I loved Gabriel and Rory's story. Not your typical high seas romance. The author does a good job of hitting all of the right emotions at just the right time. This book is full of adventure and danger as well as passion!

When Lady Aurora "Rory" Lawrence's parents learn their youngest daughter has been captured by pirates and being held for an outrageous ransom, her father washes his hands of her, but her mother isn't willing to let her be sold into slavery. She contacts Lord Kirkwood, who is referred to Gabriel Hawkins by a mutual friend (Gordon).

Gabriel is familiar with the Barbary Pirates, having been captured and escaped himself. He agrees to try and rescue the girl. He is shocked when he finds the man holding her is none other than the man he escaped from years ago. Malek Reis wants 50,000 pounds for Rory, which is an astronomical sum for one woman, but Gabriel learns that she refuses to be released without her cousin, Constance and the entire crew of the ship she was traveling on. When Rory and Gabriel see each other for the first time, she is nearly naked and being displayed to potential buyers. There is an instant connection between them and Gabriel knows he will do whatever is necessary to free this woman.

When he learns why Malek needs so much money, he offers his services to help him get back his wife and children who were taken by Malek's evil cousin Gurkan. Malek doesn't have the full ransom, but hopes to tempt Gurkan with exotic animals and if necessary Rory and Constance. Malek promises Gabriel that if they are successful, he will release all his captives.

They set out for Constantinople, with high hopes, but both knowing that Rory could end up enslaved in a harem if things do not go well. Gabriel and Rory grow closer, but neither can make promises for the future, nor can they fully explore what it between them without endangering Rory's life. When they arrive in Turkey, things take a really bad turn and Gabriel calls upon the British Embassy for help. He is delighted to find one of his "Redeemed Rogues" is working at the embassy and is willing to help. But when Gabriel learns the women have been taken, it might be too late and Rory may be lost to him forever.

This was a good story, well written and action packed. The characters are likable, the imagery is well done, there are tense moments, a little heartache, a charming secondary romance and happy endings all around. The heat level of the book is on the low side, but as you read, you will understand why. I don't really know why Gabriel was considered a "Scoundrel", because in my opinion there was nothing "scoundrelly" about him, he was an absolutely wonderful hero and I was delighted for him at the end. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title with no problem at all.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher."

3.5 Stars
The son of a proud naval dynasty, Gabriel Hawkins Vance was born to command the sea, until he leaves the Royal Navy in disgrace at the age of eighteen and is disowned by his family. As captain of his own ship The Zephyr, he’s earned his living in ways both legal and illegal, and his experience makes him the best choice to ransom an aristocratic beauty captured by Barbary pirates.
Having avoided the traps of convention and marriage, Lady Aurora Lawrence is horrified by the prospect of spending her life as a harem slave. Her only hope of escape is a quiet, steely captain who has a history with her captor. Together they undertake a dangerous mission through troubled waters.
This is the third book in the series but could easily be read on its own. I’ve read nearly all the author's books & she's one of my must read authors, I was looking forward to reading Gabriel’s story but I was a little disappointed as in my view it wasn't as good as her usual books. I enjoyed the story of captured English ladies being rescued & then the mission to rescue Malek's family, the pace was good & although some parts seemed rushed, the time spent in Constantinople flowed really well. The characters were well portrayed, I liked Gabriel, Constance, Jason & even Malek however I didn’t like Rory at all. I would have left her in the harem! She was far too brash, so much so that she grated on me & spoiled my overall enjoyment of the book.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Once a Scoundrel is a book full of adventure, risk, heartache and love. It is the story of Gabriel Hawkins and Lady Aurora Lawrence. Years after Gabriel was disowned by his proud naval family he is asked to take his ship and undertake a mission to go save Lady Aurora (or Roaring Rory as the ton calls her), as she has gone and gotten herself kidnapped by pirates. This story is not all fun and laughter, and it is great that it delivers some very brave, strong and empowered female characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to take a journey to a far off land, but never have to leave their chair!

This story takes place largely at sea and the author has to be credited for the great way she kept the action moving. The characters is individually very interesting and there are three love stories taking place at the same time. Rory is magnificent. Spook is something special.

Being dishonorably discharged from the Royal Navy is a stain on the family’s honor, but Gabriel Hawkins Vance doesn’t regret his actions. In the intervening years since his banishment, he’s done well for himself and is able to pick and choose what he does, but he’s uncertain what future path to select until the British spymaster visits his ship. A delicate situation has arisen and Gabriel has the necessary expertise to carry out the mission if anyone can. He’s spent time in Algiers, is fluent in the Arabic dialect, has had prior dealings with a particular Barbary pirate, and is willing to do whatever may be necessary to successfully conclude his assignment.

Lady Aurora Octavia Lawrence may be the delight of her father’s life, but her penchant for independence and globe-trotting adventure has landed her in a predicament from which he cannot and will not extricate her. The outrageous ransom demanded by the Barbary pirates who kidnapped her is beyond his means – a fact Rory suspects, but still she hopes. In the meantime, she and her cousin must endure captivity in their comfortable “cage,” and she must humiliate herself time and again in front of prospective buyers seeking a beautiful, virginal westerner to grace their harems. If she and her cousin cannot escape and no one rescues them, she will be forced to give up her dreams of being an author and forever resign herself to a life of sexual slavery.

Malek had thought his days of piracy over until his greedy and nasty cousin gives him no other choice. When Gabriel offers him the use of his ship as part payment for the ransom, he accepts the offer that will transport him and his exotic menagerie, including the two English ladies, to Constantinople. Despite their past association, Malek makes it clear that he’s willing to sell them into a harem and see Gabriel and his crew dead to regain what his cousin has stolen from him.

Once a Scoundrel takes place in England, Algiers, and Constantinople between 1814 and 1815. Putney deftly transports readers to the Ottoman Empire and her melding of historical facts with fiction is flawless. In her author’s note she writes, “I do not find pirates romantic. They were greedy and sometimes murderous criminals who preyed on the vulnerable. Barbary pirates were the scourge of the Mediterranean from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries . . . .” (230) This historical romance ably demonstrates this, while spinning a dramatic tale of intrigue, corruption, greed, determination, and love. Perfect reading for a cold winter’s day or as an escape from the stress of everyday life, Once a Scoundrel offers an exotic portrayal of undying hope and love everlasting no matter the odds one must face.

Lord Gabriel Vance, now Gabriel Hawkins has been tasked with the job of saving Lady Aurora Lawrence from life in a harem. Along with her cousin Constance, she has bartered with Malek Reis to save them and the crew of the ship; however, her father has not, the funds to save her and her mother is not able to raise sufficient money. Gabriel in turn, agrees to take Malek to Constantinople, to make up the shortfall in funds. The events that transpire are quite entertaining and the detail in the story is quite vivid. Whilst I have not read any books in this series, I found it to be a stand-alone novel.
I look forward to hearing about the adventures of Ramsey which I am sure will feature in another book. This was an entertaining read.
I received an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Once a Scoundrel has all the makings of a fascinating romance! The scoundrel hero and rescuer, disowned by his English family. The mischievous, virgin heroine, kidnapped by pirates. The ‘bastard’ cousin, widowed at a young age. The American first-mate, an heir looking for adventure. The pirate kidnapper, who is not such a bad guy. The really bad guy, cousin to the pirate kidnapper. The characters all have fascinating stories and situations that put them in the mix.

Rory and Constance are writers of a female warrior. They write and make up stories about her adventures as they go along. Some of those adventures are reminiscent of their travels. Some of her adventures, which they made up, they use to help themselves get out of a difficult situation.

Gabriel and Jason fall in love with these two amazing women. Rory is the outspoken, most adventurous one. That aspect of her personality is what Gabriel comes to love. Constance is used to being the more quiet of the two, but this is what makes her special. And, what appeals to Jason.

Malek has taken the two intrepid ladies captive and wants a huge ransom for them. Gabriel, Jason and crew go to the Barbary coast to negotiate their release. Since her mother could not come up with the entire amount, Malek insists they all accompany him on a journey to take his miniature animals to his very wicked cousin as payment.

It is all charged with intrigue, pirates, attacks and kidnappings. The aspects of the Muslin faith added to the differences in the cultures very respectfully. This is a great book for a beach weekend or a mountain retreat. Suzanne’s upcoming book should be just as entertaining!

I usually don't read historical fiction and I had heard about this author so I decided to give it a shot. I honestly just couldn't get into it. There really wasn't anything exciting about the story line and it was just boring to me. I couldn't even finish the book. I gave it a shot, but it just wasn't for me.

Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars
Swashbuckling 1815 Regency romance filled with exciting adventures on the high seas
ByKate McMurry Top Contributor: Health & Wellness
TOP 50 REVIEWER
VINE VOICE
on August 16, 2018
Format: Hardcover

Thirty-year-old Gabriel Hawkins Vance, known to the world as Gabriel Hawkins, is the disgraced grandson of a British admiral. He was cashiered out of the British Navy at age 18 after six years of service during which he worked up the ranks from a cabin boy to an officer. His stiff-rumped grandfather disowned him, refusing to allow Gabriel to justify an act that the Navy labeled dereliction of duty (it would be a spoiler to reveal what Gabriel did that got him into trouble). As a result, Gabriel has spent the past 12 years attempting to redeem himself by captaining his own merchant ship and using it to run blockades during the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 in America, both of which have recently, in 1815, come to an end. His most recent mission took him to America to rescue a stranded English widow (a previous book in a series of books that this novel is part of which is called, "Rogues Redeemed"). At loose ends with the declaration of peace in Europe and America, Gabriel is pondering what he will take on as his next challenge when he is approached for an errand of mercy, rescuing the daughter of a British Earl from captivity in Algiers, where she is being held by Barbary pirates.

It seems to be a nearly impossible mission, because the ransom demand is an extortionate 50,000 pounds. The woman's family have scrounged together less than half that amount, and worse, Gabriel has a dangerous past history with Barbary pirates and has no desire to go anywhere near their strongholds. Thus, Gabriel is on the verge of refusing to help, until he is presented with a miniature portrait of the captive and feels such an immediate, powerful attraction to the golden-haired, young beauty, that he cannot bear the thought of leaving her to a terrible fate. If no one rescues her, she will be sold as a slave and live out her life imprisoned in a harem.

Twenty-two-year-old Lady Aurora Octavia Lawrence, is called "Rory" by her friends and family, and is notorious among the British ton as "Roaring Rory Lawrence" due to her unconventional, hoydenish ways. She has spent the past four years traveling the world with Constance Hollings, a widowed female relative, as her sole companion, utilizing an inheritance from a great uncle to fund her adventures. In addition to traveling, Rory and Constance have written multiple romantic novels together, featuring intrepidly self-sufficient female protagonists. Unfortunately, as they were heading back home to England, they and the entire crew of the sailing ship they were on were captured by pirates. Months have passed since their captor sent a ransom request to England, and Rory and Constance have almost given up hope of rescue when Gabriel Hawkins arrives.

To Gabriel's dismay, he has a dubious history with Rory's captor, Malek Reis, known as "master of the Middle Seas." And it is initially dangerously unclear whether the pirate will kill Gabriel for a past transgression against Malek or make a deal with Gabriel for Rory's release.

This is a fast-paced and engaging read. For readers who love stories involving brave sea captains fighting off pirates, this book will be a real treat. The pirates are Barbary corsairs from the Ottoman Empire, operating out of North Africa and based primarily in the ports of Tunis, Tripoli, and Algiers, an area referred to in Europe at the time as the Barbary Coast. The setting is colorful and authentic and extremely well drawn.

Overall, the plot poses a series of story questions that keep the reader racing forward through the pages to discover the answers. The odds seems impossibly stacked against a positive outcome in this story--a vital element of any well-done action-adventure plot--and the ultimate resolution of the action-adventure plot is extremely satisfying and well written.

As for the romance portions of the book, Rory and Gabriel are sympathetic, admirable and very strong protagonists. They are well matched as to integrity, compassion, intelligence and backbone. I loved this classic, romantic conflict dramatically stated by Gabriel to Rory soon after they meet:

"Whatever is between us may be fleeting and sparked by circumstance, but it is real. And it is impossible for us to act on it."

There is a lovely, secondary romance between Constance and Jason Landers, Gabriel's 26-year-old, American first mate. These two are also extremely sympathetic and admirable characters.

For romance fans who prefer non-raunchy, slow-burn sexual relationships, this book fills the bill. The sex scenes for both of the romantic relationships are tenderly sensual.

I particularly enjoyed a delightful subplot involving a gaggle of exotic, miniature animals, and Gabriel's affectionate and hard-working, rat-killing ship's cat, Spook, is also a terrific addition to the story.

All in all, this is an extremely enjoyable historical romance.

I rate this book as follows:

Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Setting: 5 stars
Romance Plot (Main Romance): 5 stars
Romance Plot (Secondary Romance): 5 stars
Action-Adventure Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars

***ARC received for an honest review***

That was so bad it verged on being good. It nearly defies description.

Like an earnest 50s sitcom with a Golly-Gee mentality and a plot line that included rape, kidnapping and human trafficking. Some of the lines (particularly during the more passionate moments) were so bad/good that I said them aloud to myself. It also made me laugh til I cried - unintentionally.

If you're a fan of MST3K and have dreamt of something akin to the Babysitters' Club or an episode of Gilligan's Island where Ginger and Maryanne end up in a harem then boy do I have the damn book for you.

I always enjoy Mary Jo Putney's works and this book is no exception. Great character development and fun characters, a pleasure to read in a single afternoon. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a fun romantic suspense novel.

I enjoyed the adventure of this book. Lady Aurora 'Rory' Lawrence and her cousin Constance are out on their own seeing the world. The premise is a bit far fetched for a gently-bred lady of 1815 and the fact that her parents and brother allowed her such independence didn't seem to fit into the times. The adventure ends when Rory's ship and everyone on board is taken prisoner by pirates. Captain Gabriel Hawkins is hired to rescue them. Hawkins carries his own baggage when he was kicked out of the Navy and disowned by his grandfather. This sets up a grand adventure when Gabriel makes a deal to carry the pirate Malek and entourage to Constantinople.

The action in the story kept the plot moving forward and especially liked Gabriel. His courage and honor shines bright. I found Rory a little annoying when she doesn't seem to understand the consequences of being sold into a harem. The romance between these two seemed a little rushed. However, I really liked the secondary romance budding between Constance and Jason. Fans of adventure and romance will enjoy this book.

A very descriptive,historical romance with good characters ,including the animals! Good to catch up with the lives of characters featured in previous books.

Gabriel Hawkins, once a Peer but was disowned by his family at 18 and kicked out of the Royal Navy. Now he is a brave and daring sea captain sent to rescue 2 kidnapped English ladies being held captive for ransom in a harem! Plus, there are exotic animals, interesting locations, and plenty of adventure. What doesn’t sound fun about that? Well, it just wasn’t enough for me. I loved the thought of this book more than the actual book itself. I found Rory silly. She is a smart independent lady but I could not connect with her. I liked all the other characters much better. I also could not get behind the romance of these two. I mean, they literally meet, and are on the ship 2 days at most, and are in love? Most of their conversation was general chit chat. Not sure if it was enough for me to believe these two people who were not interested in a relationship all of a sudden is hopelessly in love. Not only them, but 2 others also fall in love! What are they putting in the ships water? Towards the end, I really didn’t care much what happened. I received a free copy for my review and here it is! Maybe get it and read it if you like a sweet, silly, light, ‘romance’, but for me, it’s a pass!

I had quite a bit of fun with the adventure aspect of this story. This story took us from England to Algeria to Constantinople. It featured Barbary Pirates, abduction of an English lady, a too steep ransom, negotiation and rescue mission from our hero captain, transport by ship of a Pygmy animal menagerie that included Pygmy hippos, a villain who was only a villain because an even worse villain kidnapped his wife and kids, victory over another attempted pirate confiscation, a severe storm with water spouts, etc. There was also a secondary romance. What it didn’t feature was a convincing romance.

There was too much going on for one convincing romance, let alone two. But I would have been able to overlook this and go with the flow of this otherwise fun story if it wasn’t for one aspect that REALLY bothered me. The hero, heroine, lesser villain, etc. saw no other option but to try and appease the worser villain’s demands. No other ideas. None, even though they expected he would not deal fairly. As a result of that, the hero valiantly resists full consummation of his and the heroine’s love because the heroine must remain a virgin if negotiations fail and she is to be handed over to the worser villain. WHAT KIND OF HERO ARE YOU? Seriously, lay down your pathetic life before you allow your Lady Love be handed over. Refrain from intercourse for plenty of legitimate reasons, but not to save for her rape by an awful villain. Ugh. I was enjoying this so much up to this part and it just tanked for me with it. I kept hoping there was a trick up his sleeve, but sadly no.

I am not sure that I can recommend this, but I did think the adventure aspect entertaining, 4 Stars for that. Unfortunately, the romance was 1-Star disappointing.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gabriel Hawkins Vance is the grandson of a famous British admiral. Due to an incident while working for the British Navy, Gabriel lost his job and the life he once knew when his grandfather disowned him. Since then, he has been plain Gabriel Hawkins, and is now the captain of his own vessel, the Zephyr. Gabriel mostly runs blockades, but he does take an odd job from time to time. When a friend of a friend requests his aid in rescuing a young Englishwoman who is captured and being ransomed by Barbary pirates, Gabriel immediately takes the job.

Lady Aurora Lawrence, known as Roaring Rory back in England, is in an impossible situation. During her travels, she and her cousin, Constance, were kidnapped. Their captor wants 50, 000 pounds for Rory, Constance and her crew or they will be sold into slavery; her and Constance living out the rest of their days in a harem. As soon as Gabriel arrives, Rory begins to feel real hope once again. Little do they know things are about to take a very unexpected turn for them both. Discover what happens in ONCE A SCOUNDREL.

ONCE A SCOUNDREL, by author Mary Jo Putney, is a fast-paced adventure-filled ride. I was engrossed from the start. Rory was witty and entertaining. I love that she has backbone and the smarts to get her safely through so many intimidating situations. Gabriel could not have found a better companion. Constance was also fun and sweet. The side story of her falling for the captain's mate, Landers, was also enjoyable. There is just so much going on in ONCE A SCOUNDREL, it constantly kept me guessing. I cannot wait to read more of Ms. Putney's ROGUES REDEEMED series.

Available Sept. 25: Once a Scoundrel
**** 3.5 stars: High seas adventure, restrained passion - exactly what you want in a historical romance.

Recommended readers:

If you like Mary Jo Putney
If you like English historical romance
If you like rekindled love stories
Here's my Rankings:

5/5 for characters
4/5 for plot
4.5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Lady Aurora is an adventurer. She avoided the marriage mart to go on a trip with her cousin, when they are captured by Barbary pirates. She appeals to her parents in England who hire captain Gabriel Hawkins, a disowned former Royal Navy captain who runs his own ship.

The two adventurers must complete another mission to free Rory from her imprisonment. You'll love the mix of high seas adventure and restrained passion in Once A Scoundrel, and it's fascinating to see how the characters develop and learn what's important to them when their life is at stake.

Available Sept. 25: Once a Scoundrel

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.