Customer Reviews

A Deal With the Devil

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Giles Lorimer, Earl of Walrafen, lives for politics and London life. He's avoided his childhood home, Cardow Castle, for years because of the sad memories it holds. His disabled, war hero Uncle Elias lives at Cardow and three years ago hired a housekeeper, Mrs. Montford, who plagues Giles with updates, questions, requests and harangues on the running of the estate. Letters Giles never answers, but that he strangely both dreads and looks forward to. On the one hand, he wants nothing to do with Cardow - it could crumb to the ground for all he cares - so the letters induce a measure of guilt in him for his benign neglect of the estate and his tenants about which she regularly berates him. On the other hand, her letters are also a source of amusement and Giles takes a strange kind of pleasure in her missives. She's obviously competent, efficient, intelligent and witty and he finds himself wondering about her. Well, he will finally meet her when word comes that Uncle Elias has been murdered and Giles must return to Cardow.

Aubrey Montford is, of course, not what she seems. But she has gratefully embraced her role as housekeeper in the remote castle. She and little five-year-old Iain have lived happily at Cardow, but Aubrey knows that with Elias' death everything has changed. Her place at Cardow is not so certain now and she frets for her and Iain's futures. Unfortunately, the arrival of the neglectful earl only prompts her temper and sharp tongue, which she can't seem to keep in check. Due to his neglect an unstable tower she had written to Giles about repeatedly collapsed resulting in several injuries - including to Iain. Between this and all the other letters he never bothered to answer or issues he never addressed, she has little respect for the lord of the manor. But that doesn't mean that she hasn't noticed how handsome his is with his dark hair and silver-gray eyes.

While Giles reprimands her for her impertinence he cannot fault her for feelings that are, on the whole, justified. He sees all the improvements and positive changes that Aubrey has made at Cardow and he is impressed to say the least. He is also incredibly, surprisingly attracted to the confident, poised, green-eyed, auburn haired beauty hiding behind the plain housekeeper garb. Yes, there is definitely more here than meets the eye! But when the circumstances surrounding Elias' death seem to point to Aubrey, Giles doesn't believe it and calls in his old friends Max DeRohan and George Kemble to investigate - both the crime and Aubrey. Meanwhile an attraction between Giles and Aubrey begins to grow. Aubrey begins to see another side to Giles that contradicts her original opinion of him. He's kind, gentle, sweet and, though she can't afford to become involved with him, Giles finally breaks through Aubrey's defenses. But given his suspicions and questions about the person Aubrey really is and the fact that she is suspected of murder, can there be a future for these two?

I really enjoyed this story, but have to agree it's not quite as good as some of Ms Carlyle's other works. The mysteries of Elias' death as well as the truth about Aubrey and Iain's backgrounds are well done and keep one turning the pages. Giles is a bit different from most of the author's other heroes. He's more sensitive, less intense and rogue-ish but he is definitely used to getting what he wants. I also felt, as other reviewers did, that his initial pushing Aubrey to sleep with him when she was obviously reluctant was a tiny bit troubling. But Giles and Aubrey ultimately made a sweet couple, his relationship with little Iain was cute and it was fun to catch up with old friends like David and Cecilia (from A WOMAN OF VIRTUE) as well as Max (AWOV & NO TRUE GENTLEMAN) and Kem (he's seen in almost all of her books!). Highly recommended!

While I enjoyed "A Deal with the Devil" quite a bit, I feel as if I should add a warning: the initial sexual encounters between the heroine (Aubrey Montford) and the hero (Lord Walrafen) do make for rather uncomfortable reading.

Aubrey Montford is on the run and desperate, and she needs to find a place where she and her son, Iain, can lie low and be left in peace. And so Aubrey answers an advertisement for a housekeeper at Castle Cardow in Somerset. Cardow actually belongs to Lord Walrafen, however because he hates the estate he rarely goes there, and he has installed his uncle, Major Lorimer (a veteran of the Peninsula Wars), there to oversee things. Using the Major's past relationship with her father, Aubrey secures the job for herself, and so safety for Iain and herself. But things at Cardow are truly desperate. The Major is a drunk and suffers from bouts of depression, and has allowed the castle and estate to fall into ruin. Aubrey has her work cut out for her. And slowly, over the course of three years, Aubrey is able to transform the estate into a successful income earning one. And then one day everything changes: the Major is found dead from a gunshot wound in his study, and the local JP suspects Aubrey of the crime. Even worse, Lord Walrafen turns up intent on discovering who killed his uncle, and looks to Aubrey for answers. For a young lady with a great many secrets to hide, all this attention is almost too much to bear...

Because of his miserable childhood, Lord Walrafen has always hated Cardow and has done his best to ignore its very existence. Of course he never dreamed that he would have to contend with an efficient, intelligent and sarcastic housekeeper who seems bent on peppering him with letters about his estate. And now said housekeeper is suspected of having had a hand in his uncle's murder. But Walrafen cannot believe that Aubrey is a murderess. Definitely she's hiding something, but a guilty conscience at having shot the Major is not one of them. Walrafen is determined to uncover all of Aubrey's secrets. But is his detetermination because he is intent on discovering what happened to his uncle or because of the almost obsessive attraction he feels for Aubrey...

In spite of the fact that it almost seems as if Lord Walrafen forces himself upon Aubrey initially, I rather enjoyed "A Deal with the Devil." And this completely due to the authour's obvious talent. Just when you're bracing yourself for the disappointment in realizing that the hero is another one of those "I-must-have-what-I-want-when-I-want-it" types, Liz Carlyle completely turns things around by making him realize (early on in the book, mind you) the error of his ways. So that in spite of the fact that "A Deal with the Devil" does indeed revolve round many well known plot devices, everything still seems fresh and vital. I cannot remember the last time a hero trusted a heroine implicitly enough to wait for her to confide in him. All in all, I'd vote "A Deal with the Devil" as a stellar 4 star read because of its memorable heroine (brave, strong and honest), likable hero and poignant love story. The attraction that Aubrey and Walrafen feel for each other is quite apparent and electric; but more striking still is the authour's stark accounting of the conflicting emotions, fear and confusion that Aubrey feels about the attraction she feels for Walrafen and what she should do about it. A good read.

Carlyle has written several books set in early nineteenth century England, using the same set of core characters. I read and like them all, but the first few in the series were edgier, darker, and, for me, much more interesting.

Aubrey Montford needs a place to hide, so she becomes a housekeeper for Major Lorimer, who lives in his nephew's family home, Castle Cardow. The major dies mysteriously and Aubrey is of course the first suspect. Enter Giles, Lord Walrafen, who is determined to find his uncle's killer and discover all of Aubrey's secrets. You can take it from here.

I like Carlyle's style and her characters. But she seemed to throw away the plot at the end - the old - "I've reached my page requirement, so let's put this puppy to bed" thing?

grade: B Because I know that she could have done better.

I won't summarize the story since many other reviewers have already done that, but I will give my opinion on "A Deal". Initially, the book grabbed me and had me turning the pages not allowing me to put it down. I loved the story line, the letters wrote to Lord Walrafen by Mrs. Montford, sexual tension at each encounter and finally the growing attraction between the hero and heroine. However, it began to drag from the middle to the end. I found it too easy to put down and I didn't care whether I finished the end or not, knowing how it would all turn out.

In truth, this book is more similar to her first book, "My False Heart", more romance and less suspense, but not as well written. The farther I got into the book, the more I found the heroine to be too dishonest, not worthy of the Giles trust or love. As frequently as she was caught in a lie or known to be lying, I found it hard to believe that anyone would want to be around such as distrustful and dishonest person, let alone fall in love with them. One of my strict requirements for enjoying a book is the ability to relate to and like the hero and heroine.

I found Giles to be a contradictory character, who wasn't the same person you met in Carlyle's other books. He was self-assured, arrogant, sexy and always got what he wanted. That doesn't sound like the type of person who would stoop to seducing those dependent on him, like his servants. He would want a challenge, an equal, someone he was in awe of. Carlyle does try to make Aubrey more like his equal than others in the story, however she fails by making Giles' character into some simpering idiot, whispering loving sentiments to his servant, who spurns one of the greatest gifts he has to offer her, marriage for true love.

If you can't find anything more worthwhile to spend your money and time on, it is entertaining, but not up to the Carlyle's quality that I expected or you may expect if you have read other books of hers.

Setting - Cadrow Castle, England, 1829 --- Carlyle's latest book in her `Devil' series features a young woman who has come to the musty rundown Castle Cadrow in answer to an advertisement for a housekeeper. Calling herself Mrs. Aubrey Montford, she brings along forged documents along with her young son, Iain. Major Lorimer, the cantankerous and ailing uncle of the Earl of Walrafen is ready to toss her and her son out until she reveals to him her real identity and he reluctantly allows her to stay where over time she endears herself to the Major. Several years pass and the very isolation of the castle gives her a feeling of safety as she busies herself in returning the castle and grounds back to a semblance of it's former glory.

Giles, the Earl of Walrafen, whose unhappy childhood memories of Castle Cardow have kept him away from his childhood home for years has been apprised of the castles status by weekly missives, as well as scoldings he's been receiving from the seemingly irritable Mrs. Montford. He's dealt with these letters by regulating them to an almost non-existent priority in lieu of more important matters dealing with his Parlimentary work. Notified of his uncle's murder, he drops everything and travels to the castle where he is astonished when he finally meets the housekeeper. The woman he'd once thought of as a close proximity to Atila the the Hun turned out to be quite lovely, AND she was also the prime suspect in his uncle's murder. Their relationship starts out on the wrong foot from the very first moments, with Aubrey barely disguising her disdain for neglecting both his home and uncle, and of course he's not too pleased with a housekeeper that is treating him with such impertinence. In spite of Aubrey's secrets, their mutual attraction simply sizzles and they embark on a surreptitious affair. When Giles wants to make the relationship a more permanent arrangement, he's distraught when Aubrey refuses to even consider it. Calling in some favors from friends, Giles asks them to conduct an investigation that just might destroy what gains he'd made in getting Aubrey to trust him.

This was such an awesome and thrilling romance from an author whose writing style, I confess, I simply adore. I totally enjoyed her two protagonists and their interaction, especially as Giles, whether he admitted it or not, had so enjoyed the letters he'd been receiving over the years from a woman who he thought of as a `thorn in his side'. While this is part of a `series' it certainly does stand-alone and I particularly love the way, Carlyle manages to bring back friends from all of her previous novels to pop in, here and there, to visit - one big happy family! Kemble, who has appeared in a couple of books that I can recall, is a remarkable secondary character that I find always adds a humorous touch to the usual drama in her stories. Bottom Line - This is just another of the superb stories I've come to expect when buying this authors works and I am so glad I discovered her right from the get go! All her books have found a permanent place on my `keeper shelf'! ---- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com ---

I was pleased to finally see Ms Carlyle's newest story. It was like getting a letter from old friends, catching me up on what is happening in their lives. I have loved the way that the characters from previous books weave through each new book. I feel like I am coming home. This book was a delight and I thought it was very well written. The story of Giles and Aubrey was moving and entertaining. Ms Carlyle has a way with words that keeps me chuckling. I adored the characters in this book and didn't want it to end while at the same time anxiously wanting to know the outcome. Aubrey's terrible secret made her a stronger person, and carried the plot. It was very romantic, and totally heartwarming when they finally got together. Liz Carlyle just keeps getting better and all I can say is please keep them coming Ms Carlyle, I am a devoted fan.

Something about this story that left me unsatisfied and a little irritated. Like there was something lacking in our heroine and hero's relationship that I can't put my finger on it. I found the relationship between Aubrey and the Major more endearing. I do love Liz Carlyle's style of writing, I just don't feel like this one was up to the others.

In other books I found Giles more annoying than anything, with his too much of an interest in his stepmother Cecilia and his too much of an interest in politics. He seemed boring. Aubrey had a determination that made her perfect for Giles. I think he was 1/2 in love with her just from her letters about his estate and uncle - so when he finally arrives at Castle Cardow and finds out she is beautiful too - well that sealed the deal for him. I liked the fact that he trusted her no matter what others were saying. He had grown to know her somewhat through all those letters. So often these historicals are built around the main characters not trusting each other. It is hard to feel true love between the couple when there is no trust. No matter what others were saying about Aubrey Giles would not hear it. So his good friends Max and Kem (what a duo they make!!!) go out and find out about the background of Mrs. Aubrey Montford. Thank goodness they did too because without their knowledge and stubborness the truth of Aubrey's flight from Scotland might never have been resolved. But wasn't it great that she confessed all to Giles before his friends came back with their truth. This was a great romance and finally Giles has his own true love and can quit looking too lovingly at Lady Delacourt!!

Not knowing what to expect, I bought this book solely based on positive reviews from another website. I thoroughly enjoyed this author's ability to combine light comedy with a slightly gothic-flare, including at least 2 mysterious deaths that are not resolved until the end of the book. I was reminded of Jane Austin in the style and banter between the characters. Since other reviewers have already described the plot in detail, I will simply say that I was entertained enough to purchase another copy for a friend and recommend it to another. The story never became dull (as some do) and it was a fun page-turner.

At first this didn't seem like a usual Liz Carlyle book. But it turned out to be much better. In fact, it's a close tie with Beauty Like the Night in my opinion. Give this book a chance and you will love it.