Customer Reviews

A Scandalous Marriage

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Beautiful debutante, Leah Carrollton, could have any man she wanted. But the selection found in London ballrooms was dull and unappealing. That is, until she met Devon Marshall, Viscount Huxhold, who was most appealing indeed. Devon shared the same regard for the lovely Leah, and since her family had been pressing her to pick a husband of means to offset their financial situation, Devon seemed perfect. But Leah's brother would not even consider a union between the two, since the Carrollton and Marshall families were old enemies. Leah was forced to end her relationship with Devon, and he left London soon afterward. A distraught Leah exercised poor judgment, and ran off with a notorious scoundrel who ruined her and left her pregnant. She then fled London for the countryside to bear her child alone.

Some months later, while traveling through the English countryside, Devon discovers a very pregnant Leah living in squalor. Before much could be spoken between the two, Leah went into labor. After assisting with the difficult delivery, Devon married her and claimed the child as his own. But old secrets and hurts still exist between the two. Will they be able to get past their problems, and rediscover their love for each other?

I'm beginning to think Cathy Maxwell is a writer whose work I'm just not really drawn to. I found her story in the anthology TWO FOR TEA quite good, so I sought out more of her titles. Next I read THE WEDDING WAGER, which I also found to be very satisfying. But the last two books I've read by her, this one and its prequel MARRIED IN HASTE, were horribly average. This story started off well, and I very much enjoyed the hero saving the heroine from her less than perfect living situation. Then he even went so far as to claim her fatherless child as his own. In fact, the hero of this book is a wonderful, charming, and honorable man, and his character is the best part of this story. Not that I found Leah unlikable; she was just okay. But after they married, the story seemed forced, lost momentum, and ceased to be as interesting. I did finish the book, but overall it just wasn't that special or memorable for me. I have one other novel by this author already in my possession, so I'll probably read it. However, if its not better than these last two, I'm most likely done reading Ms. Maxwell's work.

When Devon and Leah first met they felt a connection that they had never felt before, but when they realized that their families were enemies they vowed to hate eachother forever. After several weeks of avoiding eachother, Devon sought Leah out with a plan to seduce her. But he fell in love instead.

Unable to marry due to the family quarrel and a devestating duel, Devon leaves London and Leah behind. Leah is distraught and throws herself at other men. After she becomes pregnant she leaves London to live a life as a pauper.

A chance meeting brings the two lovers back together on the date of her son''s birth. After Devon helps to birth her child he immediately falls in love with her son. He marries her and claims her child for his own.

Although both love eachother, neither will allow themself to acknowledge that love. The past haunts them. Devon brings his new wife and son home to meet his family that he hasn''t seen in over a year. They are outraged that he would marry the daughter of their sworn enemy.

I loved this book, I truly did. Especially Devon, the viscount who stole my heart. If you''re a lover of regency and you love a hero who will melt your heart, this is the book for you. I can''t wait to read all past novels by Cathy Maxwell.

Leah and Devon seemed so real to me. When Leah was having her baby, I felt every one of her pains, and then all her joys. Mostly, it was the uncertainty she felt about her future, yet her determination to succeed despite everything that seemed so real to me. It's been so rare lately that I can pick up a book and loose myself in the story. I really cared alot about the people in this book. I don't know if it's the way they were written that brought everyone so much to life, or if the story was just so good that I was able to loose myself in it. Or a combination of both. All I can say is I hope I find a husband someday that will love me and care about me as much as Devon loved Leah. Their feelings for each other were so strong. It was as if they were real people. I've read several books by Cathy Maxwell and have liked them all. This one is very, very special.

Leah Carrollton is her family's best hope for the future. She must marry, and marry well. When she falls for Devon Marshall, Viscount Huxhold, it should be a realization of everyone's dreams. But the Marshalls and Carrollton's history is too deep and too painful. The bitter feud is fueled by new folly, and Leah is forced to make choices that break her heart. Choices that will come back and haunt the couple when they finally reunite and Devon finds the woman he still loves carrying another man's child.

Past and future come together in a powerful story of a love that was meant to be. Cathy Maxwell tells a poignant tale of a love that cannot be denied.

I bought this book two days ago and once I started reading, I could not put it down. I loved this story! Devon and Leah were the perfect couple. The "magic" they shared was captivating and I was eager to see their relationship grow. Devon, which in my mind I pictured the actor Dale Midkiff, who played Buck on the Magnificent Seven, was an admirable character in helping Leah all through the birth of her baby, staying by her side the whole time. And then taking that baby in as his own son. What a man! Leah was a beautiful person too who did what she had to do in order to save her baby, although that path was terrifying. Devon and Leah both are very proud characters, but yet, are very human too. It's a great read.

I read this as an unabridged audiobook. I rarely say this but in this case I almost wished it were abridged as it went on for what seemed like an eternity.

This is historical romance ALA Romeo and Juliet. The couple meet, instantly connect but are forced apart when their identities are revealed.

Fast forward to the future. Leah, the former debutante, is now heavily pregnant and apparently destitute having spurned Devon months earlier (cuz of the fued and all). Devon is on the way to visit his dying grandfather when he just so happens to stumble across Leah. Hmmmm, my oh my, what an unexpected coincidence! Leah falls in an attempt to run from Devon and goes into labor (oops, did I forget to mention she was pregnant and ruined?).
Devon sticks around and helps her deliver the child that is not his.

The past between these two is explained away so quickly my head was spinning. Here's what happened when we weren't looking: Devon and Leah's brother dueled, her brother was permanently disabled as a result (serves him right, if you ask me) and Leah refuses to leave with Devon when he declares his love. Instead, she decides to do what is best for her family and tries to snag the richest man in town who, as her luck would have it, happens to be a raving lunatic. Then she thinks for a minute and realizes she doesn't want to be tied to a loon and runs off with a handsome rake who impregnates her and conveniently dies. She's on her own now, and even has calluses, when Devon comes upon her. Why this chick who supposedly wants to save her family from poverty so badly that she runs off the love of her life decides to do these nitwitted things is completely beyond my comprehension. This glossed over section really marred my enjoyment of the book.

Fortunately, Devon is a charming, stand-up guy and was the only reason I continued to read on.

Still as it went on and on (kind of like this review) I found it tedious, dull and dowright boring. This (and the zillion others just like it) is the reason I've bought only a small handful of romances the past few years . . . To sum it up I didn't feel any emotional attachment to the story at all and didn't particularly like any of the choices made by the heroine and would not re-read it.

Leah Carrollton and Devon Marshall are perfect for each other--despite the fact that their families have been feuding for generations and Leah is pregnant with someone else's baby. This sexy, spirited and utterly entertaining couple surmounts insurmountable difficulties in a very passionate and smart story that keeps the reader riveted. Cathy Maxwell is a superb writer whose complex and highly sensual characters sizzle on the page. Do not miss this or any of her other books!

CM writes some different types of plots, that's for sure; I always appreciate that. She doesn't mind getting outside the norm for typical Regency era acceptability, I'll say that. So far, I have liked her heros & heroines even though they (like most others) can make some really bad decisions. I really liked reading about people who didn't think that they're entire life was based on their reputation within the ton & that a title is more important than anything else in their life.
It's not an overly exciting novel, not super funny, nor adventurous, but it did keep me interested & I just love it when I can admire both a hero & a heroine. I'll be trying an another of CM's books.

So often in romance we see alot of angst between the hero and heroine. Here we see that, but there are good reasons for the tension. Once it is gone, it doesn't return. The two are supportive of each other through the bad times and have a nice, spicy relationship. A solid read with few problems!

I loved this book and everything about it. I found Devon to be a wonderful character and Leah to be charming. I highly recommend this beautiful story.