MARRIAGE MOST SCANDALOUS By #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Johanna Lindsey

Title: MARRIAGE MOST SCANDALOUS

By Johanna Lindsey

Publisher: Simon & Schister

Imprint: Pocket Star Books

Genre: Regency, Historical, Romance, Fiction, Adult

On Shelves: April 2006

Format: eBook & Print

Pages: 424

Reviewed by ChristinRCJR

Book Heat: Hot

Read an Excerpt

Order: Amazon, B&N

#1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsay presents a powerfully romantic Regency-era tale that is breathtaking in scope and wondrously passionate.

When Sebastian Townshend, son of the eighth Earl of Edgewood, was banished from his family due to the tragic results of a duel, he vowed never to return to England. Now living on the continent, Sebastian has forged a new identity as a deadly mercenary, The Raven. But his former neighbor, Lady Margaret Landor, has different plans for him. Back in England, Sebastian's father has had several accidents and Margaret suspects foul play and deception that reach as far back as the infamous duel. Convinced that only Sebastian can set the situation to rights, Margaret arranges a scandalous bargain with him that includes Sebastian's returning home as her husband. As the newlyweds uncover a deadly scheme, a fierce passion blossoms between them, which neither anticipated — and neither can resist.

~REVIEW~

Hail the reigning Queen of the romance world #1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey.  Having just finished Lindsey’s April 2006, Pocket Star Books release, MARRIAGE MOST SCANDAL I was reminded why this renowned romance author has paved the way for so many of today’s author.  I was further reminded why at seventeen I became obsessed, not only, with the romance genre but this fabulous author who’s writing career spans some thirty years and counting.

Disowned and now a soldier of fortune, Sebastian Townshend has sworn to never step foot on English soil.  Once, Sebastian Townshend had the English ton at his beck-and-call until that fateful day, gun in hand, he risked his future in a duel that would take the life of his friend, making him flee the country, penniless, making his way in the world on his own.  There is nothing-nothing-in the world that would make him go back to England.  Not even beautiful Lady Margaret Landor, once his neighbor, could entice him.  Sebastian is now a gun for higher, to the highest bidder, soulless and emotionally detached.  One problem, Sebastian is just the man Lady Margaret has been looking for and she will do anything to have him return home with her…anything.

Lady Margaret Landor has found the man she has been looking for, for the last for month.  Who would have guessed he would be right under her nose and the deadly mercenary known as the Raven.  But as luck would have it Sebastian is in her grasp and she will not let him go.  No matter how foreboding and dastardly arrogant he is.  She needs his help in figuring out the mysterious accidents that surround his father.  Lady Margaret is terrified someone close to the Duke, is trying to cut his life short. Maggie will have to get past his gruff exterior and find the heart of the man who charmed her so long ago.  She just might do the one thing she never thought possible…become the Raven’s bride.  Little do they know, the potent passion that burns between them will be the love that sets them free.

Reader, MARRIAGE MOST SCANDAL is one of my favorite Johanna Lindsey’s reads today.  Like most fanatic Lindsey fans we are drawn into the sensual imagery this phenomenal charismatic author gives her reader.  Her powerful prose of a soldier of fortune confronting past sins and deceits is a story I could not deny myself.  Okay, no denial need, because after reading the book blurb I was intrigued to read Sebastian and Margaret’s story.  This story pull was the in this very line, “My god, you married a whore.”  How could any reader resist.  Lindsey is perfect in creating dramatic conflict and when our hero, Sebastian meets is best friend and adversary at the Dueling Rock, well, all hell breaks lose from there.  Twelve years later, we met a magnetic alpha male who, I admit, I would pay just to see him walk across the room.  Sebastian Townshend is a dynamic character that entreats a reader to come and join the story and see what he will do next.  It does not hurt that the perfection of maleness is paired with the beautiful girl next door, Lady Margaret, who once had a tender for the wayward lord.  The chemistry in between the protagonist is potent, both in its sensuality and sexuality, enhancing the charge in entertaining Lindsey's fan base. 

A Johanna Lindsey book is rife with engaging plots, steamy love scenes, sparkling wit, but none of that would matter without her particular brand of robust characters that burst at the seams with eccentrically bewitching cast of characters.   Each characters is a burst of energy from the main characters to the supporting cast.  In Lindsey’s Regency era splendor MARRIAGE MOST SCANDAL she sets the tone of the prodigal son return after banishment by way of precise imagery that draws a reader in.  Lindsey is a master of the written word and knowing exactly what a readers wants in their character…perfectly flawed but with an ounce of redemption on the side, which she has unfailing given readers time and time again.

Give a cheer, for Lindsey never, ever let’s her readers down with dull plots that drag on from beginning to end.  Lindsey has mastered the art of story telling that has writers, new and old, desperate to follow in her dynamic foot steps.  Bringing the prodigal to heal is not an easy task but Lindsey’s skill with the might word is flawless in its statement. Through MARRIAGE MOST SCANDAL Lindsey is sublime in showing the characters greatest fear.  Townshend, betrayed by the friend he called brother, the prideful father who banished him from his sight and the deep penetrating guilt of killing his best friend is rooted in such sublime imagery, as a reader I felt is anguish.  Lindsey writing shows a respect of her audiences’ intelligent and emotional grip that you can not find fault.

A MARRIAGE MOST SCANDALOUS is a lush Lindsey read, with wondrous wit, delicious dialogue, steamy and sensual love scenes that grip a reader with its plush local making every Lindsey’s fanatics fantasies come true.