The Reluctant Smuggler

Regency Series #3

by Teresa DesJardien

A Crime of Passion...

For Charlotte Deems, the death of her husband was a mixed blessing. She was freed from a marriage without desire--but left with no one to help provide for little Oscar. Now her money dwindled and her boy needed a father--even if it meant yet another loveless marriage...

Lord Sebastian Whitbury was a handsome young man from a good family, but he lacked the funds to marry his intended. To earn her father's approval, he hatches a perilous plan to make a fortune. But when Charlotte stumbles upon his illicit plot, she becomes an unwilling accomplice in his dangerous quest to win his lover's hand. Then Sebastian's plan hits a snag...when his bond with Charlotte grows from complicity--to passion...

Genres: Regency, Romance, Fiction

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

About the author

Teresa DesJardien lives in Seattle. She is married with grown children, and growing grandkids. She’s been a financial and a file clerk, a mommy, a page, a bookseller, a very young and hot grandma, and an author. She has received two Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Nominations and three Regency Rake of the Month Awards.

Reviews

[Jaimey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the average Regency, this story has elements of danger, but not totally unbelievable danger. Smuggling, was, after all, a very big thing in Regency England, when taxes were so high because of the Peninsular Campaign. The number of noblemen directly involved, other than skimming their share off the top for the use of their land, was probably a much smaller number then typical Regencies would have us believe—smuggling was so terribly romantic, you know. (Can you see my eyes rolling??) However, this book was a little bit believable in that it was the younger son of a Marquess involved in smuggling rather than the Marquess himself. I'm not sure the young widow would have been caught dead alone with the young man had he not threatened her life—she was soooo desperate to be accepted by local society—but despite that desire, in a lot of ways she really wasn't your typical Regency miss. But whatever happened to that old adage "Death before dishonor"?? Meanwhile, a big deal was made over a couple of her deep, dark secrets; they were a bit of a letdown once learned. But hey, women really didn't have a very exciting life back then...

Anyway, overall the story was interesting, even funny at times, and well worth the read.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a romance novel with a tiny bit of intrigue thrown it to try to make it interesting. My wife likes me to read to her. Usually we read books we both like. She was trying to find something I hadn't read yet, but had on hand. She thought this might have enough adventure to keep me from getting too bored. It didn't really, but I read it to her anyway.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and charming! Will read again someday!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good for a Signet Regency Romance. Charming romantic couple overcoming obstacles in their path and achieving true love. Alright, that describes almost any romance.

Male romantic lead: Lord Sebastian Whitbury, youngest son, no prospects, is looking for a wife.

Female romantic lead: Charlotte Deems, widowed, running out of money, might have to marry to secure a future for her son Oscar

Problems: Sebastian has undertaken a commission to do a little smuggling, to make a stake for himself.

Quirkiness: Sebastian and Charlotte are fascinated by the sport of cricket.

[Spazfungus · Rating 2 out of 5]

nothing wrong with the book, it was well written, a more serious regency romance. Less witty sparing and balls, more real life worries. (single mothers and their worries for providing for their children. Lesser sons and their worry for setting up an independent household) but i only rated it two starts because I just couldn't like the main hero. His obsession with cricket makes him seem like a boy trapped in a man's body!

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regency

[Margo Dubach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Signet Regency Romance - clean - good writer - enjoy her

[Korri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun quick read.