Clandestine [Paperback]

Julia Ross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2006

From an exceptional writer comes a sensual story of two people who are about to discover that the heart will never be dissuaded from its desires.

She's been watching him for days. Guy Devoran, the handsome and charismatic nephew of a powerful duke, is Sarah Callaway's only hope for finding her missing cousin. But first she must get close enough to uncover the dark secret that he's hiding.

Honor demands that Guy help Sarah rescue her cousin from whatever fate has befallen her. Yet he will never let slip his shameful secret-or drop his guard with this red-haired beauty who will stop at nothing in her pursuit of the truth.

From the elegant ballrooms of London to the perilous smugglers' dens of Devon, their desperate quest leads Guy and Sarah ever deeper into danger-and closer to forbidden passion.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the most powerful voices in historical romance." - Mary Joe Putney

"Lyricism and sensuality...on par with Jo Beverly's." -- Booklist --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Julia Ross is the author of several regencies and Georgian romances, including My Dark Prince. She is a native of England and a graduate of the University of Edinburgh.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; First Edition edition (November 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425211975
• ISBN-13: 978-0425211977
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,630,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love Julia Ross!, December 22, 2006

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clandestine (Paperback)

Sarah Callaway has only one hope in finding her missing cousin and that hope is with none other than Guy Devoran. He is the handsome nephew of the powerful Duke of Blackdown. Her last letter from her cousin stated a close connection to Guy and if there is any hope at all at finding her she knows that Guy will be the answer. After a daring period of time where she follows the handsome man they finally meet face to face and Sarah puts forth her request. She has no idea that the connection between Guy and Rachel was more then she was lead to believe. When he agrees to help her the time they spend together forces Sarah to realize that her heart is awakening again. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the smuggler world these two fight the attraction and honor that binds them both together.

Ms. Ross is without a doubt one of the most lyrical writers to pen a historical romance in years. A reader is guaranteed a fine read when they pick up anything by this author. Guy and Sarah's romance is just that...romantic. The push/pull that makes up their courtship will capture the reader's attention from the beginning. For those that have been reading this series from the beginning you will be able to visit with old friends. For readers that are new to Ms. Ross...will be making a beeline to their bookstore of choice to pick up her backlist. This read offers it all, romance, suspense, entertaining setting and full rich characters that will jump off the pages. Even the frustrating Rachel is a ideal addition to this read. Ms. Ross understands what romance is and how to convey it to fans new and old. Courtesy CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honor or personal happiness...which wins?, November 15, 2006

By 

Constant Reader (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clandestine (Paperback)

In this third book of the Wyldshay trilogy, Ross again pits honor against personal happiness in a story of great passion and suspense. Apparently plain widow Sarah Callaway, fearing that her missing cousin has been kidnapped by a thwarted suitor, enlists Guy Devoran, irresistably handsome and passionately honorable, to help her search. Guy has his own history with the missing Rachel which he keeps to himself, though his honor demands he help Sarah. As they begin their search, passion sparks between the delighful Sarah, who doubts any man could find her attractive, and delectable Guy, whose deep sense of honor battles with his growing connection to Sarah.

As with all her books, the rhythym and rich texture of Ross's writing raises this book above the average romance fare. If her story were a ballet, the dancers would move with deliberate and passionate grace as the music sounded a deep, resonant undertone. In Clandestine all the characters, including the infuriating Rachel, remain true and capture the reader's interest to the last page.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Purple Prose at its Worst!, January 25, 2011

By 

Dilemma "DLMA" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clandestine (Paperback)

I picked up this book at a dollar store, so, admittedly, I had no expectation that this would be a riveting read - although there were accolades aplenty (printed inside the cover) for this novel and her previous novels. It turns out that my initial impression was correct (and the accolades mystifying). From almost the first page on, there were many instances of overblown, cringe-worthy descriptions, dialogue, etc. Following are some examples from the first 38 pages:

Descriptive passage:

"His eyes were deep green, like the laughing shadow beneath a wave."

"...a pulse beating beneath the skin of her speckled thrush throat." (describing a freckled woman's neck)

Dialogue:

"...and now you're feeling as soaked in dishonor as those petals are in the duke's best brandy."

Additionally, the plot, about a missing woman, is needlessly overly complicated, and characters are cliched and one dimensional. However, if you are a fan of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, this might just be the book for you!