I Loved a Rogue: The Prince Catchers

I waited expectantly for this third book, but sadly, although the characters were intriguing - the storyline was just all over the place. I was super disappointed in how disjointed the romance was - barely any pleasurable time spent between Taliesin and Eleanor. They seemed to continually be at odds with one another simply because he didn't believe he was good enough for her and she misunderstood where he stood in his feelings.Then there was at least one misunderstanding which was never even explained - Taliesin didn't ask about it, so Eleanor couldn't explain since she didn't realize what sent him packing all those years ago. Really... how many times did Taliesin just depart in this book? It got ridiculous after awhile - Taliesin riding off with the intention of, once again, never returning?Why in the world was that bit of almost romance with "Prince" thrown in - as though Eleanor would choose him? She had known him for all of like one or two days when he decided he wanted her hand in marriage? Then there was so much miscommunication between Taliesin and Eleanor? In fact, there was miscommunication between nearly all the main characters. And as the fullness of the plot begins to be revealed, it begs the question, why certain people didn't speak up a lot sooner.Toward the end, the scene in the courtroom was a comedy of sorts. As the story built toward the ending, it was simply too much - talk about complicated. Villains show up at the ninth hour attempting to drug and starve people? Loose ends were finally tied up, however, not neatly. Too many complications were introduced to an already over-complicated plot. Overall, this story was simply not enjoyable.**SPOILERS WITH SOME QUESTIONS**In my opinion, the author did some serious damage to Martin Caulfield's character with the reveals toward the end of the book. What kind of man would let Eleanor, Arabella and Ravenna struggle with their origins and not find a way to help reacquaint them with their father? That part was sour, but when I learned Caulfield was assigned the task of watching over the young Taliesin by the girls' real father, all I could think about was Taliesin without shoes, with his feet bandaged during the cold, the Reverend Caulfield sending Eleanor off with some old used shoes to be re-purposed into book bindings when he could have offered the shoes to Taliesin as Eleanor eventually did. Of Taliesin nearly freezing in the winter, glad to be able to sleep in the barn with the warmth of the animals. Badly done, Martin Caulfield! He came across as more of a villain than a rescuer of children once I began to see his full role as a type of "trustee" to these children. Curious to know if anyone else had the same thoughts.Then there was the issue of why Taliesin left the first time after being beaten up so badly. The Reverend doesn't even offer to have Taliesin's wounds nursed - rather, he basically tells Taliesin he needs to leave and find his way in the world. Yes, later he says it was for Taliesin's own good - perhaps. But nobody, not even Taliesin, saw fit to enlighten Eleanor as to the reason why he left, nor the reason he left the second time when he saw her in the carriage in Shackelford's arms. Nope, Eleanor never had a chance to explain herself about Shackelford - Taliesin never told her why he left either time. Eleanor spent all those years agonizing after her true love and still, she never got an explanation about Why. He. Left. Nor. The. Fact. He. Returned. To. Get. Her. then left after seeing her with Shackelford? This was one of the loose ends that the author didn't see fit to tie up. I'm a person who doesn't like to have misunderstandings just hanging without any explanation.Robin Prince: Honestly, did we really have to read about how Eleanor enjoyed kissing him along with the description of the tingly feelings. I didn't want to read about my heroine enjoying kissing anyone besides Taliesin - especially the man who stood by and didn't do anything to intervene when Taliesin got beat up so badly all those years ago. Then he basically blackmails Taliesin and yet, he was portrayed as a kinda "good guy?" I just never got Robin Prince period - he was such a nobody.Then there was the dumb, dumber and dumbest scene and dialogue in the courtroom toward the end. What a farce? It wasn't amusing, nor was it satisfying. Just a big jumble of nonsense. Again, am I the only reader who thought just as the book began to wind up, things got even crazier - of course, it had to include Taliesin leaving once again. OK, I'm done whinging. This book will not be a re-read for me.

This was the first book by Katharine that I read and I loved it and I have now started reading the first two book.Eleanor Caulfield is the eldest of three sisters who were washed ashore from a shipwreck when she was four years old and the youngest was six months old. The series is about the adventure these sisters must make to try and fulfill a prophesy that a gypsy elder told them about their birthright. The only thing these children washed ashore with was a very expensive ring. One day Martin Caulfield came and adoptive all three of the girls. The girls papa in the local Vicar and he raises them with a wonderful education. He even takes in a Gypsy boy and gives him the same fine education that he does with the girls. As the girls get older their trying to find out who their real parents are so they happen to go to the May Festival one Spring and they come across a Gypsy fortune teller who looks at the ring and tells them one must marry a Prince and than they will find out about where they come from. Thus leading to each book of the girls adventure on trying to find out information on the parents and where they come from. Eleanor Caulfield was the eldest daughter. She was the child that was always the most complacent, she study hard and always did what her father asked of her. She looked after her sisters, and was always in competition with Taliesin Wolfe the Gypsy boy her father took in. Eleanor was always jealous of Taliesin for she felt like her papa always cared more for him because he was a boy. So whatever Talieson learned or did scholarly wise, Eleanor had to try to be better at it. Over the years, a friendship and bond developed. Eleanor and Talieson develop a love for each other. One may describe it as the first love. Than one day Talieson just leaves. He doesn't even bother to tell Eleanor goodbye. She's crushed and very angry at him. The story picks up eleven years later and Eleanor is at her sister's house the Duchess of Lycombe. All the sister's are together to celebrate their father's marriage. As Eleanor is playing the organ for her fathers wedding she see's him riding up through the windows, her hearts beating fast. She would know him any where.Talieson Wolfe still looks the same and is back and here for her father's wedding. Eleanor, was jealous of Talieson but yet she loved him also, for she knew her father always wanted a son. Doing Eleanor's childhood she became ill and Talieson was the one by her side getting her to do what she must to get better. He picked on her and teased her which made her mad enough to prove to him she could do it whatever he bet her she couldn't do. He got her out of the house and taught her to ride a horse as well as him, then one day she realized that he was becoming a man and that he was the only one for her. Eleanor, is feeling anxious and restless because now that her father is getting married she feel likes a third wheel. She wants some adventure in her life and she wants to experience life, so her sister the Duchess of Lycombe suggest she search for their parents. So they decide to have Eleanor to do some investigating. So this is where he comes in. Its a must read.

I liked the first two books and looked forward to this one. I found the description on the back of the book deceiving as it said he was back after 11 years to pursue her with kisses and passion. He spend the whole book trying to stay away from Eleanor as much as possible. I found the first 4/5 of the book rather boring and would have given up except I wanted to know the secret. I was tired of the way Eleanor treated Tali and I was tired of him always playing the martyr and try to stay away from her. Made the book boring as far as I was concerned. Nothing exciting happened until the last 5 chapters. I was rather disappointed in this book. But finished it. I do like Ashe's books but this was my least favourite.

Steamy, romantic, brooding Gypsy Hero - what's not to love ! 5 Stars

I just finished this and I think it was the best in the series. All the loose ends are tied up nicely and give you that great ending.

I have all three Prince Catchers books and i love them all they are so good worth the read for sure :)

Eleanor. The quiet, dutiful sister. Whose life so far appears almost to have slipped away before it begun. But her sisters Arabella and Ravenna obviously see much more than she when they make sure she is reunited with their friend and (the younger two's) brother figure, the gypsy horse dealer Taliesin (whose name makes me think of Welsh legends).Both have a shared past, and are obviously destined for one another, but Eleanor, as the last unmarried sister must marry the prince to reveal the legend...This was a romance on the road. In order to find the truth Eleanor meets with a motley collection of characters, and two very large unexpected twists happened to give the reader a great happy ending.The best of the three Prince Catchers stories.