Early Review of Scandal Takes the Stage (The Wicked Quills of London #2) by Eva Leigh

Title: Scandal Takes the Stage
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: The Wicked Quills of London
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (October 27, 2015)
ISBN-10: 0062358642
ISBN-13: 978-0062358646
Author's Websites: http://evaleighauthor.com/ &
http://www.zoearcherbooks.com/
Notes: I was given an eARC loan by the publisher.

She hides a passionate nature under a cool and indifferent veneer

He hides the heart of a true romantic behind a rakish facade

He is all she despises

She is all he desires

He sees her as a challenge

She sees him as a threat to all she’s worked for

When her writer’s block threatens to derail her career, he’ll step in and use it as a means to get closer to her

Dare she give in to the attraction between them?
Will she regret it if she doesn't?

This is the second book of the lovely new series entitled The Wicked Quills of London and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Maggie is a playwright and all of London knows it. She's also Eleanor's best friend in Forever Your Earl. If you haven't read Forever Your Earl, don't worry. You won't feel lost.
This book focuses primarily on the couple whose story lies therein.

The life of a viscount is one marked by privilege, respect, and envy, but there is a down side. There are expectations, obligations, and a path that has already been chosen. Many feel trapped and limited. “For viscounts, feelings are not quite fashionable. Or useful. We are supposed to be dedicated either to the pursuit of entertainment, or else devoted to duty. Feelings have no place in any of that.” Thus, many rebel by over indulging in women, wine, and gaming until they can escape their duty and/ or obligations no more. Such is the current path Cameron Chalton, the Viscount of Marwood. His one true love is the theatre. When he meets the young and beautiful playwright whose work, The Shattered Heart, he admires, he is enthralled and never more so.

Maggie Delamere is a self made woman who had to find her place in the world on her own merits. She is no stranger aristocracy, but one of her previous encounters left her with a bad taste in her mouth that she is unlikely to forget. She doesn't hold them in very high esteem. Whenever possible she avoids them. That sentiment is reflected in her plays where members of the aristocracy are almost always cast as villains whom commoners must punish for their wicked deeds. When Cameron shows an interest in her, she hopes he’ll lose it quickly, but the man is nothing if not persistent. She immediately knows the gorgeous man will spell trouble, The question is, would that trouble be worth it?

I ended up giving this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. It was a fun, lighthearted, sexy romp of a read that I immensely enjoyed. The characters were fun and engaging and while I didn't fall into insta-love with Cameron, he eventually charmed his way into my heart. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earns a SHOWER rating--a cold shower may be necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol

Notes to Keep You in the Know:

In case you were wondering, “An Orange Girl or Orange Wench, stood in the pit with her back to the stage and sold oranges in between acts. Orange Girls also acted as liaisons between audience members and actresses, running back stage to deliver messages for later rendezvous.” Found at: http://www.london.umb.edu/index.php/entry_detail/women_in_the_restoration_theatre/theatre_intro/

Order of the series: