Sandy M’s review of To Sin with a Scoundrel (Circle of Sin, Book 1) by Cara Elliott
Historical Romance published by Forever 1 Mar 10
The first few chapters of this book are a little…..slow. There’s a lot of backstory and I kept waiting for things to begin. I’m glad I didn’t give up because once the hero and heroine finally start truly interacting, sparks fly, danger rears its ugly head, and seduction is a sensual game the hero is an expert at. Our heroine didn’t stand chance. And neither did I once Lucas begins his lure into passion.
Being a widow has given Ciara a certain amount of freedom. She’s a lady of science, so her experiments and meetings with the ladies from their Circle of Sin are what she enjoys most. However, that also means she’s a woman alone, and she’s the mother of a very young earl and her in-laws use everything at their disposal to discredit Ciara to try to gain control of her son. And this is all after they did their best to have her convicted of the murder of her husband. On top of it all, she can do without men after what she went through with said deceased husband.
Lucas is a delicious rake, one who cares nothing for what Society thinks of him. He’s always immersed himself in pleasure, whether it be drink or women or just plain old trouble for the hell of it. The one soft spot he has is his old guardian, who has always been a father to him. Henry has discovered an ancient writing and feels it has some importance if only it can be deciphered. He asks Lucas to take the document to Ciara, who is known in scientific circles for her expertise.
Meeting the Wicked Widow is nothing like Lucas expected. He’s immediately drawn to her, which he can’t figure out. She wants nothing to do his brash self, but he wants more of her. What I love about Lucas is the way he slowly and sensually seduces Ciara. She’s never had a man pay any kind of sexual attention to her and she succumbs to his wickedness touch by touch, whisper by whisper. It’s gratifying to see her enjoy his loving when it finally happens.
The danger surrounding Ciara and her son escalates, and Lucas takes charge of their safety, whisking them away to Henry’s seaside home. Of course, the evil follows them, strikes at Ciara’s son, and Lucas will make sure he’s safe or die trying. That’s another part of Lucas I really enjoy, is his boyishness when he’s with the children, playing with them, covered in grass and dirt stains despite the displeasure his valet is sure to throw his way. Lucas may be a scoundrel, but he’s a charming one to the core. And Ciara is a woman who can’t resist him for long.
This is a nice start to the series. I’m looking forward to the next book, To Surrender to a Rogue. Jack and Allesandra have already started their rocky relationship in TSwaS, so it’s going to be interesting to see how they’re thrown together and how they survive each other. Talk about sparks flying. More fun in is on the way.
Grade: B
Summary:
A reclusive widow known for her scientific scholarship, Lady Ciara Sheffield is shadowed by rumors that she poisoned her husband . . . A rakehell rogue notorious for his devil-may-care antics, Lucas Bingham, the Earl of Hadley is not accused of murdering anything—save for the rules of Polite Society. The only thing they have in common is seeing their names featured in the lurid gossip columns of London’s newspapers.
Until an ancient manuscript draws them together.
Ciara needs a titled fiancé to quell the slanderous speculations which may send her to the gallows. Lucas needs brilliant scholar to help his elderly uncle decipher the secrets of the mysterious manuscript. So when her friends urge her to accept the earl’s proposal of a temporary alliance, Ciara decides that she had no choice but to make a deal with the Devil.
And so begins a seductive dance of sinful pleasures and hidden desires as the two of them waltz through the mansions of Mayfair. Lies, intrigue, treachery, sex. They find themselves facing slanderous whispers, unscrupulous relatives—not to speak of their own simmering passions, which quickly ignite into dangerous flames. It’s a potent mix and the result may be explosive—and perhaps deadly—if they don’t watch their step.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
