Marriage Most Scandalous

May 30, 2005
Plot twists abound in this melodramatic tale of revenge, families torn asunder and (of course) true love. Set in Regency England, the story opens as Sebastian Townshend, the heir to an earldom, reluctantly takes part in a duel with his best friend. After unintentionally killing the man, Sebastian, now disinherited by his father, leaves England and adopts a new identity as a brooding mercenary called the Raven. Sebastian's Raven persona is so over the top that it's almost laughable (at one point, he fells two burly bodyguards merely by knocking their heads together), but Lindsey (A Loving Scoundrel, etc.) gives her hero enough magnetism, sexual appeal and human flaws to make his romance with 23-year-old bluestocking Margaret Landor believable. Margaret has hired Sebastian to investigate the truth behind the numerous "accidents" that have befallen his father, who also served as Margaret's guardian. To carry out this assignment, Sebastian returns to England, pretending to be Margaret's husband. When they arrive, a series of clues keep the young couple hopping, while their passions lead them to consummate their pretend marriage. One might quibble that the story's final twist comes out of nowhere and that the protagonists are really modern characters in Regency guise, but Lindsey writes with such gusto and warmth that her legions of readers are unlikely to object.

June 6, 2005
Plot twists abound in this melodramatic tale of revenge, families torn asunder and (of course) true love. Set in Regency England, the story opens as Sebastian Townshend, the heir to an earldom, reluctantly takes part in a duel with his best friend. After unintentionally killing the man, Sebastian, now disinherited by his father, leaves England and adopts a new identity as a brooding mercenary called the Raven. Sebastian's Raven persona is so over the top that it's almost laughable (at one point, he fells two burly bodyguards merely by knocking their heads together), but Lindsey (A Loving Scoundrel, etc.) gives her hero enough magnetism, sexual appeal and human flaws to make his romance with 23-year-old bluestocking Margaret Landor believable. Margaret has hired Sebastian to investigate the truth behind the numerous "accidents" that have befallen his father, who also served as Margaret's guardian. To carry out this assignment, Sebastian returns to England, pretending to be Margaret's husband. When they arrive, a series of clues keep the young couple hopping, while their passions lead them to consummate their pretend marriage. One might quibble that the story's final twist comes out of nowhere and that the protagonists are really modern characters in Regency guise, but Lindsey writes with such gusto and warmth that her legions of readers are unlikely to object.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2005
Margaret Landor spent months searching Europe for Sebastian Townshend, who disappeared from England 11 years ago after accidentally killing his best friend in a duel. Unsuccessful in her quest, Margaret decides to hire the notorious, ruthless, "satisfaction guaranteed" mercenary known as the Raven to find Sebastian. Then, much to her surprise, she discovers that the Raven is none other than Sebastian himself. Despite the fact that Sebastian vowed to never again set foot in England, Margaret tricks him into accompanying her back home to look into the series of mysterious "accidents" that have been plaguing his father, the earl of Edgewood. Long since disowned by his family and friends, Sebastian will need some means of entree into his former world, so when Margaret suggests that they pretend to be married, he reluctantly agrees. The only flaw in the plan is that neither one expected they would want to stay married for real. Lindsey deftly mixes danger and sensual sizzle in a quicksilver plot before neatly wrapping up her subtly witty, deliciously sexy historical romance with a clever twist.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)