Lord of Scoundrels    by Loretta Chase Order:  USA  Can Avon, 2007 (2007) Paperback, e-Book     Reviewed by Kim Atchue-Cusella Jessica Trent heads to Paris to bail her hairbrained brother out of jail. He is constantly getting himself in trouble and has been hanging out with the notorious Marquess of Dain. Jessica is a fiercely independent woman who has made her own money buying and selling antiques. She hopes to open a shop that will bring in the wealthiest of society. She is intelligent, witty and presents a great challenge for Dain, after they meet at an antique store. The Marquess of Dain is known for womanizing, gambling and hanging out with unsavory characters. His character was formed by a childhood in which both parents abandoned him. He was an ugly child and his mother left with her lover when he was young. His father wanted nothing to do with him, called his mother a jezebel, and sent him away to a school where he was teased horribly. He learned to stand up for himself but was hardened in the process. Jessica and Dain are immediately attracted to each other and play a dangerous game of flirtation. After they are caught in a compromising situation, Dain walks away from her stating loudly that he will not marry her when he can get what he wants for free. Furious, Jessica tracks him down and shoots him. They are forced to wed, a marriage riddled with each attempting to outdo the other as they fall in love. When a young boy is introduced as the Marquess's son, Jessica knows that the mother is using him to get Dain's money. But she also knows that the boy must not grow up as Dain did and that it will help her husband to face his own childhood if he gets to know and understand his own son. Lord of Scoundrels has a hero and a heroine who are well suited. The journey that they take before falling in love is filled with passion, wit and poignant moments. Jessica helps Dain face his childhood and learn that he is not an ugly man in his maturity. She finds him beautiful. Like a warm blanket, this pleasurable, tender story is a good one to curl up with on a cold afternoon. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews