Rosemary Rogers (1) (1932–2019)

Olivia is the shy & timid daughter of a very wealthy & very pushy merchant determined to see her married into the nobility. He arranges for her to marry, against her will, Jack, the younger brother of the Earl of Ashcombe but Jack takes her marriage settlement & runs off, leaving her at the altar & his older brother, Andrew to pick up the pieces. Andrew salvages the family honor by reluctantly marrying Olivia himself, all the while thinking she is every bit as mercenary as her father. The show more day after the wedding he has her sent off to his estate so he can forget she exists. But he can’t forget her. Before he can get to the estate, to try to get to know her better, Olivia is abducted by French spies. By the time Andrew catches up with her, Olivia is no longer quite so timid, or willing to be ordered around. She is done with being dragged hither and yon at the will of men and is standing up for herself.
It’s a good plot, full or treason, spies, rescues that go awry and even the bad guys are not all that bad at heart. I enjoyed it a good deal.
* disclaimer – I was given this book free from NetGalley in return for this review show less

This one was a winner! I was never a fan of Rosemary Rogers' earlier novels (too crude and graphic) but her later ones have come a long way from that. This story, set in the start of the Civil War, is not your typical romance where the southern belle is shouting "Damn the Yankees" every five seconds. In fact, she's on their side, as she's devoted to her "servants" and wishes to free them all, in accordance with her late father's wishes. Cameron Campbell is a likeable leading lady, as she's a show more bit more mature (twenty three, rather than the usual late teens), independent, and headstrong, but not in an overbearing way, and has a kind, unselfish nature. But the story is not just focused on Cameron and her thoughts and feelings, it takes others into consideration, and not just the leading man, Jackson Logan, a captain and blockade runner, who is a lot more than he seems. The story also focuses on Taye, a biracial freed slave, whose mother, Sukey, had a lifetime love for Cameron's father. There's also Grant, Cameron's jealous, vengeful brother, whose dark side compels him to commit a horrible crime, Naomi, a young slave woman who uses her beauty and charm to her advantage, and Thomas, a young lawyer who falls for Taye. The author makes you aware of their thoughts and feelings, which gives the book more of a well rounded perspective, instead of being continually focused on the romantic couple.

In this book, you get plenty of sparks, fire and passion between Cameron and Jackson, but there's also adventure, suspense, and some history thrown into the bargain. It's a real page turner, and you'll find yourself turning pages until you finish, and then be glad that there's a sequel (which I plan to read ASAP). show less

I remember reading The Wanton as an early teen (13 maybe). I found it hidden in a bedside drawer and once I started reading I realized why. I thought it was crazy hot then and, at 37 I still think the same thing. I mean c'mon look at that cover. What early 90's teenager could resist reading this when their parents weren't home?

When it comes to stupid, there are times the main character, Trista, takes the cake, especially when it involves her stepbrother, Fernando. In her defense (and at show more the beginning), she was 16 years old and it was the 1800s. And, she'd been shit on a lot by her mother. She was a definite masochist and unreliable narrator. I couldn't tell if she enjoyed the non-consensual BDSM thing every guy in the book had going on for her, but I sure as hell thought it was hot.
Except for the whole brother thing. And, the whole "I will rule you" thing. I can't believe the father and aunt never realized what was going on with Trista and her brother, Fernando and I've never been able to understand her fascination with him.

The writing was difficult to follow most of the time. I often wondered if the characters and the writer was tripping on acid, that's how far out there the plot and writing seems. I've read other books by Rosemary Rogers, such as Love Play and Sweet, Savage Love, but none were quite as disjointed and just plain weird as The Wanton.

But, hot damn, Blaise Devenant! show less

A sweeping, beautiful epic historical romance, "The Wildest Heart" by Rosemary Rogers kept me entranced throughout 739 pages. Yes, 739 pages. Beginning in 1872 with Rowena in India, onto 1873 when upon her grandfather's death she is sent to her mother's (whom she has never met) in London, and off to America upon her finding out her father is dying and has left her his ranch in New Mexico and a very wealthy woman. These pages take you through her life to 1878 without disappointing and no show more obnoxious down time. When I first saw this book, I was overwhelmed. A romance THIS long? How much can the author write about? Obviously plenty and without disappointing the reader. This is a TRUE romance in my book. Lady Rowena is beautiful, fierce, independent and strong. Her life was never easy, she is The Wildest Heart. I felt so much of a connection with Lady Rowena, dislike towards Todd Shannon, unsure about Lucas Cord and of course, I eventually fell in love with him, and all the players. I love when an author can build other characters without losing her key players. The late 1800s was a time of wild, raucous and outlaws, especially in the west. The author has woven the time period in beautifully.

Just beautiful. I say this book is worth each and every page you read. I wasn't disappointed and I am sure other readers won't be either. I will even say this, this is definitely going into my re-read pile for another round. Be prepared to be captivated through the entire book

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing this copy for my review. Acceptance of a review copy does not affect my ability to remain unbiased and provide a truthful, honest review. I am not paid for my reviews. show less