Scoundrel for Hire [Mass Market Paperback]

Adrienne Dewolfe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 8, 1999

Only desperation could drive Silver Nichols to strike a bargain with Raphael Jones. Their liaison is strictly business: she secretly hires the devilishly charming scalawag to save her beloved millionaire father from a nefarious golddigger. But Rafe isn't a man who plays by the rules, and the rugged Colorado wilderness offers no shelter from his forbidden caress. Their clandestine meetings leave Silver breathless, yearning for the fiery kisses that could make her whole world go up in smoke.

She's wealthy-and she's up to no good. To Rafe's mind, that makes Silver and her millions fair game. With her fortune as his goal, he sets out to seduce the savvy black-haired siren-only to discover that Silver's cool veneer hides a vulnerable soul and a burning passion. Now who's wooing for riches and who for love? In this high-stakes game, dare the inveterate scoundrel wager the one thing he can never afford to lose-his heart?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Adrienne de Wolfe's writing is clever...guaranteed to please." -- -- Pamela Morsi

"Scoundrel for Hire is a humorous western romance that will enchant sub-genre fans into seeking other works by the talented Adrienne deWolfe. The story line is entertaining due to the wickedly witty exchanges between characters...but the book belongs to that rapscallion, Rafe, robber of readers' hearts. This is another winner for deWolfe." - Harriet Klausner -- Painted Rock Readers & Writers Colony

"Wickedly funny! This book sizzles with a scoundrel you won't mind losing your heart to. Adrienne deWolfe is a jewel of a find." -- Christina Dodd

Note: SCOUNDREL FOR HIRE was named an RT "Top Pick" for December 1999 and was also awarded RT's K.I.S.S. Award for Heroes. "[Scoundrel for Hire is] a delightful, laugh-out-loud romp that will lift your spirits and have you cheering for more." - Kathe Robin -- Romantic Times Magazine, January 2000

From the Back Cover

Only desperation could drive Silver Nichols to strike a secret bargain with Raphael Jones. Their liaison is strictly business: she hires the charming scalawag to save her millionaire father from a nefarious gold digger. But Rafe isn't a man who plays by the rules, and the rugged Colorado wilderness offers Silver no shelter from his forbidden caress.

Their clandestine meetings leave her breathless, yearning for the fiery kisses that could make her whole world go up in smoke... She's wealthy - and she's up to no good. To Rafe's mind, that makes Silver and her millions fair game. He sets out to seduce the savvy, black-haired siren - only to discover that beneath her cool veneer lies a vulnerable soul and a burning passion. Now who's wooing for riches and who for love? In this high-stakes gamble, dare the inveterate scoundrel wager the one thing he can never afford to lose - his heart?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (December 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380805278
• ISBN-13: 978-0380805273
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,284,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This author writes a good romance, December 12, 1999

By 

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

This review is from: Scoundrel for Hire (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1886 Colorado, Silver Nichols desperately tries to find dirt on Celestia Cooper. That woman seems to have her claws wrapped inside the heart of Silver's millionaire father, who seems to be stupidly in love with that gold digger. Silver is positive that Celestia loves her father's bankbook only. Silver hires professional sleuths like Pinkerton and a Civil War spy but everyone fails to find any incriminating information.

At the local mining exchange, Silver catches Raphael Jones trying to pull a con. Instead of turning in the glib talking Rafe, Silver hires him to impersonate a British aristocrat who is to seduce Celestia. However, Rafe is attracted to the intelligent and beautiful Silver, whose fortune makes her even prettier to the scoundrel. He decides to seduce her as well as Celestia until love burns inside his heart.

SCOUNDREL FOR HIRE is a humorous western romance that will enchant sub-genre fans into seeking other works by the talented Adrienne de Wolfe (see TEXAS OUTLAW and TEXAS WILDCAT). The story line is entertaining due to the wickedly witty exchanges between characters, including a ghost. Silver is a delightful lead female protagonist, but the book belongs to that rapscallion, Rafe, robber of readers, hearts. This is another winner for Adrienne de Wolfe.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memorable Read, February 14, 2000

By 

Thomas Schimonsky "tvonschimo" (Elgin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scoundrel for Hire (Mass Market Paperback)

I was especially taken with the excellent characterization of the male protagonist Rafe. One moment he touches you with his sensitive vulnerability, the next, he has you chuckling at his mischief. He is an intriguing mix of boy and rake. My favorite scene is the gripping scene at the beginning of the book, which takes place at a graveyard, where Rafe confronts his older brother Michael. My next favorite, a séance in which Rafe's pet otter creates havoc. An entertaining read, with suspense rolled in.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new fan raves for a tight, lusciously-written book, February 13, 2000

By 

Michael F Morris (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scoundrel for Hire (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved this book. Well-developed characters, realistic reactions, and a cunning plot without using the all-too common standby in romantic novels of the 'forced marriage'. The villains range from mere traitors, backstabbers (or backshooters; this is, remember, the old west), a rapist... Plenty of despicable people against whom Rafe can shine as truly heroic.

I rate this book very highly, and have sought out other book's by this author (after reading this book), and have bought them. I am only sorry that her first book is out of print, and will be delighted to read her next one in this series.

Addendum: The otter was lovable and wonderful. However, I did appreciate Rafe and Silver (the main characters) more... and especially their luscious descent into an inescapable passsionate and dedicated love.