New Release Spotlight & Review: The Soldier's Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian

The Soldier's Scoundrel

By: Cat Sebastian

Releasing September 20, 2016
Avon Impulse

A scoundrel who lives in the shadows 

Jack Turner grew up in the darkness of London’s slums, born into a life of crime and willing to do anything to keep his belly full and his siblings safe. Now he uses the tricks and schemes of the underworld to help those who need the kind of assistance only a scoundrel can provide. His distrust of the nobility runs deep and his services do not extend to the gorgeous high-born soldier who personifies everything Jack will never be.

A soldier untarnished by vice 

After the chaos of war, Oliver Rivington craves the safe predictability of a gentleman’s life-one that doesn’t include sparring with a ne’er-do-well who flouts the law at every turn. But Jack tempts Oliver like no other man has before. Soon his yearning for the unapologetic criminal is only matched by Jack’s pleasure in watching his genteel polish crumble every time they’re together.

Two men only meant for each other

Link to Follow Tour: HERE

Jack absently skimmed his finger along the surface of his desk, tracing a swirl through the sand he had used to blot his notes. Another case was solved and done with, another gentleman too drunk on his own power and consequence to remember to pay servants and tradesmen, too dissipated to bother being faithful to his wife. Nearly every client’s problems were variations on that same theme. Jack might have been bored if he weren’t so angry.

A knock sounded at the door, a welcome distraction. His sister always knocked, as if she didn’t want to interrupt whatever depravities Jack was conducting on the other side of the door. She did it out of an excess of consideration, but Jack still felt like she was waiting for him to do something unspeakable at any moment.

She was right, of course, but still it grated.

“Come in, Sarah.

“There’s a gentleman here to see you,” she said, packing a world of both disapproval and deference into those few words.

Really, it was a pity she hadn’t been born a man because the world had lost a first rate butler there. The butlers Jack had served under would have been put fairly to shame.

“Tell him to bugger off.” Sarah knew perfectly well he didn’t take gentlemen as clients. He tried to keep any trace of impatience out of his voice, but didn’t think he quite managed it.

“I have customers downstairs and I don’t want a scene.” She had pins jammed into the sleeve of her gown, a sign that she had been interrupted in the middle of a fitting. No wonder her lips were pursed.

“And I don’t want any gentlemen.” Too late, he realized he had set her up for a smart-mouthed response. Now she was going to press her advantage because that’s what older sisters did. But Sarah must have been developing some restraint, or maybe she was only in a hurry, because all she did was raise a single eyebrow as if to say, like hell you don’t.

“I’m not your gatekeeper,” she said a moment later, her tone deceptively mild. But on her last word Jack could hear a trace of that old accent they had both worked so hard to shed. Sarah had to be driven to distraction if she was letting her accent slip.

“Send him up, then,” he conceded. This arrangement of theirs depended on a certain amount of compromise on both sides.

She vanished, her shoes scarcely making any sound on the stairs. A moment later he heard the heavier tread of a man not at all concerned about disturbing the clients below.

This man didn’t bother knocking. He simply sailed through the door Sarah had left ajar as if he had every right in the world to enter whatever place he pleased, at whatever time he wanted.

To hell with that. Jack took his time stacking his cards, pausing a moment to examine one with feigned and hopefully infuriating interest. The gentleman coughed impatiently; Jack mentally awarded himself the first point.

“Yes?” Jack looked up for the first time, as if only now noticing the stranger’s presence. He could see why Sarah had pegged him straight away as a gentleman. Everything about him, from his mahogany walking stick to his snowy white linen, proclaimed his status.

“You’re Jack Turner?”

There was something about his voice—the absurd level of polish, perhaps—that made Jack look more carefully at his visitor’s face.

Could it—it couldn’t be. But it was.

    Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

I don't pick up historical romances as often as I should even though I enjoy reading them a great deal. I've read contemporary M/M romances before but The Soldier's Scoundrel is the first M/M Regency and this is a début novel by the author.

Jack Turner has a knack of making his own fortune. A good attribute because his abusive upbringing taught him to seize any opportunity at any time. He's like a chameleon, blending into any situation to 'help' solve problems for his discerning clients. When a distinguished young gentleman seeks him out at his office, he says, he's making inquiries for his sister. Whilst that may be true, it is obvious to Jack that Captain 'Oliver' Rivington isn't the gentleman he pretends to be.

Oliver Rivington is back in England after selling the military commission his father paid for when he was only seventeen years old. Now in London, he's trying to find a purpose in his life and looking into the affairs of his sister is a start. When he visits an office to query an account, he comes face to face with a man who is far more complex than the services he offers.

I didn't know what to expect when I dived in, but my inability to put this book down became quickly apparent; a hugely positive sign. I love the fact the protagonists' attraction is taboo with the obstacles they have to overcome to be together. A welcome surprise was the mystery element to the plot as Jack, with Oliver's assistance turn detectives. The whole plot is fun and aided with an entertaining cast of secondary characters. When I read the ending I felt that the author's expectations didn't match the feelings of the time (Regency) with regards to homosexuality...then I reminded myself that this is a fictional story of two men falling in love and there's absolutely nothing wrong with wishing them a happy ending.

The writing flows in this sexy tale of forbidden love. Both protagonists compliment each other perfectly despite their vastly differing social backgrounds. Despite his background, Jack is compassionate and incredibly perceptive whilst Oliver is romantic; believing they can find a way to be together permanently.

This is a wonderful first novel by Cat Sebastian and I can't wait to read more from her.

***arc generously received courtesy of Avon Impulse via Edelweiss+***

Cat Sebastian lives in a swampy part of the South with her husband, three kids, and two dogs. Before her kids were born, she practiced law and taught high school and college writing. When she isn't reading or writing, she's doing crossword puzzles, bird watching, and wondering where she put her coffee cup.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads

Rafflecopter Giveaway ($25.00 eGift Card to Amazon, B&N or iTunes)

a Rafflecopter giveaway