Susan's Review of Taken by the Rake by Shana Galen

Sometimes beauty…

Honoria Blake knows she must have had a moment of madness when she accepted a summons by the Scarlet Pimpernel to travel to revolutionary Paris and help his League. She’s an expert forger and glad her services can be of use, but the violence of the Reign of Terror has her longing for her quiet, unobtrusive life in London. Then a bloody man staggers to the door of the house where she’s hiding, claiming he was sent by the Pimpernel. Recently escaped from La Force prison, the former Marquis de Montagne is sinfully handsome and charming. He’s also desperate enough to kidnap Honoria. So much for her return to the quiet life.

Can be a beast…

Laurent is a consummate rake, but even he is captivated by the beautiful Honoria. Laurent cares almost nothing for his own life, but he was always close to the royal family and the little princess was like a sister to him. He will risk everything to save her from a life of imprisonment and possible execution. His plan is risky and surely doomed, but if he can convince Honoria and the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel to help him, it just might succeed. The only question is how far he’s willing to go and whether he’s willing to risk the life of the only woman he’s ever loved to save a doomed princess.

Taken by the Rake is set in Paris during the French Revolution. The legend of the Scarlet Pimpernel has always appealed to me—love the idea of a group of spies working undercover during the French Revolution.

Shana Galen pairs Honoria Blake, a beautiful, antiquities expert turned forger, with Laurent, a charming rake and former Marquis in this novel. I adored Honoria; she was dedicated to the League and wanted to prove herself. It took me awhile to warm up to Laurent. The author perfectly crafts this character—he oozes charm and believes he is entitled to get what he wants… now! Both characters change during the story. It takes Laurent awhile to accept that aristocratic way of life has ended. Honoria’s decision to help Laurent shows her bravery and dedication to the cause and also her ability to trust Laurent. Honoria understands why it is so very important for Laurent to undertake this rescue mission.

The characters, the setting and the suspense filled storyline kept me reading. Ms. Galen’s descriptive writing style makes this book hard to put down; I felt that I was in Paris witnessing the mobs of people attacking the aristocrats and running through the streets of Paris with Honoria and Laurent. I definitely was absorbed in the characters, their passion and desire to complete their mission.

If you are looking for a historical novel which blends passion and suspense; one click Taken by the Rake. I tried my best not to give away the story and keep my review spoiler free!

I highly recommend this novel—it’s the best one I have read in AGES!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book Purchased on Amazon.