Katy Madison's novels are a must read for any lover of historical romances. Her plots are original and exciting, her characters swoon worthy, and her stories will leave you on the edge of your seat!

Lord Coleraine's Scandalous Offer is gripping right from the very beginning. The hero, Brody Gilvaroy, the Earl of Coleraine, is facing the death penalty for a crime he didn't commit. Resigned to suffer because of past actions, he refuses to defend himself against the allegations if it means putting others he cares about at risk. He is noble, virtuous, and charming, although he considers himself the very worst of scoundrels.

Tessa Hall is a poor relation who relies on family for employment after a past scandal she can't live down. She lives across the way for the Earl of Coleraine, and when danger gives her no other options, she just might need to rely on her neighbors for help.

What transpires is a tale full of love, murder, deception, and mystery that makes this book impossible to put down. While I very much enjoyed the story, the ending was quite rushed and failed to answer many questions. It appears this was done as a cliff-hanger to the next book, but it left the novel feeling a bit unfinished. I very much enjoy Madison's writing, so I eagerly await the next book in the series and hope that it answers some of the questions raised in Lord Coleraine's Scandalous Offer. ( )

3.25 stars
Brody Gilvaroy is the present Earl of Colveraine, son of the Evil Earl. Brody is currently being pilloried in the press, condemned by them for a murder he didn’t commit before the investigation is even completed. Shunned by society he’s the last person anyone would credit with helping a woman.

Tessa Hall fell from grace ten years ago and has been paying the price ever since. Considered a pariah by respectable people in the know she is living on sufferance with her cousin, Lady Avondale. When Lord Avondale makes her continued residence untenable Tessa has no one to turn to but Brody.

LORD COLERAINE’S SCANDALOUS OFFER, while certainly suspenseful and a mystery didn’t qualify as gothic for me. In gothics you’re never quite certain about the hero and the heroine’s in constant peril. He’s dark, brooding, and there’s always a chance he’s guilty of the heinous acts he’s been accused of. Brody’s actions and demeanor are in direct conflict with the stories and rumors so I never questioned his innocence. Tessa, though ostracized, never came across as imperiled.

Tessa doesn’t initially trust Brody due to the whispers that women who’ve associated with him disappear and the articles in the papers. Both are in direct conflict with her instincts but with her past how can she consider trusting herself as far as men are concerned? Tessa longs to regain her respectability and yearns for a normal life as a wife and mother. That dream appears to be forever beyond her reach no matter how circumspect her behavior.

Brody is trying to discover the identity of Jane Redding’s true killer. He’s wracked with guilt that her association with him may have caused her death making him, by extension, guilty of her murder. Brody is one of those heroes that shoulders the guilt of others as his own. He’s tortured but honorable and honest. He offers Tessa his protection and surprisingly gives her options other than his bed, despite how badly he wants her there. There’s never a doubt he’s innocent though there are many questions surrounding him and his past. What happened to his wife? Where are the women who were previously under his protection?

Throughout the book Tessa struggles with her obvious attraction to Brody; determined that if she can’t be a wife she will never be a mistress, the cost is simply too high. It’s easy to sympathize with Tessa’s struggle. Her resolution to this, near the end, struck the wrong chord with me. It was rushed and frankly, a disservice to Brody regardless of time constraints. My other issue was the ending itself. Series or no it left me frustrated.
Ms. Madison is adept at creating intriguing and sympathetic characters in suspenseful and mysterious circumstances so I’ll read the next in the series. Maybe those burning questions I was left with will be answered. One hopes.
Reviewed by IvyD for Miss Ivy's Book Nook ( )