Only Scandal Will Do Paperback – June 24, 2014

Great basic story idea I thought when purchasing the book - but the opening brothel scene just didn't lend itself as a true romance story to me. I truly liked the heroine's feisty character but couldn't get the distaste of the brothel incident between herself and the hero out of my mind. I like rogues and rakes but this one was not to my taste.

An American lady whose brother is a Duke gets kidnapped while in London. The man who buys her in an auction thinks he is getting a women from a brothel. After she escapes he finds her and tries to get her to marry him. She doesn't make it easy and challenges him to a dual. When she loses she does not make their marriage easy at all. He will need to show her he really cares for her. Even as things get much better there is a sinister threat that can ruin their happiness.

Kidnapped and auctioned at an infamous brothel, Lady Katerina "Kat" Fitzwilliam fights against all odds. Fortunately for her, she was 'purchased' by Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, captivated first by her auburn hair and then her spirit. When Kat tries to explain to him how she was captured, Duncan thinks it all part of the game. But Kat surprises him and knocks him out by crashing a pitcher and escapes. Finally she arrives safely home to her brother Jack, Earl of Manning - both he and Kat just recently arrived from Virginia as he inherited his title. Wanting only to put this behind her, Kat tells a version of what truly happened. Meanwhile Duncan scans every ton event to find Kat and make amends to his actions by marrying her. Finally finding her after weeks, he is turned down and scorned by the lady. Even more determined to win her, Duncan is to meet her brother in a duel to the death - until Kat intercedes with the proposition that she duel till first blood is drawn. If she wins, she returns to Virginia, if Duncan wins, she will marry him. The story that follows is full of adventures of Duncan desperately trying to win Kat's forgiveness and love - along with Kat's determination to keep her guard up against Duncan, not to trust him. Also there is the mystery of why she was targeted and the Judas in their midst causing such harm. Many layers to this story, including Duncan's sister Juliet. Wonderful strong characters that entangle a web of deception, friendship, honor and finally love which conquers adversities achieving joy!!

This book is one of three books (so far) in The House of Pleasure series. (I'm assuming there will be a fourth book to provide Katarina's brother, Lord Manning, with his story, especially since some serious "issues" are hinted at in his life in Only a Mistress Will Do.)In Only Scandal Will Do, the story features a strong heroine and rakish hero that is stubborn enough to be her match. The conflict in how they first meet and the lengths to which the hero is willing to go to make amends and win her heart made for an enjoyable story to read. I liked seeing the secondary characters from the other books in the series make appearances, and even the repetition of a scene or two (this time told from different POVs) was fun to revisit.(Spoiler Alert) Like I mentioned in my review of Only a Mistress Will Do...this author seems to like having the heroine's do the ultimate heroic act at the end...and in Only a Scandal Will Do, that doesn't really change. The heroine pretty much saves herself (just as the hero arrives to witness it), but unlike the other book, this story's heroine at least has enough back story to support her "fencing" actions, so the events are somewhat more believable, and therefore much more palatable than what happens in Only a Mistress Will Do.All in all, I do recommend the series for lovers of historical British romances.

Good story with some dark moments and action. Given how it started, it was much less steamy than I expected. Also, there were quite a few things that just bothered me or didn't feel believable, like her beloved brother's flip-flopping temperament, and the later reason for her to spurn Duncan, and several other plot points and moments in the action.This is the primary reason for the drop in stars. I would recommend this book for those who like a good grovel, as most of the book is that in a way, though you have to be able to get past any triggers in the beginning. I did enjoy the tension between Kat and Duncan and am intrigued by some of the secondary characters. Like many debut novels, it lacks a little focus, but the author definitely has promise and I will continue with the series.

Although the story began with a kidnapping and abuse of the heroine, she managed to escape, virtue intact. Duncan became intrigued by her from the moment he laid eyes on Katarina. When Duncan discovered Kat was truly a lady of nobility his honor demanded he marry her, he felt his actions and amorous kisses would cause scandal and ruin. Kat was not the typical Ton debutant. She was smart, she fenced, shot, loved to ride horses. Of course, Kat wanted nothing to do with the remorseful Duncan. She tried not to think about the sizzle Duncan‘s kisses and attentions caused throughout her body. Thus, the chase began. Duncan needed to show Kat he was truly remorseful, kind, and that he really cared and had feelings for Katarina. She doubted him at every turn, denied her own budding feelings, and kept Duncan at arm‘s length. I enjoyed the story and the characters. Even though this is a stand-alone, the end of this story gives the reader a glimpse of which characters are highlighted for a love story in the second of the series, which already gives the reader insights into the characters. Enjoy this steamy, passionate story!

A lovely regency romance with some nice twists. You'll certainly get two like the two main characters, who are so stubborn in their quests that it ends up being rather funny. It was good to see that there was more to it than the usual "they met, they kissed and they lived happily ever after." I had a good time reading it, and I'm sure the lovers of romance will do too :)

I wasn't sure if I liked the hero at the start of the book. He seemed to be a rake of the lowest order and determined to have his way with the heroine. I couldn't understand how he could have any redeeming qualities at all and was quite put out when the heroine began to have feelings for him. By the end of the story, the author was able to turn my opinion of him completely around and I was rooting for him to win. There is plenty of stream, slow burn romance and danger in this story, enough to make it an all around great read. I loved it!

Loved this novel - The story rings so believable with Katarina being kidnapped and placed up for auction in a brothel she would of course be fearful of marriage and even leaving the house - Duncan has his hands full with Katarina who was bold and spirited before and now is adamantly determined to be in control of her life - the plot is spectacular with adventure coming from different subplots - the romance is authentic - very well written this novel is hard to put down -