To Sin With A Scoundrel (Circle of Sin) [Mass Market Paperback]

Cara Elliott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2010 | Series: Circle of Sin

A reclusive widow known for her scientific scholarship, Lady Ciara Sheffield is shadowed by rumors that she poisoned her husband . . . A rakehell rogue notorious for his devil-may-care antics, Lucas Bingham--the Earl of Hadley--is not accused of murdering anything--save for the rules of Polite Society. The only thing they have in common is seeing their names featured in the lurid gossip columns of London's newspapers. Until an ancient manuscript draws them together.

Ciara needs a titled fiancé to quell the slanderous speculations which may send her to the gallows. Lucas needs brilliant scholar to help his elderly uncle decipher the secrets of the mysterious manuscript. So when her friends urge her to accept the earl's proposal of a temporary alliance, Ciara decides that she has no choice but to make a deal with the Devil. And so begins a seductive dance of sinful pleasures and hidden desires as the two of them waltz through the mansions of Mayfair. Lies, intrigue, treachery, sex. They find themselves facing slanderous whispers, unscrupulous relatives-not to speak of their own simmering passions, which quickly ignite into dangerous flames. It's a potent mix and the result may be explosive-and perhaps deadly-if they don't watch their step.

(2010)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lady Ciara Sheffield joins the crowd of Regency bluestockings in this serviceable and nicely steamy debut romance. Ciara's knowledge of herbs and the unfortunate death of her extremely unpleasant husband has led to society labeling her Lady Murder, a slander encouraged by her husband's grieving family, who want custody of Ciara's son. In order to redeem her position in society, Ciara forms a sham alliance with a notorious but politically powerful rake, the earl of Hadley. While Ciara is a somewhat two-dimensional character, the romance with Hadley, which involves smugglers, kidnappers, and—even worse—gossip of the ton, is well drawn and intriguing. Glimpses of Ciara's circle of scholarly female friends promise that further Circle of Sin titles will share this one's intellectual bent. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Lady Ciara Sheffield couldn’t care less about the rumors that she “helped” her rotten husband to his untimely demise, but when his relatives try to use the gossip to ruin her and take guardianship of her son, Ciara’s friends in the “Circle of Sin,” a group of intellectually minded ladies, insist that Ciara take action. They think she should remarry, but their choice of a prospective husband, rakish Lucas Bingham, the Earl of Hadley, leaves Ciara wondering if her friends have lost their minds. Not only is “Mad, Bad, Had-ley” the subject of more scandalous gossip than Ciara herself, he is also insufferably arrogant and annoyingly sexy. Elliott skillfully brews up a smart, supremely satisfying Regency historical romance. --John Charles

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044654129X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446541299
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Regency

More About the Author

I started creating books at the age of five, or so my mother tells me. And she has the proof--a neatly penciled story, the pages lavishly illustrated with full color crayon drawings of horses and bound with staples--to back up her claim. I have since moved on from Westerns to writing about Regency England, a time and place that has captured my imagination ever since I opened the covers of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

I have a BA and an MFA in Graphic Design from Yale University and now work as the Creative Director of a lifestyle sporting magazine, a job which lets me combine my love of the printed word with my love of art. I'm very fortunate in that my work allows me to travel to interesting destinations around the world--however, my favorite spot is London, where the funky antique markets and used book stores offer a wealth of inspiration for my stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Circle of Sin, Book One, February 25, 2010

By 

Detra Fitch "Always hunting good books." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Sin With A Scoundrel (Circle of Sin) (Mass Market Paperback)

Lady Ciara Sheffield is a young widow with an eight-year-old son, Peregrine "Perry". The serious-minded scholar is an expert in chemistry. This is how the rumors of her husband's death began. The inquest of Sheffield's death showed no proof of foul play. Yet Sheffield's horrid relatives have helped rumors spread that Ciara had poisoned her husband. The nephew, Arthur Battersham, and his mother are trying to reopen the inquest. They are high in Society and well connected. With their whispering into the right ears, they could very well succeed in their attempt. Arthur has gambled himself into debt, which is why Ciara believes the Sheffield relatives are campaigning to steal away her son, by proving her unfit to be a mother. Should they win custody of Perry, they would also control his grand inheritance. Being called the Wicked Witch of Pont Street, Ciara keeps to herself and shields Perry from Society's barbs. Her close friends are the five women, two of which are elderly, which make up the Circle of Scientific Sibyls, affectionately known as the Circle of Sin. The other "Sinners" decide Ciara needs to get a fiancé with enough stature and connections in Society to counter the malicious machinations of Sheffield's relatives. And who better to play the part of a sham courtship than Lucas Bingham, the Earl of Hadley.

Lucas has never cared what Society thought of him. No matter how outrageous he behaves, Society loves him. Everyone loves nothing more than to read the morning paper to see what wild thing "Mad, Bad Had-ley" has recently done. However, Lucas does have a soft spot. His love for his uncle, Sir Henry Phelps, clearly shines through to those who know Lucas. Sir Henry has recently discovered what seems to be a lost manuscript by Hippocrates. Confined to a Bath chair, Sir Henry asks Lucas to ask Ciara to help decipher the manuscript. The "Sinners" convince Ciara and Lucas to make a deal. Ciara will tackle the enormous task of deciphering the manuscript and Lucas will escort her around Society to squelch the slanderous rumors that threaten to have her hanged. But soon the sham engagement becomes something more and then the accidents begin to happen. Lucas is determined to protect the brilliant widow and the adorable little boy he is coming to care way too much for.

***** FOUR AND A HALF STARS! Author Cara Elliott has created a magnificently compelling read! She has paired a scholar and a scoundrel. Well, science does show that opposites attract. This story follows that logic and I had a wonderful time watching the chemistry of these two main characters mix. This author has made a new fan in me! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Witty Historical Romance, April 3, 2010

By 

D. Whalen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Sin With A Scoundrel (Circle of Sin) (Mass Market Paperback)

I enjoyed this story quite a bit. I loved reading the funny interactions that each of the main characters had with their group of friends. The transformation of Lucas from rake to married man was very believable and fun to watch. Underneath all the womanizing was an intelligent, sensitive and interesting man. I liked Ciara and was glad that she found love after everything her ex-husband put her through. I thought the villains were kind of silly but overall this was a great historical romance.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars clever and enjoyable, March 10, 2010

By 

Fantastacy "Fantastacy" (NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Sin With A Scoundrel (Circle of Sin) (Mass Market Paperback)

Lady Ciara Sheffield is known as a scholar, a scientist, and mother of eight-year-old Perry. When her husband dies, though there was no sign of foul play, she is accused of poisoning him. Sheffield believes that her in-laws are trying to ruin her reputation and prove her unfit to mother her beloved Perry in order to collect his inheritance.

Lady Sheffield knows that in order to turn her reputation around, she needs a noble fiancé. Lucas, The Earl of Hadley, a bit of a scoundrel but titled nonetheless, agrees to an alliance with Ciara, as he needs her knowledge to decipher a mysterious manuscript.

Ciara soon discovers a secret about Lucas, and Lucas becomes fond of Ciara and her son Perry. Inevitably, the two begin to fall in love.

Cara Elliot wrote To Sin with a Scoundrel with a nice balance of humor and romance. The historical London setting was nicely painted in the imagination and very believable. She is able to express her characters' thoughts and feelings through little nuances and clever dialogue. The main characters fall into typical archetypes, maiden and scoundrel, with an interesting chemistry and a strong "supporting cast." It was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to the rest of the series!