The Palace of Rogues — by Julie Anne Long

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  Lady Derring Takes a Lover
  

  • Feb-2019
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  Book - 1
  

  A mistress. A mountain of debt. A mysterious wreck of a building. Delilah Swanpool, Countess of Derring, learns the hard way that her husband, "Dear Dull Derring," is a lot more interesting -- and perfidious -- dead than alive. It's a devil of an ...

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  Angel in a Devil's Arms
  

  • Nov-2019
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  Book - 2
  

  Julie Anne Long reinvents the historical romance for modern readers." - Amanda Quick From USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long comes the second book in an exciting new historical romance series, the first since her beloved Pennyroyal Green...

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  I'm Only Wicked with You
  

  • Aug-2021
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  Book - 3
  

  USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long continues her Palace of Rogues series with a brand-new romance about an ambitious American and a headstrong British heiress. He's the battle-hardened son of a bastard, raised in the wilds of New York. S...

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  After Dark with the Duke
  

  • Dec-2021
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  Book - 4
  

  Sparks fly when a daring diva clashes with an ice-cold war hero in the newest thrilling romance in USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long's Palace of Rogues series. She arrives in the dead of night, a mob out for blood at her heels: Mariana ...

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  You Were Made to Be Mine
  

  • Jul-2022
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  Book - 5
  

  In the fifth installment of USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long's charming Palace of Rogues series, a rakish spy finds more than he bargained for in his pursuit of an earl's enchanting runaway fiancée. The mission: Find the Earl of Brund...

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  How to Tame a Wild Rogue
  

  • Aug-2023
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  Book - 6
  

  In USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long's thrilling new romance in the Palace of Rogues series, an infamous privateer's limits are put to the test when he's trapped during a raging tempest with a prickly female at the Grand Palace on the Tham...

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  My Season of Scandal
  

  • Apr-2024
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  Book - 7
  

  In USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long's latest installment in the Palace of Rogues series, a notorious rake meets his match in a doe-eyed girl from the country, changing the course of both of their futures... A London season is the chanc...

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  The Beast Takes a Bride
  

  • Oct-2024
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  Book - 8
  

  In USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long's latest installment in the Palace of Rogues series, a witty historical romance, an estranged couple decide to fake their way through the London season to repair their good name... but neither are prepa...

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  Game of Rogues
  

  • Jun-2026
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  Book - 9
  

  In this sexy regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long, a lady on the edge of ruin must plead with the king of London's underworld to save her family, only to find herself instead caught in his web...and unable to resist him.One...

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Series Premise

The core premise revolves around The Grand Palace on the Thames as a sanctuary for those on society's fringes—widows, spies, war heroes, actresses, rakes, and runaways—who find themselves drawn there by fate, hiding, or coincidence. Each book features a new guest (or staff member) whose arrival sparks a romance laced with intrigue: a notorious smuggler tracking a fugitive, a war hero seeking solitude, a scandal-plagued debutante, or a pirate captain in disguise. The stories blend classic Regency tropes (forbidden attraction, secret identities, enemies-to-lovers) with emotional depth—characters grappling with past betrayals, loss, or societal constraints. The Palace's owners (Lady Derring and her partner) and staff provide continuity, offering wry commentary, meddling support, and a safe space where vulnerabilities surface. Romances ignite through banter, slow-burn tension, and shared secrets, often involving high-stakes elements like espionage, inheritance disputes, or personal redemption. Themes explore reinvention, chosen family, and the power of kindness amid Regency rigidity, with happy endings that affirm love's transformative potential.

The Palace of Rogues Series Characters

Lady Derring (Delilah) and Mrs. March (Angelique): Recurring owners of the Palace. Delilah is resilient, optimistic, and entrepreneurial; Angelique is pragmatic and sharp-tongued. Their friendship anchors the series, providing humor, wisdom, and meddling support.
- Book protagonists: Each features a new couple, often Palace guests or connected figures:
- Captain Tristan Hardy (smuggler hunter) and Lady Derring in Book 1.
- Lucien Durand (mysterious guest) and Angelique in Book 2.
- Captain James Blackmore and the elusive "Frey" in Book 3.
- The Duke of Valkirk (war hero) and a ballerina-turned-guest in Book 4.
- Later entries include a pirate captain, a beastly lord, a scandalous debutante, and more—rogues, heroes, and heroines with hidden depths.
- Supporting cast: Eccentric staff (like the butler Mr. Delacorte), recurring guests, and family members who add color and continuity.

Setting of the The Palace of Rogues Series

The primary setting is Regency London (early 1800s), centered on The Grand Palace on the Thames—a grand, slightly faded riverside townhouse turned elite boarding house. It features elegant public rooms, private suites, a dining salon with strict (but bendable) rules, and a welcoming yet discerning atmosphere that attracts an eclectic clientele. The Thames provides a moody backdrop—foggy nights, river traffic, and the contrast between London's glittering ton and its underbelly.

Stories occasionally venture beyond: country estates, ballrooms, docks, or exotic hints (pirate seas in one entry), but the Palace remains the emotional anchor—a microcosm of society where class lines blur and secrets unfold. Period details shine—fashion, etiquette, carriages, gaslight—creating immersive Regency glamour with a cozy, intimate feel.

Tone & Themes of the The Palace of Rogues Series

The tone is witty, sensual, and warmly optimistic—sophisticated Regency romance with humor, heart, and subtle steam. Long's prose sparkles with clever dialogue, ironic observations, and playful wordplay, balancing light-hearted banter with poignant emotional moments. Conflicts stem from personal scars or societal pressures rather than melodrama; danger (when present) is restrained, focusing on tension and clever resolution over violence. Romance builds gradually—intense chemistry, vulnerability, and mutual respect—culminating in tender, affirming HEAs. It's empowering and escapist, celebrating strong, flawed characters who find healing and joy in love, with a gentle feminist undercurrent celebrating women's agency.

Julie Anne Long's The Palace of Rogues series masterfully revives Regency romance with a fresh, enchanting twist—turning a single boarding house into a vibrant hub of love, secrets, and second chances. Through the series, Long delivers sparkling banter, sensual slow-burns, and deeply felt characters who reinvent themselves amid London's glittering dangers. The Grand Palace on the Thames becomes a beloved "character"—a sanctuary where rogues find redemption, hearts mend, and love triumphs. For readers craving intelligent, witty, emotionally rich historicals with humor and heat, this series offers addictive escapism—proving that even in a world of rigid rules, a little rogue charm and kindness can rewrite any fate.