In Search of Scandal by Susanne Lord-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway
IN SEARCH OF SCANDAL
London Explorers #1
by Susanne Lord
Genre:adult, historical romance
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository / BAM / itunes / Indiebound
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 1, 2015
A DARING EXPLORER
All of London is abuzz with the tale of Will Repton. The lone survivor of a massacre in Tibet has returned to England a hero, but the traumatized explorer has no time for glory. Another dangerous expedition awaits. Nothing will deter him from his quest, and no one will unearth his secret—until Will meets Charlotte Baker.
IS NO MATCH FOR AN ADVENTUROUS HEART
Vivacious Charlotte Baker also has a mission—to find a man whose bold spirit matches her own. When she meets Will Repton, she immediately recognizes him as her soul mate, and she’s naively willing to turn her back on the rules of propriety to ensnare him. Will is torn between his fascination with Charlotte and his vow to finish his quest. He knows what it is to risk life and limb—but what if his most perilous adventure doesn’t lie across an ocean, but within his own lost heart?
REVIEW
5 out of 5 for this reader folks!
WOW .. that was one fantastic read! 🙂
In Search of Scandal by Susanne Lord is the first book of her historical romance series named London Explorers and it sure did deliver. Susanne is a new author to me, and there is nothing better that finding an author that hits all the marks that I favour in historical romance novels.
Having returned home to England after a disaster that would your know what with anyone’s head, Will Repton certainly is a damaged man. He is a well known adventurer that is being welcomed home as a hero despite the fact that he feels anything but. He is raw in his emotions and pain, dark and broody without being obnoxious and generally a character that one cannot wait to learn about.
Charlotte Baker is a woman who needs to get her family out of scandal by marrying well. She is a light hearted, a welcomed breath of fresh air who has a glass that seems to remain half full all the time. She is kind and sweet but NOT annoyingly so and she knows the minute she meets Will, she has found her soul mate.
Together these two manage to set off on an adventure of truth, denial, healing and ultimately love and trust. Charlotte knows there is something wrong with Will but never in her wildest dreams would she guess what it is that plagues him. Will feels drawn to Charlotte despite his adamant “I don’t want or need a wife, I have things I need to do!”. However he cannot seem to stop looking out for this young lady who he finds captivating.
So much good to say about this book that I could write pages. First off let’s acknowledge that this is Susanne Lord’s debut novel .. WHAT???? NO WAY! I have never encountered a debut novel that was this amazing. There was so much complexity surrounding her characters and story line that I was literally stuck to my e-reader. An engaging build up that delivered when the climax hit. She also managed to take two characters that have my “ummm .. yah .. not my fave” characteristics and make me fall in love with them. My absolute fave part of this book though, was the heart break. What a sad and beautiful story line of Will’s past. OH ME OH MY!
So there you have it. I dare say if you love the genre of historical romance as much as I do, you will love this novel.
HAPPY READING 🙂
Copy supplied by Netgalley
Reviewed by Rachel T.
Charlotte caught her breath and unclenched the grip she had taken upon his hand. “You cannot pretend to like me, Mr. Repton. I just wonder—I have always wondered what I have done to offend you.”
His arm tightened and his lips were right back to hovering over her ear. “Wait…”
More silence. Honestly! She would not stand here and let him trample her heart.
She ripped herself from his arms. “It is fine. I hardly require every man to like me, Mr. Repton. Be assured I am aware of your feelings and you will not have to suffer my attentions anymore.”
She whirled to leave but a steel hand gripped her arm.
“God! Blast it! Now what have I done?” he growled, his blue eyes wintry in the moonlight. “I thought we were getting on. I wouldn’t mind being your friend, as long as you understand that’s where it ends.”
“Wouldn’t mind? I have more friends than I can count, I hardly need—”
He yanked her hard against him. “Then what do you want?”
“I…I will not argue—”
His hands gripped her waist. “What do you want, Charlotte?” He growled. “What do you want me to do?”
Her words died in the face of his rising frustration. What did she want? What had she ever wanted but him? She wanted him still. From the first sight, the first instant. Every day, every hour, she wanted him. In a deep, tender, precious place she could not touch with reason. And all he did was sneer and push her way.
“Why didn’t you ignore me as you normally do?” she asked hollowly. “Why did you talk to me at all tonight?”
He said nothing. He didn’t move. Something furious and wild thundered through her breast. “You don’t belong here!” Her fist clenched, wanting to slap that frozen look off his face. “Say something!” She launched against him, gripping him about his hard neck. “Say anything!”
But his stubborn lips were sealed, and before she could stop herself, she mashed her mouth against them.
Instantly, she regretted it. Their chins knocked, their teeth scraped, and a grunt of surprise sounded from his throat.
Oh God, what was she doing? She didn’t know how to give a kiss and he certainly didn’t want hers. His hands dropped off her and she sobbed sharply against his mouth. Mortified, she crumpled against his neck.
Oh God, oh God, how will I face him?
A hard hand seized her neck and forced her head up. Blue eyes blazed into hers. “Damn it all!”
Warm lips clamped to hers expertly. Shocked, she sank to her heels but his arm tightened and locked her against the hard wall of his body.
His deep groan shook her.
But it was a sound of surrender.
Follow Susanne: Goodreads/ Website/ Twitter/ Facebook
Susanne Lord is a writer of Victorian-era romance and author of the London Explorer series published by Sourcebooks.
Originally from Okinawa, off-base and on, she now makes her home in Chicago where she is an active member of Chicago North RWA. When not writing, attending theater or reading, she enjoys hiking the English countryside and visiting historic homes and gardens.
IN SEARCH OF SCANDAL is Susanne’s debut novel.
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Wonderful review Rachel. Congratulations to Susanne on an amazing debut !!!
Great review Rachel. Sounds like something I would love to read. Congrats to Susanne.
Very nice review Rachel. Love the historical romances.
Wonderful review, Rachel. Your praise was great especially since this is her debut novel.
Fabulous review. I will be looking to buy this book.
Thanks for the wonderful review. Love the cover, so pretty.
sounds like a wonderful story. thanks.
Another nice review Rachel. Congrats to Susanne on the new release.