B-
Title: Lord Sin & Lord Scandal
Author: Kalen Hughes
Publication Info: Kensington 2008
ISBN: 0821781502
Genre: Historical: European
A two-book review from the “And Now For Something A Little Different” department.
You know those women who are friends with scads of men but not so many women? What if one of those women was in a historical romance? What if she were a widow, free of those pesky expectations of innocence and demureness? What if she were bawdy, outrageous, and friends with absolute piles of handsome, rakish men who adored her and considered her one of their own? Who would reign her in? Other women, gossip, scandal, and the expectations of society at the time? What if she didn’t give a rat’s ass about gossip, scandal, or the expectations of society? Who needs other women, anyway?
So, couple all that setup with a depth of historical knowledge that will literally make your corset spin around on top of your head, some sharp dialogue, and settings that are original, fascinating, and located in the same historical period with which you may be familiar, but at often unexplored locations within that period, and you have Hughes’ two books.
That trifecta of historical research, clever setting, and wholly memorable characters, held competently by Hughes’ writing, is some powerful juju.
The first, Lord Sin, is the story of George, aka Georgianna Exley, who is what tomboys grow up to be when they’re wealthy, whip smart, sexy, and aware of their female allure, but also wicked good at things like pool, shooting, horseracing, and generally making a gleeful sport of life. Ivo Dauntry left England in disgrace six years prior for fighting a duel over George. He’s returned to find that she’s a widow, she’s surrounded by men at all hours of the day, her home is an unofficial gentleman’s club, and despite his best intentions he has absolutely no power to resist her. He’s wildly jealous of all the other men, and is completely unimpressed with George’s mandate that, should she take a man to her bed, he gets one night and one night only. Ivo wants six nights, one for each year he was in exile.
So let me warn you: this is not your average historical romance novel. For one thing: the person struggling with moral and personal virtue vs. fiery burn-your-hairs-off sexual attraction? That’d be the hero. The one who has more potential partners than a stick could be shaken at? That’d be the heroine. If you’re up for having your expectations of the heroine’s virginity and relative innocent inexperience stood on their heads, and you’re up for meeting a heroine who will stick with you awhile, head directly to this book and jump in. Ivo is cranky, George at times treats him in ways that made me cringe, but I still rooted for them. The two of them knock heads before they knock boots in ways that toss a grenade on the idea of “conflict” and kick that conflict up in its own teeth. George and Ivo do not have it easy, but when they earn it, they earn it hot and good.
Which is why I was pleased and yet somewhat bummed out to find her in the next book in Hughes’ series featured George and Ivo, but most specifically George. She’s fascinating. She’s marvelous. She’s larger than life.
She damn near chews the scenery to the point where if you put the book down you might pick it up to find little bites taken out of the pages, and no cat in sight to blame for the nibble.
Lord Scandal follows Gabriel, a mere mister of some fortune and even more some reputation, and Imogen, the “Portrait Divorcee.” Divorced on grounds of her alleged infidelity after she sat for a rather scandalous portrait (Think Madame X only more alluring, I think) and the resulting gossip humiliated her politically-ambitious husband, Imogen is an outcast in a society she once managed marvelously as a political hostess. George takes Imogen under her wing, and quietly goes about restoring Imogen to society, albeit a more racy, outrageous, and frankly fun, if you’re asking me, section of society.
One element that Hughes exploits to great advantage is the idea of cliques within the ton, as George and her cronies are of “the sporting set,” which defines them apart from other groups, though they all might end up at the same ball or gathering together. Plus, Hughes’ understanding of what sorts of activities those sporting folks might get on with makes for some witty dialogue and refreshingly different scenes. Almack’s my ass: we have horseracing, hunting parties, country parties with fox hunting and shooting – places men would only be welcome except for the iconoclast George and her companion Imogen. And before the book gets top heavy with the manly manhood, there are scenes with the women spending an afternoon reading fashion catalogs, for example, and discussing dresses and styles, which revealed what some women of status and fortune actually did with themselves during the day.
And therein lie my problems with this book: George is all about installing Imogen among her set of manly man friends, and as a divorcee, Imogen’s social options are rather limited. What better group to ignore her alleged dalliance than a crew of dudes? Dudes, obviously, won’t give a flying crap cake. Gabriel, a fixture in the rakish sporting posse, is barely allowed entrance to most social events, and the more outrageous he is, the better he was to read about, and the more fun he is to see within his social circle. But the actual conduct that made Imogen a pariah is never fully explained, nor is the impact of Gabriel’s intimate knowledge of that portrait revealed. I had to wonder what would happen when Imogen learned the extent of Gabriel’s knowledge of her – and since it wasn’t revealed in front my readerly eyes, I’m not sure I can believe it was for the best.
Imogen’s coming back from a place of deep humiliation, so of course she fears the consequences of a shocking and gossipy fling with Gabriel – and she has real reason to fear those consequences, as Hughes makes a point of underscoring just how vulnerable Imogen really is, despite Ivo and George’s protection as her friends. George, rakish social pirate that she is, comes to Imogen’s defense again and again with her own considerable power in society, but essentially, Imogen is very, very vulnerable. And thus, Imogen herself pales, unfortunately, in comparison to George. George is full-strength oils applied with a trowel. Imogen is watercolors. Lots of them, skillfully done, breathtakingly moving, but water colors. George is a canvas you can smell drying from across the street.
Even despite the more frustrating aspects of the writing – scenes that are absurdly short, for example, and ended way too soon for my tastes, and a secondary character, as I’ve noted, who is so larger than life she can easily overshadows the sequel protagonists – the strength and clever originality of the setting, coupled with a whole posse of memorable characters and a deeper knowledge of the time period than I’ve grown accustomed to from most historical romance authors, combined to create a very diverting read. Even if at times I was looking for George or Gabriel more than I was looking for Imogen, I came to appreciate and enjoy the whole set of characters that I was happy to spend more time in Hughes’ Georgian world.
But soft! What awesome from yonder website breaks? It is the giveaways, and I have five! To be specific: I have five sets of both books, Lord Sin and Lord Scandal, if you are interested in taking a gallop around Georgian England.
You want to enter? Leave a comment. Say anything, but say it in the next 24 hours. I’ll select five random winners from the total number of comments, and announce them once time is up.
Would love to win some books! I promise to pass Lord Sin on to someone else cause I’ve already read it—and loved it—and recommended it to my critique group. Also read Kalen’s on-line read. Very fun! All you lurkers go check it out. Keep writing Kalen!
Wow – if that ain’t Freudian, I don’t know what is. I meant to type “bit.”
*sigh* A Freudian Slip is when you say one thing and mean your mother.
Hmm…hope for a freebie, or just go out and buy them? Decisions, decisions. Well, since I’m in the middle of a tornado watch right now, I guess I can wait and hope my number is picked. But I’m warning you! If I’m not picked, I’m going to go right out … and buy … them. Wait a minute…
I need to work on my threat skillz.
Random drawing contest?
“You know what Jack Burton always says… what the hell?”
free the books! books want to be free!
Well now I’m completely hooked. Nothing makes me buy a book faster than a good review by SBTB. 🙂
Please toss my name in the drawing. Great review, and the books sound awesome!!
Awesome review—very interested in reading the books.
I wish there was a site that reviewed only Georgian/Regency romances somewhere. I love Heyer (and that goes without saying) but don’t know who else might be equally satisfying.
I enjoy both chest hair and trampy heroines. Pick me!
“anything”
They sound great! Pick me!
Let us go then, George and I,
When pantaloons are tight ‘round our thigh
Like lover’s lips upon a neck;
Let us go, through romancelandia!
(I can haz books?)
Daphne B: RT and AAR both tell you what era a book is set in, so you can read just the ones for Georgian/Regency. If you’re looking for a few recomendatations, these are all on my MUST BUY list:
Julia Ross
Candice Hern
Pam Rosenthal
Tracy Grant (historical romantic suspense and KICK ASS!)
Jo Beverley (esp her Georgian ones!!!)
Loretta Chase
Yes I want to enter! Those characters sound awesome…
Oh man, I’ve been wanting to read a romance with a heroine who’s not all fluff, and even if I don’t win, I think I may have to pick this one up. George sounds like my kinda girl.
I love when an author takes romance tropes and turns them on their head in interesting ways.
Sounds intriguing…
I’m just getting back into reading romances, and these sound like great fun. Not that I ever win anything, but what the heck….
Spam word: look67. These books definitely are worth a look!
These sound positively juicy. I’d love to win them.
Here’s hoping for a random win!
Sounds like a pair of very good reads. I have to wonder at Imogen’s reaction to George, if she’s been a good politicians wife for most of her life…really, I’d have to wonder at everyone’s reaction to George. She sounds like one insane individual.
Sound so good!
Thanks for the in depth review. I thought I had given up on historicals of this time period but your review has intrigued me to give these books a shot!
I don’t read a lot of historicals, so I’m always way reluctant to try a new historical author. Even with that, I’ve been eying these 2 books at the bookstore the last couple weeks! These sound really good! I’m even more intrigued now =)
I’d like to give them a try – sign me up, thanks!
These sound fun & interesting—sign me up for a chance!
I have the first book and it has just dived up to the top of Mount TBR. Would love a chance to win the second one.
Am I shallow if I admit that one reason I want these books is because I just want to stare at the guys on the cover? With all the terrible covers out there, how wonderful that great stories got the covers they deserve—atmospheric and very nice to look at.
As for Georgette Heyer, one of my favorites is Black Sheep. I love the scene where Miles and Abby meet and she mistakes him for his nephew—a great “meet cute” scene. I also love The Talisman Ring. The book has two main couples, and IMHO the older outshines the younger one as far as wit and romance are concerned.
oh, please, oh, please. Mistress, may I have another (book)?
Ohhh…… this sounds good. A woman with a spine who’s not ready to fall into vapors with the first good looking man. Please, please, let mw win
Yay- a new author for me to read!
Ooooooh, new genre-y goodness!
Put my name in the pot!
I love the name Ivo, but I love Jack too. (And I’m not just saying this because I have one in my WIP! But I’ve also got an Arthur and a Hector, so I’m doing my part for names that sound unusual and maybe not so blatantly manly to modern ears.) My pet peeve is names that just don’t feel remotely period-appropriate, whether they’re truly anachronistic or just don’t match the character’s background—e.g. I just don’t think there were that many English aristocrats in the 18th or 19th century named Aidan or Brendan! I’m also a bit weary of heroes whose names or titles have over-the-top allusions to devils, wolves, darkness, etc. So, yay Ivo!
Dude, a non-virginal heroine who isn’t condemned by even the narrative itself? A hero who’s torn due to his own moral standards and who isn’t the one sleeping around? Please sign me up for this drawing, stat!
Gimme, gimme!
my word is let79… yeah, let me have them!
I just want the books!
One of my constant conflicts is my love of historical romances with my love a really strong female character who isn’t always a damsel in distress. I’ve come across some that are pretty good (and some that make me throw the book across the room because the girl is such an annoyingly weak waste of space), but this is a new stretch. Not sure how historically accurate it may be, but it sounds like it’ll be a fun read regardless.
(pick me, pick me!) 🙂
So glad I stopped by so I can enter into the drawing for awesome books!!! Woot!
Haven’t had a chance to read all 152 comments (waiting for a friend to pick me up) so you may have answered this, but why the B-? I mean, is it because of the second book, that has a secondary character that completely rocks (and so glad to hear she keeps her characters the same, which doesn’t always happen in sequels) and takes over, or what?
I mean, I still wnat the books, don’t get me wrong, just curious is all
I logged on (away on vacation) and went, “Whoa, damn, 156 comments? What did SB Sarah say in that review?” Then I read it—I see, she said “free books.” Explains it all.
Yay, Kalen Hughes—these books have been in my virtual TBR pile since I first heard of them; they sound like a breath of fresh air. It would be nice to win them, but if not I will get them some other way (nefarious plots…).
And I’m SO glad to see that I’m not the only one who thought of George from Nancy Drew!!!
GeeWhiz, I ordered both of these a few days ago and now I see you’re giving away FREEBIES! Mom always tells me not to jump on things so fast!
RE:Heyer
I read my first a month or so ago (Venetia) and I have to tell you, it took a lot to not put the book down. I had a friend I really trust recommended it, so I plowed through and boy I didn’t regret it! It gave me such a different view of this time period! Pick her up and give her try if you haven’t.
These sound a bit like Your Scandalous Ways, which I’m reading now. In the sense that they turn standard historical romance novel conventions on their head. I’m all for that. Virginal and inexperienced woman vs. more experienced older man can get kind of old. I’m enjoying reading about a couple who are more on equal footing, at least as far as experience goes.