Tuesday, June 21, 2011

ARC Review: Seduction & Scandal by Charlotte Featherstone

Seduction & Scandal (The Brethren Guardians, #1)Seduction & Scandal 
The Brethren Guardians #1
by Charlotte Featherstone 
384 pages
Expected publication: June 21st 2011 by HQN Books
ISBN 0373775873 
Courtesy if NetGalley
With the scandalous nature of her birth to live down, Isabella Fairmont dreams of a proper marriage—even if a passionless one. She saves her deepest desires for the novel she dares to pen, wherein a handsome lord with dark powers seduces her. But then her courtship with an appropriate suitor is threatened by the sudden attentions of the reclusive Earl of Black…whose pale blue eyes and brooding sensuality are exactly as she described in her book.
Isabella tries to resist the mysterious Earl of Black.Yet as he pursues her, with inexplicable knowledge of her past and kisses that consume her, Isabella fears she will succumb.If only the earl could tell Isabella the truth. With very real, and treacherous, thieves endangering her life, Black will need to protect Isabella from the very people she trusts the most….

My Thoughts:
Seduction & Scandal is a hauntingly seductive tale and every page is sensually poetic.

Isabella Fairmont finally has everything a young woman could ask for; a lush residence, gorgeous gowns, status among the upper class, food in her belly and a handsome archeologist courting her. The total opposite of what she had growing up and she will do just about anything to keep it that way and not fall into the scandalous and unstable past of her deceased mother. And that includes not falling for the intriguing Lord Black, who with one look can make the fires of passion race through her veins. But the Earl bares a striking resembles to the Lord Death of the gothic novel she secretly pens and only her cousin, Lady Lucy Ashton, is aware of. When their meetings start to follow the same scenes from her book Isabella finds herself falling under the spell of the dark Earl and lured into a dangerous world of intrigue.
Lord Black knows all of Isabella’s secrets but has many more of his own. Well versed in staying in the shadows, he has loved Isabella from afar for the past two years but fears that revealing his knowledge of her past will make her run. Unable to remain hidden though, Black finally approaches Isabel and one dance changes it all. Sizzling attraction drives Black to relentlessly pursue Isabella and convince her that a passionless marriage would never make her happy. But when mysterious enemies threaten their fragile relationship and past scandals are revealed will Black be able to convince Isabella that their love is worth fighting for?

Seduction & Scandal surpassed all of my expectations. It’s a beautifully written story that is emotionally intense with some paranormal elements. Instantly captivating, the world of the Brethren Guardians is incredibly tangible and the plot kept me guessing throughout the novel. Is the Lord of Death none other then Black? Is Isabella a reincarnation of some sort and that is why she is having these dreams?
The main characters themselves were diverse and well fleshed out. I cannot begin to describe how much I loved Lord Black. He is a broodingly sexy, alluring and possessive hero that you will easily find yourself swooning over. Pairing him with Isabella was pure genius. Their relationship is rife with deception, betrayal, jealousy, desire, mystery, and so much more, you will find yourself teetering on the edge of your seat with suspense. Treasure, magic and the tale that Isabella pens throughout the story add a bewitching element to the book. Complex side characters that instantly intrigued and captivated me and am looking forward to the second novel starring Isabel’s cousin, Lucy, and Black’s friend, the Duke of Sussex – Pride & Passion.

Sinfully delicious, dark, erotic and mysterious; Seduction & Scandal is a must read for historical romance fans! 

Rating: 4 Wine Glasses - Loved It!

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