Tag Archives: Bronwyn Scott

Book Review – Secrets of a Gentleman Escort

15 Saturday Mar 2014

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cover37296-mediumHe’s the talk of the ton—for all the wrong reasons!

Society’s most outrageous—and popular!—escort Nicholas D’Arcy is renowned for his utmost discretion. So when he suddenly finds himself named and shamed by a jealous husband, he reluctantly accepts a summons to the countryside…a fate worse than death!

Annorah Price-Ellis isn’t what Nick is used to—innocent, feisty and decidedly uncomfortable with the spontaneous heat between them! Suddenly, London’s most audacious lover is out of his depth, and in danger of revealing the real man behind the polished facade…

Rakes Who Make Husbands Jealous Only London’s best lovers need apply!

This isn’t the first time I’ve read a historical book about a male escort (I’m not sure why the sudden popularity or if they were always this plentiful and I just didn’t notice) and I think that it holds up pretty well.  Nick has his reasons for doing what he does and Scott does a great job of making him complicated and compelling.  I anxiously turned pages trying to get to the bottom of why he is the man he is and whether he can let things go to grab his change at a happy ever after. 

I really loved him with Annorah and was rooting for them from their first meeting.  It’s interesting to have a hero be so overt in his motivation for the things he says and does – usually they either aren’t as aware or they don’t acknowledge their end game but as a professional escort Nick is more up front about his seductive tricks.  It’s actually quite fascinating to read about his thought process.  He’s charming, sexy and witty … and plots every move he makes to come across that way. 

It’s not going to be for everyone – I don’t know why we are OK with our heroes being rakes but as soon as they start taking money for it they are a turn-off – but I highly recommend it.  It’s the first of a series and I’m intrigued by the idea of finding out more about the other men in the League of Discreet Gentlemen. 

How to Disgrace a Lady

06 Thursday Sep 2012

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Merrick St Magnus is a second son without clear direction, who survives on his charm and what money he wins from bets. He’s notorious for his womanizing and daring activities. Alixe Burke firmly believes herself to be on the shelf, and she’s happy to be there. When her parents throw a country party in the hopes of luring eligible men, Merrick gets an invite based on his association with Alixe’s brother. The two find themselves in a compromising (and totally innocent) situation, but since his reputation is well known, her father offers a deal. He has until the end of the season to make her the toast of the Ton, and secure her a suitable husband, or Merrick has to marry her himself.

How to Disgrace a Lady is the first in a new trilogy by Bronwyn Scott called Rakes Beyond Redemption. Readers are given the typical – an outlandish rake trading on his looks but hiding something from the world and a beautiful bluestocking who doesn’t want a Ton lifestyle. Working within a well-used structure, Scott still keeps it engaging by giving her readers interesting characters and a fast-paced story. Proving that just because it has been done before, doesn’t mean that it can’t be done with style.

I like Merrick. He’s funny, charming, and bold, but of course all the best rakes are. He’s not all that happy with where he’s heading, which opens him up to the influence of the right woman. Alixe is sweet, but she’s also saucy, with a daring side that Merrick brings out. His reputation, most of it deserved, makes him a less than appropriate suitor, but then, in true romance style, reformed rakes make the best husbands.

Merrick’s friends, Ashe and Riordan, also make an appears which sets up the next two books in the trilogy (How to Ruin a Reputation due in October and How to Sin Successfully due in November). Though you don’t get a lot of detail, you learn enough to know these two have problems of their own.

If you are looking for a historical romance, this is a perfect choice. The characters are fun and appealing, and they’ll have you turning pages well after you should be asleep.