Secrets of a Scandalous Bride [Mass Market Paperback]

Sophia Nash (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 23, 2010

Her first secret: She is not a widow.

Elizabeth Ashburton has never even married, and at this rate, she never will. But pretending to be a bereaved young wife was the only way she could escape her horrid fate—being forced to marry the man who destroyed her father.

Her second secret: She is not a prim young lady.

Her third secret: She's willing to risk all.

Elizabeth knows she is playing a dangerous game, for her dreaded suitor will not give her up without a fight. Now she needs Rowland more than ever—to rescue her from a life of desperation, to drive her wild with desire, and to make her his scandalous bride.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Elizabeth Ashburton had been running from her past for two years, but now it’s about to catch up with her with a vengeance. The minute Elizabeth spots Leland Pymm, now General Pymm, and his contingent of soldiers, she knows she has to escape. Unfortunately, the only person who can help Elizabeth is Rowland Manning, the last man on earth Elizabeth would ever wish to ask for a favor. Elizabeth thought she was a bad judge of character because it was the only thing that could explain how she could be so easily deceived by Leland. But it turns out Elizabeth is really better at judging a person’s real worth than she thought because she turns out to be the only one who sees Rowland for the man of honor he truly is. Expertly spiced with a deliciously subtle sense of wit, deftly seasoned with a superbly nuanced cast of characters, and featuring a plot brimming with lusciously sensual romance and a dash of dangerous intrigue, Secrets of a Scandalous Bride is Nash’s best book yet. --John Charles

Review

“Graced with empathetic characters, emotional intricacy, and unexpected plot twists, this final book in the ‘Widows Club’ series ties up a variety of loose ends and is a perfectly delicious series finale.” (Library Journal (starred review) on Secrets of a Scandalous Bride )

“Expertly spiced with deliciously subtle sense of wit, deftly seasoned with a superbly nuanced cast of characters, and featuring a plot brimming with lusciously sensual romance and a dash of dangerous intrigue, Secrets of a Scandalous Bride is Nash’s best book yet.” (Booklist (starred review) on Secrets of a Scandalous Bride )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Original edition (February 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061493309
• ISBN-13: 978-0061493300
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #726,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sophia Nash's first three Regency romances won eight national awards, including a RITA award, Romantic Times Award for Best Regency Romance, and a spot on the American Library Association's Top Ten Romances of the Year. Her first single title Historical from Avon/Harper Collins hits the shelves June 2007. Raised in America and France, Sophia began her writing career as a television producer for CBS, and also held stints as a congressional speechwriter, and a nonprofit CEO before pursuing her long-held dream of writing fiction. Readers may may enter contests and learn more about her national award-winning novels via her website: www.sophianash.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing and Exciting Romance Novel, February 24, 2010

By 

B. Shah "Romance Junkie" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of a Scandalous Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved Sophia Nash's latest novel in her Widows Club Series. It was refreshing and a page turner. Elizabeth and Rowland, the hero and heroine of the novel capture your interest through out the novel. They are a couple that will do anything for each other's happiness. The plot centers around Elizabeth who is running away from an obssessed suitor who will do anything to marry her. Rowland helps her on a whim and the story keeps you glued to the book to see how the hero and heroine will get their happily ever after ending. I could not put the book down and read it in one night. You are really able to feel what the characters are experiencing and going through. You can't help but root for them. Elizabeth is a courageous heroine who believes in herself, her convictions and love while Rowland is an illegitimate son of a late Earl, who has scraped and schemed his way up the societal ranks. He does not believe he deserves happines and love. This novel is about how 2 people coming together and showing each other that love is never out of reach if you believe in it.

It was also fun to see all of the Widow club characters back and to see how their lives have progressed. We finally get to see the outcome of the infamous Ata and Mr. Brown romance. They definitely have their moments in the novel as they do not make their HEA easy. This is a standalone novel but if you are interested in the other novels they are listed below in order:

*Dangerous Beauty - Rosamunde's and Luc's story
*The Kiss - Georgiana's and Quinn's story
*Love with a Perfect Scoundrel - Grace's and Michael's story
*Novella - Four Dukes and a Devil - Victoria's and John's story
*Secrets of Scandalous Bride - Elizabeth's and Katherine's story

Happy Reading!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeper shelf worthy..., March 3, 2010

By 

angelisplace.com - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Secrets of a Scandalous Bride (Kindle Edition)

Really loved this book. Although it is the conclusion of a series, I was able to really enjoy the story without having read the previous books in the series.

Rowland and Elizabeth's story is wonderfully told by Sophia Nash. What I liked most is that Rowland is more of the anti-hero (especially in previous book where he was the villian). He is the bastard son of an Earl. He went out of his way to torment and persecute his half-brother, Michael, but in this story we see that he is really just a product of his circumstances. He was raised in a rookerey and is as described a chameleon. He is no gentleman at all until he meets Elizabeth. Elizabeth sees the haunted soul and falls in love with a man that she is warned off from everyone including his half brother. At the same time Elizabeth brings out the good that is hidden beneath the muck that he was raised in.

Trully a well written novel. For all those who love to root for the underdog, go out and buy this novel. In the end you might just fall in love with Rowland too.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story of redemption, March 14, 2010

By 

sarah stewart "Otagogirl" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Secrets of a Scandalous Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the story of the redemption of a man without hope...a real villain...and an excellent example to other authors who try the same formula. Rowland Manning is a man without feeling, a man who tried to kill his brother and embezzle his sister-in-law. You'd think it would be hard to fall in love with him as a hero. But I did... The way Nash develops his character, explains why he behaves like he does, and then uncovers his feelings for Elizabeth is true romance. I could not put this book down...the tension and pathos was addictive. My only criticism as such is that it got a tad melodramatic toward the end, but I absolutely adored the relationship between Elizabeth and Rowland. The best recent release I have read in a while. NB: You don;t need to have read the previous books in the series but it helps.