The Scoundrel's Vow [Mass Market Paperback]

Sherri Browning (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 1999

She was young, beautiful, innocent. He vowed to protect her . . . from himself.

The scoundrel's surprise...

Six years of Lady Shelbourne's School for Girls gave her polish. But nothing could tame the passion Calandra Locke felt for Sir Scarborough Weston, her father's employer, the man she'd loved since childhood. She knew that Scar remembered her as a horseback-riding hoyden, but surely he would be stunned by the woman she had become. Callie was determined to be his wife. No one knew him better, could make him happier than she. If only he would let her . . .

The scoundrel's dilemma....

How could Scarborough Weston tell his steward's daughter that his desire for her was the one feeling he could not afford to indulge? After all, he was a notorious rake whose fascination with a woman lasted no longer than a successful seduction. He vowed never to hurt Callie, and tried to keep her at arm's length. But even as he set about finding her a suitable husband, Callie's unconventional beauty tested his resolve, her passionate nature teasing him, tempting him, driving him out of control and making him do the unthinkable. Could he really be falling in love?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Can a feisty young miss find love and marriage with Sir Scarborough Weston, whom she's adored since childhood? The odds are against Calandra Locke in Browning's debut RegencyAnot only is she the daughter of Scarborough's servant, and educated at Scarborough's expense, but the nobleman's shrewish aunt clearly wishes to keep them apart. Furthermore, Scarborough has vowed never to marry and thereby avoid hurting a woman as his philandering father hurt his mother. The scoundrel Scarborough is the most intriguing element. Calandra is one-dimensional, no match for the roguish lord, and her schemes to win his heart quickly wear thin.Although the lead characters lack the chemistry necessary for a romance to succeed, Browning demonstrates potential, especially in her sympathetic depiction of the lovers' backgrounds. (Aug.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

She was young, beautiful, innocent. He vowed to protect her . . . from himself.

The scoundrel's surprise...

Six years of Lady Shelbourne's School for Girls gave her polish. But nothing could tame the passion Calandra Locke felt for Sir Scarborough Weston, her father's employer, the man she'd loved since childhood. She knew that Scar remembered her as a horseback-riding hoyden, but surely he would be stunned by the woman she had become. Callie was determined to be his wife. No one knew him better, could make him happier than she. If only he would let her . . .

The scoundrel's dilemma....

How could Scarborough Weston tell his steward's daughter that his desire for her was the one feeling he could not afford to indulge? After all, he was a notorious rake whose fascination with a woman lasted no longer than a successful seduction. He vowed never to hurt Callie, and tried to keep her at arm's length. But even as he set about finding her a suitable husband, Callie's unconventional beauty tested his resolve, her passionate nature teasing him, tempting him, driving him out of control and making him do the unthinkable. Could he really be falling in love?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Dell (August 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440235278
• ISBN-13: 978-0440235279
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,834,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sherri writes historical and contemporary fiction, often with a paranormal twist. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Sherri lives in Connecticut with her husband, two nearly grown children, and a Pembroke Welsh corgi.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful read!, March 12, 2000

By 

Carolyn Rogers - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scoundrel's Vow (Mass Market Paperback)

Sherri Browning's debut novel is a sure-fire winner. Scar is the classic tortured hero, and Calandra a woman who knows what she wants. Him. Unfortunately, as in real life, getting what one wants isn't that simple. And so begins a fast-paced, entertaining ride set in the Regency period.

Ms. Browning has created a fun cast of characters (two and four-footed) and an enjoyable plot--the perfect book for a cozy evening's read on the couch while the fire roars merrily in the fireplace and one's own dog lays at one's feet. Ms. Browning's next book will be out this summer and I for one am looking forward to seeing what this promising and exciting author will bring to her fans next!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Another reluctant husband bites the dust! Not very romantic!, January 16, 2000

By 

B. S. Andrews "barbiesa" (Toledo, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Scoundrel's Vow (Mass Market Paperback)

Reluctant husbands are a common theme in historical romances, but this one takes the cake! Usually there comes a point where the hero's initial reluctance to marry falls to the wayside in comparison to his love for the heroine. In this book, the hero is deliberately cruel in rejecting the heroine's obvious feelings again and again. The reasoning--because he is a philanderer and doesn't want to hurt her with his infidelities--just doesn't ring true. His behavior with the heroine--ranging from total rejection to brief passionate interludes to pretending to court other women and fondling the maid in her presence--is the epitome of cruelty.

And the heroine--how disappointing that she seems come back for more of it again and again. She seems to lack the self-respect to pick herself up, dust herself off, and move on with her life. Her love for the hero is more like a childish infatuation that doesn't fade away with maturity. Come to think of it, she doesn't seem all that mature either.

It's truly hard to believe this couple will live happily-ever-after, and that's the biggest reason for my disappointment with this book. Sherri Browning is a great new talent--the writing is superb--but a bit of work on her plotting and characterization wouldn't go awry.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure sheer escapist fun!, January 28, 2000

By 

Liz Hart - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scoundrel's Vow (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved Scoundrel's Vow-- couldn't put it down. The book captures first love and all its joy and pain...and joy. Scar is a tortured hero, and the way he longs for Callie but refuses to hurt her is so touching and tender. Callie is so sweet as she goes all out for true love. I was really pulling for these two to make it! And Callie's father had me in tears, the dear man. Lively writing, terrific characters. A great read.