A Scandalous Pursuit

By: Ava Stone

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

Even the most ruthless of rogues live by their own code of honor, and for Alexander Everett, the wicked Duke of Kelfield, his includes not seducing the ward of his oldest and dearest friend. However for a man who is accustomed to getting what he wants, the lure of the forbidden fruit is enough to drive him wild. When he finds himself under the same roof as the enchanting Olivia Danbury at a summer house party, he discovers the temptation of the lady is more than he can resist. Olivia, on the other hand, has the rest of her life all mapped out. When her fiance returns from the Peninsular Wars, they'll get married, settle down in the country, start a family, and live happily ever after.

The sinfully sexy Duke of Kelfield was not in her plans. But when she stumbles headlong into a compromising position with the passionate duke, her carefully constructed life quickly begins to unravel. In no time, Olivia must choose between the life she's always planned and everything she never knew she wanted.

©2011 Second Wind Publishing (P)2013 Ava Stone

A DUKE + A VIRGIN = A DELICIOUS REGENCY LISTEN

Another awesome addictive listen as AS transports us back to the Regency era where we encounter Alexander and Olivia then we witness and share in their passionate love affair.

What I love about AS's writing is that you can visualise the scenes, see the characters in your mind and understand the many conflicts that befall them. If you want to listen to a handsome Rake's slow seduction of an innocent engaged virgin, whose life takes her on an unplanned whirlwind course since meeting him, which leads to his eventual reformation - then look no further.

Entertaining, enjoyable, fun, tender, romantic, hotter than previous books, sad, frustrating, with good secondary characters and a few surprises are all words I'd use to describe this story of two people who have great chemistry, a passion for each other and who eventually save themselves from what fate had in store for them.

Worth a credit? A sweet listen that's absolutely worth the credit - but for those of you who like an absolutely historically correct listen then I'm not sure all the words, phrases etc were 'time' correct.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

INNOCENT LOST

I like this novel it speaks of an innocent young lady introduced to intimacy too early. It's amazing what a treasure hunt would provide a button and wonderful sculpture of a man. The duke who is well known as a rake one who never marry until he meets Olivia...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Just my thing

Ok! If you know me, you know I have a type(when it comes to books)
I love May/ December romances, alpha bad boys paired with spirited virgins. A heroine who does something to make the hero jealous.

This book checks all the boxes. Need I say more?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A sweet scandal

Any additional comments?

I admit I like sweet predictable romances. Well, not too predictable, but only in a sense that I want to know the story has a good ending. It reduces the stress when I already have enough of it in my life so reading has to be something sweet and without stress and this book certainly is. I love the begining of the book and how cleverly Ava puts the two in the Duke's room. I wish she had added a bit more difficulties for excitement in the book but then the story is still good without it. A good light read.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Wow...Wow...and just WOW! Loved it

I approached this series by reading this book first. When I'm not too sure whether a series is worth it, I read the book with the highest ratings from the series. I read this book first because of the very high reviews and also because a reformed rake is always interesting to me.

I really enjoyed this book. There was such a nice equilibrium between tension and triumph. There are some novels that portray the hero with such gruesome qualities before an impending transformation, that you just can't forgive the hero even after his transformation. Well, Ava Stone takes the reader close to the cuff of dislike for this hero during the very darkest moments of the relationship before the metaphorical morning light shines through.

Alexander Everett, has gained the reputation of the "wicked" Duke of Kelfield because he's a notorious man-whore...seriously. And, when innocent Olivia (Livvie) Danbury is found in a compromising position, by none other than her uncle, in Alex's room, her life takes a serious turn. Livvie found herself in that compromising position because she was participating in a house party with her young friends and was seeking a button from one of Kelfield's coats. She ends up hiding in his closet and when he opens the closet door....well the rest is history. What makes this situation even stickier is that Livvie is engaged to her childhood sweetheart, Phillip Moore, who is off at war. Phillip is expected to arrive home soon as the war has ended.

Although Alexander has no intention to marry, he is not opposed to the idea of being forced into a marriage with Livvie since he has wanted her for more than a year. Livvie, on the other hand, is quite opposed and does everything in her power to stay away from him, yet her fate is quite sealed. She marries Kelfield due to societal pressures.

Some of the aspects I love about this book is how Kelfied falls in love with Livvie first and uses all of his charms and male wantonness to draw Livvie to him in the hopes of making her forget her affections for her ex-fiance. Kelfield is relentless, smooth, and truly cares for Livvie. He falls in love with a passion and force that is persistent and consuming. How can Livvie possibly resist such a love and how can the reader resist Kelfield after his gives his heart to Livvie?

Livvie is such an appealing heroine. Even though she is inevitably impacted by societal norms and forced into this marriage to Kelfied, she is exactly what he needs in a woman. Livvie helps Alex find peace and resolve deeply seated, emotional issues in his life. Livvie is very loving and willingly accepts his 5 year old daughter Poppy. Because Poppy was born out of wedlock there is a stigma that Livvie accepts in raising her in their family home. Livvie is beautiful inside and out. She is intelligent, well-spoken and manages Kelfield well.

There is a part in the marriage, where Alex leaves Livvie after they are madly in love with one another. He leaves her when he finds her reading Phillip's letter late at night and he becomes ragingly jealous and suspects that she still loves Phillip. Well, this is not true of course. Livvie simply feels regret for hurting Phillip, but try explaining that to a love-sick man who has gotten that idea in his head and will not let it go!----Ugh!

What I appreciate from the author during this time is that although Alex goes koo-koo and engages in binge drinking and gambling, he is still faithful to Livvie....WHEW!!!! That was so close because I would have been so upset if he would have cheated on her.
---Thankfully, Alex comes to his senses and all of their issues get resolved with much work from the help of friends and Livvie's persistence. She's just amazing! How can Alex NOT love her? No way, they are perfect for one another and this was a perfect summer read.....love it!

Stevie Zimmerman is an excellent narrator....love her talent!

4 of 7 people found this review helpful

An enthralling listen

I rarely leave reviews but I'm absolutely obsessed with this series. Ms. Stone is quite the writer. I've been captivated from start to end.

Good story but too similar to book 2

There was just enough new info to keep me listening but was discouraged many times that I was hearing the same story from Book 2. I will hope book 3 has an entirely different story as I really enjoyed books 1 and 2.

Innocent Miss and Scandalous Rake Must Marry!

I really enjoyed this book in Ava Stone's Scandalous series. The Regency characters really come to life with Stevie Zimmerman's narration. She did a good job with all the characters, both male and female. There were a lot of characters to keep straight, so it was quite a feat.

The Duke of Kelfield is one of the most notorious rakes in London, and Olivia Danbury is an innocent miss just trying to have a little fun at a country house party. These two could not be more different, but when they are caught in what appears to be a compromising position, they decide to make the best of it and get married. Complications abound, what with former fiances, former mistresses, and an adorable daughter thrown into the mix. Do they have a chance at a happy marriage? Each is determined to give it a try. There are a lot of emotions in this story, from the giddiness of falling in love, to the heartbreak of betrayal and memories of a troubled past. Plus there is plenty of steamy romance. The duke is a hard character to like sometimes, but it's easy to see why the sweet Olivia would be his perfect duchess.

not for me

Started out not liking the story and ended up skipping to the end. I think it was the opening scene, after that couldn't really like the hero. And the heroine was frustrating too. Others in the series so far I enjoyed. Narrator was good.

Loved it!

Loved the spirit of the characters. I felt like I got to know them well. I bought this on a sale and am now going back to read the whole series.