In the third in Katharine Ashe’s Prince Catchers series, the eldest of three very different sisters must fulfill a prophecy to discover their birthright. But if Eleanor is destined to marry a prince, why can’t she resist the scoundrel who seduced her?
She can pour tea, manage a household, and sew a modest gown. In short, Eleanor Caulfield is the perfect vicar’s daughter. Yet there was a time when she’d risked everything for a black-eyed gypsy who left her brokenhearted. Now he stands before her—dark, virile, and ready to escort her on a journey to find the truth about her heritage.
Leaving eleven years ago should have given Taliesin freedom. Instead he’s returned to Eleanor, determined to have her all to himself, tempting her with kisses and promising her a passion she’s so long denied herself. But if he was infatuated before, he’s utterly unprepared for what will happen when Eleanor decides to abandon convention—and truly live . . .
Other books in the Prince Catchers series:
This book. I couldn’t put it down and I was anxious to know how it ended. As well as, to find out the mysterious meaning to the pet nickname, pirani. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Let’s rewind, and refresh. I Loved a Rogue is the third and final book in The Prince Catchers series by Katharine Ashe. I’d eagerly devoured the first two. I also completed reviews for both. You can read those here and here. Now I can’t say I loved the first one, but the second book picked up for me. The final story had me on tenterhooks. The sexual tension between both Eleanor and Taliesin is so insane and amazing.
For me, everything about this book worked, with the exception of the slightly off-kilter ending. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing quiet Eleanor come into her own. She’s an adventurous, wild woman who’s kept herself on a short noose and tucked away in a small town rectory. On her own she’s slinging chocolate, racing on horseback, and stealing kisses where she can. Her reservations and all her motivations are driven from her past, and they were also a bit more emotional than her sisters. In some ways I saw pieces of myself in Eleanor, which of course made her easier to relate to and support.
Our hero, *le sigh*, is a gypsy boy/horse charmer and too-hot-too-handle. He’s definitely no saint, but his past with Eleanor is equally heartbreaking. I loved his wounded nature, the mysterious past, and the slow evolution of who’d he become since the last time Eleanor saw him. Tali is by far what makes me want to read this book again. Think Merripen from Kleypas Seduce Me at Sunrise. While I read I caught parallels between the two characters that were hard to ignore and made this book more enticing. Who doesn’t love an honor bound hero.
The plot and pacing is ever winding. Ashe wrote this similarly to riding a roller coaster, there are plenty of ups and downs. There are a few clear-cut villains, and a crazy-long-winded end to the story of where our sisters came from. The answers were a little confusing and I’ll admit my only hold up to this book was trying to wrap my head around the relations, the parents’ history, etc. Otherwise it reminded me why I love gypsies in Historical Romance and Ashe even provides a couple history lessons to boot.
Overall, this is probably my favorite book of the entire series and has prompted me to re-read some Kleypas as well. If you’re looking for a tortured hero and a strong heroine I’d recommend this book for sure. For lovers of Kleypas and Chase.
Reviewed by Landra
Heat Level: Hot
