YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS

Author: Loretta Chase ISBN: 9780061231247 6/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Regency, 1820

James Cordier is all blue blood and entirely dangerous. He's a master of disguise, a brilliant thief, a first-class lover—all for King and Country—and, by gad, he's so weary of it. His last mission is to "acquire" a packet of incriminating letters from one notorious woman. Then he can return to London and meet sweet-natured heiresses—not adventuresses and fallen women. Francesca Bonnard has weathered heartbreak, scorn, and scandal. She's independent, happy, and definitely fallen; and she's learned that "gentlemen" are more trouble than they're worth. She can also see that her wildly attractive new neighbor is bad news. But as bad as James is, there are others far worse also searching for Francesca's letters. And suddenly nothing is simple—especially the nearly incendiary chemistry between the two most jaded, sinful souls in Europe. And just as suddenly, risking everything may be worth the prize.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I absolutely love Loretta Chase's style of writing. Her characters are fabulously written and are so alive in every sense of the word. They are beautiful, rebellious people that play life like a guitar... but sometimes that is not always the best way to be.

Francesca is beautiful and loved by men from every station of life. After being heartbroken and suffering scandal and a humiliating divorce, she moves to Venice and becomes a courtesan. The men love her, the woman are jealous of her... and Francesca is holding on to letters that make her a marked woman. Suddenly, there is only one man for the job, and when he comes onto the scene, Francesca's idea about men and what they are all about—not to mention her intention to never trust a man again—are all thrown right out the window.

James is a tired and somewhat bitter British spy who has come to Venice to retrieve letters that are in Francesca's keeping. He is determined that he is not leaving Venice without them, but Francesca proves to be the perfect distraction to that little ambition. She may just be exactly what James needs... and not because of any letters that she has in her possession.

I love the chemistry between the lead characters in this book! James and Francesca sizzle and the storyline is full of humor, suspense and mystery! The plot flows smoothly, and the secondary characters give the book just that little bit of added "something" that every book needs. YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS is a winner in my opinion, and will be going directly onto my keeper shelves to be read over and over again!

Kristal Gorman