Reviewed for Wit and Sin

Two scientists from very different worlds come together in the delightful Her Scandalous Pursuit. Candace Camp returns to her Mad Morelands series with a prequel featuring the eldest Moreland, Thisbe.

Thisbe is a scientist who has the support of her family and the freedom provided by her station to attend lectures and meetings, even if the men there don’t take her seriously. I enjoyed her fearless nature and the way she wouldn’t let sexism stop her from pursuing her studies. When she meets Desmond at a lecture, she’s delighted to find a man who is willing to talk with her as an equal. Desmond was a total sweetheart. He’s patient, kind, and protective, though that last quality tends to get in his way at times. Desmond is very conscious of his “low birth” – especially when he finds out Thisbe is a duke’s daughter – but he cannot deny the pull between them. Thisbe comes from a very unconventional family and is unconcerned with their difference in stations. While some suspension of disbelief is required for how casual the Morelands are and how much freedom Thisbe has to be alone with Desmond, I was happy to go along for the ride. Thisbe and Desmond fit extremely well and were so easy to root for, even when misunderstandings or misplaced honor get in their way.

The romance between Desmond and Thisbe might have been better suited to a novella if it weren’t for the subplot filling out a good portion of the book. Desmond is working for a disgraced scientist who is obsessed with finding Annie Blue’s Eye, an ancient artifact rumored to possess supernatural powers. At the same time Thisbe begins to have nightmares connected to the Eye’s creator. When Desmond learns Thisbe has a connection to the Eye, it sets off a chain of events that lead the two of them on a dangerous pursuit. I can’t say much about this plotline for fear of spoiling the story. For me, this storyline slowed down the book at times and wasn’t as interesting as the romance, but that could just be personal preference.

Her Scandalous Pursuit is a prequel to the Mad Morelands series and having not read the other six books I can safely say it stands alone. Fans of the series will undoubtedly be thrilled to see their favorite characters before their happily ever afters. And I enjoyed this welcoming, loving, intellectual family so much that I cannot wait to read the rest of the series (Thisbe’s youngest brothers, the Greats, were especially charming). All in all, Her Scandalous Pursuit is a thoroughly entertaining read.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Olivia Moreland prides herself on discrediting charlatans, particularly the false mediums that flock to London. But when Lord Stephen St. Leger requests her help in investigating an alleged psychic’s claims, she can’t deny the ominous feeling she has within the walls of his ancient estate—or the intimately familiar connection she has with Stephen himself. 

The last time he’d called Blackhope Hall home, Stephen had watched as his elder brother claimed both the family title and the woman he loved. Now, in the wake of his brother’s murder, Stephen has reluctantly returned to find his family ensconced in scandal. Who is responsible for his brother’s untimely death? And what is it about investigator Olivia Moreland that so thoroughly draws him in, reigniting a passion he hasn’t felt in years?

Graeme woke up to his cousin’s dog as well as his cousin James. Then James said there was some juicy gossip to be told his mother had even got up early to come to Graeme’s. Graeme had married Abigail to save his family estate, pay off his fathers debts. Graeme had been willing to do his duty by his family even giving up Laura who was the woman he already loved. But Thursten Price- Abigail's father hadn’t left anything to chance and used blackmail to make sure Abigaila and  Graeme married and Abigail knew nothing about it. Thursten had poorly treated Abigail most her life.  Abigail thought she had married a kind thoughtful gentleman but on the wedding night he made it clear he would only be Abigail's husband in name only that she had brought herself a title and husband in name only and walked away from her. The next morning Graeme had regretted how he had treated Abigail when he went to her hotel he found out she had checked out that morning to return to N Y. Then James told Graeme that Abigail was now back in London. Resentment and anger long buried stirred in Graeme. No one seemed to know why Abigail had returned. She had been quite successful in society in N Y. Abigail is now twenty eight - it had been ten years since she left to return to the states- and wants to have a child. If Graeme doesn’t want to father said baby she wants a divorce and she will marry someone else who is willing to make her a mother. Graeme’s grandmother wants him to come to London and deal with his wife, take her to his home. Graeme and James leave to return to London together . Graeme finds out on his return to London  he finds out his wife Abigail- who has grown into a beautiful woman- is sought after by many men. Then Graeme and ABigail see each other at a ball later they meet and Abigail tells Graeme why she returned. It had been a slight scandal when Abigail had left for the states the day after she was married and Graeme didn't want any more scandal of a divorce  he was the Earl now. Graeme agreed to live with Abigail as husband and wife l until she got pregnant and she had agreed to raise the child in England. Abigail had begun to get secret letters that have clues to Graeme’s father and his debt. As time goes on Abigail and Graeme and really get to know each other.  

I enjoyed this book , I liked the pace of this. As well as the plot. I loved how Abigail had the strength to face Graeme and let him know her hearts desire. I liked there was some mystery in this story. At first I didn’t like Graeme at all he never gave Abigail a chance  to tell her side of marrying Graeme .Instead he just believed she was as bad as her father. But he did grow on me after Abigail had returned to London. I love how it took time for Graeme and Abigail to grow feelings for each other. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

A baby is found in the manger in the church where Thea's brother is vicar. She goes after the man she thinks is the baby's father who turns out is not but she's involved in the mystery of who left the baby and why. As she gets to know Lord Morecombe she throws conventions to the wind as does he. They may both think they are focused on the baby but, as anyone with a pair of eyes sees, they are more interested in each other. The baby brings out sides to them that they would never have discovered by following convention.

I liked this story. I liked Thea and Gabriel. They make a good couple. She does not let him mow her over and he discovers there is more to a woman than companionship in bed. The mystery is good as Gabriel must unravel the past and realize his mistakes. I plan on reading the rest of the series.

' A Perfect Gentleman' by Candace Camp is the story of Graeme and Abby.  
Ms. Camp is one of my favorite authors so as soon as I saw her name with this book I had to have it.
So happy to say that this book did not disappoint!  I could not put the book down so I ended up reading it until the early hours of the morning....still worth the book-hangover!
Graeme and Abby story actually started about 10 years ago when they were married.  Graeme was pretty much blackmailed in to marring Abby by her father.  Abby knew her father was very controlling and a harsh business man but did not have a clue what her father was doing to Graeme.  So right after the wedding Graeme made it clear that he did not want her nor is she every to hold his heart.  That he is in love with someone else. Graeme also told her some of what her father had done.  Graeme then walked out.  Well Abby being a young 18 year old was heart broken and she up and left London.  Abby headed back to NY to make a life for herself.  Now 10 years later she is back in London and Graeme isn't happy about it.  He at first tries to talk her into leaving and going back but it does not work.  Abby has chanced a lot in physical and internal appears which has made it hard for Graeme to resist her. But when Abby starts to get notes telling her there is more going on to her marriage 10 years ago than she knows so goes forward to find out...which puts her in danger. Can Graeme get past his feeling he thought he had for Abby and move forward with the new feelings that are coming out?  Can he help keep Abby safe when someone is out to hurt her?
This was another great story by Ms. Camp!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1831318-sissy-s-romance-book-review-for-you  
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2HX0B5ELOPP5Z?ie=UTF8&ref_=sv_ys_3
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookReview
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1709181636033417/
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordpress.com/
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebookreviewforyoublog
https://plus.google.com/+SissyHicks