Wild and Wicked in Scotland

Charmed and Dangerous #1

by Melody Thomas

Acclaimed author Thomas dazzles once again with a new series featuring sexy men who spy for a secretive branch of government that services the Crown, and the equally dynamic women who tame their hearts. Original.

When Cassandra Sheridan agreed to an arranged marriage to the Earl of Hampstead, she never dreamed the cad wouldn't even bother to appear for their betrothal ball. It seems her intended cares more for gallivanting than meeting his bride-to-be! So Cassie decides to enjoy an adventure of her own and sets out across Scotland…and meets a dashing stranger who has elevated dueling and deception to an art form.

A dedicated spy on a mission, the Earl of Hampstead has more on his mind than a silly party. Now fate has thrown him together with a vivacious lady whom he must protect from harm, and whose sensuous beauty is proving most distracting. Worse still, Devlyn is horrified to discover she's the very woman he's engaged to marry!

With their lives and reputations in equal peril, do they dare surrender to their irresistible desires?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Espionage, Regency, Regency Romance, Scotland

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Years after receiving my Criminal Justice degree from the University of Oklahoma , I discovered the
historical romance genre. True legends like M.M Kaye, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Judith McNaught, and
Penelope Williamson, sparked my love for writing and convinced me I wanted only to do one thing in
my life and that was to create great stories alive with grit and passion.

In the past, I've written westerns for Leisure under Lori Morgan and Pirate adventure books for Berkley
under Laura Renken. My books have been five times reviewer nominated by Romantic Times
Bookclub for Best Adventure and Best Historical Suspense and Gothic categories. They have won the
Holt Medallion twice, the WISRWA Writer's Choice Award, the Affaire de Couer reader's Choice award
and will be published in five foreign languages worldwide. My Lord Pirate, was a 1999 Golden Heart
Finalist, which launched my publishing career with Berkley.


I live in the Chicago area where I am also the former president for the Windy City RWA chapter.
Currently, I pen stories for AVON/HarperCollins under my name, Melody Thomas. Wild and Wicked in
Scotland, the first book in my new Charmed and Dangerous series appeared on shelves January
2007. The second book, Sin and Scandal in England, was an Avon October 2007 release. Passion
and Pleasure in London came out August 26, 2008. For more information on my books check out my
Author pages on this site. Happy Reading.

Have you ever wanted to be a romance writer? Consider joining: Romance Writers of America

If you live near Chicago, check out: www.windycityrwa.com

Reviews

[Nana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, at the beginning it starts quite fast, too many details, then a bit slow, and in the end it improves, and that ending is very nice.

[Océano de libros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta es la primera novela de la serie “Charmed and dangerous” donde la autora nos trae una historia de aventuras, con espías y sicarios rusos ambientada en Escocia.
Cassandra “Cassie” Sheridan es una joven heredera estadounidense que se acaba de comprometer con el conde de Hampstead. Tras una noche de compromiso desastrosa donde ni siquiera su prometido se digna a presentarse decide huir a Escocia y encontrarse a sí misma.
Devlyn St. Clair, es un espía de la Corona británica, en uno de sus casos se verá enredado con una mujer que lo atrae inexplicablemente, en poco descubrirá que ella es su prometida.
Esta autora si de algo se caracteriza es de su capacidad para contarnos buenas historias, con personajes interesantes y una narración que es fluida y sin artificios que te mete de lleno en la lectura.
La novela se podría dividir claramente en dos partes: la primera de ellas me pareció una delicia, donde tanto Devlyn como Cassie viven un sinfín de aventuras, sin duda hay bastante acción y romance. Sin embargo en la segunda parte todo es más lento, la intriga me pareció un poco pobre, las discrepancias entre la pareja se resuelven fácilmente, la autora no se come mucho la cabeza para desatar el nudo creado. https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...

[Elle · Rating 1 out of 5]

When Cassandra Sheridan agreed to an arranged marriage to the Earl of Hampstead, she never dreamed the cad wouldn't even bother to appear for their betrothal ball. It seems her intended cares more for gallivanting than meeting his bride-to-be! So Cassie decides to enjoy an adventure of her own and sets out across Scotland...and meets a dashing stranger who has elevated dueling and deception to an art form.

A dedicated spy on a mission, the Earl of Hampstead has more on his mind than a silly party. Now fate has thrown him together with a vivacious lady whom he must protect from harm, and whose sensuous beauty is proving most distracting. Worse still, Devlyn is horrified to discover she's the very woman he's engaged to marry!

With their lives and reputations in equal peril, do they dare surrender to their irresistible desires?



ehhhh I wasn't thrilled with this book or these characters I almost made it to the end but it was a bit of a let down I heard great things about this author and was looking forward to this book but ehhh.... hopefully her other work will be better!

[Laura V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Al principio la disfruté bastante porque ¿quién se resistiría a leer las peripecias de dos personas que corren por toda Escocia huyendo de asesinos rusos? ¿quién? Más si a eso le sumamos la encantadora casualidad de que ambos estuviera prometidos a casarse sin poder reconocerse.

Hasta ahí iba bien, dentro de todo Devlyn parece un tipo decente. Ahora la pequeña Cassie es un caso aparte. No era el lapiz con más punta del lapicero pero sus actitudes al final me dejaban cansada.

1. No me cae en gracia su costumbre de revisar las cosas privadas de Devlyn.
2. Lo increíblemente celosa que se pone cuando el nombre Maria Ivanov aparece en la sopa. Para ella si es sobre Maria entonces debe ser aborrecible y pone en peligro su matrimonio, pero nunca le entra en su cabecita que a veces hay asuntos que van más allá de su estrecho círculo de pensamiento.
3. Su idea de ayudar a Devlyn es hurgar más en su privacidad y exponer lo que él se resiste a exponer. Exactamente a qué responde esta acción, ¿a su deseo de proteger a Devlyn o a su posesivo anhelo de tener a Devlyn para ella sola alejado de todo lo que tenga que ver con Maria y otros asuntos que lo mantienen alejado de su cama?

Se lee muy bien, ojo, pero Cassie se pone re densa al final y sus escenitas de "lets talk about feelings" me daban por las p...

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay. It had a lot of problems that need to be tightened up

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty tough on my ratings so I would give this a solid 3.5 stars. I am the type of person who enjoys understanding the character and knowing a bit about them for the series (I usually always start with the first book and work my way through). That being said I really enjoyed this book since I read it in a day. I hated to put it down. While there were a few instances in the book that I started to fade and I did get annoyed at both the characters (which is usually the norm for me) I thought that it was a good story line. Witty lines thrown in with steamy scenes seem to do it for me. I would read this author again but I won't put it on my 4/5 star list. I have to be really sucked in to the storyline for that!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the beginning of the book I think I would have given this a 5, but later on it moved to a 4. It lost some of the magic from the first part of the book.

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really good!!!! Hard to put down!!!! Loved the characters.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I must say that my opinion of this book will be considered to some as bias but I really dont care. This book went from good to great for me because the author mentioned the country of my birth, Guyana, in this book. The heroine told the hero that Guinea pigs come from Guyana in South America. I've never read a romance book that ever mentioned the country of my birth and I'm so ecstatic that this one did. Although I must say, the time period this book was written in the year 1874, the country was not called Guyana. It was known as British Guiana then, since it was ruled by Great Britain at that time but this is an oversight I'm willing to overlook. Also the author mentioned rapunzel and made reference to Cinderella in this story and I dont think those fairy tales had existed then in the year 1874. But I'm willing to overlook this too.

Anyways back to the story, cassie, an american, is in england for her bethrotal to Devlyn, earl of hampstead. They were betrothed without ever seeing one another. When he didn't shown up for his bethrotal ball, cassie fled england for scotland where she met him on the journey. But she doesn't know he is her bethrotal and he doesn't know that either. This little fact came to be known to them as Devlyn is a british spy and living a dangerous life and soon cassie is caught up in that life with him. With both of them on the run and spending all their time with each other day and night it doesn't take long for the coals of passion to spark and crackle and the embers of fire to burst to life within them.

I really love this story because it has all the elements of a good story. Cassie is a cello player. This is very unusual for a historial heroine which I love. She is fiery, passionate and magnificent. The hills, mountains, waterfall and the beauty of Scotland makes for a picturesque backdrop. There is suspense, drama and action that comes with Devlyns line of work. Devlyn himself is strong, loyal and handsome. The element of friendship with braeden, sally Ann, Jameson all added to this story. The sexual attraction and chemistry is 🔥. I enjoyed this one and I'm hoping the author will write braeden, sally Ann, Jameson and Rockwell story as well. They deserved their own HEA too.

[EvilAntie Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular

I never knew about this author. I stumbled upon her through Kindle unlimited. I’m not a fan of Regency. But this has to be hands-down one of the top 10 books I have read and I have read over 3000 books. The characters, the writing the plot are just amazing, and it was a privilege to read it and I didn’t want it to end.

[Sharon Dubuque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Devlyn was in government work and happened to meet Cassie by chance. It is strange but by all fate, she was suppose to marry his brother.there are so many adventurous happenings since they met. It is absolutely mind blowing.

[Sandy Frediani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. There were a few bumps along the way, but nothing that disrupted my reading or enjoyment. Nicely done.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better romance novels I've read.

[Joyce Strouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Excellent read, always moving until the end. ........
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[Sylvain · Rating 3 out of 5]

SUMMARY:
Running wild . . . When Cassandra Sheridan agreed to an arranged marriage to the Earl of Hampstead, she never dreamed the cad wouldn't even bother to appear for their betrothal ball. It seems her intended cares more for gallivanting than meeting his bride-to-be! So Cassie decides to enjoy an adventure of her own and sets out across Scotland…and meets a dashing stranger who has elevated dueling and deception to an art form. A dedicated spy on a mission, the Earl of Hampstead has more on his mind than a silly party. Now fate has thrown him together with a vivacious lady whom he must protect from harm, and whose sensuous beauty is proving most distracting. Worse still, Devlyn is horrified to discover she's the very woman he's engaged to marry! With their lives and reputations in equal peril, do they dare surrender to their irresistible desires?

[Chantelle Mast · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3 star read. Nothing too outrageous or overzealous, but nor was it overly laid back or boring. I found this to be fast moving enough to hold my interest but for the most part forgettable. Thomas is a talented writer and I would not hesitate to read her again in the future. Her plotline (though predicatable) still held my interest as I had no ideas as to how our hero would manage to get them out of most of their predicaments. It was rife with with mistrust, treason and betrayal which kept it solid and smoothly intriguing. I would've liked to see more humor or bantering between the two leads but none the less this book was decent.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the surface, this should have been an exciting, good story. Rich American heiress is stood up by her arranged marriage British fiance at their engagement ball. She runs off to Scotland to seek solace with her best friend who lives there. En route, she meets a mysterious secret agent type who turns out to be her fiance! Unfortunately, it didn't hold my attention, and I found it dull.

http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2009/01/w...

[Kathrynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read and a nice change of pace from the typical "hysterical" romances. It is set in 1874 Scotland. There is adventure, romance and...a dash of agent spy stuff! Cloak and dagger with neat little gadgets! The characters developed well throughout the story and there was so much in this book, I could re-read it and be just as entertained.

Would make a great movie!

[ChloeLeeNH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure why I can't give this more of a rating...it would probably get a 1/2 start as well. I thought some of plot was good but it got muddied with the people who were trying to catch them. I thought there meeting was good but something was missing. I am not sure. I just can't gush about this one. But I won't give up. I might try the next in this series.

[Tabetha Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give very few books five stars, but I thought this book was great! The whole story line, the dialogue between the MCs and Devlyn! Wow, what a hero for the story! I loved how the author described his personality. It really came through when I was reading and he truly became the spy she was trying to convey. Cassie was an equally compelling heroine with her independence. Great job!

[Monique Takens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik heb de Nederlandstalige versie gelezen - De beminde verloofde , Candlelight Historische roman 840 .
Dit is een avonturen verhaal met wat stomende liefdes scene's erdoorheen . Ik heb het in 1 dag uitgelezen dus het kon zeker mijn aandacht vasthouden maar toen ik het uit had dacht ik niet Aaach wat jammer dit boek bewaar ik om nog een x te lezen .

[Tatrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cassie Sheridan & Devlyn St. Clair
He's working for British Secret Earl of Hampstead Service undercover to crack Russian counterfeiter. They were betrothed and she wanted to see Scotland. Met while he's undercover and Russians are trying to kill them.
Review

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 in Charmed Series. Great.

[LInda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this -- somewhat typical, but with Russian mafia thrown in the mix.

[Tonya Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great, I love all her books

[Lisa Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆ Pleasantly surprised by this "new-to-me" author.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

me encanto esta novela, la disfrute mucho, hace tiempo que no leía una novela histórica tan bien escrita, romántica e interesante, la ame.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Melody Thomas book and I really enjoyed it.

[Cherie]

I have started this book twice before and couldn't get involved with the hero and heroine. I don't know why.