Customer Reviews

Scandal's Daughter (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The aspirations of many an unpublished romance writer includes winning the coveted "Golden Heart" award sponsored by Romance Writers of America. In 2006, "Scandal's Daughter" won the Best Short Historical Romance category, and after reading this charming Regency-set novel, I believe the accolade was well-deserved.

Author Christine Wells paints the English setting beautifully and introduces us to Gemma and Sebastian, two likeable characters whose lifelong friendship forms a bond that gradually evolves through tenuous bouts of passion into a deep love capable of healing the wounds of the past.

Gemma is plucky without being obnoxious, and Sebastian is a complex character driven by a dark childhood filled with abuse and culminating in the loss of his beloved brother. The author's skill at portraying the deep emotional ties between the hero and heroine brings an emotional context to the story that makes it a very satisfying romance.

Ms. Wells employs a skillful balance, using humor to occasionally lighten the mood and deftly working in the Regency-era details that form the flagstone of this type of novel without making them an intrusion. She creates an interesting world populated with endearing characters and provides the requisite happy ending. As a reader of romance, I couldn't have asked for more .

Wow, a Regency that doesn't do the soiree/ball/sightseeing thing in London? It's a first for me, but I like it!

Our heroine, Gemma lives at her grandfathers' estate of Ware. There's no reference to how long she's been there, but one gathers it's been a very long time. So long, in fact, that she has assumed some of the duties of an estate steward. A situation her grandfather is not happy with.

Gemma's grandfather realizes he is dying, and asks his godson, Sebastion, Earl of Carleton to Ware to talk with him about Gemmas' future. Hugo asks Sebastion to marry Gemma!!! Sebastion, who has no plans to marry demurs, but offers to find someone for Gemma within the next three months, or he will marry her himself.

I admit, this novel, while very enjoyable, was definitely a first novel. Several areas left me wondering why put them in at all if you're going to rush to a conclusion?

Example:

1: The arrival of Charles Bellamy was initially created as a romantic interest of Gemmas' mother. I won't ruin the ending, but it just wasn't plausible.

2: Gemmas' mother was "scandalous" but there was no mention about what caused the scandal or why her mother left Gemma all those years ago? The ending provided another possibility for the appearance of scandal. I felt that was too rushed.

Gemma and Sebastion were fascinating. They both eventually realize their love for one another and the bedroom scene -while out of character for Gemma to be so direct - was good.

All in all, I look forward to more from this author.

Scandal's Daughter is entertaining and heart-warming, filled with characters who intrigue and delight and a storyline that keeps you turning the pages. If you want a book to make you sigh with happiness and satisfaction at the end, this is it!

Christine Wells has done an excellent job in her debut novel - I can't wait to read her next one.

Christine Wells has created a truly British-feeling Regency novel. It is surprising in a first book for an author to have such an authoritative and authentic voice. Obviously, Ms. Wells a wonderful new voice of Regency.

Gemma and Sebastian were both well-developed and interesting characters. I enjoyed seeing their growing awareness of one another and watching their abiding fondness turn into love.

Ms. Wells described the landscapes and settings of Scandal's Daughter in terms more intimate than those normally found in Regency-set historicals. This brought, for me, a depth and richness to the book that made it feel like a book from an oft-published author.

I expect great things from Christine Wells. She is a debut author to watch!

The Earl of Carleton, Sebastian Laidley is a confirmed bachelor. So when his god father asks him as his dying wish to marry his granddaughter Gemma, he looks for an easy way out of the dilemma without breaking his godfather's heart. He has the perfect solution, he will host a house party and invite all kinds of eligible bachelors and one of them will surely offer for Gemma. If they don't, he promises to marry her. His godfather agrees to this plan.

Gemma has no wish to marry. She is totally devoted to the estate and wants nothing more than to be its caretaker to her dying day. She has repeatedly ignored her grandfather's warning that he is going to bequeath the estate to a male relative.

Her relationship to Sebastian is long standing. They have been childhood friends and she has always had a bit of a soft spot for him. At first she refuses to accompany him to his house, the estate needs her. Her mind changes when her mother arrives with a man half her age.

Gemma's mother has a wicked past. She has had affairs mostly abroad and now she has come home to England. Gemma has never had a beau because all the villagers know her mother as a trollop and therefore know one of good reputation will marry her.

Sebastian and Gemma have an incredibly slow moving romance. There is very little sexual tension between them. They are close friends and Sebastian does have her best interests at heart.

Even when Gemma does go to Sebastian's home for the house party nothing really heats up very fast. Gemma is so in love with her estate that it almost was tiresome. Sebastian was a more enjoyable character. His past was tarnished by a terrible father. When he opens up to Gemma about this it is the first sign of a real pulse of passion and the beginning of a torrid romance. From that point onward the book moves with gusto and Gemma becomes more than just a caretaker of the estate but a woman with passion. Unfortunately, this happens near the end of the book. Just when I was getting to like this couple the book ended.

Lastly, I thought this book would have more of a scandal. In fact, the book opens with a rather scandalous party in Sebastian's home. Emma's mother never acted anything but ladylike for the entire novel. Furthermore, the characters for the most part were appropriately behaved and scandal free. They were in fact, almost boring with the exception of Sebastian.

This is the sort of Regency romance I love to read. It's historically accurate, warm, witty, wise and altogether delightful. It's so nice to see a convincing friends into lovers plot. The respect and affection that Gemma and Sebastian feel for each other even before they realize they're in love is really heartwarming. You can certainly picture these two having a happy future together! Christine Wells is a wonderful new author. She's managed to create two charming, smart characters who really touch your heart. And her writing is exceptional. I can't wait to see what she does next! This is the perfect book for to curl up with!

Everything about this book was fine. Nothing bad, nothing good. Just o.k.

I think the writer kind of chickened out in making the mother, whose scanalousness was implied by the title of the book, such a lady and ultimately a victim. Which essentially made the scandal, Gemma's life and the book itself much ado about nothing.

Gemma and Sebastian were likable enough and to the extent the they balanced out the aunt and grandfather.

The main problem that I had with this book was that there was no real conflict. H/h liked each other from the onset. No one who mattered cared about the scandal that wasn't and their families liked each other and wanted them to be together.

Other than likable leads, there was really nothing here to old the reader's attention.

Synopsis:
She could overcome her infamous past-but not a present-day passion.

As a promise to her dying grandfather, self-proclaimed rake Sebastian Laidley has three months to marry off his childhood friend Gemma-or marry her himself. But this daughter of a notorious seductress has inherited her mother's charms, and when she turns them on Sebastian, he'll long to be the only man who wins her heart.

My Review:
Scandal's daughter unfortunately falls flat on it's promises. It has no scandal, no passion and very little originality. Knowing that this is a debut book, I tried to give the author the benefit of the doubt, hence three stars, but Scandal's Daughter is in actuality a two star book, and that's being generous.

The storyline is chock a block of every cliche, "I'm too much a Rake/tainted female to be married", "the misunderstandings" plot, "family scandal but family members are not what they appear to be", etc. I could go on but I don't want to bore you.

The heroine, Gemma, whose supposed to be this self sufficient dynamo, walks around the entire book with blinders on, not conprehending anyone elses motivations, not even realizing her grandfather, who she lives with, is dying, though the hero, realizes this as soon as he see the old man, after many years away. Gemma is about one step away for the dreaded "too stupid too live" title.

The one love scene was also "been there done that", the heroine, who berates herself constantly for feeling desire, thinking she must be "tainted" like her mother, then does a 180 turn and decides to become a wanton, right down to using protection her "scandalous" mother gives her.

The hero was not much better-Sebastian was a one dimensional cutout of many unreformed Rakes of past authors, nothing new here. It doesn't bode well for a less than 300 page book when you it takes almost five days to slog through, but I fell asleep several times trying to read this. This was one of those Historical Romances that the H/H literally fight their feelings until the last 10 pages-and it was not worth the wait.

Not recommended-3 stars.

Gemma's aunt warns her that in view of her mother's scandalous behaviour Gemma's conduct must be perfect. On no account must she encourage Sebastian Laidley, 6th Earl of Carleton, whose godfather is Emma's grandfather.

However, her grandfather wants Sebastian, who, to spite his father, vowed he would never marry. Unable to thwart her grandfather, who has not long to live, Sebastian promises to wed Gemma if he has not found her a husband in three months.

Although Gemma's and Sebastian's mutuual attraction simmers, Sebastian is a rake and Gemma sees of the youngster who used to stay at her beloved Ware in the fashionable, knowing gentleman dressed in the height of fashion.

Against her wishes, association with Sebastian forces Gemma to reconsider her options and Gemma challenges Sebastian's pre-conceived decisions and ideas.

Chrisine Wells writes engaingly and with humour that made me chuckle while hoping all would be well with her engaging hero and heroine.

This well-written novel, with its memorable characters and rich historical detail is a must for fans of historical romance.

Admitted rake Sebastian Laidley, the sixth Earl of Carleton, is not marriage material. No matter how he tries to convince his dying godfather of the fact, it doesn't prevent him from agreeing to assist in finding the man's granddaughter a husband before he passes. He has three months to marry lovely Gemma off, else he must marry the headstrong girl himself.

Sebastian devises a plan sure to find a match for his charge. But he never took into account the effect Gemma would have on him, the increasing irritation he would feel at the thought of her with any man but himself, nor the lady's own reluctance to marry...

What a lovely read! Christine Wells' book Scandal's Daughter is a book sure to satisfy those who enjoy historical romances. My first read by this author, I was happy to find a well-written story, imaginative plot, and realistic characters I easily empathized with.

What I found most interesting was watching the evolution of both the hero and the heroine as the story progressed. Each of them begin the tale with certain beliefs concerning what is important to them, what they want in their individual futures. Before long, those beliefs are shaken, and by the book's end, they realize that everything that is truly important can only be found together.

Scandal's Daughter leaves the reader with some valuable truths - that no one is beyond forgiveness and redemption, and love really does conquer all.