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341st out of 1,609 books
—
2,744 voters
Your Scandalous Ways (Fallen Women #1)
James Cordier is all blue blood and entirely dangerous. He's a master of disguise, a brilliant thief, a first-class lover--all for King and Country--and, by gad, he's so weary of it. His last mission is to "acquire" a packet of incriminating letters from one notorious woman. Then he can return to London and meet sweet-natured heiresses--not adventuresses and fallen women.
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Mass Market Paperback, 357 pages
Published
May 27th 2008
by Avon
(first published January 1st 2008)
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Although I didn't consider this to be one of Loretta Chase's best books, I did enjoy the story. I am not a fan of the courtesan theme, so that influenced my opinion of the book, but Chase portrayed it in a way that made me almost forget I did not like this plot device.
James Cordier is an agent for the British government, and after many years of danger and disguise, he is ready to leave it all behind for a normal life. As he finishes his last mission and is relishing the idea of retirement, he is...more
James Cordier is an agent for the British government, and after many years of danger and disguise, he is ready to leave it all behind for a normal life. As he finishes his last mission and is relishing the idea of retirement, he is...more
I'm such a big Loretta Chase fan. I'm always eager to head to the bookstore when I know she has a new book coming out because I know I'll be entertained and amused. "Your Scandalous Ways" is no exception. I don't know how she made me enjoy a book about a courtesan I was sure I wouldn't like and a spy who was willing to use sex to get information from his suspects!! But I ended up liking them both, wanting them to be together, and knowing they were perfect for each other.
Francesca calls herself a...more
Francesca calls herself a...more
4 likes · like · see review
Oct 20, 2008
Annie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Historical Romance Readers
Recommended to Annie by:
Elle Gardner
Shelves:
read-in-2008
I've never read a Courtesan novel before and I must say, I really enjoyed it. I found the female lead oddly refreshing in her ability to laugh at herself and her complete Independence. Now I know that most romances are based on a female with a strong mind but I find most still require a certain degree of 'rescuing'. Francesca Bonnard, I'm quite confident, would've survived the plot of the novel without the hero James. But then we wouldn't have had that magnificent scene at the bell tower at dawn...more
6 likes · like · see review
Hot romance between gorgeous man and beautiful courtesan? Check. Incredible sexual tension? Check. Engaging characters and a clever plot? Check. Set in 1820s Venice, Italy? Check.
The Kindle version of this book was only $1.99, and Mrs. Giggles gave it a 95 (out of 100) rating. She raved about it, so i decided to give it a try.
The Venetian setting sets this book apart from other Chase romances, but I think it only adds to the book's wonderfulness.
The Kindle version of this book was only $1.99, and Mrs. Giggles gave it a 95 (out of 100) rating. She raved about it, so i decided to give it a try.
The Venetian setting sets this book apart from other Chase romances, but I think it only adds to the book's wonderfulness.
2 likes · like · see review
Surprisingly different from a usual historical romance.
The hero is both a spy, a henchman, a thief… all for the sake of England, as well as money. He will use any means to get his ends, even having sex with a woman he despises to repossess emerald jewels that she had stolen. I really liked him, as he seemed very cunning at some times, completely ashamed of himself at some other times, a great actor but overall he remained honest regarding key matters. I also liked that he acknowledged his feelin...more
The hero is both a spy, a henchman, a thief… all for the sake of England, as well as money. He will use any means to get his ends, even having sex with a woman he despises to repossess emerald jewels that she had stolen. I really liked him, as he seemed very cunning at some times, completely ashamed of himself at some other times, a great actor but overall he remained honest regarding key matters. I also liked that he acknowledged his feelin...more
A fun read, although it didn't quite live up to all the glowing reviews for me. I liked the way the novel kind of openly mocks historical romance convention, particularly in having these two depraved souls find each other. But a few things bugged. First, Francesca feels it's necessary to tell us on every page that she's a whore. I get that she's proud of the life she's made for herself, but the constant reminders were not really necessary. I think also that Chase doesn't give her readers enough...more
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Note: This review, and all my reviews, comes from my blog - Romantic Rose's Bookshelf (http://romantic-rosesblog.blogspot.com)
What I love about Loretta Chase is that she breaks convention – she does things not many other authors are willing to do, and she does it well. Many historical romance novels have an innocent, pure heroine with a wicked rake who gets turned on by her naïveté and falls for her genuine openness during their frequent lovemaking. I would not yet consider myself a great connoi...more
What I love about Loretta Chase is that she breaks convention – she does things not many other authors are willing to do, and she does it well. Many historical romance novels have an innocent, pure heroine with a wicked rake who gets turned on by her naïveté and falls for her genuine openness during their frequent lovemaking. I would not yet consider myself a great connoi...more
Just what I'm in the mood for! Light and fluffy historical romance, spices things up a bit by having the hero be a British spy (but there isn't much intrigue involved). Nice angle: heroine is a whore, so even though she's overcome by his sexy maleness in a way she's never experienced before, she knows what she's doing (and he's overcome by her sexy femaleness, too, so they are on equal footing here!) and there's none of that "she drove her tongue into his mouth the way he had taught her" nonsens...more
The characters didn’t grab me. Some of the dialogue was boring. A few times I wanted the story to be over.
REVIEWER'S OPINION:
The two main characters were Francesca and James. A number of times they played cat and mouse mind games with each other in a way that was not interesting. The writing seemed wordy. I was not emotionally drawn in. I did enjoy two surprises revealed toward the end of the book: a hiding place and the identity of one of the minor characters. However, there was nothing else in...more
REVIEWER'S OPINION:
The two main characters were Francesca and James. A number of times they played cat and mouse mind games with each other in a way that was not interesting. The writing seemed wordy. I was not emotionally drawn in. I did enjoy two surprises revealed toward the end of the book: a hiding place and the identity of one of the minor characters. However, there was nothing else in...more
The latest from Loretta Chase, this standalone novel tells the story of Francesca Bonnard, a Venetian whore, and James Cordier, a whore of a different kind -- a man who uses his sexuality to influence politics and discover state secrets for the British government. He's tired of this life, however, and has agreed to one last mission before returning to England to marry an innocent miss and have lots of babies. This is where his path crosses with that of Ms. Bonnard -- it turns out she was not alw...more
This book just charmed my socks right off. It's the second novel set in Venice that I've read in the past six weeks, but this one succeeds where the other one failed.
"Your Scandalous Ways" has a great sense of place; it really made me feel like I was in Venice. It also did a great job of evoking what Venice must have been like during that era - not just the romance, but also the occasionally stenchy dungeon or canal.
The hero and the heroine are well-rounded, and the secondary characters feel li...more
"Your Scandalous Ways" has a great sense of place; it really made me feel like I was in Venice. It also did a great job of evoking what Venice must have been like during that era - not just the romance, but also the occasionally stenchy dungeon or canal.
The hero and the heroine are well-rounded, and the secondary characters feel li...more
I usually don't feel compelled to write a review but this book caught me quite unaware. Firstly, the heroine (Francesca Bonnard) is a fallen woman (hence the series name) which I thought would be most unappealing to me. It was, and that's pure hypocrisy on my part since I love a good libertine, but my distaste for that aspect was quickly subdued by the heroine's strong will and character. She is capable, smart and wise. She might have it all figured out actually. Then there is the most composed,...more
Oct 11, 2012
Leslie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ebook-kindle,
romantic-suspense-historical
I do not normally read courtesan stories - it is just not something that interests me and I didn't realize that this book had that storyline. I've read other Loretta Chase and enjoyed them, and this book was on sale at Amazon, so I picked it up. However, I really liked this one. The characters she has created here were completely engaging and their love story was wonderful. The side story was secondary to what was going on between Francesca and James. He is a spy who sleeps with women to get wha...more
There's much to like in Loretta Chase's latest book and I am happy that I finally decided to pick it up. The setting is 19th century Italy, especially Venice, I liked that. Then the characters are a courtesan and a jaded spy who, instead of spending the day torturing himself about the past, has a pretty cynical and humourous view of the world and how the others see him. How refreshing!
It's been five years since Francesca's husband divorced her and ruined her socially, she had to flee England for...more
It's been five years since Francesca's husband divorced her and ruined her socially, she had to flee England for...more
Usually the Hero of this kind of book is very suave and experienced...while the heroine is pure and a virgin...
This hero, James (or Jemmy as he calls himself) certainly is all that...along as a spy for England. SHE is a courtesan...a very expensive one.
Francesca was thrown into this position. It was either that or sink into a gutter somewhere after her husband divorced her and dragged her name down into the slime.
The ex is a very bad man...VERY BAD. She has something of his that hasn't mattered...more
This hero, James (or Jemmy as he calls himself) certainly is all that...along as a spy for England. SHE is a courtesan...a very expensive one.
Francesca was thrown into this position. It was either that or sink into a gutter somewhere after her husband divorced her and dragged her name down into the slime.
The ex is a very bad man...VERY BAD. She has something of his that hasn't mattered...more
The fact that I read a courtesan book like this just proves how bored I was with the nonevents of tuesday. I had this book for like, forever but I only had the time (and the will) to read it yesterday. I am not really into this genre. I am bit conservative and fallen women and spies who's willing to sleep with their subjects are definitely a no, no for me. Surprisingly, though, I enjoyed this book.
James Cordier is a spy, and a dangerous one at that. He usually uses his dashing good looks and cha...more
James Cordier is a spy, and a dangerous one at that. He usually uses his dashing good looks and cha...more
Nov 11, 2012
Patacaisse
added it
Excellent ! J’ai adoré ce livre.
Déjà, il narre l’aventure de deux héros ayant de l’expérience (et oui ! pour une fois, l’héroïne n’est pas une jeune vierge effarouchée -quoique ce n’est pas trop le style de l’auteure les héroïnes effarouchées). Enfin, bref, James est un homme agent secret qui doit récupérer des lettres auprès de Francesca, la reine des courtisanes à Venise. Il pense que ça va être facile mais c’est sans compter la méfiance et le caractère de Francesca.
J’ai aimé car James et Fran...more
Déjà, il narre l’aventure de deux héros ayant de l’expérience (et oui ! pour une fois, l’héroïne n’est pas une jeune vierge effarouchée -quoique ce n’est pas trop le style de l’auteure les héroïnes effarouchées). Enfin, bref, James est un homme agent secret qui doit récupérer des lettres auprès de Francesca, la reine des courtisanes à Venise. Il pense que ça va être facile mais c’est sans compter la méfiance et le caractère de Francesca.
J’ai aimé car James et Fran...more
3.5 stars. I liked this book. I laughed alot, and that's always fun to do. Some of the love scenes were very romantic. I thought the woman villian was a little over the top, but I have to admit that she was hilarious! It was a nice changed from the norm to have a heroine that was temperamental and a little conceited, but her unrepentant attitude as a courtesan took away some of her appeal. The setting was unique, taking place in Italy, but I was starting to miss England after a while. I can defi...more
This book was so great. It was probably one of the best historical romances I have ever read and I don't say that lightly. The main character is a whore-a professional mistress as it were. No, she is not a common street whore, just a selective highly paid one. But there is so much depth in this character that her profession didn't make you think "oh yuck, a book about a slut."
The thing I think I enjoyed most of all was the author's ability to intertwine bits and pieces from the Italian languange...more
The thing I think I enjoyed most of all was the author's ability to intertwine bits and pieces from the Italian languange...more
Quick read on the train, light entertainment after Ride the Wind which was heavy going. Nice, with an unusual setting in Venice, but not spectacular or perhaps up to Chase's standards.
I keep picking up Loretta Chase books hoping they'll be as funny as 'Mr. Impossible,' and I'm always disappointed. (Though Miss Impossible and Lord Perfect were pretty close)
Your Scandalous ways has lush, gorgeous description, and an interesting enough premise, but the rest of it felt pretty paint-by-numbers. The characters argue because they're supposed to argue at this point of the book, and they have sex because, that's what always happens in chapter 11 (or whatever). The villains are over t...more
Your Scandalous ways has lush, gorgeous description, and an interesting enough premise, but the rest of it felt pretty paint-by-numbers. The characters argue because they're supposed to argue at this point of the book, and they have sex because, that's what always happens in chapter 11 (or whatever). The villains are over t...more
1 like · like · see review
I just love the way Ms. Chase writes, so my reaction to the story itself is almost of secondary importance. I mean, I think she could write the day's political news and I'd probably enjoy it.
To me, her characters live and breathe; they're fun people with honest emotions. I want to get to know them and hang out with them. Even the bad guys/girls have personality, whether you like them or not!
The story's setting is Venice, so there's lots of schlepping here and there in gondolas, and lots of fal...more
To me, her characters live and breathe; they're fun people with honest emotions. I want to get to know them and hang out with them. Even the bad guys/girls have personality, whether you like them or not!
The story's setting is Venice, so there's lots of schlepping here and there in gondolas, and lots of fal...more
The first half of the book (before the hero and heroine started having sex) was full of sexual tension and hilarious and over the top emotions. The plot for the second half of the book was not as tight and some parts didn't always make logical sense. I liked that the story was set in Venice (although I wasn't too impressed with the city when I visited, I can visualize the setting better) and that the hero and heroine seemed to be well matched. I didn't always appreciate the heroine calling herse...more
Jan 17, 2012
Krista
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Krista by:
Smart Bitches
Shelves:
romance,
historical
Delicious! The heroine reminded me of Inara (from Firefly/Serenity) and the hero is kind of like James Bond, but in Venice in 1820. The POV switches between the hero and the heroine, which I enjoy, but I got a richer understanding of the hero's thought processes. That imbalance is my main quibble, and it's a minor one. The minor characters were believable and entertaining, and the whole book was great fun to read. As far as I know this is my first book by Loretta Chase, but I'll definitely seek...more
I had this on my to-read shelf for a few months, even though I had already purchased it, just because the whole courtesan theme wasn't calling to me.
After reading it, I'm mad at myself for waiting this long. Francesca Bonnard isn't your typical courtesan, she's an extremely expensive one. And she knows it. Chase did a fantastic job making her character high-maintenance, but endearing at the same time (a tough thing to do).
The shining point in this book for me was the male lead, James Cordier....more
After reading it, I'm mad at myself for waiting this long. Francesca Bonnard isn't your typical courtesan, she's an extremely expensive one. And she knows it. Chase did a fantastic job making her character high-maintenance, but endearing at the same time (a tough thing to do).
The shining point in this book for me was the male lead, James Cordier....more
Romance? Historical? Set in Venice? Strong no-nonsense female protagonist? Enchanting I-don't-like-you male?
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
There she's got me hooked. Francesca is a whore and proud to be. She's the best whore. James wants to end his "career" with wicked woman and find a sweet maiden and settle down in England. Until circumstances thrown them together.
Francesca won't love again. No way. As James won't fall for her scandalous ways. No way.
Yeah and my name is Sofia and I did not like this...more
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
There she's got me hooked. Francesca is a whore and proud to be. She's the best whore. James wants to end his "career" with wicked woman and find a sweet maiden and settle down in England. Until circumstances thrown them together.
Francesca won't love again. No way. As James won't fall for her scandalous ways. No way.
Yeah and my name is Sofia and I did not like this...more
I am slowly becoming a fan of Loretta Chase. Your Scandalous ways was so fun to read!
I have to say, Francesca was hilarious, and she was a lot more witty than I expected. I LOVED Francesca and James together, and they really are well-matched. I thought Venice was a great setting for the book, and it made it seem fun and exotic- and you got a great sense of what Venice was like during the 1800's. Plus, I loved the random historical references throughout the novel. She does a great job at weaving...more
I have to say, Francesca was hilarious, and she was a lot more witty than I expected. I LOVED Francesca and James together, and they really are well-matched. I thought Venice was a great setting for the book, and it made it seem fun and exotic- and you got a great sense of what Venice was like during the 1800's. Plus, I loved the random historical references throughout the novel. She does a great job at weaving...more
Remember in my "Lord of Scoundrels" review I said that I admire Loretta Chase because she gives herself writing challenges? Well, this challenge is a doozy: the heroine in this book is an honest to god prostitute. She's not a fake prostitute: she doesn't cater to some weird fetish wherein she doesn't have to actually have sex with her clients; she also doesn't hate her job, she's quite happy with it, thank you very much. Granted, she's not your run of the mill prostitute - she's a very high end...more
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I attended New England public schools. We diagrammed sentences. We were drilled in spelling and grammar. This brutal process proved useful in later life. It turned out that everything they taught me in school--including the evil word problems in math--was useful in later life. Too bad I forgot most of it.
My career at Clark University was not short. After earning a B.A. in only twice the usual time...more
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My career at Clark University was not short. After earning a B.A. in only twice the usual time...more
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“He knew there were no forevers and there was always a way out, yet he lost his way, lost his balance.”
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