Things have always fallen into place for Richard Moore, Earl of Raleigh. His good looks, abundance of charm, and the small matter of being heir to a marquisate make him quite the catch. So when a delectable young woman wants nothing to do with him, he can’t help but seize the irresistible challenge.
Jane Bunting knows all about responsibility—she has managed to support herself and her brother with their bakery—but she knows nothing of excitement or passion. When dashing Lord Raleigh crosses the threshold of her shop, she has no idea of the potential danger to her reputation…or to her heart.
Neither imagined things would go so far—until the night their worlds collide, irrevocably changing both their lives. But when duty calls for Richard, and with everything Jane's worked for suddenly at stake, will their taste for scandal be their downfall?
Type: Historical Romance, England
Heat: 1.5 out of 5 (but the chemistry is amazing)
Rating: 5 out of 5
You know that feeling when you're getting to try a sinfully glorious dessert for the first time and you take that first bite and damn near moan as your knees go a bit weak it's so utterly delicious? Pretty much... that's how I felt about A Taste of Scandal. This was my first time reading Knightley and let me tell you she rivals all of my tried and true favorite historical authors and has shot to the top of my favorites list.
Jane and Richard were an interesting pair and I really loved that they weren't from the same class. Jane runs her own bakery, is strong and full of fire and puts everything into what she's doing. And Richard, he's an Earl and just one of those absolutely incorrigible, cheeky men you can't help but smile over. There's a huge baking aspect to the book since Jane's a baker and it was absolutely fascinating as well. Seeing how much effort went into the process back then and how it brought them together. Just loved it.
That's one of the things that was so wonderful about the writing...how easily Knightley pulled at my emotions. I'd be reading along and suddenly burst out laughing. And I mean, huge, embarrassing make you snort laughs. And it wouldn't even be anything terribly funny but just the way the characters went about saying it. And then on the flip side Richard would do something so small and tender like kissing the corners of Jane's eyes when she was worrying over something that it would choke me up and have my eyes prickling with tears. It was really quite the experience.
Jane Bunting knows all about responsibility—she has managed to support herself and her brother with their bakery—but she knows nothing of excitement or passion. When dashing Lord Raleigh crosses the threshold of her shop, she has no idea of the potential danger to her reputation…or to her heart.
Neither imagined things would go so far—until the night their worlds collide, irrevocably changing both their lives. But when duty calls for Richard, and with everything Jane's worked for suddenly at stake, will their taste for scandal be their downfall?
Type: Historical Romance, England
Heat: 1.5 out of 5 (but the chemistry is amazing)
Rating: 5 out of 5
You know that feeling when you're getting to try a sinfully glorious dessert for the first time and you take that first bite and damn near moan as your knees go a bit weak it's so utterly delicious? Pretty much... that's how I felt about A Taste of Scandal. This was my first time reading Knightley and let me tell you she rivals all of my tried and true favorite historical authors and has shot to the top of my favorites list.
Jane and Richard were an interesting pair and I really loved that they weren't from the same class. Jane runs her own bakery, is strong and full of fire and puts everything into what she's doing. And Richard, he's an Earl and just one of those absolutely incorrigible, cheeky men you can't help but smile over. There's a huge baking aspect to the book since Jane's a baker and it was absolutely fascinating as well. Seeing how much effort went into the process back then and how it brought them together. Just loved it.
"My dear Miss Bunting," Richard said, exaggerating the tones to sound as lofty as the Prince Regent himself. "You dance like a ballerina. Nay, a cherub."
"A cherub? I dance like a fat, flying, arrow-brandishing baby?" She placed her hands on her hips in mock outrage.
"Yes, that is precisely it. The highest compliment, no?"
"I think not, actually."
He smiled then, slow and easy and somehow she felt it all the way to the tips of her fingers. He reached for her hand, tugged it from its perch on her hip, and lifted it to his lips. "An angel, then." Without breaking eye contact, he pressed a featherlight kiss to the inside of her wrist.The two have some unbelievable chemistry and some top notch verbal sparing going between them that was so much fun to read. Their first meet was a sight to see and oh lordy these two could go at it... in the most delightful way <g>
"These are for you. Please accept my sincere apology for the misunderstanding this morning."
Sincere apology his arse. If not for the sweet, rich aroma of chocolate making his mouth water, he wouldn't have been surprised if the bundle contained a coiled snake. "Arsenic laced biscuits, I presume?"
"A baker never reveals her secret ingredients," she replied with a straight face, looking him right in the eye. "However, I would never ruin a perfectly delicious chocolate biscuit."Even with a bit of bickering these two were soul deep perfect for each other. The last quarter of the book had me in tears so many times watching them struggle about. It's one of those impossible loves you just don't see how it can possibly work out and my God does it absolutely break your heart. You just want them to defy all the odds and figure out a way to be together.
That's one of the things that was so wonderful about the writing...how easily Knightley pulled at my emotions. I'd be reading along and suddenly burst out laughing. And I mean, huge, embarrassing make you snort laughs. And it wouldn't even be anything terribly funny but just the way the characters went about saying it. And then on the flip side Richard would do something so small and tender like kissing the corners of Jane's eyes when she was worrying over something that it would choke me up and have my eyes prickling with tears. It was really quite the experience.
Ahhh. I know, I know, I'm totally gushing. But seriously this one blew me away. From Richard and Jane's interactions to the banter between all of the various characters. The easy flowing storyline to the sweet romance that unexpectedly bloomed. It was just a completely decadent experience that will have me coming back for more.
Despite being an avid reader and closet writer her whole life, Erin Knightley decided to pursue a sensible career in science. It was only after earning her B.S. and working in the field for years that she realized doing the sensible thing wasn't any fun at all. Following her dreams, Erin left her practical side behind and now spends her days writing. Together with her tall, dark, and handsome husband and their three spoiled mutts, she is living her own Happily Ever After in North Carolina.
Get Your Copy
Despite being an avid reader and closet writer her whole life, Erin Knightley decided to pursue a sensible career in science. It was only after earning her B.S. and working in the field for years that she realized doing the sensible thing wasn't any fun at all. Following her dreams, Erin left her practical side behind and now spends her days writing. Together with her tall, dark, and handsome husband and their three spoiled mutts, she is living her own Happily Ever After in North Carolina. 
For today's entries for the Grand Prize fill out that Rafflecopter over on the right ----->
and leave a nice little comment!
What was the last book that absolutely blew you away?
Have you read Erin before? Have a favorite?
