Lady Scandal

Rating:
Summary: 2 1/2 stars, at best
Review: Alexandra, who was once known by the nickname "Lady Scandal," is surprised when she finds herself thinking about her former lover, Paxten Marsett. She and her young niece are in France. Unfortunately, they picked a bad time to be there. Napolean went to war with England, and all English are to be arrested--and that includes herself. So, she and her niece, Diana, must return to England at once.

Paxten Marsett is also haunted by thoughts of his old fling with Alexandra. He loved her once, and when their affair ended, she broke his heart. A wounded man (in more ways than one), Paxten is also fleeing from France... and imagine his surprise when he comes in contact with Alexandra. His initial reaction is to break her heart like she did his. But as time wears on, his old flame ignites passion, which may ultimately lead to a second chance at the love they lost.

I was surprised by the extremely positive reviews on this book. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't BAD. But I've read better, especially from Shannon Donnelly. I liked how the characters were older, and that they had their flaws. On the flip side, I couldn't really care about them very much. A lot of their relationship was very carnal... and it originally began as an extramarital affair. The book, which fancies itself a sweeping epic, failed to capture me. There were several times when I thought, "please move along." On the other hand, it managed to hold my interest, even during its lull periods. I attribute that to Ms. Donnelly's talent.

I don't think, however, that she'll ever be able to match the charm, originality and wit of "A Proper Mistress." That was my favorite Donnelly book. If you haven't read it, give that one a shot.

Rating:
Summary: riveting adventure/second chance at love Regency
Review: Partly an adventure novel and partly a second chance at love story, this latest Shannon Donnelly's Regency-era romance novel proved to be a totally captivating read.

Alexandria, Lady Sandal, knew that she should have heeded the early warning signs and quickly seen to the removal of her seventeen year old niece, Diana, her servants and herself from France before hostilities between the two countries were declared. But who would have counted on things escalating so fast, or on Napoleon ordering the arrest of all English citizens in France? Now, she must see to it that she and her niece get to the coast as quickly and as unobtrusively as possible (and from there, safely to England). And the last thing she needs is to get caught up in the affairs of ex-lover, Paxton Marsett. An ex-lover, moreover, who's wounded and being hunted by the French army and who, obviously, is still hostile and angry towards her for the way things had ended between them. Common sense tells Alexandra that her first duty is to her niece and that she should leave Paxton to his own devices. But she is relucatant to leave Paxton alone and vulnerable, and so she decides to throw her lot (as well as Diana's) with Paxton's. With the French army nipping at their heels, and facing danger and discovery at every turn, Alexandria little thought that the greatest danger she would actually face would be a resurgence of all the feelings she had had for Paxton, feelings she had thought to have buried all those years ago...

Swiftly paced and peopled with characters that were complex and engaging, "Lady Scandal" was a hard book to put down once I had started it. The pacing was excellent, and the manner in which Ms Donnelly drew out and built on suspense where the manhunt for Paxton was concerned was brilliantly done as well. Also well done was the manner in which the authour "fleshed" the characters in the novel, from Alexandria to her niece, Diana, to the French captain who's hunting Paxton. All these characters were nicely and interestingly developed. However, I did think that compared to the other characters in the novel, Paxton was very much the usual angry, rakish Regency-ear hero, holding onto his anger and wanting to teach Alexandria a lesson for not putting him before all others all those years ago. That, was a little disappointing. Other than that, however, "Lady Scandal" was a wonderfully riveting and enjoyable read; and I'm hoping that, at some point, Ms Donnelly picks up her pen to write an equally stirring romance novel that will feature Diana and the dashing French captain.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful - Second Chance at Love Story
Review: Setting, France 1803 --- The widow Lady Sandel, Alexandria Chetwynd and her niece Diana had been visiting friends in the French countryside when upon arriving back to their townhouse in Paris they discovered that war had been declared and as English citizens they were wanted by the French officials. With nothing left after the soldier's destruction and looting of their home, they re-boarded their coach and set out for the port of Calais. In another part of Paris, Paxten Marsett, after being shot by an irate paramour who unfortunately for him was the wife of a French General, was also desperately trying to leave Paris and head for the seaports. Some miles out of the city at a rest stop to change horses, their paths would cross and the Lady's maid would be forced by the wounded Paxten to give him her skirts and cape so that, disguised and in the dark he could board the coach and travel along with them. It would be several miles later that the lady's would discover that their `maid' was, not only a `man', but a man Alexandria had loved and sent away years before.

Paxten and Alexandria nicknamed by him, `Lady Scandal', were both bitter over their parting years before, with both thinking they were the injured party and as they raced across the countryside they would both discover that their feelings of long ago were not over, by any means. At the very core of this story they would have to discover whether the essence of the love they'd once shared so many years before be given a chance to flame again and overcome the shadows and bitterness of their past?

The reader will love this exceptional action tale of a desperate and exciting dash across France, as two lovers meet again with Alexandria now free from the responsibilities that once held her back from the man she loved. The pain of the two protagonists is written with such deep and emotional intensity that it had me sniffling over the intense heartbreak that both felt over their individually perceived betrayals. The non-stop action and sensual imagery penned by this author was simply wonderful and I finished this book in one sitting. Not only was the love story between the two older protagonists exceptional but watching Diana's character as she grew from young adolescent to young woman along the perilous journey was also a delight. I can only hope that the author plans to capitalize on this marvelous novel and bring to us a sequel with Diana as the heroine. This book is one which I highly recommend. ---- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful - Second Chance at Love Story
Review: Setting, France 1803 --- The widow Lady Sandel, Alexandria Chetwynd and her niece Diana had been visiting friends in the French countryside when upon arriving back to their townhouse in Paris they discovered that war had been declared and as English citizens they were wanted by the French officials. With nothing left after the soldier's destruction and looting of their home, they re-boarded their coach and set out for the port of Calais. In another part of Paris, Paxten Marsett, after being shot by an irate paramour who unfortunately for him was the wife of a French General, was also desperately trying to leave Paris and head for the seaports. Some miles out of the city at a rest stop to change horses, their paths would cross and the Lady's maid would be forced by the wounded Paxten to give him her skirts and cape so that, disguised and in the dark he could board the coach and travel along with them. It would be several miles later that the lady's would discover that their 'maid' was, not only a 'man', but a man Alexandria had loved and sent away years before.

Paxten and Alexandria nicknamed by him, 'Lady Scandal', were both bitter over their parting years before, with both thinking they were the injured party and as they raced across the countryside they would both discover that their feelings of long ago were not over, by any means. At the very core of this story they would have to discover whether the essence of the love they'd once shared so many years before be given a chance to flame again and overcome the shadows and bitterness of their past?

The reader will love this exceptional action tale of a desperate and exciting dash across France, as two lovers meet again with Alexandria now free from the responsibilities that once held her back from the man she loved. The pain of the two protagonists is written with such deep and emotional intensity that it had me sniffling over the intense heartbreak that both felt over their individually perceived betrayals. The non-stop action and sensual imagery penned by this author was simply wonderful and I finished this book in one sitting. Not only was the love story between the two older protagonists exceptional but watching Diana's character as she grew from young adolescent to young woman along the perilous journey was also a delight. I can only hope that the author plans to capitalize on this marvelous novel and bring to us a sequel with Diana as the heroine. This book is one which I highly recommend. ---- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---