A WINTER SCANDAL is the first in new series by one of the queens of historical romance. Althea Bainbridge is the local vicar's sister and she feels as if she is firmly on the metaphorical shelf. As she readies the small chapel of St. Dwynwen for the holidays, she realizes the rut her life has become and prays to the humble saint for a change, any change. A fretful cry fills the air, and she finds a child in the manger that is to be set out for the live Nativity scene. In the baby's swaddling cloth is a brooch with an initialed crest design she recognizes all too well. It matches the crest on the ring worn by their local Lord.

Gabriel, Lord Morecombe's sister has been missing for a year. The brooch brought to him by the fiery spinster is the first hint that she may still be alive. He is determined to protect the child who may very well be his nephew but has no way to properly care for him in his current household of drunken men. No local woman, not even a scullery maid would willingly put herself into such a reputation-damaging situation.

It is agreed that Althea will continue to look after the child until Gabriel can determine a plan of action and hopefully find his sister. Then the tale takes a twist as the man who almost certainly fathered the babe shows up, and a mysterious stranger begins hanging about and asking questions.

Candace Camp has written a solid start to her new Legend of St. Dwynwen series, with some interesting revelations as A WINTER SCANDAL carries on. I particularly enjoyed her portrayal of Althea, a woman who has enough confidence to carry off all manner of unusual behavior in the service of protecting the child. I will be looking forward to the release of book two,A Summer Suduction, set to be released in June of 2012.

Book Summary

New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp weaves a heartwarming tale, first in a thrilling new series, of Christmastime love, discovery, and scandal. . . .

When plain and proper Thea Bainbridge stumbles upon a baby in the manger of her church's nativity, she is understandably shocked. Discovering a brooch bearing the insignia of Gabriel, Lord Morecombe, hidden among the child's clothing, she is certain the dissolute rake is to blame. Incensed, Thea sets out to reproach the arrogant lord—only to find herself utterly swept away.

Gabriel is intrigued by the vivacity in Thea's flashing gray eyes when she accuses him of fathering the orphan, even as he adamantly maintains his innocence. The brooch is one he remembers all too well, however, and Gabriel is determined to find the mother of the missing child. As the mystery around the baby deepens, Gabriel is continually thrown together with Thea—and finds himself growing more entranced every day.

Even with whispers of winter scandal swirling around them, they cannot deny the longing in their hearts. A longing which promises the best gift of all: a shelter from the storm . . . in each other's arms.

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