4/5
Good Book
This is the first book I've read written by Constance Kersaint; I can’t wait to read more of her books. This is the second book in the Rebel by Night Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Sabina & Roland.
Rebel by Night, 2
Constance Kersaint invites you back into the scandalous world of the Darewoods, as the eldest brother Roland does the unthinkable—he falls in love with a duke’s governess...
He is all she should avoid.
Sabina had been so careful for years. She hid herself from those who would harm her, but one act of compassion may ruin her forever. After finding refuge in a duke’s home, the man she rescued comes crashing into her life again. Roland is too dangerous a temptation and, despite her heart, she must not give in.
She's not who she seems to be.
Roland has returned from years at sea to take his place as head of his dysfunctional household. Sabina's respectable demeanor hides secrets that would utterly destroy her, but he must uncover her mysteries to keep her safe. Sabina’s ghosts may have found her again. Can she trust him? Can he save her?
Excerpt:
“Every year I post a letter,” Sabina offered Roland. He looked up and pushed his empty plate away, his attention on her. “I can be declared dead after ten years of silence so I post a letter every year to prove that I am alive. That way my stepfather cannot take control of my father’s affairs, which includes my inheritance.”
Roland motioned to a boy and two coffees appeared in front of them.
“I can help you, Sabina,” Roland said quietly.
“You have already saved me so many times, Roland,” she replied softly. “My stepfather is dangerous.”
“So am I,” Roland said, and he looked very affronted when she snorted. His expression caused her to chuckle, belatedly remembering to keep her guffaw to a manly chuff.
“You are, I know you are, I’ve seen you fight, but the look on your face, Roland,” she chortled. “You have my gratitude, but this is my responsibility. I have borne it for ten years, there are only a few months left before I am twenty-five. Then I will contact my lawyers and finish this.”
She observed the mulish look on his face and was undeterred.
“You will call on me if you need assistance,” Roland finally insisted.
“Naturally,” she assured him. She would do no such thing but offered the lie while looking straight into his eyes. They finished their coffee just as the tavern became louder and drunker.
“Time to go,” Roland said, pushing back. “This would have been an excellent night for your fake spectacles. How on earth did you think anyone would look at your face and think you were a man, I don’t know.”
“It’s London. No one looks up at people’s faces here,” she replied and followed him out into the streets of Cheapside. Even with the smell and odd piles she needed to step around and the possibility of being robbed, this was a stolen moment of pleasure.
Sabina didn’t want to go back to the duke’s house. Even in her mind, she didn’t call it home, for she had lost her home to a fire in Hornsea. Now, though, this moment in time, she was free. Everyone at the duke’s house thought her abed. For one night, she was let loose from her burdens. She trusted Roland to bring her home safely and on time.
Neither of them rushed to seek a cab, enjoying the brisk walk through an oddly snowless December night. Abruptly, Sabina stopped, her head cocked.
“Oh, listen to that,” Sabina said.
****
Roland smiled down at her bright face. He heard the music too, buskers being common in this part of Cheapside.
“Don’t tell me you’re interested in some second-rate musician presenting a third-rate opera?” Roland asked.
“It’s not a third-rate opera, it’s your opera,” Sabina smiled. “Rinaldo.” Roland groaned.
“God save me from French epics. A few minutes and then we must be off. I think I smell snow in the air. Mustn’t get caught in bad weather,” Roland warned.
“Music is never a waste of time,” Sabina said. “And you actually smell horse droppings but I’ll allow you your delusions.” They moved closer to the soulful violin just as a surprisingly good soprano launched into, “Lascia ch’io pianga.”
“That violinist is quite good,” Sabina whispered to Roland. “The soprano is drowning him out. If only they had a whole symphony. Once I heard the Chevalier De St. George conduct in Paris and I was never the same.”
Roland assessed her closely. The privilege of hearing an orchestra in Paris was not a cheap delight. Again he wondered who she was, and again he was certain she had never been a whore.
“Come with me,” Sabina said abruptly and grabbed Roland’s hand.
Only slightly alarmed, Roland let himself be led through some foul alleys and up some slippery steps, then through a building. He was almost certain Sabina had never been here before but she took the turns and stairs with a determination he dare not forestall.
Then, they exited a door onto a roof. Roland picked up the thread of the music again, clear and sweet.
Roland followed his lady to the edge of the roof and watched her take in the song as the notes floated upward into the fetid night air.
“Why up here?” Roland asked her.
“The music rises and up here, you can feel like you’re alone above the clouds, carried away by waves of heaven.” Sabina tilted her head to the notes. The woman was not intent on seduction, Roland knew that in his bones. Nonetheless, she was doing a damn fine job of it.
“Have you been to the theater since you’ve been in town?” he asked.
“Oh, no, the duke is not a music lover, so we do not attend, which is a shame. A good orchestra raging into a symphony is my weakness,” Sabina said.
Suddenly, he wished to see her face at the opera. He wanted her gowned in velvet, only to be concerned with the spectacle in front of her, and not inheritances or her own safety. This is not the life she was meant to lead.
****
She blamed the music. The music made her foolish
Sabina could not understand the words but she felt the music. It did things to her, made her feel things that were unwise.
But it was after dark in London and no one could tell her what to do. Sabina turned and looked up at Roland’s face. He was not a handsome man but he had always been so attractive to her, from that stubborn jaw to the thoughtful eyes that looked at her searchingly.
“Would you be terribly affronted if I kissed you?” she asked.
“You didn’t ask the time before.” He grinned, reaching for her.
“Are you going to make me apologize?” Sabina responded, enjoying his hands on her. She loved his hands. He could repair her windows, handle a gun, guide a horse, hold her steady.
“No, I beg you to do it again.”
“I’m not very good at it,” Sabina warned, placing her hands on his chest.
“Well, then I think you should get some practice.” Roland bent his head down to her lips. “I humbly offer myself as a test subject.”
Sabina went up on her toes to meet his lips and smiled as they kissed. This was so right, possibly the only thing in her life that was good and hers. She opened her lips and touched her tongue to his lips, letting herself into his mouth with a delight that bordered on joy.
She heard his breathing and remembered to breathe herself as she explored the ways they could kiss. Her arms found their way around his neck and he had backed her to a stone block that she had not seen before on the roof.
It wasn’t enough. Sabina couldn’t help the frustrated noise that came from her and she slid a hand down to cup the erection bulging the front of his breeches.
“Lord, Sabina, have mercy, woman.” Roland broke away from her to gasp.
“I need you,” she breathed heavily. “I need this.”
“I’m not going to take you on a bloody roof,” Roland said, then pulled her in for another drugging kiss.
“Then I’ll take you.”
- Series:
- /series-rebel-by-night/
Product Reviews
4/5
Reckless
This is Sabina and Roland's story. They both have secrets. She had saved him once and they had feelings for each other. But secrets have a way of coming out, what will happen as they slowly surface?
4/5
Reckless
This is Sabina and Roland's story. They both have secrets. She had saved him once and they had feelings for each other. But secrets have a way of coming out, what will happen as they slowly surface?
4/5
An great story line
Undoubtedly Reckless is the second book in the Rebel by Night series, and it continues with more action and intrigue from the Darewood family. In the first book we heard about Cressida Darewood Lindquist and her highwayman, Deverell Havelock. This time it’s the turn of Roland Darewood, the eldest brother. Having been found half dead on the beach by Sabina who takes him in while he recovers, then then go their separate ways. Fate has a hand in bringing them back together a couple of years later, and their story then evolves. I enjoyed the story line, and it’s much better written than the first book which had inconsistencies with the time line and other minor errors. There are still too many typos that should have been picked up by whoever’s job it was to read through the final copy, plus too many things such as ‘builders tea’ which to my knowledge were not around during the regency period. That said, I really enjoyed the story line and the characters are good, so I’ll be looking out for more books in this series.
5/5
Sabina and Roland
The second story in the Rebel by Night, a well written story with a very good storyline and strong characters in Sabina and Roland. The story has drama, danger, kidnapping, secrets, villains, heroes, steam, ships, action, intrigue, suspense, twists, turns and romance. Once I started reading I was not putting the book down until I was finished.
5/5
Great read--great series as well
I was pleasantly surprised by this book for sure--very well written and just a overall good story. Enjoyed it enough I even went back and got Book 1 so I could follow better (which is necessary I just wanted to do it personally)
4/5
Undoubtedly Reckless!
This "Rebel by Night" story is an interesting historical romance with some steamy bits. This is an intriguing new story about the Darewood family. The story is abut Sabina and Roland. These two meet when she saves him from the sea and certain death. She slowly nurses him back to health, all the while she prays she does not regret her decision. Their story is one lovely adventure with action and interesting and intriguing twists and turns. I love the characters! Their story draws you and holds you captive until the very end.
5/5
Reckless but so worth it.
I loved this book. It was such a wonderful historical romance. I felt like I was actually there along with the characters in the book. I liked the way the author tied the shipping components together. There is a lot of danger and intrigue involved. There is a lot of steam between the MCs. I highly recommend this book to all historical romance readers.
5/5
Undoubtedly Steamy
“Undoubtedly Reckless” by Constance Kersaint is book 2 of her series Rebel by Night. This is the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be the last. This story has Sabina in hiding until her 25th birthday. Unknown nefarious characters are hot on her trail. Unfortunately she is alone in the world until a near dead man washes up on her beach. Roland Darewood was that man. Both of these characters kept part of themselves hidden from the other. Sabina is a strong female character, she has the will and the skills to stay alive. Roland has spent ten years at sea as a privateer. He is reunited with his family and must take on the role as head of the family. There is a lot of tension the siblings have to navigate to unite as a family. Sabina and Roland are separated and brought back together again. In the interim they have grown and changed but they are still attracted to one another. This is a historical romance, high in heat and steam, with a solid story to boot. The mystery of Sabina’s true identity is revealed throughout the story as she and Roland grow closer. There are lots of great supporting characters interspersed amongst the chapters. Roland’s siblings, Aria and Tristan, have had to move over as Roland reclaims the Viscount title. They react emotionally. I especially liked Aria, she was smart, observant, and capable of handling the family shipping company. I would hope she gets a book of her own. All of these characters and more are thrown together in a well thought out, well paced story. The Darewoods are definitely a family to be reckoned with and their antics make for an enjoyable read. I definitely recommend “Undoubtedly Reckless” written by Constance Kersaint.
5/5
Pirate's love
What an action packed story. Full of drama, kidnapping, secrets, villains, heroes, steam, ships, action, intrigue, suspense and twists. This story keeps you turning the pages and leaves you wanting more. Roland is the Captain of his ship but when mutiny occurs, he jumps ship to try to survive. His best mate, Oliver, is the lead on this happening. He makes it to shore and is found by Sabina, a schoolteacher. She is a young woman who brings him home to help him. She takes care of him for some time till he is able to care for himself. Both enjoy the time they are together but then both have some secrets as to who they really are. When someone tries to burn down her cottage, it's time to move on. She takes on another woman's name and job and he tries to go home and get back his life and ship. They finally meet up again in London and the steam is very much between them. add in some attempts on her life then a kidnapping. What a great book you have. So curl up and enjoy this adventure that this fabulous author weaves for you. Would strongly recommend to others.
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