title: Waking Up with a Rake (Regency Rakes, Book 1)
author: Connie Mason
description: "Full of sweet romance, explosive passion, and a few shocking twists... a marvelous read. " - <strong><em> Imagine a World</em></strong><br /><br />"Such a lovely read that when it was over, I wanted more... The love scenes were scorching and the romance on key!" - <strong><em> Romantic Romps</em></strong><br /><br />"Deliciously scandalous, with authentic settings, realistic characters and wicked seductions. 4 Stars" - <strong><em> RT Book Reviews</em></strong><br /><br />"From the very beginning of starting to read this story I could not put it down and read it into the wee hours of the morning." - <strong><em> Angles with Attitude</em></strong><br /><br />"A wickedly fun, hot, sexy heart pounding romance that will curl your toes!" - <strong><em> Rogues Under the Covers</em></strong><br /><br />"Full passion and mystery. The twists and turns in the plot led to a very interesting turn out. " - <strong><em> Cocktails and Books</em></strong><br /><br />"Engaging and entertaining... " - <strong><em> Under the Boardwalk</em></strong><br /><br />"A charming read that had me absorbed, entertained, and looking forward to future stories. " - <strong><em> Book Savvy Babe</em></strong><br /><br />"A fast paced and adventure filled story from the first page to the last. " - <strong><em> My Book Addiction and More</em></strong><br /><br />"A wickedly funny, sexy historical romance that is sure to captivate you." - <strong><em> Romance Junkies</em></strong>
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  Once Upon a Rake
  
  Samantha Holt
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  Copyright 2014 ©Samantha Holt
  
  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any
  manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief
  quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
  
  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are
  products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to
  be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales,
  organisations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Prologue
  
  Yorkshire, England 1853
  
  Lucian winced as Ellie’s high-pitched voice grated down his spine. He tucked
  himself further around the side of the house and hoped the shadows hid him
  from her. Unfortunately the little lanterns scattered around the gardens for
  the ball destroyed any hopes of remaining hidden. The warm glow—while
  romantic—lit most parts of the path that trailed around the Elizabethan home