Customer Reviews

Becket's Last Stand (Beckets of Romney Marsh Novels)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, I have to say that I wasn't fond of the Court/Cassandra match, and found it to be a bit creepy. Not only because of the huge age difference, but because of the brother/sister connection, AND the fact that Court so obviously had a huge crush on Cassandra's mother, whom it's mentioned before that Cassandra looks exactly like. Perhaps die-hard fans of this series find the match to be very romantic. I just didn't. The girl is eighteen and had always had a childish crush on Court, and yet I'm supposed to assume that no, this isn't just a crush but "Love" with a capital "L," even though this kid is too young and too sheltered to really know what she wants. The author tries to get us to think that Cassandra has aged beyond her years, but she just sounded like an immature brat to me most of the time, pouting because she hasn't yet gotten the toy she wanted, and Court's inability to resist her seemed weird given the circumstances. I know it's just me, but again, I found the romance odd on several levels.

That having been said, I have to wonder if maybe Kasey Michaels felt the same way I did about the union, since I really felt the sex scenes lacking. Their first time together happened basically "off page," (then afterward, Cassandra ponders "so this is what it's like to be a woman." Insert rolling eye smilie here). The other times they're together seem...I don't know...glossed over? Safe? And I had to wonder whether Michaels was feeling a little squicky too about describing sex between a brother and sister, even though they're not brother/sister by blood.

Because of the Court/Cassandra union that I disliked, I honestly didn't want to even pick this last book up, but...since I'd stuck with the series this far, I really wanted to finish.

I have to say though that the last several books...including this one...were a huge disappointment. To drag the whole "Edmund Beales" story arc out over seven books was just too much. I was over it halfway through the series. I found myself skimming through the last three books more than reading them, which is a shame. By the time I got to this one, I just had the feeling of wanting it to be over. This one is a must-read if you really feel you need to complete the series, but it's by far not the best of the series.

Courtland Becket had been abused at the hands of his biological father when Ainsley Becket rescued and "adopted" him, raising him, from that day forward, as his own. Afraid to trust that Ainsley wouldn't abuse him as well, Courtland didn't/wouldn't speak. That is until Isabella entered the picture. Courtland loved Isabella and spent as much time with her as possible. He opened his heart - and his mouth - for her. On the day that Isabella died, Court promised to always protect Cassandra, the only child (by blood) of Isabella and Ainsley Becket - his sister.

Cassandra Becket has always loved Courtland. Always been keenly aware that they are not related by blood. Deciding she's waited long enough for Court to make his move, she takes the bull by the horns, so to speak and takes the advice her sisters and sisters-in-law give her on the best way to seduce the man she loves.

The Becket clan is gearing up for the final confrontation with Edmund Beales, Ainsley's former partner. They know it is coming and they know it will be an all or nothing fight. What they don't know is how Beales will strike - or when. Cassandra knows that time is limited so she has to make her move despite the preparations for battle the family is facing. Will she be able to convince Courtland that theirs is a true love before it's too late?

All the Becket clan are present for the final installment of the Beckets of Romney Marsh series, Becket's Last Stand. In Becket's Last Stand, Kasey Michaels told a wonderful story and neatly wrapped all the loose ends for the Beckets. A very satisfying ending to a very enjoyable series.

I agree with others who found the Cassandra/Courtland relationship icky, and I thought the whole book had the feeling of just going through the motions. I was disappointed by the ending--the series has been leading up to this final confrontation, but by the time it happens, there are now so many characters that it takes pages to fill and empty a room of them all. I wouldn't buy this one again--if you must read it, get it from the library.

I have to agree with A. Arend, this pairing is too creepy for me to stomach. As far as I'm concerned these two were raised as brother and sister, hence that makes it incest. Adoption makes them family, period. I don't care if they aren't blood. Woody Allen tried to sell that one and I didn't believe him either. I just got goosebumps, and not in the good way, every time they made love to each other. Especially as Court's always having memories of her as a baby playing with dolls or something else nausea inducing from their growing up years.

I found it hard to believe the rest of the family would think it so wonderful either. All in all it ruined the end of the story for me.

The Becket of Romney Marsh is an amazing series, and Kasey Michaels finishes it off nicely with this, the final book. I loved the series and unlike some series that sag a little toward the last few books, you can't wait for the ending to this. The over-arching plot that runs through all the books really keeps things moving.

Love loved it and highly recommend it!

In 1815, the Beckets of Romney Marsh know the final confrontation with their adversary is coming shortly. As the odd family anxiously waits for the altercation to occur, they stand together as one in spite of their various bloodlines. This family will stand with their beloved patriarch regardless of the personnel danger as they know Edmund Beales is coming for their beloved Papa.

Becket's adopted son Courtland continues to protect his father's only natural offspring Cassandra as he has since her mother was murdered. Their peers and spouses know these two love one another, but whereas Cass pursues Court; he hesitates as he feels she deserves better and that he is more an older brother to her. Still, love flourishes even in the darkest moments when betrayal threatens to harm all of them even as the next generation arrives at a dangerous moment.

This is a strong finish to a delightful Regency romantic suspense mini-series. Unlike the previous tales that stand alone, the audience will be better off reading the other Becket books first because this one answers questions surfaced in them. Still fans of the saga will enjoy the climax as Kasey Michaels provides a wonderful tale of family love and loyalty.

Harriet Klausner

Yeah...well, unlike others, this is the first--and last--book I read in this series. I realize that this is the culminating book in what appears to a long series, but really...I don't think it would have mattered. I had to mentally force myself not to think about the fact that Court is 13 years older than Callie AND that he basically raised her in the place of her father. I mean, it's one thing for two people to grow up friends, but he was literally a father figure to her--which kept creeping me out throughout the book. On top of that, their "love" just seem cursory. It was like the author wanted these two characters together, so she just wrote a story than ended with a suitable happily ever after.

At some point, in the story Callie outright tells Courtland that the reason she's drawn to him is because, compared to the rest of their "family" he's tame and boring; and yeah, actually, they're both kinda boring. There's not guessing or wondering about how their love will develop since, at the onset of the story, Callie is already in love with Court, and he's already in love with her (although he doesn't want to admit it). Honestly, I found myself skipping pages because I felt like they were utterly pointless filler; and even though SOME of the dialogue was snappy and interesting, that wasn't enough to make me want to read about the characters in-depth OR go back and read earlier novels (which I have done in the past).

All in all, I guess if you're a reader who was very much committed to this series, then go ahead and read it, but if you're coming in with little background experience, you might want to pass on this one.

received very quickly - I needed this book to finish a series by Kasey Michaels and it was shipped as promised, actually even quicker than promised and was in very good shape. I do keep a list of the sellers I use and try to use again when they are as good as their promise. Have found that in this slow economy, it is wise to check amazon for books not only for myself, but for the little volunteer library that we have in our village. My thanks to sellers who are as good as their word.

Ok, I see some other reviewers were a little creeped out. I get that, Courtland and Cassie were raised as siblings. However, I was able to get around that OK, since for practically the whole series; Ms. Michaels has been telling us that Courtland and Cassie were a done deal. So I was prepared. Cassie was sheltered, it is true, as were all the Becket girls, whom all seemed to have fallen in love with the first man they met. For some reason that didn't bother me either, normally, it would. I will say over all the writing, dialogue, adventure, action were all very well thought out and presented. My concerns were these: I was bothered about all the build up about the battle between "good and evil" with the Voodoo priestesses, and when I read the outcome I was let down, I reread that passage a few days later and was OK with how it was handled. I was taken aback at how Jacko went from fairly robust to broken down and again I wanted more information at the end. Where did everyone finally end up and were they happy? I feel that I kind of just left them there. I really would have liked a fuller epilogue. I was very happy for Geoffrey and that is self imposed penance was over and he could find love and be happy.

A fitting end to the 7-book series. I got the book not long after I ordered it, in good condition.
However, I still have not received the FIRST book in series "A Gentleman by Any Other Name" and since it was ordered on November 2nd, I consider that very bad treatment of a customer. So I am not too pleased with the Amazon performance on that.
Linda Sheean
12/6/08