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Those Scandalous Taggarts #1
The Beast of Yorkshire
Penelope Presley has suffered through unspeakable loss and scandal. Forced to live under her cruel Grandfather’s thumb, she finds herself both relieved and frightened when he tells her she will be marrying the man known as the Beast of Yorkshire.
Having already lost two wives and a fiancée, Duncan Taggart, Duke of Yorkshire, is desperate for an heir. To have an heir, he must have a wife, but who is ever going to willingly marry a man with a reputation such as his? He takes matters into his own hands and pays Penelope’s grandfather an exorbitant amount of money to marry her.
When Penelope arrives at Taggart Hall, it is to find her future husband is not the old man she believed she would find. Instead, he’s a handsome, virile man that makes her heart race and her body ache for his touch. The longer she’s around Duncan, the more certain she is that not only does he not deserve the horrible nickname he has been given, but that he also had absolutely nothing to do with those women’s deaths.
While he is away tending to business, Penelope’s world falls apart. Uncertain who to trust, she flees to London with only the clothes on her back. When Duncan arrives home to find her gone, he wastes no time going after her. Will he be able to find Penelope before the killer does? And will Penelope and Duncan ever be able to find the happiness they deserve?
Having already lost two wives and a fiancée, Duncan Taggart, Duke of Yorkshire, is desperate for an heir. To have an heir, he must have a wife, but who is ever going to willingly marry a man with a reputation such as his? He takes matters into his own hands and pays Penelope’s grandfather an exorbitant amount of money to marry her.
When Penelope arrives at Taggart Hall, it is to find her future husband is not the old man she believed she would find. Instead, he’s a handsome, virile man that makes her heart race and her body ache for his touch. The longer she’s around Duncan, the more certain she is that not only does he not deserve the horrible nickname he has been given, but that he also had absolutely nothing to do with those women’s deaths.
While he is away tending to business, Penelope’s world falls apart. Uncertain who to trust, she flees to London with only the clothes on her back. When Duncan arrives home to find her gone, he wastes no time going after her. Will he be able to find Penelope before the killer does? And will Penelope and Duncan ever be able to find the happiness they deserve?
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2016
About the author
Tammy Jo Burns
15 books27 followersFrom a young age I could always be found carrying around books to read while watching my grandmother's soap operas with her. I read anything and everything I could get my hands on and even made up skits and stories for my friends and me to act out. Once I outgrew the children's and YA books, my mom introduced me to an entirely new world -contemporary romance. Upon discovering I had a love for history I began devouring historical romances. One day, sitting in a college British History class, something the professor said made me think, I wonder. I quickly called mom (also a writer) and ran the idea by her. After being told, "Of course you can do it, you're my daughter," the rest, as they say, is history.
I currently share my love of reading with the next generation as a high school librarian, and share my personal life with my demanding dog trapped in a cat's body, Ajax.
My debut novel, A Traitorous Heart, Book One of The Reluctant Lords series can now be found on Amazon.com
Find out more about my books by checking out my website: http://www.tammyjoburns.com
You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Google+
I currently share my love of reading with the next generation as a high school librarian, and share my personal life with my demanding dog trapped in a cat's body, Ajax.
My debut novel, A Traitorous Heart, Book One of The Reluctant Lords series can now be found on Amazon.com
Find out more about my books by checking out my website: http://www.tammyjoburns.com
You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Google+
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 18, 2020
I hate giving 1 star reviews. Ugh! But this heroine was so stupid and the hero was so volatile it just became a pain to continue reading.
The plot read like the author had a database of historical romance contrivances to choose from and just threw them in whenever she needed a little push for the story. The stupid behavior, the bizarre coincidences, the contrived tying of loose ends. Just, no. And it seems like this is the first of a spin off of another series, so I can't excuse it as a "first book" issue.
I'm disappointed. I was in the mood for a historical romance and this let me down. I may have to do a reread of an old favorite instead.
:(
The plot read like the author had a database of historical romance contrivances to choose from and just threw them in whenever she needed a little push for the story. The stupid behavior, the bizarre coincidences, the contrived tying of loose ends. Just, no. And it seems like this is the first of a spin off of another series, so I can't excuse it as a "first book" issue.
I'm disappointed. I was in the mood for a historical romance and this let me down. I may have to do a reread of an old favorite instead.
:(
March 2, 2016
I read it to the end but kept berating myself for being so stupid as to keep reading most of the way. The premise of the romantic story was fine, the mystery element worked with a novel of this kind, but the writing and editing were terrible.
November 14, 2020
Until Death do we part
Duncan has lost 2 wives and 1 fiance! Penelope is sold by her grandfather so is very desperate for the funds she will provide for the sale to Duncan aka Beast! He is a Duke society recognized him but considers him dangerous and eccentric! Penelope is stubborn and very naive! Well quick exposure to evil and the cruel streets of London will educate you quickly! Duncan needs an heir and a spare and not sure what else to do to keep his wife and legacy safe! Penny aka Penelope escapes after an illness imitates pregnancy! Penny arrives at her grandfather house to confront his evil when this meeting sets off a chain of events that reveal several secrets some over 30 years old!! Duncan can appear surly and withdrawn but he has a very tender heart all of which is not revealed until the end! Penelope is very difficult to convince to marry once it is revealed the "married" under the wrong documents!!? After several near death experiences including living with a courtesan!!?? Should have Penny running to an altar or it church!!! Penelope tries to lure out the killer out in the open since the killer looks so young and innocent??? She was pure evil! Can Penelope and Duncan set aside their pride to find a HEA!!??? before Death really comes for them both??? Read on!!!
Duncan has lost 2 wives and 1 fiance! Penelope is sold by her grandfather so is very desperate for the funds she will provide for the sale to Duncan aka Beast! He is a Duke society recognized him but considers him dangerous and eccentric! Penelope is stubborn and very naive! Well quick exposure to evil and the cruel streets of London will educate you quickly! Duncan needs an heir and a spare and not sure what else to do to keep his wife and legacy safe! Penny aka Penelope escapes after an illness imitates pregnancy! Penny arrives at her grandfather house to confront his evil when this meeting sets off a chain of events that reveal several secrets some over 30 years old!! Duncan can appear surly and withdrawn but he has a very tender heart all of which is not revealed until the end! Penelope is very difficult to convince to marry once it is revealed the "married" under the wrong documents!!? After several near death experiences including living with a courtesan!!?? Should have Penny running to an altar or it church!!! Penelope tries to lure out the killer out in the open since the killer looks so young and innocent??? She was pure evil! Can Penelope and Duncan set aside their pride to find a HEA!!??? before Death really comes for them both??? Read on!!!
Did Not Finish
November 24, 2020This one is a DNF from me with no rating… because my sister read this book before me and told me I won’t like it, but since I haven’t read even a few pages, I don’t want to give it any sort of rating… it has a marriage of convenience trope, which I adore, but J said that even though the writing style was really good and the mystery quite intriguing the story was uneven… the beginning and ending were good, while the middle dragged on… there was a lot of angst and drama, mostly because of lack of communication or miscommunication, and she knows I hate that in books… the secondary characters were really good and had potential for other stories, but ultimately I decided it’s not a book I will enjoy… of course I highly encourage you to read some other reviews and if it sounds like a story for you then definitely give it a go :)
XOXO
A
XOXO
A
August 16, 2017
Wonderful who done it romance
This was a wonderful who done it romance that had a Beauty and the Beast type storyline that kept me entertained throughout. The title alone intrigued me as Beauty and the Beast type stories are one of my favorite genres. Duncan, the Duke of Yorkshire had lost two wives and a fiancee by mysterious means and was called the Beast of Yorkshire and believed by Society to have murdered them. Penelope was living with her cruel Grandfather who betrothed her to the Beast of Yorkshire against her will. Having never felt loved by her dead father and now half crazy mother, her deceased sister and her brother being her parents favorites, Penelope yearned for love and felt she was heading for her doom by marrying the Beast. Penelope couldn't have been more wrong. Amid attempts on her life, Penelope flees with Duncan in hot pursuit. Though I figured out who the murderer was early on in the story, I still found the story interesting and all the characters entertaining. Awesome romance!
This was a wonderful who done it romance that had a Beauty and the Beast type storyline that kept me entertained throughout. The title alone intrigued me as Beauty and the Beast type stories are one of my favorite genres. Duncan, the Duke of Yorkshire had lost two wives and a fiancee by mysterious means and was called the Beast of Yorkshire and believed by Society to have murdered them. Penelope was living with her cruel Grandfather who betrothed her to the Beast of Yorkshire against her will. Having never felt loved by her dead father and now half crazy mother, her deceased sister and her brother being her parents favorites, Penelope yearned for love and felt she was heading for her doom by marrying the Beast. Penelope couldn't have been more wrong. Amid attempts on her life, Penelope flees with Duncan in hot pursuit. Though I figured out who the murderer was early on in the story, I still found the story interesting and all the characters entertaining. Awesome romance!
August 2, 2017
The Beast and the Beauty
Could not put this Book down. It took me all day and into the evening , I had to read the story finished because I had to know who the murder was.. I loved the love story also , the Heroin and the Hero were great Characters . The story truly capturing your imagination , Penelope our Heroin was such great Character and so was the Beast .Great Characters great Romance,, great Suspends just a great Story which kept my attention through out the whole Book
Could not put this Book down. It took me all day and into the evening , I had to read the story finished because I had to know who the murder was.. I loved the love story also , the Heroin and the Hero were great Characters . The story truly capturing your imagination , Penelope our Heroin was such great Character and so was the Beast .Great Characters great Romance,, great Suspends just a great Story which kept my attention through out the whole Book
September 22, 2017
With Yorkshire in the title, I naturally had to read this one! The plot was very clever, with the requisite misunderstandings and tender 'kiss and make-up' scenes necessary in a good romance. Unfortunately it was marred by numerous anachronisms among the scattering of period dialogue and extremely irritating grammatical errors.
I predict that this author could become quite accomplished if she did a little more research into her chosen historical setting and either spent more time studying her grammar or obtained the services of a good editor.
I predict that this author could become quite accomplished if she did a little more research into her chosen historical setting and either spent more time studying her grammar or obtained the services of a good editor.
June 9, 2021
This had several grammatical errors and missing words, plus not time appropriate lingo (snarkiness? Not in a historical) and the villain was evident in the first scene they're in. Our heroine is a complete idiot and even though she's supposed to be about 19 she sounded so whiny. Like, more whiny than an typical teenager.
It did serve to remind me of how much I love historicals though. Can't wait to get through my own list on kindle so I can check some out from the library.
It did serve to remind me of how much I love historicals though. Can't wait to get through my own list on kindle so I can check some out from the library.
April 28, 2018
Awesome
This was an absolutely wonderful read I so thoroughly enjoyed it I found one problem with it though the fact that it was not longer it was a good long book I just didn’t want it to end I adored all the characters well not quite all of them the murder I was not fond of.
Well written, well defined characters and it had everything you could possibly want in a excellent romantic book.
This was an absolutely wonderful read I so thoroughly enjoyed it I found one problem with it though the fact that it was not longer it was a good long book I just didn’t want it to end I adored all the characters well not quite all of them the murder I was not fond of.
Well written, well defined characters and it had everything you could possibly want in a excellent romantic book.
December 2, 2020
Good book 3.5🌟
There was a lot going on throughout the story. That kept the pace fast and the story interesting. I liked the characters, but sometimes they were not the brightest. Especially Penelope. The book was good enough that I would like to read the series and would if it was available on KU.
There was a lot going on throughout the story. That kept the pace fast and the story interesting. I liked the characters, but sometimes they were not the brightest. Especially Penelope. The book was good enough that I would like to read the series and would if it was available on KU.
August 20, 2017
Only my opinion
As a nervous author my self I study the.books I get the most pleasure from. The two books of yours I have read are almost at the top but somehow are missing that magicial hook. Keep up the good work because you are getting there.
As a nervous author my self I study the.books I get the most pleasure from. The two books of yours I have read are almost at the top but somehow are missing that magicial hook. Keep up the good work because you are getting there.
March 2, 2018
The hero was too mean and angry
I couldn’t get over how mean and angry the hero was. I honestly stopped reading the book because of it. I finally decided to finish it months later. Only because I didn’t want to be unfinished with it.
I couldn’t get over how mean and angry the hero was. I honestly stopped reading the book because of it. I finally decided to finish it months later. Only because I didn’t want to be unfinished with it.
November 4, 2020
Innocent but condemned
When you are a Duke, but have buried two wives and one fiancé, there’s talk now her Evil grandfather sell out heroine to the Duke and she a true innocent and terrified! Terrific book, keeps you guessing till the end!
When you are a Duke, but have buried two wives and one fiancé, there’s talk now her Evil grandfather sell out heroine to the Duke and she a true innocent and terrified! Terrific book, keeps you guessing till the end!
November 10, 2020
Well written story of a Duke and a young lady
Penelope finds out from her grandfather, Lord Bolinbroke, that she is to wed the Beast of Yorkshire, who has paid well for her. They marry and have many incidents that unite them in their marriage.
Penelope finds out from her grandfather, Lord Bolinbroke, that she is to wed the Beast of Yorkshire, who has paid well for her. They marry and have many incidents that unite them in their marriage.
November 19, 2020
A marvelous historic romance!
I really enjoyed this novel. The characters are very interesting and the story engaging. How someone else really feels is often hard to see or even understand. Love that is true so wonderful. This book says it well, thank you, Jack.
I really enjoyed this novel. The characters are very interesting and the story engaging. How someone else really feels is often hard to see or even understand. Love that is true so wonderful. This book says it well, thank you, Jack.
July 31, 2017
Ok
Very dull plotline, obvious villain. Like the characters but found them annoyingly stupid. Found myself skimming through many pages of the adventures, self created
Very dull plotline, obvious villain. Like the characters but found them annoyingly stupid. Found myself skimming through many pages of the adventures, self created
August 1, 2017
Way too much going on in this book. Just kept going off in so many directions. It just took so much away from the main characters story that I ended up not caring about them.
August 6, 2017
Forced Myself To Finish This
This was a rediculous read. It was unbelievable from the start. Not sure why I kept reading. I guess I hoped it would get better.
This was a rediculous read. It was unbelievable from the start. Not sure why I kept reading. I guess I hoped it would get better.
November 11, 2017
This story was really good. I cried and laughed and enjoyed the read.
December 1, 2017
Most of it is unnecessary
August 17, 2018
Awesome author. I've read both of her earlier trilogy s and enjoyed them immensely. This book was still good but the love scenes were too descriptive for my tastes.
November 4, 2019
I only made it to chapter 4. Too much mystery not enough romance.
November 1, 2020
Terrible writing and pathetic characters. The plot idea was good, and it could have been great, but it was terrible. Worst book I've read in years, please don't waste your time.
November 22, 2020
The Beast of Yorkshire
I loved this story. I recommend everyone to read this book. I look forward to reading more of her books. Katie.
I loved this story. I recommend everyone to read this book. I look forward to reading more of her books. Katie.
November 24, 2020
I really quite enjoyed this book. I started reading and soon found myself engrossed in the story and its characters. It was enjoyable to read and found parts of it quite funny. Its the first time I have read any Tammy Jo Burns writings and look forward to reading more.
February 10, 2021
This book was absolutely berserk and I really loved it.
Full review to come
Full review to come
April 11, 2021
One of the worst books ever
Didn't read past page 50. Couldn't stand reading any more. Do not waste money on this book. Wouldn't even be worth free.
Didn't read past page 50. Couldn't stand reading any more. Do not waste money on this book. Wouldn't even be worth free.
May 23, 2021
Solid beginning, last half got tedious
November 11, 2021
Everyone is angry. No one is likable. I’m not really sure why I finished reading the whole damn thing, but I did and I’m really mad and I want that part of my life back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews