A Hint of Scandal

Rating:
Summary: A hint of disappointment?
Review: Alexander, Duke of Westlake, is a rake of the worst sort. At a party, he could have responded to one of the many tryst notes from his paramours--instead, he rushes off to see his injured nephew. On his way, Alex is attacked by highwaymen.

Shot and near-death, he winds up at the house of Arabella Tichley. She is a gentle, practical sort of girl. She loves her simple life at Mabry Green (a small village), and is described as being serious-minded and managing. Bella (and her family) nurses the duke back to health. And as Westlake's strength starts to return, the book's strengths begin to decline...

I won't tell you HOW it happens, but Bella's reputation is utterly ruined, and Westlake is involved. If you know enough about Society, gentleman's honor and ruined women--you can guess what happens next. Bella is forced into an unwanted marriage to save herself from being shunned.

I really enjoyed the first 100 pages. Up to that point, I had high hopes for the book. But then I was disappointed. At times, Alex is evasive, domineering and... boring. I was frustrated by the way he kept leaving his new duchess. Westlake's character fluctuated dramatically; therefore, I didn't feel like I really KNEW him. And while I sympathized with Bella, who was supposed to be a pratical, bookish sort of girl, I thought she was lacking in common sense. Prior to her run-in with the duke, she had a suitor who was a complete idiot. Why, oh WHY did she ever want to marry HIM?! Also, I was a bit puzzled by her desire for an annulment. Why would she trade scandal for scandal?

And while I didn't enjoy many parts of the book, I thought the last 5 pages were uplifting. Also, I would say that Rhonda Woodward has a good feel for the time period--especially considering this is only her second book. With an idea that is less commonplace and more exciting, she DOES have potential.

Rating:
Summary: A lovely read!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed spending an afternoon with these delightful characters. I really love Regencies and this satisfied my craving for a good one. Though there are lots of forced marriage plots, Rhonda Woodward adds an interesting and warm approach. The story held my complete interest until the very end. Because I loved her first book so much, and this book is a great follow-up, I hope there are more books from this author in the works. A charming read.

Rating:
Summary: A lovely read!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed spending an afternoon with these delightful characters. I really love Regencies and this satisfied my craving for a good one. Though there are lots of forced marriage plots, Rhonda Woodward adds an interesting and warm approach. The story held my complete interest until the very end. Because I loved her first book so much, and this book is a great follow-up, I hope there are more books from this author in the works. A charming read.

Rating:
Summary: A Satisfactory Read
Review: It is exciting and interesting how the two main characters meet but after that it kind of drags. I wish the romance between them was more developed. He is unconsious for much of the time that they spend together. I also found the country backdrop rather dull. I prefer the glitering balls of London Society. I have read other books by this author that I have liked.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific light reading
Review: Set around the year of 1818. Alexander Arthur Henry George, Duke of Westlake, received a summons from his widowed sister-in-law. Her ten year old son had an accident and was near death. Worried for his nephew, Alex set off immediately. Only his groom, a lad named Johnny, accompanied him. En route they were attacked by highwaymen.

Arabella "Bella" Tichley was awakened by her younger brother, Tommy, and told of the half dead man outside. Bella nursed Alex to health while keeping as many nosy neighbors away. As he recovered, Alex spent some wonderful time with Bella and her family. By accident, Bella was compromised and they were forced to wed.

Bella felt ill at ease on Alex's huge estate and very lonely since he was off on business. She decided to join her cousin, Lady Beatrice, who had recently gone to London for her first Season. From the moment she arrived, Bella was followed by a hint of scandal and a bit of danger. More was going on than she knew.

All through the story the reader knows what the danger was and it was not hard to figure out who was behind it all. Yet author Rhonda Woodward kept me interested by the unusual circumstances surrounding the romance of Alex and Bella. Terrific light reading!

Rating:
Summary: What a bore!
Review: This book has a very promising first chapter, (which gets the 1 star) then swiftly went down the tubes with a wooden hero (who's not around much of the time) and superficial heroine. These were stick-Regency figures, not believeable characters. The plot was as thin as a wafer. And no sexual tension whatsoever! Should be renamed, More than a hint of Boredom.

Rating:
Summary: I Really Liked It!
Review: Where have you been, Rhonda Woodward? For those of us who appreciate strong character development, engaging and realistic dialogue and a touch of humor in the Regency genre, ... In her second book, A Hint of Scandal, she gives us interesting, believable and complex characters woven into a story line that provides mystery, inner conflict and of course, romance. The opportunity to feel the outwardly reserved Arabella Tichley's emotions as she struggles with the prospect of nursing a mysterious stranger with a gunshot wound back to health kept me unable to put the book down. I could feel her inner conflict as the stranger forced her to evaluate what had been her perfect plan to create an uneventful small village life following a marriage to the local dandy. Arabella's horror and desperate attempt to think of a way to extract herself from an extremely compromising situation was realistic and presented in a manner that I could relate to. The story's hero, the Duke of Westlake, is a man of integrity, strength and resolve to both find and deal with his attempted assassins and find a way to capture the heart of the lovely Arabella. The antics of Arabella's cousin, Lady Beatrice, who has the ability to create chaos at every turn, are what cause a variety of twists and turns in the story line. Beatrice makes the reader wonder what she could possibly do next to complicate Arabella's life, and I found myself both embracing Beatrice as a lovable character and becoming annoyed with her short-sighted perspective in the ways she attempted to help her cousin, Arabella. Rhonda Woodward is a much appreciated new voice whose strength lies in her ability to present characters who keep you coming back for more. I thoroughly enjoyed A Hint of Scandal.