Legendary Rogues--a Regency era treat!

A dramatic conclusion to the the search for the search for the Thirteen Treasures of the Knights of the Round Table. "items gathered by Arthur and his knights for one of their own—Gareth—so that he could win his bride.”
Gideon Kersey is a direct descendant of Gareth and he has a plan to regain the dagger, one of the treasures, from Timothy Foliot the power behind the shadowy Camelot group, all descendants from Arthur's Knights, who are pursuing the treasures for their own ends.
Gideon and his friends want to reunite all the treasures and take them to safety.
Unfortunately Gideon is drawn into Foliot's plan to marry his daughter to Gideon thus securing the sacred bloodline to Foliot's descendants.
His daughter, Daphne is unaware of her father's obsession and has been pursuing her own studies of Morgan Le Fay and the cloak of invisibility. This is the part that really won me over as Morgan Le Fay or Morgana has always fascinated me and I find Burke's explanation of her role in the Arthurian cycle very pleasing.
Daphne is intelligent, focused and compassionate, also brilliantly sneaky when needed. That she's very attractive and there seems to be a startling alchemy between the two is something that Gideon fights as much as he is able.
Gideon needs the cloak to carry out his plan, and that search is an eye opener.
I found this last in the series a fascinating romp as the intrigue continued, with some very big surprises along the way.
Once again, I winged my way through this entrancing finale to the 'Legendary Rogues' and enjoyed every moment!

A NetGalley ARC

At first, the plot of searching for magical treasures of the Knights of the Round Table did not appeal to me. But since this is Darcy Burke’s book I decided to go ahead and read it. The story started out slow for me but it steadily picked up its pace. I found myself caught up in the mystery and intrigue of searching for lost treasure and the adventures the hero and heroine went through for the treasure.

The love story between the hero and heroine was different in the sense that They fell in love in a quiet and gentle way. It was not accompanied by fireworks and a parade which for me made the story sweeter. There were love scenes after the hero and heroine got married and it was nothing sordid and graphic. There was the concept of family ties and relationship as well. I will have to go and read the previous books in the series. I really liked it. Thanks to Netgalley for sending me this copy of the book.

I liked it!
Darcy Burke is one of my go-to authors.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Legendary Rogues
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading books 1 and 2.

Daphne Foliot's father plans to marry her off to Gideon Kersey, a descendant from one of King Arthur’s fabled knights, except she doesn't want to marry Gideon or anyone else. She'd rather hunt for artifacts and become the first female member of the Order of the Round Table. Gideon vows to discover the Thirteen Treasures, his family's legacy, and keep them from Daphne's father and the Round Table. Can these two work together to keep the artifacts safe and can they ignore the growing passion between them?

I found this book to be very confusing in the beginning because I had not read the previous books in the series. It's not the usual romance, but more of an adventure with romance thrown in. There were quite a few twists and turns in the story and I did enjoy it.

With all the Arthurian legends as a backdrop this is an interesting story but it as a bit confusing. It needs to be read as part of the series.

I liked both characters a lot but I wanted a bit more of the romance

~~Reviewed by AnnMarie~~

Captivating the Scoundrel is the fourth book in the Legendary Rogues series by Darcy Burke. I haven’t read any of the other books and believe that you don’t need to in order to understand and enjoy this book. That said, I enjoyed this book so much that I am definitely going to go back and read the series from the start.

Daphne Foliot is an expert on all things Arthurian, impossible not to be with a father who is obsessed with that time but more importantly finding 13 magical artefacts wielded by the Knights of the round table. The order of the Round Table have been searching for the treasures in order to keep them safe, but Daphne’s father is the leader of a secret group within the order called Camelot. He wants all the treasures found and plans to use them, he also wants to oust any of the members of the Order who aren’t descendants of the Knights because he considers them not worthy. He is very much a control freak and is so obsessed with Arthurian times that he insists his daughter marry a descendant! She knows the time will come when she will have to do that but she dreads it because she really wanted to marry for love.

Gideon Kersey is the man in question, he is a descendant of Gareth and already he has brought Daphne’s father, Timothy, two of the treasures which amazingly respond to Gideon’s touch. He knows about Camelot, and he is trying to infiltrate them in order to oust them and at the same time find any information they may have in order for them to find the last of the treasures. To achieve that goal he needs to pretend to work with Timothy. The latter doesn’t know if he can trust Gideon, so in order to test him, he tells him that he wants Gideon to marry his daughter. Gideon doesn’t want to marry and certainly not to a woman he has never met, but if it helps him meet his goal then he agrees with Timothy’s plans.

What follows is the amazing tale of how Gideon and Daphne get along with each other, their forced agreement to marry, and their anxiety of finding the other treasures. They have a very strong attraction between them one that normally they wouldn’t fight, but how can they trust each other. If they do, could they work together to find the treasures only to have them taken by his wife who will give them to her father? So many trust issues in this book but one way or another, things work out, but does anybody get hurt in the process?

The story had me guessing and trying to figure out how it might end, there was never a dull moment, and when Gideon and Daphne start giving in to their attraction the steam starts coming off the page!

I only have one negative point to mention and that is that sometimes I forgot what era this book was set in. At times I thought it was set in modern times until I would read how a person would travel by horse and carriage, and about how a man and woman can’t travel together unless married etc. Then I would realise that the book was set in older times than that. It got a little confusing now and then, but for the most part, the story was an enjoyable one and I am glad I read it.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the mixed of magic and history this story brought forth. Both heroes loved the stories of Arthur and their quest to find the lost treasures brought them closer together despite their determination to fight their attraction. The novel did feel a bit slow in parts but it did pick up towards the middle. Enjoyable without going over the top.

As always i love this writer. Loved the hero and his heroine. Great story, only Ms Burke can tell a story so interesting.

Captivating the scoundrel is the 4rth (and last?) book in the Legendary Rogues series. Gideon is the hero and Daphne the heroine. Their story begins with Daphne's father is practically forcing Gideon to marry his daughter. Fast forward a short time later, we have these two going on an adventure to find one of the missing artifacts, an invisible cloak like the one in Harry Potter. No one expected to fall for the other though.

Daphne and Gideon had an interesting journey and I liked it. Their story broke some of the rules that existed in the 19th century and it had a more modern take, but not too much to a point where it felt like I was reading a contemporary romance. There was a spark between them early on, but the romance blossomed slowly which was better if you ask me. The book was good and the main characters likable. If you are not familiar with the series you should know that the book is not your average historical romance, but it's more adventurous.


*Tiny thought that might be considered a spoiler below*

I was very surprised by the paranormal element that was included in the story. I wasn't expecting it and I was very happy to see it. I was expecting to find out that the artifacts were just a myth or something since I am not familiar with the series.

‘Captivating the Scoundrel’ starts with such a pace and didn’t let up until the very end. The story focuses on the legendary King Arthur, the 13 Treasures of Britain and the people involved in protecting or stealing the treasures. Daphne Foliot has been told by her father that she must marry a descendant of King Arthur and Gideon Kersey, a widowed earl, is being forced to marry her, in order to retrieve one of the treasures. The story is intricate, and I would definitely have benefited from reading the earlier books, but I found the details fleshed out as I read through the first few chapters. Both Daphne and Gideon are drawn to each other but fearful of becoming involved (Gideon more so due to his past) but as the story evolved, so too did their relationship, making it all the more enjoyable.
As always, Darcy Burke writes with such vivid descriptions, that is easy to find yourself thoroughly immersed in the book. Whilst I have read all of The Untouchable series are thoroughly enjoyed, this series has also drawn my interest. I now have the great fortune to go and read the three earlier books in the series.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Gideon Kersey is quickly coming to realize he has been working for the wrong side. The thirteen treasures of Britian must be preserved and the best way to do that is to bury them with his ancestor, Gareth. First, Gideon must find the last article, the cloak. With the help of an unlikely ally, Gideon is certain he can carry out this task.

Daphne Foliot agreed to marry Gideon because her father asked it of her. The fact that he is a descendant of one of Arthur's knights only adds to his appeal. Still, Daphne would never marry him if he truly did not wish to marry her in return. Daphne owes her father her loyalty and if that is in helping Gideon, that doesn't seem like such a hardship. What happens when secrets and lies are exposed? Who can Daphne trust, the man she has fallen in love with or the man who raised her?

Author Darcy Burke's gripping LEGENDARY ROGUES series consists of four books, THE de VALERY CODE, ROMANCING THE EARL, LORD OF FORTUNE and CAPTIVATING THE SCOUNDREL. The latest installment, CAPTIVATING THE SCOUNDREL is a fast-paced and adventure-filled, not to mention crazy passionate, read. I give it 3.5 stars. Daphne and Gideon are perfect for one another. They both have very different obstacles to overcome. Gideon is coping with the loss of his pregnant wife years ago. Both have come to discover the not so great sides of their fathers. Getting to their happily ever after is going to be a challenge, but one they can certainly handle. I have only read the first book in this series, so I'm looking forward to picking up books 2 & 3. For readers interested in Arthurian legends, Ms. Burke's LEGENDARY ROGUES is the perfect series for you.

This is my fair and hinest review in return for this ARC. This book just explains why i love darcy burke. This is only a part of this over all series. Knights, treasures, quests and great characters and story line. Has it all.

I love Darcy Burke, but this wasn’t my favorite. Perhaps because I haven’t read the others in the series? I just couldn’t really get into it. Thank you for the opportunity to review.

I truly enjoyed this series, beginning from the first novel. Many of the characters from the previous novels return as well as some new comers. Gideon Kersey has much on his plate since being recruited by a part of the Order that wants the 13 treasures of Britain and he is a direct descendant. Gideon believes the treasures need to return to the resting place and remain hidden from the world. However, Foliot, the leader of this rogue section of the Order, has other plans for Gideon, which involve marrying his daughter, Daphne, to Gideon. Gideon has no desire for a wife and Daphne does not want a husband. However, Daphne's intelligence and determination make an impression on Gideon. Daphne wants to be recognized by the Order, but women cannot be a part of it. She uses a potential marriage to Gideon as a way to find the treasures and expand her knowledge. Daphne becomes torn between her growing love for Gideon and the love for her father. Gideon knows the truth depth of her father's agenda, but fears revealing it. As they get closer to discovering the location of the treasures, Daphne will need to decide where her loyalties lie, with Gideon or her father.

It doesn't get any better when the story has connections to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. After all, the stories are legend and speculations have enchanted historians and readers alike forever! Imagine finding the lost treasures and that is exactly what the Legendary Rouges series is about. Descendants of the knights, this one is about Gideon who we have seen in the other books, but luckily he becomes the hero in this one and a lot of things fall in place. But he has to protect those treasures from those who are looking to take them for gain and there are two more items he wants to retrieve.
One, a dagger is held by Timothy Foliot, who is now part of a group trying to take the treasures. He will only give it to him if Gideon will marry his daughter Daphne.
There are so many twist and turns in these pages that will take you on an adventure which will not slow down until the end. As he takes Daphne with him, there are a lot of secrets that will come out and it seems they have an attraction that cannot be denied.
Secrets, lies, betrayal, intrigue, mystery and of course love. Darcy Burke is an amazing storyteller that always pulls me into the tale and brings the characters alive. Memorized, I really did not want to turn the last page because I believe this is the end to this spectacular series! They will go on my keeper shelf to be reread one day! I highly recommend!

Captivating the Scoundrel is a magical style book that will appeal to romance lovers, especially those interested in Arthurian legend. This is fourth in the Legendary Rogues series.

Gideon Kersey, the Earl of Stratton is trying to right his previous wrongs by returning three of the thirteen treasures of England to their hidden location, but he must find the third treasure first. He has to work with/against Foliot, his previous mentor, to locate the last of the three he wants to return. In order to show his allegiance and gain Foliot’s trust back, Gideon must agree to marry Foliot’s daughter sight unseen.

Sweet Daphne, who has had a great relationship with her father, is conflicted through a large part of Captivating. She falls in love with Gideon, but is still trusting of her beloved father. Then, she begins to see her father might not be the man she has always believed him to be. But she is unsure who, exactly, is lying to he. Her father raised her to marry a descendant of a knight of the round table. Her father claimed to be a descendant of Arthur. He is insisting she marry hero Gideon.

The Heart of Llanllwch and Drynwyn, the sword, are the two items Gideon gave to Foliot as part of gaining his trust. Daphne and Gideon’s journey together is about trying to make things right for the treasures. They build a strong trust over a short amount of time, fall in love, then, have to trust again. Several times characters appear to ‘outwit’ other characters. Not always so lucky, but telling of magic makes for a powerful, entertaining play on Arthurian legend. The sword only 'activates' when held by a descendent.

Much of Daphne and Gideon’s journey is assisted by characters from previous books. Although certainly a stand alone, I believe this book is most enjoyable by having read the previous books in the series. It helps to know more details about those characters and enhance the magical aspect of the book.

If you like Fairytales. Then you'll most likely enjoy, Captivating the Scoundrel. I would reread this series.

Gideon and his group are trying to find the thirteen treasures of Britian. They belonged to King Arthur and the knights of the round table. The descendants have to find them and keep them safe. Timothy Foliot, the leader of the main group wants the objects for his own nefarious purposes. Gideon takes two of the treasures to him with plans th steal them back. Since Gideon is a direct descendant, he can control the objects. Foliot wants Gideon to marry his daught, Daphne. Daphne is as smart as she is beautiful and is also looking for one of the treasures. When they meet, they decide to put the wedding off until they get to know each other. Gideon has been married and never wants that again. To work together, they get married. They want to put all the treasures in one place to be guarded for eternity. First, Gideon will have to prove to her that her father is not who he pretends to be? Will their chemistry translate into love? What about all the treasures? There are plots between plots. King Arthur and his stories have always enchanted me. This book is magical. I couldn't stop reading it. Loved it. I received this book from Net Galley and Intrepid Reads for a honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

It is sad when a series ends, but what a way to end the Legendary Rogues. The characters are ones we are invested in (especially Gideon who was the bad boy in some of the previous books but don’t most bad boys turn out to be great heroes?!?). The story captivates you from the beginning. Treasures, villains, marriages of convenience, and Morgan Le Fay…it has it all and the story surrounding the adventures of Gideon and Daphne is a page turner. A little giddy over Gideon, definitely! The journey to love and trust for Daphne and Gideon is sometimes heartbreaking but also wonderful. This series is for anyone who wants an adventure.

Facing an arranged marriage she doesn't exactly want, Daphne Foliot agrees anyway because it is what he father wants for her and she owes him everything for raising her and supporting her dream of becoming the first female member of the Order of the Round Table. Though she'd prefer the semblance of independence she has eked out so she can continue her scholarship of Arthurian legend, she doesn't want to go back on the promise she made to her father, not can she afford to live without his financial support.

Gideon Kersey, the Earl of Stratton, is heir to the Thirteen Treasures of Britain- the magical items gifted by King Arthur to his knight Gareth, Gideon's ancestor, in the 5th or 6th century. Like the Order, he also seeks the treasures, but he wants to keep them away from Camelot, a faction of the order, led by Daphne's father, that seeks to gather the treasures and wield their powers. As a demonstration of loyalty, Foliot demands Gideon wed his daughter, Daphne. Though he is still broken-hearted over the death of his wife two years previously, Gideon knows he has no choice but to agree and hope he's able to find all the treasures before a wedding can take place. He knows he must keep them safe from Foliot and his minions who have no qualms using violence to gain possession of the treasures.

Though neither wants to marry, they can't deny the spark that ignites between them. Gideon is a known rake with a tarnished reputation and only wants to locate and protect the treasures that are his birthright and legacy; he has no interest in marriage and certainly not in the risk of facing the pain of losing a wife again. Gideon is sick of Foliot's manipulations and his ruthless obsession with the treasures and is determined to see them safe. Along the way, however, Gideon finds himself inexplicably concerned with keeping Daphne safe, in direct conflict with his desire to break away from her father, his former mentor. Meanwhile, Daphne becomes torn between her love for her father and her growing feelings for Gideon. New revelations threaten everything she's ever believed in and she isn't sure what's true anymore or who can be trusted.

Gideon may not admit it, even to himself, but he is in desperate need of love, though he believes himself unworthy. His determination to protect his family's legacy from those who would use it for ill was very admirable. He started out a bit gruff and high handed, but the more I got to know his character, the more I liked him. Daphne's naivete, despite her extensive studies, annoyed me for a while, but as she began to open her eyes and grew closer to Gideon she grew on me as well. Despite his reluctance and their determination not to be together, there's lots of sexual tension between these two.

This book has it all: magic, romance, intrigue, adventure, shady characters. It took some getting into for me, probably because I haven't read the other installments in this series, but once the plot got going I couldn't put it down. I just kept rooting for these two to get it together.

I received an ARC via NetGalley. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.