Oliver Le Beau Blackthorn will never forget the day he foolishly proposed marriage to Lady Madelyn Mills-Beckman. Not only did Madelyn heartlessly reject his proposal, but Oliver was brutally beaten with a whip by her brother, Thomas, the future Earl of Brean. Although impeccably educated and extremely wealthy, Oliver was considered a ridiculous match for Lady Madelyn. After all, Oliver was only the bastard son of the Marquess of Blackthorn. Seven years later, Oliver has never forgotten the shame of being whipped and ridiculed by the heir of Brean. Only one person had shown him kindness on that dark day, Madelyn's youngest sister, Chelsea.

Years later, Oliver is no longer the foolishly romantic boy with hopes of winning the hand of a Lady. He bitterly accepts his role as his father's bastard, but has been secretly sabotaging Thomas Brean's life from a distance. Oliver's ultimate revenge on Thomas Mills-Beckman is served to him on a silver platter when a familiar face appears at his home one day. As he looks into those dreamy blue-gray eyes, he recognizes Madelyn's youngest sister who wept at the sight of her brother's brutality. Only Chelsea is no longer the young child Oliver remembers. She is now a stunning beauty who has come to plead for his help-- he must marry her in order to avoid marrying a man she despises.

The Earl of Brean announced to his sister that she was to wed the Reverend Francis Flotely, a corrupt man who had gained control over Thomas' life after Thomas recovered from a dangerous illness. Flotely had transformed a man who had once been devoted to women and drink, to man who lived by the Scriptures. Thomas would give the Reverend anything he asked, including his sister, Chelsea. Chelsea knows the only way to avoid marrying the odious Reverend is by running away. And what better way to punish her brother than by marrying his old enemy, Oliver Blackthorn?

Chelsea is simply the means of avenging the worst humiliation Oliver had ever endured. Marrying Mills- Beckman's sister would finally settle the score that had haunted Oliver for years. But as Oliver and Chelsea race to Scotland to take their vows with the Earl of Brean hot on their heels, Oliver begins to realize that Chelsea is not like the woman who broke his heart and her cruel older brother. While they manage to evade Thomas on their adventure through the north of England and through Scotland, Oliver begins to realize that Chelsea has become more than a tool for revenge. But will he risk his heart once again?

THE TAMING OF THE RAKE is full of romance, humor, and adventure. Readers can't help but sympathize with Oliver's tender but foolish marriage proposal and his later overwhelming need for revenge. Although brought together out of mutual self-interest, Oliver and Chelsea's romance transforms into a lighthearted and playful romance readers will adore. Revenge may be sweet, but falling in love is even sweeter, especially when it becomes impossible to deny.

Book Summary

Charming, wealthy and wickedly handsome, Oliver “Beau” Blackthorn has it all…except revenge on the enemy he can’t forget. Now the opportunity for retribution has fallen into his hands. But his success hinges on Lady Chelsea Mills-Beckman—the one woman with the power to distract him from his quest.

Desperate to escape her family’s control, Lady Chelsea seizes the chance to run off with the notorious eldest Blackthorn brother, knowing she’s only a pawn in his game. But as Beau draws her deep into a world of intrigue, danger and explosive passion, does she dare hope he’ll choose love over vengeance?

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