Customer Reviews

Scandal's Daughter

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Diantha's mother died when she was only eight. Immersed in his own grief, her father, Lord Devonwych, sent her away to school. At the age of nineteen, after a year of teaching music at the very school she attended, Diantha is suddenly called to her father's deathbed. Sadly, Diantha has been barred from Society by the double sandal of her mother¹s death and her own birth.

By the terms of her father's will, Diantha inherits a fortune rather than the entire estate going to her half-brother. Her father's dying wish was for her to marry her father's protégé, the handsome, Marquis of Ravistock. As Lady Ravistock, Diantha can enter Society as an equal. But Diantha wishes to marry only for love. She falls in love with the marquis, but doesn't know that her love is returned. In an effort to save his reputation from a clutching, ill-minded female, they eventually marry after Diantha attempts to preserve the marquis life and reputation.

Phylis Ann Warady's knowledge of the era, including language, custom and nuance is commendable. She recreates the period with her wit and dramatic flair, providing Regency lovers with a dramatic read. I confess to enjoying Diantha's participation in a race, in which she drives a milk cart, absolutely hysterical. Especially when she has to leave right before winning! Highly recommended.

Diantha Fraser receives a long-awaited missive from her ailing father, requesting that she return home as soon as possible. As the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Devonwych, the last thing she expects is to receive an inheritance, further inciting the acrimony of her half-brother, Basil. When Sebastian, Marquess of Ravistock intercedes to defend her, everyone learns the stipulations of the Earl's will. Diantha must marry her father's protégé in order to receive the full amount. Due to his rank and lineage, Sebastian is expected to marry an heiress of high and impeccable standing, not a young woman born on the wrong side of the sheet.

Through hardships and malicious gossip, Diantha's and Sebastian's feelings become engaged. Will they overcome the obstacles and declare their love?

Scandal's Daughter embodies the elegance and spirit of early authors like Georgette Heyer. Phylis Warady has lovingly crafted a wonderful novella that's bolstered with the language, morals and politics of the era. I got a kick out of the fun turns of phrase used in the dialogue. It enhanced the setting's authenticity and made the characters come alive. The creation of Diantha's bio is inspired by a woman who was the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Sandwich and singer Martha Ray. Sebastian is everything a Regency romance hero should be without coming off as a cliché. You also get a glimpse of how hard many noblemen who cared about their responsibilities worked. I especially liked Sebastian's mother, the dowager Marchioness, who was larger-than-life.

This superb work is refreshing, fun and lively. Diantha and Sebastian are ripe for love, smart, honorable and strong-willed, a perfect match. For anyone that's a fan of this genre, or anyone in the mood to shift their reading gears over to something different, Scandal's Daughter is the perfect answer.

Patrice F.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I enjoyed this light Regency romance story for its plot and characters. I did find the writing style a bit raw compared to other authors of the genre.
I am willing to concede some historical accuracy to keep a story moving and I am also willing to allow for added knowledge about a character that will show depth or growth. But I had trouble with the ebb and flow of the story. I also cringed when the author had certain characters like the headmistress of the girl's school and the dowager Marchioness employing 'cant'. Both would have truly been horrified to hear it let alone speak it if they were real. I give license for the heroine to utilize it though gently reared and educated because she has it in her personality. I also struggled with how the Marquis resisted Diantha's charms until one small little thing and then he was deeply in love. It wasn't 'love at first sight' nor did it appear to grow on him (maybe that is just my take on love so you can disregard the last criticism if you please).
I did love both the Marquis and Diantha's personalities and got serious chuckles over the Dowager and the boys. The author did a good job with these characters. The book indicated that the story is based on a real situation that was similar.
If you're into a light romp in the Regency period, give this a whirl.