Marriage Most Scandalous [Paperback]

Johanna Lindsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 24, 2006

A New York Times Bestseller

With the dazzling blend of romance, humor, and poignant storytelling that has made her one of the world's best-loved authors, Johanna Lindsey presents this passionate Regency-era tale.

Lady Margaret Landor first met Sebastian Townshend as a child, when he caught her peeking into her older sister's engagement ball. Tall, dashing, and charming, Sebastian was one of the most sought-after bachelors and cut a romantic figure she would not soon forget. Known as The Raven, a deadly mercenary, notorious for accomplishing any mission no matter how seemingly impossible, Sebastian has vowed never to return to England. Not until Margaret meets his outrageous monetary demands does Sebastian agree to return home, reluctantly posing as her husband in order to facilitate his return to society. When he learns she cannot afford to pay his fee, he suggests a scandalous trade. As Margaret and Sebastian work to uncover the intrigue at his father's estate, a fierce passion blooms that neither of them anticipated and neither can resist.

Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance. Every one of her previous novels has been a national bestseller, with several reaching the #1 spot on the New York Times list. Johanna Lindsey lives in Hawaii with her family.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Plot twists abound in this melodramatic tale of revenge, families torn asunder and (of course) true love. Set in Regency England, the story opens as Sebastian Townshend, the heir to an earldom, reluctantly takes part in a duel with his best friend. After unintentionally killing the man, Sebastian, now disinherited by his father, leaves England and adopts a new identity as a brooding mercenary called the Raven. Sebastian's Raven persona is so over the top that it's almost laughable (at one point, he fells two burly bodyguards merely by knocking their heads together), but Lindsey (A Loving Scoundrel, etc.) gives her hero enough magnetism, sexual appeal and human flaws to make his romance with 23-year-old bluestocking Margaret Landor believable. Margaret has hired Sebastian to investigate the truth behind the numerous "accidents" that have befallen his father, who also served as Margaret's guardian. To carry out this assignment, Sebastian returns to England, pretending to be Margaret's husband. When they arrive, a series of clues keep the young couple hopping, while their passions lead them to consummate their pretend marriage. One might quibble that the story's final twist comes out of nowhere and that the protagonists are really modern characters in Regency guise, but Lindsey writes with such gusto and warmth that her legions of readers are unlikely to object.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Margaret Landor spent months searching Europe for Sebastian Townshend, who disappeared from England 11 years ago after accidentally killing his best friend in a duel. Unsuccessful in her quest, Margaret decides to hire the notorious, ruthless, "satisfaction guaranteed" mercenary known as the Raven to find Sebastian. Then, much to her surprise, she discovers that the Raven is none other than Sebastian himself. Despite the fact that Sebastian vowed to never again set foot in England, Margaret tricks him into accompanying her back home to look into the series of mysterious "accidents" that have been plaguing his father, the earl of Edgewood. Long since disowned by his family and friends, Sebastian will need some means of entree into his former world, so when Margaret suggests that they pretend to be married, he reluctantly agrees. The only flaw in the plan is that neither one expected they would want to stay married for real. Lindsey deftly mixes danger and sensual sizzle in a quicksilver plot before neatly wrapping up her subtly witty, deliciously sexy historical romance with a clever twist. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd (July 24, 2006)
• ISBN-10: 0732282144
• ISBN-13: 978-0732282141
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,745,370 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

johanna Lindsey is one of the most popular authors of romantic fiction, with more than sixty million copies of her novels sold. World renowned for her novels of "first-rate romance" (New York Daily News), Lindsey is the author of forty-three previous bestselling novels, many of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. Lindsey lives in Maine with her family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Johanna, Johanna, Johanna..., July 17, 2005

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marriage Most Scandalous (Hardcover)

Ms. Lindsey was one of the first author's I picked up when I started reading historical romance. I loved her!!! I purchased her books the second they were released, not caring if they were hardback or paperback. Sadly, I now borrow her reads from the library rather than lay down hard cold cash. This read though was not as bad as I feared it would be. This is not to say that this read was problem free...sadly it was far from that but, it was better than many of her past efforts.

Sebastain Townsend is banished from the family seat and even England after a duel ends in the death of his best friend Giles. Knowing that he is to blame for the whole situation he leaves England with just a friend and a few items and makes a name for himself as "The Raven" on the continent. This mercenary for hire will do whatever he must to see the job done. Does he have a death wish? Maybe. Than a face from his past comes looking for him, appealing to what she mistakes as his honor and pride. Come back to England with her and figure out who wants his father dead. Sebastian agrees after Maggie is willing to pay an outragous fee. In order to get back onto the estate they pose as a married couple. This shame relationship though is hard to put aside after awhile as they both start feeling very intense emotion for the other. Will they allow themselves to have a happy ending or will the enemy hiding in the shadows see to a rather different ending?

Again this story was mildly entertaining. I at turns liked and disliked both main characters Sebastian and Maggie. Both were so concerned about putting up a "fake" front to the other that it did begin to wear thin. The "suspense" line of this story seemed a bit forced...but still was a good foundation as any. Overall this read had some entertaining moments, and it was a bit of surprise to see how this story ended. Still, I long for the old days of Ms. Lindsey's sensual, romantic reads and wish that she would consider returning to those roots. She had a formula if you will that worked and enticed the reader back again and again. I can only hope that she takes a look at how she fleshed out likeable but strong characters in her older reads and attempts to do the same on her next effort.

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Earth to Johanna Lindsey, June 3, 2006

By 

Fascinating. "consider the possibilities" (Eugene, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marriage Most Scandalous (Hardcover)

Remember the good old days? The days when Johanna Lindsey still cared enough to at least try to entertain her reading public? I remember, I do. The first romance I ever read back in the 80's was "Heart of Thunder". Over the years, I voraciously read all of her other novels. They were great, having characters I loved, as well as interesting plots. The writing was fast-paced and the author obviously spent at least some effort in historical research.

However, over the past decade or so, I have found her novels to be too formulaic and repetitive even for romances. It seems like she has gotten sloppy, and is just churning out a new book every year, banking on her name to make it a bestseller. Lindsey's books these days are so silly they remind me of the Sweet Valley High books I used to read in middle school.

Marriage Most Scandalous is yet another dull book in this long dry spell for Lindsey fans. Jolly anachronisms, such as befriending the servants, traipsing around Europe on a "shopping trip" for months, casual divorce, and modern slangy dialogue crop up willy-nilly. SLOPPY!

The characters are thinly drawn. Sebastian seems cold and manipulative, although I rather liked Margaret. But the explanation provided for her affection for Sebastian's family is insufficient, considering their personalities. As for the romance itself, we're supposed to believe these characters are attracted to each other because the author tells us they are. We can't see why, but really! They really like each other! Wow. Yawn.

Did I mention the dialogue is stilted and there is too much exposition? The author treats us like idiots, not trusting us to figure anything out. Not that we really want to, the plot is so boring. Basically, it revolves around the hero's father tripping over his own feet repeatedly. Let's see, can that be right? ...Yep, that sums it up pretty well.

I would like to see Johanna Lindsey really exert herself for a change. She is not the author she used to be. I would really like to see her make a comeback, like any other media star you see these days. But as long as her public keeps buying this drivel, I'm sure we can expect more of the same. I'm only sorry I contributed valuable funds to this terrible trend.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Oh, Johanna! . . . What Is This?, July 3, 2005

By 

MaryGrace Meloche (Ontario, Canada.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marriage Most Scandalous (Hardcover)

Johanna Lindsey was THE author who piloted me into the realm of romance heaven. She was THE author that completely hooked me and she opened a whole new world of enjoyment. For that - I am eternally grateful. So it is with heavy heart that I review Johanna's latest entry.

Lady Margaret Landor remembers Sebastian Townshend as a tall, dashing, and charming bachelor. Never did she dream that one day she would hire him to save HIS OWN father. Although Sebastian Townshend has forged a new identity, Maggie is certain he will come home, but Sebastian Townshend has vowed never to return to England.

His own father banished him. His heartbreaking exile was the result of a tragic duel - a duel his father, the Earl of Edgewood, cautioned against - emphatically! Now living on the continent, Sebastian Townshend is 'The Raven' - a deadly mercenary and Lady Margaret Landor needs his help.

Like most of Lindsey's recent books, MARRIAGE MOST SCANDALOUS is unfortunate. Heavy use of repetition assembles a bumpy jagged storyline! So much of the book is spent trying to develop a conspiracy there is little build-up time for romance. The fake marriage is nothing but the author's excuse to get sensual passion into the story, unfortunately the reader never feels that emotion! And believing the story's passion is this genre's foundation!

Sadly, 'Love a Lindsey' was once the rallying cry among romance fans. Alas, not anymore. WHY? I want to know why! Johanna Lindsey still has the talent to write, but it seems she has misplaced her technique! WHY?

"If it ain't broke . . . don't fix it!"

Please Johanna, reexamine your legendary PRISONER OF MY DESIRE, GENTLE ROGUE and TENDER REBEL and rediscover your formula - your tried and true formula. P.l.e.a.s.e. . . please go back to your roots!
Grade: C-

MaryGrace Meloche.