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The Silverton Scandal
Miss Eleanor Grantham is outraged when her stagecoach is held up by a highwayman, but her outrage turns to astonishment when she discovers that the highwayman is none other than the Earl of Silverton. She cannot begin to imagine why a wealthy nobleman would stoop to highway robbery.
290 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
23 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Grange
41 books710 followersAmanda Grange was born in Yorkshire and spent her teenage years reading Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer whilst also finding time to study music at Nottingham University. She has had twenty-five novels published including six Jane Austen retellings, which look at events from the heroes' points of view. She has also had two books published under different names: Murder at Whitegates Manor (as Eleanor Tyler; a Regency cosy crime murder mystery) and The Rake (as Amy Watson; a very light and frothy Regency romance).
Woman said of Mr Darcy's Diary: "Lots of fun, this is the tale behind the alpha male," whilst The Washington Post called Mr Knightley's Diary "affectionate". The Historical Novels Review made Captain Wentworth's Diary an Editors' Choice, remarking, "Amanda Grange has hit upon a winning formula."
Austenblog declared that Colonel Brandon's Diary was "the best book yet in her series of heroes' diaries."
Amanda Grange now lives in Cheshire. Her profile photo was taken at the Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton. The museum is well worth a visit!
You can find out more by visiting her website at http://www.amandagrange.com You can also follow her on Twitter @hromanceuk and find her on Facebook
Woman said of Mr Darcy's Diary: "Lots of fun, this is the tale behind the alpha male," whilst The Washington Post called Mr Knightley's Diary "affectionate". The Historical Novels Review made Captain Wentworth's Diary an Editors' Choice, remarking, "Amanda Grange has hit upon a winning formula."
Austenblog declared that Colonel Brandon's Diary was "the best book yet in her series of heroes' diaries."
Amanda Grange now lives in Cheshire. Her profile photo was taken at the Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton. The museum is well worth a visit!
You can find out more by visiting her website at http://www.amandagrange.com You can also follow her on Twitter @hromanceuk and find her on Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 19, 2019
3.75 stars
January 17, 2019
Ok, so I haven't actually finished this book, but I suspect I won't.
I liked the idea of the storyline, and I read the ratings and reviews saying it was a well-written good clean historical romance, so I got the kindle version. I have ploughed through half the book, but I can not agree with those people who said it was a well-written book. It is very amateur and the more I read, the more painful it gets.
She has spent the whole book telling me things, never showing me things. A good author will paint a picture you can use to follow the characters through a book. An amateur author will simply tell you what is happening. Amanda Grange tells, often in the most basic way.
It was wet; she was scared; it was now nighttime; she felt tired; the room was lovely; he left the room; she looked at the fire; he looked angry; it was hard work. On and on it goes. Give me more than just "it was hard work". Tell me how her muscles strained as she hauled the body across the floor. Tell me about the sweat running down her back with the exertion. Give me something other than "it was hard work". Tell me if it was buckets of rain or simply a light sprinkle, not just "it was wet".
There were very obvious times when the author was trying to manipulate the book. My favourite was when Lord Silverton ends up unconscious on the lounge because of a gas leak. He tells Eleanor that he must have fallen asleep on the chair and then the lights blew out. Eleanor decides that Lord Silverton didn't appear to be the sort of man who would fall asleep on a chair. Now I get that Ms Grange is trying to make us go "Ooooh, something more sinister must be happening" but I was simply left wondering what characteristics make a person the sort who would fall asleep on a chair or not fall asleep on a chair. Is there a psychologist who has studied it that can enlighten me? Also, Eleanor has known Lord Silverton for one day at this point, so I hardly think she is in a position to be making such judgements.
Then there are the obvious flaws, where the editor should be questioned as to their ability to do their job. For example, Eleanor is introduced to all the guests at a party by Lydia. Lydia says: "That's just about everyone. Except, of course, for Lord Silverton." (I won't get started on how contrived that dialogue is.) Eleanor then meets Lord Silverton and they have a conversation. Then, a short time later, Eleanor is thinking about something while "Lydia continued to introduce her to the other guests". Hadn't Lydia already declared that everyone but Lord Silverton had been introduced? And if there were actually more guests other than Lord Silverton, then it was a very silly thing for Lydia to say.
Overall it is so sloppy and amateur that I can't enjoy the story, but I wish it wasn't because if Ms Grange had done it well, it would have been just the sort of story I love. Let me summarise it as Ms Grange would: I felt disappointed.
I liked the idea of the storyline, and I read the ratings and reviews saying it was a well-written good clean historical romance, so I got the kindle version. I have ploughed through half the book, but I can not agree with those people who said it was a well-written book. It is very amateur and the more I read, the more painful it gets.
She has spent the whole book telling me things, never showing me things. A good author will paint a picture you can use to follow the characters through a book. An amateur author will simply tell you what is happening. Amanda Grange tells, often in the most basic way.
It was wet; she was scared; it was now nighttime; she felt tired; the room was lovely; he left the room; she looked at the fire; he looked angry; it was hard work. On and on it goes. Give me more than just "it was hard work". Tell me how her muscles strained as she hauled the body across the floor. Tell me about the sweat running down her back with the exertion. Give me something other than "it was hard work". Tell me if it was buckets of rain or simply a light sprinkle, not just "it was wet".
There were very obvious times when the author was trying to manipulate the book. My favourite was when Lord Silverton ends up unconscious on the lounge because of a gas leak. He tells Eleanor that he must have fallen asleep on the chair and then the lights blew out. Eleanor decides that Lord Silverton didn't appear to be the sort of man who would fall asleep on a chair. Now I get that Ms Grange is trying to make us go "Ooooh, something more sinister must be happening" but I was simply left wondering what characteristics make a person the sort who would fall asleep on a chair or not fall asleep on a chair. Is there a psychologist who has studied it that can enlighten me? Also, Eleanor has known Lord Silverton for one day at this point, so I hardly think she is in a position to be making such judgements.
Then there are the obvious flaws, where the editor should be questioned as to their ability to do their job. For example, Eleanor is introduced to all the guests at a party by Lydia. Lydia says: "That's just about everyone. Except, of course, for Lord Silverton." (I won't get started on how contrived that dialogue is.) Eleanor then meets Lord Silverton and they have a conversation. Then, a short time later, Eleanor is thinking about something while "Lydia continued to introduce her to the other guests". Hadn't Lydia already declared that everyone but Lord Silverton had been introduced? And if there were actually more guests other than Lord Silverton, then it was a very silly thing for Lydia to say.
Overall it is so sloppy and amateur that I can't enjoy the story, but I wish it wasn't because if Ms Grange had done it well, it would have been just the sort of story I love. Let me summarise it as Ms Grange would: I felt disappointed.
May 28, 2019
Determined to protect her younger sister from a blackmailer, Eleanor sets off to meet the villain and runs afoul with a highwayman. A highwayman who happens to be an earl who has his reasons for playing at robbery. Danger brings these together, but will it be enough to keep them together?
One point lost for insta-love. When lady meets highwayman, sparks fly and energy surges when they touch. Yes, that old cliche. Still, Eleanor’s desire to protect her sister was admirable, and she showed a lot of courage to go after the blackmailer on her own, with a fraction of the price being demanded.
Lord Silverton’s reasons for playing at highwayman were understandable. Besides the insta-love, he was an interesting hero to be opposite our heroine.
The plot was fast moving. None of the side characters were particularly notable, playing their part well enough but not taking over.
I would recommend this for readers of Regency romance looking for a light, easy read.
One point lost for insta-love. When lady meets highwayman, sparks fly and energy surges when they touch. Yes, that old cliche. Still, Eleanor’s desire to protect her sister was admirable, and she showed a lot of courage to go after the blackmailer on her own, with a fraction of the price being demanded.
Lord Silverton’s reasons for playing at highwayman were understandable. Besides the insta-love, he was an interesting hero to be opposite our heroine.
The plot was fast moving. None of the side characters were particularly notable, playing their part well enough but not taking over.
I would recommend this for readers of Regency romance looking for a light, easy read.
March 6, 2020
The plot is ridiculous
So a young innocent maiden takes off in public transport to follow a blackmailer who she will simply convince by means of persuasion and argument to release the objects of his extortion then is subjected to highway robbery sees the very same robber at the house of a friend who happens to live near where the public conveyance was robbed and continues to pursue her prey through hell and highwater until she is smack dab in the middle of a murder and military espianoge... I would hazard a guess that the author's only familiarity with regency era conventions is from having read equally poorly written plots of other authors. Spare yourself the loss of a few hours.
So a young innocent maiden takes off in public transport to follow a blackmailer who she will simply convince by means of persuasion and argument to release the objects of his extortion then is subjected to highway robbery sees the very same robber at the house of a friend who happens to live near where the public conveyance was robbed and continues to pursue her prey through hell and highwater until she is smack dab in the middle of a murder and military espianoge... I would hazard a guess that the author's only familiarity with regency era conventions is from having read equally poorly written plots of other authors. Spare yourself the loss of a few hours.
November 19, 2017
A pleasant trip to the past
Sometimes I like to read just to escape into an easier time. This book just does that for me. It has wonderful characters and beautiful places in a much chaotic time. I really enjoyed this book which has been on my re-read list for a long time.
Sometimes I like to read just to escape into an easier time. This book just does that for me. It has wonderful characters and beautiful places in a much chaotic time. I really enjoyed this book which has been on my re-read list for a long time.
April 22, 2018
♥♥ I love a good romance with a spy mystery woven in. They are actually one of my favorites to read. The way our main characters meet, {him being a highwayman of all things!}, and her trying to desperately save her sister from blackmail and scandal. There were a couple of surprises with regards to the spying and uncovering those involved with the plot. It was nice because I usually figure it out before it's revealed, but this time I did not. Also, I'm glad this wasn't a love-at-first-sight book, which I'm usually not a fan of . While yes, there was a connection from the beginning, their relationship grew the longer their acquaintance and was more more believable.
CONTENT
Romance - Clean
Language - None
Violence - Mild
CONTENT
Romance - Clean
Language - None
Violence - Mild
January 26, 2016
The Silverton Scandal by Amanda Grange is a clean Regency romance set in 1810. While it is 100% clean, it is, as another reviewer wrote, an edgy romance.
Miss Eleanor Grantham, our twenty-six year-old on-the-shelf (by Regency standards) heroine, has spent the last few years being a surrogate mother and father to her beautiful sister Arabella. Arabella is about to get married to the heir of a duke. While still in the schoolroom, Arabella wrote a few letters to a neighboring young man who wrote poetry extolling her beauty. The letters have fallen into the wrong hands, and she is being blackmailed. The duke and his wife would certainly take exception to them and possibly jeopardize her upcoming marriage to the gentleman she loves. Eleanor takes matters into her own hands, tracking down the blackmailer in order to speak with him. While riding the stagecoach . . .
Lord Silverton, Lucien, waylays the coach in the guise of a highwayman. Eleanor and Lucien are at the same house shortly after, and recognize each right away. Why is wealthy Lord Silverton a highwayman?
What I liked
*This book really takes the prize for lots of very enjoyable interactions between the hero and heroine. They are attracted to one another, yes, and they admire each other. I loved their dialogue. It was witty, and yet felt realistic.
*The characters are great! You actually don't learn much about the secondary characters, and that's okay with me since I love the focus on Lucien and Eleanor.
What I didn't like
*I was hard pressed to come up with something here. I feel obligated to say there were a couple of instances in which the heroine does something not completely in keeping with Regency customs. However, these were explained well enough to satisfy me, and did not decrease my enjoyment of the story.
I'd recommend this to fans of Regency, historical, or clean romance. Just remember, it's a bit "edgy"!
Miss Eleanor Grantham, our twenty-six year-old on-the-shelf (by Regency standards) heroine, has spent the last few years being a surrogate mother and father to her beautiful sister Arabella. Arabella is about to get married to the heir of a duke. While still in the schoolroom, Arabella wrote a few letters to a neighboring young man who wrote poetry extolling her beauty. The letters have fallen into the wrong hands, and she is being blackmailed. The duke and his wife would certainly take exception to them and possibly jeopardize her upcoming marriage to the gentleman she loves. Eleanor takes matters into her own hands, tracking down the blackmailer in order to speak with him. While riding the stagecoach . . .
Lord Silverton, Lucien, waylays the coach in the guise of a highwayman. Eleanor and Lucien are at the same house shortly after, and recognize each right away. Why is wealthy Lord Silverton a highwayman?
What I liked
*This book really takes the prize for lots of very enjoyable interactions between the hero and heroine. They are attracted to one another, yes, and they admire each other. I loved their dialogue. It was witty, and yet felt realistic.
*The characters are great! You actually don't learn much about the secondary characters, and that's okay with me since I love the focus on Lucien and Eleanor.
What I didn't like
*I was hard pressed to come up with something here. I feel obligated to say there were a couple of instances in which the heroine does something not completely in keeping with Regency customs. However, these were explained well enough to satisfy me, and did not decrease my enjoyment of the story.
I'd recommend this to fans of Regency, historical, or clean romance. Just remember, it's a bit "edgy"!
February 19, 2017
3,5 stars.
As somebody before me has said, this book is a little "edgy". Neither writing nor developments and behaviour are quite "round". Yet still, the romance is sweet and the main characters are interesting. I could easily ignore the flaws and enjoy the story.
As somebody before me has said, this book is a little "edgy". Neither writing nor developments and behaviour are quite "round". Yet still, the romance is sweet and the main characters are interesting. I could easily ignore the flaws and enjoy the story.
August 17, 2013
Eleanor Grantham, intelligent but plain and poor, has been taking care of her very beautiful younger sister Arabella in Bath since the deaths of their parents. A mysterious stranger has stolen a packet of love letters sent between Arabella and a youthful romantic and is demanding money in a blackmail scheme. It seems Arabella is betrothed to a future duke and the scandal would be damaging.
Eleanor takes the stage to London to pay the blackmailer. On the way, the stage is accosted by a highwayman. With great courage and wit, she stands up to the man who is very tall, strong, and frightening. She stays the night at a relations' manor and she meets whom she thinks is the highwayman, the wealthy and influential Lord Silverton! Lord Silverton threatens Eleanor about what she knows and though quite terror-stricken by the looming brooding Lord Silverton, she nevertheless senses an animal attraction to the man.
Eleanor comes to the blackmailer's London townhouse to find him murdered and is again fiercely confronted by Lord Silverton who is also on the premises. He realizes he has put her life in jeopardy and insists on her staying at his own house while he sorts out the murder. In the time they spend together Lord Silverton also is totally fascinated with the brave and resourceful Eleanor and their romantic attraction intensifies.
What on earth is Lord Silverton embroiled in that he should hold up a stage coach and be in the home of a murdered blackmailer? Eleanor, at once frightened by him and yet strangely drawn to him must nevertheless trust him to protect her against sinister forces that aim to kill them both.
This was my first read by Amanda Grange and owing to the quality of the story, plot line, and fascinating characters, it certainly won't be my last. A brilliant amalgamation of edgy romance, adventure, mystery and intrigue, it won me over from the opening pages.
Eleanor takes the stage to London to pay the blackmailer. On the way, the stage is accosted by a highwayman. With great courage and wit, she stands up to the man who is very tall, strong, and frightening. She stays the night at a relations' manor and she meets whom she thinks is the highwayman, the wealthy and influential Lord Silverton! Lord Silverton threatens Eleanor about what she knows and though quite terror-stricken by the looming brooding Lord Silverton, she nevertheless senses an animal attraction to the man.
Eleanor comes to the blackmailer's London townhouse to find him murdered and is again fiercely confronted by Lord Silverton who is also on the premises. He realizes he has put her life in jeopardy and insists on her staying at his own house while he sorts out the murder. In the time they spend together Lord Silverton also is totally fascinated with the brave and resourceful Eleanor and their romantic attraction intensifies.
What on earth is Lord Silverton embroiled in that he should hold up a stage coach and be in the home of a murdered blackmailer? Eleanor, at once frightened by him and yet strangely drawn to him must nevertheless trust him to protect her against sinister forces that aim to kill them both.
This was my first read by Amanda Grange and owing to the quality of the story, plot line, and fascinating characters, it certainly won't be my last. A brilliant amalgamation of edgy romance, adventure, mystery and intrigue, it won me over from the opening pages.
June 14, 2013
Prelim Review: I'm fairly certain I read the Robert Hale release of this years ago, but I also got the freebie Kindle version (with a less striking cover sadly). Overall I enjoyed this book, but I was little put out by the easy way in which Silverton falls in with Eleanor's plans. Equally I found the whole premise as to why Eleanor would run off madcap into danger less than satisfactory. Not half a chapter after she rejoices in how she will finally be able to find a life for herself, once her younger sister is married to the heir to a Dukedom, she's running willy-nilly into the night to chase down the man blackmailing her sister. Apparently despite her otherwise common sense and practical nature, she doesn't think of consequences of running around without a maid.
The mystery or who Kendrick is, why he's important to most members of this book and how the tension is resolved was all handled well. Its obviously to nearly everyone that Silverton and Ellie have this attraction, but both pooh-pooh that as silly (vocally) while silently wondering about why the other is so intriguing (hint highwayman tend to intriguing only in romances, just like pirates and sheikhs).
The mystery or who Kendrick is, why he's important to most members of this book and how the tension is resolved was all handled well. Its obviously to nearly everyone that Silverton and Ellie have this attraction, but both pooh-pooh that as silly (vocally) while silently wondering about why the other is so intriguing (hint highwayman tend to intriguing only in romances, just like pirates and sheikhs).
October 2, 2012
There was a lot to commend this book. Both the hero and heroine were engaging, and the two mysteries were interesting. Ordinarily, this would have been a solid four stars. Amanda Grange writes well, and I can depend upon her books to be an enjoyable read. My problem with this book is there were two misunderstandings between the hero and heroine. The first could have been cleared up with a simple conversation (and every time the hero tried to initiate that conversation, he and the heroine got interrupted, thus prolonging the issue). The second I felt was just a trite device to keep the hero and heroine apart. I understand that authors have to set up conflict to make a plot interesting, but I just don't like the big misunderstanding. I wish she had used another device.
June 7, 2013
I picked this up as a freebee and was pleasantly surprised. The characters are likeable, and behaved like mature reasonable adults, mostly. I liked them both immensely. The suspenseful plot added a whole lot. It was even plausible!
The misunderstanding at the end was too much, and brought the story down in the rating a bit. That and a tendency of Grange to let the angst get a tad overdone. It wasn't overblown so much as a continual watered down rumination when her characters should have been acting instead of thinking the same thoughts over again.
Still, I look forward to finding other books by this author.
The misunderstanding at the end was too much, and brought the story down in the rating a bit. That and a tendency of Grange to let the angst get a tad overdone. It wasn't overblown so much as a continual watered down rumination when her characters should have been acting instead of thinking the same thoughts over again.
Still, I look forward to finding other books by this author.
July 16, 2013
Ah yes. Another one of Amanda Grange's classic love stories. There always has to be 2 or 3 setbacks for the couple to keep you entertained. Kinda predictable, but they're cute and easy reads. I still enjoy her books even if they are cheesy. They're clean love stories, which is pretty hard to find so I can deal with a little cheese.
June 8, 2013
This was a good clean read. I love these clean regency's and I am liking this author a lot. This one was fun and the main character was great. I love her strong will and her spirit. The leading man was strong and brudding enough to not be mean. These are just quick, fun, clean romance reads that are light and a little silly:}
May 29, 2013
I caught this for free on Amazon for Kindle. This is the first book by this author that I've read and I'm going to try more of her books in the future. She had just the right mix of romance and action. I'm always glad to find a clean romance.
June 3, 2013
Loved it, another enjoyable Regency romance by Amanda Grange...with a little mystery mixed in. The misunderstandings were frustrating, but caused some entertaining suspense. The ending was far too abrupt! I'm wistfully wishing for a sequel, I enjoyed the characters.
June 6, 2013
Fun, clean, romantic. This was an easy read, and kept my interest. It was not compelling, but fun, non-the-less. I don't like when the issues could be cleared up if they just talked it through, and the interruptions were annoying. Maybe once, but it happened several times.
January 27, 2014
I thought this was okay. The beginning was good, the middle dragged a little and the end annoyed me (which is why I bumped off a star).
Content
Romance: Clean.
Language: Mild, don't remember...
Violence: Mild
Content
Romance: Clean.
Language: Mild, don't remember...
Violence: Mild
April 20, 2014
Amanda Grange is such a solid, safe writer for me. I know I'm always going to get a good read. The Silverton Scandal had a good plot and great characters. I really loved Eleanor and Lucien's characters and sped through this book. A quick, easy, enjoyable read.
January 14, 2011
I enjoyed this book. The story was original and the easy and fun to read.
December 27, 2008
Another good one. Just enough suspense, romance and drama to make things fun. This one did have a little of the "oh brother just talk to each other about your feelings" bit but it was still good.
December 5, 2014
loved this book by.Amanda Grange
February 23, 2013
Another great Amanda Grange story. I really liked the hero and heroine in this story. From the first chapter I was hooked and finished it in one sitting!
April 15, 2013
Really liked it. Clean with less steam.
December 30, 2013
This was a fun, quick read. I liked it.
September 4, 2016
Not quite 4 stars. Started weak, but improved.
February 2, 2018
I think I've read this one six times now. My go to, when I'm not sure what I want to read.
November 1, 2012
Wonderful! A really fun and exciting story with great characters - especially the hero!
May 1, 2017
3.5☆
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews