Rory (Lady Aurora Lawrence) & her cousin (Constance - an illegitimate and ignored Lawrence) are on a grand adventure writing their stories and traveling. The two are captured from their ship along with their crew and ransomed. Rorys family can't come up with the entire demand and Rorys mother hires Hawkins (Gabriel Hawkins Vance, a disgraced Vance and dishonored Navy man) to try and retrieve her with half the sum. Hawkins can't deny the request once he sees a miniature of Rory. He's drawn to her.

Rory is being paraded naked in front of potential buyers when Hawkins arrives.
Malek, the captor has a history with Hawkins. It's discovered the sum requested for the return of Rory, Constance and her crew is so high because someone (Maleks cousin) abducted Maleks family and hes trying to get them back. Malek takes some of his prized novelty animals (miniature horses, pygmy hippopotamus, pygmy goats, miniature donkeys and a lion), his two English captives and Hawkins to retrieve his family.

Hawkins and Rory are drawn to each other, but know nothing can happen on the way to the exchange or it could result in a fight, refusal to return Maleks family, beatings or a death as Rory is being delivered pure. The two can't stay away and fall in love. Showing up to the island, they're aware the could be separated forever.

Meanwhile Hawkins first and Rorys cousin (who is a widow) fall in love and are hoping for plans of a future in America.

Malek delivers his gifts and they're shunned. He's told his family's dead. Hawkins rushes to the Embassy to seek aid and finds a fellow Rogue (fellow men who endured a time together as captives/slaves and escaped Malek together). While Hawkins is at the Embassy and Malek taken captive and beaten by his cousin, the ladies rescue themselves by murdering their captive. Maleks family, a French harem women, Rory and Constance are safely delivered back to the ship when they flee the murder scene straight into the arms of Hawkins and his helpers.

Jason and Constance as well as Hawkins and Rory are married on board the ship.

They return home to find Constance is actually recognized by the Lawrence family and a dowry is offered to her. Hawkins is welcomed back to his family and told he's the heir now and Rory and Constance find their books are a big success and they've made a bit of money off them.

It's not a bad book, rushed at parts but has some wit and charm. Cute couples, HEAs. I'd like to read the rest of the Rogues stories.

Mary Jo Putney is a favorite author, so I was happy to get an advanced copy of “Once a Scoundrel” to review. The characters in this story were very enjoyable to read about, including the secondary characters and animals. The setting of the Barbary Coast and the ship was awesome as well. Easily a 5 Star read for me.

I'm a committed fan of Ms. Putney's writing. I love her Lost Lords series and think the Rogues Redeemed series has been a wonderful follow-up. Once a Scoundrel has all the Putney hallmarks that make for an engaging read - a strong heroine (not foolish, but not cowardly either); a dashing, competent hero who's willing to protect (with his life) those whom he cherishes; and a hearty half-dozen secondary characters who enrich the story with their personalities and insights on the H and h.

While this one isn’t my favorite of the series thus far, it's a solid showing and well worth a read.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A warm, character-rich offering from always dependable Putney. I'm not usually a fan of pirate or harem romances but the story did catch my interest and the well-developed characters carried the tale.

This is the second book of Putney's that I have tried and I am still not a huge fan. I thought the story dragged in places although I see other reviews stating that it wasn't long enough. I did not care for the main character of Lady Aurora at all. I found her to be self centered and foolish without any thought of the consequences of her actions on the people involved in her life. I did like the characters of Gabriel, Jason, and Constance and felt they like their characters were more developed and real. It seems to me that Putney includes too much descriptive violence for these supposed romance stories. I would like to read all the stories of the Rogues Redeemed and what happens to them but if they are all as disappointing as this story I will have to pass.

This is a rather light read. I had expectations of a grand adventure with swashbuckling pirates, lots of action and heat. For me, this didn't meet those expectations, and that could be my own fault, maybe I misread the synopsis. The main characters are likeable, their relationship is lukewarm. Mary Jo Putney is a good author, I just think this wasn't one of her best.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review Once a Scoundrel by Mary Jo Putney.

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review

Very interesting historically but I couldn't get into it as a romance, no real heat or tension, felt more like a history lesson with two fairly nice narrators

Once a Scoundrel by Mary Jo Putney is a captivating and fast paced story. It is full of adventure and a wide array of wonderful characters. It flowed nicely for the most part, and there were no holes. The story is far fetched but charming and at times, funny. Gabriel, Rory, Jason and Constance were all fascinating characters and very easy to like. I found this to be a very fun and upbeat read and would recommend this to anyone looking for an adventure and strong characters.

This was my first book by Mary Jo Putney. However, I think this one might be my last. I didn’t find this book as steamy as I would like my romance novels. This book was PG-13. The sexy scenes would start and then it would “fade to black”. It was a very calm and clean romance, with too much talk about her virginity. Also, when they finally have sex the way she described the ending was extremely off putting. Also, a lot of the conversations in this book were repetitive and that got a little annoying.

I wanted to give this book a try because it was set at sea on a ship and I thought that was an interesting setting. I’ve never read a regency romance on the open waters. There are also two different romances going on in this story, which was fun. I liked both couples.

If you like clean, sweet romances then you will probably like this book. I like my romances a little steamier.

Though I’ve read Pitney before and enjoyed her books, I don’t seek her books out, there are so many, and I am trying to learn to pace myself, especially when there are so many in a series. And since the subject matter, harems, a disowned ship captain and an heiress who has been kidnapped aren’t my usual cup of tea, I chose this book on a whim, received a free arc in exchange for an honest review,
Absolutely enjoyed it greatly, the captain is exactly the type of hero I love. Not a womanizer, not a manwhore, just an overall good man who does the right thing, while being handsome, tall and broad shouldered. The heroine is likeable, though, of course, so stunningly beautiful that men are in awe, which is a little annoying, but such is the role of heroines . She is also intelligent and caring, not to be satisfied with routine ton life. Our H has been kidnapped and our brave captain is to ransom her, with half the ransom, not an easy task. There is much to this story, including a history with the kidnapper and captain, as well as the reason for the outrageous ransom. The kidnappers family is being held by an even more evil man, requiring our entire cast crossing the Mediterranean with a ship full of animals to ransom the family. There are really three love stories in this tale, and it was a delightful read. Definitely recommend.

Once A Scoundrel is a captivating historical fiction novel, well-crafted with adventure, romance, and pirates.

Gabriel Vance came from a long line of Royal Navy men and used to be the favorite grandson of a well-known military hero. But, Gabriel’s action in the heat of a battle resulted in a dishonorable discharge and a royal shunning from his grandfather. Gabriel’s grandmother couldn’t treat her grandson as her husband did. So, to continue corresponding with his beloved grandmother, Gabriel changed his name to Gabriel Hawkins.

Gabriel hesitated when asked to save Lady Aurora and her cousin, from a kidnapper. His own memories of being a slave were still fresh. But after seeing Lady Aurora’s picture, Gabriel couldn’t just sit back and not try to rescue her.

Lady Aurora and Constance were mentally preparing themselves for months of slavery when Gabriel Hawkins showed up on the scene. Lady Aurora was surprised to find that her rescuer Gabriel, and kidnapper, Malek Reis were acquainted with one another.

Gabriel was bargaining for Lady Aurora and her cousin’s freedom, when Malek accepted Gabriel’s price, under one condition. That condition, however, would bring Lady Aurora, Constance, Gabriel and his crew into more danger than she could have ever imagined. The one thing Lady Aurora knew for sure was that she was falling for the handsome sea captain and rescuer, Gabriel Hawkins.

Gabriel knew that showing Lady Aurora affection would get them both punished and possibly killed, but staying away from her was becoming more and more difficult.

Once a Scoundrel is a riveting read and one that I stayed up into the night to finish. If you enjoy historical fiction romance and a bit of adventure this book is for you.


Thank you, Kensington Books and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
I haven’t read much by this author before , and admit that this is the first in this series to have caught my eye .
That being the case I can honestly say I missed little by not reading the others in The Rogues Redeemed series first .
The is an enjoyable adventure set everywhere from London to the Barbary Coast and some places in between .
Aboard ship or on land the story never takes a breather and continues at a phenomenal pace,
Great characters and relationships, amusing and terrifying in equal parts .
An adventure not to be missed
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review

Once a Scoundrel is part of the Rogues Redeemed series; this is a standalone, HEA, historical romance with action, adventure and romance.
The main story is about Lady Aurora Lawrence, a strong, intelligent, adventuresome woman living her life outside (or in spite) of society’s strictures and Gabriel Hawkins, a man of adventure, a man strong enough in his own masculinity to embrace her strengths. Also, intertwined with their story is the love between her cousin, Constance, and his first mate, Jason Landers. Although a somewhat tame start, the story builds to some intense action moments about three quarters of the way through. The women are sweet (at times too sweet, treating their situation with a nonchalance and acceptance not appropriate to their plight) and the men are gentlemen (at times too gentlemanly in their reactions to the situation) with all wrapped up nicely at the end. This story is more of 3.5 stars rounded up to a 4.
I received a copy of this story through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Lady Aurora and her cousin Constance are abducted during a pirate attack. Their captor keeps them to use as payment to the man who kidnapped his own family. In the meantime, Captain Hawkins is hired by Aurora’s mother to bring her home. He’s instantly in love with her and vows to free her if he can. A great set up for adventure.

My main problem with this book was the writing. This style was not for me. There was so much redundancy in what happened in one scene being explained to another character in the next scene. I was bored rereading what I just read. There was so much dialogue, not much description. Yet the dialogue felt stilted and too formal. There was no tension built between the characters and felt like I was being told they were in Love more the man being shown it. Also, the hero was never a scoundrel, no redemption needed.

Recommended to those wanting to read about historical Constantinople, harems, and Muslim ceremonies. There was a lot of detail here. Also for those who want No on-page sex scenes.

Another fantastic book fro Jo Putney. This book is the third in the ‘Rogues Redeemed’ series. Aurora ‘Rory‘ & her cousin, Constance were captured by Barbary pirates and being held for ransom. Gabriel Hawkins (Vance), was dismissed from the navy and disowned by his family. A respected sea captain now, he agrees to take on the task of rescuing Rory.

The story is well written with plenty of excitement. I particularly liked Malek, the Barbary pirate who you grow to really like and understand as the plot unfolds.

Well worth a read. I received this ARC for an honest review.

4 Stars!! This was a good book!! Very strong female main character- which I love!! This book is book 3 in the ‘Rogues Redeemed’ series but it’s the first one I’ve read. I loved how this book kept me wondering what would happen at the end! Would the main female character, Rory & her cousin, Constance be sold into slavery or would the main male character, Gabriel & his first mate, Jason save them somehow?! I love how it all worked out! I’d recommend this read! It’s a well written book & worth reading because it’s different from the usual romance book about a ship Captain & a free spirited woman!
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher.*

This book was a lot of fun! It reminded me a bit of Stephanie Laurens' recent work, in that the hero and heroine both have straightforward personalities, and aren't afraid to ask for (and go after) what they want. Following their journey was fun, and I enjoyed the side romances as well. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Malek. I was glad to see a Muslim character who was portrayed as likable and complex!

I really enjoyed Gabriel and Rory's story!

Gabriel has been tasked with rescuing Rory from a Barbary pirate. He never expected this job to turn into something that would become much more important to him. The pirate turns out to be someone from Gabriel's past and he is able to barter for Aurora, but must then take on the daunting task of rescuing the pirate's family. While on this second rescue mission, he starts to fall for Rory. This was definitely not in his plans.

Rory is on a big adventure sailing around the world and never imagined being captured by pirates. She just hopes her father will send the ransom money. When Gabriel arrives to rescue her, she finally begins to hope that everything will be fine. She soon learns that it is not and that she is still a captive.

As these two embark on their second part of their journey, they fall in love. Can these 2 star crossed lovers find their HEA?

I loved watching these two strong willed people fall in love. I'm hopeful that Putney is going to continue this series as I have throughly enjoyed it.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have been a fan of Mary Jo Putney for a while now and I enjoyed the story much like her other stories. While I did have a few problems with the idea of a harem and that stereotype overall I love the characters in the story including the secondary characters. The two female leads were different than most characters because they were very strong and independent and at the end of the day we're capable of rescuing themselves.

Captain Gabriel Hawkins, kicked out of the Royal Navy in disgrace, is sent to rescue a noblewoman's daughter who has been captured by Barbary pirates. Lady Aurora Lawrence--Rory--is unconventional, and very beautiful. Naturally, she and Gabriel are immediately attracted to each other. Complications then ensue.

A somewhat disappointing romance from Putney. Certainly not bad, but not as good as usual. If I liked pirate stories better, I probably would have enjoyed it more.