Captive Scoundrel

PROPER SCOUNDREL (Formerly: Scoundrel in Disguise) Knave of Hearts, Three of Four

Lust muddies a high-stakes battle only one can win. Marcus adores Jade the minute he sees her; she despises him as fast. Jade Smithfield’s late grandmother unwittingly sold a land option to the railroad before she died. Nevertheless, to keep a family secret and save the downtrodden women in her care, Jade is determined to stop the South Downs Railroad from laying track on her property. To save his disabled brother’s railroad, and the families who will lose their living without it, Marcus Fitzalan applies for a job with Jade to conceal his investigation into the railroad accidents halting construction. While Jade wreaks havoc on the railroad, and leads Marcus a merry chase, her new man of affairs teaches her a lesson contrary to everything she has learned since birth: Not all men are created equal—some of them are good.

SEA SCOUNDREL, (Lady Patience, the Uncut Version), Knave of Hearts, One
CATIVE SCOUNDREL (Lady Faith, the Uncut Version), Knave of Hearts, Two
HOLY SCOUNDREL, Knave of Hearts, Four

Review Quotes for PROPER SCOUNDREL:

“What begins as a typical bodice ripper turns out to be an enjoyable romp as Blair's characters grow beyond first impressions.” Booklist Maria Hatton Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved 

“Author Annette Blair combines action and romance with strong characters and a bit of comedy to give her readers a story they will never forget! I could not help but fall in love with little Emmy and her puppy's antics. Nor could I stop myself from feeling as though I knew all the main and secondary characters for real. The story is written so smoothly that I felt as if I was a part of their circle. Such writing talent is rare and I am grateful to have come across this novel. It is heading straight for my Keeper Shelf, never to be loaned out, and hoarded for my future reading pleasure alone. Annette Blair is a master (or is it mistress?) of the Historical Romance genre. I cannot recommend this tale highly enough and I plan to tell everyone I know about it.” Detra Fitch, Vine Voice Reviewer

“A complex romance with a social message starring an eccentric female obsessed with protecting women and children... Marcus originally arrived to stop Jade from sabotaging his sibling's railroad, but soon finds he loves his employer and needs to help her with her charges. Fans will appreciate this Dickensian spin as "progress" vs. the downtrodden competes with the hero knowing that he will probably lose his love once she learns of his deception.” Harriet Klausner, #1 Hall of Fame Amazon Reviewer

PROPER SCOUNDREL AWARDS (As Scoundrel in Disguise)

2007 A Readers & Booksellers Best Laurie Winner, Smokey Mountain RWA
2006 A Five Star Editor's Choice: "The Best of the Best"
2001 A PASIC Book of Your Heart Award Winner as A PERFECT SCANDAL 
2000 A Great Beginnings Winner as SEDUCED BY A ROGUE, Utah RWA

Lacey Ashton returns home to face the ghosts she left behind, among them Vicar Gabriel Kendrick, who now despises her as much as he once loved her. Five years before, unmarried and forced to name the father of her expected child, Lacey named another, which broke Gabe’s heart.

He vowed never again to let passion rule him. After bearing a stillborn child, Lacey was sent away. Gabe later married Lacey’s cousin, Clara, a widow home from Scotland, and became stepfather to Clara’s daughter, Bridget. Now that Clara has passed, Lacey wants a hand in raising Bridget. Surely a joyful relative is better for a child than a righteous, brooding stepfather.

SEA SCOUNDREL, (Lady Patience, the Uncut Version), Knave of Hearts, One
CATIVE SCOUNDREL (Lady Faith, the Uncut Version), Knave of Hearts, Two
PROPER SCOUNDREL (Scoundrel in Disguise, Revised), Knave of Hearts, Three

Review Quotes for New York Times Bestselling Author Annette Blair’s Historicals:

“Annette Blair is a master at sweeping you from one emotion to the next with the flip of a page. Her humor mixed with life challenges give you characters with dignity and laced with fun. You can’t help but feel good when you’ve finished one of her books.” Grade: A+ Sandy, The Good, the Bad, and the Unread

“Annette Blair is one of my all time favorite authors. Her writing skill is in a league by itself. Very Highly Recommend.” Suzie Housley, Myshelf.com, Explicit Content

“Annette Blair is a master of the Historical Romance genre. I cannot recommend this tale highly enough and I plan to tell everyone I know about it.” Detra Fitch, Vine Voice Reviewer

“Ms. Blair grounds the story in her time period, gives enough details to be engrossing then weaves a tale that sweeps the reader from page to page. The suspense element is handled with a masterful touch. I eagerly await her next offering.” Karen Larson, Scribes World

“Annette Blair is a master artist in the world of romantic fiction. A strong plot provides the canvas for her compelling characters. Vivid settings and engaging minor characters beautifully augment the portrait. Fascinating subplots add depth. Spicy sexual encounters supply bold strokes . . . A romantic masterpiece.” Linda Lukow, MyShelf.com

Will he secure his future by ruining hers, or will she ruin his plans by securing him?

A new twist on the old fortune hunter plot puts an impoverished earl in a position to gain his fortune only by ruining an innocent's reputation without offering marriage. The innocent he's selected, however, has no plans to settle for anything less than marriage and will go to almost any length to secure him. 

With no other means for an income, the impoverished Andrew Black, Earl of Townson, makes an agreement that will put a definite end to his eight year poverty streak. But, in order to gain his fortune he must do only one simple thing: ruin an innocent young lady’s reputation enough to make her flee to America.

Brooke Banks isn’t interested in marriage, or so she thinks. She came to London to have a good time, and that’s exactly what she’s doing. Widely known for her tendency to flout the rules, she suspects nothing when a handsome stranger appears on her doorstep. 

Thirteen days, a handful of kisses and one scandalous situation later, Andrew and Brooke will have to choose to stick to their original plans, or decide if a life together is worth the risk.

Not to be outdone by her sisters' marriage-producing scandals, quiet and withdrawn Madison Banks quickly finds herself walking down the aisle to a man who has secretly loved her for years. 

Her groom, however, has no idea how to show his new bride that he truly loves her and following a bungled wedding night, finds himself in a position to either win his wife once and for all or lose her forever.

Can he prove himself worthy of her? Will she accept his love? Or will jealousy and past insecurities tear the pair apart?

Who said being bad wasn't oh so good?

Benedict Devlyn, Duke of Banbury, has one thing on his mind and it isn't marriage. But things take a turn for the worse when his menacing aunt throws a hitch in his plans to remain the most sinful and talked about man in the ton. After all, a man cannot keep the reputation of being The Devil Duke when he is leg-shackled to some simpering spinster.

But his aunt, bless her heart, thinks she's dying, and believes her nephew’s behavior is the only thing standing in the way between her entrance to heaven or hell. So she very lovingly and selflessly sets him up. With his childhood nemesis.

A young woman who, though she claims it was an accident, has nearly killed him thrice through her lack of grace and manners. It matters not that the minute he sets eyes on her at the Christmas ball, his blood boils with lust. He refuses to allow himself to fall prey to his aunt’s ministrations.

That is, until he is compromised and stuck in an engagement to a girl who claims she'd rather jump from a moving carriage than marry him. Funny thing that, for the very minute she says no, he finds his heart very much wants to say yes. When she doesn't leap at the chance to marry him, he sets about to not only prove that he's worthy of her favor, but also worthy of her heart.