Today on the blog, I’m delighted to be part of the tour for Susan Lodge’s new release, Captain Rockford’s Reckoning. This is new genre for me, but I’ll definitely be trying more!
Genre: Historical romance /suspense
Release Date: 4.4.2018
Publisher: Crooked Cat Books
Esmie Elstone is thrown into panic when she hears of Captain Rockford’s return. But she is determined that the days of him interfering with her life are over. Destroying her chances of a happy future during his last visit had resulted in her being foisted on her aunt for a third pointless season in London.
To alleviate the boredom of society life, Esmie helps run a discreet betting enterprise under the guise of a sewing club. But there are some things you just shouldn’t wager on, and Esmie’s integrity is soon put to a dangerous test.
Richard Rockford had known Esmie almost all her life. As neighbours, her father, Admiral Elstone, had depended on Richard to keep an eye on his daughter when he was away at sea – a responsibility he had always taken on willingly. But her cruel and thoughtless actions, from the day he had left four years earlier, had shaken him. Now, he was back, and he wanted answers.
But when Esmie tumbles into a treacherous conspiracy, can he really turn his back on her?
EXTRACT
“Lady Danby, good evening.”
Esmie jerked bolt upright as Rockford’s unmistakably smooth voice floated down. He was standing in front of her aunt. How on earth did he get there without her knowledge? Had he climbed through a window, or lowered himself from a chandelier? He certainly had not entered through the main double doors. Dash it, the man had never been straightforward.
“Ah, Captain Rockford, I see you are back from your travels,” her aunt replied, squinting at him through her pince-nez, with only slightly hidden delight. He had always been a favourite of hers, but especially since he had been elevated in society and wealth by his uncle’s death.
“Indeed, Lady Danby. I hope you are well. You are looking radiant tonight. The shade of your turban is especially becoming.”
Her aunt beamed, and her hand went up to pat her elaborate head-piece.
Oh no. Esmie froze. He had been in her presence for seconds and already causing her misdemeanour with the giant feather to be revealed. But her aunt’s hand was deftly collected in Rockford’s as he bent down, raised it to his lips, and kissed her glove. Esmie thought she detected a malignant smirk on his lips. She lowered her eyes to study the highly-polished buckles of his shoes. The underhanded fiend must have been secretly observing her for several minutes.
“And, Miss Elstone. It has been far too long.”
Reluctantly, she levelled her gaze. Stormy green eyes devoured her whilst his face remained set in a mask of polite indifference. He gave her a short bow, but thankfully made no move to take her hand or compliment on her appearance. His eyes were an even darker shade than she remembered, and Esmie was sure the look of disgust that he had left her with still lurked behind that deadpan expression. Lady Danby, however, continued to prattle amiably to him, not at all aware of the invisible wall of ice that lurked between them.
“I wonder, Lady Danby, if I might engage Miss Elstone in a dance.”
Dance. Esmie tried to swallow the lump of terror in her throat. “Actually, I am feeling quite unwell at the moment, and was about to retire.”
“Nonsense! Esmie, what sort of welcome home is that for the Captain? Of course, she will dance with you, Rockford. I am sure she has spaces on her card.”
Esmie gritted her teeth. Here we go again: poor Rockford; jolly good Rockford; thank heavens for Rockford. Surely he must appear to sprout a halo and wings to her peers.
She handed him her card as if it was the executioner’s axe, and watched him enter his name against the supper dance. “I will count the minutes,” he said softly, to reach only her ears, before he returned the card and walked away.
She watched him head towards the sugar-coated Julia Grant. Well, she was welcome to him; in fact, maybe he would become so infatuated with her beauty that he would completely forget the terrifying appointment now documented and hanging on Esmie’s wrist. Unease stirred in her belly.
He had not forgotten or forgiven.
REVIEW
Thinking back, I’m fairly sure this is the first full Regency romance I’ve read, but I’m confident it won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and was absolutely drawn into the tale of poor Esmie, as life gets more and more tangled, thanks in part to the return of Captain Rockford. This old friendship turned sour was captured perfectly, as is what must have been the stifling atmosphere of society balls and the whirlwind of the marriage market. Esmie’s and her friends’ frustrations are evident, and the mystery surrounding the sewing club’s activities deepens as they are witness to a sad incident which drags Esmie into a mystery which goes right to the heart of society.
I found it an absolute page-turner, and very nearly missed my stop as I raced towards the end, desperate to know how things turned out, but equally, not quite ready for the book to end. I’m looking forward to going back and reading the others by Susan Lodge, and hopefully, to more in the future.
BUY LINKS
AMAZON UK: https://amzn.to/2EGl8DG
AMAZON US: https://amzn.to/2IO5HMo
ABOUT SUSAN LODGE
![FullSizeRender[213] mugshot](https://jennifercwilsonwriter.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/fullsizerender213-mugshot.jpg?w=281&h=300)
Susan Lodge was brought up with five brothers in the West of England and spent her formative years climbing trees and watching westerns. Leaving home, she headed for London and embarked on a career in the Civils Service, gaining a science degree along the way.
Over the years she has worked in several historic cities, where the streets still resonate with the Georgian period, providing a wealth of inspiration for her stories. Her romantic novels are often set against the backdrop of Nelson’s navy, and she always manages to inject a fair dose of humour into the plot.
Susan’s always wanted to be an astronaut but would now settle for a flight into space. She loves tinkering on her piano, perfecting her swing dance routines and discovering new destinations for her characters.
Married, with two children Susan now lives in Hampshire. You can find more of Susan and all her books by vising her website at http://susanlodge.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanlodgeauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pagehalffull
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard
Google+ https://plus.google.com/101965349249706893970
Blog: https://susanlodgebooks.wordpress.com/
Website: http://susanlodge.com/
GIVEAWAY
Win an e-copy of the book!
Just follow the below link…
Jennifer C. Wilson 
One thought on “Book review: Susan Lodge, Captain Rockford’s Reckoning”