Trope: mystery/murder/second chance at love

This story is about Imogen and Oscar. Imogen is a widow who is left penniless after the death of her husband. She is sadly mistreated from her inlaws and after 1 year of mourning they want her gone. she must find her own way to survive. Oscar is a man looking for the murderer of his former mistress. Imogen decides she has no choice but to find a protector. But within that time she witnesses a murder and now is fleeing for her life. She runs right into the arms of Oscar. Oscar takes Imogen into his protection and together they find the evidence to convict a member of nobility. Oscar's vows to never fall in love but Imogen finds her way to his heart when he least expects it.

This was a wonderful read with fascinating characters. In this book, the steam is off the charts but it wasn't just all about the sex. Emotions played a huge part in their intimate relations, and that made them a unique couple. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend this book to be read by all romance readers.

Imogen Huxley has been left destitute by her pretty uninterested late husband's failure to make provision for her, and his family has put her in a desperate position. Seeing no way out but to take a protector, she has been forced to go to a seedy brothel to seek one. when she stumbles upon a dead body and the perpetrators discussing how to dispose of it, she runs for her life, only to bump straight into Oscar Fitzhugh. He insists that she go with him to keep her safe. Feeling like she has o choices, she accompanies him home.

As one of the infamous Roseford Bastards, Oscar has kept away from his more titled half siblings, and has made a success of his life as a club owner. Racked with guilt over the mysterious disappearance of his mistress, Oscar suspects the brothel and it's staff are caught up in the disappearance, and is determined to uncover the truth.

Both Imogen and Oscar are very attracted to each other, and soon give into this attraction, as Oscar strives to keep his heart unentangled, however, he soon has to admit he has fallen for Imogen, can they keep her safe, while the murderer closes in.

This was a lovely finale to the series, and it had a beautiful love story at the heart of it. I was cheering when Oscar was able to let down his barriers at the end.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

The Redemption of a Rogue by Jess Michaels is book 4 in The Duke's By-Blows Series. This is the story of Oscar Fitzhugh and Imogen Huxley. I have read the previous books but did feel it could be a standalone book if you wish to do so. Imogen and Oscar meet at a brothel where she has gone their for her personal reason and Oscar looking for answers to the death of his mistress. But something happens that puts them in danger. I was find Ms. Michael's books to be a hot exciting read.

I'm not sure where to start with this one - I think the fact that I legitimately forgot I read it and what it was about tells you all you need to know. Sorry, Jess Michaels!

This is Imogen’s story that takes place at the same time as the previous book, when Aurora was searching for her. Very well written as a stand-alone and a great job was done not having much repetition with scenes from the previous book. Oscar is an intense alpha hero and I loved him. I also loved Imogen and how she handles Oscar without fearing his gruff exterior.

Hot romance and great intrigue make this one very satisfying read.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

4.5 stars - I thoroughly enjoyed this read! The hero is amazing the heroine his perfect match. Can I just say how much I loved his mom, too. It’s a great cast of characters and I can’t wait to read more books in this series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a "woman take charge" of her life story with a little bit of a stretched story line (in that it was pretty unlikely it would happen IRL), but I still really enjoyed it. Fun and engaging characters, steamy goodness, and (of course!) the HEA our H/h set deserved.

This is a great continuation in the series that features the bastards of the Duke of Roseford, Oscar Fitzhugh does not have an interest with his father's side of the family as he has formed a successful life of his own. He does, however, have the deep desire to investigate the murder of his former mistress. A break comes when Imogen Huxley is an eyewitness to a murder and in escaping the killer, runs right into Oscar's arms.

Oscar vows to protect Imogen and his methods lead to passion between the pair. The murderer is still in hot pursuit and Oscar finds his controlled life unraveling by the minute. Will he be able to keep both In oven and his heart safe?

Imogen Huxley is fleeing for her life after she witnesses a murder, all she wanted was to seek out a lover and a protector, but the evening turns into a night of murder and mayhem. She runs straight into Oscar Fitzhugh, a man who’s haunted by his friend’s death after she never returned from the brothel. Oscar takes Imogen under his protection, vowing to see her to safety as they find the evidence needed to convict a member of the nobility of some monstrous and heinous crimes he’s committed. Oscar has vowed to never fall in love and be hurt again, but Imogen finds her way into his heart and soul when he least expects it. I loved the story as Oscar become her protector in every sense of the word and Imogen blossoms under his care and devotion. She knows Oscar can or will not ever love or admit he loves anyone, but is a protector and lust enough for their relationship to survive? I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? Everytime I come to the last book in a Jess Michaels series I start thinking What am I going to do after this?! What will I read next?! And How long do I have to wait before she releases another book?! I love to lose myself in the relationships she builds between characters.


After meeting Oscar I started thinking of him as the Reluctant Roseford because he spent so much time making sure he never had anything to do with his half siblings and banning them from his club so that he didn't have to face them. He didn't hide where he came from but he also didn't particularly care to have it waved in his face either. I loved his gruff, serious manner that hid a tender, accepting love for his mother and her chosen lifestyle. He was an alpha male but he never tried to dominate anyone's life, he was just like this quiet protector that did his best by everyone he cared about without trying to control their lives.


I liked Imogen too. She was desperate to survive in a world where she was considered little more than property and only if she was a certain age and of use to a man. That desperation tugged at my heart and had me on her side from the start. Imogen could be a tad naive at times and she had one or two moments that put her close to that TSTL line but she never crossed it thank goodness. She was a quieter heroine than the ladies in past books but she was likable and a great match for Oscar.


Since Oscar isn't even on speaking terms with his siblings, The Redemption of a Rogue feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the series. The new duke of Roseford isn't around trying to help Oscar or forge a familial connection to him so it leaves room for Oscar to introduce readers to his family. His mother whom I loved for her honest personality that still managed to put everyone around her at ease, and Oscar's business partner who was more of a father to him and had Oscar's undying respect. I loved getting to know these characters because it helped me get to know Oscar too. The one thing I will say is that I was a little disappointed that the book didn't give Oscar a real chance to talk and get to know his siblings, especially the duke. With the previous books building a bridge between Roseford and each sibling, I was expecting that here as well.


Overall though, Oscar's book was the right choice to close out the series. I loved being able to meet new characters through the duke of Roseford who was a part of the 1797 series, my favorite Jess Michaels series to date. I'm already missing them!


Click It or Skip It? Click It.

Mystery, intrigue, murder, strong emotions and two characters whose attraction is off the charts make up this great story!

Imogene, A widow trying to survive by taking a protector. Oscar, a man looking for the murderer of his former mistress. The two come together for a mutual understanding and the journey begins.

Loved these two characters, both wounded and needing to learn to trust each other and finding a strong passion that cannot be denied!

Imogen has fallen on hard times since the death of her husband. With nothing else left to do, she goes to a brothel to try and find a protector. What she ends up doing is witnessing a murder and having to run for her life. Lucky for her, she literally runs into Oscar on her exit from the brothel.

Oscar is determined to find out what happened to his former mistress. She was last seen at the same brothel where he meets Imogen. Having not been able to save his mistress, he is determined to do what he can to save Imogen.

While Oscar is determined to never fall in love, he can't hide from his attraction to Imogen. In saving her, will he unknowing save himself?

I absolutely adored Imogen and Oscar's story! We know a little bit of their story from the previous book in the series, The Matter of a Marquess. After reading that snippet, I was waiting on pins and needles for their story to come out. Michaels did not disappoint! I just loved watching these two together and seeing Oscar finally open his heart up to someone other than his mother. This was a great addition to The Duke's By-Blows series!

4 stars

Good story, though normally I'm not that keen on beards. Oscar is the eldest of the Duke's illegitimate children and the most solitary. He hasn't wanted to associate with any of his siblings. He broods away in his elite club, though he's tortured by being unable to rescue one of his lovers. He's waiting outside of a notorious brothel when he rescues the heroine. Imogen has been let down by her husbands relations and is now almost destitue. She has decided to become a courtesan and is looking for a protector but in the wrong place. She sees the aftermath of a murder and is then on the run for her life. Oscar protects her. The passionate scenes are well written and we get a very good idea of both view points. Oscar's mother was an interesting character and its a shame there wasn't a bit more of her and Will's romance, perhaps this is another book.

I think you will enjoy this book if you enjoy lots of passionate encounters. You don't have to have read the rest of the series but I think it helps.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Imogen Huxley is in dire straights. She's forced by her dead husband's family,who cut her off to find a protector to survive. Searching for one in the lowest brothels, she witnesses the results of a murderer. Fleeing for her life she literally runs into Oscar Fitzhugh. He gives her shelter for her protection and seeks a way to solve her problem. He doesn't have a title to give him power, but help comes from people he never expected. Passionate explicit sex may not be what you want to read in a romance, but it gives a true depth of characters to the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This is the 4th book in the series but it can be read as a stand-alone. Emogene is a widowed and her departed husband’s family has only given her a year to grieve and then she will have to make her way on her own. She with no choices available she opts to become a courtesan and while at a brothel she ends up in the middle of a murder scene, as she flees, she bumps into Oscar. Will he be able to keep her safe and what will happen when sparks begin to fly between them? Fast-paced historical read with loads of drama, suspense and twists and turns. Great characters with lots of depth and a story that draws you in. I loved it.

The Redemption of a Rogue by Jess Michaels
The Duke’s By-Blows #4

Imogen Huxley is in dire straits hoping to find a protector when her situation becomes even more difficult. Running for her life she ends up in the arms of Oscar Fitzhugh who offers to keep her safe. And thus begins a tale that kept me reading without stop to find out how it would all play out.

What I liked:
* Imogen: a woman true to herself, willing to do whatever necessary to keep body and soul together, bright, attractive, seductive, honest, forthright and a delight. I liked her.
* Oscar: a businessman, owner of a club, wise, wealthy, separate, aloof, fiery, with a backstory that makes him seem cold. As I got to know him, I liked him more and more.
* The story, writing, series, and that I could see this happening.
* I cared about the main characters and hoped they would find their HEA
* Will & Joanna
* Seeing some of the other characters from previous books
* The steamy scenes
* That the murderer was taken down
* Love this author, book, and series
* All of it really except…

What I did not like:
* The evil murderer and his colleagues
* Knowing that the evil in the story still occurs today

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and the Passionate Pen, LLC for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

This was a captivating read with very likeable characters. Both Imogen and Oscar has painful memories of the past. My heart ached for Oscar when relating his relationship with his father. They have an obvious physical attraction but they are also determined to have justice for women who have been abused or murdered. Oscar’s mother is very insightful and offers thoughtful advice. Oscar’s and Imogen’s connection is complex. Oscar is wary of falling in love as he doesn’t want the pain when someone leaves. There are some dangerous events, meeting with his estranged siblings and very passionate times. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, at least that is what widowed Imogen Huxley believes. When her husband died and left her penniless, his family was far from sympathetic, they told her she could stay in their care for her year of mourning and then they were done with her, so with no family and no skills, Imogen decides that she has no choice but to become a courtesan. Terrified her husband’s family will learn of her actions before she can find a protector and kick her out, she looks for a man in some of London’s seedier brothels, including the Cat’s Companion. It is there where her life takes a turn from bad to worse, when she sees the madame, Maggie and the Earl of Roddenbury standing over the body of a dead woman and overhears them discussing the fact that the earl killed her and that she wasn’t the first, Imogen gasps and draws their attention to her – she takes off and runs out into the alley, where she runs right into the arms of Oscar Fitzhugh.

Oscar is the first of the late Duke of Roseford’s illegitimate children and the owner of Fitzhugh’s a popular men’s club. He is in the alley behind the Cat’s Companion looking for answers, his former mistress went missing and is presumed dead and Oscar wants answers. He and Louisa parted ways when she fell in love with him and wanted him to love her in return, when he made it clear that he was not capable of love, she left him and not long after, he got word she was dead. Now he wants to know why and has come to the brothel looking for answers, but instead what he finds in another woman in trouble. Unable to turn his back on her, he whisks her away to his home and when he learns what she witnessed, he knows her life is in danger and believes the Roddenbury is likely responsible for Louisa’s demise as well.

He offers to help her and keep her safe, but makes it clear that no one – including her dearest friend Aurora – can know where she is. With no options, Imogen gratefully agrees. They both try to fight the intense attraction they feel, but soon they give into desire and become lovers. Oscar makes it clear that he only wants a physical relationship, love is not in the cards for him and he doesn’t want to hurt her as he did Louisa. Imogen agrees but it is obvious that neither one of them is going to be able to abide by the terms, especially when things with Roddenbury escalate and Oscar is forced to face his feelings not only for Imogen, but for Louisa and his siblings as well.

This was well written, fast moving, intense story with wonderful characters and very steamy love scenes. Oscar might be one of the most emotionally suppressed heroes I have ever read, he has such a good heart and cares deeply, but he refuses to name his emotions thinking that if he doesn’t admit to them, they can’t hurt him, but once he meets Imogen, the wall he has always used to keep his feelings in check begins to fall apart. The story is full of mystery, emotion, great secondary characters, including cameos from Selina, Derrick and Nicholas and well as Lucas and Diana from the 1797 club, a really nasty villain, steamy love scenes and finally a very touching declaration scene leading to HEA. This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend this title.

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

4.5 stars
Imogen Huxley was already questioning her decision to seek out a lover at a notorious brothel, but never more so than after she witnesses a murder! She flees for her life and runs right into the arms of Oscar Fitzhugh. She has no choice but to take his offer of protection while he tries to save her life.
Oscar Fitzhugh was at the brothel investigating the death of his former mistress. He’s one of the infamous by-blows of the Duke of Roseford, but he cut himself off from that life long ago. Now he lives his life, trying desperately to keep everyone around him at arm’s length. But Imogen is too intriguing not to protect and seduce.
This is the fourth book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own the series is so good that I’d recommend reading from the start. Another page turning enthralling read with very well portrayed characters. I loved Imogen who was strong, feisty & passionate & she soon sussed out what made Oscar tick. I loved Oscar dark & broody & hiding behind a thick wall he’d built over the years, that is until Imogen knocked it down brick by brick. The chemistry between the pair was sizzling both in & out of the bedroom & I loved how their relationship developed. The inquiry in to the murder didn't seem to be progressing for much of the book but then things happened quickly. I especially liked the epilogue, which rounded things off beautifully
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Will he let his father continue to keep hold on his feelings because of old scars ...

Since he was named then introduced, I was curious about Oscar. And while this is a standalone tele, I would recommend to read the previous too as it is the other side of the story.
He is far from the cold and full of temper man presented in the last book.
As his mother described him, he is broken. Like all his siblings, he was left by his uncaring sire to deal with his lineage without the wealth that came with blood and title.
He wants to atone for what he sees as his sins, he is devoured by guilt, blaming himself for his late paramour’s demise. And whatever went wrong with her, he is a protector of women, a man who will never abuse of his strength or power over them.
Imogen took the path to become a fallen woman with all the knowledges she has been able to find. She is not afraid of working on her back if it can save her from destitution. She is just unaware of all the dangers lurking around women in the oldest trade of the world.
She is no shy nor demure woman, she assumes her sexuality. Eager to learn more of the ways in the bedroom. With Oscar, she reveals a different side of herself. She is a free spirit and slowly drills a hole in the walls he has built around his heart. He thought by protecting his heart, he would be able to avoid to get hurt. But Imogen will show him nothing is truly assured in life. But rejecting love, he is guaranteed safety nor happiness. Sometimes taking a bit of risk can lead to bliss.
Imogen and Oscar are good together, they enhance one another’s sensuality and reach part of the other they have kept protected for so long.
4 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.