What a Scoundrel Wants

I read a few hundred romance novels per year and let me tell you, this one has it all, excitement, romance, sex, uniqueness. What a book!!!!!!!

Genre: Historical Romance; My Rating 4.5 of 5 I really enjoyed this historic romance with its vulnerable characters and fast paced action. Will Scarlett is bitter and resentful that he is always in the shadow of his famous Uncle, Robin Hood. He has taken a job as a swordsman for his old enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Hearing a woman's screams, he rushes in to rescue the young woman. He then discovers that he is the intended fall guy to be accused and arrested for the murder of her noble escort. As he is trying to escape and keep the beautiful young lady safe he discovers that she is blind and cannot testify that she visually knows that he was not part of the murdering swordsmen. Also, she has her own reasons to not like him or want to help him. Surrounded by others who may be friend or foe, Will struggles to find a way to prove he is innocent and that the Sheriff is guilty of plotting murder. The beautiful Meg lost her sight as a young girl but has learned to live with the help of her sister. Meg practices and experiments as an alchemist, like her father before her. There is antagonism and distrust between the sisters but Meg does not realize the depth of her sister's anger and feelings that she is trapped by Meg's dependence. Will doesn't think he is good enough for a woman like Meg and Meg doesn't know if she can trust any man. But they are drawn together by their troubles and their heated desires. Can they grow beyond their own vulnerabilities and fears to share love and life after the battles are done? Each Chapter starts with a bit of a poem or saying related to the legends of Robin Hood. I like that sort of blurb for each chapter and these give a bit of hint as to what will happen in the chapter. Both the hero and heroine are clearly flawed and vulnerable but very likeable characters. I really liked the strength shown in Meg's character that was developed to offset her blindness. The action kept the story moving as I wanted to know how they were going to get out of trouble and I kept guessing at who was the real villain! A great spin off from the Robin Hood legends.

It's been a while since I've read something completely out of my normal genre choices. Though I am an avid romance reader, I tend to gravitate toward regency or paranormal with a few contemporaries thrown in for balance. (I admit I do have a weakness for Scots, whatever the era.) But I saw this cover and was immediately grabbed when I discovered that none other than Will Scarlet is the hero. I couldn't possibly pass this book up. And I am very glad I didn't. Will Scarlet believes himself a scoundrel. And while he may not be a virtuous knight in shining armor, he simply cannot stop himself from acting grudgingly heroic. In the very beginning of the story he finds himself on the wrong side of a fight, but manages to rescue a blind woman from the fray. Which brings us to our heroine, Meg. Meg is blind, brilliant and has incendiary tendencies. Especially when paired with Will. She is trying to free her sister from jail while simultaneously trying to avoid being arrested herself. She is an alchemist who has attracted the attention of a few villainous characters who would use her for their own dastardly means. The chemistry between Will and Meg is fantastic. Their physical attraction is immediate, but they must fumble their way to a satisfying emotional one. Through, and possibly in spite of, Will's sarcastic wit and Meg's often waspish exterior, Ms. lofty develops a very believable and thoroughly enjoyable relationship. This story is filled with exciting action sequences, intelligent and snarky banter, and an intriguing plot. Not to mention Robin Hood makes an appearance. And while I may forever see Christian Slater as the Will Scarlet of my dreams, Lofty's version is just as memorable and enjoyable. A definite must read.

Carrie Lofty is an author that I will be watching in the future. Her debut novel What A Scoundrel Wants is a delightfully unique Robin Hood tale that really keeps you on your toes. This book was adventurous and intriguing, a real page turner. The way she wrote her characters made the story seem so real. I found this delightful story to be very engrossing. This is a very exciting book. I recommend it highly if you like a great romantic adventure story.

Haunted by thoughts of Sherwood Forest, Will Scarlett journeys through Charnwood Forest. Separated from Robin Hood and Marian, the forest is a reminder of happier days and the longtime rift between Robin Hood and his nephew. When a battle between Lord Whitstowe and Roger Carlisle, representative of the Sheriff of Nottingham and Will's superior, breaks out, Will hardly knows which way to turn until he hears the screams of a woman in the background. Protecting her by instinct from Carlisle's men's plans, Will knows not where to go amidst all the plots and double crosses. Will Scarlet turns to the woman as the only witness to the truth, the only witness who might stand in the way of his hanging. For Meg of Kentworth, the lie is easy. She needs protection and if Will Scarlett can help her get there faster, all the better. Blind from an illness, she is determined to save her imprisoned sister Ada. Arrested by Will Scarlett himself, Meg has every reason to hate Will but the closeness brought on by their uneasy pairing sets off sparks of desire in both Meg and Scarlett. Can Will and Meg's growing passion for one another be enough to see them through the dangers of their journeys and even more, set the past aright? Carrie Lofty's debut medieval romance WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS blazes onto the scene with a new chapter of the Robin Hood tale, a tale that makes this classic come alive like never before with emotion, passionate romance, and suspenseful adventure. With a hero and heroine at cross purposes, the tension between them is palpable in priceless dialogue as the two banter, each standing up to the other. Despite her blindness, Meg is a defiant and brave woman, just the woman to tame the man known as a scoundrel, the man who betrayed Robin Hood. Clever and creative, Meg has the power to heal not only physical wounds but deeper injuries. Torn between families and their love, the passion between them has the power to heal or divide. Carrie Lofty has a gift for both the action scenes and also vivid descriptive detail that makes one feel the passions and thoughts of her characters. The physical landscape captures the imagination not only by placing the reader right there but also as part of the inner lives of her characters as can be seen in Will Scarlet's relationship to the forest and Meg's relationship to fire. WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS is a sensuous romance, with a passionate, emotional romance as well as sensuous in the action scenes. The sights, the smells, the touch come alive in vivid detail. One scene in particular towards the end, blew me away with a riveting tension-filled moment, a moment so close to heart-breaking. Carrie Lofty takes the reader right to the edge and then, at just the right moment, with the perfect twist, the romance expands into such a passionate, joyous moment. In the midst of that dynamic edge moment, the author reaches deeper with such insight into her characters and love itself that I fell in love with b