Ecstasy [Mass Market Paperback]

Nicole Jordan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

A blazing tale of breathless passion, seductive desire, and deep love from sensational, bestselling author Nicole Jordan . . .

Having watched her mother languish away for a lost love, Raven Kendrick vows never to surrender her heart. But when her life erupts in scandal, she is forced to accept a marriage proposal from the wickedly sensuous owner of London’s most notorious gaming hell. Though fiercely drawn to her enigmatic rescuer, Raven battles to resist her husband, whose sensuous caresses promise ecstasy beyond her wildest fantasies.

To save the reputation of an innocent girl nearly ruined by his brother, Kell Lasseter sacrifices his freedom to wed the dazzling debutante. Long scorned for his Irish blood and dark past, Kell cannot deny that this enchanting spitfire is unlike other society misses . . . anymore than he can quell his smoldering desire for her. Torn between loyalty to his brother and his growing feelings for his rebellious bride, Kell must somehow free Raven’s reluctant heart before they can know the ecstasy of true love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The fourth installment in Jordan's Regency-era Notorious series (Desire, etc.) is devoted to spirited Raven Kendrick, whom readers will recognize from The Passion. Raven is on the verge of fulfilling her deceased mother's greatest wish-to wed a nobleman. Her good fortune takes a turn for the worst, however, when she's abducted en route to the nuptials by jilted suitor Sean Lasseter and taken to his brother, Kell's, gaming hell. Sensual scenes abound between Raven and Kell after he rescues her from Sean's certain abuse, including an outlandish one in which Kell tends Raven, who is suffering from the effects of an aphrodisiac given to her by Sean. Before long, Raven realizes that only marriage will repair her reputation, and when an honor-bound Kell reluctantly offers, she accepts even though the prickly Irishman is rumored to have murdered his uncle. Inevitably, Kell and Raven are unable to keep their physical passion from turning into love, but to Jordan's credit, their bond is founded upon mutual admiration, not merely great sex. Sean's reappearance adds a dash of danger, and the love scenes, while numerous, aren't gratuitous. The real joy here, however, comes from watching Kell and Raven overcome their pasts and their fears so they can build a future together.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

All of Raven Kendrick's hopes for respectability and security through her forthcoming marriage to the Duke of Halford are destroyed when Sean Lasseter, a spurned suitor whose obsession with Raven has driven him mad, abducts her on her wedding day. Raven is rescued by his brother, Kell, who reluctantly tries to repair the damage his brother has done by offering to marry Raven. With her reputation in shreds, Raven has no choice but to accept his offer, though both of them agree that this will be a marriage in name only. But plans for a polite yet passionless marriage vanish once Raven finds that scandalous, sexy thoughts of Kell are replacing those of the fantasy pirate lover that used to haunt her dreams. Sensually detailed love scenes play an important part in the plot as these two willful people clash both in and out of the bedroom in the fourth installment in Jordan's Notorious series, a sinfully seductive treat for readers who like their historicals steamy and passionate. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Books (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804119791
• ISBN-13: 978-0804119795
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #555,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"One of my all time favorite writers, Nicole Jordan delivers romance like no one else. Captivating, enticing, and irresistible, her books are always on my must buy list."--Sherrilyn Kenyon, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Nicole Jordan charms and captivates."--Jillian Hunter, New York Times bestselling author

New York Times bestselling author Nicole Jordan spins delightful tales that simmer with passion and sensuality. In her former life, Nicole grew up as an Army brat, moving frequently and attending high school in Germany. She later earned a civil engineering degree from Georgia Tech and spent eight years as a manufacturing manager making disposable diapers and toilet tissue! Currently Nicole lives in the Rocky Mountains of Utah with her real-life hero (her husband) and beloved kids (her horses).

With over two-dozen historical romances to her credit and five million books in print, set in numerous eras and locales, Nicole now enjoys chronicling the sparks that fly when Regency lovers play the matrimonial mating game.

One of her novels had the dubious honor of being humorously spotlighted by Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show." On a more serious note, Nicole's romances regularly appear on numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today, and have earned such honors as RITA finalist, RWA's Favorite Book of the Year, theRomantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance, and the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence, presented by a group of over one hundred romance reviewers.

Contact Nicole via her website www.NicoleJordanauthor.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This year's most ecstatic experience in romance, October 7, 2002

By 

Desmond Chan (Bishan North Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ecstasy (Mass Market Paperback)

Nicole Jordan is a high-styled maverick with her warm, sensual and lush romance - and her most indulgent effort to date is unarguably The Seduction which marks the first book from the Hellfire League series. The fourth installment, The Ecstasy sees her revert to a more down-to-earth plotline without the frills of espionage somewhat parallel to The Seduction.

Except it's subversively darker in tone. Fans of Ms. Jordan will remember Lady Vanessa expiating for the mistakes of her brother in The Seduction. Ths time round it is the egregious gamester Kell Lasseter who atones for his brother Sean when he abducts the beautiful Raven Kendrick on her nuptial day with the Duke of Halford by proposing a marriage of convenience.

The trio of characters are heartbreaking creatures. Victimized by his paedophilic uncle, Sean Lasseter turns deranged and vindictive towards his brother Kell for failing to rescue him. Kell Lasseter blames himself for his brother's plight and connive at his misdeeds but when a lady's honour is ruined by his brother's hands and that Sean may be incarcerated for the kidnap, he offers Raven his protection even as he feels contempt for the English prigs who harshly discriminated against his mother of Irish origins and left her to languish in poverty. Raven is disillusioned with her mother's tragic death in her quest for grand passion which was never requited. Her mother made her promise to marry for good station and not love. She represses her passion by conjuring up a dream-lover and is afraid to love. Haunted by her stepfather's label as a bastard, she buries her past in the Caribbean to search for acceptance in London.

A simple story allows the full rein of character development. Ms. Jordan blends her fusion of poignant romance and searing passion seamlessly like that of The Seduction. The love scenes seeth with erotic virtuoso from the genesis of Raven's imaginary pirate lover and Kell's determination to realize the fantasy. Their relationship blooms from sexual chemistry to admiration and ulitmately trust. Raven finds Kell's chivalry and honor - as well as his care for orphans which stems from his tortured past worthy of emulation. Kell is fascinated by Raven's uniqueness in her tart and sass and strong display of affection for him despite her feigned nonchalance.

The impassioned couple has a love so sincere and strong that it will make you weep through the lacerating epilogue. Ms. Jordan crafts the characters with a scherzo of emotions that leaves none of them caricatured. The villain Sean earns equal sympathy and hatred; Raven's grandfather relents with forgiveness for repudiating his daughter. Though the love scenes are delightfully scorching and an abundance of indulgence, it is ulimately the couple's enlightenment and triumph over adversity that renders Ms. Jordan's romance as this year's most ecstatic experience. Forget the euphoria from Ecstasy pills. This is pleasure of the highest order.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ!!!, October 8, 2002

By 

Linda Westburg "£inda W" (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ecstasy (Mass Market Paperback)

I was given the chance to read an ARC of this book & all I can say is WOW!!! I LOVE this book!

We have the ever tortured hero & heroine who both have a past they are trying to hide or live down & both have sworn never to let love ruin their lives! But as in all romance that just doesn't happen. They start off thinking they can just have SEX ... and that they can keep it that way, only to find that is NOT the case! The deep feelings in this book will have you on the edge of your seat from page 1. You're given the ride of your life waiting to see just how they come to accept and understand each others secrets and how they will find a life together! You will laugh, cry, dream and just plain come to LOVE with Kell & Raven!

Nicole has done it again & all I can say is I'm dying to have my own copy to add to my keeper shelf.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A *definite* "keeper" .. INCENDIARY..., June 11, 2004

By 

TypoQueen (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ecstasy (Mass Market Paperback)

I discovered Nicole Jordan's books about two months back, by accident, and ECSTASY was the one I found. I could not put it down, literally, stayed up till 3 am to finish it the same day I got it.
Wow!!!!
I love the opening, incredibly sensual, and then it just grows from there... the slow romance between Kell and Raven is very believable, the tension/heat between them is searing, and I didn't mind one bit the early section where Kell has to 'tend' to her in quite a special way after Kell's drunken brother has abducted her... one reviewer thought it wasn't plausible. I *loved* it, it was terribly sensual, and actually very tender. Kell's restraint was extremely admirable (as is his devotion to his very sick/hurt brother), and their love story is simply beautiful. Terrific steamy love scenes, and just a lovely budding of their relationship. And an amazing twist ending which, although very sad in so many ways, was the only way the brother would ever have peace (poor guy!)....
THANK YOU for a FABULOUS book which I've already read twice and will re-read many times. All the NOTORIOUS books are amazing!