One for the Rogue

Miss Gemma Hastings was the last of the four heiresses to solve the riddle Lady Celeste Beauchamp had left for her. Alas, her benefactress had died before the note was completed. One evening when Gemma couldn’t sleep, she went outside and saw a man sneaking away, then Lord Cameron Lisle behind him. It turns out that there is a fossil on the beachfront, but someone other than Gemma is prepared to go to great lengths for her not to have it. Gemma and Cameron are both interested in geology and fossils, and in the past, they’d had a disagreement about an article Gemma wanted to submit for his scientific journal. But when Gemma needs his help, Cam doesn’t hesitate. ONE FOR THE ROGUE is the conclusion to Manda Collins fabulous series Studies in Scandal, and it certainly can be read as a standalone book, although having read the previous ones will add to the reader’s enjoyment, catching up with the other three heroines. It’s never until I open a new book by Ms. Collins that I am reminded of the excellence of her prose and her sparkling dialogues, ever so British in the tone and the vernacular. I liked that Gemma and Cam were rivals, not enemies; they bickered, but more playfully than antagonistically, and it I think it made for a more realistic romance. Both are very engaging characters, they share a chemistry that is at the same time physical and intellectual, and they make a terrific team. The murder mystery is excellent, and I was stunned at who got murdered, because I thought the victim would have been the killer of whoever was dispatched into eternity. The romance is lovely, but I could have done without the seemingly obligatory “caught in a storm” literary device; sometimes I feel it occurs in one out of two historical romances. Anyway, ONE FOR THE ROGUE is yet another enchanting romance brought to us by the very talented Manda Collins and I cannot wait what she has in store for us next. I give 4 ½ stars

Geologist Gemma Hastings has no interest in pursuing romance and no patience for Lord Cameron Lisle, an esteemed fossil hunter who has a way of always honing in on her territory. But when a shocking attack puts Gemma in very real danger, she may have to accept Lisle’s offers of protection. Cam was once amused by Gemma’s dedication to her work. But when he sees her coiffured & in a stunning dress he realises there's so much more to her. This is the fourth book in the series & whilst it could be read by itself the whole series is very good & to fully appreciate this book I'd recommend reading the three earlier ones. Gemma & Cam have always been at loggerheads but there’s also been a spark between them, so it was entertaining & enjoyable to see the spark flare into a fire. The characters are well developed & the story flows extremely well, I’d been looking forward to Gemma’s story & I wasn't disappointed, I was immediately drawn into the book & was engrossed all of the way through, a fitting finale to the series. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The last of the young ladies of the Studies in Scandal series does not disappoint. Gemma Hastings was an intelligent bluestocking and devoted to her study in geology and fossils. Of course, this was not a popular role for women at the time but she persevered. Lord Cameron Lisle is her counterpart who follows his passion for hunting fossils and is happy with his life. Having met one time before, they had been at loggerheads over an article he refused to print of Gemma's. Now, meeting again, Gemma has found a great fossil which could prove a historical milestone and she gains Cam's help in proving it. Of course nothing is ever that easy and as another fossil hunter is found murdered and things go missing, they begin to work together to find the culprit. Filled with humor and conflicting emotions between Gemma and Cam, this is a fun story to follow through the end and see what happens. I really enjoyed this story and looking forward to reading many more books by Manda Collins.