Lady of Scandal

by Tina Gabrielle

A Woman With A Secret Victoria Ashton has intelligence and ambition--qualities of little value to most marriage-minded gentlemen of the ton. Her own father has no idea of Victoria's hidden life as an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1420108484
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Zebra
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.8" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

First-rate debut with great chemistry

Blake Mallory, Earl of Ravenspear, returns to England after a ten-year absence and encounters his enemy's daughter, Victoria Ashton. A child of ten when he left, Victoria has grown into a beautiful woman. Blake is instantly taken with her, but it is not marriage he has in mind. Ten years ago, Victoria's unscrupulous father caused the financial ruin and resultant suicide of Blake's father, which ultimately destroyed Blake's family. Blake is now an extremely wealthy man and is bent on revenge. He is determined to make Victoria his mistress to embarrass her father and ruin the reputation of the Ashton family. Victoria's father has borrowed heavily from numerous banks. Blake secretly purchases the promissory notes and then demands immediate payment from Ashton, which he does not have. Ashton is faced with bankruptcy and the very real possibility that he and his family will be sent to the poor house. Blake offers him a deal: a year's grace period on the loan in return for one year with Victoria as his mistress. Ashton callously agrees, despite his daughter's protestations, and she is soon ensconced in Blake's country estate. But nothing is as straightforward as Blake had envisioned...for although he hates the father, his feelings - and protectiveness - towards Victoria are not so easy to sort out. This book was hard book to put down. The electric interplay between Blake and Victoria hooked me from the start, and the intrigues of their living under the same roof - though often at cross-purposes - kept me riveted till the end. The couple has great chemistry and both leads are very likable. Although Blake starts out forcing Victoria to his will, he is nonetheless an endearing and sympathetic hero. He is an alpha male with a heart, alternately tough and tender. Victoria is very appealing as well, strong and smart yet definitely feminine. I particularly enjoyed the story's business angle, curious to see how Victoria's dual allegiances would play out. My two quibbles are the over-the-top badness of Victoria's father, and the conspicuous absence of friends and servants who might discover/expose Victoria's illicit arrangement. Overall, though, this is an excellent read: good story, well-paced, charismatic leads, and an exciting romance nicely developed. A first-rate debut by Ms. Gabrielle.

Great Debut Historical Romance!

This a historical romance based in England in 1812. Victoria is the daughter of evil stealing father who only looks to his daughter for profit and power. Her father gives her to Blake for a year because of his own debts. Blake seeks revenge against Victoria's father because he sent his own title family to the work house and pushed his father to suicide. Blake and Victoria were childhood friends because of their father business association. Blake gives Victoria a choose, she will live with him for a year and in that year she wants she will become his mistress .... Blake falls for Victoria and starts to understand how intelligent she is and how evil her father continues to be.... Great novel - lost of twists and turns, Enjoy! Looking forward to her next novel A Perfect Scandal. If you are looking for some newish author here are a few of my new favorites; A Lady's Pleasure, At the Bride Hunt Ball (Avon Romance), Goddess of the Hunt and What Would Jane Austen Do?.

Lady Of Scandal is delightful

Lady Of Scandal by Tina Gabrielle is a delightfully wicked debut novel. Victoria Ashton is different from the other woman of the Ton. She is crafty and smart. Victoria is very happy with her life but her father's debts are out of control and must me paid. Seems she is the solution to her fathers problems. Blake Mallorey Earl of Ravenspear has made a deal with Victoria's father that has but her smack in the middle. Blake Mallorey has overcome poverty and childhood tragedies to become a respected member of society. Behind the handsome facade is a gentlemen bent on revenge. Charles Aston drove Blake's father to suicide and his family to ruin. Blake sees a golden opportunity to make Charles pay and get Victoria as his lover. He proposes Victoria be his mistress for a year and he will extend time to her father to get his affairs in order. Blake promises not to force Victoria into anything but spending time with her he is seduced by her wit and charm. Victoria is all set to ignore Blake but she is finding many hidden layers to this fascinating man. As they draw closer together, Charles is pressuring Victoria to betray Blake. Will their new found trust survive? Lady Of Scandal is a wonderful first book by Tina Gabrielle. Its crisp writing and well developed characters will keep you enthralled. I will be looking for more books from this new author.

Great New Author

What a great read! Though it usually takes me a week to read even books that catch my attention, this one I couldn't put down and read in one afternoon. Blake is sexy and sensuous, Victoria smart and strong. Together their steam is tangible - you'll never look at a maid's closet the same way again! My husband and kids have no clean clothes, but I'm happy and highly recommend this one. Lookout, you'll be hooked right from the start!

New Queen of Historical Romance

Lady Of Scandal is extraordinary! I am an avid reader of historical romance, and I purchased Tina Gabrielle's debut novel based on the 4 Star Romantic Times Book Review calling it a "tantalizing tale." The review was right on, and the characters are breathtaking. The plot was unique right from the start and I enjoyed the unparalleled history in this novel. The heroine was extremely intelligent and witty and Blake is tall dark and handsome. What's not to love about the characters! Victoria's mentor is terrific and keeps you wonderfully entertained. As the plot takes it's twists and turns, you are determined to never put the book down. For a first time author, I absolutely loved the book! A hero to die for! Historical romance at its best. Tina Gabrielle is a fabulous writer, and I can't wait for her next book!