The Rake's Field Guide

The Rake's Handbook #1

by Sally Orr

The definitive guide to seduction…

The Rake’s Handbook was written on a dare, and soon took the ton by storm. Now its author, Ross Thornbury, is publicly reviled by the ladies—who are, of course, forbidden to read the handbook—but privately revered by the gentlemen. Unfortunately, Ross’s notoriety is working against him and he flees London painfully aware of the shortcomings of his own jaded heart.

Spirited young widow Elinor Colton lives next to Ross’s country estate. She’s appalled not only by his rakish reputation, but also by his progressive business plans. Elinor is sure she is immune to Ross’s seductive ways. But he keeps coming around…impressing her with his vision for England’s future and stunning her with his smiles.

How does one resist the man who wrote the manual on love?

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

384 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2014

About the author

Sally Orr is a recovering scientist who worked for thirty years in medical research. One day a cyber-friend challenged her to write a novel. Since she is a hopeless Anglophile, it's not surprising that her first book is a Regency romance. She lives with her husband, surrounded by too many books, and not enough old English cars.

Reviews

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh these two, it was pretty amusing. Especially when she was told a rake was coming to the village. It was really life and death.

Ross is a rake. What can one say. Women are fun and he only plays around with those who want it, and well flirts a lot with all of them. And manages to seduce the rest. Now his mother wants him to settle.

Elinor is a widow, and she is just coming out of mourning. She has quite the number of would-be suitors too. I liked how she really missed her husband and was afraid to move on.

These two meet, flirt. Meet again, flirt and then well the rest is history. But there is tension too, he wants to build a mine. She is afraid everything will get polluted. He is progressive, she wants things to stay like they are cos she is happy where she is. That is the drama in this book. It's pulling them in different directions (not to mention that his mother wants a suitable daughter in law.

But as we all know the HEA will conquer in the end. Quite the fun road to it.

[Sonya Heaney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally posted HERE .

I think this book is going to be popular with fans of wallpaper historical romances – books where the setting provides an idea of the past rather than a genuine depiction. Sally Orr has a lively way of writing and the scenes she creates are great fun. However, if you’re familiar either with the English language as it’s spoken in the British Commonwealth, or know a thing or two about 19th century manners, you might be distracted by the mistakes.

First thing’s first: despite what the publisher and the author’s website will tell you, this is NOT a Regency era story. It takes place in the 1820s, after the Regency period ended. It falls very close to that time period, so I don’t see why it wasn’t just set a few years earlier if it was to be marketed that way… I do like stories about characters who are a little rough around the edges. They’ve seen a thing or two of life and know everything don’t always work out perfectly. The opening scene was a bit preposterous all the same. Two strangers – male and female – discussing penis coverings… Well, that wouldn’t even happen in 2014, would it?

However, I warmed to both hero and heroine after that. They were two people who liked to enjoy their lives, even if society dictated they shouldn’t. I liked that our heroine was a widow, but a widow who had truly loved her husband and missed him greatly. I really appreciated that.

The language is going to cause a problem for you if it isn’t US English you’re most familiar with, because the Americanisms are everywhere. Expressions such as this one made me cringe:

“We’ll never mention this again. Period.”

It might sound fine coming out of the mouth of a 21st century American, but why would someone in Georgian Britain call a full stop a “period”?

For a first book, I can definitely see this author’s potential. I prefer my historical romances more grounded in reality, but Orr writes the kind of book that people seem to be looking for at the moment.

Perhaps in the future a little more care could be taken with both language and manners, and this might be an author to look out for.


Review copy provided by NetGalley.

[Sweets Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the conversations between Ross and Elinor, they had me laughing throughout the whole book with the way they would talk in code. I liked how in this historical romance the couple didn't fall in love within mere weeks of meeting like in so many others. True there's love at first sight but sometimes I want to read the female lead not just fallen head over heels in love but for her to be stubborn. And that's what you get in this book, Elinor didn't agree to marriage and instead she proved to be a strong willed woman who didn't need a man to survive.

Ross was hardheaded very hardheaded in the beginning and middle. Only once he saw the plus side to his marriage to Elinor did he truly start to open his heart to her. But he didn't go running to her either instead he took his time and let her come to him, knowing she had already refused him once.

Overall its a good read, I liked all the characters well except Dr. Potts but I think that's understandable in the end.

Till next time - Sweets Books

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rake’s Handbook: Including Field Guide was a quirky but steamy historical romance.

Ross Thornbury is a rake. Ross has promised his mother that he will put aside his rakish ways and settle down…but what she sees as suitable and what Ross desires might be two totally different things.

Moving to the countryside, Ross is attempting to build a manufacturing plant which has his neighbors up in arms. The widow, Elinor Colton, is just one stumbling block in his acquisitions for his plant.

Elinor Colton has just come out of morning when she meets the rake, Ross. There is a camaraderie between them but they have extremely polar opposite opinion on the plant’s construction and effect on the community.

This is a fun loving, HEA, historical romance.

I enjoyed reading this story but did have a few plot issues. Overall, it is very entertaining with marvelously spirited interactions between Elinor and Ross. I give The Rake’s Handbook: Including Field Guide 3.5 stars.


I received this copy of The Rake's Handbook: Including Field Guide from SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca in exchange for a honest review. This book published on November 4, 2014.

Written by: Sally Orr
Series: The Rake's Handbook
Publication Date: Book 1
Page Count: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN-10: 1492602116
ISBN-13: 978-1492602118
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that of late I’ve read a lot of very dark, dramatic stories and then I stumble on this. I’m not going to go into the story much because the book blurb is well written and tells most of the story, but for a debut book for this author, I must say I am impressed. This was a fun book to read and I needed it!

It was fast paced, witty and a delight to lose myself in.

Both hero and heroine were very likable and entertaining but what makes this book so fun to read is the dialogue between all the protagonists, main or secondary.

I highly recommend this light-hearted, highly entertaining and fast paced romance to all of you that have read a heavy and dramatic reads lately. This one will have you grinning and laughing from page one to the last.

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher

[Miki · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the title of this book. And that's it. It's badly written, the characters are two-dimensional and flat AND utterly silly, but the worst WORST thing came somewhere around page 25. (I can't remember exactly where, but nothing on earth will make me go back and look.) The lead female is fondly recalling a time when her nephew ran toward a frisky stallion crying "Horsey Hugs!". He was NINE YEARS OLD at the time. Horsey hugs???

That did it. I closed the book and will never go back. You can't make me.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! I'm amazed at how simple words can make your heart skip a beat..I have never read a book quiet like it..I'm still having hormonal up and downs...LOL..an excellent book..but women have a fan blowing on you..you'll need it. Super book, thanks you Sally Orr..well done!!

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's fun!
The plot is a tad predictable, but it's just different enough from the usual fare that I can totally forgive that.
Great characters and character development combine with some fantastic banter to make this a series (and author) I'm looking forward to following.

[Marilyn Rondeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a dare, Ross Thornbury, considered a rake by some authored THE RAKE’S HANDBOOK. Since then he has been publicly condemned by the ladies of the ton, and privately revered by the gentlemen. Unfortunately for Ross his notoriety is preventing him from gaining an important approval of his plans to make build a foundry on his land. Word has gotten out and the good people surrounding his land are sure that his foundry is going to poison their water, and unleash black soot into the air they breathe and blackening the countryside.

In particular, the most important consent he needs is to gain access to the river through the young widow Elinor Colton’s land. However, the gossips have convinced her that she should stay far away from her rakish neighbor. As much as Elinor holds the memory of her beloved husband close at heart, she has discovered that her newest neighbor with his delectable grin somehow makes her feel happy again.

*** In her debut author Sally Orr has penned a lovely romance THE RAKE’S HANDBOOK and FIELD GUIDE. Using the hero’s book as a vehicle, she had our hero Ross, translate by words and actions each chapter to the young widow, who although she kept telling herself she really shouldn’t - actually enjoyed their repartee. Ross was indeed a charmer, and widow or not, Elinor was delighted to be able to relax and enjoy his company.

Adding to the lively mix is Elinor’s ward Berdi. He is introduced as a young dandy with no direction other than trying to impress Beau Brumell with his latest originally designed cravat knot. He is silly and funny, and a trial for Elinor who wants to see him basically grow up and have direction in his life, but in the meantime, he provides a lovely amount of chuckles.

All in all this is a very light-hearted romantic tale, with no real suspense although we do run into a couple of skirmishes when a former candidate for Elinor’s affection finds her interest in Ross quite inconvenient for his plans to wed the wealthy widow. It was a fun read, not too exciting suspense wise and very mild in the sensuality area.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritques.com

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rake's Handbook: Including Field Guide is the first book in The Rake's Handbook series by Sally Orr. The Rake’s Handbook was written on a dare, and soon took the ton by storm. Ross Thornbury once wrote a book with two of his friends on a dare. Now he is said to be a rake of the worst sort. Unfortunately, Ross’s notoriety is working against him and he flees London painfully aware of the shortcomings of his own jaded heart. He throws himself into his business ventures and finds himself thwarted and fascinated by his neighbor. Elinor Colton has always been viewed as too spirited for her own good. As a young widow her independent ways do not help do not help her social standing. She is warned of his reputation and business plans that might put her home in harms way. Elinor is sure she is immune to Ross’s seductive ways, but he keeps coming around and impressing her with his vision for England’s future and stunning her with his smiles.

The Rake’s Handbook is a well done historical romance. It starts a new series, and introduces a number of characters I expect to see again in the subsequent books. Elinor is a strong female character, but still full of a certain innocence and wonder even after being a window and raising her sister's son. I was a wee bit disappointed that she did not see through the men in her life being interested in more than offering support and advise, but I relegate that to her being a bit too trusting and naive. Ross is an honorable man, despite the reputation he carries. He wants to support his mother and do right by her, even when it makes him miserable. I liked his honest nature and teasing wit. The conversations between Elinor and Ross were fun and full of teasing and charming humor. Even when I found myself annoyed with Elinor's complacency, I was quickly made happy again as soon as the two started their banter.

The Rake’s Handbook is a good, but not great romance. I liked the characters for the most part, though I found myself occasionally frustrated with Elinor. The wit and action of the book kept up at a good pace and made for a quick, fun read.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed for Buried Under Romance www.buriedunderromance.com
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What is a Rake? According to The Rake’s Handbook, a rake is someone who projects their considerable masculine allure upon all females with considerably more success than the average man. That definition certainly describes Ross Thornbury who wrote the scandalous The Rake’s Handbook on a dare. While women were forbidden to read it, it was a huge hit among London’s men; so much so that Ross felt he needed to escape London and his skyrocketing rakish reputation.
Ross imagined himself as a pioneer in the Industrial Revolution, and he made plans to build a steam engine plant on his estate in Cheshire. He would need to transport parts through property owned by his neighbor, the widow Elinor Colton and he made plans to meet with her. He was delighted to find out that his imagined elderly widow Colton was, in reality, the delightful young lady that he had caught peeking under a fig leaf at a statue exhibit. And while Ross felt he would never fall in love with anyone, and Elinor was still not over the accidental death of her husband, sparks immediately began to fly between the two.
The Rake’s Handbook, the first novel in a series by Sally Orr, explores the possibility of romance between Ross and Elinor with humor and sincerity, and it is very easy to care about both characters. I found myself embarrassed for them one minute, and elated for them the next, and after a myriad of other emotions, I was very satisfied by the ending.
While there were a couple of plot points that bothered me, they were not enough to detract from my enjoyment of this novel. I am giving The Rake’s Handbook four stars, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Amy Alvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 1 in the Rake's Handbook series.

Elinor Colton has just come out of mourning for her husband. Just starting to enjoy society again, she attends the local assembly where she is told that a rake is now amongst them and warned to stay clear of him. Little did she know, he was the man to enchant her earlier in the night.

Ross Thornbury can't live down his reputation as a rake. Having written The Rake's Handbook with two of his friends on a drunken dare, everyone thinks they know what type of man he is. He just wants to make improvements to his land and move ahead with plans for building steam engines on his property. Only one thing stands in his way. He needs permission to cut across Elinor's land to get his project to work.

As Ross spends time with Elinor to convince her to go along with his ideas, his attraction for her grows and he allows his rakish ways to show. When he lets his attraction to Elinor go too far, will he lose the girl and his plans for the future?

I liked Elinor. It's not often that we have a widow in a story who is still in love with her husband. They are often relieved that their husbands have passed because of some reason or another. This added another element to the story. Elinor didn't feel it was right to feel what she was feeling toward Ross. She thought is was a betrayal her late husband's memory.

Ross on the other hand, had no qualms about his attraction to Elinor and finds himself going after what he wants. Showing that he is a good guy under all that rakish behavior, he steps up when he has compromised her.

Orr had me laughing out loud throughout the story and I'm looking forward to reading about the other two authors of The Rake's Handbook!

Thanks go out to Sourcebooks via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solidly enjoyable read. I wasn't necessarily blown away, but I liked the main characters, the conflict, and the writing.

The heroine is a young widow, an extrovert (obviously that word is not used, but the author makes it clear) who feels restricted by the seclusion of widowhood. She's a naturally boisterous person, forced to increased demurity. I loved that this was a story featuring a widow who loved their late spouse, who wasn't a bizarre virgin widow, and who had to deal with the emotions involved in falling in love again after losing a spouse. Part of her conflict is her loyalty to a much loved husband, and I liked that she didn't find it easy to move on.

The hero is a recovered rake who is trying to shed his bad reputation, which is made more difficult since he literally wrote a handbook on seducing women. He is also a budding industrialist who needs a lease from the heroine so he can build a foundry. The heroine, and the community are skeptical of his plans, and the book faces head on the problems of early industrialism (coal smoke and dust, child labor).

Obviously there are more plot points, but those stand out as the things I was drawn to. The heroine has a teenage nephew who she has raised and I actually liked how self-absorbed and dense the kid was at the beginning. He seemed like a caricature, until I remembered how much of caricature teenage boys actually are. Later on he learns some hard lessons and you can see him shaping up, but the author doesn't just flip a switch and make him an adult. He still has truly terrible problem solving skills, but you can see the potential for a decent adult, which is the whole goal of parenting.

[Kathy Dalquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won an autographed copy of The Rakes Handbook as a first reads in the Goodreads giveaway! An enjoyable book in an era I love to read about!
Ross Thornbury wrote this book that is reviled by the ladies but enjoyed by the men. Unfortunately the notoriety of the book is getting to him and since he doesn't want his mother hearing about it, he moves with her to the new country estate he bought. That is where he meets Elinor Colton who is a widow with 2 'Knights' who want to care for her. Having just come out of mourning, she wants to get involved in the local activities and laugh again. And Ross makes her laugh but her former husband still has her heart and besides Ross is planning on building a colliery which will blacken the countryside and her house!
With his mother putting up resistance to him marrying a childless widow, men sabotaging the building of his colliery, Elinore's 'knights' getting in his way, it is a rocky road to love.

[Maria Almaguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ross Thornbury, the grandson of a duke, has promised his beloved and mentally fragile mother to leave his rakish ways behind him in London while he’s in the countryside, working on a new financial endeavor: manufacturing a foundry which will restore his family’s coffers. He has also penned a salacious manual on seduction that everyone whispers about and secretly wishes to read.

Ross needs a lease to Elinor Colton’s vast property to have river access for his steam engine manufacturing, a venture that she fears will ruin her house and the atmosphere of the countryside, not to mention pollute the waters of the river. The foundry and its repercussions create nice tension throughout the novel and Sally Orr's research is evident in these detailed descriptions.

For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1J4cMmr

[Eloquent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was free to me as part of the Giveaway here on Goodreads.

I really enjoyed this novel. It's a historical romance set in mid-1800's England. The main character is a widow, and her neighbor is a dashing and scandalous man. There was plenty of romance, but thankfully, there was also more to the story. It's about the struggle of new technology as it clashes with old ways. Perhaps that juxtaposition mirrors how Elinor struggles to reconcile the past (with her love for her deceased husband) and her future (with possibly Ross).

I'll definitely purchase more books from this author. Her style reminds me of classic novels like Pride and Prejudice.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! The dialogue between Elinor and Ross is very amusing.
Really worth reading. Very enjoyable.
I love the banter when they first met, and that Ross made Elinor laugh when she needed to.

[C JM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful story from a debut author. Enjoyed Ross's antics at times his interaction with Elinor is amusing.

[Trudy Brasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Regency romance with witty dialogue and a little heat. Sally's Orr's romance between a devoted widow and the reputed rake who moves in next door has many twists and turns to keep the story going.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fun story. The author angel held many humorous aspects and truly added to the romance. A really good book!

[D Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't think I would enjoy it but found it a good read.

[Miriamgreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

great premise, great promise unfulfilled
sometimes like watching water boil, or molasses slowly dripping from the jar
and it was a jarring discontinuity, stop, start, intermission, and repeat
the slow unroll of plot and love affair was exasperating
the few times the h/h were together were delightful and brief, like the life of mayflies
aggravating secondary characters, esp Potts, Henry and Mother of hero
great scene in pinnery, actually two great scenes in pinnery but both botched
heroes friends too stupid to live, attempt to explore coming of machine age was interesting and vested with all prejudices we still see today
nice it ends up with another fig leaf but if any book needed an epilogue this one screamed for it. Better have cut some unnecessary dialogue and focused on the romance. definitely should have been a wedding scene instead of just dropping the curtain. with such a good plot, a rake's handbook, Orr did not do justice to her own excellent potential adventure. Won't bother to read the rest of the series. My disappointment was visceral: needed far more to happen between Elinor and Ross, at the very least another chapter devoted essentially to their relationship. Even her nephew couldn't save the day, but he helped. Too bad, was much looking forward to this book.

[Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand the people who are unhappy because this wasn't historically accurate (year, idiomatic speech), but I'm not esoteric enough to have that bother me.
There was something vaguely familiar about the three friends who published a risque book, but I can't remember the other book.
I enjoyed the widow's coming to grips with the idea that she could love another man and still love her dead husband. I liked the nephew coming of age (he was pretty annoying at the beginning). The hero was a fun character who demonstrated he was a good guy despite the book.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 30%

It's super boring. The characters have no personalities even though we are told that they do. There are no stakes to the conflict which makes the whole thing drag even more. The heroine loses all agency and rationality every time she's within 5 feet of the hero, which is one of my all time least favorite romance tropes. I'm all for overwhelming feelings of lust, but the heroine doesn't need to turn into a useless infant when it happens.

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am rather bemused as I've reached the end of this book and I feel like I didn't get to see/read any actual romance. Or maybe it's just that once again I've found myself reading a book with a hero I don't like.

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got about 40% through this one and gave up. The writing and characters were just not engaging to me.

[Sonja Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical romance between neighbors Ross and Elinor is a good one. I really liked the two main characters and the storyline pulled me right in and kept my attention. There were some interesting secondary characters and it was an entertaining book.

[Tracy Emro]

3.5 stars

I am having a very hard time reviewing this book. This is a new author to me and this is her debut effort. Ms. Orr definitely has promise and her writing is good - but it needs some work.

Ross is our hero and the author of a scandalous book "The Rake's Handbook: Including Field Guide". He is charming, funny and of course, handsome. I found it extremely amusing that he didn't want his mother to know he wrote the book. He has big plans to build a foundry on his property and needs Elinor (our heroine) to give him access to the river on her property.

Elinor is a widow just out of mourning and who is still very much in love with her late husband. She is a bit silly and frivolous. But she is also very loving and devoted to her husbands memory. She loves the house that her built her when they married and is convinced that the foundry will ruin it, so she is opposed to Ross' plans. And while she is attracted to Ross - she can't seem to let her late husband go.

Elinor's nephew Berdy is a delightful secondary character. He is a 17 year old dandy wannabe. And he certainly adds humor to the story.

I guess my main problem with the story is it is inconsistent. The plot doesn't really stay on point and parts of the story become vague - for instance - we know how old Ross and Berdy are - but we have no idea how old Elinor is or how long she was married. We know Ross wrote the handbook on a dare with his friends - but we aren't given the details of the dare or when it happened. We know that this story takes place over several months - but we don't know the exact timeline. Things like this diminish the story for me. Also there is a lot of reference to the handbook - but we never get any real excerpts. Just vague references. I would have enjoyed an excerpt at the beginning of each chapter from the handbook. I also think the ending was a bit odd. One minute Ross is on death's doorstep and the next they are waltzing. The reader has no idea how much time elapsed and I found that frustrating.

I liked many things about this book and as I said before, this author has incredible potential and once she finds her stride, will be an author to watch out for. I would recommend this book with warning that it is a debut and certain allowances need to be made. And I will most definitely read the next book.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I am having a very hard time reviewing this book. This is a new author to me and this is her debut effort. Ms. Orr definitely has promise and her writing is good - but it needs some work.

Ross is our hero and the author of a scandalous book "The Rake's Handbook: Including Field Guide". He is charming, funny and of course, handsome. I found it extremely amusing that he didn't want his mother to know he wrote the book. He has big plans to build a foundry on his property and needs Elinor (our heroine) to give him access to the river on her property.

Elinor is a widow just out of mourning and who is still very much in love with her late husband. She is a bit silly and frivolous. But she is also very loving and devoted to her husbands memory. She loves the house that her built her when they married and is convinced that the foundry will ruin it, so she is opposed to Ross' plans. And while she is attracted to Ross - she can't seem to let her late husband go.

Elinor's nephew Berdy is a delightful secondary character. He is a 17 year old dandy wannabe. And he certainly adds humor to the story.

I guess my main problem with the story is it is inconsistent. The plot doesn't really stay on point and parts of the story become vague - for instance - we know how old Ross and Berdy are - but we have no idea how old Elinor is or how long she was married. We know Ross wrote the handbook on a dare with his friends - but we aren't given the details of the dare or when it happened. We know that this story takes place over several months - but we don't know the exact timeline. Things like this diminish the story for me. Also there is a lot of reference to the handbook - but we never get any real excerpts. Just vague references. I would have enjoyed an excerpt at the beginning of each chapter from the handbook. I also think the ending was a bit odd. One minute Ross is on death's doorstep and the next they are waltzing. The reader has no idea how much time elapsed and I found that frustrating.

I liked many things about this book and as I said before, this author has incredible potential and once she finds her stride, will be an author to watch out for. I would recommend this book with warning that it is a debut and certain allowances need to be made. And I will most definitely read the next book.