Duke of Depravity (Sins and Scoundrels Book 1)

This was the first book I have read from Scarlett Scott, although she is highly recommended in book groups I’m in.I really enjoyed reading this book. The chemistry between the Crispin and Jacinda can be seen from the start and it just keeps growing throughout the book.The book is set in the early 1800’s. Crispin was a soldier in the war against Napoleon. He had to return home from war unexpectedly to become the Duke of Whitley. He also becoming the guardian of his two unruly sisters after the death of his older brother. He is haunted and tormented by the death of his best friend Morgan. He feels he is responsible for Morgan being tortured and killed by the Spanish. The only way he can forget is to drown his sorrows in alcohol and women. This makes him a nasty person to be around. He neglects his sisters, although they are cared for by the house staff. He isn’t present in their lives at all.Jacinda Turnbow is a widow who now lives with her father. She was taught by her father to decipher messages as he has spent his life deciphering messages for the crown. He is getting older and his eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be so Jacinda has taken over most of the responsibility of deciphering messages. This has been kept secret from others, or so they thought.Jacinda and her father are being blackmailed Lord Kilross. He was Jacinda to take a governess position for Crispin’s sisters and also to look for ciphers proving Crispin is working with the French and was responsible for the death of his friend.Jacinda is aware of Crispin’s reputation as a bad tempered drunk, so she stays out of his way but he is attracted to her but at the same time she vexes him with the way she dresses in oversized, dowdy dresses and acts so prim. She dislikes him because he acts so obnoxiously but she finds him attractive, even when he’s behaving badly. A fuse is lit as their thoughts of each other become fantasies and the heat rises. He decides to become more involved with his sisters lives, just so he can be around Jacinda.The story had me hooked from the beginning. Their relationship growing from hatred and fascination to red hot romance is such fun to read. The growth of the characters is so lovely to read. Crispin’s self loathing and bad behaviour at the start starts to dissipate when Jacinda comes into his life. She also changes his young sister’s behaviour for the better in the time she is there.Jacinda hates the fact she has been blackmailed into finding the ciphers, especially as she gets to know Crispin; she starts to doubt that the accusations against him are true. She is torn because she is so attracted to him and she knows if he finds out what she is doing he will hate her and she would be devastated.There are lots of steamy scenes in the story that are very well written.There are some lovely side characters, including his sisters and Crispin’s friend who is also the owner of the club he visits to forget his demons.There is a lovely epilogue as well and a peek into the next story in the series, which I’m really looking forward to reading.I’m so glad I have now read a Scarlett Scott novel. The whole book was so well written and I want to read many more of her books.I would recommend this book to anyone who loves steamy historical romance with a fantastic storyline.Onto my next Scarlett Scott book!

Book 1. This a funny story about the Duke of Whitley he has returned from battle and inherited the Dukedom & his 2 Young sisters as his charges. Enter Miss Jacinda Turnbow. She is undercover as Governess but trying to find evidence to prove the Duke a traitor. There are number of twists & turns but all comes right in the end for both of them.

The plot is interesting but the execution was not to my liking. The characters just seemed superficial and pastiche. Just to get started, the heroine takes the word of a man she clearly despises that the Duke was a traitor, no questions asked. Then we find out that the Duke is bringing whores and planning orgies in the same house he keeps his young sisters when he clearly could just keep them in another residence. I just could not go beyong chapter 4.

This book was aptly named. Crispin IS the Duke of Depravity. All he wants to do is drink and have sex and he isn't all that particular with whom. As long as she's got the proper anatomy and is willing, he's in. Never mind that he's got two younger sisters to take care of that are sorely out of control and need not only guidance; they need him. It would be easy to castigate him for his recklessness, but the reason he's that way tore at my heart.Jacinda Turnbow is a force to be reckoned with. Her father is a cipher for the crown and she's been working alongside him and knows the science and technique behind breaking codes. Now she's in a situation where she has to pretend to be a governess to Crispin's sisters while trying to find damning evidence on Crispin. Deception is not her thing, but she had no choice.Of course, Crispin can't get his mind off what's in his pants and it frustrates him because he doesn't mess with the help like that and she is in his employee. Consequently, he says and does the meanest things to her. I wanted to punch him in the face more than once. I thought he was a real jerk. Moreover, I wanted her to punch him. He was so disrespectful and I was so hoping he'd ease up with that power trip.Once these two got together, it was fire. They had a lot to overcome in order to be together, making theirs a clandestine affair, but I wasn't sure how they were going to get their happily ever after. I wanted them to, but after all they went through, it didn't seem possible no matter how much they deserved it.Ultimately, this is a story of love, lust, betrayal, and redemption, earning it an easy five stars.

Kept me reading

Intrigue, romance and a HEA. What more could you ask for? Well, if you’re after spicy scenes, you’ll not be disappointed there, either!! Well-developed h and H, strong side characters, and sneaky plot twists make this a great read. I haven’t read any of Scarlett’s books before and I’m now keen to keep going with this series.

It was funny at times, sad when it need to be and passionate when the moment arise. I also enjoyed the character development. The language was foul and not for the weak but I respected the author’s focus on passion. Most new romances forget about the chemistry and passion and focus too much on a nonsensical plot. If the author tones down the vulgarity a bit, you will have an historical romance masterpiece.

This was the first book that I've read by this author but it most certainly will not be my last. The novel was much more 'steamier' than what I expected but I'm not complaining. It was an enchanting read that I happily read in one sitting from start to finish.