TEST
Once upon a time, young, talented Jane Higgenbothem was infatuated with Ransom Quincy, Marquess of Blackburn. So appreciative was she of his manly charms that she decided to sculpt him in the classical style – after all, who could be more perfect than Ransom? When Jane’s innocent study and infatuation is revealed to the malicious ton, her reputation is ruined and Ransom is made a laughing stock.
A decade later, Jane is back in London, this time as a chaperone for her gorgeous neice, Adora. She has never forgotten Ransom or her folly and is much too intelligent to assume that society has forgotten either. Still, she is determined to make the best of the situation, but when faced once again with her muse the temptation to once again imitate his likeness proves overwhelming…
Ransom is no more prepared for Jane than she is for him, but her arrival in London gives him the perfect cover for his search for a French spy. Swallowing his pride enough to face the renewed interest in ‘that scandalous evening’, Ransom pretends to court Jane as he hunts his prey – who very well might prove to be Miss Higgenbothem herself! What follows is approximately 400 pages of intrigue, humor and passion as Ransom and Jane grow closer together. Add some wonderful secondary characters and you’ve got one of the best romance novels of 1998!
That Scandalous Evening is a wonderful, sexy book. The attraction between Ransom and Jane fairly sizzles right from the start. Not only are the two of them well suited on an intellectual level, but when they finally make love it is probably one of the most passionate and most hilariously timed love scenes I have ever read! That these two characters belong together is never an issue, although for a while there I had my doubts as to whether or not they actually would live happily ever after. In fact, Ransom does make such a muck of things that the reader wonders whether or not he can ever win back Jane’s trust. Does he? You’ll just have to read the book!
I’ve read several of Christina Dodd’s novels, beginning with A Well Pleasured Lady, the hero of which I hated. Determined to give her another chance, I moved on to A Well Favored Gentleman, which I enjoyed a great deal better. I expected this current novel to be much along the same lines. What a wonderful surprise it was to be proven wrong! Dodd has obviously found her niche as a historical author, and I for one cannot wait for her next book!
Grade: A+
Book Type: European Historical Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 22/09/98
Publication Date: 1998
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.