Good book with a little bit of a Romeo and Juliet theme to it. The Patton and St. James families have been at odds for many years, thanks to a scandal involving their grandfathers and Alex's great aunt. The story opens as Alex, under orders from his grandmother, breaks into the Patton's house. He is looking for a key that belongs to his family and must find it to prevent a scandal. He doesn't expect to have his search interrupted by the early return of Lady Amelia. He barely makes it to the balcony of her room before she appears.

Amelia spent her whole life in the country until her father decided it was time for her to marry. Her life was quiet, filled with books and walks. Now she is the Elusive Queen because she doesn't act like the other debutantes. Amelia is an intelligent woman and is frustrated by the dullness of the men her father pushes at her. On this night, she left the ball early and returned home, using her occasional breathing problems as an excuse.

I loved the first meeting between Amelia and Alex. He is hiding on her balcony when she steps out for a breath of air. We immediately see Alex's kindness and sensitivity, as he witnesses what he thinks may be the beginning of a fainting spell. Amelia is understandably startled by his presence but doesn't react with the fright he expected. I enjoyed their exchange as he reassures her he isn't there to either rob them or assault her. He does say that "in the spirit of being an effective burglar, I should steal something. A kiss comes to mind..." Neither one expected it to be something so unforgettable.

I loved the development of Alex and Amelia's relationship. From that first kiss, they shared a connection that neither could deny. It was fun to see her aunt's dismay as Amelia pointed Alex out at the next ball and asked who he was. Alex has a reputation as a rake, one that is more inherited than deserved, though it is convenient at times. Amelia finds him far more interesting than the men her father recommends. At the same time, Alex is fascinated by Amelia's intelligence and wit. Another encounter in the dark ended in a steamier kiss that was interrupted by Amelia's aunt. I enjoyed Amelia's conversation with Aunt Sophia as she makes her interest in Alex clear. Amelia may be innocent, but she knows what she wants. Alex surprises himself with his unwavering interest in her, despite the obstacles.

I loved seeing them find ways to spend time together and get to know each other. For a supposed rake, Alex's behavior is quite honorable. They are further drawn together when each of them receives mysterious letters. Amelia gets letters written by Alex's great-aunt Anna, the one who had an affair with Amelia's married grandfather. Alex receives letters written by her grandfather to Anna. Alex and Amelia work together to figure out the connection between the notes, their relatives, and the mysterious key. As their feelings for each other grow, they hope their families will let bygones be bygones, so that they can marry.

I ached for Alex here, because he is such an honorable man that he attempts to ask Amelia's father for her hand. He suspects it won't go well, but he has to try. I loved the advice he got from his brother, his friend, and even Amelia's aunt. I had to laugh at his appearance at the dressmaker's and what he did with all that advice. Their arrival at his family's home was everything I'd hoped it would be, especially with Alex's brother and sister-in-law. It's there that all of the pieces of the puzzle start to come together, revealing a heartbreaking tale of star-crossed lovers.

The secondary characters were also well done. Alex's two friends, Luke and Michael, share Alex's war experiences, binding their friendship even closer. I liked how both were ready to help Alex with whatever he needed. I loved Amelia's Aunt Sophia, who played the part of Amelia's chaperone. Her decisions when it came to Amelia and Alex were unexpected, promoting love over propriety. Sophia also had a romance of her own simmering in the background. I liked her beau, Richard, for the way he treated her and supported her. He also provided an unexpected twist in the story. ( )

My Lord Scandal was the perfect non-angsty historical I didn't realize I was craving. And it had a smart heroine. So I have to give kudos to Ms. Wildes because I like her heroines. Think of saucy, take charge Brianna from Secrets from a Scarlet Lady. Amelia Patton wasn't as take charge, but she was direct, didn't act coy and although she knew she shouldn't be attracted to Alex, she just couldn't help herself so she went for it full-throttle. Why couldn't she be with him? Well! Amelia's grandfather was married and having an affair with a debutante - who happened to be Alex's grandfather's sister. It wasn't widely known, but the debutante committed suicide because she couldn't be with the man she loved and Alex's grandfather killed Amelia's in a duel.

What does this have to do with anything? Alex's grandmother wants him to find something that is in Patton's family's possession but doesn't belong to them, it belongs to the St. James's. So in an effort to take it back stealthily, Alex breaks into Amelia's home while the Patton's are at a ball and starts looking around. Unbeknownst to him, Amelia has returned early from the ball and is in her room - which is the point of entry for his little break in. So he tries to sneak out and is trapped on Amelia's balcony, with a front row seat to her undressing. When she comes out onto the balcony and appears faint, Alex comes forward to offer assistance. He scares her, but Amelia is quickly intrigued by him even being there and gets over her fear. Alex cannot help himself and kisses Amelia before he leaves. Amelia is curious about her visitor but because she's a smart heroine, she knows she'll see him again - she can tell he's quality people. When Amelia next sees Alex and asks her aunt who he is, she finds out that he is not to be acknowledged, spoken to or be near him, ever. For a woman like Amelia, that's like throwing gasoline on a flame - and that's exactly what happens when these two get near each other.

I thought My Lord Scandal was delicious. Emma's writing is very enjoyable and this book was no exception. The characters were good. They were practical, smart and interesting. Not just Alex and Amelia, but the secondary characters too. There was a cute second romance plot that I enjoyed. I also liked that the conflict wasn't too angst-ridden. Yeah an old family feud is somewhat of a barrier, but not to two people who didn't really know those involved and acknowledge that they want to be together. Yay for strong-willed lovers! Also, I thought the whole family feud bit was interesting! There is a bit of a mystery in regards to letters between the two dead lovers and I had the wrong character in mind!

As you can see, there is a lot that is good with My Lord Scandal. I enjoyed it and can't wait to read the second book. ( )

My Lord Scandal was the perfect non-angsty historical I didn't realize I was craving. And it had a smart heroine. So I have to give kudos to Ms. Wildes because I like her heroines. Think of saucy, take charge Brianna from Secrets from a Scarlet Lady. Amelia Patton wasn't as take charge, but she was direct, didn't act coy and although she knew she shouldn't be attracted to Alex, she just couldn't help herself so she went for it full-throttle. Why couldn't she be with him? Well! Amelia's grandfather was married and having an affair with a debutante - who happened to be Alex's grandfather's sister. It wasn't widely known, but the debutante committed suicide because she couldn't be with the man she loved and Alex's grandfather killed Amelia's in a duel.

What does this have to do with anything? Alex's grandmother wants him to find something that is in Patton's family's possession but doesn't belong to them, it belongs to the St. James's. So in an effort to take it back stealthily, Alex breaks into Amelia's home while the Patton's are at a ball and starts looking around. Unbeknownst to him, Amelia has returned early from the ball and is in her room - which is the point of entry for his little break in. So he tries to sneak out and is trapped on Amelia's balcony, with a front row seat to her undressing. When she comes out onto the balcony and appears faint, Alex comes forward to offer assistance. He scares her, but Amelia is quickly intrigued by him even being there and gets over her fear. Alex cannot help himself and kisses Amelia before he leaves. Amelia is curious about her visitor but because she's a smart heroine, she knows she'll see him again - she can tell he's quality people. When Amelia next sees Alex and asks her aunt who he is, she finds out that he is not to be acknowledged, spoken to or be near him, ever. For a woman like Amelia, that's like throwing gasoline on a flame - and that's exactly what happens when these two get near each other.

I thought My Lord Scandal was delicious. Emma's writing is very enjoyable and this book was no exception. The characters were good. They were practical, smart and interesting. Not just Alex and Amelia, but the secondary characters too. There was a cute second romance plot that I enjoyed. I also liked that the conflict wasn't too angst-ridden. Yeah an old family feud is somewhat of a barrier, but not to two people who didn't really know those involved and acknowledge that they want to be together. Yay for strong-willed lovers! Also, I thought the whole family feud bit was interesting! There is a bit of a mystery in regards to letters between the two dead lovers and I had the wrong character in mind!

As you can see, there is a lot that is good with My Lord Scandal. I enjoyed it and can't wait to read the second book. ( )

Mesmo antes de iniciar a leitura deste livro há algo que tem de ser tomado em atenção: a autora. Ainda não encontrei um livro de Emma Wildes que não tivesse o seu toque muito pessoal, aquela forma única e característica dela de nos fazer apaixonar pelo livro em questão. Claro que com estas palavras só posso mesmo dizer que adorei a história e acabei por devorar as suas páginas em poucas horas.
Todo o livro é excepcional e o seu ponto mais alto, na minha opinião encontra-se no momento em que Alex e Lady Amelia acabam por fugir para poderem viver o seu amor. Creio que foi um acontecimento um pouco fora do comum neste tipo de livros, em que na sua maioria acabamos por ver os pais a finalmente darem a sua bênção para a realização do matrimónio, mesmo que não gostem do potencial noivo. Emma Wildes acabou por primar pelo atrevimento em não seguir essa linha.
Este é um romance sensual, com um toque de mistério que nos faz questionar quase até ao final acerca da verdade no passado das duas famílias. Quanto as suas personagens, achei que foram muito bem construídas e que as suas personalidades se adequavam bem ao tipo de história, que não pedia personalidades muito fortes. O único aspecto negativo que tenho a apontar encontra-se logo no final, pois achei que tudo se tinha iniciado de uma forma muito repentina, mas felizmente de uma forma acertada, fui verificando que aos poucos tudo entrava no ritmo certo. Gostei particularmente da tia de Amelia, que chocava toda a sociedade com os seus gostos excêntricos, achei imensa piada quando ela entrou numa festa com um turbante na cabeça e deixou todos os presentes chocados. Era uma mulher de carácter forte e que não se deixava abater por qualquer pessoa e que tudo fez para que a sobrinha pudesse ser feliz.
Este livro é o primeiro de uma trilogia que no original se intitulo “Notorious Bachelors”, em que cada livro conta a historia dos três amigos Alex, Luke e Michael. O próximo já o tenho aqui em casa e irá ser lido muito em breve, o seu titulo é “Um Erro Inconfessável” e será a historia de Luke, mantenham-se atentos porque haverá opinião muito em breve.

http://viv-omundoencantadodoslivros.blogspot.pt/2012/11/planetaopiniao-um-homem-... ( )

Mesmo antes de iniciar a leitura deste livro há algo que tem de ser tomado em atenção: a autora. Ainda não encontrei um livro de Emma Wildes que não tivesse o seu toque muito pessoal, aquela forma única e característica dela de nos fazer apaixonar pelo livro em questão. Claro que com estas palavras só posso mesmo dizer que adorei a história e acabei por devorar as suas páginas em poucas horas.
Todo o livro é excepcional e o seu ponto mais alto, na minha opinião encontra-se no momento em que Alex e Lady Amelia acabam por fugir para poderem viver o seu amor. Creio que foi um acontecimento um pouco fora do comum neste tipo de livros, em que na sua maioria acabamos por ver os pais a finalmente darem a sua bênção para a realização do matrimónio, mesmo que não gostem do potencial noivo. Emma Wildes acabou por primar pelo atrevimento em não seguir essa linha.
Este é um romance sensual, com um toque de mistério que nos faz questionar quase até ao final acerca da verdade no passado das duas famílias. Quanto as suas personagens, achei que foram muito bem construídas e que as suas personalidades se adequavam bem ao tipo de história, que não pedia personalidades muito fortes. O único aspecto negativo que tenho a apontar encontra-se logo no final, pois achei que tudo se tinha iniciado de uma forma muito repentina, mas felizmente de uma forma acertada, fui verificando que aos poucos tudo entrava no ritmo certo. Gostei particularmente da tia de Amelia, que chocava toda a sociedade com os seus gostos excêntricos, achei imensa piada quando ela entrou numa festa com um turbante na cabeça e deixou todos os presentes chocados. Era uma mulher de carácter forte e que não se deixava abater por qualquer pessoa e que tudo fez para que a sobrinha pudesse ser feliz.
Este livro é o primeiro de uma trilogia que no original se intitulo “Notorious Bachelors”, em que cada livro conta a historia dos três amigos Alex, Luke e Michael. O próximo já o tenho aqui em casa e irá ser lido muito em breve, o seu titulo é “Um Erro Inconfessável” e será a historia de Luke, mantenham-se atentos porque haverá opinião muito em breve.

http://viv-omundoencantadodoslivros.blogspot.pt/2012/11/planetaopiniao-um-homem-... ( )