Book Tour & Review: It Takes A Scandal by Caroline Linden
The
second book in a deliciously sexy new series from USA Today
bestselling and RITA award winning author Caroline Linden, in which
an utterly shocking book--Fifty Shades of Grey for the Regency era--
has all of London talking and gives more than one young miss a mind
for scandal.
Sometimes
it takes a scandal . . .
Abigail
Weston has everything: beauty, wit, and one of the largest dowries in
England. Her parents hope she’ll wed an earl. Abigail hopes for a
man who wants her desperately and passionately. But the money seems
to blind every man she meets-except one.
Sebastian
Vane has nothing. He came home from war with a shattered leg to find
his father mad and his inheritance gone. He’s not a fit suitor for
anyone, let alone an heiress. But Abigail lights up his world like a
comet, bright and beautiful and able to see him instead of his ruined
reputation. And it might end happily ever after . . .
To
reveal your heart’s desire
Until
Benedict Lennox begins courting Abigail. Ben is everything Sebastian
isn’t-wealthy, charming, heir to an earl. Sebastian won’t give up
the only girl he’s ever loved without a fight, but Abigail must
choose between the penniless gentleman who moves her heart, and the
suitor who is everything her parents want.
Book Excerpt: “I’m
a bloody damned idiot,” he told Boris, still scratching. The dog
just leaned against his good leg and moaned as Sebastian dug his
fingertips into that one spot behind the left ear that left Boris
weak with bliss. With his other hand Sebastian reached into his coat
pocket and pulled out a somewhat crumpled pamphlet. Fifty Ways
to Sin, read the title in plain type. It might have been a political
treatise, it looked so drab. If Miss Weston hadn’t blushed so
beautifully when Mrs. Driscoll brought it out, Sebastian wouldn’t
have given the little booklet a second glance. If she hadn’t tried
to conceal the title, he wouldn’t have been driven to buy his own
copy. He’d told himself it would likely prove to be some morality
tale, or perhaps a guide for young ladies on how to avoid lecherous
gentlemen. What else would a respectable, proper young lady buy?
Instead
it had been an erotic story, an explicit account of an encounter
entirely in the dark between two people who were strangers to each
other. With unfortunate vividness, the scene had played across his
mind’s eye—and it was Abigail Weston he imagined, giving herself
to him with wanton abandon. He had to take himself in hand and
satisfy the fierce craving of his body, the images were so real. Just
the thought of her reading the same story was enough to make him hard
again. He was tormented by the question of how she would react to the
arousing tale. Horror? Alarm? Shame? Or maybe… curiosity. Interest.
Even desire. She’d bought it, after all—and she sought out his
company.
The
real trouble was that while he knew he should avoid her, he wasn’t
sure he had the will to do so for long.
My Rating: 5 stars out of 5
My Review: It isn't often that I come across a Historical Romance novel that isn't your run of the mill "clean, no sex before marriage novel". Nor is it often that I come across a novel where the romance isn't the top priority. This novel, was all that and more.
Abigail is a headstrong woman who refuses to believe the bad in people, especially when its all secondhand gossip that she is hearing. She secretly purchases and reads (along with her sister Penelope) a secret pamphlet entitled 50 Ways to Sin which chronicles, in detail, the sexual encounters of one "Lady Constance". Not something your typical historical female would do, but in this case, it adds to Abigail's personality.
Sebastian has been a recluse for a long time, of his own making. The more time he spends in Abigail's company, the more he realizes that he doesn't have to live that way. He calls on her family at their home, something that was unheard of in the rest of the town. He even braves a dinner invitation at the home of the man he was accused of stealing from, just because she will be there.
The relationship between Sebastian and Abigail blossoms, literally. When they first meet, he refuses to tell her his name. His repeatedly warns her away from him, even telling her some of the more scandalous things he has been accused of. Abigail persists, and he comes to realize that she is everything he didn't know he needed.
It was refreshing to read something in which two characters such as these "found" each other. Their romance didn't come about suddenly, and watching their feelings for each other deepen was a lovely thing to read. Despite the physical flaws Sebastian possesses (he was shot in the knee during the war), and the emotional ones he carries inside himself (the madness of his father which lead to his disappearance, the ruination of his reputation), he manages to pull off some very romantic gestures for Abigail.
I was fully in support of their relationship, and at times, found myself heartbroken over certain things that took place. I wasn't sure if they would ever find happiness, or the answers that Sebastian needed regarding his Father's disappearance, and who really stole the money from Benedict's Father. Thankfully, every question was answered by the end in a way that not only made sense, but that made the reader feel the same closure the characters experienced.
I would love to read more about these two in another novel, perhaps one centered around her sister Penelope, or even Sebastian's old friend Benedict finding love where we find out what has happened to Abigail and Sebastian in the future.
********************
GIVEAWAY!
Avon is hosting a TOUR WIDE Rafflecopter Commenter Giveaway of Three Prize Packs including a piece of Custom Jewelry and Print Copies of Romances from each author.
You can follow the tour HERE.
********************
This awesome tour was hosted by:
Post a Comment
1 Comments
And thanks too, Krystal, for this honest review you posted about Caroline's latest release. I, too, really like Caroline's way of writing and weaving in and out of a plot to achieve the HEA's for her heroes and heroines. She is unique and refreshing. Thanks for your post. jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDelete