To Catch a Rogue

Though I would say this was a better STORY than it was a ROMANCE. This was my first book by McCabe. What I loved: through her meticulous attention to detail and description of surroundings and events, I felt totally immersed in the historical setting she created. It was fabulous. So often, it seems as though the historical stories occur beyond a hazy screen, one that keeps us from being completely "there". Whether it was the Grecian-themed masquerade ball or the waterfall and grotto in Yorkshire, she describes things in such a way I truly felt present. What I wasn't nuts about: The sex scene came out-of-the-blue! And the heroine instigated it! This was a real surprise. Yes, both leads were imminently likable, but the hero a bit more beta than I thought necessary. Twice in the first half of the book, he referred to important work he needed to accomplish/to the demons or secrets in his past, and those were never revealed satisfactorily. It was as though that plot point was completely dropped and I think his characterization suffered for it. I also think the story would have read better had the sex scene been completely skipped. It did not add to the developing romance, detracted from it, in fact because it didn't seem to flow naturally at all. (And loads of the mythology references flew way over my head!) Quibbles aside, I am thoroughly looking forward to reading the Duke's story next month - what a fascinating, dark character with plenty of secrets!