Scandal [Mass Market Paperback]

Pamela Britton (Author)

Book Description

Series: Warner Forever | Publication Date: July 2004

Pamela Britton pens another romantic and wickedly funny Regency tale with her remarkable and witty writing style.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Shades of My Fair Lady color this farcical Regency from Britton (Seduced), which throws together two disparate characters, Charles Reinleigh Drummond Montgomery, the sixth earl of Sherborne, and Anna Brooks, a bright, ambitious market maid. Rein can't believe his ears when he hears the conditions of his uncle, the Duke of Wroxly's, will. But when he finds himself unceremoniously dumped in one of London's seediest slums, reality slowly sinks in. If he doesn't survive in the slum for a month without the benefit of money or connections, he will lose his inheritance. Before he has a chance to get his bearings, Anna accidentally conks him on the "knowledge box" with one of her many inventions. Rein seizes the opportunity to secure shelter with Anna, but he soon finds himself wanting more from the feisty young woman. Anna isn't immune to their attraction, but she's determined not to let it get in the way of her goal to design a sail worthy of Britain's naval fleet. A handful of minor characters like Anna's market friend, Molly, and her batty grandfather add color, but Britton's portrayal of the slums feels whitewashed, despite her occasional references to the city's mud and grime. But this is a fairy tale, after all, and as a fairy tale, it succeeds. Those looking for a fully fleshed-out romance, however, may find it lacking.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Charles Reinleigh Drummond Montgomery, sixth earl of Sherborne, who earned disfavor from his late uncle by accidentally running over the old man's vicious dog, is now heir to the family fortune. However, the will has one condition: Rein must live anonymously, and without financial aid, among the common people for one month. Orphaned Anna Rose Brooks lives with her grandfather, an eccentric, penniless inventor, and Rein literally falls head-over-heels for her when her kite crashes into his head. Feeling obligated to see to his wound, she takes him home, where he cleverly negotiates room and board. Rein soon discovers that her "kite" is really a unique sail designed to win the purse in a prestigious fastest boat contest, and he develops enormous admiration for her intelligence and ingenuity. Sexy and sensual, this Pygmalion-in-reverse story shows how, with the right woman, a selfish nobleman can become a genuinely nice person in spite of himself. As in Britton's other excellent books, this romance is laced with lots of humor. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Forever (July 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044661131X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446611312
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,001,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the thirty-something author of seventeen romance novels (with many more on the way) for such publishers as Avon Books, HarperCollins and AOL TimeWarner. Currently, I'm having a lot of fun writing about NASCAR for HQN books.

When not writing, believe it or not, I like to read. Since I find it hard to read within my own genre, I like to peruse mainstream fiction in my spare time. My favorite authors are Koontz, Corbin, and Marian Keyes.

You can read even more about me on www.pamelabritton.com Or, visit my blog at www.myspace.com/pamela_britton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love This Author, January 7, 2005

By 

B. Builders - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scandal (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first Pamela Britton book I read and she hooked me right away. I love stories the feature a female lead character who isn't of the same social class as the hero. (Think Cinderella). In my opinion Pamela Britton pulled this story off beautifully! I found myself laughing while I read this book and then crying in some places. After I finished I went and ordered two of her other books which I also loved. A new favorite author of mine and one I really recommend.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Almost but not quite, February 18, 2005

By 

nodice (Manchester, Ga United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scandal (Mass Market Paperback)

3.5 stars. I'm guessing that the Scandal is the fact that a Duke dares to marry below his station for those who are lost on the title. This was a good but not great book for reasons mention from another reviewer. Though I'm all for having flawed heroes and heroines, I can't get with a "Dumb" hero. Surely people make mistakes and that would have been fine had the author not remind me at almost every turn that Rein is stupid. Other than burn evidence, I wouldn't have thought him so. I would have thought that he'd done a dumb 'thing' but not that it was some character flaw. What woman in fantasy or reality wants a dumb man? Now, don't get me wrong, there are many of dumb folks among us, but the difference is they aren't aware that they are dumb. Sure, I know a few guys who don't like to be referred to as being dumb because someone in their past (Usually father) kept referring to them as such, but in this book, it just made me wonder why the heroine liked him. Rein could've just been spoiled and snobby and then was forced to change. But dumb does nothing for me. Plus, Rein not learning to do for himself was another serious character flaw. He should have gotten a job and pulled his weight. As it was, the heroine worked all day, came home to feed her grandfather and him, and then started having to please Rein at night. Sound familiar? It should...it's called REAL LIFE. Women read Historical Romances for the fantasy--to be taken away from real life. The middle of the book was hard to plow through, but it picked back up in the last act. Plus, I wasn't too sure about the murder being justified in this book. I was a little uncomfortable with it. What I liked about the book: Molly and Anna's relationship..as well as Anna and her grandfather's relationship. The scenes of testing sails on Rein's yacht and what follows afterward was the best scenes in the entire book. I will read more books by Ms. Britton, but please...no more 'dumb' heroes or heroines.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Originality with spark, August 14, 2004

By 

Sharon Yool (Newark, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scandal (Mass Market Paperback)

The typical regency novel depicts the male character as a rake and the female as a young woman with no original thoughts but just waiting on the sidelines for her hero and marriage.

Not so with Ms. Britton's works. Her women have strong character traits that can bring strength to a relationship. I can't imagine women of that period not using their brains. Throughout history there have been women who have ruled countries, saved lives, been instrumental in creating things that made life better... Women just didn't get intelligent within the last century. As to the hero, not all men are perfect. Rein has learning problems, which at that time would not be recognized as such. But he builds a strong character and with Anna help, becomes a better man and father.

Ms. Britton's spunky characters and plot are both interesting and quite believable. I look forward to each and every book that she writes.

Sharon Yool