In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady [Mass Market Paperback]

Gayle Callen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 2010

Entranced by a portrait, haunted by scandal, he would stop at nothing to learn the truth . . . even if it led to their utter ruin.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Veteran historical romance writer Callen (Never Marry a Stranger) begins this 1840s romance with a painting depicting two items of interest to Julian Delane, earl of Parkhurst: a gorgeous naked woman, rumored to be one of the ton, and her diamond necklace, stolen from Julian's father a decade earlier. Demure debutante Rebecca Leland was recently seen sporting the diamond, but when Julian catches her and her sister and cousin trying to steal the painting, all three young ladies claim to be the model. Threats from another gem seeker send Rebecca off on a wild journey across the countryside; lustful, curious Julian soon catches up, and they're quick to take advantage of their unchaperoned solitude. Though the tale sports only the thinnest veneer of historical verisimilitude, the hero and heroine are engaging, making this a pleasantly spicy early beach read. (May)
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From Booklist

Julian Delane, the Earl of Parkhurst, is searching for a scandalous lady. Well, two scandalous ladies if truth be told. One is the fabulous red diamond, dubbed the “Scandalous Lady,” which had been stolen from Julian’s family more than a decade before and whose loss had precipitated his father’s suicide. The other is the one whose scandalous portrait graces the wall of his London gentlemen’s club. Once Julian discovers that Miss Rebecca Leland was seen wearing the “Scandalous Lady” at a recent ball, it doesn’t take long for him to put the pieces together and realize that if Rebecca has the diamond, she is more than likely the woman wearing it in the painting. In the first in a new Victorian-set series, Callen neatly matches up a sharp-witted heroine with an irresistibly sexy hero to create a romance composed of equal measures of lively intrigue and potent passion. --John Charles

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (April 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061783412
• ISBN-13: 978-0061783418
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #731,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gayle Callen writes historical romances for Avon Books.

Gayle's novels have won the Holt Medallion and the Laurel Wreath Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. Her books have been translated into over eight different languages. She also writes medievals as Julia Latham for Avon Books.

Gayle resides in central New York, with her husband and three children. Besides writing, she loves to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. Visit her website at www.gaylecallen.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady, June 23, 2010

By 

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

This review is from: In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

Julian Delane, The Earl of Parkhurst, has an agenda and it includes finding and ruining the woman featured in a painting hanging in one of London's most popular clubs. The object of his obsession is more than just the woman - she is wearing a diamond necklace that was stolen from his father more than ten years ago. With the necklace's loss, Julian's father's demise, and everything his family has had to endure since, Julian is bound and determined to get to the bottom of the scandal once and for all so he can clear his father's and his family's reputation. Now all he has to do is convince the model, Rebecca Leland, to cooperate.

During this time frame in history, scandal surrounding someone's family was like an instant death sentence and it is with this such knowledge that Gayle Callen weaves an enticing story - one that kept me guessing the entire time I was reading it. I LOVE when that happens because I know that a lot of thought was put into the plot. Besides having a great plot, In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady has all the right elements to keep readers engaged and enjoying this wonderful start to what I am sure is going to be a highly successful trilogy! Gayle Callen rocks the historical romance!

Talia

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful Victorian romance, April 29, 2010

By 

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

This review is from: In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1846 London, everyone wonders who posed nude for artist Roger Eastland when he painted the Scandalous Lady portrait hanging in a gentleman's club. Julian Delane has a personal interest in locating the model as she stole a gem from his family ten years ago leading to his father's disgrace and death.

The Leland sisters, Rebecca and Susanna, and their cousin Elizabeth Cabot hope to keep their family from another disgraceful scandal that even having a duke to help would not stop the disaster. When Julian and his two friends Leo Wade and Peter Derby meet the three females, each claims to be the model. The three men bet they can prove who the real Scandalous Lady is. Julian believes Rebecca is the one and pursues her as brazenly wears his family's gem in public.

The first tale of a Victorian romantic trilogy is a wonderful story starring two strong protagonists and a solid support cast. Fast-paced throughout, sub-genre fans will relish the battling to love antics of Rebecca and Julian; and look forward to how well Leo and Peter do when they go up against the formidable Susana and equally kick butt Elizabeth.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Start, Boring Ending, July 20, 2010

By 

Luna - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

I was intrigued for the first half of the book. The interaction between the hero and heroine was fun and interesting. I really wanted it to stay that way, but the book took on a more serious and less flirty tone and the romantic tension between the two started to flatten out, even with the sexual tension that started building. I can't really put my finger on what went wrong. Perhaps, it is like what another reviewer stated, the mystery just went out in the middle when more is admitted and revealed. Although I wouldn't recommend this book, I like the author's writing enough to seek another of hers and hope it is more compelling all the way through.