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Scandalous #4
A Scandalous Past
A Regency Historical Novel - Book Four of the Scandalous Series...
After years of abuse at the hands of her mother, Cordelia Avery knows the only way out is marriage to the perfect man. A man who will allow her all the freedom she has ever craved. And she has the perfect man picked out. The scandalous Marquess of Haversham might not be perfect to anyone else, but taking the man’s black reputation under consideration, Cordie believes she’ll enjoy all the freedom she’s always wished for in his disreputable arms. If only she could get her heart to go along with the plan and to stop leaping whenever Lord Adonis…er…the Earl of Clayworth is nearby. But the very proper earl is most assuredly the wrong sort for her purposes.
Brendan Reese, the Earl of Clayworth, has no intention of ever marrying again. He’s still trying to clean up the mess his first wife left him, even years after her death. To all the world, Clayworth is the epitome of the perfect English gentleman, and he so wishes that image was the truth. But the truth, as it often can be, is ugly. After all, a perfect English gentleman would never have a traitor for a mother. And unless Clayworth can find the evidence his late wife hid, he could face the gallows himself. But a chance encounter with the reckless Cordelia Avery gives him the best lead he’s had in years to finally putting his family’s past to rest. Unfortunately, focusing on anything other than Miss Avery seems a nearly impossible task.
After years of abuse at the hands of her mother, Cordelia Avery knows the only way out is marriage to the perfect man. A man who will allow her all the freedom she has ever craved. And she has the perfect man picked out. The scandalous Marquess of Haversham might not be perfect to anyone else, but taking the man’s black reputation under consideration, Cordie believes she’ll enjoy all the freedom she’s always wished for in his disreputable arms. If only she could get her heart to go along with the plan and to stop leaping whenever Lord Adonis…er…the Earl of Clayworth is nearby. But the very proper earl is most assuredly the wrong sort for her purposes.
Brendan Reese, the Earl of Clayworth, has no intention of ever marrying again. He’s still trying to clean up the mess his first wife left him, even years after her death. To all the world, Clayworth is the epitome of the perfect English gentleman, and he so wishes that image was the truth. But the truth, as it often can be, is ugly. After all, a perfect English gentleman would never have a traitor for a mother. And unless Clayworth can find the evidence his late wife hid, he could face the gallows himself. But a chance encounter with the reckless Cordelia Avery gives him the best lead he’s had in years to finally putting his family’s past to rest. Unfortunately, focusing on anything other than Miss Avery seems a nearly impossible task.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2011
106 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Ava Stone
144 books226 followersAva Stone is a USA Today bestselling author of Regency historical romance and college age New Adult romance. Whether in the 19th Century or the 21st, her books explore deep themes but with a light touch. A single mother, Ava lives outside Raleigh NC, with her son and two black and white tuxedo kitty cats. She loves classic movies, researching history, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.
Feel free to visit her at www.avastoneauthor.com and www.desolatesun.com
Feel free to visit her at www.avastoneauthor.com and www.desolatesun.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 26, 2014
Wow. I was really surprised by this book! I got an audio version and gosh it was fantastic.
This was filled with lots of action, humor, and many many characters, plus suspense~. I was surprise that there were many or some POVs from the secondary characters but they were great and gave us a different perspective and gave us a view into their heads/thoughts.
So our heroine Cordie is miserable without her closes and best-est friend Olivia (Livvie). Ever since Livvie got married scandalously to the Duke of Keltfield, her mother had banned her from seeing Livvie ever again. Besides banning Cordie and imprisoning her to their home and dragging her around town to teas and what not, she would always get reprimand at the hands of her mother. Everything Cordie did was always wrong. Not being pretty enough, not catching a gentleman, dancing with the wrong dude, talking with people beneath them… yady yady yada~ She’s always getting backlashed from her mother’s blundering mouth. The worst possible person ever!!! And there is a secret too!!! Argh~ I was so not seeing that coming and hated her even more! She should be punished by the hands of Cordie’s husband! But anyways….
That’s why Cordie decided to find a mate, and fast! After ditching a certain Captain seeking for her hand, she planned to find a husband just like Livvie’s; a rogue! She will finally then get her freedom and do as she pleases, but most definitely she’ll get to see her friend without being dictated and controlled. But when she met the Earl of Clayworth, everything about him was wrong. He didn’t know who she was when his wife was her older sister’s bestfriend, he was controlling, a scrooge, stuck up, uninteresting, and very very handsome; Lord Adonis! But she know that he’ll never give her the freedom she craves and from what she’s heard about him, not a loving man but cold and heartless! He will never do. But Marcus, the Marquess of Haversham is wild, a rake, full of passion and energy and will do immensely. She will get her fill of adventure and freedom when she marries him. At least that’s what she thinks.
Our hero Brandon, the Earl of Clayworth, is broken and have demons of his own. Plus he has a sister and nephew to look after and is happily widowed but, finding his mother’s traitorous letters are becoming a pain. But where to start is a little fuzzy because who is “the Lion” that holds the letters his dead wife spoke of? And will “they” return it to him once he found it? But the Little minx, Miss Avery is catching his attention and not in a good way. She’s interesting and the first lady to ever diss him, and for that overbearing rake Haversham! But she holds the clues to his lost letters and he’ll use her by any means to get them back. He just wasn’t expecting to fall so hard for her during his time escorting (and stalking) her. But she makes things very difficult indeed to being wild and all.
I love how Brandon is very protective of Cordie even if she hates him. But he’s not going to stop shadowing her if she keeps putting her life in danger of scandalous and compromising situations. He’s focused and determined and well, I love it when he’s jealous because of Haversham. And gosh Cordie can get on my nerves when it comes to annoying Brandon with her escapades. But then Cordie is a very bold and determined character. She’s not going to fall pray to her true feeling for Brandon because she knows he’ll never give her leeway if they’re married. Although she feels for Marcus/Haversham and wants to be with him for “good” reasons, her feelings towards Brandon are even more dangerous every time he’s around her. I found that very fascinating because she really liked Marcus when they first met and there was an immediate attraction between the two, which gave me pause and confused me at the same because I didn’t know who was going to be the hero. That with the POVs of Cordie, Brandon, and Marcus got my mind swirling. They worked but I thought it was going to be some menage or some threesome or something because both dudes wanted the girl and well, she liked or was confused with both dudes.
I can honesty say that I was hating on Marcus as the story hit half way or a little bit before that. I really loved him in the beginning and then when he admitted his feeling towards Cordie. I was lost and didn’t know whom to love more, Marcus or Brandon?! But as the story went on I just wanted him to leave and do as he promised, wait till Brandon was through with his two weeks with Cordie. He’s truly not a gentleman of his words but he never claimed to follow those rules either. And then that scene when he brought Cordie to his house and his reaction when she bailed!!! I thought I was going to have to beat him up, especially with his own secret out! Sheeesh~ But my love came back around for him because well, he was a gentleman and even to the every end, so it’s all good and repaired.
Maybe my anger should be directed at Cordie for bring my anger towards Marcus. She was leading the poor man on a leash, naive as she is. She was pretty good at making herself look, err act…. experienced in the realm of flirting and…… such….. Which is what caught Marcus in the first place. If only he knew! But I really did like Cordie and her witty and humorous banters and thoughts. Her reasons for choosing Marcus over Brandon was… understandable. I wouldn’t do as she did but it was practical I guess. What I found hilarious was when she didn’t know what the “bulge” was when Brandon kissed her or held her in his arms until her wedding night. It was the out most hilarious thing ever!
Oh the lovable secondary characters. I’ll say there were many of them and if you didn’t read the past 3 books you might not know who they are or how huge of a roll they play in the series. But they were a fabulous bunch of guesses and really did have a huge part in this story and in driving it forward.
There is a suspense element to the story where the letters and Brandon’s ex-wife’s secret comes in, but throughout the whole books it’s just mainly focused on the courting and growing relationship between Brandon and Cordie. Brandon did forget about those two troubles because of his determination to get Cordie but all is well.
So over all, this was a very enjoyable read and listen. And well, Stevie Zimmerman with her accented narration of the book is just fantastic! I wouldn’t mind listening to her read other Regency romances again.
This audiobook was won as a gift by the author.
4.5 out of 5
This was filled with lots of action, humor, and many many characters, plus suspense~. I was surprise that there were many or some POVs from the secondary characters but they were great and gave us a different perspective and gave us a view into their heads/thoughts.
So our heroine Cordie is miserable without her closes and best-est friend Olivia (Livvie). Ever since Livvie got married scandalously to the Duke of Keltfield, her mother had banned her from seeing Livvie ever again. Besides banning Cordie and imprisoning her to their home and dragging her around town to teas and what not, she would always get reprimand at the hands of her mother. Everything Cordie did was always wrong. Not being pretty enough, not catching a gentleman, dancing with the wrong dude, talking with people beneath them… yady yady yada~ She’s always getting backlashed from her mother’s blundering mouth. The worst possible person ever!!! And there is a secret too!!! Argh~ I was so not seeing that coming and hated her even more! She should be punished by the hands of Cordie’s husband! But anyways….
That’s why Cordie decided to find a mate, and fast! After ditching a certain Captain seeking for her hand, she planned to find a husband just like Livvie’s; a rogue! She will finally then get her freedom and do as she pleases, but most definitely she’ll get to see her friend without being dictated and controlled. But when she met the Earl of Clayworth, everything about him was wrong. He didn’t know who she was when his wife was her older sister’s bestfriend, he was controlling, a scrooge, stuck up, uninteresting, and very very handsome; Lord Adonis! But she know that he’ll never give her the freedom she craves and from what she’s heard about him, not a loving man but cold and heartless! He will never do. But Marcus, the Marquess of Haversham is wild, a rake, full of passion and energy and will do immensely. She will get her fill of adventure and freedom when she marries him. At least that’s what she thinks.
Our hero Brandon, the Earl of Clayworth, is broken and have demons of his own. Plus he has a sister and nephew to look after and is happily widowed but, finding his mother’s traitorous letters are becoming a pain. But where to start is a little fuzzy because who is “the Lion” that holds the letters his dead wife spoke of? And will “they” return it to him once he found it? But the Little minx, Miss Avery is catching his attention and not in a good way. She’s interesting and the first lady to ever diss him, and for that overbearing rake Haversham! But she holds the clues to his lost letters and he’ll use her by any means to get them back. He just wasn’t expecting to fall so hard for her during his time escorting (and stalking) her. But she makes things very difficult indeed to being wild and all.
I love how Brandon is very protective of Cordie even if she hates him. But he’s not going to stop shadowing her if she keeps putting her life in danger of scandalous and compromising situations. He’s focused and determined and well, I love it when he’s jealous because of Haversham. And gosh Cordie can get on my nerves when it comes to annoying Brandon with her escapades. But then Cordie is a very bold and determined character. She’s not going to fall pray to her true feeling for Brandon because she knows he’ll never give her leeway if they’re married. Although she feels for Marcus/Haversham and wants to be with him for “good” reasons, her feelings towards Brandon are even more dangerous every time he’s around her. I found that very fascinating because she really liked Marcus when they first met and there was an immediate attraction between the two, which gave me pause and confused me at the same because I didn’t know who was going to be the hero. That with the POVs of Cordie, Brandon, and Marcus got my mind swirling. They worked but I thought it was going to be some menage or some threesome or something because both dudes wanted the girl and well, she liked or was confused with both dudes.
I can honesty say that I was hating on Marcus as the story hit half way or a little bit before that. I really loved him in the beginning and then when he admitted his feeling towards Cordie. I was lost and didn’t know whom to love more, Marcus or Brandon?! But as the story went on I just wanted him to leave and do as he promised, wait till Brandon was through with his two weeks with Cordie. He’s truly not a gentleman of his words but he never claimed to follow those rules either. And then that scene when he brought Cordie to his house and his reaction when she bailed!!! I thought I was going to have to beat him up, especially with his own secret out! Sheeesh~ But my love came back around for him because well, he was a gentleman and even to the every end, so it’s all good and repaired.
Maybe my anger should be directed at Cordie for bring my anger towards Marcus. She was leading the poor man on a leash, naive as she is. She was pretty good at making herself look, err act…. experienced in the realm of flirting and…… such….. Which is what caught Marcus in the first place. If only he knew! But I really did like Cordie and her witty and humorous banters and thoughts. Her reasons for choosing Marcus over Brandon was… understandable. I wouldn’t do as she did but it was practical I guess. What I found hilarious was when she didn’t know what the “bulge” was when Brandon kissed her or held her in his arms until her wedding night. It was the out most hilarious thing ever!
Oh the lovable secondary characters. I’ll say there were many of them and if you didn’t read the past 3 books you might not know who they are or how huge of a roll they play in the series. But they were a fabulous bunch of guesses and really did have a huge part in this story and in driving it forward.
There is a suspense element to the story where the letters and Brandon’s ex-wife’s secret comes in, but throughout the whole books it’s just mainly focused on the courting and growing relationship between Brandon and Cordie. Brandon did forget about those two troubles because of his determination to get Cordie but all is well.
So over all, this was a very enjoyable read and listen. And well, Stevie Zimmerman with her accented narration of the book is just fantastic! I wouldn’t mind listening to her read other Regency romances again.
This audiobook was won as a gift by the author.
4.5 out of 5
November 23, 2011
Cordelia Avery is looking for a way out of her family situation. Brendan Reese, Earl of Clayworth, is looking for some missing letters. They both find more than they bargained for when those searches bring them together.
This was a terrific find as a Kindle freebie on Amazon. I usually don't pick up freebies that are part of a series I haven't read simply because I hate picking up a book in the middle when I haven't read the preceding books. Even though A Scandalous Past is the fourth in a series, I thought a regency romance might not be as dependent on previous stories as other types of series can be, and I was thankfully correct in this case. I could tell that certain side characters were probably the focus in the earlier books, but I never felt like I was missing something from the story between Cordie and Brendan.
Cordelia's mom is a real something or other, and I kind of wish we had more insight into what made her that way. That story could probably make for an interesting novel on its own. Ava Stone did an incredible job making me care about Cordelia and understand Brendan's fury when he discovers how Cordelia has been treated. As in most romances, there are some misunderstandings that could have been easily removed if the hero and heroine would just talk to each other, but in this novel, I felt like I had much more understanding of why things weren't said. The character motivations felt authentic, and I was so happy to be along for the ride with them.
I do hope we hear more about Haversham, the rake who first catches Cordelia's attention. Now I'm off to buy everything else Ava Stone has written. I was happily surprised to find that Ava Stone is a pseudonym for half the writing team behind the Lydia Dare pseudonym, another favorite of mine.
This was a terrific find as a Kindle freebie on Amazon. I usually don't pick up freebies that are part of a series I haven't read simply because I hate picking up a book in the middle when I haven't read the preceding books. Even though A Scandalous Past is the fourth in a series, I thought a regency romance might not be as dependent on previous stories as other types of series can be, and I was thankfully correct in this case. I could tell that certain side characters were probably the focus in the earlier books, but I never felt like I was missing something from the story between Cordie and Brendan.
Cordelia's mom is a real something or other, and I kind of wish we had more insight into what made her that way. That story could probably make for an interesting novel on its own. Ava Stone did an incredible job making me care about Cordelia and understand Brendan's fury when he discovers how Cordelia has been treated. As in most romances, there are some misunderstandings that could have been easily removed if the hero and heroine would just talk to each other, but in this novel, I felt like I had much more understanding of why things weren't said. The character motivations felt authentic, and I was so happy to be along for the ride with them.
I do hope we hear more about Haversham, the rake who first catches Cordelia's attention. Now I'm off to buy everything else Ava Stone has written. I was happily surprised to find that Ava Stone is a pseudonym for half the writing team behind the Lydia Dare pseudonym, another favorite of mine.
November 6, 2011
This was a charming read...
I do agree with another reviewer that said that there were a LOT of characters in this, more thank likely ones from previous books, and probably ones for future books.
Cordie just wants to be as free as she can possibly be...her mother has made her life pretty horrible...so she decides that if she marries a rake, then she can do as she likes, as he does what he likes.
But that was before she fell in love with Brendan. HE is wonderful...but she's sure that he's going to make her toe the line.
Lots of miscommunication, some of it silly, some of it serious...
But everything works out well in the end...which is why I read this sort of book!~
Brendan is wonderful...with his blond hair and blue eyes...
I'm intrigued enough to find out what happens with Cordie's brothers, I'd read more by this author.
I do agree with another reviewer that said that there were a LOT of characters in this, more thank likely ones from previous books, and probably ones for future books.
Cordie just wants to be as free as she can possibly be...her mother has made her life pretty horrible...so she decides that if she marries a rake, then she can do as she likes, as he does what he likes.
But that was before she fell in love with Brendan. HE is wonderful...but she's sure that he's going to make her toe the line.
Lots of miscommunication, some of it silly, some of it serious...
But everything works out well in the end...which is why I read this sort of book!~
Brendan is wonderful...with his blond hair and blue eyes...
I'm intrigued enough to find out what happens with Cordie's brothers, I'd read more by this author.
December 18, 2014
There were times that I really wanted to strangle Cordie. She claimed to make intelligent decisions but I would think that a lady of that time period would take more precautions with her reputation... although if I had a mother as nasty as hers I would look for an escape too. Brendan was a great character and although he is no doubt a scoundrel. I hope Haversham gets his happy hero ending too. I would definitely pick up another book by the author to see if the other stories in this story are as captivating!
February 22, 2012
I'm about halfway into this novel and I just can't do it. After the major conflict (that I actually care about) has passed and been resolved, I just don't care enough about these boring characters to continue. As for the heroine's treatment by her mother, which sets it apart from other's in the romance genre and initially drew me in, the story doesn't portray it in a way that seems plausible.
July 3, 2017
I'm enjoying this Scandalous series by Ava Stone. They are very entertaining novels, but all have a few flaws that bother me despite how much I've been glued to them. A Scandalous Past in no exception. While I loved aspects of Brendan and Cordie, I found the beginning of the book confusing in where Cordie's affections lie. While I liked her, many of her actions didn't feel true to the character. I felt as though she could have had more depth to her especially in light of her relationship with her mother. I thought things just skimmed the surface. Brendan was a bit more flushed out and he was a very appealing character. I could feel his past pain in his prior marriage and his relationships with his siblings. I am eager to continue and see where this series goes.
October 23, 2017
Scandalous Past
Although I am still enjoying this series as I plough through it, one after the other, I have to say this wasn't my favourite by a long way.
First of all it was poorly edited in quite a few places. Words missing or mis-spelt, and in some cases the sentence just ended mid flow which looked very strange. At times it felt like one of those books where you pick your own story line.
Mainly though, it was the "heroine" Cordie who put me off. I just couldn't stand her thoughtless attitude to life and the indecisive way she flitted between men, acting the tease and giving us all a bad name. The rest of the cast helped me through to the end though.
Although I am still enjoying this series as I plough through it, one after the other, I have to say this wasn't my favourite by a long way.
First of all it was poorly edited in quite a few places. Words missing or mis-spelt, and in some cases the sentence just ended mid flow which looked very strange. At times it felt like one of those books where you pick your own story line.
Mainly though, it was the "heroine" Cordie who put me off. I just couldn't stand her thoughtless attitude to life and the indecisive way she flitted between men, acting the tease and giving us all a bad name. The rest of the cast helped me through to the end though.
May 5, 2018
Love love love
No worries that this review will have spoilers, I don't believe in that. What I can tell you is that you should Ava Stones books! I am reading them in order, and you should too! I absolutely love this book, and happen to think so far this is my favorite one. All of her characters have such distinct personalities and she does a beautiful job of giving them true emotions! Read her books you will fall in love too!
No worries that this review will have spoilers, I don't believe in that. What I can tell you is that you should Ava Stones books! I am reading them in order, and you should too! I absolutely love this book, and happen to think so far this is my favorite one. All of her characters have such distinct personalities and she does a beautiful job of giving them true emotions! Read her books you will fall in love too!
February 5, 2020
Pretty good story, even if it was a little long and got a little boring in the middle, I still enjoyed it, overall. Both Cordie and Brendan were likable. So were Lady Staveley and Astwick. I wasn’t so sure about Haversham, Marcus Grey, but I ended up liking him a great deal.
It was about lost letters and blackmail, which is much better than a plain old romance.
Graphic sex but no swearing.
As to the narration: I love Stevie Zimmerman. She does such a great job on her narrations.
June 28, 2017
Great series
I really like reading these books they have good stories it made me laugh and it made me cry but I don't like to purchase each book separately...by the time you are done you have spent 15.00 . That. Is a lot of money when I already belong to prime
I really like reading these books they have good stories it made me laugh and it made me cry but I don't like to purchase each book separately...by the time you are done you have spent 15.00 . That. Is a lot of money when I already belong to prime
December 14, 2017
Good read
The whole series is fairly good, each book has kept me entertained so far. I am enjoying them greatly and can't wait to read more.
The whole series is fairly good, each book has kept me entertained so far. I am enjoying them greatly and can't wait to read more.
February 25, 2012
Underneath the elegance of a Regency ball hides a lot of darkness. Ava Stone did a great job at opening up the reader and her main character's, Cordelia's, eyes to the darkness behind many seemingly harmless actions. Cordelia is absolutely determined to escape the fate of being snubbed by Society after seeing what happened to her best friend, Olivia, who dumped her socially-acceptable fiance for a less-than-acceptable rake (who happens to be a Duke, which in most regency romances, makes up for his previously bad actions when he finally settles down). It wasn't clear to me what exactly Olivia did that cause Society to continue to reject her after she married.
Cordelia's ambition is to escape the social inhibitions by marrying well and then doing what she wants with her life. Her choices in a future husband seem restricted to rakes, since they'd be busy with their own naughty business. Luckily for Cordelia, a very handsome and extremely acceptable bachelor takes an interest in her (partly because of her personality and beauty and partly because he thinks her family is holding letters incriminating his deceased mother in treason which he desperately needs returned), but he's the one man Cordelia hates intensely. She'd grown up eavesdropping on her older sister's best friends complaint about her husband (the man interested in her) and how cold and unfeeling he was to her.
Frightened by the "good guy", Cordelia runs in the direction of a notorious rake who thinks she's a lot more experienced than she is because of her pursuit of him. The "good guy" realizes he has competition and his interest in Cordelia jumps dramatically.
The story is full of action and suspense. Cordelia is a little unusual and her choices tend to be funny and endearing.
Spoiler alert: I was worried the book was going to drag on when the couple got married just over halfway through the book, but somehow, Ava Stone kicked some life into the story. She solved the mystery of the letters and also united the couple in a more meaningful and personal way towards the end. Cordelia's fears that she'd picked the wrong guy after all closed off and the ending is quite satisfying.
Cordelia's ambition is to escape the social inhibitions by marrying well and then doing what she wants with her life. Her choices in a future husband seem restricted to rakes, since they'd be busy with their own naughty business. Luckily for Cordelia, a very handsome and extremely acceptable bachelor takes an interest in her (partly because of her personality and beauty and partly because he thinks her family is holding letters incriminating his deceased mother in treason which he desperately needs returned), but he's the one man Cordelia hates intensely. She'd grown up eavesdropping on her older sister's best friends complaint about her husband (the man interested in her) and how cold and unfeeling he was to her.
Frightened by the "good guy", Cordelia runs in the direction of a notorious rake who thinks she's a lot more experienced than she is because of her pursuit of him. The "good guy" realizes he has competition and his interest in Cordelia jumps dramatically.
The story is full of action and suspense. Cordelia is a little unusual and her choices tend to be funny and endearing.
Spoiler alert: I was worried the book was going to drag on when the couple got married just over halfway through the book, but somehow, Ava Stone kicked some life into the story. She solved the mystery of the letters and also united the couple in a more meaningful and personal way towards the end. Cordelia's fears that she'd picked the wrong guy after all closed off and the ending is quite satisfying.
May 28, 2012
We are drawing to the conclusion of the Scandalous series. It's always sad to see an end of a series. However, I'm always hopeful that this is not the end. After all, there are a couple of characters from the series I would love see marry and have there own happily ever after. However, this is not the place to mention which ones need there need there own stories. Today we are focusing on A Scandalous Past. You remember how I said that the first and second book go well together. The same can be said with the third and fourth book.
In this book we find Miss Cordelia Avery wanting to escape her mothers house and for good reason. She figures that if she marries a guy like the Duke of Kelfield everything will be all right. She believes she found it in Kelfied's best friend the Marquees of Haversham, Marcus Grey (another scoundrel I love). Marcus is just looking for a certain kind of action and he figures he's found it with Cordie. Then we have the honorable Brendan Reese, Earl of Clayworth (a.k.a Lord Adonis among the ton, which he hates that name). Brendan is looking for these secret letters his mother wrote years ago and he figures that the Avery's have it due to the fact there family crest has a lion in it. In a way, he starts courting Cordie and realize he can't live without her. Cordie is torn between here the feelings in heart and freedom the freedom she wants.
However, if you really think about it, following your heart will usually lead you to the freedom you are searching for. Key word usually. What you will find here: A mad dash to Gretna Green (those are always fun), blackmail, and missing secret letters.
After reading this book for a third time, I think this book is number two in favorite in the series. To be honest, I think it has a lot to do with Marcus Gray. He is just... well, words just can't describe him. However, the fight over Cordie's affections between him and Brendan make it worthwhile adventure. I do hope you have enjoy my little reviews on my favorite series and I really do hope you guys go and pick it up.
November 14, 2011
I have to admit that this book hit the spot as far as what I was looking for in a historical romance. We had a woman who desperately wanted her freedom and went about it the only way she knew how, a scoundrel who might not be as reprehensible as he seems, and a proper gentleman who burns for the lovely lady he needs answers from in a decidedly improper manner.
Probably the only thing that bothered me was that Cordelia had been abused for most of her life and her family seemed blissfully unaware of it. I personally would have liked a little more insight into how they could have missed that OR been given the chance to see what drove her mother to beat her own child. However, Cordelia's willingness to take matters into her own hands and find a way out of this terrible situation did help me look past that. What can I say? I'm a sucker for characters that grab life by the horns.
Coming into a series at book 4 can really be hit or miss. I don't know the previous characters, I don't know what actions have brought them to their current positions, I don't know how the current main character fits into this world. However, I honestly had no problems with this book. Cordelia and her problems were laid out nicely and we were introduced to the characters from previous books (and their stories were sketched out) without any rigamarole.
All in all, this was a nicely told tale with well-drawn characters and a fun plot. I'm not going to lie, I'm hoping Haversham gets his story told soon. I can't resist those bad boys, can I?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Probably the only thing that bothered me was that Cordelia had been abused for most of her life and her family seemed blissfully unaware of it. I personally would have liked a little more insight into how they could have missed that OR been given the chance to see what drove her mother to beat her own child. However, Cordelia's willingness to take matters into her own hands and find a way out of this terrible situation did help me look past that. What can I say? I'm a sucker for characters that grab life by the horns.
Coming into a series at book 4 can really be hit or miss. I don't know the previous characters, I don't know what actions have brought them to their current positions, I don't know how the current main character fits into this world. However, I honestly had no problems with this book. Cordelia and her problems were laid out nicely and we were introduced to the characters from previous books (and their stories were sketched out) without any rigamarole.
All in all, this was a nicely told tale with well-drawn characters and a fun plot. I'm not going to lie, I'm hoping Haversham gets his story told soon. I can't resist those bad boys, can I?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
October 3, 2014
While the title indicates someone in the book has a scandalous past, it's a little tricky to decide just who it is. ALMOST CERTAINLY, it is not Cordelia, our heroine! Mercy, the girl lives under the thumb of her overbearing mother, who is now overwhelmingly pushing her to marry, but only to stalwart men who will continue to control her. In the meantime, her best friend has married a SCANDALOUS man, and as a result, Cordelia is not allowed to see her, least she be tainted. However, Cordelia needs to get away, needs some freedom, and sees that marriage is her only hope. She chooses one man, a scandal walking, but falls in love with another, who is supposably still mourning his wife, who died in childbirth. If only people knew the truth about that SCANDALOUS situation.... After a quick elopement, the hero finally appraises his new wife of the SCANDALOUS, indeed, TRAITOROUS, behaviour of his mother, and the book moves from romance to mystery, with blackmail notes, secrets, and desperate attempts to keep things secret, keep people safe, and ultimately, find the scandalous materials - and the villians.
November 3, 2011
This is a very well written story. I enjoyed every min of it and more. It is not like what you would think you would get from a story that sounds like there are rakes and scandals around every corner.
I have never read any of Ava Stones work before and this is the first one of this series I have read not knowing that it was in a series when I started reading it. However, even as a stand a loan story it was good.
I fell in love with the charters they were very well written and the story to. I am a such a big fan of stories that are based in this era; There is just some thing whimsical! So I would recommend this story to romance lovers who enjoy a little spice in there reading.
I’m looking forward to read more of Ava Stones work, she looks to have a long list of book waiting to be dive into.
So Happy Reading Everyone
I have never read any of Ava Stones work before and this is the first one of this series I have read not knowing that it was in a series when I started reading it. However, even as a stand a loan story it was good.
I fell in love with the charters they were very well written and the story to. I am a such a big fan of stories that are based in this era; There is just some thing whimsical! So I would recommend this story to romance lovers who enjoy a little spice in there reading.
I’m looking forward to read more of Ava Stones work, she looks to have a long list of book waiting to be dive into.
So Happy Reading Everyone
March 19, 2015
Another delightful story
Ava Stone is a gifted storyteller, and has woven many tales together to mesh seamlessly in this series. I think I speak for most readers when I say that the reason we love series is that we get the chance to revisit beloved characters. Many authors don't put much effort into this, and you'll find your characters listed as attending some event in the book almost like a roll call. Or they will be be mentioned in gossip: "Did you know that so-and-so has 3 children now?" While it's nice to know they're still alive and well, it isn't enough.
Ms Stone's characters take an active role in each of her books; before, during, and after their own stories. This gives you the opportunity to really get to know a character before his or her book, and to keep up with that character's life in the future. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
Ava Stone is a gifted storyteller, and has woven many tales together to mesh seamlessly in this series. I think I speak for most readers when I say that the reason we love series is that we get the chance to revisit beloved characters. Many authors don't put much effort into this, and you'll find your characters listed as attending some event in the book almost like a roll call. Or they will be be mentioned in gossip: "Did you know that so-and-so has 3 children now?" While it's nice to know they're still alive and well, it isn't enough.
Ms Stone's characters take an active role in each of her books; before, during, and after their own stories. This gives you the opportunity to really get to know a character before his or her book, and to keep up with that character's life in the future. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
June 25, 2015
I enjoyed this Regency romance set in the ballrooms of London and the country homes of the gentry. This group of people have an amazing number of scandals to deal with!
Cordelia Avery wants the freedom to visit her friends and do what she wants, even after she is married, so she throws herself at the known rake, Haversham. However, it's actually the older, widowed Earl of Clayworth, Brendan Reese, who stirs her heart. Cordie makes a series of questionable decisions that necessitates some scrambling in order to save her reputation.
Just when it seems that all will be well, the secrets of Clayworth's past catch up with them. The mystery is intriguing, and the unlikely protectors who band together to help the couple is quite surprising.
I'm looking forward to reading about more of the characters in the rest of the Scandalous series.
Cordelia Avery wants the freedom to visit her friends and do what she wants, even after she is married, so she throws herself at the known rake, Haversham. However, it's actually the older, widowed Earl of Clayworth, Brendan Reese, who stirs her heart. Cordie makes a series of questionable decisions that necessitates some scrambling in order to save her reputation.
Just when it seems that all will be well, the secrets of Clayworth's past catch up with them. The mystery is intriguing, and the unlikely protectors who band together to help the couple is quite surprising.
I'm looking forward to reading about more of the characters in the rest of the Scandalous series.
July 3, 2016
Such a popular lady in Cordie. There is a fortune hunter and also various men falling in love with her on a regular basis, but she makes her choice and sticks to it.
Prepare yourself for mystery and love and enchantment and close family ties, some of which are not so lovely.
I loved the way Cordie and Brendan accommodate and love and trust each other. Their continuous belief in each other made this book well worth reading.
And of course, it is well written and easy to read and I enjoyed it very much.
Prepare yourself for mystery and love and enchantment and close family ties, some of which are not so lovely.
I loved the way Cordie and Brendan accommodate and love and trust each other. Their continuous belief in each other made this book well worth reading.
And of course, it is well written and easy to read and I enjoyed it very much.
March 26, 2014
Close to ruin, Cordelia needs to find a husband to help her and her mother out of their financial bind. She needs to do it while hiding the details of her father's death from her husband and society. She chooses an Earl who is trying to keep his own secrets from society. He finds evidence that his mother may have been a spy for the French and unless he can find the letters that prove that and destroy him, he keeps himself from his new bride.
June 26, 2017
An interesting enough historical romance that started off a bit slow then midway picked up and had a good finish but I never did like the heroine, so many of her actions were rather brainless that the story lost its credibility. Cordelia has her sights set on a certain Marquis but Lord Brendan gets in her way with his own agenda.
February 11, 2012
This was a great historical romance. I really enjoyed following Cordelia Avery's life and was rooting for her to marry and get out of the horrible situation of being beat by her own mother. At first I saw Cordelia as somewhat shallow, but once I found out about her home situation I looked at her differently. I will definitely be reading other books by this author.
July 28, 2013
3.5 stars, nice Regency romance. I liked the hero and heroine, Brendan and Cordie, I liked the story. Not too much sex. I liked the way the hero flipped out when he found out how Cordie's mother was treating her. I would like to see one side character, Haversham, have a happy ending. I think he deserves a book.
October 8, 2014
I'm on a trashy romance marathon right now. I bought a nine book bundle on Amazon of trashy Regency stuff and I'm quickly going through it. This was just what I expected - an easy read, enjoyable, but not very taxing on my brain. I think I'm on this kick right now because I'm also in the middle of a Henry James novel and they are always taxing.
November 19, 2011
Generally interesting, and the author did a good job with the motivations of the main characters. Flaws: the fact that the heroine was abused by her mother is awkwardly handled, the mystery is weird at the end, and whether the tertiary characters are good or bad is often hard to tell.
November 14, 2011
This book was just for past-time, quick historic romance without much sex.
Naughty little Lady who wants to grow up and master her own desires.
I read it, i liked it, I will probably forget it.
Naughty little Lady who wants to grow up and master her own desires.
I read it, i liked it, I will probably forget it.
February 6, 2013
I liked the whole series. This book was a bit annoying in certain parts. I did have to skip at times. I liked the story. Loved the main characters. Disliked Cordies mom so much. Loved Cordie's friendship with Livvy and how she stood up to the Duchess.
March 16, 2016
This is one of my favourite stories in the scandalous series. I love the characters and the storyline. It left me satisfied and wanting more at the same time. And I know I'm not the only one who cannot wait to read Havershams story!
July 28, 2015
I loved this book couldn't put it down, the story was well written easy to fallow & very entertaining. I loved the characters especially Brendan Clayworth & Cordelia Avery. can't wait to read another book by Ava Stone.
Want to read
October 27, 2011Free Kindle Book 10/27/11.
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