Just a note before we start: This is our first joint review and we will be doing this for every part of Jenn LeBlanc's serial novel: THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE because we love it so much. Not because of the pictures (oh, who are we kidding?) but because of the wonderful story. We get to re-live it again with extra scenes AND finally find out what happens to Perry. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.
FREEDOM: THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE by Jenn LeBlanc
FORMAT: PDF
GENRE: Historical
LENGTH: 28,449 words
PUBLISHER: Jenn LeBlanc (December 20, 2011)
ISBN: 9780981672076
A woman out of time.
A man stifled by propriety.
A nemesis determined to take her away.A brother to the rescue.
How will a powerful Duke deal with a woman who doesn't know her place? How will a woman used to the 21st century survive in time where she is considered property?
THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE Part one brings Francine to the world of the Duke of Roxleigh, clashing worlds in this first installment of the completely revised novel, with all new material.
Francine Larrabee woke up on the wrong side of the century. She was fairly certain she went to sleep in her own comfy bed, but she doesn’t quite seem to be there now. Only adding to her problems is that she has no voice, is constantly being glowered at by a large, stunning man who is obsessed with propriety, and she is apparently betrothed to another horrid little man, determined to ruin her, and any other girls that get in his way.How does she find herself in the past, when she couldn’t even find herself in her present? How does a self sufficient businesswoman survive in a time when women were still considered property for the whole of their lives and what is she going to do with this man who draws her to him so fiercely.
Where To Find Jenn: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr (NSFW-seriously)
Where To Buy: All Romance | Nook | Kindle
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt
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| Go and Buy it NOW! |
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| Duke Hottie McHottiepants |
Jamie: It’s here! It’s here! Let me tell you, when I opened my email and found The Rake and The Recluse Part 1 I just about fell off my bed. I wasn’t expecting it to be there. So of course I did what every good book reviewer would do... I looked at the pictures. Multiple times.
What did you do when you found TRATR in your email?
Kati: What I did with the original...flip through for the pictures and was not disappointed. Oh and I skimmed through looking for new scenes before re-reading the whole thing. I died after I saw the added scene. Then I emailed Jenn and squeed and begged for pictures to go with the review.
It took me about 2 hours to read it completely and was left wanting. Although I do like where she left off to seguay into the next part.
What about you? How long did it take you to read fully minus the oglage?
Jamie: Probably about 2 hours. After I looked at the pictures I emailed Jenn about the very, very last picture (the one with the wet, naked man) and told her that I knew who that was because I know my naked men chests.
Then I looked at the pictures backwards... because, well I couldn’t stop myself and came upon THE SCENE with Gideon and his *giggle*, well maybe I shouldn’t tell. I will say that it’s amazing.
So, 2 hours really reading and I wanted to read more. I mean, I’m desperate for Perry’s story but I do love Gideon.
Kati: LOL. Shhh... it's a secret. Everyone will find out when they read it. It never gets old. *sigh* Yes, Perry who I have decided to dub Viscount Pianosexoverlord. Seriously, that scene is totally infamous and Perry's book hasn't released yet!
Jamie: I know! Oh, piano sex *sigh* Anyway... let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Perry will come soon *snicker* but now we have Gideon. Have you seen the new cover? Hello sexypants!
Kati:
Oh yes. His ass-ets are all glowy and stuff. I love the riding crop picture and making it the cover was great. I am slightly partial to the original. It's in a frame and I'll be hanging it on the wall soon. I do love the new cover because this first part touches quite a bit on how Gideon (Duke Hottie McHottiepants) goes for bent for leather rides to de-stress or get his mind off Francine.
What do you think about the title? FREEDOM... Can we share the quote about it from the end-ish of the story?
Jamie: Oh, the riding crop! How I love thee riding crop. But, I digress. I think Freedom is a perfect way to describe both Francine and Gideon. Here you have Francine who is basically trapped in this world that isn’t hers. Then you have Gideon who is almost trapped in a world of his making. He’ a “recluse” yet you can almost feel him wanting to break free... hence the riding crop and horseback riding.
Let’s talk about Hepplewort.[aside: Hepplewort is Madeleine's betrothed. She's run away from him and he's set his dogs upon her. And that is where the story takes its turn. As Francine gets thrown around the taxi she's taking to work, Madeleine runs in front of a curricle driven by none other than the Duke of Roxleigh] How creepy is he? Seriously. I can’t wait to find out how Jenn decides to off him or at least let him get his comeuppance.
Jamie: I hate the man! Detest him! I would spit on him if I could. Seriously, he needs to like get a beating.
Kati: I wish he would get run over by a curricle. How fitting would that be? But I’m getting ahead of myself trying to predict his end.
Jamie: I think he should get sent to the 21st century and get hit by a bus. But again, let’s not ahead of ourselves.
Kati: Haha. That would be totally poetic. Or maybe the taxi Francine was in.
Jamie: I like it!
Kati: But again, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. It’s so hard not give spoilers or speculate since we'veogled, er, read the original book.
Jamie: True. So you know what I think? I think everyone should go and buy TRATR Part 1 and catch up. I mean, hello! It’s a great story and it comes with pictures!
Kati: Oh yes it does! Tastefully done. Not porn-y. So for those of you looking for something like that, this is not a book for you. Pervs!
What’s your favorite quote from TRART Part 1?
Jamie: Well.. that’s hard but I’m going with this:
And yours?
Kati: Ah! No fair. That’s my favorite.
Jamie: Ah, great minds think alike.
Kati: But I did like this quote about Gideon:
Jamie: Only 5? Well, then 5 it is.
Kati: Yes. 5 hearts because of that extra scene. Holy crap! Too bad there’s not a tastefully done picture of that. lol.
Jamie: I would die. It would be a great way to go though. She should ask Derek [Roxleigh] to pose for it.
Kati: Yes. But then you wouldn’t be able to read Perry’s story. At least stay alive for that.
Jamie: Ah, yes. Perry.*sigh* So is there anything else we should mention?
Kati: There’s so much but that would be giving spoilers and sneak peeks. I am looking forward to Part 2 and where Jenn ends that one. The pictures of course help enhance the story or slow your reading down. Depends on how you look *giggle* at it. Warning: You may spend a large amount of time flipping through the book just for the pictures. Remember, there are words; there is a story. *sigh*
Overall: As you can see, we are in lust with this book. Have been for quite some time. Basically, Part 1 sets up the stage for Francine getting transported to the nineteenth century, loosing her voice, having tingly feeling for Gideon Alrick Trumbull, the tenth Duke of Roxleigh and introducing an icky creeper character who is betrothed to Madeleine (the woman whom Francine takes the place of). Even his name sounds slimy and totally shady: Hepplewort. He plays a greater role later on. So many great characters are introduced and some will play a greater role later. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Again. So we'll leave you with that.
***review copy provided by author***
*Please note all pictures are property of Jenn LeBlanc. They may not be copied, reproduced or downloaded without the consent of the owner or the hounds of hell will be set upon you. Please contact Jenn if you would like to use any of these images for posts.*
What did you do when you found TRATR in your email?
Kati: What I did with the original...flip through for the pictures and was not disappointed. Oh and I skimmed through looking for new scenes before re-reading the whole thing. I died after I saw the added scene. Then I emailed Jenn and squeed and begged for pictures to go with the review.
It took me about 2 hours to read it completely and was left wanting. Although I do like where she left off to seguay into the next part.
What about you? How long did it take you to read fully minus the oglage?
Jamie: Probably about 2 hours. After I looked at the pictures I emailed Jenn about the very, very last picture (the one with the wet, naked man) and told her that I knew who that was because I know my naked men chests.
Then I looked at the pictures backwards... because, well I couldn’t stop myself and came upon THE SCENE with Gideon and his *giggle*, well maybe I shouldn’t tell. I will say that it’s amazing.
So, 2 hours really reading and I wanted to read more. I mean, I’m desperate for Perry’s story but I do love Gideon.
Kati: LOL. Shhh... it's a secret. Everyone will find out when they read it. It never gets old. *sigh* Yes, Perry who I have decided to dub Viscount Pianosexoverlord. Seriously, that scene is totally infamous and Perry's book hasn't released yet!
Jamie: I know! Oh, piano sex *sigh* Anyway... let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Perry will come soon *snicker* but now we have Gideon. Have you seen the new cover? Hello sexypants!
Kati:
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| Francine |
What do you think about the title? FREEDOM... Can we share the quote about it from the end-ish of the story?
Jamie: Oh, the riding crop! How I love thee riding crop. But, I digress. I think Freedom is a perfect way to describe both Francine and Gideon. Here you have Francine who is basically trapped in this world that isn’t hers. Then you have Gideon who is almost trapped in a world of his making. He’ a “recluse” yet you can almost feel him wanting to break free... hence the riding crop and horseback riding.
She was finally ready for her independence. Funny. My freedom come with such physical restrictions.Kati: *snort* Yes. I blame our riding crop obsession on Jenn. On a more serious note, I like how you phrased how Francine and Gideon feel. I think for Francine, she’s been stuck in a mindless job (she is after all waiting on a promotion before she gets whisked away in a cab and ends up almost trampled by Roxleigh’s horses) and this sudden change of time and place gives her the chance to do what she wants. As for Gideon, he’s the heir and he’s got a lot to live up to. He freaking gave up his mistress and is now on the hunt for a wife.
Let’s talk about Hepplewort.[aside: Hepplewort is Madeleine's betrothed. She's run away from him and he's set his dogs upon her. And that is where the story takes its turn. As Francine gets thrown around the taxi she's taking to work, Madeleine runs in front of a curricle driven by none other than the Duke of Roxleigh] How creepy is he? Seriously. I can’t wait to find out how Jenn decides to off him or at least let him get his comeuppance.
Jamie: I hate the man! Detest him! I would spit on him if I could. Seriously, he needs to like get a beating.
Kati: I wish he would get run over by a curricle. How fitting would that be? But I’m getting ahead of myself trying to predict his end.
Jamie: I think he should get sent to the 21st century and get hit by a bus. But again, let’s not ahead of ourselves.
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| Gideon and Francine |
Jamie: I like it!
Kati: But again, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. It’s so hard not give spoilers or speculate since we've
Jamie: True. So you know what I think? I think everyone should go and buy TRATR Part 1 and catch up. I mean, hello! It’s a great story and it comes with pictures!
Kati: Oh yes it does! Tastefully done. Not porn-y. So for those of you looking for something like that, this is not a book for you. Pervs!
What’s your favorite quote from TRART Part 1?
Jamie: Well.. that’s hard but I’m going with this:
Compose? Her gaze snapped to his. “Compose this, jackass!” she yelled, ignoring the searing pain that knifed through her throat and head as she flipped him off.
And yours?
Kati: Ah! No fair. That’s my favorite.
Jamie: Ah, great minds think alike.
Kati: But I did like this quote about Gideon:
“He was not ruled by emotions, but by propriety, principle, and grace.”So out of 1 to 5 hearts. How shall we rate Jenn’s TRATR Redux Part 1?
Jamie: Only 5? Well, then 5 it is.
Kati: Yes. 5 hearts because of that extra scene. Holy crap! Too bad there’s not a tastefully done picture of that. lol.
Jamie: I would die. It would be a great way to go though. She should ask Derek [Roxleigh] to pose for it.
Kati: Yes. But then you wouldn’t be able to read Perry’s story. At least stay alive for that.
Jamie: Ah, yes. Perry.*sigh* So is there anything else we should mention?
Kati: There’s so much but that would be giving spoilers and sneak peeks. I am looking forward to Part 2 and where Jenn ends that one. The pictures of course help enhance the story or slow your reading down. Depends on how you look *giggle* at it. Warning: You may spend a large amount of time flipping through the book just for the pictures. Remember, there are words; there is a story. *sigh*
Overall: As you can see, we are in lust with this book. Have been for quite some time. Basically, Part 1 sets up the stage for Francine getting transported to the nineteenth century, loosing her voice, having tingly feeling for Gideon Alrick Trumbull, the tenth Duke of Roxleigh and introducing an icky creeper character who is betrothed to Madeleine (the woman whom Francine takes the place of). Even his name sounds slimy and totally shady: Hepplewort. He plays a greater role later on. So many great characters are introduced and some will play a greater role later. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Again. So we'll leave you with that.
***review copy provided by author***
*Please note all pictures are property of Jenn LeBlanc. They may not be copied, reproduced or downloaded without the consent of the owner or the hounds of hell will be set upon you. Please contact Jenn if you would like to use any of these images for posts.*
