A Scandalous Request

One more new author I discovered with this great read.
The blurb had me wondering in what I got myself into. I feared at first a story of betrayal with cheaters, and if there was, it was not about marriage vows. Sure, the heroine’s husband asks a man to seduce his wife, because he can’t offer her this part of their contract.
Rose has been betrayed by those who should have protected her, her own sister does not care for her and her brother-in-law has base ambitions for her. Why she thought she has finally found peace with her friend Ashton when he proposed a marriage of convenience to escape their fate. But later she will discover there are degrees in the betrayal.
Burke, The Earl of Blackwood thought his life all traced, managing his business, carousing with women he knows he will never ask for more, playing and drinking with his few friends until a business partner offered him a scandalous request. He rejected it at first, then the closer he becomes of Rose, the more he comprehend she is not the usual lofty woman he associates with. She makes him seek for a different path, one with hope and a not lonesome future.
Then everything shattered.
I was quite upset and horrified for Rose when everyone turned their back from her. Even Burke. I was angry at him for immediately thinking the worst of her and never giving her the time of a doubt.
But his upbringing is also the result of his distrust of women. It does not absolve him for not believing in her, but once he understood he was misguided, he works to mend the right he crafted.
My heart cried for Rose, it was like she was left alone in the world, with no shoulder on which to lean on.
It was a reconquest of what they shared at one time but lost in a hurtful way because of Evil people and Burke’s insecurities. I cheered Rose because despite her good heart, the scars left by Burke’s failed trust, she knew her own faith in him was crushed. Only time and a great act of generosity might help her envision a different outcome than a solitary life.
Mrs Micki Miller forged a heartfelt tale of two people after finding another will have to create their own path if they do not want to get lost. Treason and suspicion lurk at every corner, so whom can they trust?
I was provided a copy by Netgalley and the publisher The Wild Rose Press but I decided after reading this book to purchase my own edition. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I do hope the author will feature a sequel with Burke’s friend Drew.

Rose Evans has been betrayed by those she thought she could trust, and by those who she ought to have be able to trust throughout her life, and throughout this book.

This book has both highs and lows, and throughout it all Rose is proven to be a survivor, even when all those around her betray her and believe the worst of her.
Unfortunately I am also including the “hero”, in this description. At what could be argued Rose’s lowest/most vulnerable point (though there are several), the “hero” visits to confirm that she has gotten “what she deserves”, to be frank I do not believe the grovelling was sufficient enough, so I am still angry at Burke. I do not think an altercation with the ornate pig in this instance would be out of line (the pig being a high-point).

Overall, its a well written, well paced story with a murder, and many suspected culprits free and out to kill again. I do think however that there are a number of scenes, including the graphic first chapter describing the attack of her brother-in-law, that were perhaps not necessarily needed to illustrate the betrayal of the heroine in such detail, as it is these scenes that may make readers stop reading the book before it is finished, and given the trigger nature of this scene in particular, perhaps it would have been better served to illustrate Rose's motivations for marriage as a flashback.

I will read more by this author, and I did enjoy the novel, but I think it is important for readers to go into this one aware of its content. There’s a lot going for this book, so 3.5 stars.

This was a really fresh take on families of choice and an accepting, loving unconventional relationship in a very restrictive time, but the author chose to go with a "bury your gays" trope when it wasn't strictly necessary for the plot to advance to the happily ever after.

London, 1812. After fleeing the clutches of her vile brother-in-law, Rose Evans finds refuge in the home of her dear friend, Lord Ashton Sennett. They come to an agreement, a marriage of friendly convenience. Since another holds claim to Ashton's heart and body, he seeks to see that Rose experiences all life has to offer. And so to Lord Darington he makes a most scandalous request. Burke Darington, Third Earl of Blackwood and an austere, solitary man, can scarce believe his ears. Apparently, his whispered reputation has earned him an outrageous solicitation – Lord Sennett wants him to seduce his wife. Though Burke finds Rose fascinating, sweet, intelligent, and with a unique bent toward independence, she is also innocent. She deserves better than to be fouled by a tainted man. A seduction, a shooting, and an unexpected matter of the heart, throw two wounded souls into a sensational scandal.
This was a really good story. My favorite part of it was Rose. She went through so much just to find peace. For the most part, I did like Burke. I had issues with the detail (although well-written) of the scene with the brother-in-law as I generally don’t like reading those types of scenes. It takes the enjoyment out of the books for me. Overall though, I did enjoy it and I do recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

A Scandalous Request by Micki Miller. The Wild Rose Press, Inc, 2018.

In this Regency era romance, Rose accepts sanctuary from her lecherous brother in law and bitter sister in return for marrying a friend, giving him and his lover a cover, deflecting suspicion about their relationship. Wishing Rose to also enjoy some love and affection, her husband chooses and approaches a lover (=the "scandalous request") for her shortly before he is murdered. When she is imprisoned for her husband’s murder, both her lover and her husband’s turn against her.

I enjoyed this well written and engaging lite romance/murder mystery.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of A Scandalous Request for free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Good writing, fast paced and lots of drama. The problem I had was that I knew from the beginning that there was only one way that this book could end for the main characters to find happiness and I almost didn't want to finish the book.

Oh no... I could not get into this book! I tried bit the story was jist not my cup of tea... I was bored. I completed 75% of it and stopped.
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