A new scandal sheet from USA Today Bestseller Jess Michaels!!!When the Earl of Martingale died, his daughter Marianne discovered he had been stealing. When she tried to return the items, it only created a scandal that could destroy her and her beloved younger sister. Now she’s found one more item and decides to just sneak it back to the victim in the hopes to keep her disgrace from growing.… keep her disgrace from growing.
Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, has isolated himself since his sister died. But when he catches the fetching Marianne trying to return his sister’s stolen broach, her presence awakens desires in him, longings he hasn’t allowed himself to feel in years. When he realizes her dire straits, he makes her a shocking offer that could save her…if she’s willing to surrender her body.
Their affair draws them close physically…and emotionally. But will Alexander ever accept Marianne to be more than his lover? If he does, will it be too late?
Novella Length
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When the late Earl of Martingale’s daughter, Lady Marianne tries to do the right thing after learning that her father was stealing from the members of the ton, the price for her good deed may cost her everything.
Left nearly penniless and at the mercy of her father’s heir, Marianne and her young sister Juliet seem to be out of options. When she finds a brooch that belongs to the sister of the Duke of Avondale, she decides to return it herself, rather than turn it over to the policeman that took joy in causing a scandal. She expects to slip in the duke’s London home, leave the brooch and slip out with no one the wiser – what she didn’t expect was to come face to scarred face of Alex, the Duke of Avondale!
Marianne awakens something in Alex that he believed died with his beloved sister Anne, for the first time in years, Alex feels a spark of life and desire. He offers Marianne a bargain – be his mistress for a month and in exchange he will give her a cottage and dowry for her sister. With no other options, Marianne agrees.
These two have an undeniable chemistry between them and the love scenes are steamy, but can Alex accept more than passion from Marianne or do his scars run too deep??
I thought this was a steamy, entertaining, uncomplicated read, I liked both Alex and Marianne and felt the progression of their relationship was very well done and the story was surprisingly deep for a relatively short novella. This is the second book in the Scandal Sheet series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title as the books are only connected together by the “scandals”.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to my by NetGalley and the Publisher*
These bite-sized tidbits from The Scandal Sheet are delicious and easily devoured. In this scandal sheet we have a beauty and the beast trope which, of course, everyone loves. This is what I love about Ms. Michaels’ stories, the writing, steaminess and level of angst is always perfect. You can read a 120 page novella or a 250 page book and you will always be pleased and smiling at the end of the story. Fantastic series, so far.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author through NetGalley.
This is a well written story of how love can be found when least expected. After Marianne’s father dies and his stealing is found out, she and her sister are given one month to vacate their home. She is caught trying to return the last stolen piece of jewelry to the Duke of Avondale. Alexander makes her an offer, spend one month with him at his beck and call and he will allow she and her sister Juliet to live in a cottage on his estate and he will provide a dowry for Juliet when the time comes. With no place to go, she accepts the offer. There is a HEA but a lot happens before this comes about. This is a wonderful love story, sexually graphic and I would highly recommend this book.
Book 2 in the Scandal Sheet series:The story of Marianne and Alexander is one of pain and passion.Alexander the beautiful scarred beast makes a deal with the lovely innocent Marianne to help ensure her sisters future and satisfy his own sexual desires.After the scandal that came with her fathers death she has no choice but to accept.Throughout their journey of sexual exploration they begin to feel things for one another.Alexander fights these feeling he doesnt believe he deserves to have.A tale of regret,lust and unexpected love.A beautifully woven tale,Jess Michaels is a visionary.
Jess Michaels is hands down one of the best erotic romance writers out there. Her latest Stealing the Duke (Scancal Sheet #2) is a wonderful steamy read. Trust me you won’t want to put this one down.
When her father’s death reveals the shocking fact that he was quite the kleptomaniac, Lady Marianne tries to do the right thing by returning all the stolen items. This backfires spectacularly thanks to some indiscreet watchmen and she finds both herself and her sister, Juliet, facing utter ruination, not to mention cast out of their London home by the cousin who inherited their father’s earldom. When Marianne discovers one more hidden item she hopes to quietly sneak it back to its rightful owner to keep the scandal from further intensifying.
Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, has withdrawn from society since the death of his sister, Anne. He has been a shadow of his former self since then and when he catches what he assumes to be a would-be thief in the act, he is surprised to feel a stir of desire he’d thought himself long incapable of feeling. Secluded as he’s been, he knows nothing of her father’s crimes and when he hears Marianne tell her story he is angry, but still desires her and so he proposes that she become his mistress for a month in exchange for a dowry for her younger sister and a cottage at a reduced rent. Desperate and hoping to ensure her sister’s future, Marianne accepts.
Alexander is shocked that Marianne is not afraid of him or repulsed by his scarred face. Having lost everyone who ever loved him, and feeling himself undeserving of anything other than loneliness, the Duke knows Marianne will be thrilled to be rid of him in one month’s time. Marianne feels that her freedom and her sister’s future are well worth her body and she likely stands to gain more than the duke does from the arrangement. She just doesn’t count on losing her heart in the process. Alexander is determined to keep emotions out of the bargain, but the lines soon begin to blur for him to, but by the time he decides to come to terms with his newly awakening emotions, it may be too late for these two to be together.
We have instant steam in this one and plenty of it. At first Alexander is rather cold and high-handed and not all that likable, but the facade hides his inner hurt and he began to grow on me. He believes himself to be a monster and so he seeks to drive everyone else away and I’m a sucker for the “beauty and the beast trope” so I enjoyed this quick read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Earl of Martingale’s daughter, Lady Marianne, is in dire straits. Her father left her penniless and the scandal of his stealing spread through the ton like wild fire leaving her and her 10 year old sister Juliet in an even worse position especially since her cousin, the new earl, has ordered her out of the house in a month. When Marianne finds one last treasure her father stole, she just wants to return it, but she is caught by the reclusive Duke of Avondale when she broke into his townhome to return it. Instead of calling the Watch, Alex makes a deal with Marianne that she be his mistress for a month and then he’ll allow her and her sister to live in a small cottage on his property. With no other options left to her, Marianne reluctantly agrees.
This was a short and steamy novella. If you don’t like sex scenes, then this isn’t the book for you. As it was, I skipped over some of the scenes. The book was well written, but the character development was a bit lacking. The story is a “The Beauty and the Beast” rendition, but there was no slow build up to their love story. Everything happens very quickly.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review and was not obligated to review the story.
I read all Jess michals books. Love them. Start reading a series today. You will enjoy all her books.
This is my first read by Jess Michaels, I was intrigued by the blurb.
Maybe a longer story might have helped to deepen the characters.
I liked Marianna, she is a kind woman who was ostracized for sins she didn’t committed. Even after having all the doors slammed to her face, she still tries to choose the right path and it puts her in the hands of man who wants to exploit the dire situation she is in.
I didn’t know what to think of Alexander, Marianna’s act of kindness should have pleased him, instead he decided to take advantage.
It was hopefully good they have a strong chemistry but it left me a feeling of unease.
Who doesn’t love a good mystery? Jess Michaels turns love into an intriguing adventure with tons of suspense and a steamy backdrop to light the way to a happy ending. Stealing the Duke is the best of what romance has to offer. There’s a twist around ever corner and enough heart to spare.
The first installment of “The Scandal Sheet” was highly entertaining, so I was looking forward to this next chapter. I would have posted a review earlier, but I needed to take an ice bath first. Seriously, Jess Michaels really knows how to write extremely steamy historical romance!
Marianne’s father, a kleptomaniac, recently died. After all the stolen items were returned to their owners, she finds a hidden locket belonging to the deceased sister of the Duke of Avondale. Not wanting to bring any more attention to herself or her young sister, she decides to sneak into the Duke’s home and leave the locket there. She thought he was not in residence; she was wrong. Alexander, a scarred and emotionally damaged solitary man, caught her in the act. Immediately attracted to Marianne, he agrees to let her and her sister live in a cottage on his property (her cousin, the new Earl of Martingale, is kicking them out of their home) if she agrees to be his mistress for a month. What other choice does she have?
What follows is a lovely erotic version of Beauty and the Beast. Alexander believes his soul is as damaged as his face. Marianne, however, sees the goodness in him and tries to draw it out. They become intense lovers; however, can Marianne bring her duke ‘s heart back to life? You won’t be able to put down this engaging story until you find out.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Stealing the Duke by Jess Michaels
The Scandal Sheet #2
What a delightful story! It had a bit of the feel of Beauty and the Beast and seemed a bit of a fairy tale but what a fun adult fairy tale it was! The story sizzled in more ways than one and I hoped, along with Marianne, that Alexander would eventually see her for who she truly was and realize what she had to offer to him if he was only willing to open up a bit and take a chance.
Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Lady Marianne learns the truth about after his death, now she is ruined and her she and her sister will be homeless. When she is caught returning an item to Alexander, she makes a deal with him, to be his mistress for a month for a home and a dowry for her sister. Will she agree? Fast-paced read with loads of steam and an entertaining historical read. I loved it!
Stealing the Duke has got to be one of my favorite stories by this author. In it’s own way, it’s kind of a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story. Alexander Wittingham Duke of Avondale hides himself away from the world, the ton and society until Mariann, daughter of the recently deceased Duke of Martingale brakes into his house to return a brooch stolen by her late father.
Alex is scarred in many ways, he strikes up a bargain with Marianne to be his lover at his country house when he encounters her returning the brooch. Right from the start I admired the strength of Marianne, especially after she agrees to a deal that will not only ruin her own reputation, but she puts her younger sister, Juliet before all else to protect her and make sure she has a secure future. She is the kind of heroine that I love to read about as I like a character with a lot of fight in their personality which Marianne has plenty of.
Together Alex and Marianne had a great connection both physically and emotionally. This isn’t a traditional romance in any way but they really do have a very good sexual bond and friendship that burns slowly into something more. The story was very well written and was a fast paced read, and even though this book is only a short story I didn’t feel like it was missing anything at all. I thoroughly enjoyed Alex and Marianne’s story and look forward to reading more books in this series.
4.5 Stars!
Lady Marianne is almost completely ruined after her father’s death. The Late Earl of Martingale had a bad habit of stealing from his friends of the Ton. Small or large. Cheap or priceless. None of that matter except for the fact the items weren’t his one moment and then they were. Marianne thinks by turning over the items to the authorities, it would be dealt with quietly. She’d never been more wrong. A man wanting to make a name for himself and The Scandal Sheet spread the news like wildfire. Soon, Lady Marianne has only a month to find a place for herself and her ten-year-old sister to live. When she finds a hidden item belonging to the Duke of Avondale’s late sister, she thinks she can sneak it back into his home and be done with it.
The Duke of Avondale, Alexander Wittingham, was scarred years before and has since retired from public life. When he catches a young woman sneaking into his dark study, he never expects what happens will change his life forever. A deal is struck, Marianne’s agreement to become his mistress for a month in exchange for a place to live on his estate and a dowry for her sister.
Michaels always has a fresh and vibrant take on historical romance troupes. She always leaves me satisfied and this story was no different. The sizzling attraction between Alex and Marianne leads to a unique happily ever after. Michaels is also the queen of the back story. This story is a novella, so to give such a complete picture in only a couple hundred pages is magnificent. Both Marianne and Alex have a complicated past, but I feel I’ve learned what I need to in effort to understand the unusual couple.
If you’re in the mood for a sexy romp with a scarred, brooding duke and a slightly naughty almost spinster, Stealing the Duke is the novella for you!
I received Stealing the Duke for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My favorite trope of Beauty and the Beast and Jess Michaels pens it beautifully! A woman desperate to find a place for her and her young sister after her father dies and leaves them nothing. That is except some stolen items from different peers. What? Yes her father had a habit of stealing! Determined to return the last item quietly, she steals into the Duke’s house to leave it and get out quickly. Of course he catches her but after finding out her circumstances, proposes a way for her and her sister to have security for one month. He is a man battling demons and is so wounded inside.
Can our heroine bring him to the light and show him he is worthy of love?
The deeply despondent hero who needs love and healing. The heroine who is so caring and kindhearted. An explosive combination when they get together!
This author always makes my heart smile with her stories and I cannot wait for the next in this series! I highly recommend this book and any by this author!
Stealing the Duke by Jess Michaels is book Two in The Scandal Sheet Series. This is the story of Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale and Marianne. I have read the previous book, but feel this can be a standalone book if you choose to do so. Marianne’s father the Earl of Martingale has died, which is upsetting in its self. But she learns that he had been stealing things which leads her to call the watch asking that things be handle discreetly. This doesn’t happen and a scandal is set off. Now, her cousin who is taking over her father’s title has given her and her 10 year old sister, Juliet a month to get out. Marianne finds one more item to be returned to the owner and wanting to discreetly do it she sneaks into his house sure that no one is home. Alexander is a recluse due to his scars that are on the outside but more so on the inside. When he catches Marianne sneaking around his house he quickly learns her story and a bargain is struck between the two. But, sometimes bargains become more than what was originally planned.
Quick Hot Read!
4.25 Stars
When the Earl of Martingale died, his daughter Marianne discovered he had been stealing. When she tried to return the items, it only created a scandal that could destroy her and her beloved younger sister Juliet. Now she’s found one more item and decides to just sneak it back to the victim in the hopes to keep her disgrace from growing.
Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, has isolated himself since his sister died. But when he catches the fetching Marianne trying to return his sister’s stolen broach, her presence awakens desires in him, longings he hasn’t allowed himself to feel in years. When he realizes her dire straits, he makes her a shocking offer that could save her & he’s surprised when she accepts his offer.
This is the second book in the series but is easily read on its own. I was drawn in from the start & read the novella in a sitting, thank goodness it wasn’t a full length novel as I wouldn’t have had any sleep! The author always has strong characters, both Alexander & Marianne are very well portrayed & are very likeable. They both have their demons to fight but together the world seems lighter. Their attraction sizzles but they also find themselves letting each other see beyond the façade they show the world. A page turning captivating hot read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Marianne is in a dire situation and she has absolutely no idea how to rescue herself much less her sweet ten-year-old sister, Juliet. Their father, the Earl of Martingale has just died and left them destitute and scandal-ridden. Well, there wasn’t really a scandal until Marianne found a stash of things her father had stolen (kleptomania) and Marianne called the watch to have the items returned to their owners. She requested that it be handled discretely – it wasn’t – now the scandal is running rampant throughout the ton. To top it off, the cousin who inherited her father’s earldom has given them one month to be out of their home. Now, she has found yet one more stolen item that has to be returned. She can’t call the watch to return it, that would just add fuel to the scandal. No, she must return it herself. She’s sure the owner of the item isn’t in town, so it should be an easy enough matter to sneak into the townhouse and leave the item to be found by the owner.
Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, considers himself a monster. He’s scarred both inside and out. He’s lived isolated for the last five years – completely shut off from society. When he apprehends what he thinks is a thief stealing into his study, he is ready to fully punish them. Then, he realizes it is a female – and a lovely one at that. He allows her to explain why she’s there and what her circumstances are, he makes her an offer she can hardly refuse. Well – she could refuse, but then what would she and Juliet do?
I really liked Marianne. She made the best of the hand she was dealt and remained cheerful and caring. Alexander – well – it wasn’t that I disliked him, I just didn’t understand him. To me, his big secret was no big deal – at least not enough to cause him to act as he did.
This short novella is well written and the characters are both likable and I think you’ll like it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.