REVIEW: Beyond Scandal and Desire

BeyondScandal and Desire

by Lorraine Heath

Beyond Scandal and Desire

Author: Lorraine Heath
Pub date:  January 30, 2018
Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 stars

Synopsis:

At birth, Mick Trewlove, the illegitimate son of a duke, was handed over to a commoner. Despite his lowly upbringing, Mick has become a successful businessman, but all his wealth hasn’t satisfied his need for revenge against the man who still won’t acknowledge him. What else can Mick do but destroy the duke’s legitimate son—and woo the heir’s betrothed into his own unloving arms . . .

Orphaned and sheltered, Lady Aslyn Hastings longs for a bit of adventure. With her intended often preoccupied, Aslyn finds herself drawn to a darkly handsome entrepreneur who seems to understand her so well. Surely a lady of her station should avoid Mick Trewlove. If only he weren’t so irresistible . . .

As secrets are about to be exposed, Mick must decide if his plan for vengeance is worth risking what his heart truly desires.

This story starts with a birth of a baby and ends with a marriage!  Although both of these occasions are cause for celebration, the birth in this case is not. A baby boy is born to a Duke but he is not loved, nor caressed or celebrated.  Instead he is bundled up and farmed out without further ado. Even though the Duke shows signs of reluctance and trepidation, the babe is still handed over into someone else’s care.

Thirty-one years later, Mick Trewlove is seeking acknowledgement and retribution.  He has risen above and beyond his upbringing but is still hindered due to the stigma of his bastardy.  He wants an acknowledgement that he is the Duke’s son at all cost.  If he has to destroy lives and reputations in the balance, he cares not.

He tries getting the Duke to acknowledge him by writing letters but when there is no response, he hatches an unthinkable plan.  He will embarrass the Duke’s son and heir, Kip, by bringing about his downfall.  Mick hopes to accumulate all of his father’s unentailed family estates as a result of Kip’s unchecked gambling addiction.  If that’s not enough, he intends to steal and ruin Kip’s fiancée.  All this to prove to his father that he made a grave mistake in ignoring and abandoning him.

With the help of his sister, Mick is finally introduced to his brother, Kip, and to Aslyn.  From this first meeting, the sparks fly and Mick has the temerity to believe that she will be easy prey.  Unfortunately, he realizes quite quickly that there is nothing easy about her and that he wants her-badly.  And what Mick wants, Mick gets.  What happens when Mick realizes that he wants Aslyn for more than his vengeance?

Aslyn has been the ward of the Duke of Hedley since her parents died in a train wreck.  Since, she has been coddled, protected and cloistered.  She has not seen much of the world.  She has known she is to marry the Earl of Kipwick since childhood and as a result, has never had any beaux or been courted.  She also yearns for more out of life.  More passion, more feeling, more excitement, just more! When she is first introduced to Mick, a spark and curiosity arises in her for the first time in her life. But Lady Aslyn has always been proper and agrees to marry Kip regardless when he asks.

Throughout the novel, Aslyn and Mick have somewhat clandestine meetings and during these times, he makes her feel, want and question her life as she never has before.  What happens when Lady Aslyn realizes she wants more out of life-She wants Mick?

This is the first book in A Sins for All Season Series and what an exceptional read!  I LOVE IT.  From the beginning, I could feel the pull, the tension and the want between our main characters!  Mick Trewlove circles Aslyn Hastings like a lion hunting its prey.  That circle gets smaller and smaller until there is only one option – to pounce.  I felt his chase and her need and want to surrender.  I was on tenterhooks knowing he was going to make his move, but not when or how.  Just a constant buildup of tension and passion.  This is so very well written!  Pacing is perfect.  This book just pulls you in from the beginning and doesn’t let you go.  I was wrapped up in this world and its characters and I did not want to leave it. 

Aslyn was a wonderful character.  She overlooks any illegitimacy issues pertaining to Mick.  She fires an employee without further ado.  From a lady we think is tame to an outright protective tigress! 

Mick was perfectly written in my opinion.  He is saddled with his illegitimacy and the Ton cannot seem to overlook it even though he has risen far and beyond his upbringing.  As he is makes his plans for vengeance, he is constantly questioning himself.  He also helps a great many people in need with his own money.  I once heard it say that women want a man who is masculine and masterful.  Let me tell you, with Mick, we get all that and more!

There are a few small things that I did not like in the story pertaining to Mick’s adoptive mother and the fine line skirted between cheating and not.  These however, are minor details when compared to the absolute enjoyment of this book.  It is definitely not to be missed!

Thank you to Edelweiss and Avon Books for the ARC.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.