Her secrets are coming undone...

Plagued by scandalous rumors, Rheda Kerrich will stop at nothing to restore her reputation and make an honest living for herself-and she's determined to do it without a husband. But times are hard, and smuggling is a risky though profitable trade. So when a dashing agent for the English government catches her in the act, she desperately resists his charms and conceals her illicit profession. Until she realizes he may be the key to her ultimate freedom-and unbridled passion...

Rufus Knight, Viscount Strathmore, has never had trouble beguiling the ladies of Kent. When his search for "Dark Shadow," a cunningly elusive smuggler, leads him to alluring and headstrong Rhe, her objections to his amorous advances merely incite a tantalizing game of cat and mouse. Soon, they'll find the very secrets driving them apart could ensnare them in a love they can't escape...

Review

Invitation to Scandal is a story of intrigue, danger, and romance.

Rheda Kerrich has spent her adulthood finding ways to keep her brother’s struggling estate from collapsing and helping the people of her village make enough money to eat. She is used to carrying everyone’s burdens on her shoulders, but she doesn’t resent them for it. In fact, she loves that she is an important part of her community and that she has the freedom to help as she chooses. She plans to never marry and open her own stud farm – living a life of independence.

Rufus Knight, Viscount Strathmore, has spent his adulthood looking for a mysterious spy and trying to learn the truth behind his father’s death. What he wants more than anything is to clear his family’s name and help his mother and sister get passed having an alleged traitor in the family. To this end, Rufus is willing to do anything to get the information he seeks. If he has to seduce the fair Rheda he will and it wouldn’t be much of a hardship.

I had a very hard time liking these characters. Rufus comes across as a jerk for most of the book and the way he treats Rheda is terrible. Rheda keeps so many secrets from so many people that it is hard to see the real her. I couldn’t connect, sympathize, or relate to either character. Since I couldn’t connect the outcome of their romance didn’t matter to me.

The writing is very good and the story moves at a brisk pace. I think that if I had liked the characters I would have loved the book. There is just the right amount of intrigue and danger to keep the reader interested.

Reviewed by Carrie

READERS COMMENTS