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Scoundrel
From bestselling author Debra Dier comes a story filled with romance, intrigue, and memorable characters. Scoundrel is set during the glittering Regency period in England.
This edition includes revisions to characters and plot while maintaining the original story. Scoundrel is the first book in the Beyond the First Blush series.
Independent minded Emily Maitland knew her parents would never allow her younger sisters to attend the Season until she married. Since she had no intention of making a loveless match with some witless fop or sentencing her sisters to spinsterhood, she eloped with the perfect man. Major Sheridan Blake was her ideal husband: handsome, charming, dashing—and completely imaginary. She was stunned when a counterfeit Major Blake marched into her life and claimed her as his bride. Determined to vanquish the handsome rogue without revealing her own deception, Emily soon discovers the bewildering scoundrel is even more intriguing than any ideal from her imagination.
An agent for the Ministry, Simon St. James exploited Emily’s deception to suit his mission. He was searching for a traitor smuggling arms to Napoleon’s army. He found an auburn haired virago who could heal his wounded soul. Trapped in the web of his own deception, he would fight the devil himself for the chance of winning his lady.
Scoundrel was nominated for the Romantic Times (RT Reviews) Regency Historical Romance of the Year award.
“Debra Dier pens a delightfully original romance. Scoundrel is an enchanting book to treasure.”—RT Reviews
This edition includes revisions to characters and plot while maintaining the original story. Scoundrel is the first book in the Beyond the First Blush series.
Independent minded Emily Maitland knew her parents would never allow her younger sisters to attend the Season until she married. Since she had no intention of making a loveless match with some witless fop or sentencing her sisters to spinsterhood, she eloped with the perfect man. Major Sheridan Blake was her ideal husband: handsome, charming, dashing—and completely imaginary. She was stunned when a counterfeit Major Blake marched into her life and claimed her as his bride. Determined to vanquish the handsome rogue without revealing her own deception, Emily soon discovers the bewildering scoundrel is even more intriguing than any ideal from her imagination.
An agent for the Ministry, Simon St. James exploited Emily’s deception to suit his mission. He was searching for a traitor smuggling arms to Napoleon’s army. He found an auburn haired virago who could heal his wounded soul. Trapped in the web of his own deception, he would fight the devil himself for the chance of winning his lady.
Scoundrel was nominated for the Romantic Times (RT Reviews) Regency Historical Romance of the Year award.
“Debra Dier pens a delightfully original romance. Scoundrel is an enchanting book to treasure.”—RT Reviews
468 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
17 people are currently reading
562 people want to read
About the author
Debra Dier
20 books45 followersRumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. The first time I saw a reader mention my possible demise in an online review, chills rippled over my skin. It is odd to read someone say she loves you and she thinks you must have died because nothing new has been published in years. To that reader and to anyone else who may have mourned my passing I say: I have been buried in all the wonderful joys and duties and responsibilities of motherhood.
Yes, other writers manage to keep pumping out books while dealing with children. I think I may have continued, except I had the loss of my mom hit right at the time I was finishing the last book on my contract. I just couldn't find the heart to pick up my quill. Instead, I plunged into volunteer work. Once I left that realm where the written word reigned, I never sought a way back into it. I was Alice who forgot about the looking glass.
My best friend gave me a magnet a couple of years ago that had “Stop me before I volunteer again!” emblazoned across the shiny surface beneath the face of a young woman who resembled me. She told me she was tired of waiting for another book. I realized my short hiatus from writing had turned into a twelve year sabbatical. I stepped back into my office, looked at my computer and decided she was right. I sat down and began writing the first book in a series of fantasy novels for older teens and adults.
While I was working on the new series, I obtained the rights to all of my previously published novels. The next day a New York publisher contacted me and asked to buy the rights to those novels. They wanted to publish them immediately. It was tempting, but instead of allowing those books to be published in their original form, I decided to take a peek at them and see if there was anything I might do differently today. I was always the type of writer who would have been revising in the bookstore if bookstores did not frown upon such tactics. The first book, Beyond Forever, took eight months to re-write. In reality, I kept the concept and a little of the original and wrote a new book. The result is A Twist of Fate which will be available late November 2013.
In the past year I have reconnected with an old love—writing. As I work my way through the old novels, I find my concepts and choices concerning characters and plot have altered over the years. I am currently working on revising all the old books. And yes, eventually, soon I hope, I will return to the new series. Before I get another magnet from Kim.
Debra Dier is the bestselling author of sixteen critically acclaimed romance novels and short stories. Her work has earned her a place in the Writer's Hall of Fame.
Deb was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York. Although she always knew she wanted to do something creative in life, well-meaning family members talked her into doing something in a much more practical light. She received a BS in Information Systems Management and headed down a career path that included writing computer code and designing computer systems. It wasn't exactly what she had in mind when she thought of a purely creative career. For some mystifying reason, she was put on a fast track in that career and became a manager of other programmers and analysts in a large corporation at a young age. It was then she decided to try her hand at writing something other than computer systems. After her first novel, Surrender the Dream was published, she took the plunge into writing full time. She has never regretted that decision.
When her daughter was a toddler, Debra decided to take a short hiatus from writing to concentrate on all things motherhood. There wasn't a task she didn't take on, including making Halloween costumes, volunteering for room parent every year, and becoming a Girl Scout leader. By the way, her idea of camping is staying at a three star hotel. Not precisely the roughing it kind of girl. At the urging of her daughter, Deb has found herself sleeping on a mat in a ten
Yes, other writers manage to keep pumping out books while dealing with children. I think I may have continued, except I had the loss of my mom hit right at the time I was finishing the last book on my contract. I just couldn't find the heart to pick up my quill. Instead, I plunged into volunteer work. Once I left that realm where the written word reigned, I never sought a way back into it. I was Alice who forgot about the looking glass.
My best friend gave me a magnet a couple of years ago that had “Stop me before I volunteer again!” emblazoned across the shiny surface beneath the face of a young woman who resembled me. She told me she was tired of waiting for another book. I realized my short hiatus from writing had turned into a twelve year sabbatical. I stepped back into my office, looked at my computer and decided she was right. I sat down and began writing the first book in a series of fantasy novels for older teens and adults.
While I was working on the new series, I obtained the rights to all of my previously published novels. The next day a New York publisher contacted me and asked to buy the rights to those novels. They wanted to publish them immediately. It was tempting, but instead of allowing those books to be published in their original form, I decided to take a peek at them and see if there was anything I might do differently today. I was always the type of writer who would have been revising in the bookstore if bookstores did not frown upon such tactics. The first book, Beyond Forever, took eight months to re-write. In reality, I kept the concept and a little of the original and wrote a new book. The result is A Twist of Fate which will be available late November 2013.
In the past year I have reconnected with an old love—writing. As I work my way through the old novels, I find my concepts and choices concerning characters and plot have altered over the years. I am currently working on revising all the old books. And yes, eventually, soon I hope, I will return to the new series. Before I get another magnet from Kim.
Debra Dier is the bestselling author of sixteen critically acclaimed romance novels and short stories. Her work has earned her a place in the Writer's Hall of Fame.
Deb was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York. Although she always knew she wanted to do something creative in life, well-meaning family members talked her into doing something in a much more practical light. She received a BS in Information Systems Management and headed down a career path that included writing computer code and designing computer systems. It wasn't exactly what she had in mind when she thought of a purely creative career. For some mystifying reason, she was put on a fast track in that career and became a manager of other programmers and analysts in a large corporation at a young age. It was then she decided to try her hand at writing something other than computer systems. After her first novel, Surrender the Dream was published, she took the plunge into writing full time. She has never regretted that decision.
When her daughter was a toddler, Debra decided to take a short hiatus from writing to concentrate on all things motherhood. There wasn't a task she didn't take on, including making Halloween costumes, volunteering for room parent every year, and becoming a Girl Scout leader. By the way, her idea of camping is staying at a three star hotel. Not precisely the roughing it kind of girl. At the urging of her daughter, Deb has found herself sleeping on a mat in a ten
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 19, 2011
I'm not one to look a gift book in the mouth, but I had some... issues with this book. Mostly, in so far as, there were some inaccuracies with titles and so forth. However the plot was a bit cheesy and I often found myself rolling my eyes. But the book was free so I finished it anyway.
Girl invents husband to circumvent parents not allowing sisters to have a Season.
Imaginary husband shows up at ball parents threw for said fake marriage.
Fake husband blackmails girl (and grandmother who helped orchestrate whole thing??).
Fake husband is secretly a secret agent who is secretly investigating girl's father for treason.
Insert harrowing rescue from a tree.
Random murder attempt of fake husband goes here that is never mentioned again.
Girl tried to get her fake husband kidnapped.
Fake husband foils kidnapping attempt with a suitably manly display of fisticuffs.
Girl accidentally shoots fake husband in the head (really it was just a flesh wound!)
Fake husband/secret agent fakes amnesia.
Girl and fake husband profess their love for each other!
Gasp!
...Some other stuff happens.
Insert faked death (cause really everything else is fake).
...and some more stuff happens.
They live happily ever after.
Did I mention that the Grandmother (who was called both grandmother and grandmama depending on which page you were on) was a Countess, but everyone simply called her Lady Harriet? And her son who, if his mother was a Countess would make him an Earl was never mentioned as such? And he was working at his brother-in-laws shipping company which would have never happened in the early 1800's if he was a Peer?
And the Fake husband was the son of a Marquess who got sent off to the army when he was 12 because his father wanted to kill him but no one ever asked where the kid went? And it took the grandmother like six chapters after finding out what the Fake Husbands real name was to realize who his father was and that was after the dad was already dead form falling off a castle after kidnapping the Girl to lure the Fake Husband/Secret Agent there to try to kill him (again) and it was already mentioned that he was the new Marquess of whatever?
So, yeah... there were some issues.
Girl invents husband to circumvent parents not allowing sisters to have a Season.
Imaginary husband shows up at ball parents threw for said fake marriage.
Fake husband blackmails girl (and grandmother who helped orchestrate whole thing??).
Fake husband is secretly a secret agent who is secretly investigating girl's father for treason.
Insert harrowing rescue from a tree.
Random murder attempt of fake husband goes here that is never mentioned again.
Girl tried to get her fake husband kidnapped.
Fake husband foils kidnapping attempt with a suitably manly display of fisticuffs.
Girl accidentally shoots fake husband in the head (really it was just a flesh wound!)
Fake husband/secret agent fakes amnesia.
Girl and fake husband profess their love for each other!
Gasp!
...Some other stuff happens.
Insert faked death (cause really everything else is fake).
...and some more stuff happens.
They live happily ever after.
Did I mention that the Grandmother (who was called both grandmother and grandmama depending on which page you were on) was a Countess, but everyone simply called her Lady Harriet? And her son who, if his mother was a Countess would make him an Earl was never mentioned as such? And he was working at his brother-in-laws shipping company which would have never happened in the early 1800's if he was a Peer?
And the Fake husband was the son of a Marquess who got sent off to the army when he was 12 because his father wanted to kill him but no one ever asked where the kid went? And it took the grandmother like six chapters after finding out what the Fake Husbands real name was to realize who his father was and that was after the dad was already dead form falling off a castle after kidnapping the Girl to lure the Fake Husband/Secret Agent there to try to kill him (again) and it was already mentioned that he was the new Marquess of whatever?
So, yeah... there were some issues.
August 18, 2019
I read the 1996 version. I liked the premise, but it went downhill from there.
dnf
January 26, 2010"Remington Steele," Regency style. The hero is kinda yummy, but spare me from spy plots and feisty, auburn-haired, vixen heroines. Also, could the author have used the word "scoundrel" any more often? I was not having trouble remembering the name of the title, thanks.
April 29, 2014
Wonderful love story. Book moved fast and the characters were easy to follow which I really like. I highly recommend it!
July 4, 2019
2006 edition. After several ‘seasons,’ Emily Maitland is virtually on the shelf. She received multiple proposals, but has accepted none. She is waiting for the man of her dreams, the love of her life. Unfortunately, her parents have decreed that, until Emily finds a match, none of her sisters will have a season to try their luck. Emily develops a plan. She invents a gallant hero, fakes an eloped marriage and then sends ‘Sheridan Blake’ back to war.
At a ball to celebrate her marriage even in the absence of the groom, a dashing young man arrives claiming to be Sheridan Blake. Emily is forced to share her life with this unknown man or leave her family open to scandal. The fake Sheridan has a mission for the crown, his own secret. The story consists of the two battling over honor and believability.
As a premise, the story is creative and intriguing. As it goes on, the situation and Miss Emily became increasingly unbelievable to me. She is reproved for being stubborn like her grandmother, but never criticized for being downright reckless with her reputation and that of her family. She endangers herself and in so doing endangers others. The mystery of Sheridan’s mission is satisfactorily resolved and both get their HEA. If you’re willing to go along with the premise, it’s an enjoyable read. If you can’t, it drags and becomes frustrating. OK for the willing.
Readalikes:
Amanda Quick – The Paid Companion; Julia Quinn – The Duke and I; Mary Balogh – A Summer to Remember; Sabrina Jeffries – One Night with a Prince; Anne Gracie – The Perfect Rake; Celeste Bradley – The Pretender; Mary Jo Putney – Loving a Lost Lord; Julia London – A Courtesan’s Scandal; Elizabeth Boyle – Something about Emmaline.
Pace: Moderately paced
Characters: Likable hero and secondary characters;
Story: Over plotted
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Suspenseful
Frame: England; 1812
Themes: Fake relationship
At a ball to celebrate her marriage even in the absence of the groom, a dashing young man arrives claiming to be Sheridan Blake. Emily is forced to share her life with this unknown man or leave her family open to scandal. The fake Sheridan has a mission for the crown, his own secret. The story consists of the two battling over honor and believability.
As a premise, the story is creative and intriguing. As it goes on, the situation and Miss Emily became increasingly unbelievable to me. She is reproved for being stubborn like her grandmother, but never criticized for being downright reckless with her reputation and that of her family. She endangers herself and in so doing endangers others. The mystery of Sheridan’s mission is satisfactorily resolved and both get their HEA. If you’re willing to go along with the premise, it’s an enjoyable read. If you can’t, it drags and becomes frustrating. OK for the willing.
Readalikes:
Amanda Quick – The Paid Companion; Julia Quinn – The Duke and I; Mary Balogh – A Summer to Remember; Sabrina Jeffries – One Night with a Prince; Anne Gracie – The Perfect Rake; Celeste Bradley – The Pretender; Mary Jo Putney – Loving a Lost Lord; Julia London – A Courtesan’s Scandal; Elizabeth Boyle – Something about Emmaline.
Pace: Moderately paced
Characters: Likable hero and secondary characters;
Story: Over plotted
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Suspenseful
Frame: England; 1812
Themes: Fake relationship
August 10, 2019
Lord, this was dire. Nonsensical plot and cardboard characters.
December 23, 2025
just loved this one!
September 10, 2014
The heroine is juvenile in the extreme; the hero is the cork-brained. There are two 'plots' - one driven by an idiotic plan devised by the infantile heroine, the second a dubious one that involves the hero. There is really nothing positive to be said about this one, although there don't appear to be many typos. So there is that.
just-bought
February 19, 2014**Out of print title re-released on kindle and on sale for 0.99 cents 2/19/14**
My hard to find/out of print shelf is getting smaller, yay. :)
My hard to find/out of print shelf is getting smaller, yay. :)
June 7, 2014
What a fantastic read! easy to follow
Want to read
February 14, 2017I won this book through Good Reads First Reads promotion and just received it today and can not wait to start reading it!!!
historical
January 14, 2019Independent minded Emily Maitland knew her parents would never allow her younger sisters to attend the Season until she married. Since she had no intention of making a loveless match with some witless fop or sentencing her sisters to spinsterhood, she eloped with the perfect man. Major Sheridan Blake was her ideal husband: handsome, charming, dashing—and completely imaginary. She was stunned when a counterfeit Major Blake marched into her life and claimed her as his bride. Determined to vanquish the handsome rogue without revealing her own deception, Emily soon discovers the bewildering scoundrel is even more intriguing than any ideal from her imagination.
An agent for the Ministry, Simon St. James exploited Emily’s deception to suit his mission. He was searching for a traitor smuggling arms to Napoleon’s army. He found an auburn haired virago who could heal his wounded soul. Trapped in the web of his own deception, he would fight the devil himself for the chance of winning his lady.
Scoundrel was nominated for the Romantic Times (RT Reviews) Regency Historical Romance of the Year award.
An agent for the Ministry, Simon St. James exploited Emily’s deception to suit his mission. He was searching for a traitor smuggling arms to Napoleon’s army. He found an auburn haired virago who could heal his wounded soul. Trapped in the web of his own deception, he would fight the devil himself for the chance of winning his lady.
Scoundrel was nominated for the Romantic Times (RT Reviews) Regency Historical Romance of the Year award.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews