The Perfect Rake

She ran from a brute...
Fleeing the harsh guardianship of her grandfather, Prudence Merridew escapes with her beautiful younger sisters to London. One of them must marry—and fast. To act as her sisters' chaperone, Prudence invents a secret engagement to a reclusive duke... But when the duke arrives unexpectedly in London, she needs his help to avert disaster.

...into the arms of a rake
Aristocratic Gideon, handsome, rakish and with a strong frivolous streak, casually hijacks Prudence's game, awarding himself a stolen kiss or three along the way. Used to managing sisters and elderly men, Prudence is completely out of her depth with a charming, devious and utterly irresistible rake. And her plot goes terribly—if deliciously—awry...

Berkley Sensation Historical Romance
July 2005
ISBN: 0425203956

A Reviewers Pick for Affair de Coeur - 5 stars. Deborah Elliot said, "This is a wonderful book, full of twists and surprises...A must-read book for all lovers of historical romance."

Cheryl Sneed of All About Romance said "Gracie's humor is as engaging as ever and Prudence and Gideon spar most charmingly.... Gideon is a goner. And he is adorable... it was very nice to read another Anne Gracie novel, to enjoy her delightful humor and dialogue and to know that there will be another book coming in November. I know I'll be there!"

Romantic Times said: "With wit and tenderness, pathos and lessons on the meaning of family loyalty, Gracie entertains and satisfies her fans."

Harriet Klausner of Review Center gave The Perfect Rake 10/10 and said, "As expected, Anne Gracie provides a wonderful Regency-era romance that through her ensemble of secondary cast brings to life the era ... THE PERFECT RAKE is a near perfect sub-genre entry."

Jane Bowers of Romance Reviews Today said: "... a cleverly witty novel... Anne Gracie has a magical flair for putting words together. She can elicit laughter as readily as tears, rend hearts as easily as amuse.... a plot that contains bushels of humor, a tiny bit of farce, a generous dollop of romance, the right balance of sweet and tart, a dash of suspense, and, for spice, a soupçon of retribution."

Leanne Davis of Rakehell said: "Anne Gracie has returned to the Regency genre with a wonderful story that drew me into the adventures of the Merridew sisters... Her hero is enough to make a woman swoon. She has written some of the wittiest repartée that I have read in quite a while... Gideon is divine! ...Don't miss this one!"

Tammie Ard of Fresh Fiction said: "THE PERFECT RAKE is jam-packed with adventure and romance and, for me, humor. The girls absolutely love each other and would do anything for each other. The relationship between Gideon and Prudence is serious, but some of the things they say and do absolutely cracked me up. I had a really good time reading this story and I'm sure you will too."

Julene said:
Was very happy to see you have two new regencies in the works. I have your first two bks on my keeper shelf. Could you tell us some info on what your next bks are about?

Anne responded:
Thanks Julene. THE PERFECT RAKE is a story about Prudence, the oldest in a family of 5 girls. She's The Plain One in a family of beauties. She's serious, responsible and anxious (and has good reason to be).
I wrestled with the hero, Gideon, for ages. I so wanted him to be a dark and dangerous hero, but he just refused and strolled along being flippant and funny and unmanageable. I think he's turned out to be a total charmer, even if he did drive me crazy for a while. I did manage to make him dark --but only in coloring. <G>
THE PERFECT WALTZ is about another of Prudence's sisters, Hope. Having been brought up in harsh, tyrannical bleakness, Hope wants to have fun! She has always dreamed of dancing the perfect waltz with the man of her dreams.  Her hero, Sebastian is not at all what she expected; for a start, he can't waltz... Secondly he is pursuing a plain older woman, a do-gooder heiress. And he's not interested in having fun; he has far more serious problems to deal with.
Sebastian is a man who has always put his own needs last. Falling in love with Hope is absolutely not in his plans. But he can't help himself...
THE PERFECT STRANGER comes out in 2006 and it's the very romantic story of Faith and Nicholas.
And for those who've asked about Grace, yes, I do have a story planned for her, which I think will be a lot of fun.

A few people have asked about the Egyptian-style furniture that Prudence sits on in the scene where she first meets Gideon. It was all the rage from about 1804-1811. Here are a few examples:
Right is a chair with snarling armrests. To see a color version, click here and scroll down.
Below right is an octagonal rosewood table with gilt lion monopedia.
Below is the crocodile-footed sofa which inspired "Cleopatra's Barge", on which Gideon lolls so disgracefully. A perfect place for a seduction, don't you think?

Congratulations, Anne, it truly is wonderful. I laughed and laughed and then I cried a little too. Terrific characters--all of them. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next 2 books in the series. Meanwhile, this book goes on my keeper shelf to enjoy again someday and on my top 100 list.
Phyl

I picked up The Perfect Rake while I was eating my breakfast.  I inhaled it.  The only problem I had was the small print as my eyesight is not good. 
I loved it and I can't wait for the other sisters to get their books.  Is there going to be a separate book for Charity... or will we get to see them occasionally in the future books??
M-S.
No, I'm afraid Charity won't get her own book, although she does appear briefly in the following books. These girls are sisters and you can't keep them apart for long.

I read this book last week and it was wonderful! Now how do I wait until the time the next two books come out!!!
MJC

He's wonderful! Arrived in the mail late yesterday, had been devoured by
midnight in one great gorgeous chunk. Absolutely love him, and Imprudence and the whole Regency scene. Particularly loved Great Uncle Oswald.
Meredith

I just finished THE PERFECT RAKE—in fact, I couldn’t put it down once I started it, much to the chagrin of my family.  What a wonderful book!  I am a huge fan of Georgette Heyer’s and I have to tell you your book is every bit as good as any of hers—or perhaps better since it has more physical contact, my one frustration with Ms. Heyer’s books.  That’s the ultimate compliment I can give a Regency romance.  I am so thrilled to have discovered your work; I’m going to order your other books as soon as I send this email.
Nancy