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The Reckless Brides #5
A Scandal to Remember
For too long, Miss Jane Burke’s father has taken advantage of her painstaking research. Heading to the South Seas to make her own name as a scientist despite the crew’s insistence that a woman aboard is bad luck, she isn't prepared to be championed by a handsome ship’s officer who rouses longings inside her as wild as any storm…
For Lieutenant Charles Dance, a post on His Majesty’s survey ship Tenacious is just one more dutiful rung on the ladder of his career. Even a headstrong bluestocking on board is less troubling than the ship’s drunken captain—and the ferocious gales that drive the ship off course. Stranded on a remote island, passion blazes between them as hot as the sun, but it’s Jane’s love Charles wants forever…
For Lieutenant Charles Dance, a post on His Majesty’s survey ship Tenacious is just one more dutiful rung on the ladder of his career. Even a headstrong bluestocking on board is less troubling than the ship’s drunken captain—and the ferocious gales that drive the ship off course. Stranded on a remote island, passion blazes between them as hot as the sun, but it’s Jane’s love Charles wants forever…
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 26, 2014
42 people are currently reading
727 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Essex
45 books331 followersWhen not re-reading Jane Austen, sipping tea or mucking about her garden, Elizabeth Essex can be found at her computer, making up wonderful stories about people who live far more interesting lives than she.
Elizabeth Essex
It wasn’t always so. Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classical Studies and Art History, and then earned her MA from Texas A&M University in Nautical Archaeology, also known as the archaeology of shipwrecks. While Elizabeth loved the life of a working archaeologist, after writing and reading all those dry, dusty reports on ship construction, she would daydream about how lovely it would have been if only someone had fallen in love on just one of those ships. And so now she writes stories about just that.
Elizabeth lives in Texas with her family, in a house filled to the brim with books.
Elizabeth Essex
It wasn’t always so. Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classical Studies and Art History, and then earned her MA from Texas A&M University in Nautical Archaeology, also known as the archaeology of shipwrecks. While Elizabeth loved the life of a working archaeologist, after writing and reading all those dry, dusty reports on ship construction, she would daydream about how lovely it would have been if only someone had fallen in love on just one of those ships. And so now she writes stories about just that.
Elizabeth lives in Texas with her family, in a house filled to the brim with books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 26, 2016
This is my first book by Elizabeth Essex, and it's made me want to read more of her books. The hero, Lieutenant Dance, is a wonderful, scrumptious specimen. I liked everything about him. He's very determined and a great leader, his discipline as a naval officer and his sense of excellence in doing his job spoke to me. But at the same time, he retains a sense of humanity and kindness and integrity that made me love him even more. I like that even though he's a very self-controlled man, he has a hint of playfulness and earthy masculinity that adds to his appeal. He takes on the role as a second-in-command on a ship that has something very wrong with it, mismanaged, with undisciplined sailors and corrupt crew members. The captain is a complete drunk and has withdrawn in practically every way from the running of the ship, so Dance is forced to take over many of his responsibilities, to the resentment of the crew. Things are only getting worse, and now he has to keep Jane and the rest of the scientists safe, not to mention fighting his feelings for her.
Jane is the kind of heroine that makes a reader happy. She feels like a normal person who you might have known. I cheered her on because she was very brave, going on this expedition, especially as a woman who wouldn't hardly be taken seriously even by other scientists, and bravely facing the distrust and misogyny that a group of mostly undereducated sailors had for her.
I found this book very romantic. I like that things do get very steamy at the appropriate time, but also Essex builds the tension beautifully as they get to know each other. There are wonderfully written scenes and an undercurrent of romantic tension in their interactions. You can tell that they have a love match, and it makes you look forward to seeing how that unfolds.
It's not much of a spoiler, because it's on the blurb, but when they get stranded on the island, that's one of my favorite parts. Finally the walls are able to come down and Jane and Dance know each other in the most elemental way, their passion for each other is no longer deniable. Jane shows what an incredible woman she is in those moments, not only being saved by Dance, but saving him and facilitating their adjustment to the island they take shelter on.
There is a lot of detail attended to life on a ship, and it gives an element of authenticity to the story. A lot of naval jargon gets thrown around, but it's not disruptive. What I didn't know or couldn't parse didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. Ship life adds an element of suspense and tension as Dance is trying to figure out what exactly is going on and working to keep a ship that is literally falling apart together despite the grumbling of the crew.
If I could change anything, the ending is a bit abrupt, but I was also satisfied because Dance and Jane get to be together, and this is one couple that I definitely rooted for. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Ms. Essex (who coincidentally graduated from my college alma mater :)
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.
Jane is the kind of heroine that makes a reader happy. She feels like a normal person who you might have known. I cheered her on because she was very brave, going on this expedition, especially as a woman who wouldn't hardly be taken seriously even by other scientists, and bravely facing the distrust and misogyny that a group of mostly undereducated sailors had for her.
I found this book very romantic. I like that things do get very steamy at the appropriate time, but also Essex builds the tension beautifully as they get to know each other. There are wonderfully written scenes and an undercurrent of romantic tension in their interactions. You can tell that they have a love match, and it makes you look forward to seeing how that unfolds.
It's not much of a spoiler, because it's on the blurb, but when they get stranded on the island, that's one of my favorite parts. Finally the walls are able to come down and Jane and Dance know each other in the most elemental way, their passion for each other is no longer deniable. Jane shows what an incredible woman she is in those moments, not only being saved by Dance, but saving him and facilitating their adjustment to the island they take shelter on.
There is a lot of detail attended to life on a ship, and it gives an element of authenticity to the story. A lot of naval jargon gets thrown around, but it's not disruptive. What I didn't know or couldn't parse didn't affect my enjoyment of the story. Ship life adds an element of suspense and tension as Dance is trying to figure out what exactly is going on and working to keep a ship that is literally falling apart together despite the grumbling of the crew.
If I could change anything, the ending is a bit abrupt, but I was also satisfied because Dance and Jane get to be together, and this is one couple that I definitely rooted for. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Ms. Essex (who coincidentally graduated from my college alma mater :)
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.
January 16, 2015
4.5 stars
Jane has lived a very sheltered and quiet life but she also lives a shocking secret, she is the mind behind J.E. Burkes the renowned conchologist, not her father. When an opportunity to go on a 2yr expedition comes up and her father declines, she decides to go in his place. Even with her voice and hands shaking Jane is able to convince the other members of the expedition to accept her presence, with the subtle support of Lt. Charles Dance. Dance has been a sailor without a ship since the ending of the war has decreased many opportunities so when he is assigned as First Lieutenant to the Tenacious he is ready to go, the ship and her crew not so much. Battling the forces of a drunken captain, lazy crew, mutinous under dealings from the Bosun, and surprising attraction to a shy bluestocking with a spine of steel, Dance may just be on his most dangerous post yet.
First off, I loved both Jane and Dance separately and together, which doesn't always happen for me in romance books. Jane's first appearance to the reader and Dance is one of a shy, bumbling, petite spinster but with a strong backbone. Jane's determination to be recognized for her talent and thirst to live and experience life will have many women hoping and cheering her on. Dance's calm, strength, leadership, and support for Jane will make you sigh wistfully. The man has a lot on his plate with making sure the ship runs smoothly and yet, he is always there and present with Jane when he needs to be. Their courtship is slower moving with the outer story details moving the story along but when they are together, they are felt. Their back and forth teasing and charmingly realness make Jane and Dance such a heart melting pleasure to read about.
The beginning of the book and for a lot of it, the story focuses more on the dancing around ship politics and Dance having to deal with the disgruntled crew. I'm a big fan of nautical stories, you're going to have to be somewhat of a fan to enjoy this, so I didn't mind but there is a heavy focus on Dance's work and responsibilities for running the ship. I enjoyed how Dance was basically the captain but had to be ever weary of not being accused of mutiny, the mini focuses on crew members titles and their responsibilities, how life is lived on a ship, and how a ship is its own world when out to sea. Each descriptive detail the author provided created a world and scenery that I not only felt but was wholly engrossed in. Dance and Jane definitely have their moments of growing closer but it wasn't until the second half of the story that the focus on their relationship ramped up.
I did feel that the ending wrapped up a little too quickly and the main villain was given a weaker reason for all the problems he caused, he fell flat at the end. Also, the cursing in this book was definitely over the top for what you typically see in a historical, Dance's favorite word seems to be "fuck" and he is not shy about using it, so if that bothers you, beware. Ultimately, this story's strength was the gentle and sweet romance between Dance and Jane. For the responsibility Dance takes on and how he gives Jane due respect, how he is weighed down with responsibility but still lighthearted and for Jane's shyness, awkwardness, but ability to snap her spine straight, I adored this book. Elizabeth Essex has become an author on my radar and I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
Jane has lived a very sheltered and quiet life but she also lives a shocking secret, she is the mind behind J.E. Burkes the renowned conchologist, not her father. When an opportunity to go on a 2yr expedition comes up and her father declines, she decides to go in his place. Even with her voice and hands shaking Jane is able to convince the other members of the expedition to accept her presence, with the subtle support of Lt. Charles Dance. Dance has been a sailor without a ship since the ending of the war has decreased many opportunities so when he is assigned as First Lieutenant to the Tenacious he is ready to go, the ship and her crew not so much. Battling the forces of a drunken captain, lazy crew, mutinous under dealings from the Bosun, and surprising attraction to a shy bluestocking with a spine of steel, Dance may just be on his most dangerous post yet.
First off, I loved both Jane and Dance separately and together, which doesn't always happen for me in romance books. Jane's first appearance to the reader and Dance is one of a shy, bumbling, petite spinster but with a strong backbone. Jane's determination to be recognized for her talent and thirst to live and experience life will have many women hoping and cheering her on. Dance's calm, strength, leadership, and support for Jane will make you sigh wistfully. The man has a lot on his plate with making sure the ship runs smoothly and yet, he is always there and present with Jane when he needs to be. Their courtship is slower moving with the outer story details moving the story along but when they are together, they are felt. Their back and forth teasing and charmingly realness make Jane and Dance such a heart melting pleasure to read about.
The beginning of the book and for a lot of it, the story focuses more on the dancing around ship politics and Dance having to deal with the disgruntled crew. I'm a big fan of nautical stories, you're going to have to be somewhat of a fan to enjoy this, so I didn't mind but there is a heavy focus on Dance's work and responsibilities for running the ship. I enjoyed how Dance was basically the captain but had to be ever weary of not being accused of mutiny, the mini focuses on crew members titles and their responsibilities, how life is lived on a ship, and how a ship is its own world when out to sea. Each descriptive detail the author provided created a world and scenery that I not only felt but was wholly engrossed in. Dance and Jane definitely have their moments of growing closer but it wasn't until the second half of the story that the focus on their relationship ramped up.
I did feel that the ending wrapped up a little too quickly and the main villain was given a weaker reason for all the problems he caused, he fell flat at the end. Also, the cursing in this book was definitely over the top for what you typically see in a historical, Dance's favorite word seems to be "fuck" and he is not shy about using it, so if that bothers you, beware. Ultimately, this story's strength was the gentle and sweet romance between Dance and Jane. For the responsibility Dance takes on and how he gives Jane due respect, how he is weighed down with responsibility but still lighthearted and for Jane's shyness, awkwardness, but ability to snap her spine straight, I adored this book. Elizabeth Essex has become an author on my radar and I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
August 12, 2017
I really enjoyed this latest Reckless Brides installment. We met the hero, Charles Dance, as a young man in an earlier book and it was interesting to see what happened to him in the years between. I loved the heroine, Jane Burke. She was a suppressed little geek girl just waiting to break out of her shell. The contrast between Charles' honor and Jane's new-found rebellion made for an enticing story. Poor Charles was caught in bad situation that just got worse. There is even a shipwreck! (I suspect that Elizabeth Essex always wanted to write a shipwreck book.) This is a solid, well-written adventure romance.
January 24, 2016
Jane Burke is a conchologist who is determined to go on a Royal Society expedition at the cost of her reputation and personal comfort. The first lieutenant on board, Charles Dance, endears himself to her by not sending her away in spite of the crew's superstitions about women aboard ship. Through perils great and small, Dance and Jane fall in love.
As with previous books in this serious, I instantly fell in love with the protagonists. They are always so vividly drawn, as are secondary characters. I love the flow of Ms. Essex' writing and the vivid marine metaphors and descriptions. Her language always makes me feel like I am onboard ship with the characters and is so vivid and beautiful. I always read her books as soon as possible when they come out and can't wait for the next one!
As with previous books in this serious, I instantly fell in love with the protagonists. They are always so vividly drawn, as are secondary characters. I love the flow of Ms. Essex' writing and the vivid marine metaphors and descriptions. Her language always makes me feel like I am onboard ship with the characters and is so vivid and beautiful. I always read her books as soon as possible when they come out and can't wait for the next one!
July 17, 2014
GOSH, Essex's novels are charming. I will always adore her as a writer if for no other reason than she knows her way around a damn ship--the naval context of her stories is rich and vigorous and compelling and positively Hornblower-esque, but BETTER than Hornblower, because she also writes a damn good romance with strong heroes and stronger heroines. This one didn't capture me quite as hard as Almost a Scandal, but I adored it nonetheless, and I definitely think Essex is a cut above many of her contemporaries for her original and intelligent plots and settings.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review ARC of this book for free from NetGalley.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review ARC of this book for free from NetGalley.
July 21, 2014
Unfortunately, I didn't like this one, which is a real shame considering how much I liked the previous books in this series. It wasn't a bad book, but it...was...so...slow. And that ruined the book for me.
The separate elements of this book were great. It started off strong with a scholarly heroine who was determined to face down derision and prove herself as a scientist and an honorable hero who was determined to do his duty and kinder than he let on. I liked both Jane and Charles and I thought their relationship, which started with mutual respect and ended with love, was great.
The problem was, things went so slow. After about a quarter of the way through, I lost interest and started skimming. I felt like nothing much actually happened and I got bored. However, I kept going and things did pick back up during that last quarter of the book, with several twists happening in quick succession, but, at that point, I wasn't invested in the story and I didn't really care.
So, I didn't hate this book but, because of the pace, I did't like it. It had a lot of great elements but, for me, it didn't work out.
* I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
The separate elements of this book were great. It started off strong with a scholarly heroine who was determined to face down derision and prove herself as a scientist and an honorable hero who was determined to do his duty and kinder than he let on. I liked both Jane and Charles and I thought their relationship, which started with mutual respect and ended with love, was great.
The problem was, things went so slow. After about a quarter of the way through, I lost interest and started skimming. I felt like nothing much actually happened and I got bored. However, I kept going and things did pick back up during that last quarter of the book, with several twists happening in quick succession, but, at that point, I wasn't invested in the story and I didn't really care.
So, I didn't hate this book but, because of the pace, I did't like it. It had a lot of great elements but, for me, it didn't work out.
* I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
July 9, 2020
Okay, it's decided: all of Elizabeth Essex's novels need to be set on ships!
I've been pushing myself this month to read as many new-to-me authors for Ripped Bodice Bingo as I can which has been fun, but it can also get a little jarring to open up novel after novel without really knowing what to expect. Can you tell I'm the type of person who eats the same breakfast cereal day in and day out? Reading A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER, by an author I know & love, was supremely comforting. It was absolutely lovely to slip back into Elizabeth Essex's world of Naval lieutenants, nautical adventure, and high seas romance.
A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER features hero Charles Dance - last seen 12 years ago in Almost a Scandal - acting as First Lieutenant aboard the Tenacious, a leaky vessel with a senselessly drunk captain, thieving pursuer, resentful bosun, and lazy, complaining crew. His unprepared and understaffed ship is tasked with going around South America so a group of scientists, including concologist heroine Jane Burke, may study the flora and fauna in the Pacific islands.
As always, Essex's characterization is wonderful: Dance's sense of duty and honor compel him to work himself to the bone to keep the ship afloat, which makes his interactions with Jane both a distraction and a relief. Despite her sheltered background, Jane is drawn to his occasional flirtatious challenge, perceptively sees his grumpiness as a result of overwork and, since she's used to doing the administrative work in her own family, throws herself into helping Dance shoulder the responsibilities. They're an efficient, practical pair who are both confronting new obstacles, he as the de facto captain and she as the solo woman onboard.
I love how Essex writes her heroines who have a passionate calling or interest beyond love and marriage. Lately, I've read a number of historical romances that state the heroine has a job or hobby, but few of them include scenes where the heroine is actually doing the thing she's supposed to work on or love. Like Loretta Chase's excellent Mr. Impossible, Essex writes scenes where Jane is actively engaging in her chosen occupation and the hero respects her scholarly competence, even though he doesn't share it. I think it's sexy when romance heroes love their heroines for their minds as well as their bodies.
In A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER, Essex includes tons of detail about the ship and it's systems and I couldn't get enough of it. The historical information gives the writing a layered, gritty depth while underscoring the danger of the voyage and the seemingly insurmountable challenge that Dance is facing. The ocean setting also brings out the best of Essex's atmospheric writing; you can feel the wind, rain, and terrifying waves of a storm as if you're living it yourself. Structurally, I didn't have any complaints about the plot or pacing and I thought both the internal and external conflict felt proportional to the events and characters.
With A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER, I've completed the entire "Reckless Brides" series and I'll admit, I'm a little sad that there aren't any more. Here's my ranking of the series:
#1 Almost a Scandal and #5 A Scandal to Remember
#3 Scandal in the Night
#2 A Breath of Scandal
#4 After the Scandal
Just wonderful, a book I'd gladly have on a desert island. Grade: A.
I've been pushing myself this month to read as many new-to-me authors for Ripped Bodice Bingo as I can which has been fun, but it can also get a little jarring to open up novel after novel without really knowing what to expect. Can you tell I'm the type of person who eats the same breakfast cereal day in and day out? Reading A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER, by an author I know & love, was supremely comforting. It was absolutely lovely to slip back into Elizabeth Essex's world of Naval lieutenants, nautical adventure, and high seas romance.
A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER features hero Charles Dance - last seen 12 years ago in Almost a Scandal - acting as First Lieutenant aboard the Tenacious, a leaky vessel with a senselessly drunk captain, thieving pursuer, resentful bosun, and lazy, complaining crew. His unprepared and understaffed ship is tasked with going around South America so a group of scientists, including concologist heroine Jane Burke, may study the flora and fauna in the Pacific islands.
As always, Essex's characterization is wonderful: Dance's sense of duty and honor compel him to work himself to the bone to keep the ship afloat, which makes his interactions with Jane both a distraction and a relief. Despite her sheltered background, Jane is drawn to his occasional flirtatious challenge, perceptively sees his grumpiness as a result of overwork and, since she's used to doing the administrative work in her own family, throws herself into helping Dance shoulder the responsibilities. They're an efficient, practical pair who are both confronting new obstacles, he as the de facto captain and she as the solo woman onboard.
I love how Essex writes her heroines who have a passionate calling or interest beyond love and marriage. Lately, I've read a number of historical romances that state the heroine has a job or hobby, but few of them include scenes where the heroine is actually doing the thing she's supposed to work on or love. Like Loretta Chase's excellent Mr. Impossible, Essex writes scenes where Jane is actively engaging in her chosen occupation and the hero respects her scholarly competence, even though he doesn't share it. I think it's sexy when romance heroes love their heroines for their minds as well as their bodies.
In A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER, Essex includes tons of detail about the ship and it's systems and I couldn't get enough of it. The historical information gives the writing a layered, gritty depth while underscoring the danger of the voyage and the seemingly insurmountable challenge that Dance is facing. The ocean setting also brings out the best of Essex's atmospheric writing; you can feel the wind, rain, and terrifying waves of a storm as if you're living it yourself. Structurally, I didn't have any complaints about the plot or pacing and I thought both the internal and external conflict felt proportional to the events and characters.
With A SCANDAL TO REMEMBER, I've completed the entire "Reckless Brides" series and I'll admit, I'm a little sad that there aren't any more. Here's my ranking of the series:
#1 Almost a Scandal and #5 A Scandal to Remember
#3 Scandal in the Night
#2 A Breath of Scandal
#4 After the Scandal
Just wonderful, a book I'd gladly have on a desert island. Grade: A.
January 9, 2015
A Scandal to Remember was an adorable little read featuring a very sweet romance between a smitten, yet gruff hero and a not-so prim spinster.
Jane Burke has long stood in the shadow of her father's career. She's an accomplished scientist on her own, but her father has always taken the credit for her work. At twenty-six, Jane has had enough; she wants to be known for her own accomplishments. To achieve these career aspirations, Jane finds herself aboard the Tenacious as the lady scientist for an expedition. The other members of the team, and those who staff the ship, are not thrilled to have a woman aboard, but Jane will be damned if she'll let anything or anyone stand her in way.
Lieutenant Charles Dance is also a new arrival to the Tenacious and he's gotten more work than he bargained for. It was supposed to be an easy appointment, and it's turned into anything but. The captain is a reclusive drunk and the majority of the crew panders to the conniving bosun, Mr. Ransome. Dance doesn't have a problem taking Jane aboard, but he doesn't have time to deal with the distraction of this prim-and-proper spinster who has a fascination with shells. But it seems that Dance simply cannot help himself. A Scandal to Remember was a nice, quiet, sweet read. If you're going into this one expecting high-seas adventure, you might be disappointed. While adventure does happen, the bulk of this novel focuses on the budding relationship between Jane and Dance. What's great about this relationship is how attuned each were to one another as well as to themselves. There were multiple instances when the reader is treated to the internal thoughts and happenings of Dance and Jane, and it was clear that they knew themselves and in turn, recognized a bond with the other. Jane in particular was an interesting character. She had been complacent for most of her life, but joining this expedition was her way of breaking out of her shell. She wanted to be something more. She knew it would be a challenge for her, and she did it anyway. Having such self-assured main characters was an interesting change from the usual romances that I read, but it was a nice and contributed to a less muddled and less angst ridden narrative.
What I thought was particularly sweet about the romance was how quickly Dance was smitten with Jane. From the first, he liked and respected Jane. But what made it so sweet was the fact that Dance was a gruff, rough-around-the-edges kind of character. He swore all the time, but then he would think such adorably endearing things:
He had to do better. He had to be more equitable.
Because Jane Burke was counting on him. And she was still holding his hand. And he liked it (p. 193).
A hero that's empowered by holding someone's hand? Kinda sigh-worthy.
Arguably, the romance may have been a little over the top with the sweetness factor, but I honestly didn't find it a detriment. Sometimes you just need a really cute read and I found and appreciated that in A Scandal to Remember.
What I was somewhat disappointed about was the short span of time that Dance and Jane spent on a deserted island. The book blurb promised me a desert island and I wanted this element of adventure. While getting stranded certainly did happen, it didn't happen until after the half way mark, and it didn't really become a major part of the book, other than serve as a means to get the hero and heroine alone (if you know what I mean ;) ).
Ultimately, A Scandal to Remember is the perfect pick for readers who enjoy characters that are attuned to themselves. It's a lovely, sweet story of two characters thrust into roles that they would have not originally pursued and come out stronger because of it.
Review originally published at The Book Adventures.
Jane Burke has long stood in the shadow of her father's career. She's an accomplished scientist on her own, but her father has always taken the credit for her work. At twenty-six, Jane has had enough; she wants to be known for her own accomplishments. To achieve these career aspirations, Jane finds herself aboard the Tenacious as the lady scientist for an expedition. The other members of the team, and those who staff the ship, are not thrilled to have a woman aboard, but Jane will be damned if she'll let anything or anyone stand her in way.
Lieutenant Charles Dance is also a new arrival to the Tenacious and he's gotten more work than he bargained for. It was supposed to be an easy appointment, and it's turned into anything but. The captain is a reclusive drunk and the majority of the crew panders to the conniving bosun, Mr. Ransome. Dance doesn't have a problem taking Jane aboard, but he doesn't have time to deal with the distraction of this prim-and-proper spinster who has a fascination with shells. But it seems that Dance simply cannot help himself. A Scandal to Remember was a nice, quiet, sweet read. If you're going into this one expecting high-seas adventure, you might be disappointed. While adventure does happen, the bulk of this novel focuses on the budding relationship between Jane and Dance. What's great about this relationship is how attuned each were to one another as well as to themselves. There were multiple instances when the reader is treated to the internal thoughts and happenings of Dance and Jane, and it was clear that they knew themselves and in turn, recognized a bond with the other. Jane in particular was an interesting character. She had been complacent for most of her life, but joining this expedition was her way of breaking out of her shell. She wanted to be something more. She knew it would be a challenge for her, and she did it anyway. Having such self-assured main characters was an interesting change from the usual romances that I read, but it was a nice and contributed to a less muddled and less angst ridden narrative.
What I thought was particularly sweet about the romance was how quickly Dance was smitten with Jane. From the first, he liked and respected Jane. But what made it so sweet was the fact that Dance was a gruff, rough-around-the-edges kind of character. He swore all the time, but then he would think such adorably endearing things:
He had to do better. He had to be more equitable.
Because Jane Burke was counting on him. And she was still holding his hand. And he liked it (p. 193).
A hero that's empowered by holding someone's hand? Kinda sigh-worthy.
Arguably, the romance may have been a little over the top with the sweetness factor, but I honestly didn't find it a detriment. Sometimes you just need a really cute read and I found and appreciated that in A Scandal to Remember.
What I was somewhat disappointed about was the short span of time that Dance and Jane spent on a deserted island. The book blurb promised me a desert island and I wanted this element of adventure. While getting stranded certainly did happen, it didn't happen until after the half way mark, and it didn't really become a major part of the book, other than serve as a means to get the hero and heroine alone (if you know what I mean ;) ).
Ultimately, A Scandal to Remember is the perfect pick for readers who enjoy characters that are attuned to themselves. It's a lovely, sweet story of two characters thrust into roles that they would have not originally pursued and come out stronger because of it.
Review originally published at The Book Adventures.
January 2, 2016
I really, really loved the first book in this series, Almost a Scandal, and then the next one or two were only 'meh', so I took a break from Elizabeth Essex. I'm glad to reconnect with her nautical historical romances, because I'm a sucker for tall ships, and this book was lovely.
In the peace following the Napoleonic Wars, much of the British Navy has become redundant, including Lt. Charles Dance. He's relieved when an old shipmate pulls strings to get him assigned to the Tenacious, a ship with orders to take a group of naturalists to the South Pacific on a scientific expedition. Yet as soon as Dance comes aboard, he finds the Tenacious in sorry shape. The Captain is a drunkard who won't leave his cabin, the bosun is an untrustworthy bully, the purser deserts with the ship's accounts before they even set sail, the crew is lazy and untrained, and the ship itself is so badly maintained as to be barely seaworthy. And then the scientists show up, and one of them is a woman. Although Dance is attracted to Jane from the start, she is yet one more complication he doesn't need on this ill-fated voyage. Most of the crew is too superstitious to tolerate a woman's presence on board, and as things go wrong -- and there is a lot that goes wrong -- the crew's resentment focuses on Jane. When Dance acts as her defender, and without able leadership from the captain, the crew mutinies against Dance, who has all the responsibility of the voyage with none of the authority.
Shipboard romances make up their own subsection of the romance genre, but this isn't the swashbuckler-themed wallpaper historical you may be expecting. Elizabeth Essex is a nautical historian by academic training, so she knows her stuff, and the difference is obvious and so satisfying: you get a real sense of the adventures and tensions and indignities and excitement of life at sea, not only technical details about sailing, but also the "office politics" of negotiating the relationships among men (and one woman) living in very, very close quarters.
The romance between Jane and Dance was satisfying if a little slow-burning for my tastes, and there's plenty of intrigue and adventure to hold the interest of even the most jaded reader.
In the peace following the Napoleonic Wars, much of the British Navy has become redundant, including Lt. Charles Dance. He's relieved when an old shipmate pulls strings to get him assigned to the Tenacious, a ship with orders to take a group of naturalists to the South Pacific on a scientific expedition. Yet as soon as Dance comes aboard, he finds the Tenacious in sorry shape. The Captain is a drunkard who won't leave his cabin, the bosun is an untrustworthy bully, the purser deserts with the ship's accounts before they even set sail, the crew is lazy and untrained, and the ship itself is so badly maintained as to be barely seaworthy. And then the scientists show up, and one of them is a woman. Although Dance is attracted to Jane from the start, she is yet one more complication he doesn't need on this ill-fated voyage. Most of the crew is too superstitious to tolerate a woman's presence on board, and as things go wrong -- and there is a lot that goes wrong -- the crew's resentment focuses on Jane. When Dance acts as her defender, and without able leadership from the captain, the crew mutinies against Dance, who has all the responsibility of the voyage with none of the authority.
Shipboard romances make up their own subsection of the romance genre, but this isn't the swashbuckler-themed wallpaper historical you may be expecting. Elizabeth Essex is a nautical historian by academic training, so she knows her stuff, and the difference is obvious and so satisfying: you get a real sense of the adventures and tensions and indignities and excitement of life at sea, not only technical details about sailing, but also the "office politics" of negotiating the relationships among men (and one woman) living in very, very close quarters.
The romance between Jane and Dance was satisfying if a little slow-burning for my tastes, and there's plenty of intrigue and adventure to hold the interest of even the most jaded reader.
October 23, 2016
this book made me remember all the reasons i fell in love with the first book in this series and thus decided to continue reading all the sequels. none of the intervening books had the charm and magic of the first one and i almost stopped reading on but i'm so glad i stuck to them because otherwise i would've never discovered this book - this perfect, beautiful, exquisite book that i'm sure i'll remember for years to come.
August 25, 2014
I really wanted to like the book, but it is so slow. The characters and story line sounded great, but, at least to me, the book didn't deliver.
October 6, 2015
Poor Dance.
Now that I got that out of the way, the book was a little slow. The villain was a bit cartoonish. The insta-attraction of the guy towards the girl was a bit ridiculous.
Now that I got that out of the way, the book was a little slow. The villain was a bit cartoonish. The insta-attraction of the guy towards the girl was a bit ridiculous.
February 20, 2022
If I have to read the phrase “pocket sized” one more time I’m going to demand compensation from the author. That and “buttoned up,” but “pocket sized” is particularly obnoxious. Even typing it, after it was sprinkled so generously throughout this book, is filling me with irrational rage. Oh, and five times - yes, five, at least in the first half, I DNF the rest - the hero thinks of her blushing as jam smeared on her cheeks. How is that supposed to be a nice image? What is she, a grubby toddler? Come to think of it, I hate the jam simile worse than “pocket sized.” Gross.
Anyway. The premise was unique and interesting and the writing was fairly good. When it comes to romance heroes on the high seas there are a lot of pirates, and a lot of captains, and a lot of pirate captains, so I was specifically searching for one involving an officer. The first couple chapters were promising, and I warmed right away to his personality and liked that he’s not titled or wealthy - but my hopes were dashed as he sinks into little more than an uninspired, forgettable patchwork of standard romance hero traits. In addition, I disliked how he viewed the heroine - she’s sooo tiny and sooo innocent and her eyes are sooo wide! Aww, look at her stand up to rude men! It’s like he thought of her as a kitten rather than an intelligent and accomplished adult.
I did like the heroine. I liked how she dealt with being second-guessed by all the men around her - she wasn’t feisty and fearless and too cool to care, she was hurt by it and nervous and often had to remind herself of her qualifications and self-worth. But she was also determined to succeed regardless of the obstacles. I find that a lot more interesting than a heroine who’s so gutsy and sassy she never doubts herself and is unaffected by mistreatment from others.
Together, the pair are hit or miss. The chemistry during their first meeting promptly disappears afterward, never to be seen again. Their dialogue often feels unnatural and there’s no compelling or believable reason for them to be interested in each other aside from forced proximity aboard the ship and basic physical attraction. The author doesn’t quite hit the mark in creating an atmospheric sense of dread and impending violence aboard the ship. The sinking scene was quite tense, but this guttered out almost immediately and I completely lost interest. DNF.
Anyway. The premise was unique and interesting and the writing was fairly good. When it comes to romance heroes on the high seas there are a lot of pirates, and a lot of captains, and a lot of pirate captains, so I was specifically searching for one involving an officer. The first couple chapters were promising, and I warmed right away to his personality and liked that he’s not titled or wealthy - but my hopes were dashed as he sinks into little more than an uninspired, forgettable patchwork of standard romance hero traits. In addition, I disliked how he viewed the heroine - she’s sooo tiny and sooo innocent and her eyes are sooo wide! Aww, look at her stand up to rude men! It’s like he thought of her as a kitten rather than an intelligent and accomplished adult.
I did like the heroine. I liked how she dealt with being second-guessed by all the men around her - she wasn’t feisty and fearless and too cool to care, she was hurt by it and nervous and often had to remind herself of her qualifications and self-worth. But she was also determined to succeed regardless of the obstacles. I find that a lot more interesting than a heroine who’s so gutsy and sassy she never doubts herself and is unaffected by mistreatment from others.
Together, the pair are hit or miss. The chemistry during their first meeting promptly disappears afterward, never to be seen again. Their dialogue often feels unnatural and there’s no compelling or believable reason for them to be interested in each other aside from forced proximity aboard the ship and basic physical attraction. The author doesn’t quite hit the mark in creating an atmospheric sense of dread and impending violence aboard the ship. The sinking scene was quite tense, but this guttered out almost immediately and I completely lost interest. DNF.
September 7, 2023
I absolutely love love Elizabeth Essex and her writings! My favourite would of hers would be A Danger of Desire and I’ve also read Almost A Scandal which both have my favourite tropes ; pickpocket heroine and heroine disguised as a male. I pick up A Scandal To Remember after reading the blurb which I find so fascinating, considering that the MMC is a navy captain and FMC is a scientist. A combination that is quite unheard of in a HR setting. Boy, I’m glad I give it a shot!
First off, I love love that Lieutenant Charles Dance is not your typical rogue / rake of a male character with a womanising past. I hate OW trope in a romance novel so it’s nice to read one without mentions of past mistresses / former flings / lovers. As a navy captain who has been sailing for half of his life, he has not been accustomed to women’s presence as much so it’s understandable that he would develop feelings for Jane upon their first encounter. I also appreciate that the romance between him and Miss Jane Eliza Burke or J. E. Burke is not insta-lust but rather a slow-burn one. They have a mutual attraction to one another from the start but they don’t succumb to the temptation easily. The romance buildup is slow and steady but the sexual tension between them is definitely palpable.
I adore the characterisation of both Dance and Jane. Dance, although he always wears a perpetual scowl on his face, softens up every time he’s in near vicinity with Jane. Jane, on the other hand, is a klutzy and clumsy little scientist who always goes out of her way to prove her worth, despite being looked down upon as a woman. Her inquisitive and intelligent nature have certainly won Dance’s heart as he has not met a woman with such attributes like her. He admires her perseverance and determination in paving her way towards becoming an established member of Royal Society. He gives up his own cabin for Jane to sleep in as there is a lack of space on the ship so he sleeps on a couch instead for most nights. He even goes as far as employing his shipmen to scrape barnacles of his ship Tenacious’s hull for Jane to keep in her glass for experiments. Jane, a sweetheart she is, helps shifts the shipmen onto different cabins and cleans up an unused wardroom for Dance to sleep in as she has been guilt-ridden with the fact that he has to sleep on a chair. I also love that moment where she tends to Mr. Honeyman’s injuries after being caned for stealing (he did not do this however) one of Jane’s drawings.
Their relationships had taken a different route when Tenacious was slowly sinking and Jane was trapped and locked in her cabin. Dance went to rescue her which resulted in them being left by themselves on a spare boat, sailing farther into the ocean. They eventually found an island to settle in for over a month while looking out for a ship to rescue them. This is the most beautiful moment in the story where their unabashed desire for each other has finally resulted in their consummation, and thus absolving any doubts of their feelings for one another. Beautiful beautiful love story, one of the best I’ve read yet. Definitely a DIK for me!
First off, I love love that Lieutenant Charles Dance is not your typical rogue / rake of a male character with a womanising past. I hate OW trope in a romance novel so it’s nice to read one without mentions of past mistresses / former flings / lovers. As a navy captain who has been sailing for half of his life, he has not been accustomed to women’s presence as much so it’s understandable that he would develop feelings for Jane upon their first encounter. I also appreciate that the romance between him and Miss Jane Eliza Burke or J. E. Burke is not insta-lust but rather a slow-burn one. They have a mutual attraction to one another from the start but they don’t succumb to the temptation easily. The romance buildup is slow and steady but the sexual tension between them is definitely palpable.
I adore the characterisation of both Dance and Jane. Dance, although he always wears a perpetual scowl on his face, softens up every time he’s in near vicinity with Jane. Jane, on the other hand, is a klutzy and clumsy little scientist who always goes out of her way to prove her worth, despite being looked down upon as a woman. Her inquisitive and intelligent nature have certainly won Dance’s heart as he has not met a woman with such attributes like her. He admires her perseverance and determination in paving her way towards becoming an established member of Royal Society. He gives up his own cabin for Jane to sleep in as there is a lack of space on the ship so he sleeps on a couch instead for most nights. He even goes as far as employing his shipmen to scrape barnacles of his ship Tenacious’s hull for Jane to keep in her glass for experiments. Jane, a sweetheart she is, helps shifts the shipmen onto different cabins and cleans up an unused wardroom for Dance to sleep in as she has been guilt-ridden with the fact that he has to sleep on a chair. I also love that moment where she tends to Mr. Honeyman’s injuries after being caned for stealing (he did not do this however) one of Jane’s drawings.
Their relationships had taken a different route when Tenacious was slowly sinking and Jane was trapped and locked in her cabin. Dance went to rescue her which resulted in them being left by themselves on a spare boat, sailing farther into the ocean. They eventually found an island to settle in for over a month while looking out for a ship to rescue them. This is the most beautiful moment in the story where their unabashed desire for each other has finally resulted in their consummation, and thus absolving any doubts of their feelings for one another. Beautiful beautiful love story, one of the best I’ve read yet. Definitely a DIK for me!
March 25, 2020
This was a fine enough conclusion to the Reckless Brides series. I liked it better than the previous two installments, but it didn't quite have the same impact on my memory as the first two. I will tip my hat, in general, to Elizabeth Essex and this series for bringing a different POV to Regency romance. The naval focus seemed to be well-researched, and made for different settings throughout the series.
It also allowed for a series of heroes who had things going on beyond "my parents didn't love me enough so I don't know how to love anyone else," which, if you're a frequent romance reader, you'll know is the too-frequent go-to for angsty men in these stories. By contrast, this series based its barriers-to-relationships more on the inherent danger in the chosen professions and activities that the characters genuinely enjoy, so the romance always required finding a balance in priorities and/or a partner that could and would meet them on that same level. They had more of a suspenseful underlying tension than a purely emotional one. I don't always go for romantic suspense in general (and to be fair, at least one of these books veered into the ridiculous for me) but I think it served these books well.
It also allowed for a series of heroes who had things going on beyond "my parents didn't love me enough so I don't know how to love anyone else," which, if you're a frequent romance reader, you'll know is the too-frequent go-to for angsty men in these stories. By contrast, this series based its barriers-to-relationships more on the inherent danger in the chosen professions and activities that the characters genuinely enjoy, so the romance always required finding a balance in priorities and/or a partner that could and would meet them on that same level. They had more of a suspenseful underlying tension than a purely emotional one. I don't always go for romantic suspense in general (and to be fair, at least one of these books veered into the ridiculous for me) but I think it served these books well.
May 15, 2019
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Now THIS is an adventure to remember! Exciting and thick with everything you could think of that could go wrong on a sea voyage, the action is non-stop. Jane is a marine biologist (a conchologist to be exact) who seems unassuming because of her gender and petite stature, but in actuality is smart as a whip, sharp-eyed as an eagle, and a pro at arranging circumstances around her 'just-so', is simply a force to be reckoned with. And she gets under Lt. Dance's skin in the most delicious way possible. However, Dance struggles to ignore his roaring attraction to her while being crushed under the weight of a lazy, resentful crew; a ship falling apart at the seams; empty coffers; and a captain who refuses to take command. Dance is exhausted and worried over the safety of them all, and then the storm comes...
My only gripe (and it's a small one) is the rushed ending. I wasn't entirely happy with they way things played out, feeling that my bloodthirsty tendencies were ignored. Still, I was more than satisfied with Jane and Dance's romance. I don't think I've read a book by Essex, so this was a thrilling introduction to her style. I'll have to search out more by her. 4.5 stars.
Now THIS is an adventure to remember! Exciting and thick with everything you could think of that could go wrong on a sea voyage, the action is non-stop. Jane is a marine biologist (a conchologist to be exact) who seems unassuming because of her gender and petite stature, but in actuality is smart as a whip, sharp-eyed as an eagle, and a pro at arranging circumstances around her 'just-so', is simply a force to be reckoned with. And she gets under Lt. Dance's skin in the most delicious way possible. However, Dance struggles to ignore his roaring attraction to her while being crushed under the weight of a lazy, resentful crew; a ship falling apart at the seams; empty coffers; and a captain who refuses to take command. Dance is exhausted and worried over the safety of them all, and then the storm comes...
My only gripe (and it's a small one) is the rushed ending. I wasn't entirely happy with they way things played out, feeling that my bloodthirsty tendencies were ignored. Still, I was more than satisfied with Jane and Dance's romance. I don't think I've read a book by Essex, so this was a thrilling introduction to her style. I'll have to search out more by her. 4.5 stars.
December 7, 2021
3.85 Stars - Language was a bit too florid to reach or exceed 4 Stars. There was something a little too pat and trite about villain. The H & h were endearing and that’s what made it an enjoyable read for me.
February 28, 2018
If you're looking for a book about a really steamy shipwreck, it's this one.
August 17, 2018
She’s a conchologist! She’s delighted to be on a deserted island! Another great heroine who needs no help from her hero.
February 8, 2019
Take-no-shit scientist heroine! Extremely competent secret-softy atheist hero!
February 14, 2021
I devoured this book like a box of chocolates! Yes, corny but true. With exquisite writing, this book is truly a gem.
September 29, 2014
It might be too soon for me to declare this, but I think I love shipboard romances. I know I love a woman stealing away on a ship disguised as a boy, and I recently read a fun book with a woman pirate captain, and now this one with a female scientist — a conchologist — going on a research expedition. All good!
Jane’s father is a famous conchologist (studier of shells, mollusks, barnacles, and the like), but what the world doesn’t know is that Jane does all the work for him. She draws and colors the illustrations, writes the studies, obtains research equipment, and corresponds with scientific peers. Her father is too proud to give her recognition, and too ashamed to let her go on an extended expedition with him because she’ll demonstrate her superior skills. Jane is fed up with his nonsense. She hops in her little sailboat, which she has packed just so with all of her supplies, and sails away to meet the naval ship that has been tasked with transportation.
Lieutenant Charles Dance has just accepted what he believes is a simple post. Since the end of the war, so many naval officers have sat around useless, so he is grateful for any job. But the Tenacious is not what he had in mind. The captain is a drunk who refuses to come out of his cabin, the ship is in such a state of disrepair that it would be suicide to sail, and the men onboard are lazy and belligerent. After much work on his part, the ship is finally ready to sail. And then a wide-eyed, buttoned-up spinster sails up and claims to be a member of the expedition.
You guys, Jane is awesome. No one wants her onboard, but with no objection from Lieutenant Dance, and a vague acceptance from one other member of the research team, she manages it anyway. Then she uses her scientific eye to study the ship, the barnacles on her hull, and the handsome, stern Lieutenant. “He was strange — handsome and off-putting all at the same time, like a spiny combed murex. Beautiful and dangerous and very, very interesting. And she wanted to catalogue his secrets.” Jane is forever observing and trying to arrange things and people to suit her better.
Dance is equally awesome. He has to run the ship without looking mutinous towards the absent captain, and it’s not easy with all the grumbling men. He maintains strict outward professionalism, which contrasts mightily with his interior thoughts full of cursing and anger. His dedication to his job, his downright refusal to crack under pressure, is astonishing. Jane is the only person to realize how hard he works and worry about his well-being, but he can’t do anything about it because he has a bloody ship to run! Here’s what he thinks of her at one point: “She would… deny him the pleasure of thinking ill of her, the efficient, unfairly intelligent little bluestocking. Damn her for being so accommodating.”
Their dialogue is, yes, awesome. They begin with a battle of wills over who can shock the other more. Then, Jane continues to approach Dance because he’s her closest thing to an ally. She tells him, “If you are not careful I might discover that there is an actual charming gentleman hiding beneath your impressive naval scowl.”
Later, when he reminds her of something she once said, Jane says, “It is ungentlemanly of you to remember that.” “It is not,” Dance responds. “It is charming.” Theirs is a buttoned-up attraction, until it ignites. They only kiss at first, but it’s tangled with different emotions and it was so rewarding to see them lean on each other for comfort.
I should mention the plot. It’s exciting! There are deserters, bad guys, storms, troubles, and more troubles. I couldn’t put it down. I had my eye on the percentage mark, willing it to stop changing because I wanted the last third to go on and on. The part where Jane is in her element and totally competent is a nice contrast to the shipboard scenes where Dance is in total control, and it gives him a chance to be torn between his affection for Jane and his need to take charge. I wanted to see more of them as a couple, but the action kept interfering.
This book is the fifth in a series but a perfect standalone. It takes place onboard a ship, or at a distant port of call, so there are no run-ins with previous characters, although a few are mentioned in passing. That being said, I think the other books are also shipboard romances, and one of them is a woman disguised as a man, so you can bet I’ll be digging into that one.
Rating: A-
This review originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2014/08/review...
Jane’s father is a famous conchologist (studier of shells, mollusks, barnacles, and the like), but what the world doesn’t know is that Jane does all the work for him. She draws and colors the illustrations, writes the studies, obtains research equipment, and corresponds with scientific peers. Her father is too proud to give her recognition, and too ashamed to let her go on an extended expedition with him because she’ll demonstrate her superior skills. Jane is fed up with his nonsense. She hops in her little sailboat, which she has packed just so with all of her supplies, and sails away to meet the naval ship that has been tasked with transportation.
Lieutenant Charles Dance has just accepted what he believes is a simple post. Since the end of the war, so many naval officers have sat around useless, so he is grateful for any job. But the Tenacious is not what he had in mind. The captain is a drunk who refuses to come out of his cabin, the ship is in such a state of disrepair that it would be suicide to sail, and the men onboard are lazy and belligerent. After much work on his part, the ship is finally ready to sail. And then a wide-eyed, buttoned-up spinster sails up and claims to be a member of the expedition.
You guys, Jane is awesome. No one wants her onboard, but with no objection from Lieutenant Dance, and a vague acceptance from one other member of the research team, she manages it anyway. Then she uses her scientific eye to study the ship, the barnacles on her hull, and the handsome, stern Lieutenant. “He was strange — handsome and off-putting all at the same time, like a spiny combed murex. Beautiful and dangerous and very, very interesting. And she wanted to catalogue his secrets.” Jane is forever observing and trying to arrange things and people to suit her better.
Dance is equally awesome. He has to run the ship without looking mutinous towards the absent captain, and it’s not easy with all the grumbling men. He maintains strict outward professionalism, which contrasts mightily with his interior thoughts full of cursing and anger. His dedication to his job, his downright refusal to crack under pressure, is astonishing. Jane is the only person to realize how hard he works and worry about his well-being, but he can’t do anything about it because he has a bloody ship to run! Here’s what he thinks of her at one point: “She would… deny him the pleasure of thinking ill of her, the efficient, unfairly intelligent little bluestocking. Damn her for being so accommodating.”
Their dialogue is, yes, awesome. They begin with a battle of wills over who can shock the other more. Then, Jane continues to approach Dance because he’s her closest thing to an ally. She tells him, “If you are not careful I might discover that there is an actual charming gentleman hiding beneath your impressive naval scowl.”
Later, when he reminds her of something she once said, Jane says, “It is ungentlemanly of you to remember that.” “It is not,” Dance responds. “It is charming.” Theirs is a buttoned-up attraction, until it ignites. They only kiss at first, but it’s tangled with different emotions and it was so rewarding to see them lean on each other for comfort.
I should mention the plot. It’s exciting! There are deserters, bad guys, storms, troubles, and more troubles. I couldn’t put it down. I had my eye on the percentage mark, willing it to stop changing because I wanted the last third to go on and on. The part where Jane is in her element and totally competent is a nice contrast to the shipboard scenes where Dance is in total control, and it gives him a chance to be torn between his affection for Jane and his need to take charge. I wanted to see more of them as a couple, but the action kept interfering.
This book is the fifth in a series but a perfect standalone. It takes place onboard a ship, or at a distant port of call, so there are no run-ins with previous characters, although a few are mentioned in passing. That being said, I think the other books are also shipboard romances, and one of them is a woman disguised as a man, so you can bet I’ll be digging into that one.
Rating: A-
This review originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2014/08/review...
April 26, 2016
Another excellent entry in this series! I felt like this was closer in tone and setting to the first book, Almost a Scandal, since we spend 95% of the story onboard a ship and the heroine is once again facing a hostile environment. I really love learning about how a ship of this time period functions, how people navigated, and it's always nice to have a historical set outside the ballroom! I think this is the first one I've read that takes us to South America and the islands of the Pacific.
I'm always a sucker for a scientific heroine and it was a treat to see Jane get excited over barnacles and all kinds of crustacean creatures. (and yes Jane, they are now properly classified as crustaceans and not mollusks!). After being brave enough to break out of her father's shadow and needing to claim credit for her work, it was good to see that Jane was also organized enough to have thought of nearly everything, and nice to see her pride an humor in "arranging things just so." And it was even better that she didn't wilt under pressure and continued rescuing herself and arranging things right until the very end of the book.
It's always good when a scientific heroine has a hero on her side, but Lt. Charles Dance certainly didn't start out as a big fan of Jane Burke! She was an upset to the order of the ship and just one more thing that would fall under his responsibility. His "easy posting" has turned out to be nothing of the sort, with a drunken captain, a disloyal crew on the verge of mutiny, and a ship that's barely staying afloat in the harbor, much less in the rough southern seas. Dance sees this all as his duty and a matter of personal honor. He takes everything on to his shoulders, something that only Jane is able to truly see. Luckily he's not a total idiot and does unbend enough to accept her help, though he is totally out of his element on land and struggles to reclaim his purpose.
The ending did seem a little rushed, and not quite what I was expecting, though really I was hoping for it to never end!
I'm always a sucker for a scientific heroine and it was a treat to see Jane get excited over barnacles and all kinds of crustacean creatures. (and yes Jane, they are now properly classified as crustaceans and not mollusks!). After being brave enough to break out of her father's shadow and needing to claim credit for her work, it was good to see that Jane was also organized enough to have thought of nearly everything, and nice to see her pride an humor in "arranging things just so." And it was even better that she didn't wilt under pressure and continued rescuing herself and arranging things right until the very end of the book.
It's always good when a scientific heroine has a hero on her side, but Lt. Charles Dance certainly didn't start out as a big fan of Jane Burke! She was an upset to the order of the ship and just one more thing that would fall under his responsibility. His "easy posting" has turned out to be nothing of the sort, with a drunken captain, a disloyal crew on the verge of mutiny, and a ship that's barely staying afloat in the harbor, much less in the rough southern seas. Dance sees this all as his duty and a matter of personal honor. He takes everything on to his shoulders, something that only Jane is able to truly see. Luckily he's not a total idiot and does unbend enough to accept her help, though he is totally out of his element on land and struggles to reclaim his purpose.
The ending did seem a little rushed, and not quite what I was expecting, though really I was hoping for it to never end!
October 30, 2014
A Scandal to Remember
By: Elizabeth Essex Historical Romance
St Martin’s Press. Pages. 375 September 2014
Copy Courtesy of Goodreads First Read
Reviewed by: tk
Scandal is a light description of this story…Absolutely scandalous and brilliant would be more accurate.
J.E. Burke is on a journey of a lifetime. An educated Chonchologist along with a group of others from the Royal Philosophical Society are going on an expedition to the south seas aboard the ship HMS Tenacious. A story of action, and suspense amid a ship with a crew of very few men to perform the required duties to keep it afloat. A captain that never leaves his cabin. A woman on board with an all man crew, and unattended can only spell trouble.
Lieutenant Charles Dance is assigned to the HMS Tenacious. He is knowledgeable, brave, courageous, and extremely handsome. Jane Elizabeth Burke is extremely beautiful, head strong, and has a bitter sweet disposition. Lt. Dance will maintain order on the ship, barely, while trying to keep Jane’s status as a fellow scientist, and just another member of the team intact.
A wonderful mix of what society in England 1814 thinks is acceptable behavior of a woman, and how a head strong woman feels should be acceptable. Jane is all about the science. The crew is beside themselves with superstition and wonder. It is all carried on the shoulders of Lt. Dance. His focus is on survival of the ship, and all that are aboard.
An absolute pleasure to read. I must say my jaw dropped on a couple of occasions at the antics of Jane and Dance. The characters were so realistic that you felt like a member of the crew. The incredible tragic events that take place will have your heartbeat increasing, and all you can do for them…is keep turning the pages. You’re a helpless reader after all. A have to have addition to your library. Highly recommended. 4/5
By: Elizabeth Essex Historical Romance
St Martin’s Press. Pages. 375 September 2014
Copy Courtesy of Goodreads First Read
Reviewed by: tk
Scandal is a light description of this story…Absolutely scandalous and brilliant would be more accurate.
J.E. Burke is on a journey of a lifetime. An educated Chonchologist along with a group of others from the Royal Philosophical Society are going on an expedition to the south seas aboard the ship HMS Tenacious. A story of action, and suspense amid a ship with a crew of very few men to perform the required duties to keep it afloat. A captain that never leaves his cabin. A woman on board with an all man crew, and unattended can only spell trouble.
Lieutenant Charles Dance is assigned to the HMS Tenacious. He is knowledgeable, brave, courageous, and extremely handsome. Jane Elizabeth Burke is extremely beautiful, head strong, and has a bitter sweet disposition. Lt. Dance will maintain order on the ship, barely, while trying to keep Jane’s status as a fellow scientist, and just another member of the team intact.
A wonderful mix of what society in England 1814 thinks is acceptable behavior of a woman, and how a head strong woman feels should be acceptable. Jane is all about the science. The crew is beside themselves with superstition and wonder. It is all carried on the shoulders of Lt. Dance. His focus is on survival of the ship, and all that are aboard.
An absolute pleasure to read. I must say my jaw dropped on a couple of occasions at the antics of Jane and Dance. The characters were so realistic that you felt like a member of the crew. The incredible tragic events that take place will have your heartbeat increasing, and all you can do for them…is keep turning the pages. You’re a helpless reader after all. A have to have addition to your library. Highly recommended. 4/5
August 30, 2015
Originally reviewed for Buried Under Romance www.buriedunderromance.com
A Scandal to Remember by Elizabeth Essex is a delightful adventure on the high seas that will be released on August 26, 2014. It is interesting, fast paced and compelling. A great read for a summer vacation! I'm giving it four and 1/2 stars.
Serious and determined Lieutenant Charles Dance finds himself assigned as the second officer on a two-year scientific expedition to the South Seas by the prestigious Royal Society. When he arrives at his ship, the Royal Navy Frigate Tenacious, he finds the captain drunk, the crew lazy, and the aging vessel in complete disrepair. To make matters worse, when the passengers arrive, respected conchologist J. E. Burke turns out to be a woman, which according to the lore of the sea, spells disaster.
Educated, organized and intelligent Jane Burke is a wonderful heroine. Granddaughter of Lord Thomas Burke, she is determined to leave the expectations of London society behind her and make a name for herself as respected scientist. Not all goes smoothly for her on the voyage, however, as the crew resents her presence, and she, herself, is surprised to find herself attracted to the sexy Lieutenant Dance.
As I was reading A Scandal to Remember, I was thinking that it would be five stars, but then I came to the flaw in this otherwise very well written novel. Without giving away too much, a major event occurs towards the end of the novel. While still fun to read, I found the story immediately following this event to be very cliche. The ending, however, reverted to the previously well written style and was very satisfying. I highly recommend it to everyone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A Scandal to Remember by Elizabeth Essex is a delightful adventure on the high seas that will be released on August 26, 2014. It is interesting, fast paced and compelling. A great read for a summer vacation! I'm giving it four and 1/2 stars.
Serious and determined Lieutenant Charles Dance finds himself assigned as the second officer on a two-year scientific expedition to the South Seas by the prestigious Royal Society. When he arrives at his ship, the Royal Navy Frigate Tenacious, he finds the captain drunk, the crew lazy, and the aging vessel in complete disrepair. To make matters worse, when the passengers arrive, respected conchologist J. E. Burke turns out to be a woman, which according to the lore of the sea, spells disaster.
Educated, organized and intelligent Jane Burke is a wonderful heroine. Granddaughter of Lord Thomas Burke, she is determined to leave the expectations of London society behind her and make a name for herself as respected scientist. Not all goes smoothly for her on the voyage, however, as the crew resents her presence, and she, herself, is surprised to find herself attracted to the sexy Lieutenant Dance.
As I was reading A Scandal to Remember, I was thinking that it would be five stars, but then I came to the flaw in this otherwise very well written novel. Without giving away too much, a major event occurs towards the end of the novel. While still fun to read, I found the story immediately following this event to be very cliche. The ending, however, reverted to the previously well written style and was very satisfying. I highly recommend it to everyone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 12, 2014
4 STARS!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For too long, Miss Jane Burke’s father has taken advantage of her painstaking research. Heading to the South Seas to make her own name as a scientist despite the crew’s insistence that a woman aboard is bad luck, she isn't prepared to be championed by a handsome ship’s officer who rouses longings inside her as wild as any storm…
For Lieutenant Charles Dance, a post on His Majesty’s survey ship Tenacious is just one more dutiful rung on the ladder of his career. Even a headstrong bluestocking on board is less troubling than the ship’s drunken captain—and the ferocious gales that drive the ship off course. Stranded on a remote island, passion blazes between them as hot as the sun, but it’s Jane’s love Charles wants forever…
MY REVIEW:
Falling in love on the sea is challenging. Falling in love when you’re pretending is next to impossible, but Ms. Essex makes it happen!
Our heroine, Jane, deceives her way aboard a ship where everyone is already suspicious of things that have happened. Toss in the Captain dying an untimely death, and that death being covered up, a new Captain taking over (who really isn’t a Captain), and the old wives tale of bad luck = women aboard a ship and what do you get? Action packed love story with a twist.
This read was engaging and full of suspense. The longing and conflict between the hero and heroine made the pages turn. It was a great read, and one many readers will eat up faster than any ship can move.
Review can be found on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Romantic Romp, and LibraryThing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For too long, Miss Jane Burke’s father has taken advantage of her painstaking research. Heading to the South Seas to make her own name as a scientist despite the crew’s insistence that a woman aboard is bad luck, she isn't prepared to be championed by a handsome ship’s officer who rouses longings inside her as wild as any storm…
For Lieutenant Charles Dance, a post on His Majesty’s survey ship Tenacious is just one more dutiful rung on the ladder of his career. Even a headstrong bluestocking on board is less troubling than the ship’s drunken captain—and the ferocious gales that drive the ship off course. Stranded on a remote island, passion blazes between them as hot as the sun, but it’s Jane’s love Charles wants forever…
MY REVIEW:
Falling in love on the sea is challenging. Falling in love when you’re pretending is next to impossible, but Ms. Essex makes it happen!
Our heroine, Jane, deceives her way aboard a ship where everyone is already suspicious of things that have happened. Toss in the Captain dying an untimely death, and that death being covered up, a new Captain taking over (who really isn’t a Captain), and the old wives tale of bad luck = women aboard a ship and what do you get? Action packed love story with a twist.
This read was engaging and full of suspense. The longing and conflict between the hero and heroine made the pages turn. It was a great read, and one many readers will eat up faster than any ship can move.
Review can be found on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Romantic Romp, and LibraryThing.
September 6, 2014
This is book 5 in the Reckless Brides series.
Taking on a voyage as the lieutenant with a drunken captain is hard enough without the added element of an unwanted female aboard. Charles Dance is dealing with a multitude of problems with his ship, when Jane Burke steps aboard stating she is a part of the expedition he is tasked to take to the South Seas. Making the members of the expedition decide whether Jane stays or not, he is surprised to see that she does.
Finally out from under the shadow of her father, Jane is excited to be on the expedition to prove her own worth. She never counted on being attracted to the man tasked with their safety. Between all the mishaps the ship goes through and being stranded on a deserted island, can Charles and Jane find their happily ever after?
I really enjoyed this story. I always like to see women in roles that were not common during this time period. Jane was a scientist and did what she had to do to get her name recognized in her field of study.
When Jane and Charles were shipwrecked on the island, I loved that Jane was the experience one. She was the one that knew how to make a shelter and found food and water for the two of them. Charles didn't think anything less of her for that. It actually made him fall for her even more!
I've not read the rest of the books in the series, but after reading this one I will definitely be going back and doing so.
Thanks go out to St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
Taking on a voyage as the lieutenant with a drunken captain is hard enough without the added element of an unwanted female aboard. Charles Dance is dealing with a multitude of problems with his ship, when Jane Burke steps aboard stating she is a part of the expedition he is tasked to take to the South Seas. Making the members of the expedition decide whether Jane stays or not, he is surprised to see that she does.
Finally out from under the shadow of her father, Jane is excited to be on the expedition to prove her own worth. She never counted on being attracted to the man tasked with their safety. Between all the mishaps the ship goes through and being stranded on a deserted island, can Charles and Jane find their happily ever after?
I really enjoyed this story. I always like to see women in roles that were not common during this time period. Jane was a scientist and did what she had to do to get her name recognized in her field of study.
When Jane and Charles were shipwrecked on the island, I loved that Jane was the experience one. She was the one that knew how to make a shelter and found food and water for the two of them. Charles didn't think anything less of her for that. It actually made him fall for her even more!
I've not read the rest of the books in the series, but after reading this one I will definitely be going back and doing so.
Thanks go out to St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
April 11, 2016
I should've been studying instead of reading this book.
All in all, a nice conclusion to a really good series (I've decided to ignore the catastrophe that was that 3rd book. This series now, in my mind, has only four books in overall. There. :D). I really enjoy Essex's writing, even though it took me a little while to get used to it (the first book was a really slow read). And after the first book I was worried that the author wouldn't be exactly for me (good story, but not really chemistry between the main characters), but Elizabeth quickly remedied it with the books and pairings that came after (ehm ehm, 3rd book, ehm).
Will and Preston (2nd book) will always be my favorite, but I really loved the pairings in the 4th and this book, too. One of the main reasons why I enjoyed this series (and Elizabeth's writing) is that the author's got this... talent for putting great lines in a "simple" romance book, which really transfer the genre. Preston's "I know he's not worth it. But I am" when she was defending herself is one of my favorite lines ever, and other books also have these beautiful snippets of reality Elizabeth gave them that made me love them.
Not sure whether I'll read the Dartmouth brides (seriously low rating even for me), but I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from this author (Highland brides definitely look interesting)
All in all, a nice conclusion to a really good series (I've decided to ignore the catastrophe that was that 3rd book. This series now, in my mind, has only four books in overall. There. :D). I really enjoy Essex's writing, even though it took me a little while to get used to it (the first book was a really slow read). And after the first book I was worried that the author wouldn't be exactly for me (good story, but not really chemistry between the main characters), but Elizabeth quickly remedied it with the books and pairings that came after (ehm ehm, 3rd book, ehm).
Will and Preston (2nd book) will always be my favorite, but I really loved the pairings in the 4th and this book, too. One of the main reasons why I enjoyed this series (and Elizabeth's writing) is that the author's got this... talent for putting great lines in a "simple" romance book, which really transfer the genre. Preston's "I know he's not worth it. But I am" when she was defending herself is one of my favorite lines ever, and other books also have these beautiful snippets of reality Elizabeth gave them that made me love them.
Not sure whether I'll read the Dartmouth brides (seriously low rating even for me), but I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from this author (Highland brides definitely look interesting)
September 27, 2014
Another great book in Elizabeth's Scandal series. I love her feisty heroines - conscious of the constraints of society, but determined to follow their own dreams and talents.
Charles Dance arrives at his new post to find a drunken captain, a rebellious crew, and an unfit ship. Things just get worse when the purser absconds with all the money and the scientific expedition he is meant to be taking to the Pacific turns out to include a woman.
It's downhill after that, and the tension keeps rising.
Charles was delightful. His delight in Jane's unconventionality rang true, and I enjoyed his unsuccessful fight against the inconvenient attraction he felt for her.
I did not find the villain nearly as convincing. His motivations were clear enough, and he was nicely nasty. But his willingness to put his own life at risk in the stormiest seas in the world? I didn't buy it. He was a sailor with 26 years experience, and I found his willingness to foment rebellion in the face of a storm unlikely. I also didn't believe his final fate (said she, with great care not to introduce a spoiler).
That said, it was an excellent read. I recommend it to all Elizabeth Essex fans, and to those with a taste for 19th century navy stories.
Charles Dance arrives at his new post to find a drunken captain, a rebellious crew, and an unfit ship. Things just get worse when the purser absconds with all the money and the scientific expedition he is meant to be taking to the Pacific turns out to include a woman.
It's downhill after that, and the tension keeps rising.
Charles was delightful. His delight in Jane's unconventionality rang true, and I enjoyed his unsuccessful fight against the inconvenient attraction he felt for her.
I did not find the villain nearly as convincing. His motivations were clear enough, and he was nicely nasty. But his willingness to put his own life at risk in the stormiest seas in the world? I didn't buy it. He was a sailor with 26 years experience, and I found his willingness to foment rebellion in the face of a storm unlikely. I also didn't believe his final fate (said she, with great care not to introduce a spoiler).
That said, it was an excellent read. I recommend it to all Elizabeth Essex fans, and to those with a taste for 19th century navy stories.
October 12, 2014
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads first-read giveaways.
The first half of this book moved very slowly. It took me a long time to get through it because I kept putting down the book then reading other books instead of going back to this one. The writing is very detailed which is normally a good thing but in this case the details did not create a wonderful backdrop for a story with interesting characters but took over and put all plot and character development to the backdrop. There was also very little romance in the first half.
The second half of the story, I really enjoyed. I feel like we finally got to see the main characters fully developed and the romance hit its stride. It's paced perfectly with the right amount of action mixed in with the right amount of romance and conflict. I'm glad I stuck with the book but if it hadn't been a first-reads book, I probably wouldn't have.
Overall I'd give the first half of the book two stars and the second four so I went with a three star rating overall.
The first half of this book moved very slowly. It took me a long time to get through it because I kept putting down the book then reading other books instead of going back to this one. The writing is very detailed which is normally a good thing but in this case the details did not create a wonderful backdrop for a story with interesting characters but took over and put all plot and character development to the backdrop. There was also very little romance in the first half.
The second half of the story, I really enjoyed. I feel like we finally got to see the main characters fully developed and the romance hit its stride. It's paced perfectly with the right amount of action mixed in with the right amount of romance and conflict. I'm glad I stuck with the book but if it hadn't been a first-reads book, I probably wouldn't have.
Overall I'd give the first half of the book two stars and the second four so I went with a three star rating overall.
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