Your Scandalous Ways (Mass Market Paperback)

by Loretta Chase (Author)
Key Phrases: favorite gown, Marta Fazi, Francesca Bonnard, Lord Byron (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A world-weary British spy and master of disguises living in Regency Venice, James Cordier has been dispatched by the government to retrieve highly sensitive letters in courtesan Francesca Bonnard's possession. A few mishaps later, it's clear that Cordier isn't the only one wanting something from the notorious Francesca, who fled England following an affair that left her humiliated, divorced and friendless. Lord Elphick, her ex-husband, is a man with multiple mistresses and great political ambitions. Cordier's mission and Francesca's inability to ever trust a man again lead the two into a marvelously and intricately danced tango of a romance. An Italian woman with a penchant for emeralds, a grudge against Cordier and a misguided love for Lord Elphick sweetens the pot, but Chase hones in on her leads admirably. The two delight with sparkling dialogue, sizzling sex appeal and a surprising amount of pathos. (June)
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Product Description

James Cordier is all blue blood and entirely dangerous. He's a master of disguise, a brilliant thief, a first-class lover—all for King and Country—and, by gad, he's so weary of it. His last mission is to "acquire" a packet of incriminating letters from one notorious woman. Then he can return to London and meet sweet-natured heiresses—not adventuresses and fallen women.

Francesca Bonnard has weathered heartbreak, scorn, and scandal. She's independent, happy, and definitely fallen; and she's learned that "gentlemen" are more trouble than they're worth. She can also see that her wildly attractive new neighbor is bad news.

But as bad as James is, there are others far worse also searching for Francesca's letters. And suddenly nothing is simple—especially the nearly incendiary chemistry between the two most jaded, sinful souls in Europe. And just as suddenly, risking everything may be worth the prize.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006123124X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061231247
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #101,737 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection, June 2, 2008

By	C. Cox "MarineMom" (Georgetown, Kentucky United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Loretta Chase is one of my favorite authors and I'm convinced that her Lord of Scoundrels is the best romance ever written. But this one comes close to that lofty ideal.

After a scandalous divorce, Francesca Bonnard has remade herself into a wealthy and highly sought after courtesean. But she is playing a dangerous game with her ex-husband that will have deadly consequences.

James Cordier, a younger son of the Earl of Westwood and working one last assignment for the government, is longing to go back to England and finally lead a normal life and find a normal, innocent wife. All their expectations are about to be shattered.

James and Francesca are two of my all time favorite characters. The banter between them is delicious and it's so refreshing to have a hero and heroine who do not conform to the typical romance standards, but who, at the same time, are throughly engaging. There's just enough of the secondary characters to give the story some light hearted moments and some gravity, while not taking anything away from the real story.

If you are looking for something out of the ordinary and very well written go out and get Your Scandalous Ways.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read this in one go, June 14, 2008

By	sarah stewart "Otagogirl" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can see there are mixed feelings about this book, but I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I thought it had suspense, humour and romance, and I really liked the idea of the two damaged people coming together. I would have liked to have a little more angst, which would have tipped it over into 5 stars. And I would have liked Francesca to have a little more angry when she found out about James' betrayal. But over, I would recommend this book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Et tu Loretta?, June 8, 2008

By	C. Klaassen (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow, not a good month for historical romance so far. I almost do not believe that the wonderful, funny, clever Loretta Chase wrote this mediocre novel. The story: in the historic city of Venice, a scandalous younger son meets and pursues a beautiful fallen woman. He is acting on behalf of the English government, this being his last mission before he retires and settles down to life with a yet-to-be-chosen innocent bride. Good enough premise, great setting, appropriately "out of the ordinary" characters for Ms. Chase to work her magic. It never happens. The story plods along, the secondary characters are introduced, they look promising but prove ordinary. What a disappointment.

I tend to agree that this may well be an earlier effort cleaned up and released. Who knows?