Sunday, October 28, 2012

Review: My Scandalous Viscount (The Inferno Club, #5) by Gaelen Foley

Sunday, October 28, 2012 -- We are waiting for Sandy! The freak hurricane/nor'easter/whatever that's supposed to hit the East Coast tonight or tomorrow morning. We are already experiencing some mild wind gusts and the cloud cover over our area (NY metropolitan area) is a bit ominous. We're hoping for the best, of course, and preparing for the worst at this point. The worst section of the storm is supposed to hit New Jersey and come inland... but we'll wait and see what Mother Nature has in store for us.

My heart is with those people in the Caribbean (and particularly those in my country of birth, and the city where I grew up as a child) who have lost so much, including lives! My heart is breaking for you, and I cannot bare to watch images of the devastation...

Well... enough about Sandy! I will leave you with a review of a historical romance that I read this last week, an escapist read yes, but one I needed.
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My Scandalous Viscount (The Inferno Club, #5) by Gaelen Foley
My Scandalous Viscount
Sebastian, Viscount Beauchamp, lives by a code of honor, and now honor dictates he must marry Miss Carissa Portland. He has no regrets over stealing a kiss from the adorable little busybody--a fitting punishment for putting her delectable nose where it didn't belong. But now, caught in a compromising situation, he knows he must make her his bride. He's faced danger before--but nothing like this!

Carissa is not a gossip--she's a "lady of information." And all she was trying to do was warn the rakehell Beauchamp away from an irate husband. But even she can't flaunt Society, and while her head tells her that Beau's a notorious scoundrel, her heart--and her body--are captivated by his dangerous charm. But when Carissa next goes snooping, the secrets she uncovers about the Inferno Club may prove even more hazardous than falling in love with her own husband.
The beginning of this book describes Carissa perfectly:
Some people in this world (fools) were happy minding their own business.
Miss Carissa Portland wasn't one of them. 
Carissa is often thought of as a gossip, but really she is more of a snoop and snooping gets her in trouble from the beginning of this romance to the end. Beau, or Sebastian, Viscount Beauchamp, is a rakehell and a spy who belongs to the infamous Inferno Club, so to Carissa he is more than just a gorgeous hunk who she drools after, he is a magnet full of secrets that she must discover. Once she does, Beau easily blackmails her into a marriage they both of them want, and that's where the story really takes off.

Beau wants someone to trust, to be his partner in life, and going by the way he feels about the beautiful Carissa, she is the one. Unfortunately, she seems to be keeping secrets for him and fully trusting her becomes a matter of waiting until she comes clean. While Beau is trying to resolve a serious investigation being led by enemies of the Order who are trying to destroy chivalry and honor, worrying about fellow spies battling what's left of the evil Prometheans overseas, and searching for his troublesome best friend Nick, Carissa can't help but get involved. After all snooping and gathering information is her specialty! Beau wants his wife at home, not involved in dangerous spy business, but Beau can't seem to deny Carissa anything, that is until he discovers the extent of her secret and finally puts his foot down. But when things come to a head Carissa being Carissa will do whatever it takes to keep her Beau safe!

This is a cute romance I read in one sitting and for the most part found amusing. I particularly like how frustrated poor Beau becomes while trying to keep Carissa under control and making her behaving "as a wife should." Carissa's curiosity and penchant for getting her nose into other people's business is both funny and annoying. I guess that's because you can read about it and smile, but a real person like her? Not funny... ;P

The romance between Beau and Carissa is enjoyable. It isn't fraught with lots of conflict, instead it's sweet and passionate. Beau desires Carissa, however he is really loving and in love with her. He shows it from the beginning and particularly in his understanding of her situation. Carissa is crazy about Beau, but she keeps secrets from him and is not forthcoming when she should be, creating one of the conflicts between them.

As a romance, My Scandalous Viscount is enjoyable, with two likable protagonists and spy and political games that really help the story along. I enjoy those as well. Unfortunately, there's a distinct 'wallpapery' feel to this historical romance, plus modern-sounding phraseology that pulled me out of the story more than once; example: Beau telling Carissa "you are a piece of work." However, basically I placed that aside and decided to finish the book and enjoy it for what it is, a sweet, amusing romance.

Overall, My Scandalous Viscount by Gaelen Foley turned out to be an enjoyable, if somewhat average, read for me. It is amusing, sweet, and passionate, and I'm quite sure that fans of the Inferno Club series will enjoy it much more than I did.

Category: Historical Romance
Series: The Inferno Club
Publisher/Release Date: Avon/September 25, 2012
Grade: C+

Visit Gaelen Foley here.

Series:
My Wicked Marquess, #1
My Dangerous Duke, #2
My Irresistible Earl, #3
My Ruthless Prince, #4
My Scandalous Viscount, #5

8 comments:

  1. *hugs*
    Stay safe!! Hopefully, things will be alright in your neck of the woods.

    As for the book, it sounds okay but not remarkable. Like one of those books you haven't read yet but it feels like you have because you already know the story a little too well.

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    1. We made it through just fine, Alex. Thanks! But it seems as if parts of the State of NJ are devastated -- inland and particularly the shore. :(

      About the book -- you're absolutely right. This is not a memorable book. I think in the future I'll remember that the heroine is nosy, but even the title is not one that will stay with me. Average. :)

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  2. I have always enjoyed Foley's work but like all prolific writers, the intensity varies from novel to novel. Good review--had a sense that we could get a handle on the content and intent of the story. I know it is your subjective opinion--all of us reviewers have that burden to bear--I still value knowing what someone else thinks about a particular novel. Hope you made it through the storm OK. I think some weather experts said it was very close to "the perfect storm."

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    1. Dr J, the storm was a doozy! It has devastated the State of NJ, but thankfully my loved ones are all safe. I'm really thankful for that!

      You hit the nail on the head about Foley's work, and about the subjective opinion in reviewing a book -- that is so true! I like some of her works more than others. In this case, I enjoyed the story and liked the characters, but had some objections that might not apply to others. And, I do think for readers familiar with the series, this book might be much more enjoyable!

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  3. Hmmm, I haven't read Gaelen Foley in a while. You know the feel your described about this book, I feel it's the result of Avon. I don't know what it is, but I get that feeling and lot and a lot more with their historicals.

    I might pick this book up soon. I gotta find books to read for the next two months as there are so few releases!!

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    1. Nath, I haven't read anything by Foley in a few years! I don't remember the last one I read, but I do remember it wasn't a winner for me. :( Anyway, this is a good read that I enjoyed on a rainy day at home when I needed a distraction. It just was not a great one. At least it wasn't a great one for me.

      I know what you mean about new releases... there are only a few of them that I have on my list. :(

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