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WORK TITLE: The Importance of Being Scandalous
WORK NOTES:
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BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.bellromance.com/
CITY: South Lake Tahoe
STATE: NV
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http://www.bellromance.com/about/ * http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2017/07/26/kimberly-bell-interview-the-importance-of-being-scandalous/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Female.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
AWARDS:Maggie Award, 2014; RWA Golden Heart finalist, 2015.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Kimberly Bell’s historical novels add refreshing elements to the genre: a generous measure of humor as well as a woman-centric perspective. As she explained in an interview with Happy Ever After contributor Joyce Lamb: “Most of my ideas start with the question, ‘What if falling in love was the worst possible thing that could happen to you?'” Pointing out that love can cause havoc as well as joy, she added: “That’s probably why all my books end up funny–trying to stick to your plan when life has other ideas usually ends up comical.”
"Countess Scandals" Series
The three novels in Bell’s “Countess Scandals” series are set mostly in London and Scotland during the Georgian Era. A Convenient Engagement introduces protagonists Hannah Howard and Gavan Dalreoch, Earl of Rhone. The two become neighbors when the beautiful and headstrong Hannah moves to London for her first season in high society. Her first encounter with the rude Scot turns into a heated argument, and Hannah ends up giving Gavan a black eye. Though she insists to herself that he deserved it, she now faces social censure for her unladylike deed. To save her reputation and to placate Gavan’s family, who are pressuring him to find a wife and settle down, Hannah and Gavan agree to enter an engagement. It is only for show, of course–or so they tell themselves at first. Soon enough, however, their feigned affection turns real, and with it come a slew of amusing complications.
Deidre Morgan, protagonist of A Dangerous Damsel, is out to seduce the rich and handsome Ewan Dalreoch. But her motives are not entirely selfish; she needs to come up with a hefty sum of money to save her wastrel brother Tristan from the wrath of the crime lord who has been lending him gambling money. Alistair, Deidre’s former lover, is demanding full repayment, and Tristan has nowhere else to turn but to his quick-witted and sexy sister. Deidre’s plan is to win Ewan’s interest, take his money, and quickly abandon him. But Ewan refuses to let her go, which makes things difficult when Alastair shows up demanding repayment.
In A Ballroom Temptation, Jane Bailey is enduring an unwanted season in London after disgraceful treatment from her ex-fiancé, Geoffrey Pembroke. Jane wants only to get the season over with and return home without a husband. But the arrival of Adam Clairborne, a Carolina gentleman called back to London by his father in order to find a wife, gives Jane a welcome ally against the nastiness of high society. He gallantly intervenes when a chance meeting between Jane and her former fiancé threatens to become unpleasant, and as Jane gets to know Adam, she realizes that he is just as eager as she is to get out of London and back to his quieter life. They agree to help each other through the excruciating social season–but in doing so, they discover how love can wreck the most careful plans.
"Tale of Two Sisters" Series
In The Importance of Being Scandalous young Amelia Bishop refuses to behave. Among other things, she has attended a horse race wearing trousers, and she has worn a revealing dress to a gaming hall. She has even attended a scandalous masquerade ball and partied with the most ill-reputed members of society. But none of these adventures has had the desired effect: to encourage her vain, prissy fiancé to cancel their engagement. Desperate to avoid having to marry this horrible man, Amelia turns to her childhood friend, Nicholas Wakefield, for help in concocting a scandal so shocking that her future bridegroom will finally call things off. As it turns out, though, Nicholas is madly in love with Amelia and will risk his own reputation as well as hers to win her heart. A writer for Publishers Weekly found the book predictable but “perfectly pleasant.”
A Scandal by Any Other Name focuses on Amelia Bishop’s sister Julia, who chafes at her sheltered rural life and longs for romantic adventures. Born with a misshapen foot that has caused society to shun her, Julia has almost given up on the prospect of excitement when she meets Duke Jasper DeVere, who is staying with friends in the country while mourning his grandfather’s death. Shocking both the duke and herself, Julia makes Jasper a daring proposal that, she hopes, will give both of them a much-needed distraction from their tedious ordinary lives. Even more shocking is the fact that Jasper accepts. As events ensue, however, it becomes clear that neither party wants the adventure to end as scheduled.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, June 26, 2017, review of The Importance of Being Scandalous, p. 162.
ONLINE
All about Romance, https://allaboutromance.com/ (August 15, 2017), review of The Importance of Being Scandalous; (February 1, 2018), review of A Scandal by Any Other Name.
Book Binge, http://bookbinge.com/ (February 1, 2018), review of A Scandal by Any Other Name.
Fiction Vixen, http://fictionvixen.com/ (August 10, 2017), review of The Importance of Being Scandalous; (January 29, 2018), review of A Scandal by Any Other Name.
Happy Ever After Romance Book Reviews, http://gwynplum.com/ (January 25, 2018), Joyce Lamb, review of A Scandal by Any Other Name and interview with Bell.
Kimberly Bell Website, http://www.bellromance.com (April 25, 2018).
Lightning City Book Reviews, http://lightningcitybookreviews.com/ (July 24, 2017), review of The Importance of Being Scandalous.
SmexyBooks, http://smexybooks.com/ (July 31, 2017), review of The Importance of Being Scandalous.
Series
Countess Scandals
1. A Convenient Engagement (2016)
2. A Dangerous Damsel (2016)
3. A Ballroom Temptation (2017)
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Tale of Two Sisters
1. The Importance of Being Scandalous (2017)
2. A Scandal By Any Other Name (2018)
2015 RWA Golden Heart Finalist and 2014 Maggie Award Winner Kimberly Bell writes misfit love stories from her home in the mountains of Lake Tahoe. When she isn’t wrangling characters or making a nuisance of herself on twitter, she is mediocre dog wrangler, chasing her shepherd-mix coyote and great dane around the lake.
I write funny, women-centric romance novels in historical settings from my cabin in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada or the beaches of Southern California (it’s a super tough life, I know).
After a successful career in internet sales and marketing, I decided to pursue a pants-optional lifestyle which led to my first book: A Convenient Engagement. From there, it’s been a whirlwind of excitement and deadlines.
I am a pretty hardcore introvert that loves dogs, cheeseburgers, spreadsheets, and occasional day drinking. I also spend way too much time on twitter.
I am represented by Rachel Brooks of the L. Perkins Agency, and currently published by Penguin Intermix and Entangled Select.
Interview: Kimberly Bell, author of ‘The Importance of Being Scandalous’
By: Joyce Lamb | July 26, 2017 12:01 am
Kimberly Bell
Joyce: Welcome to HEA, Kimberly! Please tell us a bit about your new release, The Importance of Being Scandalous.
Kimberly: The Importance of Being Scandalous is a friends-to-lovers, boy-next-door story. Amelia and Nick have been friends since childhood, even though Nick’s family disapproves. Nick has been in love with Amelia from day one, but Amelia has no idea.
Amelia gets engaged to someone else and realizes a little too late that her fiancé isn’t the right man for her (and possibly not a good man in general), so she asks for Nick’s help to try and cause a big enough scandal to get dumped. Nick is more than happy to sabotage her engagement, especially if it means he’ll get a chance to finally tell her how he feels.
Joyce: What inspires your book ideas?
Kimberly: Most of my ideas start with the question, “What if falling in love was the worst possible thing that could happen to you?” It might just be my personal experience, but when you’re trucking along, trying to achieve your goals and be a healthy, self-sufficient individual, and then Love shows up … it’s a massive inconvenience. That’s probably why all my books end up funny — trying to stick to your plan when life has other ideas usually ends up comical.
Joyce: Do you write by the seat of your pants, or do you carefully plot your stories?
Kimberly: I wish I plotted my stories. Unfortunately, I’m kind of at the mercy of the characters. They move into my head and I’m kind of just their chauffer.
Joyce: Would you like to share a favorite moment from your writing career?
Kimberly: Oh, man. At a conference in 2015, I got to meet Jo Beverley. I’ve met more than a few movie stars and other famous-type people and, historically, I’ve always kept my cool, but with Jo Beverley I went full spaz.
She refused to let me walk away in embarrassment. It took about 20 minutes, but she kept asking me questions and telling me borderline dirty jokes until I turned back into a human being who could have a functional conversation. I bumped into her a few more times during that conference, and she would always wink or made a joke. It made me feel incredibly special.
Jo passed in 2016, and I wouldn’t trade meeting her for anything.
Joyce: Is there a TV show that you’ve recently binge-watched?
Kimberly: I recently made way through The White Queen and The White Princess in an embarrassingly short amount of time, and now I’m heartbroken that the other books aren’t series yet. I’m also super upset none of my books have magic or river goddesses in them.
Joyce: Do you have a pet that hangs out with you while you’re working?
Willis
Kimberly: What Willis does isn’t so much “hang out with me” as glare at me while pondering his next spot to passive-aggressively vomit, because he doesn’t think I take his warnings that we’re under constant attack seriously enough. He is, however, a first-rate cuddler, and when he gets super excited, his eyes cross, which is hilarious.
Joyce: Do you listen to music while you write? What are some tunes on your playlist?
Kimberly: I try to add new songs to my writing playlist with each new book. Some of my favorite new additions from this last book were Painting Greys by Emmit Fenn and I Found by Amber Run. No matter what, all of my playlists have Retrograde by James Blake on them. It reminds me that the book isn’t going to write itself, and that I can do this.
Joyce: I don’t suppose you’d want to share a picture of you with your ’80s or ’90s hair or perhaps a prom picture?
Kimberly Bell, back in the day.
Kimberly: I didn’t go to prom, but I do have a picture of me as a little kid from the ’80s in the coolest coat I have ever owned, looking thoroughly unimpressed with everything and everyone. This picture is also unique because, in every other picture from my childhood, I refused to wear any clothes, regardless of how formal the picture-taking occasion. (My mom deserves a sainthood.)
Joyce: What’s coming next?
Kimberly: I just finished editing the sequel, A Scandal by Any Other Name, featuring Amelia’s sister Julia and Nick’s friend Jasper. They stole the show a little in the first book, so they had to get a book of their own. That should be coming out early next year, and now I’m rolling around ideas for the next series.
Joyce: Do you have anything to add?
Kimberly: I was a historical romance reader long before I ever wrote in the genre. With every book I write, I try to capture the way those ’90s-era Amanda Quick novels make me feel. If I can manage that, then I’ll consider myself a success.
Joyce: Thanks, Kimberly!
About The Importance of Being Scandalous:
A horse race in trousers on Rotten Row. Visiting a gaming hall in a dress that would make her mother faint. Sneaking an invitation to a masquerade ball attended by only the wickedest, most debauched members of society…
None of these things are scaring off bookish but strong-willed Amelia Bishop’s stuffy, egotistical fiancé.
The only thing left is to entice childhood friend Nicholas Wakefield into a truly engagement-ending scandal. The Wakefields are the height of propriety, and Nicholas’s parents have made it clear a wife from the neighboring Bishop family would be unacceptable…
But Nicholas would give up his family and his fortune if Amelia would ever see him as more than just a childhood friend. He’ll go along with her scheme, even if it means ruining them both, because he’s got a plan that will change her mind about him being merely the boy next door.
About Kimberly
Kimberly Bell is a 2015 RWA Golden Heart Finalist and 2014 Maggie Award winner. She writes historical romances from her home near the beach in San Luis Obispo, California. She lives with her shepherd-coyote mix rescue.
Find out more at www.bellromance.com.
The Importance of Being Scandalous: A Tale of Two Sisters, Book 1
Publishers Weekly. 264.26 (June 26, 2017): p162+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Importance of Being Scandalous: A Tale of Two Sisters, Book 1
Kimberly Bell. Entangled Select, $12.99 trade paper (250p) ISBN 978-1-63375-679-3
This sweet novel, set in 1840, has a heroine who's trying to be unconventional, but Bell still gives her a conventional path to romance. After two years abroad, Nicholas Wakefield, a marquis's second son, is finally summoned home. He's ready to confess his undying love for his neighbor Amelia Bishop, even though her family has been shunned by most of noble society ever since her sister, Julia, was born with a disabled foot. But Amelia's engagement to Lord Montrose has just been announced, and Nicholas is forced to resume his position as her friend and confidant. Amelia is reluctant to leave vibrant Julia, despite having landed a dashing earl to marry. Her concerns are amplified when she realizes that Montrose's charming public persona hides a manipulative, hard man who's determined to use Amelia as a replacement for his deceased true love. Without social capital, Amelia has no choice but to act just scandalously enough--with Nicholas's help--to make Montrose call off the wedding. The book is perfectly pleasant, but readers may be disappointed that Bell misses the opportunity to put a fresh twist on friendship turning to love: Nicholas remains fixated on Amelia even though Julia is the more interesting character. Agent: Rachel Brooks, L. Perkins Agency. (Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Importance of Being Scandalous: A Tale of Two Sisters, Book 1." Publishers Weekly, 26 June 2017, p. 162+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A497444360/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=87a4ef7f. Accessed 21 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A497444360
A Scandal by Any Other Name
Kimberly Bell
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I’m always looking for romances with positive portrayals of physical disabilities, so I was beyond thrilled to get a copy of A Scandal by Any Other Name for review. It’s the second book in Kimberly Bell’s A Tale of Two Sisters series, and is the story of a young woman with a mild form of spina bifida who yearns to experience true love. I hadn’t read the previous entry in the series, but this didn’t end up being a problem for me as the author has crafted a story that stands perfectly well on its own. Unfortunately, this is one of the few good things I can say about this book, which turned out to be far more of a disappointment than I could have imagined.
Julia Bishop is tired of living life on everyone else’s terms. She walks with a noticeable limp due to the spinal condition she was born with, and she’s always been told true love and acceptance exist only for others. But Julia’s not so sure that’s true. Surely a man exists who will fall madly in love with her despite her disability. All she has to do is find him.
To this end, she slips away from her father’s house and journeys to the country estate her recently married sister shares with her husband. She and Amelia have always been close, and if anyone can help her come up with a plan to find love, Julia’s sure it’ll be her sister. Unfortunately, Amelia and her husband Nicholas haven’t yet returned from their honeymoon, so Julia is on her own in the country for a couple of days.
Jasper DeVere lives only for pleasure. He refuses to deal with anything the least bit sad or uncomfortable, but the recent death of his beloved grandfather is forcing him to face all manner of unwanted emotions and responsibilities. On the day he is supposed to have an audience with Queen Victoria and assume the family title, Jasper flees to the country, hoping to seek solace with his long-time friend Nicholas. As he approaches the house, he comes upon a young woman riding alone in what he considers a very reckless fashion.
Julia is stunned to encounter Jasper on one of her afternoon rides and even more surprised to realize he doesn’t recognize her. They’ve met on a few prior occasions, and Julia has been harboring a bit of a crush on Jasper, a crush he obviously doesn’t reciprocate. So, when he grabs hold of her horse in an attempt to save her from a nasty fall, Julia plays the damsel in distress, never mind the fact that she’s quite an accomplished horsewoman and was never in any danger. She introduces herself as Juniper, a distant cousin of Amelia’s who has accidentally arrived early for a post-wedding visit. A part of her knows it’s wrong to lie to Jasper, but a bigger, more dominant part, tells her the only way she’ll ever have a chance with him is by casting off her identity as Amelia’s crippled sister.
Jasper is immediately captivated by Juniper, partly because of her beauty and obvious wit, and partly because he’s in desperate need of a distraction from the mess he’s left behind in London. A few days of harmless flirting have always done the trick before now and he sees no reason why this time should be any different, especially since Juniper seems more than willing to go along with it. He knows it’s improper for the two of them to be together unchaperoned, but Amelia and Nicholas are due back any day, and surely no harm will be done before they return. I found this way of thinking quite absurd, but I did my best to suspend my judgement for the sake of the story, a feat that proved ever more difficult the farther I read.
I have a really hard time with romances that center around deception. In order for me to go along with it at all, an author must create a very compelling reason for one principal to deceive the other, and Ms. Bell definitely doesn’t do that here. As someone with a disability, I understood Julia’s frustration with society’s inability to accept her, and I sympathized with her desire to be loved, but her decision to lie to Jasper rubbed me the wrong way. Plus, I was troubled by her ability to mask her physical issues from him. The author makes it clear that Julia’s disability is quite noticeable, so why doesn’t Jasper notice it? Is he that oblivious to what’s going on right in front of him, or are Julia’s limitations far less apparent than she believes? I couldn’t tell which of these things Ms. Bell expected readers to buy into, and it left a nasty taste in my mouth.
Eventually, Nicholas and Amelia return from their honeymoon and Jasper learns the truth about Julia’s identity. I found his reaction quite puzzling, because he isn’t the least bit upset. He just kind of laughs the whole thing off, and goes on with the business of flirting with Julia. The fact that she lied doesn’t seem to matter to him at all, and that just didn’t seem realistic to me.
Jasper is a very problematic hero. He’s weak and spineless, and I struggled to understand exactly what Julia saw in him. Sure, he knows how to have a good time, and he’s ready and willing to take her to bed at a moment’s notice, but those are the only slightly positive things I can say about him. Whenever things get tough, Jasper runs away and then spends huge amounts of time berating himself for his cowardice, and I didn’t find this at all attractive. I wanted him to stand up and take responsibility for the things he’d done wrong, but he never seems capable of that kind of personal growth.
In short, I was pleased to reach the end of A Scandal by Any Other Name. It’s a steamy enough story with some pretty good chemistry between the leads, but that’s not enough to make a believable romance. I expected more, and came away with a feeling of overall dissatisfaction.
The Importance of Being Scandalous
Kimberly Bell
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The Importance of Being Scandalous has such a sweet story at its core that it should have worked better than it did. The book has childhood friends discovering their deep love for each other as adults and showcases a sisterly bond that puts Disney’s Frozen to shame. Unfortunately a few plot holes and the weak characterization of the hero made it a difficult read.
Nicholas Wakefield and Amelia Bishop grew up together in the country and have always been the best of friends and, along with Amelia’s sister, Julia, they were constantly causing mischief at each of their neighboring estates. To Nick, Amelia and her sister are a breath of fresh air compared to the reserved manners of his parents, Lord and Lady Wakefield. Their disapproval of the Bishop family make Nick’s growing feelings for Amelia something he has to hide, but even when they are separated after he embarks on his Grand Tour, all he can think of is the woman he left behind. The letters he writes to Amelia are full of his true feelings; however without his parents’ support of the match and no means to support a wife, Nick never sends his letters and Amelia never learns the depth of his love.
When Nick left for the continent Amelia was upset she’d never told him how much she cared for him. The Bishop family has been ostracized in their community due to Julia’s having been born with a spinal defect and Amelia grew up defending her older sister from anyone who was cruel to her. Amelia saw Nick’s unwavering support for Julia as something special and his friendship with Amelia was so important that she hid her own growing feelings for Nick to save him from any awkwardness. For the two years Nick is gone Amelia achingly feels his absence but knows that she has to move forward with her life so that Julia will always be taken care of. A chance to redeem the Bishop family’s name comes in the form of the Earl of Montrose who arrives at their doorstep accidentally and seems to fall immediately in love with Amelia. He woos her with promises to provide for Julia and to use his name to open doors for Lord and Lady Bishop in London. Their courtship is a whirl for Amelia and when he proposes she accepts for the good of her family with hope that Montrose will become as important to her as Nick.
Nick’s journey through Europe is cut short by a summons from his mother. He rushes back to learn that his father is showing signs of dementia and severe memory loss that affect his ability to manage their estates. Unwilling to burden Nick’s older brother with problems to distract him from his duties and his own family, Lady Wakefield tells Nick he must put his own ambition to become a barrister on hold in order to assist his father. This is an unwelcome turn for Nick as he’s decided to tell Amelia how he feels with the hope that she will wait for him while he pursues his studies. When Nick tries to explain his hopes to his mother she breaks his heart by revealing that Amelia Bishop is engaged to another man. Running over to the Bishop’s house to confirm the news, he finds Julia in residence and with nothing but praise for her sister’s fiancé. It’s a blow for Nick and when he sees Amelia again he cannot bring himself to tell her how much he missed her and that he loves her. Deciding that she’s better off marrying an earl than an unnecessary spare with no immediate prospects, Nick tells Amelia that he’s happy for her and that they’ll always be friends.
Seeing Nick again is a wonderful surprise for Amelia but it also complicates her feelings for Lord Montrose. Already hesitant about marrying a man she barely knows, Amelia starts to question some of his motives about their courtship. She’s disgusted to realize that his main reason for marrying her is because she reminds him of another woman and that his kind words about Julia were empty platitudes. Her confrontation with Montrose over her discoveries doesn’t go as Amelia hopes, as he’s unwilling to break the engagement. He threatens to sue Lord Bishop for breach of promise if Amelia cries off, which would only cause further damage to her family’s reputation. Amelia therefore decides that Montrose must jilt her and with her sister’s help, she comes up with inventive ways to be scandalous without completely ruining her reputation. Through it all, Amelia finds that Nick is still there by her side to help her in her schemes and to save her when her plans go awry.
I have mixed feelings about The Importance of Being Scandalous. I like the idea of two best friends scheming together to get one of them out of an unwanted engagement but there are big problems with the choices Ms. Bell makes for her characters. My notes are full of nitpicks, questions about historical accuracy or jumps in logic that kept popping up. For example, Julia’s birth defect seems to change its severity depending on how it best serves the story. One moment she’s bedridden and close to death – and a day later she’s riding horses or walking around her house. The worst offense for me is in how Nick is portrayed throughout the book. He’s intended to be a good man caught between his family’s need and his own desires for Amelia but ultimately he’s so weak that I’d hesitate to even call him a Beta hero. Ultimately he’s powerless and easily cowed, never standing up for what he wants or having much of a backbone until Amelia forces the issue by taking the reins in their relationship.
More time and effort is spent fleshing out the strong relationship Amelia has with her sister. Julia’s disability has forced her to live vicariously through Amelia and so she initially endorses the match with Montrose, seeing it as Amelia’s only chance at independence. Amelia has a bit of a martyr complex in that she feels that her entire life must be dedicated to protecting Julia and she should make choices that won’t separate her from her sister. At several points in the story, Nick tells Amelia that he’ll always be there for her and Julia, even before they finally clear up their misunderstandings about their love for each other; and yet when he proposes as an alternate to Montrose, she balks. Apparently her love for Nick doesn’t include trusting that he won’t take her away from Julia. It’s a tough sell in a romance when the main character refuses to make choices for herself and instead bases them on someone else’s happiness.
Kimberly Bell is a new to me author who has some good story ideas that didn’t unfold as I hoped they would in The Importance of Being Scandalous. I am intrigued enough by Julia’s character and Nick’s best friend that I may give her a second chance to show me that those good ideas can become a great book.
Review: A Scandal By Any Other Name by Kimberly Bell
January 29, 2018
This is a quote from my review of the first book in this series, The Importance of Being Scandalous:
I’m just going to put this out there and hope for the best, I WANT JASPER AND JULIA TO END UP TOGETHER. From about the 50% mark I got this in my head and couldn’t let it go. I went to Goodreads, no synopsis. I went to the author’s website, no synopsis. I can’t think of a better hero for Julia and I will be so upset if someone else sweeps her off her feet and into his arms.
Welp, I got my wish. The hero in A Scandal By Any Other Name is indeed Jasper and his heroine is Julia. YES!
Jasper De Vere, Viscount Bellamy, has lost his grandfather and is grief-stricken over his death. At the ceremony that would officially have him step into his grandfather’s shoes as the Duke of Albemarle, Jasper panics and takes off. He leaves everything behind and heads toward his best friend’s home in the countryside. With Nicholas and his new bride, Amelia, off on their honeymoon, he should have the time he needs to come to terms with becoming the head of his family. Instead he runs into a tantalizing, interesting woman who happens to be Nicholas’s relative and is staying at the very same residence he is headed toward.
Julia Bishop was born with a rare spinal condition. Her life has been filled with surgeries, and schedules and medications. She’s endured cruel whispers and dirty looks and knows that most people can be cruel about things they don’t understand or about people who they view as different. But she has always had the support of her father and a closeness with her sister, Amelia, that has helped her get through all the pain of her childhood. Then one afternoon, while out riding on her sister’s estate, she quite literally runs into her brother-in-law’s best friend. They’ve never been formally introduced, so it’s easy for her to give a false name and pass off her limp as an injury from their horses colliding. She just wants to live in the moment with a beautiful man for as long as she can, this is one adventure she is determined to have.
Hmmm…. I just finished this book about an hour ago and I’m still thinking about what I liked, and what I didn’t. I enjoyed these two characters so very much in the first book. Jasper and his laughing, joking, reckless ways and Julia who is stubborn and defiant in the face of so many people’s scorn. I couldn’t wait to get to their romance! Then in the first chapter Jasper runs away from his duty like a child and I was kind of like hmmmm… that’s interesting. Then he runs into Julia and she gives a fake name and identity and I was like hmmmm… that’s interesting. Not how I was expecting this romance to begin, but okay.
Jasper and Julia did have chemistry and I enjoyed their back and forth banter. Julia throws herself wholeheartedly into being scandalous, thinking that this may be her only chance at a great love affair. Jasper is into it too, until he finds out that the woman who he has been whispering sweet nothings to is actually his best friend’s sister-in-law, not his cousin. Then he backs off to a degree and tries to do the right thing by her. That is when their romance truly takes off. All of their fears come forward, his about having to live up to the impossible standards of his grandfather, and Julia’s having to trust that Jasper won’t look at her differently when he discovers her scars and the things she views as ugly. I really do think this author handled Julia’s disability well. Julia has understandable fears and hesitancies that force this couple to take it slow and get to know each other. I liked that it was Jasper who put the brakes on full on sexy times until Julia truly trusted him completely.
There is almost no outside conflict to this relationship. This is all Julia coming to trust that Jasper would want something more than temporary with her, and Jasper finally finding something that forces him to have to live up to his responsibilities. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. There were times I set this book aside and thought about picking something else up. As much as I wanted to love it, there was something keeping me from devouring it whole in one sitting. Maybe it was the pacing, maybe it was the lack of outside conflict, I’m not completely sure. I am hoping that despite the name of this series being A Tale of Two Sisters that Jasper’s sister Ruby will have her own HEA soon. She’s an interesting character that I would like to get to know better. Final grade-C+
Favorite Quote:
“The world answers to us, Julia. Not the other way around.”
Review: The Importance of Being Scandalous by Kimberly Bell
August 10, 2017
Nicholas Wakefield, second son to the Marquess of Wakefield, comes home after years abroad at the behest of his mother. He’s not exactly sure why she has summoned him home, but he does know one thing… that he is still desperately in love with Amelia Bishop. He intends to finally declare himself and let Mia know his feelings extend beyond friendship. But then his mother drops not one, but two bombshells that rock his world. His father is slowly losing his mind and she wants him to stay and help run the estate, and the woman he has loved forever is engaged to be married.
Amelia and Julia Bishop are very close. Not only sisters, but best friends and partners in crime. Julia suffers from a spinal deformity and has spent her life undergoing surgeries and visiting with doctors. The Bishop family is a close, loving one and after being shunned by the ton for Julia’s medical condition have lived a life of peace in the country. Amelia has accepted a proposal of marriage from Lord Montrose, but she has quite a few reservations. But her sister has urged her to wed and settle into married life with the rich, titled gentleman and her mother seems to be thrilled by the union. Then Nicholas, her other childhood best friend, comes home and Montrose condones some things said about her sister at their engagement party and all her reservations turn into the desire to end her engagement and stay unwed and by her sister’s side. Only Montrose won’t let her go and uses blackmail in order to keep her by his side. So what’s a girl to do, but turn to scandal in order to force him to break their engagement.
I liked so much of this book. The relationship between the sisters, the wonderful, witty dialogue, Nicholas and his undying love for Amelia, and finally the awesomely wicked comic relief of Nicholas’s friend Jasper. Kimberly Bell is a new to me author, but I feel like she is one that I’ll keep on my radar so I can add future releases to my TBR pile. I liked how well she wrote the friendship between Amelia, Julia and Nicholas. The three of them and their antics made me smile over and over. Nicholas had such a close relationship with Julia that she already knew all about his romantic feelings for Amelia. I did wonder why she kept pushing Amelia to marry Montrose knowing how much Nicholas loved her sister and how determined Amelia was to end her engagement, but I chalked it up to Julia wanted Amelia to get the chance to settle down and live the life she didn’t think she would ever have.
My one complaint is how long it took for the engagement to end. I kind of felt sorry for Montrose at first, then I absolutely didn’t, then I just wanted him to go away and for Amelia and Nicholas to succumb to their feelings for each other. I wish there had been more page time of Amelia and Nicholas talking about their relationship and how they wanted to move forward. The love scenes between the two were so well written, I just wish I had gotten more of them.
I’m just going to put this out there and hope for the best, I WANT JASPER AND JULIA TO END UP TOGETHER. From about the 50% mark I got this in my head and couldn’t let it go. I went to Goodreads, no synopsis. I went to the author’s website, no synopsis. I can’t think of a better hero for Julia and I will be so upset if someone else sweeps her off her feet and into his arms. I’ll keep my fingers crossed until Lady Julia’s Secret releases in January of 2018. Final Grade- B-
Favorite Quote:
“I love you Amelia Bishop. I have loved you every day since the day we met. And I will love you long after I am gone from this earth.”
Guest Review: A Scandal By Any Other Name By Kimberly Bell
POSTED FEBRUARY 1, 2018 BY TRACY IN REVIEWS | 0 COMMENTS
Guest Review: A Scandal by Any Other Name by Kimberly BellReviewer: Tracy
A Scandal By Any Other Name (A Tale of Two Sisters #2) by Kimberly Bell
Series: A Tale of Two Sisters #2
Published by Entangled, Entangled: Amara
Publication Date: January 30th 2018
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 306
Buy on Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
one-star
Julia Bishop has led a very sheltered life. Protected by her family from those who might ridicule her for her secrets, she stays hidden away in the country. But she longs for more, if only for an evening. To kiss a rake in full view of the stable boy. Unchaperoned picnics. Romance. But she knows she’ll never experience any of those things.
That is, until a handsome duke with a mysterious past of his own arrives…
Duke Jasper DeVere left London to grieve his grandfather’s death privately, away from the prying eyes and gossips of the ton. Seeking solitude at a friend’s country manor, he’s surprised he finds himself drawn to the company of the shy beauty determined to present the epitome of proper behavior.
That is, until the mysterious woman makes an indecent proposal…
Julia can’t believe what she’s suggested to the duke. Nor that he agrees a distraction is what they both need. But what will happen when Jasper must return to his duties and leave Julia behind? Will the memories of their time together be enough for a lifetime of solitude for either of them?
Because Julia can never leave her country haven and a duke can never stay…
Jasper is distraught over the death of his grandfather – the man who raised him. He feels that he can’t live up to his grandfather’s legacy and right before the ceremony (with the Queen) that will officially make him the Duke of Abermarle, he does a runner. He decides to head to his friend Nicholas’s house in the country – not realizing that Nicholas isn’t back from his honeymoon. He runs into Nicholas’s new sister-in-law, Julia, but she tells him that she’s a cousin and her name is Juniper. Jasper is instantly attracted to Juniper and wants nothing more than to bed her.
Julia has never had adventure. She’s got spina bifida and has been sheltered her whole life. When Jasper shows up and doesn’t know who she is she sees it as her opportunity to be someone else and live an adventure.
This book. I’m not even sure how to state my feelings on it. First of all, the blurb led me to believe that Jasper couldn’t avoid his grandfather, who was alive. I mean it says “it’s difficult to avoid your own grandfather” in the blurb. More like it’s hard to avoid his legacy, cuz the man is dead! Anyway, when Jasper runs from his own ceremony I lost some serious respect for the man. Then he shows up and acts the complete rake and fool with Julia. I found it annoying.
Julia, I could understand, wanted to live a little. Ok, I get that, but she acted so incredibly immaturely that I couldn’t help but yell at my kindle for her to get her act together! LOL Her sister let her just do whatever, even after being caught in a compromising position and I couldn’t understand that.
Later in the book Jasper finally completes the ceremony and becomes the Duke but by that time I truly didn’t care whether Julia and Jasper were ever together. I guess I felt these two immature beings were perfect for each other but frankly, I wasn’t interested in their HEA.
When you put the book down when you’ve only read 13% of it, it’s a sign I should have see with red flashing lights. I had to force myself to go back to it and then barely got through it. I wish I could say good things about this one but it did nothing for me.
Review: A Scandal by Any Other Name by Kimberly Bell
Posted on January 25, 2018 by romwrit
ASIN: B072MFVC7S
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Publication Date: January 30, 2018
Sold by: Macmillan
Blurb
Julia Bishop has led a very sheltered life. Protected by her family from those who might ridicule her for her secrets, she stays hidden away in the country. But she longs for more, if only for an evening. To kiss a rake in full view of the stable boy. Unchaperoned picnics. Romance. But she knows she’ll never experience any of those things.
That is, until a handsome duke with a mysterious past of his own arrives…
Duke Jasper DeVere left London to grieve his grandfather’s death privately, away from the prying eyes and gossips of the ton. Seeking solitude at a friend’s country manor, he’s surprised he finds himself drawn to the company of the shy beauty determined to present the epitome of proper behavior.
That is, until the mysterious woman makes an indecent proposal…
Julia can’t believe what she’s suggested to the duke. Nor that he agrees a distraction is what they both need. But what will happen when Jasper must return to his duties and leave Julia behind? Will the memories of their time together be enough for a lifetime of solitude for either of them?
Because Julia can never leave her country haven and a duke can never stay…
Review:
This follow-up to Bell’s The Importance of Being Scandalous matches outspoken, risk-taking, Julia Bishop with roguish, handsome Jasper DeVere. I couldn’t get enough of these two in the previous book, so how thrilled I was to be given an arc to review. Oh Happy Day!
Julia has a secret, a well-kept one considering she’s been sheltered in her home all of her life. She has a very supportive father and sister, but for health reasons, she’s been pretty isolated, only sneaking peeks of guests through keyholes and around corners. The first time she sees Jasper, he becomes the object of her affection and hidden desires. She wants a great love-affair, but she never imagined she’d actually have one.
Jasper is running. He’s not ready to be Duke, so taking shelter at his friend’s home is quite an easy decision, especially since said friend is away on his honeymoon. Jasper expected a little peace and quiet, but what he gets is far better. His and Julia’s chemistry is off the charts, and their witty exchanges intensify their charm.
The story is well-plotted, unpredictable, and believable. I was pleased to have another historical romance that doesn’t spend a lot of time in the ballroom (not that I don’t love those, because I do). This was a nice change of pace just like it’s predecessor. The story concentrates on the couple finding peace within themselves while getting to know and offer support to each other, rather than centering on everyone’s else’s perceived reaction to their union. The struggles are internal and evokes a lot of emotions. Bell has created to very strong, likeable characters with noticeable flaws that makes it easy to relate to them. I rooted for these two from beginning to end. Actually, I started cheering from them in The Importance.
Rating system: Cups of Coffee (the less the better)
0: You won’t need any coffee to stay up for this one. It’s intriguing enough all on its own.
1: You’ll stay up late, but not all night. Brew one cup.
2: You’ll read as long as you’re not tired. If you are, two cups should do the trick.
3: I hope you got plenty of rest; you’ll need it, or at least 3 cups.
4: If the cable goes out, read the book. It’s better than nothing, I guess. Oh, don’t forget your brew!
5: Find anything else to do- it doesn’t matter what it is. Don’t waste your coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.
My rating: 0 cups of coffee
Review: The Importance of Being Scandalous by Kimberly Bell
July 31, 2017 By Mandi 1 Comment
The Importance of Being Scandalous by Kimberly Bell (Tale of Two Sisters #1)
Released: July 25, 2017
Historical Romance
Entangled
Reviewed by Mandi
Oh this book. It has some very well done and clever banter (one of my favorite things) and it has a sister relationship that I adored. But it also has a “get rid of the fiance” story line that goes through the entire book and I got super tired of it.
Growing up on neighboring properties, Nicholas and Amelia or Mia, have been very good friends most of their lives. And while both families are wealthy, Nicholas’s family is extremely strict, all about appearances and would never involve themselves in a scandal. They had an heir, and a spare (Nicholas) and Nicholas’s parents want their sons to follow in their austere footsteps. For the past two years, Nicholas has left England and has traveled to Paris and beyond, getting rid of the strict confines of his family home for the first time and pondered about his life. He has loved Mia forever, but his parents do not approve of her family, so he never found the courage to go against them and declare for her. When his mother sends him a letter that his father is ill, Nicholas comes home, to care for his father and finally declare love for Mia.
Mia and her sister Julia are extremely close and have grown up in a warm, boisterous household. They love to play pranks and they do everything together. Julia has a spinal deformity, that makes her walk with a limp. Due to this, and their more outgoing behavior, they are shunned by the ton – whispered about, and not invited to society events. Julia has come to terms with the fact that she will grow old alone, and when Mia surprisingly gets an offer of marriage, from a titled gentleman, Lord Montrose, she encourages Mia to accept, so she can move above and beyond their scandalous household. Mia does accept, but when her betrothed starts to say negative things about Julia and her disability, Mia knows she made a mistake. With Nicholas back in town, their feelings for each other start to come to surface and Mia wants out of her engagement. But her fiance refuses to break it, threatening to bankrupt her family is she leaves him.
To start with the positive, Mia is super cute, Julia is super cute, heck – even Nicholas is super cute. The three of them are good friends having known each other forever and I enjoyed the three of them hanging out. Even when Nicholas hangs out just with Julia, I really enjoyed those scenes. Like when Julia and Nicholas are spying on Mia and Montrose…
“Shh!” Nicholas adjusted until he could see the couple standing on the terrace below. “What are they doing down there?”
“We don’t know. Mother’s in fits thinking Embry’s trying to call off the engagement.”
Hope surged inside him. He squashed it down. “Why would he do that?”
“Because we’re unmannered wantons.”
“Well, obviously.” Nicholas grinned as he dodged the elbow she tried to jab into his ribs “Bu surely he knew that before today.”
They were warm, with clever banter and just really well done relationships. Mia and Julia together made me smile so much. They get into trouble together, they fight, but they love each other so much and I loved how their relationship is portrayed.
This book starts with Mia engaged to Montrose and she quickly learns he isn’t who she thought he was. After Montrose refuses to break their engagement, Mia, Nicholas, and Julia start to come up with elaborate schemes to embarrass and anger Montrose, so he will have no choice but to let Mia go. But this goes on the entire book. I got tired of it. Instead of giving Mia and Nicholas page time to court and woo, it’s silly events aimed to hurt Montrose that seemed very over the top. The love between Mia and Nicholas gets pushed to the back. Nicholas is still yearning for her, which is done well, but the two of them together – we miss out on.
I have to also mention Nicholas’s friend, Jasper, who comes to visit and adds to much to this book. He made me smile and laugh. He is truly devilish and naughty. Like when he catches Mia and Nicholas in bed together…
“Good evening,” he said, getting comfortable on his stomach. “You must be Amelia Bishop.”
She pressed her face into the carpet beneath Nick’s bed. “Unfortunately.”
“There’s nothing unfortunate about it. My name is Jasper and I expect we will become the best of friends.”
The man was ridiculous, and it must be catching, because Amelia couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Will we?”
“Oh yes. In my experience, it is extremely difficult to get our Nicholas to misbehave. And yet, here we are.”
This is a pretty cute book. I just wish that the fiance getting dragged through the book had been cut off much earlier.
Grade: B-
REVIEW: “The Importance of Being Scandalous” by Kimberly Bell
July 24, 2017 charlene
This is the first book by Kimberly Bell I’ve read and I am already looking forward to the next one! “The Importance of Being Scandalous” is chockfull of rapid fire witty banter, high-jinx and yummy hanky-panky. The heroine’s sister is a wonderful ringleader of bad influence and questionable judgment. Speaking of bad influences the hero’s best friend Jasper’s one of the best secondary characters I’ve enjoyed in a while. I better see lots and lots more of him. Nicholas, the hero, is a well-bred second son in a reserved family. He’s a bit insecure due to his merely existing to be a “contingency plan”. Amelia’s family isn’t “acceptable” so she and her sister are rabble-rousing troublemakers. Often found terrorizing maids and racing their horses in the rain. Nick’s been in love with Amelia since he first saw her. The only one who doesn’t know of his feelings is Amelia herself.
Nicholas Wakefield has been best friends with the Bishop sisters from the neighboring estate ever since he can remember. He’s been in love with Amelia Bishop just as long. Unfortunately his parents disapprove of them. Amelia and Julia are A.) Hoydens and B.) Julia has a spinal condition which causes the family to be unacceptable. Apparently the girl’s disability is a sign of a genetic moral flaw. When Alex became to close to the girls, when he was a boy, he was sent away to school. He’s now in his twenties returning from touring the continent and plans to finally confess his love to Amelia. However he learns that Amelia has a fiancé who is titled, the Earl of Montrose. But when he sees Amelia again and sees that she isn’t happy in her engagement he’s determined to help her.
Amelia’s usual partner in crime and the mastermind behind their shenanigans is her sister Julia. Unfortunately Julia wants Amelia to remain engaged. Because of her infirmity Julia has no hope for a suitor nor husband. Anyone who treats Julia as an invalid or disgrace is immediately disliked. When her betrothed’s cousins say disparaging things about Julia Lord Montrose doesn’t stand up for her sister. Amelia decides he isn’t the man for her. However the Earl won’t take no for an answer and blackmails Amelia to remain engaged. Lord Montrose’s conservative and Julia decides she needs to be so unsuitable he’ll no longer want her. This leads her on a rash of scandalous adventures with Nicholas, and his best friend. Jasper’s a veteran of bad decisions. One of her madcap antics puts her at a literal bacchanalia of alcohol and sex for which she isn’t expecting. Nick’s rescue’s quite steamy!
Amelia isn’t truly the scandalous type; deep down she prefers a book and a cup of tea. However she finds herself with a delusional fiancé she doesn’t want and can’t get rid of. Desperate times call for her to put herself into wonderfully entertaining scandals in order to rid herself of the Earl. Because of the bullying behavior of her fiancé and her mother Amelia decides she never wants to marry. This is unfortunate for Nick because he definitely wants to marry Amelia. Amelia has feelings and “feelings” for Nick but decides she’d just rather take him as a lover. Nick is too conventional for this and vows to rid Amelia of her fiancé and convince her to marry him.
“The Importance of Being Scandalous” is a sexy historical romp and joy to read. Kimberly Bell has a winner of a romance with her foray into Victorian England. This installment in the A Tale of Two Sisters is fun, romantic, thrilling, and sexy. HUZZAH! Kimberly Bell portrays the sisters’ rapport perfectly as they riff off each other while they’re in antics and capers mode. The character of Jasper is synonymous with “shenanigans. This is my first Kimberly Bell book; since I’m eagerly awaiting the second sister’s story, it won’t be my last.
I’m giving “The Importance of Being Scandalous” 5 Lightning Bolts and a Gale Warning.