Scoundrel in Disguise

Knave of Hearts Series #3

by Annette Blair

Marcus Fitzalan adores Lady Jade Smithfield the minute he sees her; she despises him just as fast. Jade Smithfield's grandmother unwittingly sold a land option to the railroad before she died. Nevertheless, to keep the family secret and to save the downtrodden women in her care, Jade is determined to stop the South Downs Railroad from laying track on her property. To save his disabled brother's railroad, and the families who will lose their living without it, Marcus Fitzalan applies for the job as Jade's man of affairs to conceal his investigation into the railroad accidents halting construction. While Jade wreaks havoc on the railroad, and leads Marcus on a merry chase, her new man of affairs teaches her a lesson contrary to everything she has learned since birth: Not, all men are created equal - some of them are good. Award-winning author Annette Blair lives in New England. Library Journal regards Blair as "a seasoned writer of both historical and contemporary romance."

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency

287 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 2006

About the author

Annette Blair's romantic comedies owe their beginnings to a root canal and a reluctant trip to Salem Massachusetts. Though she had once proclaimed she'd never write a contemporary, she stumbled into the serendipitous role of Accidental Witch Writer on that trip. Funny how she managed to eat her words even with an aching jaw. Magic or destiny; Annette's Bewitching Romantic Comedies became her first National Bestsellers.

Her August '07 release, SEX AND THE PSYCHIC WITCH, the first in her Triplet Witch Trilogy, hit the #1 bestselling spot for contemporary romance-humorous on Barnes & Noble. It also hit B & N's overall bestseller lists for mass market and fiction mass market and #7 for romance mass market, topping Nielsen BookScan and Borders Bestseller lists as well.

Reviews

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another cute book out of the normal for this author. Set the mid 1880's, the story is about Jade, who saves women and children who have been beaten and Marcus, who is trying to see who is sabotaging his families interest in building a railroad. Marcus's search brings him to Jade house where chaos reigns. He poses as an undercover man who is in charge of the house funds. Jade hires him and sparks fly between them. In between women showing up at random times, babies being born, mischief with the rail road Jade and Marcus fall for each other, but keep their secrets. Each knows the other has a secret and it takes its toll on their relationship until they come to a point where they either trust each other or end things.

I would consider this a fun beach read full of chaos, mischief, and lots of sexual tension.

[Tracy T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. I liked Jade, the heroine a lot, her in her breeches. LOL The hero, Marcus was quite funny and handsome. They had some great chemistry together. A couple of nicely written sex scenes was a bonus.

There was lots and lots of great dialogue throughout the entire book. Love dialogue in my books. There are some great secondary characters.
The story line and plot were very good.

I believe this is the second book in the Knave of Scoundrels book, but some sites have it listed as number 3.

I recommend this book for sure. It was a great read.

[Penny Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first non-witchy book by Annette. It was an adorable, funny, well-paced and touching historical. And it has wiener dogs!!!!!! Love that! I adore Annette's unique voice, although it was a bit more toned down here than in her contemporary paranormals, but still evident and highly enjoyable for me. I adored the hero and heroine...maybe even my favorite couple from all of her books! I think I'm ready to tackle the Amish romances next! Hee hee....

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is set in 1847, Sussex England, which is an issue, since Lady Jade Smithfield wears men's clothing. Blair ignores the social-political reasons for why some women started wearing men's clothing.
As this is a heterosexual romance, Blair total avoids the other reason why women of this time period would brave wearing men's clothes.

[Zena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book from the point of view of battered and abused women and I guess it is possible that they could have been cared for in a 'home' much like the underground societies of today way back then. But it is an interesting concept anyway and made a good story.
We read about a mystery or two from the past that need solving as well as the developing love affair between Jade and Marcus, the two main characters. She yo-yo's back and forwards as far as having an intimate relationship with Marcus and it was really quite amusing to read about the absolute delight when it was 'yes' and major disappointment when it was 'no' - for both of them.
And then there was their little foster child, Emily. Oh, she is just so very cute!
This book is chock full of chuckles, intrigue, life and love put together in a story that is easy to read and follow and enjoy.

[TinaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lady helping disadvantaged and abused women and children and a scoundrel there to investigate railroad sabotage. If the setting wasn't historical I may have been able to believe it, but this story just doesn't fit with the history I know

[Queen Talk Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a nice railroading book.

Stubborn women can mistake aloofness for independence. Everyone needs friends. This book has pain and death but mostly love, acceptance and sexy times.

[Dianne Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story and characters. Marcus, brother of Garrett,an Earl and part owner of a railroad, goes to work for Jade at Peacehaven, a place for women who had been abused.

[Nanci de Suffren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touches on one of those subjects that, although we hear about it, unless experienced, people cannot know just how horrible it is - abuse. Yes, as always, there is a delightful love story here between a scoundrel and an independent woman but the circumstances of the story and the passion driving it is the overwhelming priority of protecting a group of damaged women and children. The author has absolutely captured the reactions of the women and children so tenderly that it often brought tears to my eyes. Our scoundrel, Marcus, reacted as I know many people do to seeing that kind of fear. It changes you. It humbles you. Although set in an era long past, these horrors haven't gone away. I truly appreciate how the author wove a story around this, including the hope and the possibility of coming out with strength and happiness for everyone.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Jade Smithfield runs a home for battered and abused women which she inherited from her grandmother. She hires Marcus Fitzalan to be her man of affairs to discover what is going on with her finances. Jade does her best not to be attracted to Marcus but finds herself falling for him anyway. Marcus is head over heels in love with Jade but can't figure out what she's hiding. Marcus knows he must investigate the accidents for the railroad. Marcus asks his brother Garrett to come to Peacehaven. What is Jade hiding? How will Garrett help Marcus? Your answers await you in Proper Scoundrel.

[RedRedtheycallmeRed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a more "modern" historical romance, so it won't be everyone's cup of tea. I liked it quite a bit. Jade and Marcus had great chemistry, I enjoyed their banter. Jade was understandably skittish, but Marcus was such a great guy, I adored him!

The supporting characters added a lot to the book, but not to the point of overshadowing the main storyline. I liked the fact that the book brought light to domestic abuse, something that there was little recourse for back then.

This is the sixth (historical romance) book I've read by Annette Blair and I've enjoyed them all.

[Dottiebears · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't hate this book, I didn't love it either. This was the weakest book in this series so far. Didn't like either the h or the H. While the h wasn't TSTL she was definitely too irritating to live. The H was very one dimensional and really much too good to be true, he was more like a wax figure than a real person.

Looking forward to the last book in the series. Overall this has been an entertaining gprou.

[T.L. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though clearly the same formula used in Sea Scoundrel, new cast of characters and plot, it worked. Why change what works? Even though I was able to see the ending coming a mile away, I was glued to pages until I reached that particular ending, and then wanted more. What can I say? I'm obviously a sucker for a good scoundrel.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of this author for many years and have read a lot of her books. I have to say this one is my favorite out of all her historical romance I have read. I absolutely loved this book. Marcus & Jade were perfect. Little Emily will grab your heart and you can’t help but love her. I laughed so many times and I cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book. I highly, highly recommend it!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jade and Marcus. He adores her as soon as he meets her, and tells her often. She has a couple of secrets that she is keeping from everyone (including the readers, but I knew what was coming) and I felt that the secrets were kept too long. "C'mon already!" I kept saying as I was reading. I loved all of the people that Jade was taking care of, they had become family.

[Dottiebears · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my least favorite of the series and wasn't near as good as Captive Scoundrel. Jade was not a very interesting or nice character and Marcus was pretty one dimensional and too good to be true.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The relationships between all of the characters were well written and developed nicely. My favorite was the bond between Marcus and Emily. I can not wait to read the final book in this series.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this author. This book started a bit slow and got so much better as it went along. a sweet story with some suspense, romance, a bit much pre-marital sex for my taste but the H and h were both delightful. Also good supporting characters-especially Beecher.

[Kbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it more than #2. Marcus is a happy go lucky guy. He as quite a humorous streak and a the kindess & softess heart. As for Jade, she needed a good shake more than once.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining read!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! Looking forward to the next one in the series!!!

[Regina Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Annette Blair's books. They are always good!

[Regina Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Annette Blair's books. They are always good!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a good book to read forever and ever since the heart of a great book to resd

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice characters, great story - loved it!

[Linda Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annette Blair never disappoints.

[Maria Burgos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisting tale

I was swept up in the first few sentences. I tale of many hearts being thrown together at all turns

[Lissy Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 3.5 stars really. ... Liked it, but somehow while I was reading it I felt like was reading parts of Sea Scoundrel.

[MaryD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Not very engaging, but it was OK. I'd guessed most of the plot lines early on.

[Clarissa Boggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay story,not as good as the first book in the series but still an okay read