review 1: Imogen, the Portrait Divorcee, is living in the dowager house of her friend Lady Somercote. George, Lady Somercote, has invited guests (including her friend Gabriel) over for a party. Imogen and Gabriel meet at the beginning of the party and become attracted to one another. Gabriel immediately decides to use his time at the house party to seduce her, while Imogen decides to avoid him because she can't handle any more scandal. George is working to restore Imogen among the ton after she had been cast out for being divorced on the grounds of adultery. What follows is a game of hot and cold with Gabriel pursuing Imogen.There was nothing wrong with the writing in this book, although it took me awhile to adjust to the abrupt way the scenes were cut, but I just couldn't ever imme... morerse myself in the story. I never felt any depth to the characters so the storyline fell rather flat for me. I didn't like that so much time was spent on secondary characters (who I gather were the stars of a previous book) when I craved more details of why Imogen and Gabriel even liked each other beyond sex.I think the major problem I had with the story was Imogen. I just didn't like her. She came across as rather whiny and melodramatic. It seemed like every chapter there was something new for her to have a minor drama about. I was also very bothered by her interactions with Gabriel. She wanted him but she didn't want scandal (which is understandable). She decides to have sex with him anyway but then doesn't let him know. She seemed to expect him to read her mind and sweep her off her feet so she wouldn't ever have to admit aloud that she wanted him. It seemed as though if he made all the moves she could justify it to herself because he seduced her. It just bothered me immensely.I also didn't understand the little drama with her brother. One confrontation and he backed down? That was it? After seeing that it seemed comical that she would be afraid of him at all. It ended up giving me the impression that the drama was included only to manufacture a reason for Imogen to deny Gabriel.Also, the separation at the end between Imogen and Gabriel made me shake my head. Can she never stick around and face a problem? Must she always be so weak that she needs to run away so she won't let her desire for Gabriel sweep her away? I just wanted to shake her and tell her to grow a backbone. Then when he finally catches up... nothing? It's like she never had a reason for leaving. It was baffling.Overall I never got a sense of any real love between the main characters. All I felt was lust and even that fell flat for me. I have no doubt that this book will find fans. I think it's just a matter of taste and this story just didn't have a flavor I liked. review 2: What a great read! Yes, I took a break from erotica and paranormal books and picked this one up...I'm so glad I did. "Lord Scandal" by Kalen Hughes is a steamy, historical break from the real world and a fine way to spend a couple of hours.Imogen is infamous...she's 'the Portrait Divorcee' and has been living a meagre, miserable life since her husband literally threw her out. After meeting the Countess of Somercote (whose story is apparently told in Highes' first book "Lord Sin") and being taken under her wing, Imogen is living a quiet, comfortable life in the unused dower house. But the Countess has a plan. She plans to reintroduce Imogen to society. No problem, she has plenty of supporters and Imogen certainly has no intention of causing any scandal. Enter our rake, umm...hero.Gabriel is also infamous. They call him Lord Brimstone and he rollicks through life leaving a veritable sea of pleased ladies behind him. He doesn't believe in love, but lust? Ah, lust is what makes life wonderful. And now poor Imogen has caught his eye. Poor Imogen? What I wouldn't give to be Imogen!! This hero is one hot tasty dish. Imogen just can't seem to stay away from him. And he is falling further and further under her spell, all the while telling himself it's just because she's new, less jaded, more natural, so open, fun to be with, or whatever other reason he can come up with other than the truth. But is there any hope for a future for these two? The infamous Portrait Divorcee and Lord Brimstone?I loved the interaction between these two. I believed in Imogen's seemingly helpless attraction to Gabriel and his deepening interest. The growth of their feelings was portrayed realistically and gradually. And the sex? Whew! ***fanning wildly***, if Hughes improves any, she may need to put a warning on her covers. I liked this one so much, I'm off to get the first book "Lord Sin" which tells the Countess' story. I'll be sure and let y'all know how that one turns out! less
