Complete Abandon [Mass Market Paperback]

Cheryl Holt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2003

No bargain as enticing as...

When Emma Fitzgerald storms the manor home of the new Viscount Wakefield, she feels more than justified fury. Having just inadvertently witnessed his lordship in scandalous dishabille with his London mistress, her blood pounds with outrage...and with a thrill she has never felt. She has come to demand better treatment for his tenants, to seek some compassion, a shred of decency from this dastardly rake whose reputation for sin and debauchery precedes him. Now, the erotic image of his powerful flesh only heightens her determination to make this wicked rogue accountable for his actions...

One sealed with a kiss...
Certainly no woman has ever dared to take John Clayton to task as though he is a naughty schoolboy, and no woman, especially one as enticing as Emma, ever has refused to be baited by his bold, assessing gaze. Instead she seems to look beneath his skin to see more than a scandalous rake. But this prim and proper Vicar's daughter leaves him speechless when she proposes a bargain worthy of his own insolence. In return for his kindness to others, she offers herself. Vowing to regain the upper hand, John brazenly sets out to introduce Emma into the art of love-heedless of the consequences to his own heart...

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Emma, the impoverished daughter of a deceased vicar, storms into the home of the new Viscount Wakefield, John Clayton (after first spying on one of this well-endowed gentleman's sexual interludes with a bored, if voluptuous, mistress), to protest the eviction notices his estate manager has sent to villagers formerly supported at Wakefield. John has spent years being a rich, spoiled ne'er-do-well to annoy his father, and nobody has ever taken him to task before. Not only does Emma shape him up, but he finds her irresistible, and they become lovers after she offers herself to him in exchange for retraction of the evictions. She intended just to toy with him, but finds him equally irresistible. Ultimately, they do get together, but not before navigating complications from a jealous mistress, Emma's mother and sister, a perverted replacement vicar, angry bastard brother, and an unintended pregnancy. Holt's delightful, sexy, and--surprise--redemptive romp leaves the reader laughing out loud. Mary K. Chelton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Inside Flap

"I want to make love to you..."

"Here in the forest." John's voice was tempting, seductive, urging her to do what she oughtn't.

"No, someone might come by. Someone might see us."

These woods are deserted. It will be fine."

She glanced around. They were so isolated. They could...

No! What was she contemplating? They couldn't!

He let go of her, guiding her so that she slid down his front, every titillated inch taking a leisurely trip across his anatomy. He unfastened her cloak and spread it on the grass. Pensively, she watched, not assisting or hindering him, not running off as she knew she should. He knelt and brushed the cloak flat, a smooth, inviting bed where they could romp and rollick. Then, he sat and held out his hand to her. She was so apprehensive, yet so excited, that she was paralyzed. If she joined him, she wouldn't be able to contain her baser impulses.

"Come to me, Emma." His ravishing eyes were beseeching, his smile beguiling her, luring her to her doom. He clasped her hand in his, his thumb tracing captivating circles in the center of her palm. "I won't hurt you."

Gently, he tugged on her wrist, and her knees buckling, she collapsed down. He reached out and petted her hair, her shoulder, his hand descending to her breast. He seized her nipple, squeezing the raised peak.

"What do you want from me, Em?"

There were dozens of potential answers she could give, from simple to difficult, from cheap to expensive. But what she said was, "I want you to touch me. All over. With your hands and your mouth..."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (September 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031298460X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312984601
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #896,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

CHERYL HOLT is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-seven novels. She is hailed as the undisputed "Queen" of erotic romance, as well as the international "Queen of Villains". She has numerous national writing awards to her credit and is particularly proud to have been named "Best Storyteller of the Year" by Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine. The magazine also selected her as one of the "Top Twenty-Five Erotic Authors of All Time".

She lives and writes in Los Angeles, where her teenage son is pursuing his dream of becoming a Hollywood movie star.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific - this is Holt at her best, January 20, 2004

By 

"readinganddreaming" (Green Country, Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Abandon (Mass Market Paperback)

I have really enjoyed Cheryl Holt's books with the exception of Absolute Pleasure, her novel prior to Complete Abandon. Absolute Pleasure was average at best and disappointed me because I expect above average writing from Holt. But she is at her best once again with Complete Abandon and I was able to determine that within the first fifty pages of the book (and I'm not talking about the sensual scene from the first few pages).

Viscount Wakefield, John Clayton, is one of those immoral heroes who is too wealthy for his own good. He isn't too pleased with the many responsibilities required of a viscount who owns numerous properties. He has spent years in decadent living - always partying, gambling, womanizing, and whatever else he can do to provide a thrill to his very tainted life - a life that is becoming quite boring. He visits one of his estates, Wakefield, and begins the tedious task of making the estate profitable once again. Fearing boredom, John has brought with him to Wakefield his mistress, brother, and a crowd of equally decadent revelers who are ever willing to accept John's immense hospitality.

Emma is a heroine with a lot of zest, purpose, and down right audacity. She is the daughter of Wakefield's deceased vicar and is known to protect those she loves. The villagers petition Emma's assistance when many receive eviction notices from the newly arrived viscount. Emma is incensed when she realizes the eviction notices are directed to those retired, ill, or fatherless. She eagerly takes up the village's cause and tromps to the estate family's home to confront the viscount with his poor judgment, stingy inclinations, and downright villainous tendencies as he evicts the most needy from their homes. Emma has heard all of the horrible rumors about John Clayton's despicable behavior and it only makes her more determined to face him down and hammer some sense into him.

John is having a fairly boring morning, complete with a boring sexual encounter with his mistress. This is the opening pages scene that has been commented on in many reviews. Afterwards, he is holding a rather boring informal business meeting with his brother when this unknown woman demands entrance to his home. His butler is unable to keep her out of the house and this stranger barges straight into John's library where he sits with his brother and his mistress. Well, John is one of those alpha males who always want to be in charge but, as a gentleman, he attempts to placate this furious, beautiful lady and get her out of his house. Soon John is speechless as he learns this vicar's daughter doesn't think too highly of him and is actually criticizing him! And insulting him - a lot! She is dictating to him about his duties and detailing his many failures. As he attempts to speak to Emma, she keeps up her tirade and refuses his efforts to dismiss her. So John, ever the devil viscount that he is, makes a rude and shocking proposition to her in exchange for his withdrawal of the eviction notices. Of course, his intention is to cause her to run from his house - away from his evil, reprehensible suggestion - and the obviously depraved person he is. He expects this vicar's daughter to scamper away in fear and out of his home forever. But Emma is one step ahead of him and stuns him by taking up his challenge. This all occurs within the opening pages of the book and is one of the more entertaining scenes I have read in romance writing. I really savored this interaction between the two. John is stunned as Emma not only agrees to his proposition but also insists he put it in writing.

So, Complete Abandon is off and running fast. There is not a dull moment from page one and Emma and John's relationship is at once adversarial as well as intensely sensual. Their relationship is unlike most romance plots. Oh there are similar elements to mainstream historical romances but the situations between Emma and John are unusual and refreshing. Most of all they captivate you as they each try to outmaneuver the other. It is a rollicking story with many ups and downs as well as containing some serious overtones. John's continued shock at Emma's behavior is humorous throughout the book. Their relationship, as to be expected, does become physical eventually and these sensual scenes rate a strong 4.5 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). John holds true to his alpha character but it does not rule the book, as is so often the case. Emma remains strong and resilient without becoming tiresome or irritating. The chemistry is strong between these two yet their situation is a bit sad since neither expects anything lasting from the other.

I highly recommend Complete Abandon. It goes on my keeper shelf - I have not had many of those lately. Thanks Cheryl Holt for a fantastic and fun story.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensually titillating! Very highly recommended, September 30, 2003

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Complete Abandon (Mass Market Paperback)

A scandalous observation leaves spinster Emma Fitzgerald with unfettered desire and outrageous daring. Rather than feeling appalled at witnessing a tryst between John Clayton, the new Viscount Wakefield, and his paramour, Emma longs to sample such risqué behavior. Unfortunately, she has arrived on a serious mission, as the Viscount has served eviction notices on many of her elderly and widowed neighbors, as well as her own family. Temporary distraction does not put her off from her purpose; rather, it prepares her.

Under the prim, proper exterior of a vicar's daughter, Emma conceals passions to match John's. Her saucy daring and bodacious maneuverings captures his attention, promising an allure far beyond what John has shared with the jaded women of London. Moreover, John's attempts to protect while dissuading Emma fail miserably when she turns the situation to her advantage. Suddenly this bad boy realizes he has met his match in the most unexpected of ways.

Cheryl Holt creates a searing tale of passion in COMPLETE ABANDON. Holt provides an amusing afternoon's read with vivid characterizations that spring to life. A study of complete opposites, Emma and John come together with unexecuted hilarity and outrageousness. Emma's sensual nature sparkles under this bad boy's touch. Remarkably, she does not attempt to tame his wayward ways; rather, she glories in both his strengths and in his flaws. John, however, has a lot to learn about women regardless of his varied experience if he wishes to ever keep the heart of this remarkable woman. Secondary characters likewise sparkle with Holt's characteristic style. Witty, daring and delightful, COMPLETE ABANDON comes very highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sizzling Sensual Romance, September 12, 2003

By 

Sheri Melnick (Enola, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Abandon (Mass Market Paperback)

While Ms. Holt is rapidly achieving fame in the romance genre, it is clear that her sensual romances are not just an abundance of love scenes with a little plot added. In her latest, she very credibly integrates romantic interludes between an unhappy viscount and a deceased vicar's daughter with the caring nature that also binds the two in friendship.

Though Emma Fitzgerald decides to ask John Clayton, Viscount Wakefield, to rescind his eviction notices, she never thought she would agree to sexual interludes with him in exchange for his rescission powers and his visits to the tenants. But agree she does, and the two soon learn that there is more to their relationship than the sensual promises of the bedroom. And while Emma is a thoroughly refreshing heroine in a subgenre where most young virginal females are submissive, she is no simpering miss, as she barely earns her keep for her invalid mother and young sister caring for neighbors and delivering babies in the village.

With sensual love scenes between John and Emma amidst their verbal sparring, the plot continues at a fast pace, as John must determine the nature of their relationship before he returns to his mistress in London. Though the new local vicar's sensual proclivity for young girls seems a little over the top, the ever evolving romance between the two lovers is as entertaining as it is steamy.