YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS by Loretta Chase

Publisher Avon
Date published June 2008
ISBN 978-0-06-123124-7
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan





Francesca Bonnard is one of the most sought after woman in Europe. She has risen above her heartache, betrayals and scandal to become one of the most expensive courtesans in Venice. James Cordier could be considered her male counterpart as he had to play many roles to accomplish his missions for his King and country. He wanted to retire after his last mission but he has been given another one: to recover some important letters that are in Ms. Bonnard’s possession.

YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS introduces us to a fabulous lead couple. Francesca and James are well-developed characters that will stay with the reader long after the last page has been read. These two just jumped off the pages whenever they appear. They are highly emotional, intelligent and passionate characters. Individually they are riveting but when they are together – wow – what a powerhouse couple they are! The conversations they have are just delectable. The words flow smoothly and the reader can’t help but be captivated by them. The attraction between them is palpable as they are entranced by their desire for each other. This is a lead couple that will win the hearts of Ms. Chase’s fans!

The lead couple is supported by many secondary characters including Francesca’s ex-husband, John Bonnard. The villains are interesting and they are great additions to the story. We get glimpses of John and his accomplices; he piqued my interest and we wouldn’t have minded to learn more about him.

YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS was a rollicking adventure! Ms. Chase’s book is a joy to read! Having been a fan since reading Lord of Scoundrels, she has yet to disappoint me. I have given very few books a rating of 5 but this one deserves it. There is romance, danger, humor and lots of temperature raising eroticism – it has all the right parts to make for a historical romance classic. Run to your nearest bookstore and pick this up, you won’t regret it!

LORD OF SCOUNDRELS by Loretta Chase

Publisher Avon
Date published December 2007 Reprint from 1995
ISBN 978 0380776160
Historical Romance Erotic
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Pam




Sebastian Ballister, Marquess of Dain is big, bad, notorious and a rake. A man, who seems to have no conscience, uses people and considers women as only useful sex objects. He drinks gambles and whores, making himself as un-loveable as he believes himself to be.

Jessica Trent spends a lot of time trying to keep her brother Bertie, out of trouble. He tried to keep up with Dain, and has ruined his family. When she actually meets Dain, she’s annoyed to find, she’s attracted to him. She is still determined to rescue Bertie and ends up in a confrontation, nobody could ignore.

Dain is horrified to find that he is attracted to Jessica. He has been avoiding society ladies for most of his adult life, as they were always trying to lure him into marriage for his money. Jessica has wriggled under his skin and when several very public encounters turn into scandalously inappropriate ones, he is still determined not to walk to the altar. But he underestimates Jessica's need for justice and eventually gives in. If it is marriage to Lord Beelzebub she wants, so be it!

It's a rare book that can sustain so many reprints and still be a wonderful read. Also this reviewer loved it. LORD OF SCOUNDRELS has an interesting plot, with large as life characters that almost leap off the page. There is a bit of all that is good in this book, from illegitimate sons, wacky ladies of the night, a dumb brother and a wonderful grandma.

An ultimate rake suddenly reformed story, with a challenging twist. As the unusual hero divulges his unhappy childhood and torturous years at Eton, it makes the delightful Jessica love him even more as she understands the man he became. Neither expects much from the marriage, but they are pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The very unflappable Jessica handles everything Dain throws her way, with calm efficiency and confidence. He is so impressed he slowly reveals his human side. Not that this means smooth sailing from now on, this couple are certainly not boring. With a tough as nails heroine, and a bedazzled hero who finds nothing gets his lady down. The dialogue is witty, risqué at times and makes this an enjoyable read.