A SCANDALOUS PUBLICATION

Author: Sandra Heath ISBN: 0709080840 6/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE LTD.
Time Period: Regency 1816 (UK reissue)

Wagging tongues declared that there was no woman, married or single, that the notorious Max Talgarth could not conquer with his arrogant good looks and devastating charm. It was common knowledge as well that there was no gentleman that Sir Max could not best on the dueling field with either pistol or sword. Against this formidable foe, Miss Charlotte Wyndham was equipped only with her pen, and the determination that it would prove mightier than the warm kisses or the cold steel of this infuriating man she had every reason to despise. But, as she launched her literary attack on Sir Max's infamous activities, there was one thing she had not guarded against...Cupid's arrows!

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Regency lovers, do I have a book just for you! It is A SCANDALOUS PUBLICATION by Sandra Heath. A SCANDALOUS PUBLICATION is as close to being in England during the 1800's as you are going to get. I am taken aback by how exceptional her descriptions of life in England are. Ms. Heath definitely has a flair for writing and it is evident in this book.

Miss Charlotte Wyndham can't help falling in love with the scandalous Max Talgarth. Unfortunately for her, it's a love/hate relationship and, at times, Charlotte truly hates him. At the suggestion of her mother, Charlotte decides to write a "fictitious" story of a scoundrel whose life closely resembles Max's. Klymerth, as the book is titled, is not meant to be published. What a surprise it is to her when she finds out that someone has gotten hold of her manuscript and published it anyway. It would just so happen that Klymerth appears right at the time her relationship with Max is going smoothly. The problem is whether or not she and Max can sort out this mistake and continue their budding romance. However, Klymerth is just one obstacle that Charlotte and Max must overcome; add to it a jealous mistress, a hell bent ex sister-in-law, and rumors galore.

What I enjoyed most about A SCANDALOUS PUBLICATION was the witty and intelligent dialogue between Charlotte and Max. It kept the story moving along and also made it just that much more enjoyable. As much as I enjoyed A SCANDALOUS PUBLICATION, there was one aspect of the story that troubled me. I would like to have had Max and Charlotte's relationship develop more gradual than it occurred in the book. Charlotte's love for Max seemed to come on too quickly for me to really believe that her feelings were real. Max's feelings for Charlotte completely took me by surprise, and again, I had a hard time believing his feelings were real. Aside from that, I really did enjoy this book.

Regency lovers, don't pass up the chance to read Sandra Heath's A SCANDALOUS PUBLICATION.

Julie Kornhausl