"Thrilling Elizabethan romance"
In 1589 London, the Ton praises Viscount Spencer Thornton
for his work as a spy. His job helped the English defeat
the Spanish Armada. At the same time, the aristocracy
holds his younger twin Alexander in contempt for
masquerading as Spencer even though that enabled his
sibling to stay safely undercover. His so-called friends
refuse to speak to him and Alex misses estate management
and Parliament. He feels the only thing he is good at
doing is causing scandals. A bored Alex bets Edmund Blackwell that he can obtain a
kiss from a virgin first. Alex selects Elizabeth Langston
as Edmund's target while the latter chooses Blythe Prescott
as the former's sacrifice. Alex flirts with Blythe, who is
guarded by her spinster older sister Emmeline. To his
shock, Alex finds himself dreaming of Emmeline rather than
Blythe who now seems so young. Soon Emmeline concludes
that Alex purposely projects the image of a wastrel. She
has seen his kindness and decides to marry him, but must
take things into her own hands if they are to wed. HIS SCANDAL is a thrilling Elizabethan romance that is
superb when the lead protagonists are on center stage. The
fast-paced story line is filled with delightful support
characters that amplify the understanding of the lead
couplet. Though a subplot involving attacks on Alex takes
away from the main tale, Gayle Callen renders a strong tale
that complements her previous novel HIS BETROTHED starring
Alex's twin and leave her audience anxiously awaiting the
final tale in the trilogy. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted April 10, 2002
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