A Proper Scoundrel by Esther HatchMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Kindle edition purchased by me
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Description: As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship—she’s secretly been fascinated by the man for years.
Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. But when he’s approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance. Faced with his most complicated entanglement yet, Bryant is firm in his conditions—and Diana knows that to get romantically involved with Bryant would spell certain heartbreak. But as the counterfeit couple grow ever closer, the line between truth and lies becomes blurred, threatening both Lord Bryant’s well-laid plans and the future of Diana’s railroad business.
My thoughts: A quote by Sir Walter Scott comes to mind when I think about this book. "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." There is definitely weaving and deceiving that happen in this delightful book!
It all begins with a railroad company or two. Diana Barton is doing her best to find investors to expand her railroad company. Unfortunately, her investors are fortune hunters. They figure the best way to get the company is to marry the owner. This is not part of her plan. Instead, she concocts a devious plan to get Lord Bryant to pretend to be her suitor and scare away everyone else. Another quote comes to mind. This time from Robert Burns, "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry." This book has me thinking about poetry. (Love can do that to a person.)
The book is full of "laugh out loud" moments. I love, love, love the banter and teasing that Lord Byrant puts her through. Fortunately, she is a woman who has a strong sense of herself and knows her worth. Both characters are not interested in falling in love or marriage. I will refer to the Robert Burns poem quoted above.
This book is fun to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the moments that I spent reading it. This book has great pacing and an interesting story. It is easy to get lost into the pages of A Proper Scoundrel. I already loved Esther Hatch's books. Now there is no way that I will miss one in the future.
This is the third installment in the series. It can be read and understood without reading the first two, but you gain an appreciation for the characters by reading A Proper Scandal first. While you are at it, read A Proper Charade too. Because you know, it's fun!
I received a review copy, but I read the copy I purchased for my kindle because I knew that I wanted to have a copy of it for myself. I am waiting for the print copy to come. Hopefully, any day now.
Online Purchase Links:
(Amazon affiliate link included.)
About the Author: Esther Hatch grew up on a cherry orchard in rural Utah. After high school, she alternated living in Russia to teach children English and attending Brigham Young University in order to get a degree in archaeology. She began writing when one of her favorite authors invited her to join a critique group. The only catch was she had to be a writer. Not one to be left out of an opportunity to socialize and try something new; she started on her first novel that week. Visit her at estherhatch.com.
Enter the Tour Giveaway:
(The prize and winner notification will be provided by Covenant Communications.)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for commenting. Each and every one is read and appreciated.
Have a wonderful day.