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Prelude To A Scandal (Mills & Boon Historical) (2012)

by Delilah Marvelle(Favorite Author)

3.49 of 5 Votes: 2

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Mills & Boon Historical

series

Scandal

review 1: When an author like Erin Knightley comments on your blog with a romance novel recommendation, you better well listen. Mr. T has no reason to lecture me. I’m no fool. And so Prelude to a Scandal by Delilah Marvelle made its way to my nightstand.Had it not been for the recommendation, I never would have picked this book off the shelf, and here’s why…the synopsis per Ms. Marvelle’s book cover (trust me, I’ll explain after):Lady Justine is willing to trade her good name, her reputation and her place in London’s gossip-hungry ton to secure her father’s release from prison. But when the notorious Duke of Bradford counters her offer with a proposal of marriage, the stakes grow higher still. For while the smoldering lord is famous for his conquests, the man is oblivi... moreous to both her devotion and her charms. And Justine is soon afraid she has wagered all for naught….Umm…it’s a little lackluster, wouldn’t you say? The summary makes Prelude to a Scandal sound like every other freakin’ romance novel on the shelves. The summary didn’t mention that Justine’s father was imprisoned for “conspiring to promote buggery” after writing about a scientific study he conducted in South Africa about same-sex mating in animals. The summary doesn’t mention anywhere that Justine spent a good portion of her youth living in South Africa, and it sure as hell didn’t mention anything about the good Duke of Bradford’s unfortunate addictions, nor of his insane, violent family connections.When you have a delicious, scarred sex addict in a historical romance novel, you say something to that effect on the back cover. Because it’s hot. Above all, because it’s different. Historical romance novels too often fall victim to unoriginality, and for the brave few who wander outside the regular parameters, it’s shuffled under the carpet.While his sex addiction was thoroughly addressed, it was addressed without marathon sex scenes. In fact, in order to overcome this addiction, there is a great deal of abstinence, something many reviewers complained about in their reviews of this book on Amazon. The pacing of this book is important. Understanding the torment of a sexual addiction is important. It’s true that the feisty interchanges are limited, but the few we get are well written. In between the sex scenes, the reader should be feeling (and suffering) the same lack of relief as Bradford. It’s what makes the book unique.Furthermore, Marvelle uses more subtle techniques to ignite a flame (as opposed to the horrible 50 Shades of Grey books). By simply by using the work “fuck” for sex in the right situation, Marvelle was able to create something special. I don’t know if I’ve ever read that in a historical romance before. She walks the line between propriety and scandal very well.The plot still follows the same general arc of most historical romance novels, but we get a few twists in the characters’ personalities. Marvelle managed to create something new while keeping us in familiar territory. I can’t say this novel totally blew my hair back, but it’s above average and well worth picking up.
review 2: I loved the possibilities and characters in the beginning of this book.Justine was fearless and wonderful. A beautiful and clever character that is easy to relate to and laugh with.Radcliff is a manly character that is sweet yet strong.But I hated their dynamic by the end of the book.His 'obssession'? Same one every other male has and I felt that it was stretched too far here. The relationship with his brother and Matilda are a bit absurd.I feel like Radcliff's character was neutered and completely stupid and incompetent by the end of the book. Who wants a guy like that? Where was his backbone? Their relationship for me was ruined by ultimatums and dishonesty. Dishonesty can be overcome in the end but the ultimatums should NEVER have a place in a good romance novel. (At least not one about witholding sex because a standard isn't met or leaving because someone can't stay.) It's ridiculous.I just felt like past the first few chapters this book was ridiculous even for a romance novel. I still liked the characters to a point but they were just so tainted by the end that I can't really say that I would ever read this again. less

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