I received this book thanks to Goodreads Free Giveaway program. Thank you very much! =)I never read anything by C. Delacroix before, so I was curious and didn't know what to expect. Just let me say this: don't miss out on her books!! I opened the first page and was immediately captivated by one of the best stories I have ever read. There is so much going on in this book: passion, integrity, loyalty, betrayal, love, honesty, greed and much, much more. Evangeline knows that the fate of her beloved realm, Inverfyre, relies on finding the Titulus, a sacred relic that will ensure the wellness of the realm itself. She tricks the thief of the Titulus into bedding her, and steals the relic away from him. That is, however, just the beginning, as she will soon discover that so much more is going on at Inverfyre than she thought. As she falls more and more in love with Gawain, she will uncover a web of lies and deceit that's bringing Inverfyre on the verge of poverty. Somebody is set on ruining the realm for his own devious purposes. Evangeline and Gawain will stop at nothing to right a wrong and reclaim what's theirs. Beautifully written, this story captured me from the very first page and never let go until the end. I felt transported back in time by the exquisite descriptions of rooms, clothes and customs. Medieval times really come alive in this story that is so much more than a simple romantic adventure. To Goodreads, the author and everyone who is part of the giveaway program, once again a heartfelt thank you: I am truly grateful! =)
I just finished reading The Scoundrel by Claire Delacroix. This is actually the second book in a set but stands on it own.Set in Scotland in the 1300s, Evangeline, the Lady of Inverfyre seeks to reclaim a relic that was stolen from her home 15 years ago. Her home has grown poor and the people are going hungry. She believes that restoration of the Titulus will set everything right and restore Inverfyre to its former glory and prosperous times. She finds the scoundrel whose father took the relic years ago. Luckily, he has just stolen it for himself. Evangeline finds him in a tavern and seduces him quite successfully, stealing back her birthright.However, Gawain cannot easily dismiss this thievery or the lady’s seductions. Biding his time, he plans to go to Inverfyre to steal back the Titulus. However, what he finds there is not what he expected. He discovers secrets and those that would seek to do Evangeline ill. Though he is a self-proclaimed scoundrel with no honor, his heart leads him to act otherwise.This book was definitely a quick read. I enjoyed the historical setting and the fast pace. It’s not really the type of book that I’d put at the top of my reading list, but I did find it entertaining.
What do You think about The Scoundrel (2014)?
These days, it's nice to read a romance novel that doesn't have vampires and werewolves or whips and handcuffs. (This novel was published in 2003, but the sentiment stands.) There's still a decent amount of supernatural lore that sets up the third book in the trilogy, if you desperately need some supernatural with your romance.I liked the main characters, Evangeline and Gawain. I was skeptical of their instant chemistry. Even so, Evangeline was one of the more likable romance heroines. She's neither wholly arrogantly self-reliant nor wholly dependent on the hero. She does her best to be a leader in a masculine society. Gawain is the titular scoundrel. . . . and there's really nothing that I can add to that characterization.I was skeptical, too, that they kept coming together (pun intended). The plot revolves around both of their desires/needs for a religious relic of dubious provenance, which is both Gawain's inheritance and the key to Evangeline's suzerainty. They steal it from one another throughout the book. Sometimes, I wanted to counsel them to just let it go.All in all, it's a light and enjoyable read with characters who aren't annoying.
—Juliette
