Scandal in Spades
By Wendy LaCapra
Lords of Chance - Book One
Publisher: Entangled:Scandalous
Release Date: April 9, 2018
Reviewed by PJ
The Marquess of Bromton has just learned that he’s a bastard. Feeling his honor is at stake, he attempts to bestow his estate upon a rightful heir by manipulating a high-stakes card game. But the winner demands more than Bromton bargained for—a marriage…to his spinster sister. Lady Katherine may be the least marriageable lady in all of England, but a child of their union would be a rightful heir…
Scandal has hardened Lady Katherine and narrowed her world to duty and family. There’s nothing to be trusted in the Society she left behind…especially not the imperious marquess with his single-minded pursuit. Or his knee-weakening kisses. Except, the more their connection deepens, the more Bromton surprises Katherine. But the truth about their courtship could destroy everything…
I love a story where the hero does all the wrong things for all the right reasons. Giles, Marquess of Bromton did not have a happy childhood. Nor did he have the comfort and security of loving parents. All he has is his title and his honor but both are scattered to the wind with his mother's revelations. In pursuing the hand of Lady Katherine, he's doing his best to restore what he truly believes is the lost honor of his title. He thinks marrying her, thereby restoring her standing in society, and ensuring her child will inherit, will be good enough. He's delighted by his attraction to her but he knows nothing of love and doesn't expect this pairing to produce it; isn't even sure if he's capable of the emotion, having never experienced it. He's in for a big surprise.
Giles isn't the only one keeping secrets. Scorned by society after two failed betrothals, Katherine retreated to her family's estate where she has devoted herself to raising her younger sister, managing her brother's estates, and teaching the children of her village. If there are parts of her that yearn to be set free, she keeps them in firm control. After all, the one time she allowed desire free rein it led to tragic consequences that drowned her in shame. She's captivated by Giles yet she can't shake the feeling that he's hiding something though the more she's with him, the fainter the echoes of suspicion become. By the time the truth is revealed, both Katherine and Giles' hearts are fully engaged but will their love be deep enough to fight for their happiness?
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in LaCapra's new Lords of Chance series. It's filled with the sparkling banter, witty humor, sensuality, and deep emotion I've come to expect from her stories. I loved Katherine's intelligence, her take-charge attitude, her loyalty to her family, and her innate kindness. I enjoyed watching her blossom as she begins to accept her worth and take charge of her happiness. And Giles, how my heart ached for him. He had lessons to learn before he could open his heart fully to the love and happiness just outside his reach. And when he finally does? Oh, my, how my heart fluttered! LaCapra has created an intriguing cast of characters surrounding our hero and heroine who already have me eagerly anticipating their own stories. I'm especially excited for Katherine's sister, Julia and the hero I so hope will become her own.
If you enjoy emotion-filled historical romance with wit, humor, complex characters, sizzle, a good grovel, and sigh-inducing endings, I highly recommend you give Scandal in Spades a try.
Welcome to The Romance Dish, Wendy!
Thank you, PJ! I absolutely love
this blog!
Scandal in Spades
launches a new historical romance series for you. Please tell our readers what
they should expect from this series. What can you share about future books in
the series and do you have a publishing timeline?
I’ve planned four books for the
series. I’m not sure of the release dates, but the next two, one for ‘Diamonds’
and one for ‘Hearts’ are due in quick succession.
The sparkling banter, battle of wills, and scorching
chemistry between Lady Katherine and Lord Bromton were an absolute delight yet
you kept me guessing until the very end as to whether they would be able to
overcome the obstacles between them. What was it about this couple that
convinced you they were destined to be together?
OH! That’s lovely to hear. Thank
you so much! Well, Lady Katherine and Lord Bromton both experienced an event
that completely altered their self-worth. Katherine’s personality, her love for
her siblings, and her inner strength helped her survive. In surviving, she
became the perfect match for Bromton, not because of her bloodline, but because
of her values. Bromton wants to be a better man, but doesn’t have the same
resources to help him find his way.
One of my favorite scenes in this book is when Bromton
finally lets down his guard at The Pillar of Salt. What was your favorite scene
to write in this book? The most difficult?
I love that scene, too. The song he
sings is a real drinking song, by the way. “Blowzabella my Bouncing Doxie” (Very Bawdy for its time). I think I had
the most fun with the Billiards scene, though. And I cried when I wrote two other
scenes- the carriage ride to London and the final scene between Bromton and
Mrs. Warren. It was almost as if I was transcribing something I was watching.
That almost never happens.
Having four younger brothers, I especially enjoyed the
dynamic between Katherine and her younger brother, Lord Markham. Please tell me
you’ll be giving Katherine a chance to meddle in Markham’s love life when his
turn comes around?
Yes! Oh, yes! He’ll have his happy
ending, though he's been giving me some trouble (it’s awfully hard to get a man
named Hearts to settle down). 😊
Two secondary characters I thoroughly enjoyed were
Katherine’s sister, Julia and Lord Rayne’s sister, Clarissa. Do you have happy
endings planned for these two? I’m keeping my fingers crossed for certain
heroes for each of them!
I’m working on Julia’s story now!
Julia was inspired by a young lady I met when we were both staying at her
uncle’s home a few years ago. I’d never met someone with such sparkling energy &
I just knew the world would be wowed by her when she was ready. We haven’t
stayed in touch, but I thank her for that inspiration. Clarissa will have her
moment to shine as a heroine, too.
Her Duke at Daybreak
(which I loved!) was recently named as a finalist for the 2018 Romance Writers
of America RITA award for Romance Novella. Congratulations! How did you
celebrate? Will you be attending the conference in Denver this summer? And,
most important, have you chosen a RITA dress yet? 😉
I’m not sure I *have* celebrated—it
doesn’t yet feel real. I’m very proud of Her Duke at Daybreak. At the time, I
felt like it was the best thing I’d written. If all goes well, the second book
in that series, His Duchess at Eventide, should be out in August. It will be
released as part of “Legends of Love,” a group of Regencies by different
authors, each retelling a classic legend within the Regency. His Duchess at
Eventide is a retelling of Odysseus’s return with more Penelope and (*winces*) without
the infidelity/murder/plundering.
And, yes! I will be in Denver. I
haven’t purchased a dress, but I have purchased an underdesk cycle that I hope will
help me meet my deadlines AND fit into a red dress that I love. 😊
Scandal in Spades
was recently named one of my Most Anticipated Romances for 2nd
Quarter 2018. What upcoming books are you looking forward to reading?
I am SO excited about Mary Balogh’s
Someone to Care. I’ve adored the
Westcott series and I can’t wait for Viola’s story. I just finished Stacy
Reid’s The Earl in My Bed, and *fans
self*--what a fabulous story of revenge and reconciliation.
I enjoy tagging along on your travel adventures through
Instagram and Facebook. Any exciting journeys on the horizon?
Actually, I’m about to take a
long-planned trans-Atlantic repositioning cruise from Southampton, UK back home
to NYC. I had hoped to spend some time in England, but, unfortunately, that’s
not going to be possible. It’ll be a working vacation. Things have been kind of
crazy this year, and I’m looking forward to being able to write without
distraction and, of course, I’m looking forward to heading down to the bar in
the evenings for music & fun!
Where are the best places for readers to catch up with you
online?
I write under my own name, so if readers don’t mind family posts in the mix, they are welcome to friend me on
Facebook. For those that prefer strictly book talk, I have a Facebook page.
Twitter is probably the second most likely place to find me. And, I’m warming
to Instagram.
Thank you for taking the time to visit with us today, Wendy.
Is there anything you’d like to add? Would you like to ask our readers a
question?
Thank you so much for having me!
It’s a pleasure and an honor. I can’t think of a good question at the moment (unless
your readers have tips on getting a good night’s sleep), but I would like to say
thank you to everyone for joining me on this ‘visit’!
Readers, let's help Wendy get some sleep so she can write more great books for us to read. What are your best tips for a good night's snooze?
Two randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM (eastern), April 21 will receive a digital copy of Scandal in Spades.
