Reviewed by Andrea Williamson
4 stars

Barbara Pierce is an author I discovered through the Guest Author spot here at RomanceNovel.TV. I won a copy of her book Sinful Between the Sheets, which is the second book in her acclaimed Carlisle series. So, of course, I couldn’t read it until I bought a copy of the first book in the series, Wicked Under the Covers. I thoroughly enjoyed the books and deemed her an auto-buy author for me. Scandalous by Night is the fourth book in Ms. Pierce’s Carlisle Family series.

Hate. That is the first word/sentence of the story and sets the tone for what the hero, Townsend Lidsaw, Viscount Everod, feels towards the heroine, Maura Keighly. Twelve years ago, she cost him his family, and very nearly, his life. Now, as Maura is on the brink of becoming betrothed to his brother, Everod plans his revenge in the form of seducing Maura. What he doesn’t plan on is his attraction to her. The more he tempts and entices her, the more he is lured in by her potent charms. His feelings become stronger than anything he’s ever felt before, but is it enough to forgive Maura and heal their troubled past?

I like a revenge plot if it’s written well, and this one is. Everod is jaded and cynical, but the reason why is completely believable and understandable. The poor guy went through hell. Personally, I loved him. He is another wonderfully written and completely sexy hero from the pen of Ms. Pierce. And Maura Keighly was perfect for him. She was a bit reserved at first (after all, she lives with her control-freak aunt), but Everod gently coaxes Maura out of her shell and her character flourishes. She opens up and we get to know the real Maura right along with Everod. And when these two get together, it’s so hot the pages smoke! Whew! I also enjoyed visiting old friends as the couples of previous books played key roles in this story. The only quibble I have with this one is that it ended too quickly and I wanted more! But then again, we always want more. LOL I would have liked an epilogue, but perhaps we’ll get to visit Maura and Everod again in a future book. One can only hope Ms. Pierce will write a book for Cadd, Lord Byrchmore. I, for one, would love to read his story.

Scandalous by Night is a sensuously passionate book starring well-written characters that you are bound to fall in love with. So, grab yourself a fan and a cool drink when you sit down to read this one. Ms. Pierce has penned another winner!