SCANDAL OF THE YEAR by Laura Lee Guhrke

Publisher: Avon
Date published: January 2011
ISBN: 978-0061963162
Historical romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Julia needed to be caught in a compromising situation so she could get a divorce from her husband. She had been forced into a loveless marriage and her husband proved to be a beast. So, she chose Aidan Carr, the Duke of Trathen, got him drunk and made sure her husband found them. Now, although somewhat disgraced, she has some powerful friends who are sticking with her. She meets Aidan again, and there is no denying he wants her and he wonders what happened that night. His memories go only so far as them being undressed and as he studies her, he wonders what it was like to make love to her. Still, he needs a wife, a wife without a scandal and he hires Julia to help him navigate his social obligations. A big mistake, having her close, as it brings his desires to boiling point. Can they trust each other and fall in love?

I really, really loved this story. It was a book I couldn’t put down. Laura Lee Guhrke masterfully weaves a story that winds itself around your heart and tugs. This is a character driven story and those characters were marvelous. I loved Julia and also fell in love with Aidan. From the first chapter you are rooting for them. There is no real mystery in this story…no danger, only the story of two people, their past and how they find each other again and it was beautiful. The dialogue was snappy and sharp. The sexual tension grew with each page and I was eagerly waiting for the consummation along with Julia and Aidan. The ending curled my toes, gave me warm fuzzies around the heart and put a tear in my eye. This is a story I can highly recommend. Not only for historical fans but any fans of a good love story will definitely enjoy this book. I am going to be recommending it to all my reading friends.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

WITH SEDUCTION IN MIND by Laura Lee Guhrke

Publisher: Avon
Date published: August 2009
ISBN: 978-0061456831
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan


Without a family to support her, Daisy Merrick must work for a living unfortunately she has a penchant to be a bit outspoken and it gets her fired. She longs to be an author but that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon. Her newest endeavor is a temporary reviewer for the Social Gazette. She pans the newest play by Sebastian Grant, Earl of Avermore and causes it to close. Sebastian is a recovering addict who fears that his writing was inspired by his use of drugs. He owes a book to his publisher and to his consternation; Daisy is hired to help him fulfill his obligation.

Daisy is the kind of heroine that I like: feisty and tough. She is trying to go against what “women” should be or act like during her time period. Due to circumstances, she is forced to find work but due to her personality, gets fired from the jobs. She is not afraid to express her feelings and what you see is what you get. Sebastian is a recovering addict thus he is beset with doubts about his writing ability. Was it the drugs that gave him the impetus for his works and can he create without the drugs? That is the question he asks himself and he fears the answer. Sebastian is a man with flaws and it takes someone like Daisy to put him on the right path. Daisy and Sebastian make a lovely couple as there is a strong connection between them. They are able to talk and communicate but it takes some time for the truth to finally sink into their brains.

I have always enjoyed Ms. Guhrke’s books and this is true regarding her latest. Readers will follow Daisy and Sebastian’s relationship with interest as they find their way to their “happily ever after”.

SECRET DESIRES OF A GENTLEMAN by Laura Lee Guhrke

Publisher Avon Books
Date published September 2008
ISBN 978-0-06-145682-4
Historical Romance, Series
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn



Maria Martingale once loved someone enough that she was willing to elope….that is until the stuffy Marquis of Kayne, Phillip Hawthorne put a stop to it. Now several years have passed and once again Maria is at the mercy of Phillip Hawthorne. Phillip will do anything it takes to stop scandal from touching his family. He stopped it once before and he never forgot the tempting Maria Martingale in the process. When she moves next door, he finds himself fighting a passion that is ready to explode and he just might find that Maria is the one woman who could make him face that secret desire that hums between them.

This was the first in this series I read from author Laura Lee Guhrke and I found it wonderfully engrossing. Captivating characters, fast paced writing and a very intriguing storyline that will keep the reader humming happily as each page is passed. The only complaint I had was I didn’t read the other books in the series and some of the characters and other incidents that happened in those were mentioned in the SECRET DESIRES OF A GENTLEMAN.

Meet Maria Martingale, a woman who finds herself at the mercy of the arrogant and stuffy Marquis of Kayne, yet again. Once long ago, she thought she would be able to elope with his younger brother but Phillip Hawthorne put a stop to it and the scandal that would surely follow if the deed was done. A strong and evolved character, this reviewer was pleased to see this was a heroine not cowered by a lofty title and sees the man behind the responsibilities he has. It doesn’t mean she can’t tweak his nose every time they meet but Maria never felt such passion before as she duels with words with Phillip. Phillip Hawthorne is a hero that was either making me grind my teeth at his high handedness or sighing as he dueled first with words then with actions against Maria. He was arrogant yet you get a sense of his love for his family and the way things were done properly. Ms. Guhrke made a perfect foil to his character in Maria and these two set the pages on fire with underlying sexual tension and fired up emotions as Phillip and Maria found themselves drawn to each other, even as they fought against it.

I found this was a really good story and I had to look for the others in the series to get a clearer picture of how some secondary characters mentioned got together. It was a well crafted storyline with engaging characters and had deep emotions that caused me to sigh and giggle as Phillip seemed to have met his match in the feisty Maria. Can these two stop bickering long enough to allow the attraction that hums between them to flourish or will the pressure of doing the proper thing cause Phillip to turn away the one woman who is his equal in every way? Read the final book in the Girl-Bachelor Chronicles, SECRET DESIRES OF A GENTLEMAN and see how it all ends as Phillip and Maria find a desire so strong it consumes them in the end. A definite delight and one to add to any reading list this winter; I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns and look forward to reading the other books in the series.

THE WICKED WAYS OF A DUKE by Laura Lee Guhrke

Publisher Avon
Date published January 2008
ISBN 978-0-06-114361-8
Historical romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie





Prudence Bosworth is a seamstress. She lives on her hard work and fantasies of love and romance. Then she suddenly inherits a fortune from the father she’s never seen. This fortune comes with one stipulation; she has to marry within a year. Having a fortune and relatives who suddenly appear to help her, finding a husband should be no problem, but she wants to marry for love. When she witnesses first hand the chivalry of a certain handsome duke, she knows that only one man will do. Rhys de Winter, the Duke of St. Ives must marry an heiress. He is deep in debt and needs money desperately. The pretty little seamstress-turned-heiress is just what he needs. He didn’t plan on falling in love, but when his deception is revealed, he is ready to give up everything to have her. He will even give up his wicked ways.

This is what I would call a light fluffy read that is highly enjoyable and relaxing. Laura Lee Guhrke writes delightful characters, a history to dive into and enjoy, and a plot that is fairly simple. The reader will know exactly how this story is going to end and the journey to its happy end is an entertaining trip. Rhys is a scoundrel, the reader will be hoping for his redemption and will not be disappointed. Prudence is a wonderful character, both sweet and simple but determined and strong. Secondary characters give the story charm and depth. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It was a quick and satisfying read. It was also sensual and oh so romantic too. The sexual tension between Rhys and Prudence is sizzling. I’ve read a few books from this author and have enjoyed every one of them.