Brought to you by OBS reviewer Una

Synopsis:

Scandal follows Rose Barclay, young widow of the Duke of Southdown, wherever she goes. It’s never her fault–honor bright–but newspapers love to write about the young woman from Scotland, and the much older duke she married, who died on their honeymoon. The duke left her with a large widow’s portion, now contested by his younger brother, who kicks Rose out of the estate’s dower house and uses it to kennel his dogs.

Rose does not need to be found with a large, handsome Scot passed out at her feet, fueling gossips and giving her brother-in-law more ammunition. The Scot is Steven McBride–a decorated soldier who is notorious for heavy gambling and womanizing during his leave time. Steven is happy to open his eyes and find the beautiful woman standing over him, and happy to help spirit her away. But the journalists get wind and start a campaign to couple Rose with the scandalous Steven McBride.

Review:

This is a delightful historical romance that just wants for you to curl up on a sofa with a large mug of cocoa on a cool fall day and get lost in the book. Rose, the young harassed duchess does not need another scandal and when she rescues a drunken Steven McBride on an evening out it seems that the scandal scenario is doomed to be repeated.  But Steven sees the injustice that Rose is being dealt with both by the Duke’s brother and the journalists who can’t seem to get “enough of a story”. He decides to fight both at their own game, giving the journalists a story to write about and getting justice from the Duke’s family. What occurs then is a page turning story of romance, intrigue and satisfaction. The writer draws you into the character as a softer side of Steven McBride comes out as he falls in love with Rose and Rose develops into a stronger person with Steven at her side. Steven’s past history also has to be dealt with.  When they think they might lose each other the love between them shines through.  An all in all good read!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*