A satisfying conclusion to a solid historical romance series. If you enjoy intelligent heroines, heroes who will capture your heart, sparkling dialogue, witty banter, and a great balance of sensual romance and a well-crafted mystery that kept me guessing right up until the reveal, I enthusiastically recommend giving this book a go.

Gemma, a geologist by trade, is interested in her career and her career alone. The late Lady Celeste has thus chosen Gemma to be one of her heiresses because of her interest and pursuit of knowledge, so Gemma wants to make Celeste proud and to become a well-respected, esteemed geologist. She has no time or desire for marriage or attentions of any male, especially those of Lord Cameron Lisle. Through her work, Gemma keeps meeting up with Lisle, a fossil hunter who always seems to be in her way. Still, Lisle steps up to the plate when Gemma needs his help. Through their=r time together working Lisle comes to appreciate Gemma’s devotion to her tradecraft as well as realizing Gemma is a beauty. Can this pairing work? Can Gemma continue her dedication to her career and her pursuit of knowledge, and can both Lisle and Gemma accept that a pairing will not be the end of their learning but will only enhance it?

I have only read one other book in this series, and I am not sure where it falls as part of the series. Nevertheless, I found this an easy read, not really dependent on having read any of the other books. I guess it would have helped somewhat to have read them all in the order in which they came out but reading them piecemeal does not make the read any less interesting, enjoyable or easy to understand and/or follow. There is enough back story presented to satisfy the reader who has just picked up the book and has not been reading the series from the start or in order. I found the characters interesting and enjoyable, though not so much for some of the secondary characters. Some could have been better developed, though I figure that was meant for other books. In conclusion, I think the book is a good summer read--not too difficult, fast moving, well-done and interesting enough. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Murder mystery meets fossil hunting meets engagement of convenience in One For the Rogue by Manda Collins. If you can look past a heroine who's intrepid (or dumb) enough to venture out into a stormy night to investigate a mysterious light, despite a recent spate of murders, you'll find an enjoyable romance between an otherwise very intelligent geologist heroine and a smart, swiftly reformed rogue.

Gemma Hastings has inherited her aunt's talent for geology and her fossils — including clues to the hidden skull of the "Beauchamp Lizard," which makes her the target of thieves and murderers. To the rescue comes Lord Cameron Lisle, Gemma's mortal enemy last week, but unlikely savior this week. After they're caught kissing, they must pretend to be betrothed — because propriety — though the faux engagement is also a handy cover during their search for the missing fossil, the murderer and you know, actually falling in love. The writing will appeal to readers who like their historicals to sound historical, but character's point of view is pleasantly modern — Gemma grapples with the ways marriage will compromise her work, and Cam's relationship issues are deftly and quickly dealt with — which means less time on ridiculous, manufactured dilemmas and more time getting to happy ever after.

This is the last book in the series and the only one that I have read. That being said, I didn't feel that I really missed anything by not reading the others. I liked Gemma and Cam, especially Gemma who was a strong leading lady. This one had a bit of a murder mystery for the leads to "dig" into which added a little extra to the story. All in all, a lovely story with good characters.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

Miss Gemma Hastings despairs of ever being taken seriously as a geologist. It's a world run by men who never believe a woman to be capable of serious work. As one of the Beauchamp heiresses she has no need to marry, and has made up her mind to dedicate her life to serious study. All the other heiresses have been left a clue by their benefactor to something special for them. It seems the Lady died before doing the same for Gemma.

Lord Cameron Lisle is attending a meeting of fossil hunters. As it is near to his brother's home, he must visit. His personal history with his brother's, sister in law is about to cause a lot of tension.

An exciting murder / mystery to solve in this last book in the series. You could read any of the books alone but they are better read in order. Wonderful stories full of intelligent and independent young women and the men who love them.

I have read and loved all of them.

As the fourth book in the series, I came into this novel having been introduced to both the hero and heroine. I’m not 100% sure, but this maybe the last book of the series as it is about the last remaining heiress.
Overall this was a pretty solid romance, not my favorite of the series, but still intriguing in its own right. I job major desires to become a paleontologist from this one, which marks it as very unique to me. Additionally, there were some very steamy scenes, one which involves a closet.

I fully recommend this series to historical romance fans!

An okay historical romance with an actual good plot. Another book in the series and just as good. Kind of easy to guess the villain but did enjoy reading it.

I am quite fond of this series as I love romantic historical mysteries. Although entertaining enough it is not my favourite. I liked Cam and Gemma as a couple. Their bickering was cute at the beginning but this story was just a bit too predictable and I found that I had lost interest about half way through.
The intrigue surrounding the Beauchamp fossil was quite dull. It held no excitement for me (despite having an interest in the subject at university) and there was nothing new to the fake engagement trope. The usual reasons for forcing a couple to marry were also pulled out for an airing.

I liked the ladies' plans for Serena and Beauchamp House at the end of the book. Serena is an interesting character with a good back story that was never fully revealed. I would be disappointed if the series ended here and Serena didn't get her story told.

The fourth and final book in the Studies in Scandal series. This one I was looking forward to the most because I really liked Gemma in the previous books. She's spunky, intelligent, and not afraid of being herself in a time where women weren't allowed much. I also knew I would like Cam and her together because of their previous interaction in the 3rd book. Although, Cam wasn't as argumentative as I thought he was going to be with Gemma. I was expecting more heated arguments between the two of them, so that was just a slight disappointment to me. However, I did like them as a couple and thought that their love story was well written. Plus, just as the previous books, there was the element of a mystery to be solved which I absolutely love in the romance books I read. In this one someone has been murdered while trying to steal a fossil from Gemma. This was probably my favorite mystery in the series but, surprisingly, my least favorite romance. I am extremely happy with all four books and grateful for the chance to read them.

Miss Gemma Hastings, the last unmarried Beauchamp heiress is trying to solve the mystery of the where Lady Celeste Beauchamp hid a rare artifact. Lady Celeste died before she could finish a letter she written to Gemma with the details. One night Gemma sees someone lurking on her property and investigates and she comes upon Cameron Lisle, following another person. Her and Cameron have butted heads ever since she found out he was the editor of the science magazine she was trying to get published in.
Cameron Lisle is an explorer and is staying at a house party not far from Beauchamp house. He is suspicious of Sir Everard Healy another guest, when he is confronted by Gemma. This leads to a series of events from theft to murder over a rare find which happens to be the gift left for Gemma. Cameron and Gemma starts to investigate the murder and find love between them.
Gemma and Cameron have that hate/love chemistry. They put aside their differences to solve a mystery and find that they have many things in common. This is the last of the Beauchamp Heiresses series and I really enjoy the characters and hope to see more of them.

I was sad to turn the last page of One for the Rogue and realize that I was finished with the Lady Scholars of Beauchamp House. It has been a delight getting to know Lady Celeste’s chosen heirs.

Gemma, the last scholar to find her mate, is a formidable woman, and Lord Cam has all he can do to keep up with her. Frustrated by her inability to break into the scholarly world of fossil-collection, Gemma is determined to prove to the male-dominated scientific society that she is every bit their equal. And so she proves to be.

This is a very enjoyable ending to the series.

I received One for the Rogue by Manda Collins from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the forth in her Studies in Scandal series but can be read as a standalone. However the entire series is quite enjoyable and this story is more closely related to book 3 since Gemma is Sophia sister and met Cameron during book 3.
Gemma Hastings is the final heiress in the group that received a home to stay in in order to future their studies. In her quest, she finds a wonderful in fossil that is stolen. Lord Cameron Lisle is in the area attending a geologist house party and visiting his brother, whom is married to Gemma's sister. When Cameron meets up with Gemma again, sparks fly. However, when her fossil is stolen and a note is left threatening her, his protective side kicks in and he refuses to leave Gemma's side and struggles to with feelings.
Manda Collins has another hit!! Wonderful story with a little mystery. Cameron and Gemma admit their attraction to one another early on but it takes time for the relationship to go full cycle. Also, both Cameron and Gemma struggle with their assumptions that they either wouldn't marry or marry someone "more manageable" (like that ever happens!) Add the fact that both are fossil collectors and begin to wonder if they might be competing with each other.
Now, I just need Serena's story!

It's time for the last of the four heiresses named in the will of Lady Celeste Beauchamp to have her story.

Gemma Hastings, sister of Sophia, has studied geology and is disappointed that the letter written to her by Lady Celeste was unfinished and difficult to decipher. She receives help from Lord Cameron Lisle, who is also a geologist and brother to Benedict Lisle, vicar and husband to Sophia. Their efforts lead them to the Beauchamp Lizard and ultimately, to matrimony!

This is a fitting ending to the Studies in Scandal series. Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

Gemma Hastings is one of the Beauchamp Heiresses who has no plans to get married. She has no time for socializing her work with collecting and studying fossils and bones is her life, one in which Lord Cameron Lisle, an esteemed fossil hunter is always honing in on her territory. Since their related by marriage they’ve agreed to get along, but the sparks still fly. These two are like oil and water, they don’t mix. Boy as the attraction between them builds the fireworks go off, you can just feel the smoldering passions. A captivating book with two strongly opinionated and independent people who fight tooth and nail against the attraction that’s pulling them together. A great read I loved reading this story 5 STARS*****. This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

I have been enjoying this series and I did enjoy this book a lot. It isn't something I will be reading over and over again but the story is good and it didn't take me long to read it.

I recommend this.

Being an heiress is super important to Gemma, but what is more important is being a woman geologist. She had a passion for finding fossils. She has told herself that in order to being taken seriously she must put all of her focus into her work. That was easy for her until she met Cameron. Even when she tells him she will never marry she knows she is in trouble. This book was an excellent read for an avid fossil hunter myself. I could not stop reading and imagining her on the cliffs looking for fossils was so interesting to me. This book is not your typical romance. Pick it up and find out yourself. You will enjoy it!

A book that pretty much starts with “Cameron Lisle!” she cried out in anger. “I should have known it was you.”, piques my interest!

This book didn’t blow me away, but I found it to be really great.

Good writing, excellent characters, funny dialogue, hot smexy times, without a whole slew of clichés. I felt it was a bit heavy on the mystery, but I am not a big fan of whodunnit, so that’s just a personal preference.

I can definitely recommend this book and author!

********
<i> - “I . . . regret that first meeting between us, Gemma,” he said on a sigh. “More than you can ever know.”
“Well, I don’t,” she said, and he had to turn to see her face because her words were so jarring.
“You despised me that day,” he said frowning. “I despised me that day.”
“But we’ve got past that, haven’t we?” she asked, still grasping her gown to her chest. “There’s more to a person’s personality than one moment.” </i>
*****

Scenario (no spoilers): Emma is a geologist, who has clashed more than a few times with fellow fossil hunter, Cameron Lisle – brother of her sister’s husband. When threats are made to Emma’s life, both are dragged into an uneasy “alliance”, and consequently forced to see each other in a different light.

Everyone pretty much knows how Emma and Cam feel about each other.

- “I thought perhaps you’d been up to no good, Gemma, but if it’s young Cam you’ve been outdoors with in the dead of night I have no fear for your virtue.”
Cam wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or relieved at the assessment.

But of course, where there are strong feelings of hate there are also strong feelings of…. attraction??

- Even without his brother’s male beauty, he was still handsome—Gemma had to admit it—and to her mind, it was the slightly bolder, craggy elements that made him the better-looking one.
Though she’d never say so.

- “You’re not involved with the Hastings chit, are you?”
“What?” To his embarrassment, Cam’s voice went unnaturally high. “Why would you ask that?”

And when they don’t bicker, and spit fire, they are both quite open in their communication, which I found very refreshing.

- “You’ve shown yourself to be a serious scholar and I didn’t take you seriously. It was badly done of me. I simply wish you to know that I have changed my opinion.”
She chafed to get down to the shore, but sensed that he needed to say his piece.
Then a troubling thought occurred to her.
“This has nothing to do with the way I was dressed yesterday, has it? Because I can assure you, I was just as knowledgeable the day before as I was with my hair dressed and my bosom on display.”
She’d expected perhaps he would respond with stuttering outrage, but she ought to have known better.
He laughed. “No, Miss Hastings, it has nothing to do with your gown. Or your very agreeable bosom.”

When a murder leads to a compromised situation everything pretty much changes.

- “Of all my charges, Gemma,” Serena said in an exasperated tone as she shut the door, “you are the last one I’d expect to find in such a scandalous position. What were you thinking?”
Gemma could hardly argue with her. She was just as surprised as her chaperone was by what had just happened. She’d never have guessed she’d be caught in anyone’s arms. Much less Lord Cameron Lisle’s.
“I was upset,” she explained, and to her own ears it sounded like a weak excuse. “He was comforting me.”
“With his tongue?” Serena asked with a disbelieving laugh.

I really liked the premise here, but I think the transition from antagonist to lust to love was quite quick. I would have liked more exploration of Hero’s initial sexism at their first meeting (which happened in a previous book so was not helpful for me).

LOVE IS THE GREATEST DISCOVERY OF ALL

Geologist Gemma Hastings has no interest in pursuing romance—and no patience for Lord Cameron Lisle, an esteemed fossil hunter who has a way of always honing in on her territory. . .annoyingly handsome though he may be. But when a shocking attack puts Gemma in very real danger, she may have to accept Lisle’s offers of protection. Even if that means entering into a dangerous flirtation. . .

Lisle was once amused by Gemma’s dedication to her work. But now that he understands how much he’s underestimated her—a woman whose beauty is matched only by her genius—Lisle is desperate to prove his respect…and prove himself worthy of her. But is he too late? A bitter rival, desperate to steal Gemma’s scientific findings, is still at-large. Can Lisle help uncover the culprit and keep her safe—forever, in his loving arms?

Review:

I loved that there was an interesting mystery wrapped into this historical romance. I have read a couple of books in the series, and having read them out of order I can say that the Author does a wonderful job of catching the reader up with happenings in the other books and not making you feel lost.

I loved both Gemma and Cameron. They seemed so totally opposite but really worked together as they worked through who took the dinosaur bones and who the killer is. My favorite was Gemma, I loved that she is wicked smart, speaks her mind and is willing to go her own way no matter what society thinks. This is not to say Cameron is not awesome too. After a few compromising situations that make a fake engagement necessary, he knows he wants Gemma for real and for good. Now to make Gemma see. They are the perfect pair, they have the same interests, smart, likable and are very sexy together.

The perfect wrap up to the series and the last of Lady Celeste's benefactors, though the ending does leave a window for other stories. We will have to wait and see.

4Stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

One for the Rogue (Studies in Scandal, #4)
by Manda Collins

Definite buy and enjoy book. However, even saying this, I have to tell you I was a little disappointed. The heroine is more like a spoiled tantrum child at times, not the intelligent woman that she is supposed to be. Even with that... I love the plot line of this book. I would of liked more aggression and clashes at times but other than these points, It was a truly engaging read. I like the wittiness this author shows. I keep waiting for more and more from her. A delightful series that I have sincerely enjoyed reading even with the small ups and downs. So buy and sit and enjoy. I was given this arc via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and written voluntarily. Regards, Anna Swedenmom