The Scandals of an Innocent (De lady's van Fortune's Folly, 3)

Okay, so in real-life, I seriously doubt that a rake would become a devoted hubby in the span of a few pages, but isn't that what makes romance novels so wonderful? I thoroughly enjoyed every character from the decided flirt to the crazy titled persons who end up the villains in the end. We start with a wedding gown being stolen from the modiste shop. Granted, it is fully paid for, but that doesn't stop the financially strapped "detective" turned "Baron" from blackmailing the very rich heroine (Alice) into marrying him or facing imprisonment. Why did he come up with this plan? See, Alice (who was once a servant) has come into a large fortune of 80,000 pounds that would do nicely in helping him cover debts amounted by his predecessors. Unfortunately for him, Alice's benefactress was a bit of a loon who gave all her money to her servant (Alice) with the condition that if she were to marry, the man who married her must not do so for her money. In fact, the intended was to be put on a three month trial period of truth telling before he could wed her. If he failed to tell the truth even once, all of Alice's money would go to a pet charity instead. To his dismay, he has much to hide in his past and is not to positive he can remain 100% truthful. It doesn't help that he had wooed her previously and dumped her for a wealthier prospect that didn't pan out. Plus, there is someone out to kill his "cash cow" for something she doesn't quite remember witnessing ... until much later. As if the hysterical Will and the murder plot wasn't enough to keep you turning pages, throw in a couple of greedy titled people, a pregnant runaway, a mistress and her illegitimate child, an absolutely mischievous lady and the poor titled gentleman that must control her... and you have one great tale of comedic, mysterious,and thrilling proportions.

Ok. I admit. What I look for in a romance is period first, plot, second, characters third. Shame on me but, there it is. And, when its a regency romance that involves a rake in desperate need of a character adjustment (ahem. no pun intended), I am SO there. Miles Vickery once gambled former maid's daughter Alice Lister's heart against another girl'f fortune and LOST. Fortune girl dumped and, horror of horros, the lovely Alice Lister inherits a fortune. What makes him a lovable and redeemable rake rather than a coldblooded fortune hunter is the fact that the reason for the funds comes not from his irresponsible behavior but from his father's. Fine. Just blackmail the now flush Miss Lister - who's heart he once broke in his search for funds - into marrying him to gain her desperately needed funds. There is only one problem. In order for her to inherit, her fiance must tell the truth for 3 months. Correction. Make that TWO problems. It seems Alice does not trust him. However, working in Miles' favor is one: the dames tax, a tax of 50% levied on unmarried spinsters and, two: the attempts on Alice's life that pushing him and Alice together. Miles rises to the honesty challenge UNTIL: he is put in a position of whether to tell the truth about a situation that will endaner Alice OR not tell the truth and lose the girl AND the fortune. Since, we all know the boy gets the girl in these, I won't tell you HOW he resolves this crisis. I enjoyed the characters very much and look forward to glimpses of them in future books. Yes, future characters for furture books are introduced in this story. The characters and the plot kept me turning pages. When life gets stressful, I like to revisit some regency romances and reread them. I WILL revisit this one.

I seem to be in the minority here... but I actually loved this novel and have since added the other two novels in the series to my wishlist! Instead of going into specifics with details I will just mention a few things because many before me have repeated the same things. If YOU love romance filled, tear jerking period novels... then you will not be disappointed!! I always gravitate towards movies and novels of this nature. I can see someone not enjoying Ms. Cornick's work only if these were not their personal cup of tea. The writing has not been dumbed down as so many other "romance" novels before it. Descriptively the author is on point and pulls you in with the imagery that she has woven. Many times I have been left with muddy images that have been left open to my own interpretation; I rather prefer being able to see what the novelist was initially trying to convey than jump to my own conclusion. Now onto our heroine & "hero". Yes... he isn't your conventional hero through 3/4 of the story; but you come to the realization that our hero Miles really does love Alice and through his love and willingness to share everything with her we will see his redemption. It doesn't get any better than that! You have your history, romance, parts that hurt but at the end they walk off into the sunset and you cheer for them. If you aren't into the "lovemaking" that occurs in novels like this then turn another way because they are very descriptive and delicious. Highly recommend for the right reader that enjoys stories of this nature which will leave you satisfied in the end on how the characters went off into the sunset.

This was my first Nicola Cornick book and I found myself asking why? I look forward to reading Ms. Cornick's other books. I found this book refreshing and interesting with Alice Lister and Lord Miles Vickery keeping me enthralled throughout this book. I found the characters entertaining with a different edge than the usual hero and heroine you find in the historical romance genre. All in all, a great read and I am pleased to find, for me, a "new" author that will provide me with hours of reading pleasure as I seek out her other novels.

Alice Lister was a housemaid who was left a huge amount of money now she is heiress - and Miles Vickery needs to marry an heiress to get him out debt. Alice feel in love with Miles but he broke her heart a year ago - now Miles wants a second chance. She has conditions that Miles has to do before they can get married - one is has to be honest - which is fun to hear how HONEST he is... Great romance, dash of mystery and danger - can't wait for The Undoing of a Lady (Brides of Fortune) the final book of the Brides of Fortune Series (Lady Elizabeth Scarlet's story) due out in August 2009.