Felix Markham, Duke of Winchelsea, has devoted his life to being the perfect statesman and raising his daughter after his beloved wife’s death. But when devastating bombings on the railway leave London in an uproar, he is determined to bring the mastermind of the attacks to justice. He will lure the fox from his den by any means.In her youth, Johanna McKenna donned a French accent and stage name … stage name to escape the clutches of her violent father and became the darling of the New York City stage as Rose Beaumont. Her past comes calling when her brother’s reappearance in her life leads her into a dangerous web of deceit. She finds herself hopelessly trapped until she receives an offer she cannot refuse from London’s most famous theater.
Felix’s plan is clear: bring the famed Rose of New York to London, secure her as his mistress, and drive his quarry to English shores. But the more time he spends in Johanna’s company, the more he realizes nothing is as it seems, least of all the woman who feels as if she were made to be in his arms. When he finally learns the truth, it may be too late to save both his city and the enigmatic lady who has stolen his heart.
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Scandalous Duke is the fifth book in the League of Dukes series and each book gets better and better. This author has quickly become one of my favorites and I’m never disappointed in any of her books. She does a wonderful job of developing her characters and getting the reader to fall in love with them. We meet Felix, the Duke of Winchelsea, earlier in the series and I was so happy to see him get his happy ever after.
Felix worked with the Home Office and the Special League and they were trying to catch Drummond McKenna, the man behind all the Fenian bombings in London. Johanna McKenna was an actress known as the Rose of New York. Her brother, Drummond McKenna, forces her to help him pass information to other Fenian followers. Felix is attracted to Johanna, but he is determined to catch Drummond. The more time he spends with Johanna though the more he doubts Johanna is part of the Fenians. Can he keep her safe while trying to prove her innocence?
Felix Markham, Duke of Winchelsea has one mission on his mind to bring down Drummond McKenna the Fenian mastermind down. A simple plan to bring his mistress Rose Beaumont to London. Johanna Drummond aka Rose a knew her time under an assumed name was growing short when her brother showed up in New York after all these years to coerce her do his bidding. What Felix doesn’t is she’s the sister of Drummond and not his mistress and that Johanna is just as afraid of him as he is. The more time they spend together Felix knows there’s more to her than he originally thought. The two closer after some heart felt conversations and shared confidence. When he learns the truth can he save both Johanna and London from the Fenian’s? I loved this captivating story it’s a fast read, page turning to see what happens next in this cat and mouse game. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.
I was given an ARC by the amazing author for an honest review.
I loved this book! I loved the story line and the characters. So much suspense, action and emotions. This is so far my favorite League of Dukes.
Felix, the Duke of Winchelsea is an agent for the Crown, he is also a widow and a father to a sweet little girl, Verity.
He has planned for the Rose of Beaumont, a famous actress in America to come and perform in London. He also plans on making her his mistress, so he can find information about McKenna, a violent Fenian organization. He believes she is related to Mr. McKennan.
When he propositions her, she accepts, but with conditions. They get to know each other. The beautiful Rose is full of secrets and tragedy. Meanwhile, their attraction to each grows, and their love scenes are very steamy!
This is a well written, captivating story line, suspenseful, action packed and with raw emotions!! While reading Chapter 17 I cried at the beautifully written emotional scene.
Bombs go off and lots of twists and turns in the story. This book will keep you attached to the end!! Also, there is Epilogue, and I love epilogues!!!
Great book …great series! This was an awesome book. I laughed, cried, chewed by fingernails, sighed..—it produced all these emotions and more! Scarlett never lets me down! I haven’t read a book she’s written that I have not fallen in love with! I highly recommend this book and the entire series (if you haven’t read them).
Scandalous Duke by Scarlett Scott is book 5 in the League of Dukes Series. This is the story of Johanna McKenna and Felix Markham, Duke of Winchelsea. I have read the previous books but fee you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Johanna uses the stage name Rose Beaumont when she escaped from her family. Felix is out to capture the person who has been sitting offs bombs in London. This leads him to Johanna who he suspects has ties to the man that he is looking for. What he didn’t know was that he would be so drawn to her. Johanna is scared of her family which is also the one that Felix is after.
This was a really good read.
A wonderful book, I really enjoyed it and did not want to put it down. This book is about Felix a Duke who works for the government to help stop bombings happing around London. Johanna is known as Rose Beaumont of New York, a stage actress who has ties to the man Felix believes is causing all the bombings. From the moment Felix sees Johanna he is mesmerized by her acting skills and is impressed with her. While Felix and Johanna get close, you will find things about both of them, which will make you enjoy their romance more, because they each deserve to be happy. Scarlett Scott writes a book which makes you forget where you are and what you need to do except finish the book. This is the 5th book in the series “League of Dukes” but you do not have to read the other books to enjoy this book. But I will tell you, if you read the whole series, you will enjoy every book.
I received a free copy of this book, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have known, after starting to read books by Scarlett Scott, that when a new one comes available it will be a wonderful read & this one did not disappoint. I cried at many touching scenes, I laughed a many humorous quips or actions, I fanned myself in the spicy intimate scenes, cringed with nervousness over the dangerous situations that took place & breathed easy in the end.
Felix Markham, Duke of Winchelsea is a handsome widower with a young daughter to raise by himself. Since the death of this wife he has dedicated himself to working as an agent for the Home Office & spending time with his daughter. Now, he is embroiled in a dangerous case of railway bombings in London & it is imperative he find any way he can to capture the leader, Drummond McKenna.
Miss Johanna McKenna escaped her father & brother’s mental & physical harm when she ran away at age fifteen & joined a travelling acting company. She changed her name to Rose Beaumont & took on a French accent & over the years became a famous actress now acting on New York stages. One problem, her brother has recognized her pictures & is now blackmailing her to do unlawful tasks that pull her into his world of deceit. She is trapped in this situation & then suddenly receives a letter from London’s most famous theatre & it is an offer she won’t refuse.
All of the action starts here when the duke has his friend & theater owner bring the Rose of New York to London to perform. When the duke & Rose meet, sparks fly, lies told, deceit begins, danger is lurking. I highly recommend this book & all the books in this series – they all have creative stories & wonderful main & secondary characters.
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
This exciting adventure series continues with Felix, Duke of Winchelsea, a widower still grieving for his lost wife and devoted father to his 5 year old daughter, Verity. He is also a member of the Special League of the Home Office determined to rid England of the violence of Fenians. Information has been uncovered that their head, Drummond McKenna’s mistress, actress Rose Beaumont of New York, can be used to flush him out. Felix arranges to have her brought to London for a six week tour. What he does not expect is to find a very talented and beautiful woman, with a kind heart. At 15, Johanna McKenna dons a French persona and Rose Beaumont is born to escape the cruelty of her brother, Drummond. In the years, she becomes a stage favorite and seeks to put distance between herself and the violence of her brother. What starts as a duty to the crown, soon becomes an unwilling attraction for Felix. He is stunned when Johanna reveals that she is Drummond’s sister. Verity also falls under the spell of Johanna’s warmth and kindness. She brings laugher and joy to both father and daughter – until the explosion. Then she realizes that she poses the greatest threat to the man she has come to fall in love with – and his daughter. An impossible situation for a duke and an American actress with ties to the Fenians. Felix also finds himself willing to do anything to protect Johanna not only from the violence of her brother, but from the Home Office CID branch who want to arrest her. But Felix never told Johanna about his involvement with the government or his plot to capture her brother. Can she believe in him after he kept all this from her? Can Felix protect the woman whom he has fallen in love with from prison? A fast moving thrilling escapade of saving innocent lives combined with falling in love with what society would deem “wrong people”. The lengths that Felix takes to save Johanna and the hurt and betrayal she feels is the very heart of what love truly is – faith, hope, giving, and bringing light, laughter and joy! Outstanding enchanting romance!!
In the middle of civil unrest love blossoms between two enemies. Johanna is strong willed and dedicated to her craft. Felix is determined to keep her safe. The story unravels in the most intensive, intriguing and explosive ways possible. The author keeps the reader on the edge of the seat, Lasting friendships and sweeping atmosphere combine with burning passion and absorbing emotional characters make this a very enjoyable believable read.
The fifth book of this series brings us Felix and Johanna’s story. This author is in my group of top authors to read, and this book keeps her solidly in that group. Intrigue, suspense, danger, laughter and love are mainstays of this author’s works, and this story has it all. Felix’s work for the Home Office of Security – has him tracking a criminal that has been leaving ruin in his path with bombings. Thinking that the famed actress, Rose Beaumont is the criminal’s mistress, he targets her to use as bait. But there are a lot of secrets he doesn’t know, and he doesn’t count on his heart getting involved.
This is an intriguing historical romance with the right recipe for success. It does have some very hot sex scenes, which you may need to turn that fan on full blast during. Watching these two navigate their feelings for each other and the danger that is present, keeps this book as a great page turner. Looking forward to the next one.
This is an emotionally-charged story that will bring you into Felix and Johanna’s world and not let you go. This story is so much more than just a romance. It is a celebration of the life of children. Felix loved his wife (which I really like in a story) but he did not let that pull him back from the feelings he was developing for Johanna. Their love story starts off as a deception but soon turns into a story of respect and compassion. Shhhh…you might get a glimpse of a man’s heartbreaking tears. I cannot say enough about how much I loved this story. It is emotional and gives you all of the feels. To Pearl and Verity.
Another well written story in the League of Dukes series, that once I started reading I was not putting down until I had finished reading it. Felix Markham, Duke of Winchelsea and Johanna McKenna’s story has suspense, drama, blackmail, danger, secrets, an evil brother, and romance. I hope there is going to be more in this series. I read this copy thru K.U. and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Scarlett Scott is fast working her way up my list of adored authors to the top of the pile. With this book, she made it to the top. Thanks to the Harlots on Facebook, I have started reading historical romance again, and this book should be hailed as a perfect example of what the combination of history, steam, great characters, and a great plot can be.
I love Ms. Scott’s men. Her Dukes are written perfectly with just enough upper crust combined with sexiness to make a great story. Then she adds another dimension. They become vulnerable when met with the women they love. That just makes the story that much better! I love when a gorgeous hunk of male turns into a puddle when their woman is around. And I LOVE IT when a writer can put that onto the page.
But more importantly, I love her women. No matter how these women might think of themselves, it is a guarantee that Ms. Scott will write them as strong willed and perfectly able to stand up to the Dukes in this series of stories. As an author, she also knows the value of the backstory, the building of the character, and she does it very well, leaving us no doubt as to why the heroines act the way they do. In this case, Johanna feels she has no choice in the matter, throughout the book, and becomes a sympathetic character, even when she is standing up to the Duke of Winchelsea (did I spell that right? Oh! I think I did, score one for me).
And the story was on point. She used a little bit of artistic license with the dates, but honestly if any one of us can remember when the Fenians set a bomb in St. James Square, stand up and I’ll give you a ribbon. The Fenians at the time were real, dangerous, and ruthless, and she portrayed Drummond in just that way, which added yet another layer of character and story to the book.
And in case you think it was all seriousness and violence, wait until you read about Verity. Especially Verity and Johanna in the salon. When you read that scene, you’ll realize how well tuned-into her characters Ms. Scott really is.
I did not put this book down until I was done. And I rarely say that anymore, even with historicals. But sometimes the combination of strong characters, a well written plot, romance writ large, and a beautiful little girl can do that to you.
I always devour everything by Mrs. Scarlett Scott. She has a wonderful way with words. Her characters are easy to sympathize with and her heroes are complex and loveable. I was very enamoured with Felix and Johanna.
Felix, the Duke of Winchelsea mourns the loss of his wife and is raising his daughter on his own. Johanna McKenna has a successful stage career and has assumed the name Rose Beaumont. People believe that she is French rather than Irish. Both characters have endured much heartbreak and loss. Felix lost his wife and Johanna lost her child.
Felix works as an agent for the Home Office and he sets out to snare Johanna to be his mistress in order to investigate her suspected ties to Fenian bombers and their ringleader, Drummond McKenna. Johanna is much more than she seems and she is truly trying to escape her brother Drummond who is nefarious and abusive.
Felix and Johanna begin their relationship under many false pretenses, but neither of them could have anticipated the magnetism they feel toward one another. There is romance, steam, deceit, and heartbreak. This book really tugged on my heartstrings and that is one of my favorite qualities about Mrs. Scott’s writing. There are many obstacles that the characters must overcome to get their HEA.
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
Felix Markham, Duke of Winchelsea, has devoted his life to being the perfect statesman and raising his daughter Verity after his beloved wife Hattie’s death. But when devastating bombings on the railway leave London in an uproar, he is determined to bring the mastermind of the attacks to justice.
Leaving home at fifteen, Johanna McKenna donned a French accent and stage name to escape the clutches of her violent father and became the darling of the New York City stage as Rose Beaumont. Her past comes calling when her brother Drummond’s reappearance in her life leads her into a dangerous web of deceit. She finds herself hopelessly trapped until she receives an offer she cannot refuse from London’s most famous theatre.
Felix’s plan is clear: bring the famed Rose of New York to London, secure her as his mistress, and drive his quarry to English shores as he believes Johanna is Drummond’s mistress. But the more time he spends in Johanna’s company, the more he realizes nothing is as it seems & when he finally learns the truth, it may be too late to save both his city and the enigmatic lady who has stolen his heart.
This is the fifth book in the series & it could be read on its own but to fully appreciate it I’d recommend reading the whole series. I’ve loved the whole series & this is no exception. I loved both Felix & Johanna, each had secrets & things were bound to go pear shaped when all was revealed. They were both strong characters & she’d forged a new life for herself but now feared for her existence. Their attraction sizzled & boy did it combust. I found this book started like a leisurely stroll in the park but the more I read the more the pace increased until I felt I was running the 100metres! I loved every page of it, another enthralling, engrossing read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read