London, 1845

Miss Grace Banbury did not imagine that her circumstances could grow more dire. After all, her mother gambled away all the family’s money and possessions, including their London home and country manor, then promptly fled, leaving Grace to weather the crisis alone. However, after making her way to London on her own to find her brother, Grace learns that her situation is indeed far worse than she imagined. The new owner has already taken possession of the London house, leaving Grace homeless, and he has also won something else from her mother.

When Daniel Throckmorten informs Grace that he won Grace as well as the house, she is both humiliated and furious, if not surprised by her mother’s actions. However, she has no intention of honoring her mother’s bet. Instead, she makes a desperate wager herself. She proposes that if she can resist being seduced by Daniel for two weeks, he must return a certain family heirloom. Grace reasons if she wins back the valuable family violin, she can sell it for a tidy sum and find a modest home for herself. Winning the wager should prove ridiculously easy. However, Daniel is remarkably determined and extremely alluring. Grace is very close to succumbing to his charm. But worse than losing the bet is the frightening notion that she may be losing her heart as well.

Contrary to what Grace believes, Daniel never had any intention of collecting her mother’s bet. Daniel only wanted the violin. It was another gambler in the game who demanded Grace’s mother sweeten the pot with her daughter’s hand in marriage. He has no desire to wed Grace. However, now that he has met the lovely Grace, he knows he wants her in his bed. He has every confidence he will win her wager, for he always wins, but as he spends time with Grace he is learning that total victory will come with a high price.

NEVER TRUST A SCOUNDREL is a bit of a misnomer, for the hero in the story, Daniel, quickly proves himself to be honorable and caring. To the world he may appear a cynical gambler, and where Grace is concerned he is definitely a charming rogue bent on seduction, but in no way is he a villain in this piece. Indeed, the more time Grace spends in his company, the more she is drawn to him. She learns he has suffered in his past, and Grace can relate to that for she has been hurt by her mother innumerable times. As the story progresses, she yearns to find a way to help him resolve the difficult issues from his past. Of course, the irony is that Grace, although extremely spirited and self-reliant, also needs to be healed from her emotional angst as well. The two are a good pairing. They both discover the healing power of love through a romance that is touching and passionate.

NEVER TRUST A SCOUNDREL launches Ms. Callen’s Sons of Scandal series. It’s a success for several reasons, one being the delightful battle of wills between hero and heroine. Is Grace’s formidable resolve able to withstand Daniel’s calculated and highly persuasive seduction? Readers who enjoy plenty of sexual tension between their characters and a steamy romance will appreciate this story. However, Daniel’s seduction is also of the mind and heart and sure to be enjoyed by sentimentalists as well. He and Grace are well drawn, three-dimensional characters who come complete with flaws and vulnerabilities. Readers will want to spend time with them to see which one will win their scandalous bet.

Sandra Brill