A funny thing happened on the way to the bookstore; I was nearly creamed by a train. Don’t ask. I guess since I am here writing my thoughts with respect to “Scandal”, it’s reasonable to conclude that I survived the excursion. lol
It has been a number of years since I read a historical romance and the fact that I relented and used my special 25% off coupon to purchase this book was a big decision. Happily, I was, pleasantly surprised.
For me “Scandal”, was an emotional read and I’ve been pondering all week the best way to explain why. It wasn’t that it caused me to weep, because I didn’t. I think it was the tone of this book, the complexity of the relationship between the heroine and hero and there is an elegance in the penmanship of this novel that for lack of a better explanation, touched me, deeply.
Okay, for what it’s worth, I’m going to give this my best shot.
Scandal
The Earl of Banallt is a darkly handsome, early 19th century British aristocrat who has a checkered past with respect to his moral conduct. He was married you see, but that didn’t stop him from having innumerable affairs, it didn’t matter if they were a hooker or a wife of one of his acquaintances among the ton. Banallt, has been described as a “rake”, in a couple of the reviews I’ve read. However, I viewed him as a hedonist, he simply saw his own pleasure as the ultimate importance in his life. Banallt, did not squander his money, nor was he cruel, or vindictive, he simply partied hard and enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh with lots of women. As a result he was great fodder for gossip amongst the British ton of the time and I found him to almost relish his reputation as a reprobate. That is until Sophie.
Sophie Mercer Evans is brilliant, well read, opinionated and organized. She considers herself plain in appearance and has self image issues in that regard. Sophie married a despicable rake who basically wooed and spirited her away from her family at a young age because she was an heiress. Tommy Evans wanted her money, and he got it by defiling and marrying her, then he leaves her in the country while he goes off to “Town” to whore, drink and spend every penny of her fortune. Tommy was a disgusting bastard.
It is through her husband that Sophie meets Gwilym Earl of Banallt on a fateful night in 1811. Tommy brings Banallt home after a night of drinking and whoring. Tommy then proceeds to pass out dead drunk and Banallt sets his roving eye on Sophie. His indecent proposal earns Sophie’s contempt. She is a proper woman who took her marriage vows seriously. Sophie did not cheat on her husband.
I usually don’t enjoy books that flip back and forth between time periods. However, in this story it was written in an exemplary manner because it revealed how this couple’s lives intersected and it showed the progression of their tumultuous relationship.
The story opens in 1814, 3 years after Sophie and Banallt’s initial meeting. Tommy, thankfully, has died through his own recklessness. Sophie is therefore a free woman and has no intention of falling in love and having what is left of her heart broken again. Banallt too is a widower.
Sophie’s brother, John Mercer, is written as an intelligent upstanding character whom she loves deeply. John is a politician and has earned his way to become an advisor to the Duke of Vedaelin, who resides in London. John wants his sister with him and takes her to London when he is called to the Duke’s side. There, Sophie assists her brother with his administrative affairs and to set up their household. She also becomes acquainted with the members of the ton for the first time.
As was the way in that time, women were not allowed to be involved with the business affairs of men and they were “looked after” by their closet relative. Decent young women did not travel about unescorted and suitors required acceptance by their family. John, being Sophie’s only surviving relative, is her protector. John knows of Banallt’s scandalous reputation and wants to prevent his sister from further hurt at all costs, essentially he doesn’t want the Earl messing with his sister.
This is a novel about a man’s quest to earn back first the respect and then hopefully the love of the woman that he yearns for above all else. As a reader, I was struck by the subtle exchanges between them; that look of longing across the room; the gentle touch of fingers on a soft cheek; or a quiet verbal exchange. The prose was quite, lovely.
Sophie and Banalt’s story is also one of a deep friendship, and how, during times of great personal loss and tragedy, they turn to one another for comfort.
By the way, I think this is one of the most sensual covers I’ve ever seen on a book.
I’ve ordered Carolyn Jewel’s book “My Wicked Enemy”, one of her paranormal stories and am looking forward to the read.
Wow, Lea your review of ‘Scandal’ was beautiful. Your words brought me right back to the story and I’m so glad that you enjoyed it as much as I.
And I think your right about Banallt being a hedonist. It sums up his past perfectly.
~VampFanGirl
Great review, I’ll have to give it a try. Have you tried Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series? They are historical paranormal romance. They can be great, but some of them bounce around from the future to the past, and then back again, and sometimes back to the past again, depending on where her characters want to end up. It’s funny seeing 15th century men in the 21st century or vice versa.
Dottie
Hey VFG:
Thank you. I have to say, this was a tough one to write. I’ve got post-it notes everywhere. lol
Moving story, I can’t say I’ll be rushing out to purchase and read historicals again, but I am glad I read this one.
Thanks for encouraging me to do so.
Happy Reading
L
Hey Dottie!
Great to see you back! I’ve got KMM’s Highlander books in my TBR “alps” as I call them. lol
My online friends Blanche and AmyC have been after me for months to read them and I will do so, hopefully this summer.
If you like erotic time travel romance you should read my review of “Daring Time” by Beth Kery, it’s to be released in early May and is a wonderful read.
I will e holding a giveaway for that book in mid April so you will have to throw your hat in the ring.
Hope you are enjoing a great weekend.
L
LOL, post it notes huh? I have this battered yellow pad on my night table with a million scribbles on it. It’s a bit difficult to decipher but so far it’s working.
Yeah, I don’t blame you for not returning to historicals right away. Good ones are a difficult to find and I generally stick with the authors that have already carved a name for themselves in the subgenre. Mostly I read them to break up my obsession with paranormals because they tend to loose their shock value after a while for me.
But ‘Scandal’ was a definite exception especially since Jewel was an unknown author for me but that first chapter excerpt *sigh* hooked from the very first sentence.
~VampFanGirl
I have this on my ereader. Most of the reviews I’ve seen for this book feel the same, that it’s emotional. It’ll be on my March reading line up.
I did read her paranormal, My Wicked Enemy.
AmyC:
Hey there, I hope you enjoy this one.
You left me hanging there girl. “I read ‘My Wicked Enemy’”, and….. lol Did you like it? I’m going to have to head over to your blog and see if I missed a review.. yikes…
Hope your having a good weekend Amy.
L
VFG:
Yeah, I’m one of those folks who keep the “post-it-note” empire going. I’ve always regretted not being the person to think up that invention. lol
L
What a wonderful review! I haven’t read this book or this author before but I might just be adding it to my list of books to buy.
Thank you Ms. Moonlight!
If you enjoy a historical, this, I think is a good one.
Appreciate your nice comment.
Happy Reading
L
It’s been a while since I’ve read historicals, but the day will come and I’ll put a post-it note about this one! Thanks for the great review!
Enjoy your weekend, for once I’m not going to work, I’ll be home reading!
Eva:
That’s AWESOME! I’m so happy for you. You enjoy your quiet reading weekend.
L
Wonderful review, Lea!! I was waiting for this one. I ordered the book so I’m really looking forward to reading it!!!
Hey Barbara:
I hope you are enjoying a good weekend.
Thank you! I think you will enjoy this book. Having read your reviews and getting an idea of your reading preferences, I think you will enjoy this story.
Thanks again!
L
Excellent review Lea!! I’ve read so many wonderful things about this book and it is on my TBB list!
Beautiful cover!!!
Great Review Lea! I really enjoyed this one. It’s emotional, but not over the top. Very wonderful story!
I thought the same thing about Amy’s comment, so did you like the book Amy? LOL.
Hey Blanche:
I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprized with respect to this book – Historical Romance – ugh. But, I thought it was really good!!
I hope you like it too.
Hi Cindy:
Thanks for your comment! Scandal was one of those books that pulled at my heart strings but as you indicated, it wasn’t over the top. Just, well done, IMHO.
Thanks for your comment!
I hope everyone is enjoying a great weekend!
L
Hi Lea
I’ll pick up the Savannah Vampire Chronicles!! Will probably love them, have you tried Jocelynn Drake’s Nightwalker–good story but with fae involvement (the are actually scarier). Currently there’s the first novel told in first person POV, but Dayhunter and Dawnbreaker are due out in 2009. Thanks for the recommendation!
Dottie
You are welcome Dottie!
I’ll check out your recommendation as well!
L
I’m still waiting for my library request for this one to come in. It sounds beautiful, and the cover is gorgeous.
If you like historicals Renee, I think you will enjoy this one.
Thank You
L
Wonderful review, Lea. I’d really like to give this one a try. I don’t usually read straight historical romances either, but sometimes I just get an itch to do so, and Scandal is my latest curiosity!
Hi Christine!
Thank you for your note! I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprized by this one, so if you do read it, I hope you like it too.
Hope all is well.
L