To Love a Scoundrel (Zebra Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Kristina Cook (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Historical Romance | Publication Date: June 1, 2007

Frederick Stoneham thoroughly enjoys the life he leads as one of London's most disreputable rogues. When his father arranges for him to wed Lady Eleanor Ashton, he believes his decadent lifestyle can carry on uninterrupted. After all, he remembers Eleanor to be plain and timid - not the kind of wife who will demand attention or insist he leave his mistress. But Frederick has a change of heart when he sees the striking beauty Eleanor has become...Can She Reform Him? Eleanor is stunned to discover she is to wed Frederick Stoneham - the man she has secretly pined after for years, despite his reputation. When Frederick's former mistress tells her a horrible lie, Eleanor feels betrayed. But Frederick's persistence - and a passion that refuses to be ignored - are slowly melting Eleanor's resolve. Now Frederick must prove to Eleanor that his days as a rake are in the past and that she is the only woman he will ever love...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sensual, emotional...a yummy treat for Regency fans." -- RT BOOKreviews, 4 stars!

I loved the book from beginning to end. TO LOVE A SCOUNDREL is a beautiful love story... -- Romance Designs/Historical Romance Writers

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; Regular Print/Single Titl edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821779818
• ISBN-13: 978-0821779811
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,497,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As a child, Kristina Cook took her nose out of a book only long enough to take a ballet class (or five) each week. Not much has changed since then, except she's added motherhood to the mix and now enjoys penning her own novels as much as reading everybody else's. Before turning her hand to historical romance, Kristina did graduate work at Columbia University and wrote grant proposals for some of New York City's top cultural institutions. After the birth of her second child, she decided to finally write that novel she'd always wanted to write. The rest, as they say, is history. Kristina lives in New York City with her husband, two daughters, a dog that's often mistaken for a pony, and one very vocal cat. Her debut novel, UNLACED, was published by Zebra books in 2004, followed by UNVEILED in 2005 and UNDRESSED in 2006. TO LOVE A SCOUNDREL will follow in June 2007.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Love a Scoundrel, September 2, 2007

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: To Love a Scoundrel (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Frederick Stoneham is a rogue. He was content being a rogue until his father arranges a marriage for him to Lady Eleanor Ashton. Frederick believes his marriage to Lady Eleanor will in no way interfere with his carousing because he remembers Eleanor to be a plain and timid girl. When he happens upon Eleanor, all grown up, bold and beautiful, Frederick has second thoughts.

Although Eleanor secretly has yearned for Frederick Stoneham for years, she is appalled at this arranged marriage. When Frederick's former mistress fills Eleanor's head with lies, she is even more distressed. Frederick is determined to win Eleanor's hand and her heart.

Beware. To Love a Scoundrel will make you fall in love with Frederick Stoneham. He's a delicious scoundrel. His pursuit of the lovely Lady Eleanor endeared him to me even more.

Kristina Cook has penned a charming and seductive story in To Love a Scoundrel.

Annmarie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 1st book in the Ashton/Rosemoor series- It's actually a prequel to the first three books., July 18, 2007

By 

cb (Minot, ND) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: To Love a Scoundrel (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

To Love a Scoundrel by Kristina Cook is a historical humorous romance novel. Frederick father hates him and that is what has steered his life's path. His father arranges an engagement to his childhood friend Eleanor who was plain. After his first meeting with Eleanor who has grown up and he does not feel worthy to marry her. Eleanor feels that she cannot trust him for so many reasons and that is the crutch of the story. This book has heat and some very funny dialogue. Check out the whole Ashton/Rosemoor series; TO LOVE A SCOUNDREL (1) UNLACED (2), UNVEILED (3) and UNDRESSED (4).

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid 4 star read!, July 9, 2007

By 

D.M. (Lover of all things Heart) "laugh a lot... (CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: To Love a Scoundrel (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

I had a hard time trying to rate this book. On one hand I enjoyed reading it, on the other hand this book has several flaws.

First the pros:
Both Fredrick and Eleanor are likable characters. While I do not enjoy the whole reformed rake storyline (which is really overdone by many authors, and most books featuring such a storyline are not that good), I found that I really liked this book. I think the main reason being is that the author manages to make us the readers feel sympathy for Fredrick from the opening scene, when he's standing there at his older brother`s funeral, a boy of ten. And his father is weeping and screaming at him that he's worthless, while weeping over his other dead son (the favorite).

So it is understandable why he is the way he is. A rake, who does everything in order to anger his disapproving father. Since Fredrick believes that he is worthless.

Now Eleanor is a gentle and strong woman. She is calm and demure, but she stands up for herself. And when she learns that her father betrothed her to Fredrick (whom she secretly has a crush on. And who had broken her heart a few years ago, when they were teenagers) she is outraged.

Another thing I really liked about this book is how the relationship between Fredrick and Eleanor developed from mutual dislike, when both agreed that once they returned from their trip (which Fredrick had to take for his sister's sake, and Eleanor in order to find herself a suitable husband) they would tell their parents that they don`t agree to the betrothal. Then they became friends and fell in love.

Now on to the cons:
Then after Eleanor had accepted Fredrick's proposal, when they return to London, she discovers that Fredrick's now ex-mistress is wearing a bracelet that matches Eleanor's engagement ring. Eleanor is angry with Fredrick and rightly so, what he did is inexcusable. (Fredrick had bought both the ring and the bracelet before meeting Eleanor. He had given the bracelet to his mistress and kept the ring). Then they break up and Fredrick just lets Eleanor go. He doesn't even try to convince her of his love, and that he does not have a mistress anymore. So I felt a little something missing when they reconciled later, since Fredrick hadn't really done anything to earn her trust again.

The verdict: I really liked this book. It was tender and poignant, despite the flaws. A good and enjoyable read.