REVIEW, Q&A & GIVEAWAY: A COMMON SCANDAL by Amanda Weaver

Posted June 2, 2016 by Vik Booklover in Blog Tours, Book Love, Giveaways, Guest Posts & Reviews, Home, Our Reviews, Release Blitz, Special Content & Excerpts, ❤ Reviews by Vik ♡ / 4 Comments

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A COMMON SCANDAL

The Grantham Girls #2

Amanda Weaver

Release Date: May 30, 2016.

Carina Press

Link to Follow Tour

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Blurb v2

Finishing school taught Amelia Wheeler how to put on a well-mannered performance—when she’s not bored and looking for trouble. Lady Grantham’s is behind her and now it’s time for Amelia to keep her promise to her dying mother: marry a title and leave her wild days behind.

That promise would be much easier to keep if Nate Smythe hadn’t just reappeared in a London ballroom. The son of an impoverished sailor, Nate—Natty, as he used to be called—has grown up to become handsome, rich and polished. He claims to be looking for a proper bride who can advance his business interests, but that doesn’t stop him from seeking out Amelia every chance he gets. Challenging her. Kissing her.

Suddenly, struggling against her simmering passion is the least of Amelia’s problems—one of her titled suitors is hiding a desperate secret that could stop Amelia from pleasing her parents or finding happiness with Nate. As a weeklong house party threatens to derail her hard-won future, Amelia must decide: fight against disaster or act like the lady she’s promised to become?

Review Vik v2
5coffeebean

Squeee… sorry for the ear & glass shattering glee but this book has left all too pleasant tingles that quickly escalated into full-blown case of glee. I am sad for this book to end (in HEA may I mention) but I will surely miss Amelia the spitfire and Natty— err I mean Nate the proper gentleman who is not a gentleman (and boy is he not). Although my first loves of Amanda’s The Grantham Girls Series are — were Victoria and Andrew (See my Review here) it was impossible not to fall in love with Amelia and Nate.

“I may have learned to slip in alongside them, but I have never—not once—claimed to be a gentleman.”
One long arm shot out to wrap around her waist, pulling her up tight against his chest. Her lips parted in shock, but before she could utter a single word, his mouth came down on hers.

As the series is based on the concept of New Money marrying into Old English titles to elevate the status of New Money the series takes a bit of a turn as we have two New Money legacy “children” looking into securing a future with a title. While Amelia and Natty grew up running on the docks and causing all kinds of trouble it is a completely different ball game during The Season in London as adults. One must behave to preserve their reputation. Concept that our fireball Amelia is not too familiar with. If she was born during our time she would have fit in perfectly but alas she is not and therefore sometimes says some things that shock the Society and casts her out even more. All the qualities that made me fall in love with her and I was not the only one. Nate Smythe spent his childhood with rambunctious Amelia and once he comes back into the society having elevated his status and earning quite bit of money he finds his dear Amelia has not changed.

When she dared to look up at his face, Nate was gone and he was Mr. Smythe again, the veneer of proper Society firmly in place. Genevieve’s training was so ingrained in her, it took only a moment for her to do the same, for Miss Wheeler the heiress, to step forward and leave Natty’s Amelia behind for the last time.

Puppy love no more now being 2 grown adults it was a pleasure seeing both of them fight off their attraction and blossoming love. Which in my opinion was only reinforced because it bordered on forbidden. It was entertaining and exciting to see their battle of wills and self-restraint once they were put into a house party setting. Now British house parties last a week and they basically become an episode of Bachelorette/Bachelor… all the hormones and all.

“It’s not nonsense and it’s not flattery. You’re the only woman I see, the only one in my heart, the only one in my soul. And I think you always have been.”

While I have enjoyed the story of the first book in the series, I fell in love with events of this book. So much laughter, so much high brow fun, a bit of scandal and the ever happy HEA. If you enjoy a good Historical Romance look no further than a week at Lady Evelyn’s house of courtship. Another fact why this book has became my favorite (so far) in the series is the pushing of the boundaries of old and traditional ways. Confused? Well read the damn book and you will completely understand my meaning.

Author QA v2

 

1) Where did the inspiration for The Grantham Girls come from? I’ve always loved the fashion of the era, and as a history buff, the Gilded Age has always held a fascination for me, particularly the “dollar marriages” between the new manufacturing millionaires and old impoverished European nobility. This whole series more or less revolves around that world, as does the next one, which I’ve just started outlining.
2) Favorite scene to write in the Common Scandal… or a quote- Oooh, there’s a pretty great scene that takes place in a secluded alcove in a garden. You can guess what happens there. Here’s a tiny quote from that scene:

“You’re playing with fire, Amelia.”

“Don’t I always? Maybe I like the heat.”

“You might get burned.”


3) Which couple (or hero/heroine) has been the most fun to write? and why?
I love all the heroines/ heroes from the Grantham Girls series, but I have to say, Amelia and Nate from this book were the most fun. Amelia is a firebrand, fearless and brash. She lets her passion lead her, with mixed results. Nate’s perfectly matched to her, just as strong and adventurous. He loves everything about her that scares off less worth suitors.


4) A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
A spirited heiress is determined to land a titled husband, but an undeniable passion with a man from her past threatens both their futures.


5) What are five books on your night stand/bookshelf?
How about in my kindle, since that’s where my TBR list lives?

One-Eyed Dukes Are Wild by Megan Frampton

The Magnate by Joanna Shupe

Chase Me by Laura Florand

The Dirty Secret by Kira Gold

The Sport of Baronets by Theresa Romain

    


6) You are in a bookstore which section do you head to first?
Romance. Always romance.


7) Coffee or tea?
Tea, but not by choice. I had to give up coffee a few years ago and I’m still in mourning.

Reading Order v2

Release Date: January 18, 2016

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Review Vik v2

Divider Teal

Release Date: May 30, 2016

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Divider Teal

Release Date: September 26, 2016

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Amanda Weaver has loved romance since she read that very first Kathleen E. Woodiwiss novel at fifteen. After a long detour into a career as a costume designer in theatre, she’s found her way back to romance, this time as a writer.
 
A native Floridian, Amanda transplanted to New York City many years ago and now considers Brooklyn home, along with her husband, daughter, two cats, and nowhere near enough space.
 

4 responses to “REVIEW, Q&A & GIVEAWAY: A COMMON SCANDAL by Amanda Weaver

    • Kris and Vik

      Totally our pleasure! I loved the Q&A and the book… and Amanda… well okay I enjoyed everything about this new release 🙂 – Vik

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