Between the Devil and Desire [Mass Market Paperback]

Lorraine Heath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2008

London's most notorious rogue—decadent, depraved, forbidden

The ladies of the ton won't stop whispering about deliciously wicked Jack Dodger—once a thieving street urchin, now the wealthy owner of London's most exclusive gentleman's club. There's no pleasure he hasn't enjoyed, no debauchery the handsome scoundrel won't provide for the lords who flock to his house of carnal intrigue.

London's most virtuous lady—honorable, uncorrupted, and all too human

Olivia, Duchess of Lovingdon, would never associate with such a rogue. So when Jack is named sole heir to the duke's personal possessions, the beautiful, well-bred lady is outraged. Now, Olivia is forced to share her beloved home with this despicable man.

Caught between the devil and desire

But Olivia's icy disdain is no match for Jack's dangerous charm. His touch awakens desire. His kiss demands surrender. She will struggle to bar Jack from her heart . . . but her body, coveting divine release, will not let her bar him from her bed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lorraine Heath wrote her first story at seven, and it involved a fisherman who fell in love with a mermaid. She has since moved on to writing about sexy cowboys and dashing English lords (and sometimes, cleverly, in the same book!). Publishers Weekly says she is a "master of her craft." She is, indeed, and along with being a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, she has won the RITA^® Award, Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, and a Career Achievement Award.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (December 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006135564X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061355646
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lorraine Heath always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals, press releases for a publicist, articles, and computer code, but something was always missing. In 1990, she read a romance novel and became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since, for both adult and young adult readers (as Rachel Hawthorne). Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA(R), a HOLT medallion, a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, three Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and several Texas Gold Awards. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gets better as it goes..., January 2, 2009

By 

R. Phillips (MS USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Between the Devil and Desire (Mass Market Paperback)

This was an average read for me because it took a while to endear myself to the hero and heroine (especially the heroine), and I couldn't really feel their connection until the latter part of the book. However, the characters and the story improved as it progressed.

Jack Dodger, the hero, is rough and hardened from a dark and abusive childhood. He unexpectedly and inexplicably finds himself guardian to a little boy who is heir to a Dukedom. The boy's mother, Olivia, is resistant to this "scoundrel" Dodger having any part in the rearing of her child. She often calls him a devil and he admits he's in hell. She is the stiff backed type of heroine who frequently judges others based on their perceived sins. While never boring, I found the book quite predictable. It gets better as it goes though and I found myself with so much sympathy and admiration for the hero in the end. This is when the love between the H/H finally is seen and is believable. It just takes a while to get there.

The subject matter is heavy at times(childhood sexual abuse) and the friendship between Feagan's gang is touching. The relationship between the boy and Dodger is moving as well. I will read the rest in this series and highly recommend the first book in it In Bed With the Devil (Avon Romantic Treasure). If you loved the first book and want to continue reading the series, then I recommend you go ahead and read this one.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, January 22, 2009

By 

T. L. Fentress (Bowling Green, KY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Between the Devil and Desire (Mass Market Paperback)

The thing I think I like the most in Ms. Heath's books is she allows us to really get to know the two main characters as they are falling in love and as that happens the reader falls in love with the characters as well and a real story is developing along the way.There is a lot of dialogue happening between the hero and the heroine whether they are arguing, bantering, yelling, joking, or just talking and therefore they get to know each other as we do and then we start to believe these two belong together. Which makes a very enjoyable journey along the way. I became totally enthralled once again and had a hard time putting the book down at times. I wasn't really sure she could top her last book and while I don't know if I can say she "topped" it it is every bit as good and enjoyable and was a real pleasure to read. I wasn't sure in her last book if I would even like Jack Dodger ,but, as the book progressed so did his character and a real hero was revealed in him. Of course I liked him! He was the hero in every sense of the word. People just aren't always as they appear....many have a hidden depth and story behind who they appear and we get inside that story with Jack and learn who he is. We find out why he is the way he is and how he became who he is. Isn't that the point? I came to not only care for him and about him ,but, fell in love with him myself so how could the heroine not and why shouldn't she? He may be a bit of the devil on the outside ,but, wow he was oh so charming and handsome. I so enjoyed the side story with little Henry, Olivia's 5 year old son. The comradarie that develops between he and Jack is so sweet. Children in these books to me is a bonus. I hope all children weren't just cast aside by their fathers during this period in time. I'm sure many fathers did bond with their sons but sometimes I wonder. I would highly recommend this book. Its charming and it will make you smile and even feel tingling all over at times. I didn't want to put it down and I know I will reread it as I will many of Ms. Heath's books. Well done again!

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, Seductive and Sensual...Incentuous?, January 12, 2009

By 

J.D. Haller "Librarian in Another Life" (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Between the Devil and Desire (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed this story. It is now one of my favorite Heath novels. I felt like the hero/heroine complemented each other tremendously, and the whole dynamic of the story flowed well. This sort of reminded me of "Dreaming of You" by Lisa Kleypas, in that the hero is off the streets and in charge of a successful gaming hell, the heroine is uptight, etc. The heroine is somewhat of a shrew at first, but Jack tears down her walls as she does likewise with him.

The thing that stumbled me, though, was the end of the book and the twists that are revealed. It turns out the heroine was married to the hero's father, and had a young son by the father. So the heroine is married to her late husband's son, and has a young boy by the late husband. That makes her husband and her son half-brothers...I'm my own grandpa, or something like that. ew? I don't know...that sort of killed the charm for me at the end.

But a great romance novel, overall.