Publisher's Weekly Review
This sexy historical romp opens with a bang, as 19th-century gossip columnist Julianna, the prematurely widowed Lady Somerset, stumbles upon what she thinks is a taboo-breaking affair involving Lord Roxbury, an enigmatic rake who has bedded half of London (the female half). The scandalous report that Julianna pens in her London Weekly column quickly lands her in hot water with Roxbury. As the only son of a wealthy earl, he's just been given an ultimatum: marry in a month or lose the family fortune. Just when he needs his reputation the most, Julianna has crushed it to bits with tabloids accusations. With the clock ticking, Roxbury's roving, increasingly desperate eye turns in the lady of letter's direction, giving her-and society-quite a shock. "Nothing could impel me to marry him," Julianna protests. "I will not bind myself to another degenerate rake..." Rodale (A Groom of One's Own) has an intimate understanding of aristocratic England and a particular flair for rendering sumptuous period details, lingering sensually on hot-house gardens of imported blooming flowers, for instance. With one delicious plot twist upon another, Rodale's latest will keep readers guessing until the last bud is plucked. (Apr. 26) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
Simon Sinclair, Viscount Roxbury, has been handed an ultimatum: marry within the month or lose his father's financial support. A much sought-after rake cannot limit himself to only one woman. But poverty has no attraction whatsoever. When The London Weekly's gossip columnist hints that Roxbury was seen in a passionate embrace with-gasp-a man, his vast array of possible brides disappears, along with society's invitations. Of course, it was most likely an actress dressed in male attire, but for Lady Julianna Somerset, aka the Lady of Distinction, it was a fabulous tidbit she couldn't resist, especially if it scooped her rival, The Man About Town. Julianna knows a bit about rakes, but now she is a 21-year-old widow, and her own reputation is above reproach. Still, when she and Simon both find themselves rebuffed by the ton, a marriage of convenience may be their only recourse. Verdict Rodale's second tale of the unconventional Writing Girls (after A Groom of One's Own) pits our once-burned, forthright heroine against an unrepentant ladies man who finds her maddening and provoking yet manages to make her laugh. Rodale has pulled off another rapturous story of enterprising women and the men who try to tame them. The battle of the sexes has never been more fun. Highly recommended.-Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
