Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, #3)

by Loretta Chase

Loretta Chase is one of romance's most beloved authors, and now that she's returned to the Avon Family, we're repackaging one of her most popular books with an updated and fresh cover that will attract old and new readers alike. Determined Lady tough-minded Jessica Trent's sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquis of Dain. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad.And when Dain's reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction. "Lord of Scounderls" - Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him...and then forcing him to salvage her reputation! Lord Dain can't wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place - and in some amorous position. And if that means marriage, so be it! - though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof ...and steel his heart to the sensuous, headstrong lady's considerable charms.

• ISBN10: 0061145475
• ISBN13: 9780061145476
• Publish Date: 14 February 2006
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Out of Print: 11 April 2013
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[jamiereadthis]

Another classic of the genre that is a classic for a reason. Holy moly. I love a battle of wits, and a battle of wills, and this delivered. I need a shelf just for books where the heroine shoots the hero, because long live that trope, one of my favorites ever.

“You call that romantic? Byron’s a complete cynic.”

“In my dictionary, romance is not maudlin, treacly sentiment,” she said. “It is a curry, spiced with excitement and humor and a healthy dollop of cynicism.”

[Berls]

4.5 stars. Lord of Scoundrels was such a fun read! It has to be one of the funniest historical romances I've ever read, but not without sacrificing a good story, great characters, and enjoyable romance. Full review to follow.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Readers have hailed Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase a favorite. It is the third book in the Scoundrels series and can be read as a standalone. I made a request to review the new audio release after some gentle persuasion by audio junkie pal, Loupe @ Hot Listens. I loved these characters and their wickedly delicious banter. I laughed, swooned and cannot wait to listen to it repeatedly. It has earned a place in my top ten reads.

We first meet Sebastian Ballister as a child and watch him develop into the devil the Marquees of Dain. We immediately feel sorry for this awkward unloved little boy and watch him grow into quite the scoundrel. Despite his behavior and looks, Chase made me fall in love with this tortured soul from the very first pages, and allowed that love to grow and bloom.

Jessica Trent was born in the wrong era. She is strong, confident, knowledgeable, a sound businessperson and forced to deal with her daft brother. I adored Jessica from her tenacious determination to her canny ability to see behind Dain’s cold exterior. When her brother begins cleaning out the family coffers, she learns he has befriended Dain and too many nights of gambling and woman will soon leave them in the poor house.

Dain and Jessica- When these two meet you can feel the air sizzle. They are the perfect storm of heat, passion, and anger (frustration). Words spring to mind when I think of them, “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Haters to Lovers.” The world sees Dain as ugly, with a huge nose and massive hands, but to Jessica he is gorgeous. Her attraction befuddles him. Their conversations and bickering wrapped in wit and Italian were among some of the best I have ever read. Chase created some of the funniest scenes between them; I laughed, cried and stopped to listen to scenes again. Just imagining this tiny wisp of a girl giving this giant a set down was delicious.

“Jessica, you are a pain in the arse, do you know that? If I were not so immensely fond of you, I should throw you out the window.” She wrapped her arms about his waist and laid her head against his chest. “Not merely ‘fond,’ but ‘immensely fond.’ Oh Dain, I do believe I shall swoon.” “Not now,” he said crossly. “I haven’t time to pick you up.”

“And so I beat him and beat him until he kissed me. And then I kept on beating him until he did it properly.”

“You refuse to listen. Because, like every other man, you can keep only one idea in your head at a time-usually the wrong one.”

“I love these pet names,” she said, gazing soulfully up into his eyes, “Nitwit. Sap skull. Termagant. How they make my heart flutter!”

“Dain kept his gaze on his plate and concentrated on swallowing the morsel he’d just very nearly choked on. She was possessive… about him.
The beautiful, mad creature – or blind and deaf creature, or whatever she was – coolly announced it as one might say, “Pass the salt cellar,” without the smallest awareness that the earth had just tilted on its axis.”

Lord of Scoundrels was a delightful tale that kept me enthralled and will forever be a favorite. The romance was slow building with moments of heat, passion and banter. Dain’s use of Italian love phrases curled my toes and seeing this tortured character grow was my undoing. The twists and turns made me laugh and gasp. Chase provided wonderful secondary characters and my favorite had to be Jessica’s Grandmother Genevieve. Wait until you meet her she is ornery and feisty.

Kate Reading is the narrator, and she did a wonderful job of reading this tale. She captured the characters from their wit to shock and made their banter come to life.

Fans of wicked banter, fleshed out characters, and the haters to lovers’ troupe will find this tale delightful. Listen to it, I promise it will make you smile :)

Copy received from publisher in exchange for unbiased review that originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer