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177 of 182 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Dream of a Love Story, June 5, 2003
Sara Fielding, a proper, if somewhat eccentric, country-bred English gentlewoman, is also a well-known writer of popular fiction. Her first novel, "Mathilda," is beloved by most who can read. Ms. Fielding has traveled to London to research the underworld of gambling for her latest book. Venturing into the London stews late one evening, and taking copious notes on Cockney street cant, local color and any noteworthy incidents that might add flavor to her fiction, Sara inadvertently witnesses and interrupts a violent stabbing. She pulls out the pistol she carries for protection, (target-shooting at home in Greenwood Corners is a necessary hobby, obviously). She shoots one of the attackers, meaning only to wound, while another escapes. Thus, 25 year old Sara Fielding saves the life of Derek Craven. Mr. Craven is the fabulously wealthy owner of London's most exclusive gambling club. He is a self-made man and wheels and deals with the most powerful people in England. In a world where knowledge is power, he has knowledge of exactly how much money the wealthy and landed possess; who owes what to whom; who is on the verge of bankruptcy, etc.. Craven was born destitute, however, and his prostitute mother abandoned him soon after the birth. Pimps, prostitutes & criminals raised him in the darkest of city slums, & he managed to survive by becoming as ruthless as he needed to be. Cynicism is Mr. Craven's middle name and money is what he believes in. Any tender feelings or emotions he might have had, or hoped to have, he buried deep inside of himself where they can never be found. Love is weakness and weakness is to be despised. Get the picture? So, Derek has little patience for anyone or anything that does not serve his ends. I might add here, for the sake of us romance readers...yes, he also happens to be handsome and a hunk, in a rough, virile sort of way. :) Anyway, he does owe Sara his life...& he is Mr. Gambling King...and she is doing research on gambling...so they get to hang out! Yes, her lovely innocence gets to him...although he resists mightily. And the adventures begin, as does a most wonderful love story. Both Derek and Sara are fabulous characters, and more complex than I can begin to describe. Sara is a riot doing research after midnight in the most horrible neighborhoods you can imagine. Derek is so tough and so determined not to feel anything, EVER! There is a lively cast of "others", plot twists, humor, and super, steamy sex. I truly don't know how Lisa Kleypas does it. Another writer might have turned this story into a hackneyed romance. Ms. Kleypas has made magic. This one is a keeper!!
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38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kleypas knows how to fall in love..., October 2, 2005
Novelist Sara Fielding is a woman trapped between her current persona of the proper, innocent, English maid and the adventerous hoyden lying dormant just beneath the surface. She meets our hero by saving his life thus thrusting herself into the scandelous underworld of gambling, prostitution, and debauchery....and our hero is the King of it all.
Derek Craven's spiritual candle is growing dim. He feels himself soiled and beyond redeemption. He shields his fragile heart well and finds it alarming when this English Miss upsets his precarious balance.
Standard romance novel right? Well in a way yes, but Kleypas gives me what I want...and that is to remember falling in love. The heated embraces, the blushes, the struggle to forgive yourself enough to feel worthy of love are all captured beautifully in this book.
I have read this book at least 4 times now. It doesn't get old. (I like to read a couple of oldies but goodies everytime the author comes out with a new book...It Happened one Autumn was great by the way)
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38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memorable characters...touching love story, July 25, 2006
Sara Fielding is a published writer, made popular by one of her best and most renowned works called Mathilda. She is visiting London to do research on her latest work about a man who runs a gambling club. One night, Sara witnesses two men beating up another man. Once she realizes that they mean to kill him, she pulls out her gun and shoots one of the men. The man she just saved is Derek Craven, owner of one of London's most exclusive gambling clubs.
Derek is a lost and damaged soul. Raised by a number of prostitutes, Derek literally clawed his way out of the slums and became one of the wealthiest men in England. Derek's past, however, continues to haunt him. He has surrounded himself with wealth and power in order to protect himself from the harsh realities he had to endure as a child, and have also kept everyone else at arm's length; never allowing anyone to get too close to him.
Their meeting that fateful night will change the course of their lives. Sara and Derek have to get past their fears and insecurities to love each other. Sara struggles with confidence and her place in the world. Through Derek, she learns her value as a woman and as a talented writer. Similarly, Sara's love eventually destroys the walls that Derek built around his heart, and brings healing to his soul.
Derek is such a great character. You can almost feel the pain he's gone through and what it's taken him to get as far as he has. He has come far but still denies himself the love he craves so desperately because he feels he doesn't deserve it.
This book is easy to read but also bittersweet. It's also fairly fast-paced so you'll find it difficult to put down.
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