Notorious

This is an entertaining Regency romance

Susanna Burney and James Devlin were in love. However, the day after their wedding vows, she abruptly left him. Over the ensuing years Susanna worked diligently to insure she and her two wards would be financially secure. Likewise, James did the same to insure he would never worry about money ever again.

They see each other for the first time since the breakup and both know they still are attracted to one another. He happens to be engaged to Emma for two years though her affluent parents prefer his cousin Frederick Walters. Likewise his sister Chessie detests that he has become one of Emma's groveling pets. Susanna prays he keeps his mouth shut over her past and he wonders why she interferes with the pending betrothal between Chessie and Fitzwilliam Alton. However what Dev really wants to know from her is why she left him..

This is an entertaining Regency romance starring an avaricious seeking male and a for hire relationship destroyer. The story line is fast-paced and fun to read though the back story of what happened years ago between the protagonists seems inane and unlikely. Still those historical sub-genre fans that put aside their plausibility meter will enjoy the zany antics of the Ton in this over the top of the London Tower tale.

Harriet Klausner

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A wonderful, eye widening roller coaster!

Before we begin, let us just take another moment to admire that cover art. Take several minutes if you must. There isn't anything about that cover that isn't great. And after looking at Cornick's website, I'm seeing that most of her cover art is top notch. Bravo!

Moving on to the story .

Conflict is a crucial element in story telling. Without it you have a . well, not much of a story. Some authors center on one main conflict. Some authors throw in a second or third smaller conflict to go along with a main one. Cornick just goes nuts. Roller coaster is a good explanation. A wonderful, eye widening roller coaster. Honestly, I've never seen a more twisted web in historical romance.

James and Susanna want one thing, financial stability. Both have searched and found their marks only to find themselves positioned to be in each other's way. Neither can budge, and yet someone has to. Neither can blow the whistle on the other, least they find themselves discovered. And the conflicts mount as the story goes on. In fact, I lost count of the number of conflicts. However, it is not confusing. It's very cleverly laid out. It's a complex storyline with one thread that can pull it all apart, and when Cornick pulls that thread it all falls apart painfully and beautifully.

There were a lot of questions I had while reading this book, and had it not been for so much going on those questions might have bothered me. So the amount of conflict worked very well here. What didn't work for me was the story line of the hero's sister. I did not connect with this character, nor was I happy with her ending. However, she is a side-character and this did not take away from James and Susanna's story.

Over all I found this to be a heavy read. It is very emotional in dealing with loss, regret, and mistakes people make in their youth. One that is beautifully written, entertaining, and very seductive.

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As decadent as dark chocolate!

Epic romance tends to guard its deepest, darkest secrets closest to the heart rather than wear them on its sleeve, so pardon James Devlin if he fails to acknowledge his perfect-in-every-way fiancée when he spots his dead wife across the ballroom. No, not zombified, but very much alive and currently seducing a gentleman away from Devlin's sister!

Susanna Burney had learned long ago that love is not invincible and has found a lucratrive job in helping disapproving mamas and papas of the ton to break up an unwanted courtship. This was supposed to have been an easy come-hither-and-dash deal, but Susanna did not count on running into her past in the form of a husband she had discarded long ago.

Egads - I just realized James Devlin and I are the same age (27) as of a few months ago, and I can hardly say that I have everything I have ever wanted. Back on subject, though, Notorious was a scrumptious feast for this reader who practically inhaled it up her nose! The tension tightly bound like a corset, the love-hate bubbling to a delicious boil, the secrets as decadent as dark chocolate, Nicola Cornick nailed the emotional rollercoaster on the nail and I cried my eyes out. There were some awkward moments in Notorious that felt a little too melodramatic, but these were mostly side-plots that snuck in for a few seconds of pagetime. Otherwise, I loved how Susanna was a match-breaker - I don't think I've run across such a concept before and thought it awfully smart!

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RATING:4.5! A MUST READ! NOTORIOUS NICOLA CORNICK...

NOTORIOUS by Nicola Cornick is an exciting historical romance set in Regency England. It is book #4 in The Scandalous Women of The Ton,but can be read as a stand alone. See Book #1"Whisper of Scandal",Book 2 "One Wicked Sin" and Book 3 " Mistress By Midnight".This is a wonderful series that shows not only strong,wicked,sexy,heros,but also strong,beautiful heroines. Who can stand their ground,hold their own against a tough, determined advisory and come out one of the winners. While James Devlin,cousin to the hero of Whisper of Scandal,is London's most shocking rake,he needs respectability,a society heiress,and is bored to near death with his so called fiance. Enter,Lady Carew,Caroline,a mysterious woman of Devlin's past.This story has everything a romance should.It has sweet sensuality,secrets,romance,love,mystery,a ruin engagement,a notorious match breaker,who is paid by rich parents to end their loved ones unsuitable engagements,family,deception,and second chances. This is a fast paced,page turning story that will leave you breathless. Nortorious is a must read and a keeper.This is an awesome story of what a young naive couple who find each other again after nine years of secrets can have a second chance at true love. I enjoy this author's work and this one is another keeper. This book was received for the purpose of review from the author,Net Galley and the publisher.Details can be found at HQN and My Book Addiction and More.

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Great Read

Choosing love or money can be a pressing issue for someone who has been starving and homeless and alone as a child. If one cannot have money AND love then some hard decisions have to be made.

Sir James Devlin may have an air of confidence and authority now, but he was once one of the starving and homeless. Even though a good navy man, he has little money. He has a deep desire for wealth and status that will insure he is never destitute again. Engaged to the spoiled, but rich young Emma, daughter of Earl and Countess Brooke, Devlin is bored stiff with the social life of the ton but tolerates the tedium and Emma's possessiveness for his soon-to-be security as a member of the elite Brooke family.

Susanna aka Lady Caroline Carew appears with Fitzwilliam, Devlin's sisters Francesca's love. Like Devlin, Susanna knows poverty, its degradation, fear, pain, and suffering. She does what she must to keep it at bay for herself and the twins Rose and Rory. She is a beauty with all the attributes (a lithesome body, exquisite style, and a touch of mystery) for the job she does as a "heartbreaker".

As these two characters collide and their back stories unfold, the reader gets a fantastic, vicarious experience that is full of secrets, fears, fun, and heartache. The sexual awakening of young, spoiled Emma Brooke, the heartbreaking love that Francesca Devlin has for Fitzwilliam and clings to at tremendous costs, plus the emotional roller coaster with Devlin and Susanna create a page turning story with "oh-such-yes" love scenes and plot twists that intrigue.

Nicola Cornick weaves past and present stories together as smooth as silk. She touches the reader's senses with fear, fun, and love that amazes. Notorious is a captivating tale of what one will do for love or money. Good entertainment!

Originally posted at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

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