Devil's Desire (Casablanca Classics) [Paperback]

Laurie McBain (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 1, 2010 | Series: Casablanca Classics

What readers say about Devil's Desire:

"One of my all-time favorite romances."

"I just love this book! Each scene keeps you turning the pages."

"What a pleasure to read an author I know will never disappoint me!"

They called him the devil...

With his seductive golden eyes and sin-black hair, it's no wonder Lord Alex Trevegne has earned himself the sinister title-not to mention his reputation as one of the most notorious rakes in England.

And she's the only one who can conquer him...

When fate throws Alex and Elysia into a scandalous situation, Alex suddenly finds it surprisingly difficult to tear himself away from her.

As an unexpected passion blossoms between them, Elysia begins to wonder if after a lifetime of heartache she's finally found heaven in the arms of the devil.

Praise for Laurie McBain:

"McBain's skill at shaping characters and propelling the plot distinguishes her."
-Publishers Weekly

"Well-crafted and wonderfully romantic. Readers are rewarded with teeming atmosphere."
-Romantic Times

"Vivid sense of description, colorful characters... I found myself happily lost in the magnificence of the storytelling."
-Los Angeles Herald Examiner

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A rich tale with various subplots that deliver a refreshing amount of mystery, suspense, and tension. When combined with the flourishing romance between the hero and heroine, it makes for an exciting read. " - The Long and Short of It Reviews

"I flew through the pages so easily with smiles, some laughs, and even had tears that threatened to fall from my eyes. " - The Book Faery

"Timeless... Filled to the brim with historical richness and sexual tension. " - Night Owl Reviews

"What a fantastic read! Devil's Desire is a Regency era novel with all that makes that genre exciting and appealing to readers" - History Undressed

"A book for the ages." - RomFan Reviews

"Wonderful story that just jumped off the pages with characters so likeable....even when they weren't...that I was almost sad to see it end." - Seriously Reviewed

"Devil's Desire contains all of the tension and conflict that you would expect from a well-crafted regency with the great writing of Laurie McBain. " - Books Like Breathing

"The writing flows smoothly and the fantastical scenes spring to life in a way that kept me turning pages." - All About Romance

"Devil's Desire is a fun romantic escape with its likable characters, plot twists and satisfying ending... A keeper." - Sarai is Reading What?

"Good characters - to like or not - and engaging writing make this interesting." - Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf

"A fantastic, fast-paced tale that leaves your heart racing and your palms sweating. " - Coffee Time Romance

"A definite must read." - Luxury Reading

"Full of adventure, suspense and surprise." - Book Chick City

About the Author

Laurie McBain became a publishing phenomenon at age twenty-six with her first historical romance. She is a winner of the Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Romance Author. All of her romances were bestsellers, selling over 11 million copies. Laurie's books have been out of print for over 5 years.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (November 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402242417
• ISBN-13: 978-1402242410
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #890,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I liked this book and I even liked Alex! June 24, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is another of those first historical romances that I read when I was a teenager. I recently re-read it to see if it still holds up. I think it does and is even better than some of what is being written today.

OK, Alex is the epitomy of the selfish manipulative rogue. Everything he does is for a selfish purpose. But you slowly start to realize that deep down, he does have some redeeming qualities that have just been in hibernation for years. Spending all his time in "the ton" with all the useless aristocrats has jaded him to the point that the only person he has any tender feeling for is his younger brother Peter who he has basically raised. You also learn that he had to take on some serious responsibilities at a very young age with the death of their parents. Alex sees little to respect in most of the people he meets and so it takes some time for him to see what Elysia can offer him. He can't believe she's for real and yes, he does use her for his own ends.

Elysia is an orphan. Her parents are dead and her brother, who is in the Royal Navy, is missing and presumed dead. She has no one and is living with an evil aunt who makes her work for her keep. Elysia finally has enough of this abuse and packs up her meager belongings and sets off to London to try and make a better life for herself. Along the way she stops at an inn and meets up with Alex. They immediately argue and disagree over life and love and sparks fly. When they are caught in a "scandalous" situation created by another guest (who hates and wants revenge on Alex for a past wrong) Alex ruthlessly manipulates Elysia into marrying him as her only option to emerge from the scandal unscathed.... Alex figures on marrying Elysia, taking her to his country estate in Cornwall and basically dumping her there and forgetting about her (except of course, she'll have to provide an heir at some point).

But Alex does not immediately return to London and as time passes, he starts to see what she is all about. She's good, kind, sweet, loyal - things that Alex had thought didn't exist, or not genuinely, anyway. And he is uncomfortable with the things he is starting to feel for his wife and wonders if she is feeling the same. He tests her by trying to make her jealous with his former mistress. He rages when he mistakenly believes that Elysia is having an affair and breaks one of the few keepsakes Elysia had from her late parents (I cried at that scene!).

Alex lashes out because Elysia awakens in him feelings he thought himself incapable of and that he believes are not returned. Feelings that he tries to deny, but ultimately, he has to admit that he loves her, that he's used her unmercifully and has to beg her forgiveness or lose her. So, OK to some it may seem like I'm letting Alex off too easy, but hey, I liked him even being a jerk! You just knew instinctively that there was more to him.

Then there's the smugglers, spies for Napoleon, and deadly traitors in their midst making things all the more dangerous.

I realize this book is likely hard to find, being so old, but give it a try and see what you think. You might like it as much as I did. Read more ›

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars real romance April 9, 2004

By Chanel

Format:Paperback

to be honest, the hero was hard and at times very dark, whichis one of the greatest appeals to the novel. Lets be honest we don't read romances to hear about biddable male characters that we could meet in the supermarket. We want the hard bad guy, trapped in the confines of a novel, that's part of the charm of romance. Alex in devil's desire delivers this.
If you are a reader that refuses to pretend that you disaprove of this type of hero,this book is a five.
On the other hand Elysia at times is kind of irritating , her high morals and stuck up ways, may distance some readers.
But all in all a better romance than most written nowadays.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars it' s a forkeeps romances. February 7, 2006

By butterfly_of_peace

Format:Paperback

i first read it when i was in college,i think 5 years ago.i borrowed it on our local library and is very old i think its the first issue and the pages colors brown and faded then but i still read it.i never really thought id find reviews about it on the internet!i must say i have the very same feeling with a reader's post June 24,2002.Elysia's free-spirited and kind-yet-stubborn hearted lady againsts Alex's ruthless and hardened-heart.they're perfect for each other and i've never really forgotten their romance plus the fact that it was released almost 20 years ago!most of romances today are just almost predictable.Alex and Elysia's one of my all time favorite romances.=)

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Lost in details January 21, 2011

By Angel Kissed

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love it when an author can develop a character that just comes to life.
I like detail in a story so that you feel you are a part of it.

However, I felt lost in the detail that was in this book, at least for the first half of the book. It seemed that she tried to include too many well/over developed characters that weren't essential to the story. Too many villians that were either over developed or under developed. There was so much detail about a room or house that it took up most the chapter and I thought I'd never get to the heart of the story.

The story or plot was good in and of itself but there was a fluency missing which I attribute to too much unnecessary detail and then the lack of detail when it was most needed to have the impact.

Characters that were developed were dropped and never heard from again...which seemed like a waste of time and imagination.

There were parts that drew me in and struck an emotional cord in me which showed that this author had/has potential but this is one that I'll easily put down and not remember to ever pick up again.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I really Loved this book! Nadije February 18, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I really enjoyed reading this book! It has a wonderful plot and story! I read this book many times and it still is a great read! I really do recommend it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Early Regency Still Entertaining April 15, 2012

By Regan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

An early Regency romance and the author's first novel, published in 1975, DEVIL'S DESIRE sold over a million copies. It tells the Cinderella-like story of an orphaned young woman, Elysia, raised in aristocracy but reduced to rags by an evil, jealous aunt. She escapes that cruelty only to find herself manipulated into a compromising position with a hardened rake, Lord Alex Trevegne.

McBain's style included long narrative passages at the beginning that slowed the pace but it picked up to become quite entertaining. However, there were some improbable elements along the way: Having read (and imagined) fighting a forced seduction, it was clear Elysia didn't fight very hard (if at all); and for a supposedly intelligent girl, she was dismally slow to figure out her aunt's schemes. Then when she is told she will marry Alex, she just accepts it. She didn't have to marry him; all she had to tell the bishop was "no." She came across a bit like a wet noodle at that point, though she did perk up as the story moved along.

I'm giving it 4 stars because the story held my interest and kept me turning pages even with its rather slow beginning.