A Breath of Scandal [Paperback]

Connie Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2001

British earl by day and secret agent by night, Lord Julian Thornton has sworn never to love another woman. But when a mission to the Scottish coast goes perilously wrong, he is forced to wed a seductive gypsy beauty for his own protection,

But the lovely Lara is more than she appears, for she is truly of noble blood. And though Julian's heart implores him to stay with his lady of mystery, for the safety of them both he must return to his own world -- only to discover Lara in the one place he never expected to find his wild gypsy enchantess; a place where he may be powerless to protect her...or his own heart.

She claimed him as her husband without even knowing his name. Now she will risk everything to keep his secret -- but can she give her heart without having his love in return?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Connie Mason writes the stuff dreams are made of." -- -- Romantic Times

"Enjoyable...a fast-paced and fun story with some surprises and twists." -- -- Rendezvous

"Ms. Mason reaches the hearts of readers." -- -- Rendezvous

"Ms.Mason is a master of her craft." -- -- Romantic Times

About the Author

Connie Mason is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical romances and novellas. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as American locales. Connie was named Story Teller of the Year in 1990 by Romantic Times, and was presented a Career Achievement award in the Western category by Romantic Times in 1994. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida, with her husband, Jerry.

Connie was featured on a segment of "48 Hours," a CBS television production that devoted a one-hour program to the romance industry.

In addition to writing and traveling, Connie relishes telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; First edition (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380808021
• ISBN-13: 978-0380808021
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Connie Mason has dozens of historical romances in print, is frequently on bestseller lists, and gets wonderful reviews. She lives in Clermont, Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sexy Romp..., November 8, 2001

By 

Abbys (Moreno Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Breath of Scandal (Paperback)

This book is a sequel to A TASTE OF SIN, which is one of my favorite HRN. I've always wondered about Julian, elder brother of Sinjun in the prequel. He was described as a very honorable & responsible person albeit mysterious. He live by the rules and is over protective of his family. He also have a dark personal mission. To find the person responsible for the death of his fiancee. His character here in A Breathe of Scandal is consistent but is of course more detailed. We learn more about him and he is definitely not the prude man I thought he was in ATOS. In fact, he is a very passionate man. On one of his secret mission he was rescued my a gypsy woman named Lara. She claimed him as his husband to save his life. Yes, Lara did save him from death but she also added complication to his well contained heart & well organized life. What a riot! I love Lara's character. She is no nonsense and straight forward. She knows who she is and what she wants regardless of her new station in life. Sometimes she feels she doesn't fit in outside the Gypsy world yet she adapts well and never loses her personality. The Gypsies and their way of life was an interesting read for me. This is my first book with such kind of plot & the way Ms. Mason explains and describes it makes me feel like I am inside the book. It grabs my imagination. A Gypsy woman versus a Noble sure have a big difference in their ways of living and belief. Interesting! The relationship development of Julian & Lara is heart warming. They are both full of desire despite the contradiction of their mind. There's lots of sex scenes but I didn't mind it. For me, it's written with passion. You can feel their affection and not just lust. Of course, there's always the usual confusions and misunderstanding twist but there is also some element of surprises between them.

The action and mystery line was a bit light and predictable, however since I am not much on action/mystery, this didn't bother me at all. Just thought I'd mention it here for others who prefer heavy action/mystery added on their romance books.

The appearance of the characters in A TASTE OF SIN was one of the best part for me. I love reading updates of the characters from my previous books especially if they are my favorites. The Epilogue of this book was simply perfect. It's happy, filled with love, family & children. Goose bumps alert :-)

The reason why this book didn't belong to a five star rate to me is because of the added romance of Emma and Rudy. I loved Emma's spunky character in A TASTE OF SIN and couldn't wait to read her very own story. I didn't expect her to simply be an extra piece here in A BREATHE OF SCANDAL. I didn't mind her marriage with Rudy, I think it's fitting but I would have love to read how she tamed Rudy. I just want more of her. Oh well, that's only a small niggle which unfortunately took one star out of my overall rating.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequal to an earlier work, February 15, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Breath of Scandal (Paperback)

In 1750 on the Scottish coast, Lara Brewster saves Julian Thornton's life when smugglers try to kill him by claiming he is her Gypsy husband Drago. Lara's Gypsy relatives feel Lara and Drago are married, but he rejects the idea that a member of the Ton like him would marry a Gypsy even if he is very attracted to her. Still, they make love before he leaves in pursuit of the head smuggler' the Jackal' who killed Julian's fiancee years ago.

Back in London, Julian attends a ball in honor of Lara, who turns out to be an earl's daughter. Julian informs Lara they will marry because he compromised her. Although she loves Julian, she rejects him because she wants his love and can't compete with the ghost of his deceased fiancee. The Jackal's henchman recognizes Lara as the Gypsy who saved Julian's life, making her life forfeit unless Julian can save the woman he loves.

A BREATH OF SCANDAL is a powerful sequel to Connie Mason's warm Scottish Regency romance, A TASTE OF SIN. The story line is fast-paced and authentic, especially Julian's reactions to Lara the Gypsy vs. Lara the aristocrat. Lara is an intrepid individual who loves the people in both of her worlds and any spouse of hers would have to do likewise. The return of several popular characters from the first book adds to an exciting Regency romantic suspense that will leave Connie Mason's audience wanting the final book in her Scottish trilogy.

Harriet Klausner

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A BREATH OF SCANDAL TAKES MY BREATH AWAY, April 4, 2001

By 

Desmond Chan (Bishan North Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Breath of Scandal (Paperback)

Juxtaposed with A Taste of Sin, Ms Mason's first offering from her Scottish Highlands installment, A Breath of scandal fares much better. In fact, this time she puts her spicy narration to her advantage and not just a story overload with lewd scenes to titillate as in the first novel. A Breath of Scandal is sexy but with a heart - the characters molded out by Ms. Mason brings the pages alive. Julian Thornton is the brother of Sinjun and his rigid decorum belies a secret agent identity "Scorpion". He is haunted by the phantom of his demised fiancee Diana and swears to take vengeance on The Jackal, the mastermind behind a smuggling ring and who caused the death of Diana.

On his secret mission, he fell prey to the hunchmen of the Jackal but is saved by a half Gypsy girl, Lara. From there, the attraction is set - Lara sacrifices her pride to pose as Julian's wife and to hide him from his tenacious enemy, he assumes the identity as Lara's husband, Drago. After nights of passion, Julian and Lara forged a tenuous love only to be shattered by Julian's guilt and the mismatching social status. It is only after he returns to London did he find that Lara is actually the daughter of the Earl of Stanhope.Their reunion is short-lived - with the chase of enemy behind both of them, their love would prove even more difficult....

Connie Mason sculpts the characters to finesse in this book. I was a bit disappointed with Sinjun's profligate ways last time, but Julian shows a more nuanced, mellow and resilient shade which I much preferred. The only thing was his xenophobia and parochial view on Gypsy group - even to the shallow point of thinking Lara was a loose woman. Lara - as usual is strong, brave and decisive, as with all the women characters in Ms. Mason's book. Ms. Mason does not disappoint. The passionate scenes are fiery and sensual, and complimented by an exciting plot to the finish, A BREATH OF SCANDAL is lushly scandalous to take the breath away from the fanatics.