Product Description

Taming a Rogue

Lady Emmeline Prescott is shocked when Sir Alexander Thornton, the most incorrigible scoundrel in England, suddenly notices she even exists-and starts flirting with her! The dashing cad has a well-earned reputation for carousing that brings a blush to checks, but more distressing still I is the unwanted desire he arouses in her!

To win a wager, Alex must win a kiss from an innocent maiden, But first he must get past the giggly girl's chaperone-her straitlaced older sister, Lady Emmeline. And to his dismay, it is the enchanting, levelheaded Emmeline who intoxicates him with her soft sensuality and eminently kissable lips. Yet such a conquest is unthinkable-unless Alex abandons his cherished reprobate ways... and surrenders to his heart's traitorous yearning for a true and passionate love.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #262934 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04
• Released on: 2002-04-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 377 pages

Review
"Gayle Callen is wonderful!" -- Cathy Maxwell, author of THE WEDDING WAGER

"Skillfully blending poignancy and humor, she will enchant readers seeking excellent entertainment." -- Romantic Times Magazine

From the Author
I've had great fun setting books during sixteenth century England, the Elizabethan era. HIS SCANDAL is the second in the trilogy that began with HIS BETROTHED (June 2001), and will end in November 2002 with HIS BRIDE, which I just finished writing.

The hero of HIS SCANDAL is Alexander Thornton, who made me laugh even when I wasn't expecting it. He is as scandalous as the title suggests, so I had to give him a spinster to spar and fall in love with. He's met his match in Emmeline. I hope you enjoy the contest!

About the Author

After a detour through fitness instructing and computer programming, USA Today bestselling author Gayle Callen found the life she'd always dreamed of as a romance writer. Her novels have won the Holt Medallion and the Laurel Wreath Award, and finaled in the National Readers' Choice Awards.

Gayle lives in Central New York with her three children, her dog Apollo, and her husband, Jim the Romance Hero.

Customer Reviews

very good despite inaccuracy.....
the other reviewers have covered the books' synopsis well so let me just add a few points. Miss Callen has obvious talent as I really enjoyed this Elizabethan romance despite some fairly big inaccuracies and weaknesses.

I agree with reviewer Holly Golightly-for the time period the heroine would have been ruined if she'd been left in an unmarried mans acquaintance for even a few moments-much less overnight! This was just one of many historical flubs that diminished the story. Also-there was way too much groping and "foreplay" scenes between the leads, and not enough regular interaction. It was too much "sexy" and not enough "reality". The reader doesn't really even find out about the leads motivations and "non bedroom" personalities till the last 70 or so pages.

All that being said-the author still writes a good enough story that I stayed with the book to see how the story ends. If we would have had a little more accuracy and interaction between the hero and heroine I would have said this was a five star book. Even with the flaws, I'll give it a 4 star grade and my recommendation.

Borrring....
It's hard to believe that a 16th century virgin of noble birth would be allowed to be alone with any man to whom she was not related - and especially not such a known scoundrel as Alex. Yet Emmaline manages to do just that with Alex, again and again. Alex gropes Emmaline, she goes along with it for a while, then she puts a stop to it. Variations of this scenario play out over and over again - it was like Groundhog Day! I got so sick of it, while thinking, "Isn't anything ever going to happen?"

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they didn't just jump into bed together, which would have been pretty unbelieveable for the time period. But let's have some story here, not just a string of makeout sessions.

Other problems with this book are numerous (I still gave it 2 stars because, believe it or not, it's not the actual bottom of the barrel - there are some real stinkers out there) For example, in one scene Alex unbuttons Emmaline's bodice. Her gown would have been laced, not buttoned. In 16th century Europe, functional buttons were used in men's clothing almost exclusively. There were many other anachronisms such as this. Once again I say, come on authors, if you're going to write historicals, do a little research. Stop insulting our intelligence!

And for the kicker,(warning: spoiler territory here)in the last pages of the book Emmaline and Alex are finally going to get married, and what happens the night before the wedding? He sneaks into her room and they have sex!!!??? After waiting all that time wouldn't they just wait one more night for their wedding? I find it hard to believe a woman of Emmaline's time wouldn't wait til the ring was on her finger.

There are a lot of books out there, and unless you're trapped in an elevator and happen to have this book with you, don't waste your time on it.

Timeless battle of the sexes
After living his twin's life for a year and a half, Sir Alexander Thornton has returned to his courtier's life. However, the pleasures of Queen Elizabeth's court have grown pallid compared to the challenges of overseeing his brother's estates during his masquerade. In an attempt to end his ennui, Alex and his best friend Edmund Blackwell wager that each will be the first to steal a kiss from a virtuous lady of the other's choosing. Edmund chooses the Lady Blythe Prescott, a daughter of the Marquess of Kent. What the rogue didn't count on, however, was Blythe's older sister, Emmeline.

Lady Emmeline Prescott has resigned herself to never marrying nor raising a family. Now, she is determined that her sister marry her perfect match. Sir Alex Thornton is definitely NOT Blythe's perfect match. He is too experienced, too scandalous and too handsome for his own good. Sir Alex is trouble and Emmeline is going to prove it, even if she has to follow him everywhere. From tavern carousing to bear baiting dens, the rake finds himself shadowed by the determined spinster. Soon, Alex finds himself obsessed with Emmeline rather than Blythe, and Emmeline finds herself with a chance for happiness after all. Will she dare to risk all to get it?

With HIS SCANDAL, Gayle Callen continues the story of the Thornton brothers which began with HIS BETROTHED. This diverting tale is a classic battle of the sexes made all the more interesting by Alex's flashes of vulnerability and Emmeline's blossoming spirit. The story moves along at a brisk pace with additional storylines that set the stage for the final story in this trilogy. With its vivid portrayal of Elizabethan life and the simmering sensuality of its main characters, HIS SCANDAL is a tale to savor.

TheSchemer