Amanda Quick

Her reputation ruined by a youthful indiscretion, Emily Faringdon resigns herself to spinsterhood only to fall in love with her pen pal, Simon Augustus Traherne, Earl of Blade, a driven, mysterious man of dark secrets and hidden motives

Scandal

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Scandal is a tale of a fiery dragon and the woman that out of love and devotion would become his own fire-breathing dragoness....
 
  
    
      “My God, Emily.” For a moment the world seemed to halt. She could barely breathe, let alone respond. “Emily, open your eyes and look at me.”
Dreamily, Emily lifted her lashes and looked up into Simon’s harshly carved face. He was so close that she could see him without the aid of her spectacles. She was fascinated by the glittering heat that had washed away the coldness in his eyes. Fire lit the beautiful golden gaze now, a wild flame of masculine desire held under rigid control. “Dragon,” she whispered softly, touching his hard cheek with gentle fingers. “My very own golden-eyed dragon.”
He narrowed his eyes as he stared down at her. “Dragons have a dangerous reputation around fair maidens.”
She smiled softly up at him. “’Tis no use breathing fire and smoke in an attempt to frighten me, my lord. I know I am quite safe with you.”
    
  
 
Scandal is the first book that I have read from Amanda Quick, although I have read some of her titles under her other name "Jayne Anne Krentz" this was my first time picking up one of her historical titles that she has written.  I will admit that I had high hopes for this book and to be quite frank I really didn't know what to fully expect from this book. And I can honestly say that this book was spectacular and I didn't want to put this amusing historical down and if you looking for an honest in depth well written dynamic read....grab up Scandal or any of her other titles. Now I will admit that Scandal has the feel of an older style romance but not in ways you imagine. I will be honest and admit I miss this style of writing in historical romance especially. I really enjoyed the dynamics and what a well-written book this is. I mean honestly, its been a while since I have picked up a book so well written and detailed.

Scandal begins with our hero seeking revenge against the families that wronged him and his family. The reasons behind his father's suicide and his mother being forced to live in the north and soon dying herself and where Simon soon learns that not everything goes according to plan. Emily has been corresponding with "the love of her life" in letters and exchanging love of literature and romantic poetry. Emily knows that Simon is her future but she never really imagined that she would meet him in real life. Or that he would share certain delights and passion or agree to marry her. But Emily soon learns that her father wronged Simon's, she understand more than anyone realizes and soon Simon and Emily both find that love heals wounds in ways you least expect.

Now I honestly became quickly immersed in Scandal and it had a sense of quirkiness to the story that I found simply delightful. Now first we have our two main characters. Our hero, Simon, is used to be feared. He spent many years in India and deals with problems the way they do. He has power and wealth and everyone tends to fear him. But there is one person that doesn't fear him at all....Emily. Emily, at first, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about her. But she is not what she seems to be on the surface. We see her, in the beginning, being so immersed in poetry and romance and she seems to be a bit dim-witted at times. But she is way more clever than all that. Ever since she was seventeen she has managed to save her reckless father and brothers and handling their gambling debts again and again. She is left alone on the estate unless they need funds. But she knows everything good about making smart investments. She also has a character that you rarely see in romance and I found her to be so refreshing and crafty. She is one of those unique characters that keep you on your toes because I NEVER knew what to expect from her. Some of the plans she hatches, I kept thinking "poor Simon" he has no idea what he is in for here but he does handle it with patience and grace so I have to applaud him for that.

I also really liked the ways that these two falls in love and the little ways that they build upon the desire they feel that slowly develops into a strong love where they protect each other no matter what. Their intricate dealings with society, the precise details that are written that make this era just come alive for the reader. And of course seeing how love does change you in some positive ways. The changes we most especially see in Simon was quite frankly speaks of the talent to Amanda Quick. He has such a complex character and seeing how his affection and love that he develops for Emily, changes how he deals with his enemies even.
 
  
    
      “I am trying to tell you that I probably do not deserve you, elf, but I will kill anyone who tries to take you away from me.” His golden eyes flashed in the candlelight. “In that way, I believe we must be two of a kind.”
    
  
 
Scandal is a quick witter and a story full of clever plot runs, delightful characters whose story ends up give you all the feels and offers an in depth look at the regency era in the ways it was meant to be written!! SUPERB!

Scandal

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