Rating: 
Summary: ORIGINAL
Review: A great read. An original plot, characters a little out of the ordinary, wonderful love story, intrigue. . .what more could you want? A definite keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Great romance!
Review: After reading a string of so-so romance books lately, this one was such a pleasant and highly enjoyable treat. I've enjoyed other Karen Robards books, not her contemporary ones, but her other historical romances. In my opinion, she is in the ranks of Kathleen Woodiwiss and Joanna Lindsey. The heroine is strong and independent but still has her flaws and is not a knock-out beauty. The hero is handsome and intelligent and sees the inner qualities of the heroine and falls in love with her because of that. A top rate romance!
Rating: 
Summary: Not Up to Her Usual
Review: As a fan of the great historicals Karen Robards once wrote, I picked up SCANDALOUS with delight, thinking she was past her Stockholm Syndrome books and would give us another historical feast. Only when I was on the plane did I open it to see it was that hybrid of a Regency, a Georgian. The heroine was obliged to indulge in a lot of silly vaporing, endless repetition of her worries, and dither over all the ultra-prissy conventions of the Regency era. Usually Regencies are shorter, and often lighthearted, which means you can romp through them if they are your cup of tea. At greater length, they get a little tedious; and this did, too.I felt this book, and the two to follow, were probably written long ago and pulled out of a desk drawer now that she is such a popular author. She certainly got the style down, but she isn't writing in the voice I like, which is why I like to read her books. {Contemporary, too, aside from the dumb "chase operas" where the heroine is kidnapped and dragged around by the hair by a tough guy who turns out to be the "hero." Not.) Those all seemed like the same book, and I'm glad she has moved on to other contemporary women's fiction--though the ones with ultra nasty serial killers preying on young children, I could do without. Still, I like this author, and will read other books by her.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story, done in by the dreaded 350-page rule
Review: Ever wonder why all romances are about the same size? Publisher's everywhere have somehow decided that readers cannot keep their attention on a romance if it runs over 350 pages. For some stories, this arbitrary stopping point works OK, but this is one of those stories where page 350 comes like a slap in the face. Up to the final chapters, it's a roaring good tale: a ne'er-do-well, mysterious hero, a repressed, highborn spinster gambling for very high stakes, an unsolved murder. Lady Gabriella must make her way through society, find a husband for her achingly eligible sister, and keep some very important information completely under wraps, all by the side of a charming rogue who alternately helps and hinders. Then, with the quickness of lightning, the villian is exposed, the plot twists neatly unravelled, and everyone lives happily ever after. Not only is this ending rushed in the extreme, but it leaves all sorts of unanswered questions. I can only hope that book 2, the middle sister's story, clears up some of my questions--but that in turn will deprive this poor dear of her measely share of pages (I'm sorry dear, but we need another fifty pages for your sister; you have been demoted to a novella...). In short, a great story, seemingly cut off at the knees.
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to par
Review: I am a die-hard Karen Robards fan, and that's why I was so disappointed with this latest effort from the author. Several of the romantic scenes in "Scandalous" were copied straight out of her earlier contemporary novels. The dialogue between key characters often seemed unnatural and forced. The heroine was refreshing in that she made up for her ordinary looks with an extrodinary strength of spirit, but the hero didn't seem worthy of her somehow, being too shallow and lacking in character overall. Ms. Robard's has a flair for writing contemporary novels with a sharp, quick dialogue in today's language. If you're looking for a fast-paced romance with a heroine and hero you can root for, I'd recommend Ms. Robards' "Hunter's Moon".
Rating:
Summary: A Heart-Tugging Romance
Review: I am a huge fan of Karen Robards and this is among her best ever. The romance is fun (hot) and the emotions are beautifully expressed. These people aren't perfect but you care deeply about them. I read this in one sitting and then proceeded to re-read the passages about the dancing several times. Sometimes there is too little focus on the sex or too litte focus on the emotions. This time, Karen Robards got it JUST RIGHT! Can't wait to see the next installments!
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as her earlier historicals
Review: I have been patiently waiting for Ms. Robards to return to writing historicals after her string of contemporary novels. However this latest effort just doesn't live up to her earlier historicals. It was somewhat slow moving (the hero is confined to bed for the entire first half of the book) and I had to force myself to finish it. If you want to read a really good story, pick up either "Forbidden Love" or "Dark of the Moon"...both are GREAT books from Robards.
Rating:
Summary: I've read better
Review: I have read all of KR's books, and while I was waiting a long time for a historical (which are her best), I found this one just "ok". It had similar elements to some of her other books (e.g. Dark Torment, Nobody's Angel), yet I found the story dragging at times.
Rating:
Summary: A fun romp
Review: I have read the author's contemporary novels and liked them, but to me, this historical romance was even more entertaining. I loved the verbal sparring between Gabriella and her tormentor/hero. The romantic scenes were very well done and kept me awake until 1:00 a.m. on a work night just so I could finish the book. I do agree with an earlier review that the ending was a little rushed and the other characters were not as well developed, resulting in four stars instead of five. But I guess more will be revealed in the next in the series, "Irresistible", and I, for one, can't wait!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Loved It!
Review: I haven't read any books by K.R. before, but I am compelled to read more of her work now. Just loved everything about this book, and my face is still warm from finishing it!
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