Scandalous Ever After by Theresa Romain – a Review

Scandalous Ever After by Theresa Romain – a Review

 

Scandalous Ever AfterAmazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
After years apart, old friends Lady Kate Whelan and Evan Rhys reunite at a race. They’ve been masking their feelings for each other for years, but when Evan must protect Kate from her late husband’s secrets, he may not be able to resist her any longer.

After being widowed by a steeplechase accident in Ireland, Lady Kate Whelan abandons the turf. But once her mourning is complete, her late husband’s debts drive her to seek help in Newmarket amidst the whirl of a race meet. There she encounters antiquities expert Evan Rhys, her late husband’s roguish friend—whom she hasn’t seen since the day of his lordship’s mysterious death.

Now that fate has reunited them, Evan seizes the chance to win over the woman he’s always loved. But once back within the old stone walls of Whelan House, long-held secrets come to light that shake up everything Kate thought she knew about her marriage. Now she wonders who she can trust with her heart—and Evan must decide between love and a truth that will separate him from all his heart desires.

 

Review:

Scandalous Ever After is a historical romance love story with a bit of mystery included. It’s set in Cambridge, England in 1818.

Evan Rhys is lecturing on fake Roman antiquities being circulated for the purpose of smuggling, using slides from a magic lantern and painted shots of artifacts he’d collected. It’s at this lecture that Catherine Abigail Durham (Kate), Countess of Whelan speaks up and asks him why he doesn’t go to Ireland, when he claims the artifacts are from there.

Meticulously, the author, Theresa Romain, builds the back narrative of Evan’s friendship with the late Earl of Whelan, Conall Richie Durham. Friends from childhood in school, they were close and inseparable. Thirteen years prior, Con had brought home some brood mares and a wife. Evan’s world changed. She was bright, beautiful and everything he loved in life, but he was completely faithful in his friendship with her husband.

They spent much time together, the three of them. Evan’s own family being very judgmental and not at all happy. Evan was the second son. His family’s opinions of what he should be and do with his life ever critical. So, Evan spent most of his life living at Whelan with Con and Kate. Con became increasingly free spending and risking their estate, as well as many infidelities. He and Evan had argued over his lack of care for his family and Evan had left angry. Con was killed in a steeple race shortly after the argument. Instead of helping Kate, he never came back…hence her wondering what was keeping him from Ireland, at the lecture.

That’s the setup, I don’t do spoilers, or at least I try not to. This love story is built with frustrating slowness. The dialogue is quick and often witty, with a bit of spice. Kate and Evan are each healing from a bit of guilt and sorrow, but wanting to be together. A few obstacles are in the way, but none insurmountable except their own ideas and feelings. There are several secondary characters that are also well written and interesting.

Twists with the smuggling angle and the horse races are woven into this story, adding some interesting and dangerous scenes. The love scenes and near love scenes are sizzling but also frustrating as the characters come to terms with their lives.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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A Debt Paid in the Marriage Bed by Jennifer Hayward – Review & Giveaway

A Debt Paid in the Marriage Bed by Jennifer Hayward – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
The unwilling Ricci wife…

Angelina’s world is shattered when Lorenzo Ricci walks through the door of her engagement party and demands she call off the wedding–because she’s still married to him! She left the formidable Italian to save her heart, but now, with her family business at stake, Angelina must consider his terms…

In need of an heir, Lorenzo will use any means to reclaim his wayward wife and return her to their marriage bed. He’ll make her debts disappear if she repays him…in desire! The chemistry may be alive and well between them, but can they survive their tempestuous reunion unscathed?

 

Review:

A Debt Paid in the Marriage Bed begins with Lorenzo returning from a business trip abroad, only to be surprised with some astonishing news:  due to a slip up by his legal team, he learns he’s still married to Angelina…..over a year after said divorce was “final”.  Knowing he should be upset, he can’t help but wonder if this isn’t the answer to a bigger problem.  After being summoned by his father earlier, he was told it was now up to him to produce a Ricci heir, due to his sister-in-law’s infertility issues.  (It’s not as cold as it sounds.)  However, the biggest problem?  Oh yeah….he’s still inlove with Angelina.

Angelina has found a spot to escape her engagement party to get a little air.  Imagine her shock when she turns to see none other than Lorenzo standing before her.  Once he informs her that they’re still married, she has to tell her intended that their wedding is off.  She also knows she should have been more upset about that little ditty, but she can’t help feeling a little relieved.  After all, no one could ever stir her emotions the way Lorenzo had.  Both, good and bad.

What follows is an emotional story where both Angelina and Lorenzo have to face their fears and their pasts.  Angelina grew up in a wealthy and socially connected family that left a very bitter taste in her mouth when she saw what it did to her parents’ marriage.  Even though she and Lorenzo had explosive chemistry, she couldn’t help but grow to resent him when he became distant when working on a big deal that would take him away from her, both physically and emotionally.  So, she did the only thing she could at the time: she ran.  Lorenzo knows that he’ll have to do things differently this time around.  He’s harbored guilt he has never shared with anyone, but knows he’ll have to face it, not only with himself, but with Angelina.

Once they both realize the love they truly have for each other, both are bound and determined to make it work.  There were a few bumps along the way that, in my humble opinion, only made their connection stronger.  A Debt Paid in the Marriage Bed is ultimately a story about facing your past, and your fears, in order to achieve the future that you both deserve.  If you’ve never read Jennifer Hayward, this would be a great place to start. But, I have to say, if you’ve never read her, you are missing out.  You always leave one of her stories feeling as if you actually know her characters personally and you have a bit of a brighter outlook on life.  A Debt Paid in the Marriage Bed is no exception.  Well done, Jennifer Hayward!  Very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy supplied for review

 

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Jennifer is graciously offering a $10 Amazon Gift Card to (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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