Scandal

November 24, 2003
Since its 16th-century inception, the nickname "Wicked Wainridge" has suited the region's licentious lords, but Alexander Drummond, the eighth heir to the Wainridge dukedom, is the first in his lineage to prefer chasing miscreants to maids. An upright Customs Board official, Alex has a knack for outfoxing smugglers, but he doesn't suspect that the newest addition to his household, the spirited, straight-speaking alleged young widow Mary Callahan, is both the daughter of a vengeance-minded smuggler and the Royal Circus's famed female stunt rider Artemis. The mayhem that ensues after the uncommon commoner is hired as nursemaid for Alex's difficult daughter encompasses kidnapping, daring escapes, several magical scenes of Cockney-to-courtly transformation, crucial cameo appearances by the Prince Regent (later George IV) and, eventually, some spectacular yet sensitively portrayed sex scenes. Britton's (Seduced
, etc.) unusual characterizations, command of upper- and lower-class dialects and delightful sense of humor make this Regency-era romp much more than just great winter cruise reading. This is the kind of book that romance fans will read and reread on gloomy days. (Jan.)

Forecast:
Cover praise from Amanda Quick and a sensual cover image will attract fans of sexy historical romances, and the book's irresistible humor and unique narrative voice will spur word-of-mouth sales.

November 15, 2003
Determined to overcome the licentious tradition of his ancestors, the Marquis of Warrick is a customs officer par excellence. But when he destroys the livelihood of the locals along the Hollowbrook Coast by clamping down on smuggling, the stage is set for revenge in an unexpected way-a smuggler's daughter-turned-nanny who infiltrates both his home and his heart. An intelligent, outspoken heroine, a hero struggling with his family's reputation and his own feelings, and a willful child in need of attention drive the plot of this fast-paced, highly sensuous tale, which also throws in wickedly sassy humor, a dash of danger, and a mischievous monkey. Britton (Seduced) is an up-and-coming romance writer and lives in Northern California.

Copyright 2003 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2004
To make up for his roguish ancestors, marquis George Alexander Essex Drummond becomes a revenue commander, and a stickler for society's conventions. And he has no idea that the nanny he has hired for his daughter, a world-class brat, is actually a circus performer pressed into accepting the position by her smuggler father, who wants her to spy on Alex. Mary doesn't want to be a spy, especially if it means working for the "Devil Marquis" of Warrick, and Alex is flummoxed when this courageous, tenacious nanny destroys all of his preconceived, uptight notions. Alex falls in love with Mary, but feels that because of his station, he can only offer her the status of mistress. Britton invents great characters, from the initially stuffy marquis to the circus-performer nanny to Alex's rakish cousin, Rein, to Abu, a monkey with attitude. Fans of Amanda Quick and her feisty heroines will also enjoy the exploits of Britton's fearless heroine as she turns her cautious admirer's world upside down.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2004
Charles Reinleigh Drummond Montgomery, sixth earl of Sherborne, who earned disfavor from his late uncle by accidentally running over the old man's vicious dog, is now heir to the family fortune. However, the will has one condition: Rein must live anonymously, and without financial aid, among the common people for one month. Orphaned Anna Rose Brooks lives with her grandfather, an eccentric, penniless inventor, and Rein literally falls head-over-heels for her when her kite crashes into his head. Feeling obligated to see to his wound, she takes him home, where he cleverly negotiates room and board. Rein soon discovers that her "kite" is really a unique sail designed to win the purse in a prestigious fastest boat contest, and he develops enormous admiration for her intelligence and ingenuity. Sexy and sensual, this Pygmalion-in-reverse story shows how, with the right woman, a selfish nobleman can become a genuinely nice person in spite of himself. As in Britton's other excellent books, this romance is laced with lots of humor.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)