New Take

A new and different take on the traditional historical romance.  So I didn't read this book ALL in one day; I actually started reading this book last night after I had done my blog post.  But it did go quick once I got into it.

Prelude to a Scandal- Chapters 1-24 (the end)
   Summary:
Justine Palmer is willing to make sacrifices for the sake of her father.  He has been imprisoned for publishing observations stating that same-sex attractions are natural.  Justine reaches out to the man who sponsored her father's research, the Duke of Bradford, Radcliff Morton.  Radcliff agrees to help Justine in exchange for marriage.  Radcliff doesn't want to see Justine until their wedding day, but he has been in seclusion for months and Justine wants to see him to find out why.  She forces her way into his home and demands some answers.  Justine partly discovers the reason for Radcliff's seclusion, but wants the whole story.  While seeking promises to continue helping her father some mishaps lead to embarrassing situations between the two.  Radcliff struggles with maintaining control of his libido while Justine is in the house; he forces her out.  Justine's father is released from jail and Justine and Radcliff get married.  Radcliff informs Justine that there are no female servants in the house because of his lack of self-control.  Radcliff refuses to consummate their marriage on their wedding night.  Radcliff's assistance is requested by Matilda Thurlow, his brother's mistreated mistress.  Radcliff helps as much as he can; partly out of guilt.  Radcliff is put off by Justine's requests to get to know each other better; his experiences with his own parents make him reluctant share emotions.  Justine refuses to consummate the relationship until Radcliff shows some interest in her other than sexual.  Radcliff and Justine make their first public outing as husband and wife; they are stared at and whispered about.  Radcliff is impressed with the way Justine handles herself.  Justine and Radcliff spend some time getting to know each other; he decides to tell her the entire story of what led to his seclusion, and the scar on his face.  They finally consummate their marriage- and then some- but Radcliff is still haunted by his obsession with sex.  Matilda shows up needing help again; Radcliff is less inclined this time as she didn't truly take the help last time.  Justine stands up for Matilda.  Justine and Matilda grow friendlier; Matilda worries Justine may be abused, too.  Justine is upset when she learns some truths about Matilda; she vows never to let anyone come between her and Radcliff.  Radcliff's brother shows up uninvited at his home and creates problems for everyone.  Plans are made for Matilda and Justine's parents confront Radcliff on the poor quality of life he is giving Justine.  They insist on taking her to Africa with them to give her time to think about everything that has happened since she married Radcliff.  Justine takes more time than expected to think things through and then she presents Radcliffe with an ultimatum.

Naked Heat- Chapters 1-3
   Summary:
While at a homicide scene Nikki keeps getting comments about the magazine article Jameson Rook wrote about her.  She is finding the article is distracting and interfering with her work.  Nikki hasn't seen Rook in the 3 months since the article was published because she was upset by it.  When Nikki and her team, Raley and Ochoa, get called to another homicide scene they are surprised to find Rook there.  The victim is Cassidy Towne, a gossip columnist who Rook has been shadowing in order to write a magazine article about.  Rook shares with Nikki that a lot of people hated Towne and would've liked to see her dead.  Towne's assistant, Cecily, informs Nikki that Towne gets bags full of hate mail on a daily basis, and threatening phone calls.  Ochoa is transporting Towne's body with the medical examiner, Lauren, when the van they are in crashes and Towne's body is stolen.  Rook shares with Nikki that her captain approved him helping out on the case.  The team starts to speculate on why Towne's body may have been stolen.  Rook senses the tension in the office and asks Nikki about it; she tells him to ask Raley and Ochoa.  Nikki and Rook go to see a friend of Rook's, Fat Tommy, who gives them their first major clue.  They then go to visit with a suspect, ex-congressman Chester Ludlow.  Towne had written an article about Ludlow that may have ended his career; he denies killing her, but points them in the direction of a Holly Flanders.  The superintendent in Towne's building tells them of another possible suspect.  Nikki and Rook go to question Toby Mills, a NY Yankee, who recently had a run in with Towne.