The Seduction of Scandal – Cathy Maxwell

The Seduction of Scandal—the fifth book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cathy Maxwell’s Scandals and Seduction historical romance series—is a thrilling tale complete with secret identities and runaway brides, a notorious English highwayman and dangerous intrigues…and, of course, wildly passionate love! This is romance, adventure, sensuality, and wit blended to perfection—ideal for fans of Christina Dodd and Victoria Alexander—as a strong-willed hellion fleeing an unwanted arranged marriage is taken captive by a Robin Hood-like criminal…and discovers in his arms just how delightfully seductive scandal can be!

Publisher: Avon

Reviewed by: Shannschoice | Aug 16, 2011 | 9780061772122

A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW

Lady Corinne Rosemont is four weeks away from marrying Lord Freddie Sherwin in what will most likely be the wedding of the century. She’s had reservations about her betrothed, but her parents turn deaf when she tries to run through her list of issues with Freddie. Even her catching him becoming intimately acquainted with her maid won’t change their mind. So, in an act of desperation, she steals away in a carriage her future father-in-law, Lord Bossley, has going to London, hoping to buy herself some time to figure out a plan to cry off.

What she doesn’t anticipate in her escape plan is the carriage being stopped by the local savior, “The Thorn”. Caught in the cross fire between the local militia and the Thorn, Corinne is shot and subsequently taken by the Thorn to safer ground.

Reverend Will Norwich owes many things to his foster father, Lord Bossley. After all, if he hadn’t rescued him from the streets of Barbados, who knows where he’d be. Unfortunately he’s also seen the other side of Lord Bossley. The side that rules his lands with an iron fist and uses physical harm to get his point across to the tenants. In an act to thwart the guilt he feels at this situation, he becomes a Robin Hood, of sorts, and sets out to rob Lord Bossley and give the money back to the residents of Ferris.

When he set to intercept his foster father’s carriage, he didn’t expect to find the stow-a-way, Lady Corinne. He was even less prepared to have her shot in front of him or to even recognize him in his disguise, but recognize him she did.

What follows next is a tug of war between Corinne and Will.

Will has been in love with Corinne since the day he first laid eyes on her. After a disastrous dance with her, he shied away, always feeling that he was never good enough. Of course, this was always perpetuated by his foster family, making him feel as though he should be lucky he’s gotten what he’s been given or thrust upon him.

Corinne, strong willed and opinionated, has been searching for a meaning to her life. She’d always thought she’d have a great love like her aunt, but she had begun to give up hope. She never thought that Will Norwich would be that person, but she’s drawn by his need to right the wrongs done to the people of Ferris. Watching him tend to those residents and even herself has her falling head first in love with him.

While the story is intriguing, waiting to see if Lord Bossley will figure out that Will is the Thorn, I felt like the entire climax of the story was rushed at the end. It plays such an integral part of how Will came to where he was as an adult, that I thought we should have gotten a little more enlightenment on how those revelations were dealt with by not only Will, but also Corinne. The ending with Lord Bossley could have still happened, but I personally would have liked to see how Will comes to grips with everything.

An entertaining read that help steal away the afternoon.

Review originally posted on Night Owl Reviews.  To see original post, please click the Night Owl Reviews link.