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Charmed and Dangerous #2
Sin and Scandal in England
Succumbing to sin . . . Bethany Munro was once madly in love with the dashing Ian Rockwell. Then Ian left on a mission for the Crown, and Bethany was forced to put her heart aside. . . until one glittering night when she spies him across a crowded ballroom, and the feelings she once felt come rushing back. But she has her secrets. . . . . . and so does he. Sir Ian Rockwell has led a dangerous life and is now a suspect in a crime he did not commit. He never imagined the naïve girl he knew so long ago could be the beauty standing before him now, or that she would be the one who could help him prove his innocence. But in a world of glamour and intrigue, where nothing is as it seems, their perilous game of seduction soon turns into a night of sin, a night where they both discover the only thing more dangerous than passion is falling in love.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 25, 2007
About the author
Melody Thomas
11 books81 followersYears after receiving my criminal justice degree from the University of Oklahoma, I discovered the historical romance genre. True legends like M. M. Kaye, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Judith McNaught, and Penelope Williamson sparked my love for writing and convinced me I wanted only to do one thing in my life and that was to create great stories alive with grit and passion.
In the past, I've written westerns for Leisure under Lori Morgan and pirate adventure books for Berkley under Laura Renken. My books have been five times reviewer nominated by Romantic Times Bookclub for Best Adventure and Best Historical Suspense and Gothic categories. They have won the Holt Medallion twice, the WISRWA Writer's Choice Award, the Affaire de Couer Reader's Choice Award and will be published in five foreign languages worldwide. My Lord Pirate (published as Laura Renken), was a 1999 Golden Heart Finalist, which launched my publishing career with Berkley.
I live in the Chicago area where I am also the former president for the Windy City RWA chapter. Currently, I pen stories for AVON/HarperCollins under my name, Melody Thomas. Wild and Wicked in Scotland, the first book in my new Charmed and Dangerous series appeared on shelves January 2007. The second book, Sin and Scandal in England, was an Avon October 2007 release. Passion and Pleasure in London came out August 26, 2008.
In the past, I've written westerns for Leisure under Lori Morgan and pirate adventure books for Berkley under Laura Renken. My books have been five times reviewer nominated by Romantic Times Bookclub for Best Adventure and Best Historical Suspense and Gothic categories. They have won the Holt Medallion twice, the WISRWA Writer's Choice Award, the Affaire de Couer Reader's Choice Award and will be published in five foreign languages worldwide. My Lord Pirate (published as Laura Renken), was a 1999 Golden Heart Finalist, which launched my publishing career with Berkley.
I live in the Chicago area where I am also the former president for the Windy City RWA chapter. Currently, I pen stories for AVON/HarperCollins under my name, Melody Thomas. Wild and Wicked in Scotland, the first book in my new Charmed and Dangerous series appeared on shelves January 2007. The second book, Sin and Scandal in England, was an Avon October 2007 release. Passion and Pleasure in London came out August 26, 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 24, 2017
Melody Thomas seems to be a constant 3 stars writer for me. I like her characters and their chemistry. But the stories themselves are always disappointing.
Spoiler alert
This is the 2nd book in a series but I did not really feel that I was missing any information while reading this book. Bethany was a 20 year old virgin who fancied herself in love with Ian 3 years ago. Ian, 31 at this beginning of the story, turned Bethany down 3 years ago for reasons unknown. Later we learned that Ian turned Bethany down because he was a married man. He was and remained a married man for the entire duration of the book, with a wife who betrayed him and was locked away somewhere. Bethany kind of threw herself on Ian repeatedly in this book, which bothered me a little bit but well, it is what it is.
This is some kind of a spy story with Ian being involved in a "league"doing all kinds of questionable businesses in the name of the great empire. They were reunited at a party where both of them were investigating something but neither would come clean with their intentions. Bethany quickly folded because she just wanted to be close to Ian and the "invetigation" was a ruse (it seems to me). Ian seemed to be taking this entire spying business more seriously and I admit to mild annoyance with Bethany for her naivity.
Their relationship was ok, nothing notable. You know they both had the hots for each other but Bethany kept throwing hints at Ian which Ian consistently turned down. This spiel did not end after Bethany and Ian finally slept with each other. Ian kept up his antics about how he did not want Bethany involved and Bethany continued to insist that she was his "partner". Like I said, the romantic relationship is kind of blah.
The story. Oh man the story. It is messy and I am being kind. All kinds of mysteries, people dying, poisoning, hallucinations, dead wife not dead, etc. etc. etc. Melody Thomas kept me reading, which was no small feat. But I muddled through the entire book feeling confused and frustrated, waiting for the relationship to progress but getting confusing mystery plots instead. But like I said, Melody Thomas kept me reading. For that I am giving the book 3 stars. At least it kept my interests.
Spoiler alert
This is the 2nd book in a series but I did not really feel that I was missing any information while reading this book. Bethany was a 20 year old virgin who fancied herself in love with Ian 3 years ago. Ian, 31 at this beginning of the story, turned Bethany down 3 years ago for reasons unknown. Later we learned that Ian turned Bethany down because he was a married man. He was and remained a married man for the entire duration of the book, with a wife who betrayed him and was locked away somewhere. Bethany kind of threw herself on Ian repeatedly in this book, which bothered me a little bit but well, it is what it is.
This is some kind of a spy story with Ian being involved in a "league"doing all kinds of questionable businesses in the name of the great empire. They were reunited at a party where both of them were investigating something but neither would come clean with their intentions. Bethany quickly folded because she just wanted to be close to Ian and the "invetigation" was a ruse (it seems to me). Ian seemed to be taking this entire spying business more seriously and I admit to mild annoyance with Bethany for her naivity.
Their relationship was ok, nothing notable. You know they both had the hots for each other but Bethany kept throwing hints at Ian which Ian consistently turned down. This spiel did not end after Bethany and Ian finally slept with each other. Ian kept up his antics about how he did not want Bethany involved and Bethany continued to insist that she was his "partner". Like I said, the romantic relationship is kind of blah.
The story. Oh man the story. It is messy and I am being kind. All kinds of mysteries, people dying, poisoning, hallucinations, dead wife not dead, etc. etc. etc. Melody Thomas kept me reading, which was no small feat. But I muddled through the entire book feeling confused and frustrated, waiting for the relationship to progress but getting confusing mystery plots instead. But like I said, Melody Thomas kept me reading. For that I am giving the book 3 stars. At least it kept my interests.
November 12, 2018
rats
death by rats
ufff
fuj
death by rats
ufff
fuj
February 5, 2013
I really liked this book. It was very fast-paced and you just never got bored with it. There's always something going on/something new introduced - none of that mindless fluff you sometimes get in historical romance you know the kind where sometimes days go by and nothing important happens. Great love story couldn't put it down read it in a day.
October 15, 2020
Segunda entrega de la serie “Charmed and dangerous” dónde tendremos la historia propia del espía Ian Rockwell, que conocimos en la primera parte.
La ambientación se desarrolla en Inglaterra, Bethany Munro es una joven inteligente y despierta que acude como invitada a una fiesta en la que se vuelve a encontrar con Ian Rockwell, el hombre que una vez la protegió a ella y a su familia y que… la rechazó.
De nuevo la autora logra meternos en una nueva historia de aventuras de la mano del espía Ian Rockwell. Sinceramente esta novela la he encontrado más compensada con respecto a “Wild and wicked in Scotland”, mantiene el equilibrio entre las dos partes en las que la podríamos dividir.
La única pega que podría ponerle es que nos cuentan un encuentro del pasado entre Bethany e Ian pero que nunca se llega a desarrollar en esta parte con lo cual nos quedamos a cuadros. No tengo idea si esa escena está en algún libro previo a esta serie pero aunque hubiese sido así, el lector no tendría por qué leerlo y no costaba nada a la autora dedicar una página o dos a describirnos ese episodio, así hubiésemos sentido mejor esa atracción y recelo iniciales.
La trama me ha gustado https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
La ambientación se desarrolla en Inglaterra, Bethany Munro es una joven inteligente y despierta que acude como invitada a una fiesta en la que se vuelve a encontrar con Ian Rockwell, el hombre que una vez la protegió a ella y a su familia y que… la rechazó.
De nuevo la autora logra meternos en una nueva historia de aventuras de la mano del espía Ian Rockwell. Sinceramente esta novela la he encontrado más compensada con respecto a “Wild and wicked in Scotland”, mantiene el equilibrio entre las dos partes en las que la podríamos dividir.
La única pega que podría ponerle es que nos cuentan un encuentro del pasado entre Bethany e Ian pero que nunca se llega a desarrollar en esta parte con lo cual nos quedamos a cuadros. No tengo idea si esa escena está en algún libro previo a esta serie pero aunque hubiese sido así, el lector no tendría por qué leerlo y no costaba nada a la autora dedicar una página o dos a describirnos ese episodio, así hubiésemos sentido mejor esa atracción y recelo iniciales.
La trama me ha gustado https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
August 31, 2024
Spellbinding
oh my God this was such a great book. I didn’t want it to end. I would reread parts of it just to drag it on because I didn’t want to hit the words the end. It’s riveting. The two main characters are such incredible human beings they adults, they’re sophisticated , they challenge each other and they love each other and they go through hell and high water together. What an amazing book.
oh my God this was such a great book. I didn’t want it to end. I would reread parts of it just to drag it on because I didn’t want to hit the words the end. It’s riveting. The two main characters are such incredible human beings they adults, they’re sophisticated , they challenge each other and they love each other and they go through hell and high water together. What an amazing book.
June 19, 2017
A must read.
Dangerous secrets and passion add a lot of spice to this amazing tale of intrique and romance.
Bethany looks out across the ballroom floor spotting a face she never dreamed to see again......handsome Ian. He had left her years ago without a goodbye and she has never stopped loving him. Ian is on a mission and her presence could jeopardize everything. Trying to get her to leave is impossible when all he wants to do is kiss her. He is harboring many secrets that leave her guessing and hurt.
By trying to protect his heart he only ends up falling more in love with her and worried about her safety. Bethany is determined to help him and prove to him that she can handle his life.
They dodge bullets, treachery, poison, beatings, and death on their way to discover that true love really does matter.
Another well written read by this author that is a real joy to read again and again.
Dangerous secrets and passion add a lot of spice to this amazing tale of intrique and romance.
Bethany looks out across the ballroom floor spotting a face she never dreamed to see again......handsome Ian. He had left her years ago without a goodbye and she has never stopped loving him. Ian is on a mission and her presence could jeopardize everything. Trying to get her to leave is impossible when all he wants to do is kiss her. He is harboring many secrets that leave her guessing and hurt.
By trying to protect his heart he only ends up falling more in love with her and worried about her safety. Bethany is determined to help him and prove to him that she can handle his life.
They dodge bullets, treachery, poison, beatings, and death on their way to discover that true love really does matter.
Another well written read by this author that is a real joy to read again and again.
March 30, 2011
I picked this book up, after judging it by its cover, when I was looking for some mindless romantic fluff. But it is not a romantic novel of manners and witty banter that I prefer. It is a modernized historical, romantic, suspense, and murder mystery. I probably should have known that it wasn't what I was looking for by how far that dress is undone down her back on the cover.
Miss Bethany Munro, a forward-thinking science teaching assistant at a girl’s boarding school, attends a house party to discover the whereabouts or fate of another science teacher from the school that has disappeared. There she reconnects with Sir Ian Rockwell, a spy and assassin in service to the crown. All of the characters in this book come across as slimy, sinister, and deadly if one doesn't watch their back.
Miss Bethany Munro, a forward-thinking science teaching assistant at a girl’s boarding school, attends a house party to discover the whereabouts or fate of another science teacher from the school that has disappeared. There she reconnects with Sir Ian Rockwell, a spy and assassin in service to the crown. All of the characters in this book come across as slimy, sinister, and deadly if one doesn't watch their back.
August 27, 2018
Succumbing to sin . . . Bethany Munro was once madly in love with the dashing Ian Rockwell. Then Ian left on a mission for the Crown, and Bethany was forced to put her heart aside. . . until one glittering night when she spies him across a crowded ballroom, and the feelings she once felt come rushing back. But she has her secrets. . . . . . and so does he. Sir Ian Rockwell has led a dangerous life and is now a suspect in a crime he did not commit. He never imagined the naïve girl he knew so long ago could be the beauty standing before him now, or that she would be the one who could help him prove his innocence. But in a world of glamour and intrigue, where nothing is as it seems, their perilous game of seduction soon turns into a night of sin, a night where they both discover the only thing more dangerous than passion is falling in love.
September 18, 2012
I can't bring myself to finish this. Already 100 pages in, and the only---only!---words I can use to describe the hero and heroine are "supposedly protective" and "supposedly intelligent," respectively. Surely at this point, I should have a strong grasp of who these people are and what matters to them.
...And judging by the cryptic, melodramatic conversations they keep having, I can only assume that they, and the author, believe I already understand them quite well. (But I don't; I have no bloody clue what they're on about. Except that it involves Something Serious That Happened Long Ago, Something Serious Happening Now, and that all of their Dire Life and Death Problems are as nothing when they look into one another's eyes. Right.)
...And judging by the cryptic, melodramatic conversations they keep having, I can only assume that they, and the author, believe I already understand them quite well. (But I don't; I have no bloody clue what they're on about. Except that it involves Something Serious That Happened Long Ago, Something Serious Happening Now, and that all of their Dire Life and Death Problems are as nothing when they look into one another's eyes. Right.)
February 22, 2014
I love this book! I've had the paperback for years and recently bought it for my kindle. I've read it too many times to count at this point. The story is dark and sinister at times and has a really great twist for the ending. If you are looking for a hearts and flowers romance this is not the book for you. But if you want a great mystery, murder, spy's and their secrets, some scandal with a dash of "OMG I didn't see that coming" then you are good to go. The heat level is actually very low but still there. I normally prefer a little more heat but this story is soo good you won't even miss it. I also suggest the first in the series Wild and Wicked in Scotland!
August 18, 2012
Very fast-paced (at times) Victorian spy-romance. Bethany is a rather odd combination of the unique (scientist) and conventional (has all sorts of conventional plucky talents like picking locks with hairpins and handling firearms). Ian is, well, tall, blond, gorgeous, conflicted, a spy, you name it. Makes the crawling around in tunnels on England's north coast much better. The plot is a bit frenetic - new elements are almost continually introduced and it gets hard to keep straight after a bit.
The conversational aspects of the novel are very well-done.
The conversational aspects of the novel are very well-done.
July 14, 2015
Ik heb de Nederlandstalige versie gelezen ; Liefde in gevaar - Candlelight Historische roman 907 .
De held uit dit deel heeft een bijrol in deel 1 . Ook dit verhaal is weer meer een detective dan een romantisch verhaal en wat een serie voor mij zo leuk maakt nl. een update van de held en heldin uit voorgaande delen blijft hier geheel achterwege . Ik ga hierna deel 3 uit de serie lezen en hoop dat die update daar dan in zit .
De held uit dit deel heeft een bijrol in deel 1 . Ook dit verhaal is weer meer een detective dan een romantisch verhaal en wat een serie voor mij zo leuk maakt nl. een update van de held en heldin uit voorgaande delen blijft hier geheel achterwege . Ik ga hierna deel 3 uit de serie lezen en hoop dat die update daar dan in zit .
January 12, 2014
It was okay. I liked the twist on the usual historical romance novel with the intrigue, anarchist rebels and secret agent stuff. I feel compelled to read the first book in this series, but mostly because it's a series, not because I'm thrilled with the writing. Maybe I'll feel differently... I'm waiting to be swept away.
February 12, 2016
Could have been better. I didn't feel much connection between the h/h. Rather the bitterness from the heroine towards the hero was often palpable, and I end up feeling annoyed that she doesn't put up too much of a fight. Sometimes I just feel a little sorry for Bethany and wished she was a lil more feisty.
April 12, 2016
I enjoyed the intrigue & danger combined with the romance. The story had a nice pace and never got predictable. However, I would note to the editor that there was one glaring instance where continuity was lost. Also, so many a's and the's were missing that sentences were stilted. I would still read this author again.
May 20, 2013
Where I loved the first book in this series, I found this one was a bit lacking. Something in the way it was written seemed a bit choppy to me. Because of that I didn't continue to read the entire book, so on to the next!
February 20, 2016
This was an ok book, how ever I do wish the author had done more to make it more interesting.
March 13, 2015
One question: was Mary murdered?
I hate reading books that do not tie everything up at the end.
I hate reading books that do not tie everything up at the end.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews