Sandy M’s review of Scandalous By Night (Carlisle Family, Book 4) by Barbara Pierce
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s 29 July 08

If you’re looking for an excellent historical author, you need to read Barbara Pierce.  I have to admit the first thing that drew me to her books were the titles.  Browsing at the bookstore, the first book in the series, Wicked Under the Covers, jumped out at me from the shelf. Right next to it sat Sinful Between the Sheets. I couldn’t resist, especially after I’d also glanced at the covers. But what made me a huge fan of Ms. Pierce’s is, of course, her writing, her characters, her storylines.  All terrific and all worth the time if you’ve not yet read her.

And this book is her best work yet.  The three previous books in this series all have their own mystery to be solved, issues to resolve, and love to be conquered, but Everod, the hero, has a dark side to him that we don’t see in Soletia or Ramscar, his lifelong friends.  We find out early on that something terrible happened when Everod was a teenager and his father remarried a young, lusty woman.  When all hell breaks loose, Everod is recovering from a near-fatal dagger wound and is banished from his home and family.

Twelve years later after no contact whatsoever with any of those involved, including young Maura, niece to the new duchess, his family has invaded London, his city, his domain.  Chancing upon the now-grown-up Maura in town, his plan of revenge becomes clear to him and his seduction of the woman who helped ruin his life has begun.

Seeing Everod again after so many years brings home to Maura how she’d been used by her aunt in her duplicity against the young heir, but she loves her aunt and the past can’t be changed.  A chance meeting with the man in London only spurs him on to interfere in her life, sending her gifts that deepens her guilt, seducing her with a charm and wit that is not so much a part of Everod’s life anymore.

She finds no matter how much she protests or tries to run, she’s not immune to Everod, especially his dark side, his adventurous side, and she gets caught up in his sensual whirlwind.  All the while she must deal with her aunt who wants a marriage between Maura and Everod’s younger brother, something Maura can’t fathom now that she’s tasted what Everod as to offer.  As things heat up in the battle of wills between her aunt and her lover, Maura is caught in the middle and then her heart is broken when the man she’s come to love reveals his revenge in a most public way.

The times we’ve met Everod in the previous books, he is a rake and a cad, but he’s also fun-loving.  This new Everod is dark and exciting, and as the reasons for that darkness is slowly revealed, we begin to understand why he vacillates between revenge and desire.  You feel for him and then you curse him for his actions. You also feel for Maura once the whole truth is revealed, along with her aunt’s duplicity, the extent of which takes a devil of a turn. I enjoyed having the entire family of characters from the first three books so involved in this one, nice to catch up and see where they are in their lives.

The writing by Ms. Pierce is as rich as ever, and I’m glad to see this slight evil side of her.  That added a whole new depth to Everod and Maura’s story and made them the star of the Carlisle series.  The only thing I wanted more of was a little extra time with Everod and Maura at the end of the book.  There was such tension and distrust between them, even despite the wonderful love scenes, that I wanted to see a little more tenderness and love, more than a page or two, once everything came together for them.  Of course, it’s not totally necessary once happily ever after comes along, but that’s just a personal thing of mine.

Pick these books up at the first opportunity if you’re an historical fan.  You will not be disappointed at all. You will fall in love with each character Ms. Pierce introduces you to and you will remember their stories for some time to come.

Grade: A+

Summary:

A SINFUL SCHEME…

Even among that band of rakes known as les sauvages nobles, Lord Everod’s reputation is truly wicked. Countless willing partners have enjoyed his sensual prowess, but now one lovely innocent has his undivided attention. The alluring Miss Maura Keighly once lost Everod his family’s regard, and almost cost him his life. And no vengeance could be sweeter than the delicious seduction he has planned…

BECOMES A SCANDALOUS PURSUIT

Maura is on the verge of marrying another. Yet no sooner has she set foot among the ton than Everod makes himself known, tempting and taunting her by word and deed, filling her days and nights with illicit longing. His wanton invitation is plain, yet Maura’s passionate response blindsides them both. For the first time, Everod feels something more potent than lust. Simple surrender will never be enough; Everod must possess Maura completely. But the past cannot be so easily forgotten—and some desires are even more dangerous than revenge…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Naughty by Nature (Carlisle Family, Book 3) by Barbara Pierce
Historical romance released by St. Martin’s 27 Nov 07

Barbara Pierce has become an all-time favorite of mine.  Her books an auto-buy. The Carlisles are a fun and scandalous family with friends of the same attributes, as evidenced by the hero in this book. These books are full of famlial love as well as romantic love, and if you haven’t read about this raucous brood yet, you are missing a great time.

What I loved most about this book is the different side we see of Ram – the sensitive, emotional side – but the rogue is still present. We also find out what it is in his past that has brought him to this point in his life and made him the man he is. The scenes with his sister, especially when we learn why it is Margaret is the only sister left, are quite emotional.  In addition, although it breaks his heart to force her to rejoin society after so many years of hiding, he has decided to stand firm and make sure she begins to live again.

Then he literally bumps into the most intriguing woman and, though she awakens a different kind of passion in him than he’s used to, he employs her to help his sister.  Ms. Pierce’s wonderful writing shows us how difficult a situation he’s made for himself because he’s never crossed that line with an employee, and some things in life just have to have their own way no matter what you do.

Patience has had her own downfall in life and is hiding a horrible secret.  She is now trying to eke out a living as an actress in a traveling company. Fortune begins to smile on her when she agrees to take Ram’s job. She realizes all Margaret needs is female camaraderie and guidance.  Margaret’s changes are astoudning to Ram, that is when he is able to keep his mind and hands off the delectable Patience.

I enjoyed the relationship between Ram and Patience. They both try to stay away from one another, knowing a relationship would be frowned upon, but their attraction is just too strong. I also liked the mystery that came as a surprise later in the book, which is when we meet up with the Carlisles in full force. In times of crisis you know who your friends are, and Ram’s friends never hesitate when he asks for help.

The wit and humor between Ram and Patience is never ending, their love grows despite everything. Throw in the rowdiness of the Carlisles to continue the banter and fun and you have a book that is quite satisying in every way.

Grade: B+

From the back cover:

     TWO LOVERS WILL RISK EVERYTHING…

     Patience Rose Farnaly was easily lured away from her wealthy family by the false love of a dangerous man. Rather than face a grim future on the streets, Patience struggled to find honest work as an actress. But when the irresistibly charming Earl of Ramscar offers her legitimate employ in London as a lady’s companion to his sister, Patience snaps up the chance…although her attraction to Ramscar leaves her on shaky ground.

     FOR A MOMENT OF PURE CARNAL BLISS…

     Ever since a devastating fire left his sister brutally scarred, Ramscar vowed to protect the little family he has left. Now that Patience has been hired to be his sister’s companion, his conscience is clear—even if his imagination won’t let him rest. Haunted by fantasies of the beautiful, beguiling Patience, it’s only a matter of time before they enter into an illicit affair—one that might threaten Ramscar’s status among les sauvages nobles if Patience’s dark past comes to light…and could destroy them both.

     Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: