A reclusive widow known for her scientific scholarship, Lady Ciara Sheffield is shadowed by rumors that she poisoned her husband . . . A rakehell ...
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Jun 02, 2010
Juliana
rated it: 
~ A serious, intelligent outcast widow meets her match in a witty, rakish, devil-may-care charmer (4 stars) ~
I thought Cara Elliott was a newcomer on the historical romance scene, but it turns out she has been publishing under the pen name Andrea Pickens for about ten years. There were a lot of things I enjoyed about To Sin With a Scoundrel that were unusual or not commonly found in many other HRs and with all the romances out there, it's nice to read something that feels new and fre More...
I thought Cara Elliott was a newcomer on the historical romance scene, but it turns out she has been publishing under the pen name Andrea Pickens for about ten years. There were a lot of things I enjoyed about To Sin With a Scoundrel that were unusual or not commonly found in many other HRs and with all the romances out there, it's nice to read something that feels new and fre More...
6 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 22, 2011
Isalys
rated it: 
*Note: Read and reviewed for The Season for Romance.
I've read some fantastic books lately, but I have to say that this has become one of my faves and what I think is a great start to a new series by a new author!
Lady Ciara Sheffield is a brilliant mind who lives for two things: her passion for science and her love for her son. She has been gracing the pages of London's premier tabloid thanks to her deceased husband's awful family who insists on blaming her [publicly to-bo More...
I've read some fantastic books lately, but I have to say that this has become one of my faves and what I think is a great start to a new series by a new author!
Lady Ciara Sheffield is a brilliant mind who lives for two things: her passion for science and her love for her son. She has been gracing the pages of London's premier tabloid thanks to her deceased husband's awful family who insists on blaming her [publicly to-bo More...
5 comments
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Jul 25, 2011
Sandy
rated it:
The first few chapters of this book are a little…..slow. There’s a lot of backstory and I kept waiting for things to begin. I’m glad I didn’t give up because once the hero and heroine finally start truly interacting, sparks fly, danger rears its ugly head, and seduction is a sensual game the hero is an expert at. Our heroine didn’t stand chance. And neither did I once Lucas begins his lure into passion.
Being a widow has given Ciara a certain amount of freedom. She’s a lady of science, More...
Being a widow has given Ciara a certain amount of freedom. She’s a lady of science, More...
Jan 09, 2011
Mary
rated it:
TO SIN WITH A SCOUNDREL by Cara Elliott
Book #1 in the Circle of Sin Series
March 2010 - Grand Central Publishing - Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Facts and Science are no match against love and passion!
Lady Ciara Sheffield has been dubbed the Wicked Witch of Pont Street despite being acquitted of her late abusive husband’s death. She was a woman of science who used her intellect and gifts to cure and heal not destroy yet the papers were still feeding lies to the T More...
Book #1 in the Circle of Sin Series
March 2010 - Grand Central Publishing - Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Facts and Science are no match against love and passion!
Lady Ciara Sheffield has been dubbed the Wicked Witch of Pont Street despite being acquitted of her late abusive husband’s death. She was a woman of science who used her intellect and gifts to cure and heal not destroy yet the papers were still feeding lies to the T More...
May 08, 2010
Patty
rated it: 
As I have mentioned before I do enjoy a romance novel now and then; as long as it's a good one.To Sin with a Scoundrel fit the bill. Slightly implausible, impossibly handsome hero, smart, ahead of her time heroine, witty dialog, just enough "evil" lurking about, sex and a happy ending. Just what one looks for in a quick, light read.
Our hero, the Earl of Hadley or as he is also known, Mad, Bad Had-ley has not settled down and swears he is not going to. No way, now how. Our p More...
Our hero, the Earl of Hadley or as he is also known, Mad, Bad Had-ley has not settled down and swears he is not going to. No way, now how. Our p More...
Mar 30, 2010
Christine
rated it:
REVIEW: What does a Scoundrel and a Scholar possibly have in common? What could possible throw the most of unlikely of pairs together?
Take one inquisitive scientist who for the past three years has been the talk of the ton--and not to her linking either. Scientist extraordinaire, Lady Ciara Sheffield just wants to live her life in peace, but her dastardly in-law's will have none of it. Running a slanderous campaign against her in the scandal sheets, she is known as The Mur More...
Take one inquisitive scientist who for the past three years has been the talk of the ton--and not to her linking either. Scientist extraordinaire, Lady Ciara Sheffield just wants to live her life in peace, but her dastardly in-law's will have none of it. Running a slanderous campaign against her in the scandal sheets, she is known as The Mur More...
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Mar 12, 2010
Gaby
rated it:
To Sin With A Scoundrel is the first in the Circle of Sin series by Cara Elliott. Historical romances are a guilty pleasure of mine and I particularly like stories with misunderstood, dashing, cynical lords and "overly intelligent", brave, and slightly socially awkward heroines. I enjoyed To Sin With A Scoundrel from the very beginning and am eagerly awaiting the next book in the Circle of Sin series.
Lady Ciara Sheffield is a bluestocking who regularly meets with fellow blu More...
Lady Ciara Sheffield is a bluestocking who regularly meets with fellow blu More...
Mar 06, 2010
Mandi
rated it:
REVIEWED BY TORI
Cara Elliot-the alter ego of Andrea Pickens-takes us on a romantic suspenseful journey through Regency England in a brand new series. In the first of her Circle Of Sin trilogy, To Sin With A Scoundrel, we are introduced to Lady Clare Sheffield and Lord Lucas Hadley. Lord Hadley-called Mad Bad Had-Ley is a rakehell of the first degree. Pursued by all women, he is interested in nothing more then falling into the nearest bed with them.
Hadley's uncle, Sir Henr More...
Cara Elliot-the alter ego of Andrea Pickens-takes us on a romantic suspenseful journey through Regency England in a brand new series. In the first of her Circle Of Sin trilogy, To Sin With A Scoundrel, we are introduced to Lady Clare Sheffield and Lord Lucas Hadley. Lord Hadley-called Mad Bad Had-Ley is a rakehell of the first degree. Pursued by all women, he is interested in nothing more then falling into the nearest bed with them.
Hadley's uncle, Sir Henr More...
Aug 26, 2011
Shannonreads
rated it:
I read this book because I won the 3rd book in the trilogy and it didn't seem to make a lot of sense without having read the first two books. So I downloaded the first two and away we go.
For the good stuff. I enjoyed the story, it was good, not great. I like the plot, backstory of the hero and heroine. I liked the scientific element and that each had a past.
Now for the not so great...
As for the characters, I got that they met, fell in love, etc. but the au More...
For the good stuff. I enjoyed the story, it was good, not great. I like the plot, backstory of the hero and heroine. I liked the scientific element and that each had a past.
Now for the not so great...
As for the characters, I got that they met, fell in love, etc. but the au More...
Mar 01, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
Author Cara Elliott is a graduate of Yale University and now works in New York at a lifestyle sports magazine when she’s not penning historical romances. Her job allows her to travel, her favorite spot being London, where she enjoys used book stores and antique markets. Other titles include: To Surrender To A Rogue and To Tempt A Rake-- both coming later this year for this Circle of Sin series.
Lady Ciara Sheffield is disturbed by rumors that she poisoned her husband. As a widow, she More...
Lady Ciara Sheffield is disturbed by rumors that she poisoned her husband. As a widow, she More...
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Mar 08, 2010
Tori Benson
rated it:
A reclusive widow known for her scientific scholarship, Lady Ciara Sheffield is shadowed by rumors that she poisoned her husband . . .
A rakehell rogue notorious for his devil-may-care antics, Lucas Bingham, the Earl of Hadley is not accused of murdering anything—save for the rules of Polite Society.
The only thing they have in common is seeing their names featured in the lurid gossip columns of London’s newspapers.
Until an ancient manuscript draws them together.
More...
A rakehell rogue notorious for his devil-may-care antics, Lucas Bingham, the Earl of Hadley is not accused of murdering anything—save for the rules of Polite Society.
The only thing they have in common is seeing their names featured in the lurid gossip columns of London’s newspapers.
Until an ancient manuscript draws them together.
More...
Mar 27, 2011
Jessi
rated it:
Ciara Sheffield has a problem. It's her in-laws. They want control of the fortune her husband left her so they're using her interest in science to claim that she murdered her husband. Ciara is at the end of her rope, no friends except the ladies that have dubbed themselves the Circle of Sin. They range in age from 22 to 67 and they are all bluestockings and proud of it.
Lucas Bingham, the Earl of Hadley, is no stranger to scandal. He's actually courted it with drinking, women and wine, lots More...
Lucas Bingham, the Earl of Hadley, is no stranger to scandal. He's actually courted it with drinking, women and wine, lots More...
Mar 03, 2010
Freda
rated it:
When the book started with an orgy, or debauchery for a better term, I really thought I was not going to enjoy this book at all. Boy, was I wrong.
A hot and steamy read from front to back, and yet all the while, a love blossoms that is soft and true.
I enjoyed Ciara's character very much. I, at first, was put off by Lucas ended up appreciating his character also. It is hard to enjoy a character playing the devil. Then with the love that blooms between Ciara and him, you find it hard to More...
A hot and steamy read from front to back, and yet all the while, a love blossoms that is soft and true.
I enjoyed Ciara's character very much. I, at first, was put off by Lucas ended up appreciating his character also. It is hard to enjoy a character playing the devil. Then with the love that blooms between Ciara and him, you find it hard to More...
Mar 22, 2010
Loves FAB Romance
rated it:
I like this cover - it's very sexy. He looks pretty hunky and for whatever reason I find the material of her dress eye-catching; I want to touch it.
Lady Ciara Sheffield is having a rough time of things: she was acquitted of her late husband's murder, but society still refers to her as the "Wicked Widow" and "Lady Murder". Her late husand's family continues to accuse her of murder and run her name through the mud in an attempt to get the inheritance left to her son More...
Lady Ciara Sheffield is having a rough time of things: she was acquitted of her late husband's murder, but society still refers to her as the "Wicked Widow" and "Lady Murder". Her late husand's family continues to accuse her of murder and run her name through the mud in an attempt to get the inheritance left to her son More...
Mar 14, 2010
Lea
rated it:
As Lady Ciara Sheffield sits drinking her morning tea it’s taste turns to ash, the headlines she reads in the morning paper concern her involvement in her husband’s death. Although the inquest into the reason for his demise is closed she remains the subject of suspicion and malice because it is believed by Polite Society that she poisoned the blighter. Ciara is a member of a group of ladies known as ‘The Circle Of Sin’, each of whom have a particular scientific interest and expertise. Unfortunat
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Apr 17, 2011
Jackie
rated it:
2.5 Stylistically well-written, but character development is told rather than shown, and the suspense isn't very suspenseful. And I really find it annoying when the surface gender ideology (our heroine is a smart, unconventional scientist) is at odds with the implicit gender ideology (our heroine is passive, worried, stuttering, fights her sexual attraction to the rakish hero then gives in to it for no good reason, and lets others make her decision for her). "But intriguingly enough, despi
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May 25, 2010
Ruth
rated it:
This story of a widow and a rake sounds a bit so-so from the description but the widow is a chemistry scholar and the dialogue between the two is deliciously naughty. The rake is rampant, wicked and witty and absolutely adorable, with a wonderfully attractive joie de vivre, and both the hero and heroine are intelligent and forthright, sonething i really like in my historical romances The general dialogue is more similar to what I imagine people would have actually said at drunken parties than t
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Mar 12, 2010
Bridget
rated it:
When Lady Ciara's horrible husband dies, she soon finds herself in a bit of a pickle. The town and his family are convinced that Ciara had something to do with his death. In order to gain the approval of her fellow peers, Ciara decides to team up with Lucas who has his own reasons for this union. What starts out as a wedding business arrangement, ends up turning into hot and heavy romance.
I really liked the plot and the build up that the author created. Romance lovers everywhere are More...
I really liked the plot and the build up that the author created. Romance lovers everywhere are More...
Sep 04, 2010
Bookworm1858
rated it:
To Sin With a Scoundrel by Cara Elliott
Forever, 2010
349 pages
Historical; Romance
First in Series
4/5 stars
Source: Won
Summary: Ciara is known (quite unjustly) as a lady who murdered her husband. Lucas is known (quite rightly) as an unrepentant rake and womanizer who revels in his reputation. Yet the Bluestocking and the Rake can help each other, thereby dispelling those nasty rumors and reputations. And there will be absolutely no romance bec More...
Forever, 2010
349 pages
Historical; Romance
First in Series
4/5 stars
Source: Won
Summary: Ciara is known (quite unjustly) as a lady who murdered her husband. Lucas is known (quite rightly) as an unrepentant rake and womanizer who revels in his reputation. Yet the Bluestocking and the Rake can help each other, thereby dispelling those nasty rumors and reputations. And there will be absolutely no romance bec More...
May 19, 2010
Verity
rated it:
H/H are gossip fodders, for different reasons. Ciara’s venomous, fork-tongued in-laws (nephew & sis-in-law) want to get their grubby paws on her 8 y/o son’s inheritance by feeding the tabloids w/ malicious, slanderous insinuations that Ciara murdered her abusive, drunkard hubby. Lucas is infamous as Mad, Bad, Had-Ley (tho’ I thought this was kinda exaggerated ‘cuz since the 1st chapter, he hardly ever did anything to live up to his rakish rep). Lucas has hidden depths & talents, w/ a big heart t
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(14 people liked it)
Jan 10, 2012
Jennifer
rated it:
From my blog...[return]The novel is told in alternating narratives between Lady Ciara Sheffield and Lord Hadley, both of whom are rather infamous. Lady Ciara has a brilliant scientific mind and rumours are circulating that she poisoned her husband. Lord Hadley on the other hand has been making the gossip section due to his rather rakish behaviour. While Lady Ciara has her young son Peregrine to focus on as well as her scientific endeavours along with the other ladies in The Circle of Sin, Lord H
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Dec 03, 2010
Nisha
rated it:
I think I would have really enjoyed this book if I was in the mood to read HR, as I once was. Afterall, it had all my favorite components, a bluestocking, sharp-tongued heroine, a rakish hero, some science, a cute 8-year-old, and witty dialogue.
Ciara Sheffield is rumored to have murdered her husband. She also has a young son to protect from her dead husband's diabolical relatives, who want his inheritance. And she is part of a female science group called the Circle of Sin. Somehow, the More...
Ciara Sheffield is rumored to have murdered her husband. She also has a young son to protect from her dead husband's diabolical relatives, who want his inheritance. And she is part of a female science group called the Circle of Sin. Somehow, the More...
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May 05, 2010
Dottie
rated it:
The wastrel of the ton, Lord Hadley is after one escapade or another, never failing to find his name splashed across the gossip pages for all of London to see. Not that he cares, it's all good fun, but he fears his latest escapade may not only embarrass himself, but Lord Henry, his long enduring guardian as well and his health isn't what it used to be and after he promised Henry a visit as well. It's time for him to cut short his carousing and see to the needs of Lord Henry, he asks so little of
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May 25, 2010
Rane
rated it:
With many rake romance stories, you always end up getting the wannbe rake, the rake you only hear about but never seen (unless told in thoughts or memories) you hardly every seen how the rake changes from a rake to a reformed rake, with To Sin With A Scoundrel you see and read how Lucas starts to change his ways. It’s not sudden like a bolt of lighting nor does he come back a change man. No, Cara Elliott shows you the gradual change of his ways and shows the reader the man behind the devil-may
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Mar 21, 2010
Alana
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 28, 2011
Susie
rated it:
I really enjoyed reading this book! Lady Ciara is accused of murdering her husband while the Earl of Hadley is only interested in having "fun" (yep, I'm wagging my eyebrows up & down! You know what kind of fun he's interested in!!). So the two come to an arrangement to help each other.
To Sin With A Scoundrel is the first book of what I think will be a great series!
To Sin With A Scoundrel is the first book of what I think will be a great series!
Nov 28, 2010
Denise
rated it:
This book had all the ingredients I usually like in a romance. There is the smart and beautiful h who needs a knight in shining armor. Then there is the beyond handsome rake who is willing to give it all up for her. Mix in some sinister plot against h by her dead husbands family. Ciara and Luke were very likable characters, and I enjoyed reading their tale.
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Apr 02, 2010
Kristi (Books and Needlepoint)
rated it:
This is the first book that I have read by Cara Elliott - but you can bet that I will be coming back for more. I enjoyed the fact that Ciara was a scholar - something that isn't always evident in the historical romances. The women are always smart, but to actually be a scholar and have that to be part of the story line is rare (of course, it just might be I am reading the wrong books! <: ) This book also had a mix of mystery and humor, but when you mix a scholar with a scoundrel what do you
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Oct 13, 2010
Christy
rated it: 
The overuse of the word "Lud" drove me to distraction. I tried to make a drinking game out of it; unfortunately I passed out completely drunk from the number of drinks I needed to consume, and was forced to reread a section of the book. :) I'm unlikely to check out any of the remaining books in the series.
Sep 13, 2011
Greta
rated it:
This is the first Cara Elliott novel I read, and I rank the author up there with Stephanie Laurens, Suzanne Enoch and Julia Quinn in terms of character and plot development. The first of perhaps three (given that we met two other heroines who likely will appear in their own stories), in this story, the heroine is accused of killing of her husband, who was, of course, a lout. As she is, of course, innocent, she has to team up with a charming but aimless gentleman to prove her innocence and protec
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