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Legendary Rogues #1
Lady of Desire
Miss Margery Derrington and her dear aunts are in dire straits. Their discovery of a rare medieval manuscript will hopefully stave off their creditors—if it’s worth what they hope. Margery reluctantly allies with a reclusive scholar to use the book to pursue a treasure that could exceed her expectations. Amidst danger, secrets, and an insatiable attraction, is Margery gambling just her financial future...or her heart?
Academic Rhys Bowen can’t believe he has his hands on the elusive de Valery text. Solving its hidden code and unearthing its legendary treasure would establish him as one of Britain’s leading antiquarians, finally casting him out of his brilliant late father’s shadow. But when a centuries-old organization convinces Rhys of the perils of disturbing the past, he must choose between his conscience…and the captivating woman he’s sworn to help.
Academic Rhys Bowen can’t believe he has his hands on the elusive de Valery text. Solving its hidden code and unearthing its legendary treasure would establish him as one of Britain’s leading antiquarians, finally casting him out of his brilliant late father’s shadow. But when a centuries-old organization convinces Rhys of the perils of disturbing the past, he must choose between his conscience…and the captivating woman he’s sworn to help.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2014
About the author
Darcy Burke
131 books2,182 followersDarcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her Reader Club at http://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
October 21, 2017
This was an ok read, but I felt no connection to the romance and was never invested in the outcome. She never trusted him, he didn't trust her, they both obsessed about a treasure and the story of the treasure easily overwhelmed the romance.
I found the heroine quite unlikeable. She was borderline cold, her only reaction to her lust was irritation at its "inconvenience". He lusted after her but was not at all interested in anything permanent, as he had no desire to get married. Which was how she felt, too. Yay- on the same page. Now let's find that treasure, cos that's the most important thing here!
Most tellingly, I did not switch off the light at night and continue to ponder their story while I was going to sleep. When a book is good, I keep thinking about it after I stop reading. I have trouble stopping! With this one, I went to sleep planning which genre and which book I was going to read next. For me, that is definitely the sign of an average book! 😞
I found the heroine quite unlikeable. She was borderline cold, her only reaction to her lust was irritation at its "inconvenience". He lusted after her but was not at all interested in anything permanent, as he had no desire to get married. Which was how she felt, too. Yay- on the same page. Now let's find that treasure, cos that's the most important thing here!
Most tellingly, I did not switch off the light at night and continue to ponder their story while I was going to sleep. When a book is good, I keep thinking about it after I stop reading. I have trouble stopping! With this one, I went to sleep planning which genre and which book I was going to read next. For me, that is definitely the sign of an average book! 😞
September 6, 2016
I've given this a C+ at AAR, so 3.5 stars
This is the first in a new series of books from Ms Burke, under the title of Regency Treasure Hunters, and it’s a fast-paced mixture of adventure and romance, very much in the mould of Romancing the Stone or Indiana Jones. But with more sex!
The story opens with Miss Margery Deringham and her two great aunts searching their attic for things of value that they can sell in order to stave off financial ruin. When they stumble across an old, illuminated manuscript storybook entitled The Ballads of Sir Gareth, Margery is spellbound. Her aunts tell her that they remember the book from their childhoods, and that it contains stories of bold knights, beautiful damsels and derring do.
The ladies decide to have the book valued – they can’t afford to be blinded to their precarious monetary situation by sentimentality - and write to Alexander Bowen, widely known to be an expert on medieval manuscripts to request his assistance.
Margery travels to meet with Mr Bowen and is surprised to discover the elderly scholar she had expected to meet is in fact a much younger man – Mr Rhys Bowen, the scholar’s equally knowledgeable son. Not only is he younger, he’s gorgeous – but Margery finds his rather commanding manner off-putting and senses that he is not telling her the whole truth about her book.
When Margery turns down Rhys’ more than generous offer for the manuscript, he realises that the only way he is going to be able to study it at any length is to share some of his knowledge with her. He tells her that her book is one of two written by the medieval poet Eugene de Valery, that the other book is in the possession of his cousin, the dissolute Earl of Stratton, and that the books are worth far more as a pair than individually.
What he doesn’t tell her is that the books together are rumoured to contain a code which, when broken, will lead to a great treasure. Rhys has no idea what the code is, how to break it or what the treasure is - he is more interested in the scholastic value of said treasure than in any monetary gain, and in the challenge presented by the need to find and then break the code.
Thoroughly intrigued by the history of the manuscript and by the prospect of seeing another like it, Margery is not about to give her book into Rhys’ charge and insists on accompanying him to his cousin’s estate in Leominster, a day’s journey away.
On their overnight stop, Margery awakens to find an intruder in the room she shares with her companion – an intruder who threatens violence if she doesn’t give him the book – and it becomes clear to her that there is something more at stake here than an historical interest in a couple of old manuscripts. Rhys has to tell her the truth about the code, and they come to the realisation that their treasure hunt could prove dangerous.
The de Valery Code is a cracking yarn that moves at a swift pace with a sensual romance developing alongside. I enjoyed the story, and while the idea of a secret order pledged to seek out Arthurian treasures and prevent their use for evil is perhaps a little far-fetched, it’s no more so than those featured in countless other books which tell similar stories.
The book is well-plotted and written, but the characterisation is a bit uneven. Rhys is a charming beta hero, a knowledgeable antiquarian and scholar whose air of authority and confidence in his abilities is seen by Margery as arrogance and pig-headedness, and that’s a big stumbling block for me, because he’s neither of those things. Margery is lovely, intelligent, and discovers a real passion for history and its secrets as she and Rhys pursue their goal, but she refuses to trust him, citing those lies of omission from when they barely knew each other as the reason why. She lies to him, tries to trick him into thinking she’s gone back home when she’s really trying to head off on her own, and justifies her actions by reminding herself that he’d lied to her once. He never gives her any other reason to mistrust him, saves her bacon on several occasions and makes it clear that he has every intention of sharing his discoveries with her, and yet she still won’t trust him. In the romance department, there’s terrific chemistry between the couple, but Margery persists in pushing Rhys away here, too, and although Ms Burke tries to explain Margery’s attitude towards the end of the story, it isn’t enough to justify the hurt she causes. She actually initiates the first two sexual encounters – and yet afterwards, she leaps out of bed like it’s on fire (which it may have been, because the sex scenes are nicely hot!), tells Rhys she doesn’t want anything more from him, puts on her clothes and bolts from the room without so much as a “thank-you”, leaving Rhys wondering what the hell went wrong!
While the characterisation of the heroine does leave something to be desired, the story as a whole flows well and Margery does redeem herself somewhat towards the end.
I did notice a few errors in the copy I read – some were those pesky Americanisms that appear in almost every historical I read (“gotten” is not a word we use in the UK – we just say “got”), and I was somewhat confused when one of the secondary characters – Mr Digby – was referred to as a “peer” and addressed as a “lordship”. If he’s a Mister, he’s neither a peer nor a lordship.
But otherwise, it’s an engaging – if slightly derivative – read and a good start to the series.
This is the first in a new series of books from Ms Burke, under the title of Regency Treasure Hunters, and it’s a fast-paced mixture of adventure and romance, very much in the mould of Romancing the Stone or Indiana Jones. But with more sex!
The story opens with Miss Margery Deringham and her two great aunts searching their attic for things of value that they can sell in order to stave off financial ruin. When they stumble across an old, illuminated manuscript storybook entitled The Ballads of Sir Gareth, Margery is spellbound. Her aunts tell her that they remember the book from their childhoods, and that it contains stories of bold knights, beautiful damsels and derring do.
The ladies decide to have the book valued – they can’t afford to be blinded to their precarious monetary situation by sentimentality - and write to Alexander Bowen, widely known to be an expert on medieval manuscripts to request his assistance.
Margery travels to meet with Mr Bowen and is surprised to discover the elderly scholar she had expected to meet is in fact a much younger man – Mr Rhys Bowen, the scholar’s equally knowledgeable son. Not only is he younger, he’s gorgeous – but Margery finds his rather commanding manner off-putting and senses that he is not telling her the whole truth about her book.
When Margery turns down Rhys’ more than generous offer for the manuscript, he realises that the only way he is going to be able to study it at any length is to share some of his knowledge with her. He tells her that her book is one of two written by the medieval poet Eugene de Valery, that the other book is in the possession of his cousin, the dissolute Earl of Stratton, and that the books are worth far more as a pair than individually.
What he doesn’t tell her is that the books together are rumoured to contain a code which, when broken, will lead to a great treasure. Rhys has no idea what the code is, how to break it or what the treasure is - he is more interested in the scholastic value of said treasure than in any monetary gain, and in the challenge presented by the need to find and then break the code.
Thoroughly intrigued by the history of the manuscript and by the prospect of seeing another like it, Margery is not about to give her book into Rhys’ charge and insists on accompanying him to his cousin’s estate in Leominster, a day’s journey away.
On their overnight stop, Margery awakens to find an intruder in the room she shares with her companion – an intruder who threatens violence if she doesn’t give him the book – and it becomes clear to her that there is something more at stake here than an historical interest in a couple of old manuscripts. Rhys has to tell her the truth about the code, and they come to the realisation that their treasure hunt could prove dangerous.
The de Valery Code is a cracking yarn that moves at a swift pace with a sensual romance developing alongside. I enjoyed the story, and while the idea of a secret order pledged to seek out Arthurian treasures and prevent their use for evil is perhaps a little far-fetched, it’s no more so than those featured in countless other books which tell similar stories.
The book is well-plotted and written, but the characterisation is a bit uneven. Rhys is a charming beta hero, a knowledgeable antiquarian and scholar whose air of authority and confidence in his abilities is seen by Margery as arrogance and pig-headedness, and that’s a big stumbling block for me, because he’s neither of those things. Margery is lovely, intelligent, and discovers a real passion for history and its secrets as she and Rhys pursue their goal, but she refuses to trust him, citing those lies of omission from when they barely knew each other as the reason why. She lies to him, tries to trick him into thinking she’s gone back home when she’s really trying to head off on her own, and justifies her actions by reminding herself that he’d lied to her once. He never gives her any other reason to mistrust him, saves her bacon on several occasions and makes it clear that he has every intention of sharing his discoveries with her, and yet she still won’t trust him. In the romance department, there’s terrific chemistry between the couple, but Margery persists in pushing Rhys away here, too, and although Ms Burke tries to explain Margery’s attitude towards the end of the story, it isn’t enough to justify the hurt she causes. She actually initiates the first two sexual encounters – and yet afterwards, she leaps out of bed like it’s on fire (which it may have been, because the sex scenes are nicely hot!), tells Rhys she doesn’t want anything more from him, puts on her clothes and bolts from the room without so much as a “thank-you”, leaving Rhys wondering what the hell went wrong!
While the characterisation of the heroine does leave something to be desired, the story as a whole flows well and Margery does redeem herself somewhat towards the end.
I did notice a few errors in the copy I read – some were those pesky Americanisms that appear in almost every historical I read (“gotten” is not a word we use in the UK – we just say “got”), and I was somewhat confused when one of the secondary characters – Mr Digby – was referred to as a “peer” and addressed as a “lordship”. If he’s a Mister, he’s neither a peer nor a lordship.
But otherwise, it’s an engaging – if slightly derivative – read and a good start to the series.
May 18, 2018
Series: Legendary Rogues #1
Publication Date: 8/18/14
I read the third book in this series, Lord of Fortune, and absolutely loved it so I just had to read the earlier books in the series. This one didn’t reach out and grab me by the ears and pull me into it like the third one did, but it was a good story and it had another job to do. It did an excellent job of setting up several recurring series characters and the overarching story of the thirteen treasures and the secret organization, The Order of the Round Table, who will stop at nothing to achieve their aims. The H/h in this book are the parents of the main characters in the next two books. I think I liked our MC’s of this book much better in the third book.
I noticed a lot of Americanisms in the book and sometimes felt like I was reading something from 2018 rather than 1794. Another thing I never got a handle on was Mr. Digby. Was he a Mister, a Lord, a peer of the realm? He’s referred to in all of those ways in the book – in Chapter 18, he is even referred to as a baron.
“Mr. Digby stood. “Good morning Mr. Bowen.” Rhys scrutinized the baron thoroughly.”
I never really bought into the chemistry between the two main characters. Yes, the lust was there and I understand that, but given the side most often shown to the reader, I couldn’t see what would make either of them fall in love with the other. That seems true for the heroine much more than the hero. The author tried to give an explanation for her mistrustfulness, but if she was that fragile, she really had a problem! She was just a piece-of-work – she didn’t trust Rhys yet she suddenly decides to get into bed with him. Say what. She actually initiates intimate encounters twice – then gets up, acts very cold and walks out – leaving him to wonder what just happened.
I absolutely LOVED the action/adventure portion of the story. Sort of Indiana Jones(ish) or National Treasure, etc. Discovering the missing books, finding the code and then finding the treasure while trying to outwit the villains (yes, more than one) is an adventure to keep you flipping those pages!
Miss Margery Derrington and her dear aunts are on the verge of being totally impoverished. If they can’t find something of value stored somewhere in their townhome, they’ll have to sell the townhome and try to survive on the proceeds. Margery wants to avoid that at all costs because that is all her aunts have left and they’ve lived there for a great many years. They took Margery in when she was just ten years old and had just lost both of her parents. She loved her aunts beyond measure. If she can’t find something to sell, she’ll either have to enter into a loveless marriage (if she can find a groom who will marry her without a dowry) or she’ll have to become a mistress. Neither option is appealing to her. So, she and her aunts are plowing through all of the trunks in the attic when they finally uncover a very old manuscript. Is it valuable? It is beautifully illustrated and the tales are wonderful. Margery becomes immediately attached to it, its beauty and its history. They will just have to contact a renowned antiquarian to get a valuation on it.
Rhys Bowen lost his father just a couple of years ago and he’s still mourning for him. His father was the only person in the world that Rhys loved and now he is gone. His father, Alexander Bowen, is a renowned antiquarian as is Rhys. However, Rhys wants to break out from his father’s shadow. Rhys is tall, handsome, very intelligent and not so comfortable around ladies and children. Now, he has a young ward named Penn (hero in 3rd book) and he’s feeling his way through how to handle that. Rhys never had any female influence in his life because his mother died within a day of his birth, so he’s not particularly comfortable with hugs. I think he was doing a great job of handling Penn, but they definitely needed a woman’s touch.
A letter asking for a consultation arrived – addressed to his father. Some ladies were asking for a consult about an item they had found. He expected older ladies and his mouth dropped open when the person who arrived was a beautiful young woman and her companion. She shows Rhys the book and he is stunned. It is a medieval manuscript with beautiful illustrations. Rhys recognizes it immediately and can’t wait to verify that it is real. His cousin already owns the companion piece to the book and Rhys knows that there is supposed to be a code contained in the book that should lead to a treasure. Rhys isn’t interested in the treasure for monetary reasons – he’s interested in the historical value. That is – if the tales are even true – and he sees nothing in the book that would indicate that they are true. So, Rhys offers Margery thirty-five pounds which is the full value of the book itself. Margery can’t believe it – only thirty-five pounds. They can’t live on that for any time at all.
Things go back and forth between them and he tells her about the treasure. They end up taking off on a quest to see the other book only to find it has been stolen. Then, they are off on an adventure to find and see the other book, solve the code, and find the treasure. Margery is attacked multiple times by someone wanting to steal her book. Being an independent, adventurous, resourceful lady, she manages to fend off the attacker. During the adventure – she doesn’t trust Rhys because he didn’t tell her about the treasure right away – and then – Rhys doesn’t trust Margery because she really does do a betrayal of him. The adventure is exciting and fun.
As I said above, I just never bought into the chemistry between the two. I can see why Margery would be attracted to Rhys but I can’t see it from his side. She was mad at him for lying to her, but then she betrayed him and took every opportunity throughout the rest of the book to lie to him and deceive him – yet he just keeps coming back for more. Then, there is Digby. Margery didn’t like him from the first, yet when she runs into him she immediately puts her trust in him rather than Rhys and tells him all – including the solution to the code to Anarawd. Say what!
I did absolutely love the King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table aspect to the story (and the series). It is exciting and keeps you interested from beginning to end.
It is definitely a good read and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
Publication Date: 8/18/14
I read the third book in this series, Lord of Fortune, and absolutely loved it so I just had to read the earlier books in the series. This one didn’t reach out and grab me by the ears and pull me into it like the third one did, but it was a good story and it had another job to do. It did an excellent job of setting up several recurring series characters and the overarching story of the thirteen treasures and the secret organization, The Order of the Round Table, who will stop at nothing to achieve their aims. The H/h in this book are the parents of the main characters in the next two books. I think I liked our MC’s of this book much better in the third book.
I noticed a lot of Americanisms in the book and sometimes felt like I was reading something from 2018 rather than 1794. Another thing I never got a handle on was Mr. Digby. Was he a Mister, a Lord, a peer of the realm? He’s referred to in all of those ways in the book – in Chapter 18, he is even referred to as a baron.
“Mr. Digby stood. “Good morning Mr. Bowen.” Rhys scrutinized the baron thoroughly.”
I never really bought into the chemistry between the two main characters. Yes, the lust was there and I understand that, but given the side most often shown to the reader, I couldn’t see what would make either of them fall in love with the other. That seems true for the heroine much more than the hero. The author tried to give an explanation for her mistrustfulness, but if she was that fragile, she really had a problem! She was just a piece-of-work – she didn’t trust Rhys yet she suddenly decides to get into bed with him. Say what. She actually initiates intimate encounters twice – then gets up, acts very cold and walks out – leaving him to wonder what just happened.
I absolutely LOVED the action/adventure portion of the story. Sort of Indiana Jones(ish) or National Treasure, etc. Discovering the missing books, finding the code and then finding the treasure while trying to outwit the villains (yes, more than one) is an adventure to keep you flipping those pages!
Miss Margery Derrington and her dear aunts are on the verge of being totally impoverished. If they can’t find something of value stored somewhere in their townhome, they’ll have to sell the townhome and try to survive on the proceeds. Margery wants to avoid that at all costs because that is all her aunts have left and they’ve lived there for a great many years. They took Margery in when she was just ten years old and had just lost both of her parents. She loved her aunts beyond measure. If she can’t find something to sell, she’ll either have to enter into a loveless marriage (if she can find a groom who will marry her without a dowry) or she’ll have to become a mistress. Neither option is appealing to her. So, she and her aunts are plowing through all of the trunks in the attic when they finally uncover a very old manuscript. Is it valuable? It is beautifully illustrated and the tales are wonderful. Margery becomes immediately attached to it, its beauty and its history. They will just have to contact a renowned antiquarian to get a valuation on it.
Rhys Bowen lost his father just a couple of years ago and he’s still mourning for him. His father was the only person in the world that Rhys loved and now he is gone. His father, Alexander Bowen, is a renowned antiquarian as is Rhys. However, Rhys wants to break out from his father’s shadow. Rhys is tall, handsome, very intelligent and not so comfortable around ladies and children. Now, he has a young ward named Penn (hero in 3rd book) and he’s feeling his way through how to handle that. Rhys never had any female influence in his life because his mother died within a day of his birth, so he’s not particularly comfortable with hugs. I think he was doing a great job of handling Penn, but they definitely needed a woman’s touch.
A letter asking for a consultation arrived – addressed to his father. Some ladies were asking for a consult about an item they had found. He expected older ladies and his mouth dropped open when the person who arrived was a beautiful young woman and her companion. She shows Rhys the book and he is stunned. It is a medieval manuscript with beautiful illustrations. Rhys recognizes it immediately and can’t wait to verify that it is real. His cousin already owns the companion piece to the book and Rhys knows that there is supposed to be a code contained in the book that should lead to a treasure. Rhys isn’t interested in the treasure for monetary reasons – he’s interested in the historical value. That is – if the tales are even true – and he sees nothing in the book that would indicate that they are true. So, Rhys offers Margery thirty-five pounds which is the full value of the book itself. Margery can’t believe it – only thirty-five pounds. They can’t live on that for any time at all.
Things go back and forth between them and he tells her about the treasure. They end up taking off on a quest to see the other book only to find it has been stolen. Then, they are off on an adventure to find and see the other book, solve the code, and find the treasure. Margery is attacked multiple times by someone wanting to steal her book. Being an independent, adventurous, resourceful lady, she manages to fend off the attacker. During the adventure – she doesn’t trust Rhys because he didn’t tell her about the treasure right away – and then – Rhys doesn’t trust Margery because she really does do a betrayal of him. The adventure is exciting and fun.
As I said above, I just never bought into the chemistry between the two. I can see why Margery would be attracted to Rhys but I can’t see it from his side. She was mad at him for lying to her, but then she betrayed him and took every opportunity throughout the rest of the book to lie to him and deceive him – yet he just keeps coming back for more. Then, there is Digby. Margery didn’t like him from the first, yet when she runs into him she immediately puts her trust in him rather than Rhys and tells him all – including the solution to the code to Anarawd. Say what!
I did absolutely love the King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table aspect to the story (and the series). It is exciting and keeps you interested from beginning to end.
It is definitely a good read and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
August 19, 2014
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Margery and her aunts need money and Margery would prefer not to be sold to the first man who offers to save them. With the rediscovery of an old book that is a family treasure to Margery's aunts, the three hope they have found a way to change their fortunes. Margery ends up traveling to meet up with a book appraiser; she was expecting his father but gets the younger more attractive son. Rhys is not only delighted by his guest because he instantly finds her attractive but also finds himself salivating over the book she has brought him. It was written by a monk named de Valery and is rumored to contain a secret code that when paired with a sister copy will reveal a centuries old treasure, specifically the 13 hidden treasures from Arthurian times. Rhys and Margery end up pairing together traveling to decode and find hidden clues while dodging shady characters who may or may not be part of the secret society Order of the Round Table bound to protect the treasures and fight the building attraction growing between them.
Margery and Rhys are both charming characters but there was a slight lack of substance to them. Rhys was the more flushed out of the two, he had the faint sketchings as a never good enough son, arrogant but in a likeable way, and a spicy take charge presence in the bedroom. Margery showed glimpses of being strong willed and minded but they also seemed to be followed by actions that lead to "I'm doing this no matter!" creating TSTL situations. The characters worked well together as they progressed the treasure hunting arc, even if they don't pack a solid punch. Where Rhys and Margery's flame burns the brightest is in their limited bedroom scenes. Rhys is a scholar and loves his words, therefore encouraging Margery to speak her mind. These scenes are steamy and a little more sexy than usually found in historicals.
The treasure story arc was intriguing, even when it seemed to occasionally bumble along with additions of characters and clues. The pace slows a bit as the author tries to flush out the meaning and point of the de Valery Code but picks back up as final revelations are revealed. The main characters, their relationship, and mystery story thread are a bit like a new born foal. It all starts off very eager, wobbly, and precarious in its efforts but endearing you to its cause. Overall, this story is a great step away from the usual regency flair and its characters add to its likeability. With thirteen treasures to possibly be found, I expect more books on the way and I'm hooked enough to want to read the next in the series.
Margery and her aunts need money and Margery would prefer not to be sold to the first man who offers to save them. With the rediscovery of an old book that is a family treasure to Margery's aunts, the three hope they have found a way to change their fortunes. Margery ends up traveling to meet up with a book appraiser; she was expecting his father but gets the younger more attractive son. Rhys is not only delighted by his guest because he instantly finds her attractive but also finds himself salivating over the book she has brought him. It was written by a monk named de Valery and is rumored to contain a secret code that when paired with a sister copy will reveal a centuries old treasure, specifically the 13 hidden treasures from Arthurian times. Rhys and Margery end up pairing together traveling to decode and find hidden clues while dodging shady characters who may or may not be part of the secret society Order of the Round Table bound to protect the treasures and fight the building attraction growing between them.
Margery and Rhys are both charming characters but there was a slight lack of substance to them. Rhys was the more flushed out of the two, he had the faint sketchings as a never good enough son, arrogant but in a likeable way, and a spicy take charge presence in the bedroom. Margery showed glimpses of being strong willed and minded but they also seemed to be followed by actions that lead to "I'm doing this no matter!" creating TSTL situations. The characters worked well together as they progressed the treasure hunting arc, even if they don't pack a solid punch. Where Rhys and Margery's flame burns the brightest is in their limited bedroom scenes. Rhys is a scholar and loves his words, therefore encouraging Margery to speak her mind. These scenes are steamy and a little more sexy than usually found in historicals.
The treasure story arc was intriguing, even when it seemed to occasionally bumble along with additions of characters and clues. The pace slows a bit as the author tries to flush out the meaning and point of the de Valery Code but picks back up as final revelations are revealed. The main characters, their relationship, and mystery story thread are a bit like a new born foal. It all starts off very eager, wobbly, and precarious in its efforts but endearing you to its cause. Overall, this story is a great step away from the usual regency flair and its characters add to its likeability. With thirteen treasures to possibly be found, I expect more books on the way and I'm hooked enough to want to read the next in the series.
October 2, 2020
'Miss Margery Derrington and her dear aunts are in dire straits. Their discovery of a rare manuscript will hopefully stave off their creditors-if it's worth what they hope. Margery reluctantly allies with a reclusive scholar to use the book to pursue a treasure that could solve their woes. Only, the irresistible desire she feels toward her partner is neither expected nor wanted. Rhys Bowen can't believe he has his hands on the elusive de Valery text. Solving its hidden code and unearthing its legendary treasure would establish him as one of Britain's leading antiquaries, finally casting him out of his brilliant late father's shadow. But when a centuries-old organization convinces Rhys of the perils of disturbing the past, he must choose between his conscience...and the captivating woman he's sworn to help.'
___________________________________
4.5 stars rounded down to four stars.
Lady of Desire is the first book in Darcy Burke's Legendary Rogues series and is a historical romance and an adventure.
Who doesn't like a good treasure hunt? And with a distinct National Treasure vibe, this book certainly fits such a discription. I think my favorite aspect of this book was the sense of adventure . That and Rhys's nerdiness about medieval texts. There were several instances of danger along the way, which I really enjoyed because it gave their quest a sense of urgency. I know treasure hunts aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I really love them.
I will say that I was a bit disappointed by the level of mistrust between the two of them, especially on her part. I understood it earlier on in the book, but after working together and going through several unsafe experiences, the continued level of mistrust made any connection between the two feel a touch less compelling. And Mergery's continuted accusations in that regard made her character a less likable for me.
Although the series is called 'Legendary Rogues,' I wouldn't come close classifying Rhys as a rogue, but I assume this name will likely be more apt for the heroes in the remainder of the books in the series.
From reading this first book, I am enjoying the series so far and am looking forward tor reading the next in the series, Romancing the Earl.
_____
I recieved an electronic copy from this author for reviewing purposes. This is my honest and voluntary review.
___________________________________
4.5 stars rounded down to four stars.
Lady of Desire is the first book in Darcy Burke's Legendary Rogues series and is a historical romance and an adventure.
Who doesn't like a good treasure hunt? And with a distinct National Treasure vibe, this book certainly fits such a discription. I think my favorite aspect of this book was the sense of adventure . That and Rhys's nerdiness about medieval texts. There were several instances of danger along the way, which I really enjoyed because it gave their quest a sense of urgency. I know treasure hunts aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I really love them.
I will say that I was a bit disappointed by the level of mistrust between the two of them, especially on her part. I understood it earlier on in the book, but after working together and going through several unsafe experiences, the continued level of mistrust made any connection between the two feel a touch less compelling. And Mergery's continuted accusations in that regard made her character a less likable for me.
Although the series is called 'Legendary Rogues,' I wouldn't come close classifying Rhys as a rogue, but I assume this name will likely be more apt for the heroes in the remainder of the books in the series.
From reading this first book, I am enjoying the series so far and am looking forward tor reading the next in the series, Romancing the Earl.
_____
I recieved an electronic copy from this author for reviewing purposes. This is my honest and voluntary review.
February 8, 2017
This is an Historical Romance with a really good mystery and hints of adventure. Not Indiana Jones or Laura Croft, this is really, really tame. Unfortunately, while the plot had mad possibilities, the writing is just not up to it.
Miss Margery Derrington lives with her two elderly aunts and they are in financial trouble. They have turned their home upside down looking for anything that can be sold. They found a medieval manuscript that could be the answer to their prayers. Now, it is up to Margery to make the most of this asset.
Mr. Rhys Bowen is an antiquarian who has spent his life deep in research and scholarship, just like his father before him. When Margery brings her manuscript to him he sees a rare opportunity to reunite her work, which had been believed lost, with the first volume of this work and solve the de Valery code and find the thirteen treasures vital to the Arthurian legend. That Margery is quite beautiful doesn't hurt either. He tries to buy the manuscript outright, but Margery is astute and realizes her manuscript may be a lot more valuable than she first thought.
They agree to partner together and search out the first volume, solve the code and set off in search of the treasure. But there is a group that doesn't want any of this found and reveled and they will use any means to keep Margery and Rhys from their goal. 3 1/2 Stars
Miss Margery Derrington lives with her two elderly aunts and they are in financial trouble. They have turned their home upside down looking for anything that can be sold. They found a medieval manuscript that could be the answer to their prayers. Now, it is up to Margery to make the most of this asset.
Mr. Rhys Bowen is an antiquarian who has spent his life deep in research and scholarship, just like his father before him. When Margery brings her manuscript to him he sees a rare opportunity to reunite her work, which had been believed lost, with the first volume of this work and solve the de Valery code and find the thirteen treasures vital to the Arthurian legend. That Margery is quite beautiful doesn't hurt either. He tries to buy the manuscript outright, but Margery is astute and realizes her manuscript may be a lot more valuable than she first thought.
They agree to partner together and search out the first volume, solve the code and set off in search of the treasure. But there is a group that doesn't want any of this found and reveled and they will use any means to keep Margery and Rhys from their goal. 3 1/2 Stars
September 4, 2014
This story follows a scholarly man and an “adventurous” woman in the search of what they think is a valuable and historically important treasure.
The bad thing about this book is that neither one of the protagonists follow their character. Everything they do is so out of it that it prevented me from enjoying the story to my best advantage.
Our heroine, Miss Margery Derrington, approaches our hero, academic Rhys Bowen, seeking to get a good deal out of selling him what later is determined to be The De Valerie Manuscript, a document that may lead to a very significant Arthurian treasure, not to mention it would also prove the legend of King Arthur was no legend at all. While the suspense and mystery of the story is well thought and clearly well researched, the chemistry between our hero and heroine is very lacking. He’s supposed to be a taciturn scholar but when it comes to Miss Margery he loses his head and wants nothing more than to get her in his bed. I suppose that’s ok in a romance, after all love makes us lose our heads, but in his case it just seemed too forced. It sounded as if the author was trying too hard to make him look an “Alpha” (over protective, possessive, takes-no-for-an-answer kind of man) when it was obvious he was more of a “beta” (easy going, not a weakling but he’s reserved and he’s ok with that) and would have succeeded a lot more in his characterization if he had stayed the charming beta throughout the book.
She, on the other hand, tends to sound whinny and fickle. One moment she’s angry at him for lying to her, the rest of the book she lies to him at every chance. And to that, add the fact that even in the worst moments of the story, she sounds plainly impassive. Now, at the beginning of the book it’s explained she was left by a suitor for lack of money and that made her reluctant to love or trust anyone but she didn't even give him a chance as a person and then all of a sudden, she decides to get into his bed more than once by her own initiative. Again, I can understand how love, or passion in this instance, makes people do things out of character but I just couldn't decide if she was just being a tease without regards for his feelings or if the author didn't think about those things at all.
All in all, the treasure hunt from start to finish was indeed entertaining, and with plenty of secondary characters and with a hint to more books to come in the series, this story gives enough twists and surprises to keep you turning the pages. If you can bypass the relationship between the two main characters, this book may be for you.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
The bad thing about this book is that neither one of the protagonists follow their character. Everything they do is so out of it that it prevented me from enjoying the story to my best advantage.
Our heroine, Miss Margery Derrington, approaches our hero, academic Rhys Bowen, seeking to get a good deal out of selling him what later is determined to be The De Valerie Manuscript, a document that may lead to a very significant Arthurian treasure, not to mention it would also prove the legend of King Arthur was no legend at all. While the suspense and mystery of the story is well thought and clearly well researched, the chemistry between our hero and heroine is very lacking. He’s supposed to be a taciturn scholar but when it comes to Miss Margery he loses his head and wants nothing more than to get her in his bed. I suppose that’s ok in a romance, after all love makes us lose our heads, but in his case it just seemed too forced. It sounded as if the author was trying too hard to make him look an “Alpha” (over protective, possessive, takes-no-for-an-answer kind of man) when it was obvious he was more of a “beta” (easy going, not a weakling but he’s reserved and he’s ok with that) and would have succeeded a lot more in his characterization if he had stayed the charming beta throughout the book.
She, on the other hand, tends to sound whinny and fickle. One moment she’s angry at him for lying to her, the rest of the book she lies to him at every chance. And to that, add the fact that even in the worst moments of the story, she sounds plainly impassive. Now, at the beginning of the book it’s explained she was left by a suitor for lack of money and that made her reluctant to love or trust anyone but she didn't even give him a chance as a person and then all of a sudden, she decides to get into his bed more than once by her own initiative. Again, I can understand how love, or passion in this instance, makes people do things out of character but I just couldn't decide if she was just being a tease without regards for his feelings or if the author didn't think about those things at all.
All in all, the treasure hunt from start to finish was indeed entertaining, and with plenty of secondary characters and with a hint to more books to come in the series, this story gives enough twists and surprises to keep you turning the pages. If you can bypass the relationship between the two main characters, this book may be for you.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
February 6, 2019
A complex story that includes a romance. Margery and Rhys set out on an adventure to learn more about the possible truth behind the tales of the King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. A rare manuscript and a desire to solve the mystery set them on a trek that leads to theft, lies and violence. The romance grows between the two stubborn lead characters as they deal with a lot of unusual circumstances.
May 6, 2016
If you love mystery tales, this book is for you.
I thought the intrigue and suspense mixed with a lot of humor, made this romance so much fun to read.
Ryhs and Margery’s romance was sweet and charming. I loved watching their love blossom. Their road to happily ever after was funny, passionate and entertaining.
I hope you give this romantic adventure a try.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
I thought the intrigue and suspense mixed with a lot of humor, made this romance so much fun to read.
Ryhs and Margery’s romance was sweet and charming. I loved watching their love blossom. Their road to happily ever after was funny, passionate and entertaining.
I hope you give this romantic adventure a try.
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
April 4, 2015
What a fun read! I thoroughly enjoyed following the head strong Margery and academic Rhys Bowen as they set out to find the truth behind the ancient manuscripts Margery and her aunts unearthed in their attic. It was a story constantly in motion, with a lovely cast of characters to support the plot. Well written, engaging, and a perfect Friday evening read!
April 23, 2018
A very interesting story....it has Romance, sex, mystery , thrill, suspense....the concept of treasure hunt is very refreshing .... the character of Margery is very strong for a lady of Regency times & Rhys as a open minded gentleman r excellent.... i loved d book ....very well written....the plot well developed .. The story is about Miss Margery Derrington who is beautiful, smart, bold, independent , intelligent and been allowed much freedom by her two elderly aunts. Rhys Bowen, an academic scholar specializing in medieval texts. Rhys charactrer is sweet, intelligent,handsome and very determined once he set his mind to something. The plot was fast paced not boring at all, The treasure hunt was abosulety thrilling & i was in hooks . The suspense ,intrigue revealed along the way made reading more exciting. I really enjoyed the story , the characters .itwas so well scripted & presented dat could visualize the actual scenes . This story reminded me of National Treasure It draws you in and takes you along for the ride with Margery and Rhys as they look for a secret treasure based on a rumored mysterious code. Darcy's books r always fun & a delight to read ... I received a ARC copy of Lady of Desire from the author in exchange for a Review ...this is my voluntary & honest Review
May 4, 2018
Whatever excitement I felt at the start was totally leached by the present day dialogues and inner monologues that there is no distinguishing 1794 from 2018. This is a fake and has no feeling of History at all despite ancient manuscripts and Arthurian legends. A nauseating read. P. S. ~ Not only did the present day words put me on a constant Time Warp and distorted Timeline, the characters are so annoying and un~relatable. Like Margery, for example, she continuously distrusts Rhys yet she had sex with him anyway. She is the most irritating character in this story.
February 29, 2024
something to be said about tried and true formulas in writing historical romances.
Standoffish Duke
Impressionable Ladies
Mixed Emotions and wrong conclussions
Happy ending
This book was a nice short read. I will say I was expecting a different kind of heroine, but I liked her. The book is what you expect from a serial historical romance. It's the kind of book you want to read when you just want a happy ending at the end. These are nice palette cleansers to heavier reading, and essential (we all need "happy" in our lives....) Darcy Burke is a queen at writing romance books, with just the right amount of sizzle.
Standoffish Duke
Impressionable Ladies
Mixed Emotions and wrong conclussions
Happy ending
This book was a nice short read. I will say I was expecting a different kind of heroine, but I liked her. The book is what you expect from a serial historical romance. It's the kind of book you want to read when you just want a happy ending at the end. These are nice palette cleansers to heavier reading, and essential (we all need "happy" in our lives....) Darcy Burke is a queen at writing romance books, with just the right amount of sizzle.
Read
August 11, 2021DNF at 26%. I'm bored. Don't care about the characters or story.
August 20, 2014
The de Valery Code is Darcy Burke’s newest historical romance, and also a start of new series. I was quite a fan of
Secrets & Scandals
series, and I loved the adventurous premise of The de Valery Code.
Margery Derrington is an impoverished spinster living with her two aunts. Money is tight for this small family and they need to come up with some ready cash or Margery will be forced to marry to keep them afloat, a notion Margery does not want to contemplate until absolutely necessary.
Luckily, Margery and her aunts stumble across a rare and possibly valuable medieval book by Edmund de Valery. While the family doesn’t want to part with such a treasure, the need for something to live on is dire, so Margery sets off to discuss the sale of the book with noted scholar, Rhys Bowen. Rhys immediately recognizes the priceless treasure that Margery carries, and hopes that the book will ultimately lead him to an Arthurian treasure trove, thus solidifying his name as a scholar of note. However, Rhys has no intention of sharing this information with Margery, and so a battle of the sexes ensues. I have to admit that I’m a little torn with this one. I was really looking forward to it since I had loved the other books by the author that I’ve read, but at the end of the book, I felt that there was something missing in the romance department. The adventure and the storyline themselves were great; I wanted to find out who was behind the attempted thefts of the book. I was less interested in Margery and Rhys as a couple.
What I liked about this one was the adventure and on-the-road romance theme. There were bits of humour between the two main characters that were great and entertaining. There is one particular scene where they keep meeting in the hallway that I thought was too cute. The instances with the flashes of humour were a big hit with me; however, they didn’t make up for my lack of interest with the hero and heroine. Perhaps had there been more interactions between Margery and Rhys like the meetings on the stairs I might have been more engaged with the romance.
For me, I just didn’t feel the connection between Margery and Rhys. They were both so stubborn for so much of the book, that I felt myself losing interest in their happily ever after. Margery in particular was extremely resistant to committing to a relationship:
While it was explained why Margery wasn’t interested in a permanent relationship, I just couldn’t help but be frustrated by the continued resistance. Generally, in the romances that I read, I tend to like those that spend more time with the hero and heroine as a couple as opposed to the bulk of the book focusing on the progression to that relationship.
Ultimately, The de Valery Code was a solid read and a good choice for fans of adventurous romances. There’s villains and a secret order of Arthurians that brought a nice element of suspense to this one. I’m certainly going to be back for the second book in the series since I’m quite curious as to the direction and the characters to be featured in book two.
For similar reads see The Book Adventures.
*Review copy via NetGalley.
Margery Derrington is an impoverished spinster living with her two aunts. Money is tight for this small family and they need to come up with some ready cash or Margery will be forced to marry to keep them afloat, a notion Margery does not want to contemplate until absolutely necessary.
Marrying for love didn’t interest her. Love didn’t interest her. Life was far easier to navigate if she kept that sort of emotion at bay. She’d buried her sentimentality deep after her parents had died. (p.6)
Luckily, Margery and her aunts stumble across a rare and possibly valuable medieval book by Edmund de Valery. While the family doesn’t want to part with such a treasure, the need for something to live on is dire, so Margery sets off to discuss the sale of the book with noted scholar, Rhys Bowen. Rhys immediately recognizes the priceless treasure that Margery carries, and hopes that the book will ultimately lead him to an Arthurian treasure trove, thus solidifying his name as a scholar of note. However, Rhys has no intention of sharing this information with Margery, and so a battle of the sexes ensues. I have to admit that I’m a little torn with this one. I was really looking forward to it since I had loved the other books by the author that I’ve read, but at the end of the book, I felt that there was something missing in the romance department. The adventure and the storyline themselves were great; I wanted to find out who was behind the attempted thefts of the book. I was less interested in Margery and Rhys as a couple.
What I liked about this one was the adventure and on-the-road romance theme. There were bits of humour between the two main characters that were great and entertaining. There is one particular scene where they keep meeting in the hallway that I thought was too cute. The instances with the flashes of humour were a big hit with me; however, they didn’t make up for my lack of interest with the hero and heroine. Perhaps had there been more interactions between Margery and Rhys like the meetings on the stairs I might have been more engaged with the romance.
For me, I just didn’t feel the connection between Margery and Rhys. They were both so stubborn for so much of the book, that I felt myself losing interest in their happily ever after. Margery in particular was extremely resistant to committing to a relationship:
She’d pushed him away at every opportunity because allowing him to get too close meant losing him would only hurt that much more. As it was, the thought of never seeing his eyes light at that precise moment of discovery, or hearing his warm laugh, stung deep. (p. 214)
While it was explained why Margery wasn’t interested in a permanent relationship, I just couldn’t help but be frustrated by the continued resistance. Generally, in the romances that I read, I tend to like those that spend more time with the hero and heroine as a couple as opposed to the bulk of the book focusing on the progression to that relationship.
Ultimately, The de Valery Code was a solid read and a good choice for fans of adventurous romances. There’s villains and a secret order of Arthurians that brought a nice element of suspense to this one. I’m certainly going to be back for the second book in the series since I’m quite curious as to the direction and the characters to be featured in book two.
For similar reads see The Book Adventures.
*Review copy via NetGalley.
August 19, 2014
A lovey romance, full of secrets and mystery, The de Valery Code was a wonderful read. From the romance, to the treasure hunt, this book was great and I really liked it.
Margery was a strong-willed heroine who was clever enough to keep up with the best of them. She was okay for the most part, but I had a couple of issues with her. 1) I know she needed money and that was why she went on the treasure hunt, but after so many times of her insisting that the money was the most important part of the quest and spending more time than I would have liked worrying about having to split the treasure each time another person helped them on their mission, she started to come off as mercenary. And 2) I appreciated her desire for independence, but in her determination for it, she often became impetuous and willfully blind, just to prove a point. These issues kept me from really liking her, but I was okay with her overall.
Rhys, though, was wonderful. He was sweet, intelligent, and very determined once he set his mind to something. He was a dear and I really liked him.
The romance was good. A bit frustrating, with Margery's reluctance to admit her feeling, but it was still obvious that they were meant for each other. Both were clever and unlikely to be bothered with frivolities. And, they definitely had chemistry between them. I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot was fast paced and I was kept interested the entire way through. The treasure hunt was wonderfully done and kept me hooked. The betrayals and secrets revealed along the way kept things from being predictable. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was great.
The de Valery Code was a wonderful historical romance that I really liked. With a thrilling treasure hunt and delightfully sweet romance, this book was lovely. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Margery was a strong-willed heroine who was clever enough to keep up with the best of them. She was okay for the most part, but I had a couple of issues with her. 1) I know she needed money and that was why she went on the treasure hunt, but after so many times of her insisting that the money was the most important part of the quest and spending more time than I would have liked worrying about having to split the treasure each time another person helped them on their mission, she started to come off as mercenary. And 2) I appreciated her desire for independence, but in her determination for it, she often became impetuous and willfully blind, just to prove a point. These issues kept me from really liking her, but I was okay with her overall.
Rhys, though, was wonderful. He was sweet, intelligent, and very determined once he set his mind to something. He was a dear and I really liked him.
The romance was good. A bit frustrating, with Margery's reluctance to admit her feeling, but it was still obvious that they were meant for each other. Both were clever and unlikely to be bothered with frivolities. And, they definitely had chemistry between them. I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot was fast paced and I was kept interested the entire way through. The treasure hunt was wonderfully done and kept me hooked. The betrayals and secrets revealed along the way kept things from being predictable. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was great.
The de Valery Code was a wonderful historical romance that I really liked. With a thrilling treasure hunt and delightfully sweet romance, this book was lovely. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
August 7, 2015
What do ancient manuscripts, a secret code, King Arthur, The Order of the Round Table, a scholar & a lady have in common? The makings of a great story of course & written by none other than the talented Darcy Burke!
Having been jilted by a man when he discovered Margery & her great-aunts upon learning they were without money, Margery has locked her heart away vowing to never marry. Unfortunately, as their financial situation worsens it looks that may be the only way to save them. Until the discovery of an old manuscript in the attic trunks. As the aunts recall listening to the stories at their father’s knee they also remember a scholar who was once interested. They make plans to visit this scholar to see if the book is worth anything in the hopes it will prevent Margery from having to marry (this happily coincides with the expected arrival of a gentleman hoping to court Margery – one she wants to avoid).
Expecting a couple of old ladies with an old manuscript, one he is sure is a fake, is the last thing Rhys Bowen wants to deal with. Imagine his surprise when a lovely young lady shows up in his library. Double that surprise when he realizes she is holding an authentic manuscript from the time of King Arthur. Unfortunately he lets his excitement show which clues in Margery that it may be worth more than Rhys is saying.
When Rhys wants to take the manuscript & compare it side by side with another Margery will only agree but she must accompany him. What follows is a hilarious tale of adventure involving thieves, fortune hunters, a vile cousin, intrigue.
A “keep you on the edge of your seat” tale that will have you guessing then second guessing who is the villain & who isn’t. Ms. Burke definitely keeps you on your toes! Anxious to start her next book in the series – Romancing the Earl.
Having been jilted by a man when he discovered Margery & her great-aunts upon learning they were without money, Margery has locked her heart away vowing to never marry. Unfortunately, as their financial situation worsens it looks that may be the only way to save them. Until the discovery of an old manuscript in the attic trunks. As the aunts recall listening to the stories at their father’s knee they also remember a scholar who was once interested. They make plans to visit this scholar to see if the book is worth anything in the hopes it will prevent Margery from having to marry (this happily coincides with the expected arrival of a gentleman hoping to court Margery – one she wants to avoid).
Expecting a couple of old ladies with an old manuscript, one he is sure is a fake, is the last thing Rhys Bowen wants to deal with. Imagine his surprise when a lovely young lady shows up in his library. Double that surprise when he realizes she is holding an authentic manuscript from the time of King Arthur. Unfortunately he lets his excitement show which clues in Margery that it may be worth more than Rhys is saying.
When Rhys wants to take the manuscript & compare it side by side with another Margery will only agree but she must accompany him. What follows is a hilarious tale of adventure involving thieves, fortune hunters, a vile cousin, intrigue.
A “keep you on the edge of your seat” tale that will have you guessing then second guessing who is the villain & who isn’t. Ms. Burke definitely keeps you on your toes! Anxious to start her next book in the series – Romancing the Earl.
August 21, 2014
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.
**This review is for a DNF**
I tried to get through this book at least 3 separate times.
The writing was pretty great. Each character was interesting. The story that was happening around the characters was really cool. But somehow, it didn't really come together for me. If I had to put a finger on it, I guess I would have to say that the hero didn't do anything for me.
I don't need a hero to be some kind of action hero, swash-buckler type. The hero in this book, Rhys, was an academic - super smart - and that's just fine. But that's REALLY all he is. I guess he does some manly, hero things like protecting the heroine, Margery. Other than that though, he ends up being pretty boring.
Margery is pretty good. I liked her sauciness and her practicality. I loved how she stuck to her guns and did what she felt was in her own best interest when it looked like people were out to screw her over. I know that sounds bad but I mean it in a really good way. A woman with backbone in a historical romance is a lot of fun!
I was really interested in the story that was going on in the background. Margery found this old book and took it to Rhys to find out it's value. It's a very special and rare book and what it might lead to is really awesome. The story was the main reason that I wanted to keep trying to finish the book. What a cool idea for a historical romance!
This book just wasn't for me though. The heroine was okay, the hero was a little boring and it wasn't able to hold my attention. I would try this author again though.
**This review is for a DNF**
I tried to get through this book at least 3 separate times.
The writing was pretty great. Each character was interesting. The story that was happening around the characters was really cool. But somehow, it didn't really come together for me. If I had to put a finger on it, I guess I would have to say that the hero didn't do anything for me.
I don't need a hero to be some kind of action hero, swash-buckler type. The hero in this book, Rhys, was an academic - super smart - and that's just fine. But that's REALLY all he is. I guess he does some manly, hero things like protecting the heroine, Margery. Other than that though, he ends up being pretty boring.
Margery is pretty good. I liked her sauciness and her practicality. I loved how she stuck to her guns and did what she felt was in her own best interest when it looked like people were out to screw her over. I know that sounds bad but I mean it in a really good way. A woman with backbone in a historical romance is a lot of fun!
I was really interested in the story that was going on in the background. Margery found this old book and took it to Rhys to find out it's value. It's a very special and rare book and what it might lead to is really awesome. The story was the main reason that I wanted to keep trying to finish the book. What a cool idea for a historical romance!
This book just wasn't for me though. The heroine was okay, the hero was a little boring and it wasn't able to hold my attention. I would try this author again though.
November 28, 2017
I quite enjoyed the book once i got into it , around halfway through.
As with all Darcys books its very well written and the characters and storyline very well thought out.
Compared to some others in her series just a little slower to get going , it was however a good read and a must if your a fan.
This is only my opinion , and many feel differently .
It wont stop me buying more of her books
May 27, 2016
I hard a very hard time finishing this book. I thought Margery was selfish and manipulative. Her lack of trust was so overdone I wanted Rhys to just tell her "grow up". The treasure part was OK but I found that it didn't matter whether or not it was ever found.
August 6, 2018
This book has taken me completely off guard. I am truly impressed that this was not your run of the mill historical story. It is about finding of the lost ancient manuscripts that reveal the location of a hidden treasure. There are those who wish to find it for its monetary value, those who wish to find it for their educational value, those who wish to retrieve the books and hide them from being discovered and those who are notorious treasure hunters. Margery Derrington and her two great aunts, Agnes and Eugenie, are in dire financial straits and are searching the trunks in the attic for something they might be able to sell. They come across an old manuscript that appears to be of great value. It is a medieval manuscript about the tales of Sir Gareth, one of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table. One of the aunts remembers the name, Alexander Bowen, a collector they might call upon to evaluate the book. Margery and her companion Mrs. Edwards embark on a journey to visit Mr. Bowen. They arrive to find that Mr. Alexander Bowen has passed away but his son Rhys has taken over. He is an antiquarian, one who collects or studies antiquities. She is wary of Rhys but lets him see the book. Rhys becomes innerly excited when he realizes the book in front of him is part of a duet that purportedly holds the clues to a hidden treasure. Of course he does not reveal this to Margery. But Margery is extremely astute and can read Rhys's look. So she begins asking questions relevant to the manuscript and stays away from talking about the sale of the book. She believes Rhys is hiding something, but she is not sure why and what that is. Rhys recommends they go to his cousin, the Earl of Stratton. The Earl has the other book of the set. At an inn on the way to the Earls, someone tries to steal the book from Margery by knife point. Margery tries to attack the would be thief with the fire poker. Then Rhys bursts in and tackles the villain. The villain gets away. Because of the attempted robbery, Rhys tells Margery about the clues and the treasure hidden in the two books. Now Margery, who does not trust anyone except her aunts, trusts Rhys even less. When they arrived at the Earl of Stratton's estate they find someone has stolen the Earl's book. But later Lady Stratton approaches Margery privately and tells her how her father has the original and the Earl had a counterfeit one. Lady Stratton sends her to her father, Lord Nash, with a letter of introduction. On her way to Lord Nash's estate, two men try to waylay her and try to steal the book. Rhys who was suspicious of Margery's actions had been following her and came to her rescue. Well as you can imagine the ill will between them was intense. (Secretly they were attracted to each other. You have to read the book. This is so exciting.) They came to a reluctant truce and made a tentative agreement to work together. From this point on in the book, there is more clues, more danger, more adventure and an interesting twist in the romance between Rhys and Margery. This is definately a must read. You will not be disappointed. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 23, 2018
THEY CAN'T KEEP THEIR CLOTHES ON WHEN ALONE...
4 STARS for Darcy Burke for Lady of Desire ( Legendary Rogues Book 1) it is a lot more than just a Recency Historical Romance, it has a fast paced treasure hunting storyline, infused with lots of mysterious happenings along the way. Armed with an old midevial antique text of Arthurian tales (rediscovered by her Great Aunt's, whose Father read the tales to them when young), Margery meets with Rhys Bowen who is an expert on antiquity papers of that era, and not only Welsh and Latin but many others, he tells her it is one of a pair and knows where the other one is. This not only begins a wonderful exciting search for a mystery treasure for them; it sets off a happily confirmed bachelor and a girl searching for the treasure to avoid having to marry. However, with Rhys & Margery both untrusting attitudes they pick up a high energy quarrel back and forth which ends up as intense sexual energy which they start recognizing and responding to kiss by kiss even in ackward places. Great read. Need ideas what to do when it's hot for fun with your mate, read this book maybe an idea will come to you.
WARNING: 18 &Up SEXUAL CONTENT YES Sexual Intercourse & More
4 STARS for Darcy Burke for Lady of Desire ( Legendary Rogues Book 1) it is a lot more than just a Recency Historical Romance, it has a fast paced treasure hunting storyline, infused with lots of mysterious happenings along the way. Armed with an old midevial antique text of Arthurian tales (rediscovered by her Great Aunt's, whose Father read the tales to them when young), Margery meets with Rhys Bowen who is an expert on antiquity papers of that era, and not only Welsh and Latin but many others, he tells her it is one of a pair and knows where the other one is. This not only begins a wonderful exciting search for a mystery treasure for them; it sets off a happily confirmed bachelor and a girl searching for the treasure to avoid having to marry. However, with Rhys & Margery both untrusting attitudes they pick up a high energy quarrel back and forth which ends up as intense sexual energy which they start recognizing and responding to kiss by kiss even in ackward places. Great read. Need ideas what to do when it's hot for fun with your mate, read this book maybe an idea will come to you.
WARNING: 18 &Up SEXUAL CONTENT YES Sexual Intercourse & More
May 19, 2018
Okay so this had more depth than my typical time-to-ignore-life romance book.
The characters, Rhys and Margery, were unassuming. I like that initially Margery just wanted her independence instead of being stereo-typically missish and trying to husband trap. The author explained her rebellious ideas with a sad backstory and two strong female influences through Margery's Aunts. Even though, in the end Margery fell in love and did marry at no point does it seem like she "gave up" who she was or what she wanted. A much appreciated point.
The catalyst for the romance, the de Valery code, appealed to me on so many levels. I love books and the beauty of the illustrated texts always intrigued me, so I felt an automatic kinship to Margery and Rhys through their love of books. Plus I love mysteries and puzzles so that appealed to me right off the bat.
I am not sure I will follow this series (because I got this one for free) but I did like it enough that I thought it warranted a review and a good star rating.
The characters, Rhys and Margery, were unassuming. I like that initially Margery just wanted her independence instead of being stereo-typically missish and trying to husband trap. The author explained her rebellious ideas with a sad backstory and two strong female influences through Margery's Aunts. Even though, in the end Margery fell in love and did marry at no point does it seem like she "gave up" who she was or what she wanted. A much appreciated point.
The catalyst for the romance, the de Valery code, appealed to me on so many levels. I love books and the beauty of the illustrated texts always intrigued me, so I felt an automatic kinship to Margery and Rhys through their love of books. Plus I love mysteries and puzzles so that appealed to me right off the bat.
I am not sure I will follow this series (because I got this one for free) but I did like it enough that I thought it warranted a review and a good star rating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2018
I am captivated by everything Arthurian: the myths, the legends, the possible history, all of it. I quite enjoyed the “grail quest” to locate possible Arthurian artifacts. The story reminded me a lot of the National Treasure movies. I just wish I’d been able to like the lead characters more. Rhys was mostly okay. There’s enough background to help explain his aloof academic personality. He also gains a lot of emotional maturity by the end. He’s almost warm and fuzzy. Unfortunately, there’s not enough explanation why Margery behaves like a spoiled brat; doing what she wants when she wants with little regard for the personal safety of herself or anyone else. And then throws a hypocritical tantrum when Rhys does the same things she’s done. I don’t feel like I saw the necessary growth in her character. There’s also a point of order that almost drove me mental. It’s my understanding that a ‘lord’ and a ‘mister’ are two very different ranks, and during that period in history you wouldn’t be caught dead referring to the same man by both titles.
April 17, 2018
I received a copy from the author; this is my honest review.
-I didn't feel any chemistry between Bowen and Margery. The sex scenes were interesting.
-I loved Bowen's fierce dedication to Margery. Margery, on the other hand, lies like a child with no restraint, doesn't trust anyone and certainly didn't like Digby from the start, and yet she divulges everything from the code to Anarawd to him!
-I loved the story behind the love story. King Arthur and the Knights from the Round Table - such an interesting subject but hardly touched and that's too bad.
-They both took Lord Nash's story for granted (KRT were after the books, etc.); that's Bowen specialty still, he never questioned the validity of those facts.
-SPOILER: Now they have 3 cats; what happened to Aunt Eugenie's allergies?
-Bowen and Margery get their own HFN; we are still left with unanswered questions such as what happens to Penn now?
-I didn't feel any chemistry between Bowen and Margery. The sex scenes were interesting.
-I loved Bowen's fierce dedication to Margery. Margery, on the other hand, lies like a child with no restraint, doesn't trust anyone and certainly didn't like Digby from the start, and yet she divulges everything from the code to Anarawd to him!
-I loved the story behind the love story. King Arthur and the Knights from the Round Table - such an interesting subject but hardly touched and that's too bad.
-They both took Lord Nash's story for granted (KRT were after the books, etc.); that's Bowen specialty still, he never questioned the validity of those facts.
-SPOILER: Now they have 3 cats; what happened to Aunt Eugenie's allergies?
-Bowen and Margery get their own HFN; we are still left with unanswered questions such as what happens to Penn now?
November 1, 2021
I feel like this book had the elements to make it great, but somehow fell short and ended up lackluster and surprisingly boring for its plot. The second half was better than the first for sure and the pace picked up from where it lagged a lot in the beginning. Felt like I was forcing myself through it, when it sounds like something I would enjoy more, idk why.
I also didn’t really like the characters, especially Margery, who I found to be irritating & naive. She was supposedly in this for the money to become independent, but acted more obsessed over the books than the scholar who dedicated his life to them, which didn’t make sense. There were way too many trust issues between the h & H for their connection to be believable, especially with her being overdramatic in not trusting him but being shady herself.
Very much agree with this review by another reader: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I also didn’t really like the characters, especially Margery, who I found to be irritating & naive. She was supposedly in this for the money to become independent, but acted more obsessed over the books than the scholar who dedicated his life to them, which didn’t make sense. There were way too many trust issues between the h & H for their connection to be believable, especially with her being overdramatic in not trusting him but being shady herself.
Very much agree with this review by another reader: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 2, 2018
A romantic mystery.
This is a lovely, light story of a quest for Arthurian treasure. Miss Margery Derrington sets out to meet with an antiquities scholar to assess the value of a medieval manuscript that has been in her family for generations. Rather than the elderly man that she expected she meets Mr Rhys Bowen. Meanwhile, Rhys is bowled over by the beautiful young lady who has come in the place of her elderly aunts. There is an instant attraction between them that they are both determined to ignore. When Rhys sees the manuscript he remembers that his cousin, a rakish earl, has its companion. And so the adventure begins! Margery and Rhys set off across the the western half of Britain in search of a hidden treasure. On the way they are beset by scoundrels and taken by surprise by their mutual attraction.
A very satisfying read.
This is a lovely, light story of a quest for Arthurian treasure. Miss Margery Derrington sets out to meet with an antiquities scholar to assess the value of a medieval manuscript that has been in her family for generations. Rather than the elderly man that she expected she meets Mr Rhys Bowen. Meanwhile, Rhys is bowled over by the beautiful young lady who has come in the place of her elderly aunts. There is an instant attraction between them that they are both determined to ignore. When Rhys sees the manuscript he remembers that his cousin, a rakish earl, has its companion. And so the adventure begins! Margery and Rhys set off across the the western half of Britain in search of a hidden treasure. On the way they are beset by scoundrels and taken by surprise by their mutual attraction.
A very satisfying read.
April 21, 2020
I guess i should have read the reviews here before getting this book. But i didn't because I've read other Darcy Burke's books and enjoyed them...unfortunately, this one is a disaster. The heroine is just so extremely unlikable with her lies and distrust...i hoped it was going to get better alas, it just keeps getting worse. This is the first time ever, I've started a book without finishing it. No matter how bad a book is, i tend to push through till the end. But this one, nah...i just kept getting irritated at the heroine, i had to just drop the book. Tried to over look her and continue with the treasure search theme, but i guess my irritation at her character was just too strong.
For a Darcy Burke book, i expected better.
For a Darcy Burke book, i expected better.
August 4, 2022
Margery and her aunts are in desperate need of funds and they find a beautiful manuscript in their attic, so Margery takes it to have it appraised and meets Rhys.
Rhys is an antiquarian his focus being books and he recognizes her book as the lost one of a pair by a significant author and they set out on a quest to find the first book to compare hers to it. Along the way she finds out that the 2 books together lead to a possibly Arthurian treasure.
Hijinks ensue followed by sexy times, but I oddly just couldn't get into this story, the characters just weren't holding my attention, and the treasure plotline really didn't either....
Oh well, I love so many of her other books that finding a dud(for me) was bound to happen eventually.
Rhys is an antiquarian his focus being books and he recognizes her book as the lost one of a pair by a significant author and they set out on a quest to find the first book to compare hers to it. Along the way she finds out that the 2 books together lead to a possibly Arthurian treasure.
Hijinks ensue followed by sexy times, but I oddly just couldn't get into this story, the characters just weren't holding my attention, and the treasure plotline really didn't either....
Oh well, I love so many of her other books that finding a dud(for me) was bound to happen eventually.
April 25, 2018
Darcy Burke never fails to give readers a fantastic story. I am always a fan of romances involving scholars and scholarly pursuits. This one was well done for sure.
The characters are well rounded and deep. Their emotions bleed through the pages to be strongly felt by the reader. I especially loved Rhys and his ward Penn.
This story is a bit more difficult to get into than I'm used to seeing from Darcy, I think it's down to the amount of details necessary for the history. It starts a bit slowly, but it is definitely worth it. Stick it out because it's worth it! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
The characters are well rounded and deep. Their emotions bleed through the pages to be strongly felt by the reader. I especially loved Rhys and his ward Penn.
This story is a bit more difficult to get into than I'm used to seeing from Darcy, I think it's down to the amount of details necessary for the history. It starts a bit slowly, but it is definitely worth it. Stick it out because it's worth it! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
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