Season for Scandal Series – Kelly Bowen Free Audiobook

Written by Kelly Bowen
Read by Polly Lee, Ashford McNab
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Duke of My Heart
Season for Scandal Series, Book 1
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Release date: January 26, 2016
Duration: 09:30:45

Scandal can be handled … Captain Maximus Harcourt, the unconventional tenth Duke of Alderidge, can deal with tropical storms, raging seas, and the fiercest of pirates. But he’s returned home from his latest voyage to find a naked earl—quite inconveniently deceased—tied to the virginal Lady Beatrice Harcourt’s bed, and Bea has gone missing, apparently clad only in her chemise! And he has only one place to turn.

Now he’s at the mercy of the captivating Miss Ivory Moore of Chegarre & Associates, known throughout London for smoothing over the direst of scandals. Miss Moore treats the crisis as though it were no more serious than a cup of spilt tea on an expensive rug. As though this sort of thing happened on the job every day. Max has never in all his life met a woman with such nerve. Her dark eyes are too wide; her mouth is too full, her cheekbone too sharp. Yet together, she’s somehow … flawless. It’s just like his love for her, imperfect, unexpected—yet absolutely true.

Ashford McNab provides a delightful reading of this Regency romance mixed with mystery. Ivory Moore is businesswoman who specializes in fixing the messes of the upper crust. But when she’s hired to clean up the scandal of Lady Beatrice Harcourt, she gets more than she bargained for in the form of Lady Bea’s older brother, Maximus Harcourt, duke of Alderidge. Ivory’s voice sounds clear and calm; while McNab gives Max’s voice a deep, harsher quality. As their investigation takes them out of ballrooms and into the streets of London, McNab provides unique voices to messenger boys, sea captains, and even black market dealers that reflect their less polished speech. As the story alternates between mystery and romance, McNab doesn’t miss a beat and provides a satisfying reading for those who enjoy romance with a touch of adventure.

A Duke to Remember
Polly Lee (aka Ashford McNab)
Season for Scandal Series, Book 2
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Release date: July 26, 2016
Duration: 11:43:04

In her second Season for Scandal novel, Bowen once again sets up one of her fabulous Regency-era women in such unusual circumstances that it’s no wonder the eponymous duke finds her irresistible

Love takes the stage …Elise deVries is not what she seems. By night, the actress captivates London theatergoers with her chameleon-like ability to slip inside her characters. By day, she uses her mastery of disguise to work undercover for Chegarre & Associates, an elite agency known for its discreet handling of indelicate scandals. But when Elise is tasked with locating the missing Duke of Ashland, she finds herself center stage in a real-life drama. Noah Ellery left the glamour of the London aristocracy to pursue a simpler life in the country. He’s managed to avoid any complications or entanglements—that is, until he lays eyes on Elise and realizes there’s more to this beautiful woman than meets the eye. But when Elise reveals her real identity—and her true feelings for him—the runaway duke must confront the past he left behind … to keep the woman he loves forever.

In one of Bowen’s signature diverting happenstances, Elise stumbles on the errant duke hiding away on a farm and employs all her wit and charm to convince him that he should reunite with his family. He’s not as keen on that as he is on uniting with her in a very carnal way. This merry-go-round, emphasis on merry, is guaranteed to charm Regency fans.

Between the Devil and the Duke
Season for Scandal Series, Book 3
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Release date: January 31, 2017
Duration: 11:38:11

In Bowen’s third Season for Scandal Regency (after A Duke to Remember) the main characters are as diverting as they are seductive

Their love was always in the cards …He should have thrown her out. But when club owner Alexander Lavoie catches a mysterious blonde counting cards at his vingt-et-un table, he’s more intrigued than angry. He has to see more of this beauty—in his club, in his office, in his bed. But first he’ll have to devise a proposition she can’t turn down. Gossip said he was an assassin.

The masked and mysterious beauty finds herself in dire straits one night when she wins a little too much from a drunken opponent with no sense of humor. When her best efforts to extricate herself are unsuccessful, Lavoie has to step in. Luckily, he does have a sense of humor, confesses he’s been watching her, and is on to her uncanny ability with cards. Against her better judgment, she’s forced to accept Lavoie’s offer of a job. From there the fun, intrigue, and romance crescendo in a whopping plot twist. Bowen’s Regency romances are always delightful, and this is one of her best yet.

Ashford McNab displays the full gamut of emotions while narrating the third title in Bowen’s Season for Scandal series. McNab’s theater training allows her to create a believable cast of characters spanning from the haut ton to lords of the criminal underworld. Angelique Archer has had enough of being passive and decides to take fate into her own hands, using Alexander Lavoie’s club to make the money her family so desperately needs. But when Lavoie unexpectedly catches her, all bets are off. While the final reveal of the villain is not really all that surprising to anyone paying attention, McNab’s complete commitment to the text more than makes up for it.

Another recommended title for those who prefer their romances unabashedly feminist.