault his devotion to his mother and he is not as dense as people are wont to believe. Also, it is but fitting that the Saint of Seven Dials should not retire, for Marcus has found something worthwhile to do to with his time and to further exploit a Legend. It is time for Marcus Northrup, fifth son of a Duke, to polish a halo and Shine. And so the Legend continues...
Aside from the thrilling exploits of the Saint of Seven Dials (by providing titillation to the ladies of the ton and adding spice to their on dits), the mystery of his origins and his romance with Lady Pearl; what I find most relatable and real is the character of Bellowsworth. He maybe the epitome of banality yet he is still a gentleman of honor and fairplay and no one can fault his devotion to his mother and he is not as dense as people are wont to believe. Also, it is but fitting that the Saint of Seven Dials should not retire, for Marcus has found something worthwhile to do to with his time and to further exploit a Legend. It is time for Marcus Northrup, fifth son of a Duke, to polish a halo and Shine. And so the Legend continues...
June 2, 2018
Lady Pearl eludes, or more or less runs away to escape a compromising situation planned by her stepmother to force her into a betrothal not of her choosing. She accepts a position as a temporary servant that evening at an event of the ton. To avoid being discovered at the gathering she flees the premises with another temporary servant, who also happens to be a thief who had pilfered some valuables from the event being held and wished to leave also before the theft is discovered. Little does Pearl realize that her savior of the moment is Luke St. Clair, a Robin Hood type thief, the notorious Saint of Seven Dials. Luke initially assumes Pearl is simple-minded and tries to protect her. The longer they are together he begins to realize that she is not who he originally thought she was and is keeping a secret. Likewise, Pearl knows Luke is not being completely honest with her.
So I won't spoil the reading pleasure of new readers I will curtail anymore narrative of the story. Rogue's Honor was a charming and enjoyable regency read worthy of 3 1/2 to 4 stars. It had some mystery and a villain, as well as unknown and surprising facts revealed about our hero. Pearl was very instrumental in uncovering the family history of Luke and discovering the true nature of the villain.
So I won't spoil the reading pleasure of new readers I will curtail anymore narrative of the story. Rogue's Honor was a charming and enjoyable regency read worthy of 3 1/2 to 4 stars. It had some mystery and a villain, as well as unknown and surprising facts revealed about our hero. Pearl was very instrumental in uncovering the family history of Luke and discovering the true nature of the villain.
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