Touch of a Scoundrel (Touch of Seduction, #3)

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Touch of a Scoundrel (Touch of Seduction #3)

by Mia Marlowe (Goodreads Author)

3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 · rating details · 75 ratings · 23 reviews

It’s a matter of honor, duty… and desire…

Griffin Nash, Earl of Devonwood, wants to believe that he’s seducing Miss Emmaline Farnsworth out of protectiveness for his young brother. After all, if his brother is convinced that the tantalizing professor’s daughter is unworthy of his trust, perhaps Teddy will lose all interest in such an inappropriate choice for his station. Bu...more

Paperback, 310 pages

Published August 1st 2012 by Brava (first published January 1st 2012)

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Apr 13, 2013 Romancing the Book rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reviewed by: Shannon
Book provided by: Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

When his brother, Theodore, comes home from Egypt with a fiancee and her father in tow, Griffin Nash, the Earl of Devonwood, is skeptical of what Ms. Emmaline Farnsworth and her father really want. While Griffin tries to discover just what Emma and her father are up to, he finds himself falling in deeper for her and discovering the Emma manages to take away the pain associated with his gift of seeing th...more

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Oct 31, 2012 My Book Addiction and More MBA rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency-england, historical-romance, paranormal-romance

TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL by Mia Marlowe is an exciting and intriguing historical romance with a touch of paranormal. Book #3 in "The Touch of a Seduction" series,can be read as a stand alone. See, "Touch of a Thief", "Touch of a Rogue". What an exiting and intriguing series this is with a bit of paranormal. Griffin Nash, Earl of Devonwood and Miss Emmaline Farnsworth are on a journey of passion,magic,danger,trust,scandal and romance. Ms. Marlowe writes such tantalizing stories with a bit of magic an...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Mary Gramlich rated it 5 of 5 stars

When you see a glimpse of the future, do you try to change it?

Griffin Titus Preston Nash or Devon to his friends has controlled the destiny of so many for too long, while trusting no one. He felt that the responsibility of his life and the gift he possessed has become a burden without pleasure. Miss Emmaline Farnsworth always found a way of turning nothing into something with her own type of gift and she is about to pull off the largest swindle of her life.

What Emma never expected was for her la...more

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Jul 31, 2012 SOS Aloha rated it 5 of 5 stars

I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life. – George Burns

Mia Marlowe delivers the third book in her TOUCH OF SEDUCTION series with TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL. Marlowe seduces readers with a timeless plot of an American swindling a rich family to pay for her poor father’s health. Marlowe adds unique twists to the story when the swindler, Emmaline Farmsworth, is intercepted by the older brother, Lord Devonwood, who can see 12 hours into the future. His “sendings” r...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Sandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL (Touch of Seduction #3) by Mia Marlowe

TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL is the third storyline and August 2012 release from author Mia Marlowe’s Touch of Seduction series. Griffin Nash, the Earl of Devonwood had a gift passed down through his mother’s side of the family. With his ability to ‘see’ and the ‘sending’, Griffin could touch an object and see the possessor’s future outcome, only when, at fourteen years of age, he foresaw his father’s death, there was nothing he could possibly d...more TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL (Touch of Seduction #3) by Mia Marlowe

TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL is the third storyline and August 2012 release from author Mia Marlowe’s Touch of Seduction series. Griffin Nash, the Earl of Devonwood had a gift passed down through his mother’s side of the family. With his ability to ‘see’ and the ‘sending’, Griffin could touch an object and see the possessor’s future outcome, only when, at fourteen years of age, he foresaw his father’s death, there was nothing he could possibly do. Now that he is an adult, he knew better than to touch an anonymous object without the use of gloves. But once he touched Emmaline Farnsworth’s fan, he knew he was lost in a world of lust and love.

Theodore Devonwood thought he was in love with American traveller Emmaline Farnsworth Relishing the idea of marriage to the beautiful and intelligent Emmaline, Teddy brought her home, along with her ‘father’ to meet the family and his friends. But once on the estate, Griffin took it upon himself to investigate the claims that Dr. Montague Farnsworth and his daughter had unearthed a rare Egyptian statue. And now that the information was revealed, everyone in the ton, wanted in on the action. But it was Griffin who was beginning to realize that Monty and his daughter were not quite who they had claimed to be.

Griffin knew better than to get involved with his brother’s soon-to-be fiancé, but their attraction to one another was palpable. And once Griffin ‘saw’ their future, it was impossible to avoid what was to come. Between his dreams, ‘Seeing’ and the
‘Sending’ Griffin tries to avoid putting himself into the situations where their paths will cross, but inevitably what he ‘Sees’ will always come into fruition regardless of the path he has chosen. But when Emmaline and Griffin take the next step, Griffin sees that his future with Theodore will end tragically for one or both.

Meanwhile the story continues to focus on the Tetisheri Egyptian statue that Emmaline and Monty were promoting as part of their archeological find. The deeper Theodore entranced himself into the mystery surrounding the statue, the more Griffin realized that something didn’t feel right. But following an attempted burglary at the estate, Griffin will discover that Emmaline and her father had played everyone for a fool and now that his heart was involved, he wanted to know if her feelings for him were true and Theodore would have to be told. But a gathering of family and friends at Devonwood Park would place everyone in danger with their lies and deceit. A duel between brothers would end with blood, and the woman that Devon loves would go missing with one of his ‘friends’.

TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL is a warm and fuzzy historical romance with a slight touch of the paranormal. The Earl’s ability to ‘touch and see’ 12 hours into the future is not the stuff of supernatural beings but a little bit of fantasy thrown in for added fun. Mia weaves a magical illusion of a fated tale of love and lust. And the secondary characters, whose lives were entertained and intermixed with the Earl and Emmaline, will surely be the focus of a few of Mia’s upcoming Touch of Seduction novels.

Copy supplied by the author.

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Nov 24, 2012 Mina De Caro rated it 4 of 5 stars

Extended review available on Mina's Bookshelf http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2012/1...

Rating 4.5 stars

London, 1860.
Griffin (known as "Devon"), thirty year old Earl of Devonwood has a gift. He is a seer, a person endowed with the ability to glimpse the future by touching inanimate objects, a birthright inherited from his mother "just as directly as his raven hair and storm gray eyes". For the last sixteen years he's been tormented by guilt: Devon blames himself and the inaccuracy of one of his v...more Extended review available on Mina's Bookshelf http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2012/1...

Rating 4.5 stars

London, 1860.
Griffin (known as "Devon"), thirty year old Earl of Devonwood has a gift. He is a seer, a person endowed with the ability to glimpse the future by touching inanimate objects, a birthright inherited from his mother "just as directly as his raven hair and storm gray eyes". For the last sixteen years he's been tormented by guilt: Devon blames himself and the inaccuracy of one of his visions for the accidental death of his father. Since that day, "Griffin's boyhood slipped away forever", on his narrow shoulders the heavy responsibilities of an earldom, a mother and two younger siblings.
Emmaline Farnsworth, fresh American beauty and upstart commoner, is the daughter of a scholar and egyptologist. She may not be the most suitable match for the brother of an earl, and Devon will do whatever he can as head of the family to prevent such an ill-suited engagement. But Devon's younger sibling, Theodore, thinks himself in love with her and ready to propose: in Emma's capable and self-assertive personality Theo, who grew up in the shadow of his brooding older brother, has found the perfect match for his own feckless and amiable personality; in Emma's father (Monty Farnsworth) he has met a great mentor and a surrogate father figure capable to bestow knowledge without overshadowing his yielding personality.
Sadly, and with a good amount of guilt on her part, Emma doesn't return Theo's feelings and yet she hasn't done much to discourage his courtship: to complicate the matter, after a first encounter with his older brother Devon, and judging from the visceral reaction that affects both of them, it's clear where the romance will blossom...against their better judgment.
There's more to Emma and his scholar father than meets the eye, in fact: they're not who they claim to be. With the aid of a fake Egyptian artifact, this couple of skilful con artists plans to swindle Theo into funding an Egyptian expedition, flee with the money and settle in a sanatorium on the German Alps where Emma's father will hopefully restore his rapidly deteriorating health. Consumption is killing him and this scheme may be the last good opportunity they have to provide Monty with the proper therapy for his unforgiving ailment. Not to mention the effects their vagabond life-style and lack of stability is having on Emma, wearing her soul as quickly as lines and illness are marking Monty's face at every turn of the seasons. More than the riches, the luxury of permanence calls to her.
It will be a fortuitous "touch" between Devon and Emma to unveil, through allegorical and accurate visions of sizzling passion, occult enemies, and lurking dangers, how deeply and inevitably connected their destinies are.
I really liked this historical romance novel, with all its emotional complexity. I am not a big fan of love triangles, but the plot, enriched by a light paranormal twist, was original and captivating. I loved Mia Marlowe's writing style, her prose always elegant and eloquent, her descriptions exquisitely vivid, the sensuality incandescent and yet tasteful. Being the heroine a confidence artist, I didn't necessarily admire her, but the author managed to portray her as a sympathetic character with the depths, the lights and the shadows of a young woman who was born an orphan, raised in foster care and whose only family is an adoptive father who deceits wealthy and gullible victims for a living. With her genuine feelings of guilt and gratitude for Theo and her deeply passionate love for Devon, she eventually redeems herself. The suspenseful element, the references to occultist practices and the supernatural qualities of the male protagonist are not heavily exploited and they are packed mainly in the final chapters of the novel. What really defines the storyline is the emotional conflict playing between Devon, Emma and Theo; Devon's visions act more as windows on the ineluctability of their love and perfect narrative devices to advance the plot and reveal the most basic truth about human relationships: laws of attraction are hard to defy. Absolutely delectable!

*Complimentary copy graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased opinion. (less)

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Aug 17, 2012 SidneyKay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-victorian

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Quick get me my umbrella!

Spoilers ahead. I'm not sure what I think of this book. There were portions that I found very entertaining and then there were parts that were eye-rolling moments. I didn't have any problems with the cover, loved it! Even though the cover has headless people, the color is so wonderful and I loved the scroll work around the text. Very eye catching!

Now, on to Touch of a Scoundrel. Touch, in this case refers to the heroes (Devon) ability to "see" the future when he touches...more Quick get me my umbrella!

Spoilers ahead. I'm not sure what I think of this book. There were portions that I found very entertaining and then there were parts that were eye-rolling moments. I didn't have any problems with the cover, loved it! Even though the cover has headless people, the color is so wonderful and I loved the scroll work around the text. Very eye catching!

Now, on to Touch of a Scoundrel. Touch, in this case refers to the heroes (Devon) ability to "see" the future when he touches things. Although, in true Romanceland "see/touch" fashion this ability wasn't always consistent. However, that didn't really bother me. Of course our heroine, Emma drops a pencil and we are presented with a very scorcher of a scene as Devon "sees" into the future. Devon, tries to resist what he sees. Silly boy, he obviously doesn't know the instant lust routine in romance books. Even when the heroine is the almost-fiancee of his brother. Even when he must fight his manly urges so he can have just a little bit of honor. But, honor in this book seems to be an awfully pale shadow, because in the end, he does succumb to his cravings.

While we are talking about dim honor, let's talk about Emma. Emma, along with her non-father are con artists. And, they are out to flim-flam Teddy (Devon's brother) out of some money. Now, they have a good reason, however, I'm not going to tell what that reason is, but I bought it.

Let's talk about one of my problems with Touch of a Scoundrel. Emma's soggy. This woman really needs to see a doctor about her leaking woman-parts. They cry you see. They are dewy, wet, weepy, sometimes even torrential flood waters. Every time this woman thought about Devon things got moist. I thought I might need a boat just to maneuver through the pages of scorching sex. We almost had a tropical jungle thing going on in this book and, after awhile some eye-rolling on my part. Often, I feared for our hero's life with all the drenching that was taking place. Maybe heroes should be equipped with snorkels.

And, now on to the other thing that bothered me: the villain. I'm not sure we really needed one. The story was just fine without his continual dropping in. To say nothing of the over the top kidnap/drug scene, which didn't work for me and created some really big eyebrow moments.

So, if you can get past the outrageous villain and the wet heroine, this book is pretty good. I do recommend it, just be prepared for a little dew.(less)

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Oct 17, 2012 Laura the Highland Hussy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review Posted on Demon Lover's Books & More

The young Earl of Devonwood grew up seeing visions, a trait he gets from his mother’s side. He usually has about 12 hours until a vision comes to pass, and they always do. But that doesn’t stop him from trying to stop or change them. His father won’t listen to that kind of malarkey, even though Griffin has proven his visions time and time again.

So when Griffin as a young boy sees his father’s death, he does everything he can to prevent it. But his...more Review Posted on Demon Lover's Books & More

The young Earl of Devonwood grew up seeing visions, a trait he gets from his mother’s side. He usually has about 12 hours until a vision comes to pass, and they always do. But that doesn’t stop him from trying to stop or change them. His father won’t listen to that kind of malarkey, even though Griffin has proven his visions time and time again.

So when Griffin as a young boy sees his father’s death, he does everything he can to prevent it. But his father doesn’t listen, and Griffin feels that since he has no control over what happens, that it’s pointless to try to warn anybody, or change anything.

Then he meets the intoxicating woman in his garden. And after the lovely vision of amazing sex with her that he has, he finds out she is his brother’s almost-fiancé. Uh, oops.

Emmaline is not engaged to Teddy. Yet. And since she and her father are con-artists, that’s probably a good thing. The visions that Griffin keeps getting of her only intrigue him more, but he’s also super skeptical of both Emmaline and her professor father. But if she’s a fortune hunter, why isn’t she engaged to his brother yet? And why isn’t she taking him up on his offer since he’s the earl? It doesn’t make sense to him.

When one of his visions comes true, everything changes. How can he fall for his brother’s woman without ruining both her and his relationship with his brother?

Meanwhile, there is something going on behind the scenes, and it’s not what I expected. Someone plans on stealing something from Emmaline and her father, but it’s so much more than that. The ending was a bit abrupt, but it was interesting, to say the least.

All in all, a good read, slightly different from your normal Regency, but in a good way. I really enjoyed the Mia Marlowe’s style and will absolutely continue on in the series.

My favorite quote:

“That violet gown is most becoming, Miss Farnsworth."

"Thank you milord." How should she return the compliment? you make my pantaloons twist, milord would be honest at least.

***ARC courtesy of Kensington Publishing(less)

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Oct 07, 2012 Chelsey rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Romance Lovers

Shelves: first-reads

I won this book through GoodReads First Reads. My thanks go out to the author, publisher and website for getting the novel to me.

I would describe this book as an entangling romantic story with a twist of some paranormal occurrences and a touch of ancient history. Pretty much the perfect combination of ideas that appeal to my reading taste.

I thought this novel was extremely well thought out. I quite enjoyed how everything fit perfectly into place in the end. I found myself rooting for the charac...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Melody May rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, historical, romance

Touch of a Scoundrel is the third installment of the Touch of Seduction series. Let me just say I do have the first book and I haven't gotten to read it yet. I know; shame on me. However, you know me and my habit of reading books out of order. I thought it would be fitting to do my review on Touch of a Scoundrel by Mia Marlowe, since it comes out this Tuesday. So, here's what you are in for:

You meet Emmaline Farnsworth and her foster father Montague Farnsworth who are trying to swindle Theordore...more

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Jun 21, 2012 ☼sunny☼ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-a, mer-fae-or-magic, regency

This is the third book in Mia Marlowe's series "Touch of Seduction." In each book one of the main characters has a special gift of touch. When they touch an specific type of item they can either see the past or the future.

In this book our hero Devon has the magic touch but can only see the near future within 12 hours of now. He is an Earl in charge of an estate that is barely keeping in the black. His Gift has helped out at cards more than once. Then his brother brings home from Egypt a soon to...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Kathy Jund rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mia Marlowe returns with another of her tales mixed with sharp wit, supernatural gifts and the elements sensual romance. Another highly enjoyable read, Touch of a Scoundrel is the third installment in Mia’s “Scandal” series!

As a young child, Griffin Titus Preston Nash could see the future in things he touched. His ability, considered by his mother, as a gift due him through she side of the family, his father however, the Earl of Devonwood had other ideas. Griffin knew where the Earl stood in his...more Mia Marlowe returns with another of her tales mixed with sharp wit, supernatural gifts and the elements sensual romance. Another highly enjoyable read, Touch of a Scoundrel is the third installment in Mia’s “Scandal” series!

As a young child, Griffin Titus Preston Nash could see the future in things he touched. His ability, considered by his mother, as a gift due him through she side of the family, his father however, the Earl of Devonwood had other ideas. Griffin knew where the Earl stood in his opinions of the gift he held, as each time Griffin had the courage to voice one of his sendings to his father the result was a beating. Regardless of the fact that the sendings always came true, (usually within twelve hours time), Griffin hoped the beating he would receive would also keep his father safe, for this sending was of the Earl’s impending death. At fourteen years of age, Griffin became the Earl of Devonwood, not only responsible for his father’s estate but his mother and younger brother and sister. Unable to change a single outcome in the scenes that played before him, Griffin finally stopped trying. Now, a confirmed bachelor, “Devon” as he has come to be known, spends his life trying to keep his mother the Dowager Countess, living within the means she feels deserved of, providing for his bother’s great adventure and the upcoming debut of his sister. Unfortunately, for Devon he was also responsible for the vast estate and those who rely on him for their very livelihood. In an effort to meet everyone’s needs Devon turns to cards, (which could not lie to him), to subsidize his income. During an early morning stroll in his garden to help relieve his headache after a late night foray at his club, Devon encounters a lone woman upon a bench, drawing in a sketchbook, which Devon cannot help but admire. Their conversation turns to the missing Earl and Miss. Farnsworth spares no mercy in her opinion of the scoundrel he must be. Unfortunately, before Devon has the chance let her know that he is person she is waiting for, his gift chooses to intercede and fate sends a glimpse of what is to come. For once in his life, Devon will relish his gift, for very soon if he has any say in the matter, Miss Emmaline Farnsworth will no longer be a stranger. However, can his gift also be used to reveal the identity of the true scoundrel within their midst?
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Oct 16, 2012 Jacki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, romance

This was a Goodreads First Reads. I really enjoyed this book. Griffin and Emmaline's characters are so nicely drawn together. Griffin has this power where he has glimpses into the future when he touches items that belong to others. Sometimes this is used for not so wonderful schemes, like gambling. He sees himself with Emmaline before finding out that she has been proposed to by his brother, Teddy. Scandal! Griffin tries what he can to avoid this, but it doesn't work and hasn't worked in the pas...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Anna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, romance

Another enjoyable romp with an interesting paranormal angle, this time a main character who sees glimpses of the future when he touches inanimate objects.

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Mar 17, 2013 Lindi Peterson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Read this and really want to go and read the first two. Loved this story.

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Jan 28, 2013 Alyssa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-e-book

Not as good as the first book in this series but interesting enough.

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Sep 04, 2012 Jeanne Mulcahy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Three down. More to come???

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Dec 17, 2012 Cocktails and Books rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reading-challenges, historical-romance, rtb-read

Look for review on Romancing the Book.

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Nov 26, 2012 Rhonda rated it 3 of 5 stars

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Jul 15, 2012 Danielle added it

Shelves: did-not-finish

I just couldn't get into this one.

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Oct 07, 2012 Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars

another wonderful story by Ms Marlowe. Mystery, intrique, paranormal and romance rolled into one. I couldn't put it down.

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Jul 04, 2012 Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

I thought it was the best book of the 3....Hope to see more from this author. Thank you for the good reads.

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May 07, 2013 Kit marked it as to-read

I received this book free through Goodreads first Reads.

A review will follow.

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May 21, 2013 Crazy4more is currently reading it

May 18, 2013 Michelle Ellis rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 17, 2013 Mary marked it as rt-2013

May 14, 2013 Natalie rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 13, 2013 Jordan R rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: hhmmmmmmm

May 12, 2013 Megan marked it as to-read

May 10, 2013 Anne marked it as to-read

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About Mia Marlowe

Mia writes sensual historical romance that "will appeal to fans of Lisa Kleypas!"~RTBOOKReview
Look for:
Stroke of Genius, "Wickedly enjoyable!"~RTBOOKReviews
Waking Up with a Rake, "An alluring read!"~Publishers Weekly
Lord of Devil Isle, "A wonderful adventure!"~MyReadingObsession
How to Vex a Viscount,"A sassy, seductive ride." ~ Cheeky Reads
How to Please a Pirate, "A delightful, witty romance!" ~...more

More about Mia Marlowe...

Books by Mia Marlowe

Touch of a Thief (Touch of Seduction, #1)

Waking Up with a Rake (The Royal Rakes, #1)

Touch of a Rogue (Touch of Seduction, #2)

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Touch of a Scoundrel (Touch of Seduction #3)

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