Tuesday, October 24, 2006

London's Perfect Scoundrel


The ton gossips call him "Saint" -- but the Marquis of St. Aubyn has well earned his reputation as London's perfect scoundrel. Evelyn Ruddick knows she should avoid him at all costs -- but the strikingly beautiful lady wants to aid the children of the Heart of Hope Orphanage, and he heads the board of trustees. Evie is determined to teach the charming, arrogant man a lesson in compassion, but it won't be so easy -- especially since his touch is setting her desire aflame, making Evie yearn to submit to his passionate instruction ... The idea of joining in her "project" is unthinkable, but this enchantress refuses to give up! So what else is there for a self-respecting rake to do but seduce the lady? Yet soon it is he who is being seduced by Evie's tender heart and fiery blushes. Could the temptation of long, passionate nights in her arms bring about the impossible? Could the disreputable Saint at long last be reformed?

I read this book more than a year ago and the thought of its hero still manages to set my heart ablaze! Michael "Saint" St. Aubyn is one of the hottest heroes around and...sorry, Kristie...he just happens to beat Derek Craven by a couple of points (hard to believe, I know...especially since I rant and rave about Mr. Craven and even have a picture of him for all to see).

Something about Saint always manages to make my heart sing...maybe it was the way he treats Evie...maybe the fact that in some ways he reminds me of Rhett Butler, one of literature and the silver screen's greatest rakes. LONDON'S PERFECT SCOUNDREL, as a book, is not perfect. There are instances in which I wish Evie fought more for her man, but you'll want to read this book just the same for the sole reason of getting to know the rakish Michael. I will leave it at that. I loved him and love him still. St. Aubyn holds a special place in my heart for he was the first hero to make me wish and pray I were his heroine.

My review of this book is leaving a lot out...it's not really even a review. I just wanted to get you all to read this book and discover one of most delicious heroes around.

The book is part of a 3 part series, Lessons in Love (yeah, it's cheesy...so?). They're all good, but LONDON'S PERFECT SCOUNDREL is by far the best IMO. Another series precedes this one and I really would recommend reading it first because many of the LESSONS characters are present...the series is WITH THIS RING. I would read in this order:

1. REFORMING A RAKE

2. MEET ME AT MIDNIGHT

3. A MATTER OF SCANDAL

4. THE RAKE

5. LONDON'S PERFECT SCOUNDREL

6. ENGLAND'S PERFECT HERO

Enjoy!

13 comments:

nath said...

Well your post work ^^; Cos it really makes me want to go buy it and read it. Hopefully, I can find it at a UBS :P

Kristie (J) said...

LOL - it may be a good book and if I see it, I'll probably pick it up based on your most excellent review, but the title and the back cover make me want to retch!
And better than Derek? I feel like I've been stabbed in the heart! *g*

Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy said...

Better than Derek? Hm, interesting. And I found it in ebook version, so it's even closer to being in my 'hands' - do you think it's really necessary to read the series in order or can I start with this one?

romancelover said...

You don't have to read the series...I just did it that way because I'm a series whore. Buy it and read it. I loved it!!!

Mailyn said...

LMAO Kristie, the back blurb makes me want to retch!

romancelover said...

I KNOW...I KNOW...it's really cheesy and silly and everything that makes us hate romance novels, but trust me...you will love Saint....err...at least I hope you will.

Dev said...

Daniela ~ I so agree about reading the series in order. I read the Lessons in Love series (I think you might have been the guilty one that lead me to it) but now I'm fixing to read the With This Ring series. I did feel like I was missing something with Georgiana and Dare's story ~ I'm sure the parts I thought I was missing have got to be in Grey and Emma's book.

romancelover said...

Gosh, don't you just love SAINT, Devonna? Isn't he dreamy???? This series made me love Enoch...too bad some of her recent historicals haven't been so good...but her last one is, according to reviews. Dare I hope for another SAINT???

Lori said...

I loved the whole series, too. And there's just something so wicked about Saint, isn't there? Love him!

But when I look for comfort reads, I always turn to Bit and read England's Perfect Hero.

Dev said...

Yes, Saint is awesome. He was my favorite hero out of the whole Lessons in Love series. I'm looking forward to reading the "With this Ring" series. I admit it ~ I'm a bit of a series whore myself.

Holly said...

Bit is my favorite, but the whole series was good.

Did you ever read her contemps? I've had them for AGES and never read them. Should I or shouldn't I? That IS the question.

romancelover said...

I also own her contemps but they're just sitting in my TBR trunk.

Lori said...

I've read the first Rick and Sam contemp - it was good, but not so great that I wanted to read about them again...