To Sin With A Scoundrel by Cara Elliot

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Book One in The Circle of Sin Trilogy

Copyright: 2010 by Andrea DaRif

Pages: 237

Book Rating: 5 Crowns

Book Description: A reclusive widow known for her scientific scholarship, Lady Ciara Sheffield is shadowed by rumors that she poisoned her husband . . . A rakehell rogue notorious for his devil-may-care antics, Lucas Bingham, the Earl of Hadley is not accused of murdering anything—save for the rules of Polite Society. The only thing they have in common is seeing their names featured in the lurid gossip columns of London’s newspapers.

Until an ancient manuscript draws them together.

Ciara needs a titled fiancé to quell the slanderous speculations which may send her to the gallows. Lucas needs brilliant scholar to help his elderly uncle decipher the secrets of the mysterious manuscript. So when her friends urge her to accept the earl’s proposal of a temporary alliance, Ciara decides that she had no choice but to make a deal with the Devil.
And so begins a seductive dance of sinful pleasures and hidden desires as the two of them waltz through the mansions of Mayfair. Lies, intrigue, treachery, sex. They find themselves facing slanderous whispers, unscrupulous relatives—not to speak of their own simmering passions, which quickly ignite into dangerous flames. It’s a potent mix and the result may be explosive—and perhaps deadly—if they don’t watch their step.

REVIEW: What does a Scoundrel and a Scholar possibly have in common?  What could possible throw the most of unlikely of pairs together? 

Take one inquisitive scientist who for the past three years has been the talk of the ton--and not to her linking either.  Scientist extraordinaire, Lady Ciara Sheffield just wants to live her life in peace, but her dastardly in-law's will have none of it.  Running a slanderous campaign against her in the scandal sheets, she is known as The Murdering Widow, the TON believing she poisoned her late husband.  They will do anything to get their hands on her son's money and if that means by hook or crook or even murder they will stop at nothing.  Ciara is desperate to figure away out of her dilemma.

He is the notorious rake known through out the TON as mad-bad Hadley, Lord Lucas Hadley has lived a life like most of his peers.  Self-serving, arrogant and notoriously all ways landing his very fine physique in impossible garish and fundamentally wicked situations.  He's been beckoned back to London by his beloved scholarly uncle. 

One thing is for sure that Hadley will do anything for his guardian even if it mean hi-tailing his luscious derriere over said widow's wall.  It's all in the name of science or so he thinks.  Until the moment he lays eye on said-murdering beauty then all goes a muck like hell in a hand basket.  Pretend engagements are being broken, Hadley finds himself doing and acting like he's never has before.  Poor Ciara doesn't know which way to turn, not to mention she is having the most dreaded time stay focused on her task of interpreting the antique document when Hadley is around.  I ask, what is a poor girl to do?

TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL is Cara Elliott's debut novel and will be released by Grand Central Publishing on March 1, 2010.  it is the first installment in the Circle of Sin series and is simply wonderful.  Ms. Elliot is firmly at home writing historical romance with her lush setting, whether they take place in the heart of London or in the country side of England.  Ms. Elliott also writes convincingly of the time and era of the Victorian belief that a woman's mind was better best concealed but her prose is intricately weaved through the love story.   The bond between Lucas and Ciara is rich in emotion, heart with steamy love scenes--a true page turner readers will mourn finishing.  I know I did.

Please make a note on your calendars as author Cara Elliott will be spending the day chatting and giving a copy away of "TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL" on March 1, 2010 at Romantic Crush Junkies.  Hope to see you there.  Happy Reading!   

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