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Seduced by the Scoundrel

by Louise Allen

The last time we saw Averil Heydon she was going overboard on a ship in Ravished by the Rake. So it seems only fair that we start with a totally naked (where did her clothes go??) Averil feebly trying to fend off two rapists after just regaining consciousness on an unfamiliar beach. Surrounded by criminal men she's rescued (can you call it rescue if he's also bent on seducing you?) by Luc the leader of this rabble.

Captain Luc D'aunay is half French and half English. He's fighting the war on the English side, but at heart he's a Frenchman bent on marrying a French woman and taking back his estates and position in France. But he can't do that until he can prove there is a leak in his chain of command. So he and a group of men he took from the brig are stationed on a remote island to draw out and catch the spy. Having a naked woman wash up in the middle of his secret mission puts everyone in danger - especially his wits.

I had a lot of trouble with this book and even though I was excited to read Averil's story, I couldn't enjoy it. I understand that Luc and Averil had to pretend to be lovers to keep the crew from raping her, but the way Luc went about seducing her from the beginning, and how fast Averil wanted to be seduced just didn't sit right with me. Then when Averil finally meets her betrothed he's a baby-killing evil man? Could this BE any more over the top? The final nail in the coffin was how wishy-washy Luc was. He has a plan to marry a Frenchwoman but wants Averil for a mistress. Ummm...I know Averil is the daughter of a merchant, but shouldn't our hero not belittle her because of it? It really sickened me and made me dislike Luc.

Bottom Line: If you are reading the series and interested to see what happens to Averil than you may want to get this book. For me, I wish I had skipped it.