Scandal's Daughter

by Carola Dunn

When her mother's death leaves her stranded in Turkey, where the local pasha decrees that she is to be his next mistress, Cordelia Courtenay seeks refuge with James Preston, a rugged Englishman whom Cordelia suspects is wanted for a terrible crime. Original.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Fiction, Historical, Regency Romance

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

About the author

Carola Dunn is the author of more than 30 Regency romances, as well as 16 mysteries (the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series is set in England in the 1920s). Ms. Dunn was born and grew up in England, where she got a B.A. in Russian and French from Manchester University. She travelled as far as Fiji before returning to settle in California. After 30 years in the US, she says she still sounds as if she arrived a month ago.

Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.

Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fleeing by boat from the Pasha in Istanbul, the Turkish navy catches them so they get dropped off on a Greek island. Once they get off the Island they join a caravan to go to the nearest port city and Turkish soldiers catch them. Then separatist attack during the night freeing them on accident. They find a village and then get attacked by bandits when they leave. Then the bandits get attacked by the Turkish soldiers and the commander lets them go free. Then they go over land to get out of Greece to a northern port city in the mountains in the winter. They finally make it to Italy where a jealous wife turns them into the french soldiers. They flee and get on a boat to a British fort on Sicily and make it onto a boat headed to Lisbon. They get attacked by corsairs and then subsequently rescued by Americans. They get to Gibraltar and then onto an English ship headed to England, when of course the ship runs aground in a storm in France. They meet up with some french smugglers and go along with a shipment to England.

When the corsairs attacked their ship, I really almost quit reading. I think half the adventure would have been enough.

[Amy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not exactly the typical drawing room version of the regency romance. This one is an adventure story with quite the scope of danger and exotic locations. It really was a fun read. The female main character was smart and determined. Set up to be a figure of pity, she quickly won my respect instead. The male main character was an interesting mix of a guy's guy and a diamond in the rough.
It would have been a 4 star rating but the ending made me cry so I know my emotional investment got pretty high with this one, bumping it up to a 5 for me.
Violence, make-out scenes but no sex, mild language.

[Meggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like a gothic romance than a traditional Regency romance.

Cordelia and James encounter innumberable difficulties in trying to travel from Istanbul to England, and after the nth time they avoided being robbed or assaulted or killed, I felt like there were a bit too many dangerous encounters here.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a travelogue

Remarkable characters, travels, and events from Istanbul to London, laced with corsairs, bandits, Janissaries, and difficulties. This was a sweeping, romantic and fascinating story of danger and close escapes. Cordelia and James are a wonderful couple of resourceful world survivors.

[ChristineZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spent pretty much the whole day reading this fun romp. It reminded me of a Rick Riordan hook - every chapter ends on a cliffhanger! Cute characters. Crazy adventures from Istanbul to London in 6 months.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, fun read. More over the top than I'd generally expect from Carola Dunn, but still enjoyable.

[Jaimey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me more of a gothic romance than historical. Definitely more in the style of Victoria Holt than a typical regency.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regency

[Terri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book at all. Only got it because I've enjoyed her non-regency books so much, but this...so glad Ms Dunn did not stay with this genre.