Double standards plague well bred young ladies in Georgian
England. They are to act in a manner that protects their
reputation while the gentlemen of society can do as they
well please. When it is time to marry, there is little they
can do to attract the attention of the gentleman who holds
their heart. Julianne Gatewick could not sit back and watch
her brother's best friend, the Earl of Hawkfield, from afar
any longer. Knowing that Hawk avoids the topic of marriage
like he would the plague, Julianne takes matters into her
own hands and seduces the scoundrel.
HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL is the second book in Vicky
Dreiling's How To series. Hawk has an extensive reputation
of being a rake but that does not stop Julianne. She has
turned down twelve proposals for marriage with hopes that
her dashing Earl will see the folly of his ways and realize
that she is the lady for him. The major problems are, of
course, the fact that Hawk has known her since she was a
child and that he is her brother's best friend which makes
her off limits. She hopes that the time they spend together
as guardian and charge will open his eyes to the woman that
she has become.
When Julianne realizes that she is not the only lady who is
having troubles catching the man of her dreams she places
her crystal clear reputation on the line to write a
pamphlet that will aid others in seducing a scoundrel. Only
problem is if her tips do not work in her personal dilemma,
how can she suggest others to try them.
This was an enchanting story of glorious balls and
horrendous poetry readings. The reader can't help but fall
for Hawk's charm and humor. Julianne is a budding heroine
who stumbles every now and then when she lets her heart
take over her brain. The forbidden courtship will make you
laugh in sections and sigh in others. A wonderful read for
those who like flawed fairy tales.
Miss Julianne Gatewick is in a pickle. It started when her
brother's best friend-for whom she's long nursed a secret
tender-agreed to act as her guardian for the Season, only to
seduce her with a risqué waltz.
But when the music stopped
and the expectant ton waited for Marc Darcett, Earl of
Hawkfield, to claim her as his own, he made his disinterest
clear. Rather than succumb to humiliation, Julianne does
what any self-respecting, recently discarded young miss with
a wicked sense of humor would do. She secretly pens a lady's
guide to enticing unrepentant rakes . . . and it becomes the
hottest scandal sheet in London.
Every honorable rake knows
that friends' sisters are forbidden. But suddenly Julienne
has a spark of mischief in her eyes that Hawk can't resist.
Try as he might to push her away, he spends his days
listening for her laughter and his nights dreaming of
kissing her senseless. He's always avoided innocents and
their marriage-minded mothers, but has the man least likely
to wed finally met his match?