Customer Reviews

To Desire a Devil (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The year is 1765 and "Beatrice Corning", a proper English lady lives with her "Uncle Reggie", the Earl of Blanchard in a London townhouse where she assists as hostess and administrates the running of the household. During a dull political tea being held at the Blanchard townhouse a seemingly insane man, raving in French with a facial tattoo and dangling earring staggers in and collapses amongst the proper bewigged gentlemen and their ladies.

As it turns out the "lunatic" is "Reynaud St. Aubyn", the blood heir to the Blanchard name, monies and estates and thought dead when burned at the steak by Indians in the colonies 7 years previously. It is Beatrice who recognizes the "savage", lying on the parlor room floor, for before he passes out she glimpses his distinctive black eyes. The same obsidian eyes that stare back at her from his portrait as a young man hanging in the room.

Reynaud is a complex tortured hero. After enduring 7 years of captivity, slavery, torture and starvation he is a changed man from the young Aristocrat who bought his commission and left to serve and fight for Britain in the colonies. Through sheer strength of will and determination to return to England, his family and his Earldom he survived unspeakable hardship and horror. When he does awaken in "his home" to find his father has passed 5 years previously and a "usurper" (Uncle Reggie) has claimed the Earldom he becomes obsessed with reclaiming what is rightfully his.

Despite her uncle's misgivings, Beatrice takes matters in hand and tends to Reynaud, nursing him back to health weathering his surly disposition and cutting sarcastic manner. She is determined to find out what has happened to the passionate young man whose vision in the portrait she has desired and dreamed of for many years. Beatrice is "four and twenty", and while she has had suitors has never had an offer of marriage. She wants passion in her life and to be loved. She thought she saw that passion in the eyes of the Reynaud in the portrait, however being confronted with this angry, bitter, sarcastic, and seemingly self obsessed man is, needless to say not what she expected.

Reynaud also suffers from posttraumatic stress and when he feels threatened he has flash backs and envisions himself to be back in the colonies fighting for his very survival. By the same token, when there is an attempt on his life, which also puts Beatrice in peril, he takes charge and shows that he is, at heart a brave and honorable man.

Reynaud's family and friends gradually rally around him and as he is reintroduced to life as an English gentleman is encouraged by his supportive feisty "Tante Cristelle" (his French aunt) to take a "pretty" and proper English wife to reinforce his respectability and enhance his chances to regain his title. By this time Beatrice and Reynaud have established a relationship and rapport. He, in fact, feels quite protective of her and decides that she is to be his.

Ms. Hoyt has a beautiful voice, her prose IMHO literally sings. The love scenes penned between Reynaud and Beatrice are sensuous and special. Reynaud, with Beatrice's gentle encouragement gradually shares the horrors of the last 7 years. He does find peace and comfort in her arms and begins to emotionally heal. He in turn, helps her grieve when she loses someone very close to her. I loved both these characters and Reynaud's story tugged at my heartstrings. They do marry but Beatrice does not believe he truly loves her, which causes strife between them. She is, after all a means for him to regain his title and respectability as rumors still swirl that he is quite mad.

There is also an undercurrent of political intrigue and the involvement of a wartime traitor in their midst that isn't revealed until the closing chapters. The supporting characters are extremely well developed, and each play a role in advancing what for me was a fascinating plot. Historically, this story is very well researched.

I especially like "Vale", Reynaud's oldest and dearest friend. The guy has a subtle sense of humor that had me chortling with laughter and he wastes no chance in poking fun at his serious and seemingly humorless friend. Vale is absolutely brilliant.

If you are a lover of historical romance, I think, "To Desire A Devil", may be a novel for you to put on your list. If you have read the previous books in Ms. Hoyt's "The Legend of the Four Soldiers Series", and have been anticipating this novel I don't think you will be disappointed.

I am a fan of Elizabeth Hoyt and have thoroughly enjoyed her earlier works. I have read all of the books in this series and was disappointed with her latest installment. Before purchasing the book, I checked the Amazon reviews (to date, all 5 stars) to make sure it was worth buying. Boy, was I misled. I am writing this review to offer another perspective to those readers who might appreciate another view. I couldn't let the 5 star reviews stand when I had a distinctly different opinion.

In my opinion, this book was written in haste with the requisite "elements", but with very little detail or character development. The dialogue used and the situations in which the characters are placed are formulaic, trite and unbelievable. I didn't buy the characters' attraction to each other, the "mystery" was nonexistent, and the dangerous situation tacked on. I would skip this book and reread one of her earlier works.

It seems to me that recently some of my favorite authors (Kleypas, Jeffries, Carlyle, Hoyt, Eloisa James) are producing their books to meet deadlines, rather than putting out quality stories. Unfortunately, an author's past works are not a good indicator of their current or future book quality.

Hope this information is helpful to you.

To Desire a Devil is the final book in Elizabeth Hoyt's Legend of the Four Soldiers Series. I've really enjoyed the series as a whole and I really recommend her books for readers who are looking for wonderfully romantic historical romances. I was anticipating this final book because it's about a character who has been mentioned since the very beginning of the series. Reynaud St. Aubyn has had a big presence and now his own story has been told in To Desire a Devil.

Beatrice Corning is an orphan spinster who lives with her loving Uncle Reggie, the Earl of Blanchard. Uncle Reggie took over the Earldom because the heir, Reynaud, Viscount Hope, is believed to be dead. Seven years ago Reynaud went to fight in the Colonies and at the well known battle of Spinners Falls is where he and his fellow soldier's were attacked and left for dead. He was taken captive by Indians, tortured and set on fire seven years ago. Now years later, at a boring tea party, Beatrice and Reggie are in for a surprise because a man who looks like something the cat dragged in, rushes in speaking French. He looks like a savage and passes out in front of Beatrice. The savage is St. Aubyn! Beatrice is shocked, not only because St. Aubyn is alive but she never thought she would meet him face to face. It is very awkward because she and her uncle have taken over Aubyn's home. She has also mooned over his portrait one times to many since she has arrived. The younger version of St. Aubyn that Beatrice enjoys staring at in his portrait is a dashing fellow who Beatrice has had many fantasies about.

St. Aubyn has a fever from his long travels from American to England. He is put to bed and Beatrice helps him recover. Reggie thinks this man is an imposter. He is worried, and rightly so, because if this is the real St. Aubyn, then he and Beatrice will be thrown out. Aubyn does get better but he is a raving jerk. The way he acts towards Beatrice is not all as a gentleman would, but then again he has been a captive of Indians, so his manners are lacking. Now Aubyn has to regain his title, interact with polite society again and along with some of his former Spinners Falls brothers in arms, he must find out who betrayed them and why. Who was responsible for causing the slaughter at the Falls that took seven years of Aubyn's life away?

Aubyn tries to regain his life back and not fall into dark despair (Aubyn has some PTSD- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Beatrice at first thinks Aubyn's a rude boar, but she excuses his behavior because of his emotional and physical scars. Beatrice has some deep feelings for Aubyn, mainly because of the seductive power of his portrait. Aubyn sees something special in Beatrice and his possessive side comes out towards her. She allows Aubyn to ruin her, he claims her as his and the next logical step is marriage. Aubyn feels the need to protect Beatrice. Someone is targeting Aubyn because they know that he is getting closer to finding out who the traitor is and with that they won't stop until they either kill Aubyn or hurt those who he cares about the most, and that means Beatrice.

To Desire a Devil has everything a historical romance should have: Tortured hero, check. Smart, independent heroine, check. A smoldering passion that cannot be denied with hot love scenes, check.

But, I felt as if To Desire a Devil was missing something. I was more interested in finding out the horrible person who practically destroy St. Aubyn's life more so then the logistics of Aubyn's relationship with Beatrice. I just couldn't see these two so head over heel in love or lust for one another. Perhaps more on Aubyn's end because he is looking for someone who is pure and light; a woman to take him away from all the dark days of his past. The only reason I could see Beatrice falling for Aubyn is because she had a crush on him because of this magical portrait. Can we say this is much like a thirteen year old falling for celebrity in one of those teen magazines? Why yes, I think I will! I saw Beatrice's feelings as only an immature crush and not a woman's deep love for a man she comes to understand and love. The only reason she seemed to accept Aubyn and the way he acted because she could heal him knew him so well. And why does she feel this way? Again look towards the Aubyn portrait..

Aubyn has those wonderful traits I love reading about in my heroes. He is an alpha who can also be tender, sweet and very giving in bed. Yet again the reader is made aware that the reason the hero is experienced is because of all those brothels he visited, where he sampled the favors of those accomplished courtesans because it was leaving up to this very moment where he would show Beatrice how much pleasure he can give her. Because for some reason, the way Beatrice makes him feel is the most erotic thing he has ever felt.

Beatrice is so thrilled by the passion Aubyn has for her because as he compliments how soft she is, and everything he's not, Beatrice can't help but think, "Wow Aubyn you look like a demon incubus as you are about to invade my very being. That is so hot!" No joke, Aubyn was described as a demon incubus by Beatrice. Not sure what to think of that.

I would say that To Desire a Devil is an adequate finale book in this series even though I couldn't help but compare Aubyn and Beatrice's feelings to that of a teenager's. The maturity level seemed to be lacking in regards those both of these characters.If you're a fan of Elizabeth Hoyt I have no doubt you will enjoy To Desire a Devil. I found it a bit lacking but there were some moments I enjoyed, even with the demon incubus in Beatrice's bed.

Katiebabs
To Taste Temptation (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)
To Seduce A Sinner (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)
To Beguile A Beast (The Legend of the Four Soldiers)

I am so disappointed. Last week I eagerly re-read the other three books in this series, knowing this last book would be coming. I have been looking forward to this book for months and after finishing it tonight I am completely dissatisfied.

Yes we have a tortured hero - but the whole capture / enslaved for 7 years is implausible!

Some spoilers coming! We are to believe that a single warrior from tribe A joined tribe B to ambush this regiment. (Keeping in mind that these two tribes are miles (weeks of walking) apart from each other!) After capturing the survivors, this lone warrior just walks off with Reynaud. But before they leave Reynaud is stripped of all clothing and that clothing is left for tribe B to use.

On their way to tribe A - the warrior and his prisoner meet a trapper who gives Reynaud some clothing to wear. Really? And at this time Reynaud does not say I am so and so and an English citizen please tell the authorities? Guess not. Our hero survives and wants nothing more than to get back to England...but after escaping, which was questionable IMO, he runs back to warn the people who had enslaved him that they were in trouble. Again, really? Seems a bit far-fetched to me.

Ok - back to tribe B - the one with the other captured soldiers. They dress someone (we don't know who) in Reynauds clothing. Why? Crucify this person and set him on fire. The other prisoners are made to watch. We find out that the face was burned beyond recognition but they knew it was Reynaud by the hair and clothes. Really? The hair and clothing were perhaps fire retardant?

I had looked forward to finding out who the traitor would be. Total let down. The conclusion of the mystery was very trite and the heroine in trouble at the end of the book seemed tacked on.

Then there is the love story. IMO there wasn't one. The development of a connection between the H & H just wasn't there. There is sex, but it almost feels as if the author said I need sex scenes and they will go here and here and here and here. I did not feel a deep attraction between the two at all. Beatrice has a crush on a portrait and transferred that to the resurrected Reynaud. And Reynaud is sort of a jerk. Very superficial. I never felt that he had deep feelings for her outside of bed.

The telling of Reynaud's story got old. Very old. Each time they were alone Beatrice would ask: Tell me about when you were a slave. And Reynaud trotted out another part of the story. Too weird.

Overall a Hoyt book that was below par and that is sad. I have all of her books and have in the past considered her a favorite author (loved the prince books), but this was a let down and I am going to be more cautious in buying her books in the future. I think I will check them out at the library before purchasing.

Elizabeth Hoyt's latest novel in her Four Soldier's Series is perhaps her best when it comes to creating an incredibly interesting hero. Reynaud St. Aubyn is arresting from the moment he literally bursts on the scene; the best parts of this novel are when he is center stage.

Reynaud returns to London from the American Colonies feverish, very thin and absolutely stunned to find strangers living in his home. Furthermore, someone is claiming his title, lands and money. His fury is almost overwhelming.

Beatrice Corning and her uncle are living in Reynaud's home. They, like all of London, had believed colonial natives had killed Reynaud. Beatrice's uncle ascended to the Earldom after Reynaud's father died.

Beatrice is startled when Reynaud returns but she is not unhappy. Beatrice has studied the portrait of Reynaud in her home and has always found him enigmatic. He is even more so in the flesh. Unlike the other soldiers in this series Reynaud is almost untamed. But like his fellow soldiers he knows the horrors of war.

Beatrice is an admirable heroine. Her best virtue is her deep concern for others. She is a staunch supporter of pension rights for wounded veterans and fiercely protective of the men in her life to include Reynaud. I liked Beatrice almost from the start; she is both selfless and kind.

Reynaud is a mighty presence. Even though Beatrice is very likable, Reynaud is more dynamic; his charisma and determination come across on every page. Reynaud has survived for seven years in the American colonies with a native tribe and he fiercely guards his past. He is very controlled but now and again he suffers post traumatic stress and this vulnerability is almost heartbreaking. Some of the best scenes in this novel are his recounting his seven years in the colonies. Ms Hoyt does an excellent job of slowly revealing this man's physical and emotional scars from this brutal time in his life. This is actually as moving as the physical trysts this couple shares.

Their romance is intense, with Reynaud really in charge of its direction. This is the only way Reynaud knows how to live, by charting his course with steely determination and once he sets his sights on Beatrice, he means to have her. With Beatrice, Renaud finds long awaited peace and comfort. Beatrice discovers love, passion and her power as a woman. Reynaud keeps his emotions under tight control and Beatrice is wise enough to understand that this is due to his past rather than to anything she has done.

The only fault I found in this novel was the side story of Beatrice's friend Lotty and her husband. I felt it did not move the story forward and honestly, I had a tendency to skim these portions to get back to Beatrice and Reynaud's scenes.

Since this is the final book of the series it gives the reader an opportunity to revisit previous characters. This was nicely done and gave closure to the former soldiers as they have long searched for the man who betrayed the regiment resulting in the death and torture of many men. This search for the traitor never took away from Reynaud's powerful story, and there is no mistaking that this novel is his story. This is a beautiful tale of love and compassion.

I have really enjoyed this series, especially "To beguile a beast". The dark undertones to the stories of the four soldiers has been an interesting contrast to some of the 'happier' romances in its genre. Sadly, I feel this book has let down the series and left me feeling that the book was a real anti-climax. I felt the plot had too many holes in, especially regarding Reynaud's captivity. The ending was far too trite and lacked the darkness that has threaded through the series. Reynaud came 'right' far too quickly and the romance with Beatrice lacked chemistry. It felt as if Hoyt was just going through the motions and had not invested the same intensity that she has put into her earlier books.

I have to say that this review is becoming a bit of a trend as I read the latest books of a number of my favourite authors. Even Balogh seems to be falling into the same traps. Maybe its time to say goodbye to the established authors of this genre and start to look for new stars.

Reynaud St. Aubyn has been traveling for months trying to get home to England after seven years in Indian captivity during the French and Indian war. Fevered and confused, he bursts into what was his father's London townhome and demands in angry French to see his father before collapsing.

Beatrice Corning, the niece of and hostess for the current earl of Blanchard, was presiding over a dull political tea for her uncle when Reynaud unceremoniously crashed the party. Despite the disheveled clothing, ragged hair and facial tattoos, she immediately recognizes him as the Viscount Hope from the portrait in the sitting room. Not only does this mean he was not dead, but he was also the rightful earl, placing her and her uncle's future in doubt.

Oh, where to begin with my moans and groans of disappointment?

Firstly, this is an unconvincing Georgian. The behaviors of the characters were a mix of Regency and 21st century mores. Beatrice and Reynaud spent as much unchaperoned time together as a modern couple might, with nary a comment from anyone. Beatrice's brotherly relationship with the crippled soldier was charming, but completely unlikely. Her friend's melodramatic separation from her husband was the height of absurdity. Their sappy reunion at the end was even more so. Not only that, but I'm still not sure why we were treated to bits of her marriage drama via her point of view. It felt like filler.

The romance between Reynaud and Beatrice is undeveloped. Her initial attraction to him is based off her infatuation with the portrait of him and the myth of who he is that she created in her mind. In short, she's fond of a fictional character he looks like. For his part, it seems like a sailor on shore leave. He's been in captivity for seven years, she's a woman in close proximity, hard-on ensues. I couldn't see how they were in love from their words or actions.

As a result, the sex scenes are cold. When he first takes her to bed, I was rather repulsed. She's distraught after finding out that a friend has died and she missed the funeral, and he takes advantage of her emotional state and confusion to marshal her into bed. He carries her up the stairs of the family townhouse, orders the staff not to disturb them, strips her of her wet clothes (as you can't properly mourn in the sunshine, it simply must be raining), then starts taking his own clothes off:

"'Why are you undressing?'
'Because I intend to lie with you,' he said, and took off his smallclothes."

How's that for a scorching seduction? Amazingly I was more turned off by an exchange a bit further along in the same scene:

"She tore her mouth from his and looked him in the face. 'Put it in me.'"

Yes, folks, "put it in me." It's like high school sex all over again.

So the historical details are weak, the romance threadbare, the sex awkward, how about the resolution to the four book long suspense plot? It's anti-climactic, is what it is. It lacks surprise, emotional punch or anything interesting at all. Even the reveal is weak. Four books about Spinner's Falls and the resolution is a limp rag of "Oh, is that it?" But, hey, at least we got all four heroes together for hokey shenanigans.

Definitely a shame, as I generally love Elizabeth Hoyt. Hopefully she regains the magic.

Definitely not Hoyt's best effort. I thought the hero/ine were very flat characters, and the "action" in the end was wrapped up too quickly. Also absolutely a let-down/shoddy ending to a Spinner's Falls conspiracy story that spanned four books. Very glad I borrowed this from the library rather than purchasing it, because it would have just collected dust on my shelf.

To Desire a Devil is the final book in Elizabeth Hoyt's Legend of the Four Soldiers Series and, although I have not had the opportunity of reading any of the earlier three novels in the series, this was a great stand-alone novel. Yes, I was speculating on who the other three couples were and after reading this one, I now feel the urge to also read the others. I know it's like watching a movie after you know the ending, but who cares... I still want to know what happened before everyone was living their happily ever after.

This novel has everything I look for in a historical romance - the tortured hero; the witty heroine who can only help said hero be a better man; the spicy love scenes. Ms. Hoyt's writing is fantastic. As for her characters, I had a love/hate relationship with Renaud. He was a bit too volatile and had moments of jealousy that were not very endearing, not to mention he was blindly consumed with his mission to regain his title. But at the same time, he had a soft spot for Beatrice and, in the end, that was what won me over. I loved that Beatrice was just wanting him the whole time. Most heroines put up a fight, but Beatrice was a woman who knew what she wanted.

As a side note, it had a lot more sensual scenes then your average historical romance (warning or enticement?). All in all, this was a very enjoyable romance - for lovers of the genre or fans of the series, you will not be disappointed with this one.

If you've read previous entries in The Legend of the Four Soldiers, then you must read To Desire A Devil to see how it all ends. But borrow the book from the library or pick it up used. This is mediocre romance at best.
I love Elizabeth Hoyt, so it pains me to give her a low rating. Unfortunately, To Desire a Devil is just not up to snuff.

As one astute reviewer says, Hoyt's going through the motions. Beatrice and Reynaud are shallow characters who come together much too quickly. They lack the fire, guts, and authenticity of previous couples in the series. Even the fairy tale falls a little flat.
Beatrice has been mooning over the "deceased" Reynaud's painting. When he returns from the dead, she automatically transfers all that girlish devotion to the real man. I might believe this of some characters, but Beatrice seems too mature for this kind of behavior. She falls in love ASAP for no good reason. I actually thought she had more chemistry with her wounded childhood friend than with Reynaud. Too bad he really does die.
Reynaud automatically wants Beatrice. Why? Well, he often acknowledges how very ENGLISH she is, something that appeals to him greatly after 7 yrs in the wilds of America. But other than that, who knows what he sees in her.

And the resolution to the traitor at Spinner's Falls? Anti-climactic for sure.