Nothing But Scandal (Zebra Debut) [Paperback]

Allegra Gray (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Debut | Publication Date: July 7, 2009

When her father dies, leaving her penniless and without prospects, Elizabeth Medford is faced with a horrible future: marriage to the utterly vile Harold Wetherby. Her family thinks he's brilliant choice, but Elizabeth has witnessed Wetherby's cruel nature and knows a life with him would be a miserable one. If only he didn't want to marry her...But for that to be the case, she would have to have a damaged reputation, and despite her father's missteps, Elizabeth's own name is pristine among society. So far...A brilliant plan is hatched: Elizabeth will organise her ruin and escape the betrothal, leaving her old life behind. The only hitch is the man she hopes will do the ruining - irresistible Alex Bainbridge, Duke of Beaufort. But he has secrets of his own that make Elizabeth Medford a woman he should avoid at all costs - for both their sakes. He insists he will have no part in her crazy scheme...no matter how tempting she may be.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (July 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420108255
• ISBN-13: 978-1420108255
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,228,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Allegra Gray is a former military officer--turned English professor--turned defense contracts administrator. One thing she has always been, though, is a storyteller. Allegra wrote her first book at the age of 5 (it has yet to be published).

Allegra began her publishing career while teaching in the English department of the U.S. Air Force Academy, but soon discovered that non-fiction, academic work was not enough to satisfy her creative drive.

She turned to fiction, and launched her career as a novelist with Kensington Publishing, with the release of a historical romance, "Nothing But Scandal" in 2009. Her second novel, "Nothing But Deception," was released in August 2010.

Allegra lives in Colorado and writes novels full of steamy intrigue that interweave her love of history, legend, and romance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful debut, look forward to more from Allegra Gray, August 1, 2009

By 

J. Osborne "romance lover" (Sheridan, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nothing But Scandal (Zebra Debut) (Paperback)

I just had to write a review and let people know how much I enjoyed this book. It was a wonderful debut for author Allegra Gray and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. I thought the characters were just wonderful. The chemistry between Elizabeth and Alex was just sizzling off the page. I love a hero who rides to the rescue too. The secondary characters of Charity , Elizabeth's sister and Bea, her widowed friend were very entertaining and I can't wait to read their stories. A highly recommended read.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Little to like, July 19, 2009

By 

Matthew Rivas "solon" (New Hampshire, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nothing But Scandal (Zebra Debut) (Paperback)

Normally, I wouldn't post a review even though I did not like this book. I wanted to warn other buyers that the glowing reviews posted by others were not universal. Boy, did I not like this book! The plot was formulaic, and, even though I think an attempt was made to be different, this attempt failed. The characters of the Duke and Miss Medford were irritating with the same standard set of "problems", i.e. the Duke is a thoughtless rake who only needs the love of a good woman to fix him right up, and the lady was simply unable to control herself around the Duke throwing off any sense of propriety or (basic) good manners. Never mind that her behavior is against everything the girl was raised to believe, she simple is "powerless".

** spoilers **

The wedding takes place ~75% into the book which raised my interest wondering if the author was attempting some kind of "What happens after the King marries the peasant girl?". Instead, the book attempts for tension by having the new Duchess question the integrity of her husband. Her odd behavior (ridiculous really) leads the Duke to believe she has been/will be unfaithful. Why? Because, the Duke must also be "in the wrong" to make her lack of trust acceptable to the reader and believe in their eventual reconciliation ("two wrongs make a marriage"). It's a common irrational method, weak authors use, to fill out an already thin book.

** end spoilers **

I am a huge fan of regency romances, and I'll buy these low cost books from first time authors, to try to catch a rising star. Generally, I've been happily surprised by the quality of these books and the new take on this genre. Unfortunately, "Nothing But Scandal" fails to bring anything new or appealing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing But Scandal by Allegra Gray, September 16, 2009

By 

jjmachshev "jj" (Grovetown, GA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Nothing But Scandal (Zebra Debut) (Paperback)

"Nothing But Scandal" is the first book by Allegra Gray. It's a charming historical with passion and a bit of intrigue and I found it a fairly quick read.

Elizabeth Medford's father died recently, leaving her and the rest of the family broke. Although she's always been the dependable one, she just can't quite bring herself to willingly wed her despicable distant cousin Wetherby. He's cruel and seems to enjoy her fear and hurt. He only wants to marry her to improve his standing in society, so Elizabeth decides to ruin herself quite publicly, therefore taking herself out of his sights. But the rake she chooses just won't cooperate!

Alex, Duke of Beaufort, can't get the beautiful Medford chit out of his thoughts. Was she actually serious about ruining herself? Or was her suggestion another piece of her late father's plot? Unfortunately, the more he sees of her, the more he realizes she is just the Duchess he's been looking for...if they can avoid yet more scandal.

Not the most memorable historical, but for a first book I was much entertained. Allegra Gray is, for me, an author to keep an eye on as she gains experience.