Customer Reviews

Ecstasy

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Whenever I am in a lull with books I pull out an ole favorite and read it again. Ecstasy I have read over and over. In my opinion it is one fantastic story. All in this series for Jordan are so romantic, and sexy and just compelling reads. The hero in this, Kell Lassiter is just amazing - he exudes the qualities that women are searching for - dark, handsome, charming but a tad dangerous. The way he rescues Raven, after she is kidnapped by Kell's very disturbed younger brother Sean -- and the way their love story developes - yes even after she shoots him - wow -- the dialogue between these two is so stimulating and more than many couples in these romance books this couple you just FEEL them connecting. I mean the heat just comes literally off the pages. If you are looking for a great book read anyone of Nicole Jordan's - I think this is the 4th in this series - and as I said they are all incredible -- but ECSTASY IS ONE I'LL BET YOU WILL PULL OUT AND READ AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!

I'm torn between describing this book as a "bodice ripper" and considering it something deeper. While I enjoyed the intensity of the sexual relationship between Kell and Raven, I found other aspects on the roll-your-eyes outlandish side: aphrodisiacs, sexual fantasies acted out in a brothel, fantasy lovers and even her name all seemed a bit too wacky and 21st century to me. The story was good enough without these silly plot devices but this being my first Nicole Jordan novel, I assume this is just her style. If you enjoy those types of things, you'll probably enjoy this book.

Having said that, though, I did enjoy the relationship between Kell and Raven. Kell Lasseter is summoned to his gaming hell one day to discover that his brother Sean has abducted Society beauty Raven Kendrick on her way to her wedding. Sean wants revenge for Raven's rejection of him, but there is so much more to it. Sean was seriously damaged by sexual abuse he suffered as a boy and he has never recovered. In order to protect Sean from prosecution and Raven's reputation, Kell reluctantly offers to marry Raven and she, seeing no alternative, accepts. But they both agree to a marriage of convenience and while they allow themselves sexual pleasure, neither wants to fall in love. But ultimately, their attempts to wall themselves off from each other emotionally fail and both now worry for their hearts. You find yourself hoping that they can finally trust each other with their true feelings, for both Raven and Kell are very lonely and they need each other's love and support to go on.

The darker aspects of Kell and Sean's past was very sad. Though he did some terrible things, I still felt very sad for Sean and sympathetic to Kell's feelings of failure and helplessness in dealing with his disturbed brother. Sean's actions posed a real challenge to this couple. Can Raven forgive what Sean did to her? And can Kell ever forgive himself for failing Sean - for ultimately choosing Raven over his brother? Is there any chance their fragile relationship can survive all this tumult?

I suppose some of the more escapist aspects are meant to balance the darker side of this book, but I could have done without them. I would probably read more by this author if I were in the mood for an outlandish read.

First of all, I'd like to say that I really enjoyed this book. It was hot enough to make me blush and I actually enjoyed the story. Raven Kendrick has vowed never to love anyone, because she watched her mother pine after a man she loved but couldn't have. On the day of her wedding to a Duke that is comfortably boring enough for her, she is kidnapped by Sean Lasseter, a spurned suitor of hers that is bent on some kind of twisted revenge. While she is tied up and drugged, Kell Lasseter, the kidnapper's brother, calms Sean down and takes over the situation. When Raven wakes up the next day, she realizes that she has been ruined. Seeing no other way out, she accepts the proposal from Kell to keep her reputation.

There are a few things that I really didn't like about this book, which is why it didn't get a five star rating from me.

First, the fact that she was kidnapped and tied to a bed and drugged seems like a logical explanation as to why she missed her wedding. However, her and her family come up with a totally different story to keep her reputation intact since she passed the night in a room with a man. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it seem like she should have just stuck to the real story instead of coming up with a lie?? I don't know a lot about the aristocracy of regency England, but a lady getting kidnapped should be a reasonable explanation as to why she spent the night in a man's house and missed her wedding. It shouldn't ruin her.
Secondly, after she married Kell, she still kept herself from loving him because of how her mother suffered. It seems ridiculous to me that she would hold herself back for so long because of this reason. Her mother had been in love with a married man that she couldn't have, yet Raven is married to the man that she desperately kept herself from loving.
Thirdly: she didn't press charges when she had the chance against Sean, her kidnapper. I realize that there wouldn't really be a story if she did, but, come on!! I want to have a little bit of reality in a romance, not just fiction.

These seem like little things, but they did bother me. If not for these small problems, I would have given it at least a four. I don't want to discourage anyone from reading this, I just thought that it needed to be pointed out for anyone who would rather read an historical romance with good plot. However, if you like your romances with a hot couple, then pick this book up. It's very steamy and very fulfilling in that regard.

This is a continuation of the Notorious Series and is the story of Kell and Raven.

Although I have read the others in this series I did not feel that this was as good as the others. The plot was a bit thin and at times I was not sympathetic to Raven. I understood why she did what she did and why she felt the way she felt but after awhile I was thinking "get over it and move on". I am sure that this was not the way Ms. Jordan met for me to feel but there you have it.

The romance between the two main characters was a bit thin in the beginning and it took a long time before I felt that there was anything between them, and the plot as I stated earlier was also a bit thin. The saving grace for me was a fact that characters from previous books in this series are part of this story, and it is set in a time period that I like. This book also has the trademark sensuality that Ms. Jordan is famous for. Still worth reading and I look forward to the next book in this series.

I kept this book for a special time so that I could relish every minute of it. I have read all of Jordan's books with the exception of 2 or 3 really old ones. My all time favorite romance, The Warrior, is written by Jordan. However, this entire series that includes Ecstasy is not an example of her great writing talent. The Seduction, The Passion, Desire, and then Ecstasy are the order of this series. I would have rated none in this series to date more than 4 stars. I was disappointed in Ecstasy. It was not the savored read I expect from this writer. I have given it a 3 star rating primarily due to the great respect I have for Jordan as a romance author. I think I have seen the best in The Warrior and now Jordan has set the bar very high when I compare her other novels to that great book.

Kell Lasseter, the hero in Ecstasy, owns one of the top gaming hells in London, and has become very wealthy despite his penniless youth. He is a strong, handsome, and dominating hero, as Jordan's heroes always seem to be, yet, in contrast, we recognize more tenderness in him early on. Kell has a very troubling brother, Sean, who is mentally unstable. He has been under Kell's care since he was a child and there is some horrible history between the two.

Raven Kendrick is not a very likable heroine. She is in England after being raised in the West Indies by her mother. Due to her mother's strong desires for Raven's future life, she has raised Raven as the English lady she once was and asks Raven, on her death bed, to go to England and marry a titled man. In the opening pages, we see a hard-hearted Raven dressing for her wedding to a nobleman who she respects but does not love. She has seen her mother suffer from a broken heart for years and refuses to ever fall in love and give her heart to a man. She is one of the most immature heroines I have ever read and she is very stubborn as well.

As Raven is entering the carriage that will take her to the church for the wedding, she is abducted by Sean Lasseter, Kell's mentally deranged brother, and taken to Kell's gaming hell. Sean considers himself a jilted lover and wants to get even with Raven for not returning his love and a few other items that you will discover when you read the book. Kell arrives at his gaming hell to find his manager frantic with worry and the news that Sean is brutally holding someone hostage in Kell's upstairs bedchamber. When he enters the room, he finds Sean drunk and seriously contemplating how he will abuse Raven next. He has already cut her clothes from her, hit her, drugged her, and tied her to the bed. Kell attempts to right the terrible wrong his brother has done to Raven but she is ruined by society's standards. He does not even know how he will keep his brother from prison or the hangman's noose after this escapade.

Many pages are contributed to the solution to Raven's dilemma and eventually Kell offers to marry Raven and they agree to a marriage of convenience. This marriage of convenience is one overused plot line that I am very wary of. Sometimes it is a basis for a delightful romance. At other times, it is used as the beginning of a serious romance. However, I see it mostly used as "I want you but can't have you because I may come to care for you. Wait, I have to have you! No, no - that was wrong. We can't do that again. Oh no! I have let you get to me again physically - it's only sex but I must build my wall stronger now so you can't get to me again." And that is exactly what this was. Yes, we will. No, we won't. And the thoroughly irritating "I love you but won't let you know" ploy is used so many times that I rolled my eyes more than once. Half way through this book, I put it down thinking how immature the leads were acting and that there had not been an original story plot line at all. I was reading a badly written romance. But, ever true to Jordan, I plodded on. The last half was much better than the first half of the book. But Raven remained impossibly immature, inconsiderate, and became even more stubborn in really stupid ways. Kell eventually looks like a really respectable guy compared to Raven's ravings and poor decisions.

The sensual scenes, which are not as plentiful as you would expect, were usually spaced far apart and for the most part were written as "just sex" as the leads continually reminded each other. I am a little old fashioned in that I want emotional commitment to eventually be a part of the sensual scenes. It does come but too little - too late in my opinion. The scenes rate about a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines).

There is another book coming out in this series soon based on Dare's character in Ecstasy. I will eagerly buy it and hope for more of Jordan's magical romance writing. I believe a large part of my disappointment with Ecstasy is the heroine. I just could not see her as a lovable person until the very end. The hero is always the one to risk his feelings concerning their relationship and Raven remains unbelievably dumb about it all until the last portion of the book. I will continue to support Jordan and will be gradually adding yet more reviews of some my favorites she has written. And let me emphasize again, Jordan has accomplished some of the best romance writing I have read and Ecstasy just pales in comparison.

I enjoyed this book. The story held my attention. The sex scenes were intense and frequent. The only component of the story that I found irksome is the heroine being afraid to be in love with HER HUSBAND. It made sense in the beginning, but started to ring false midway through the novel.

This book starts out with a rather lame fantasy lover scene, and is all down hill from there.

After a long winded lead up to the abortive wedding to the guy she never cared about in the first place, we next get a scene where Raven is doped with an aphrodisiac. This is straight out of Johanna Lindsay, only far less well done. Kell feels sorry for her, realises she is a virgin, she writhes all over him, he goes to sleep!! She tries to ravish him, he still falls asleep!

She shoots him, he shrugs it off and tells her to marry him. In the most UNromantic wedding night in the history of literature he tells her to get on with it and lies back on the pillows with his arms behind his head! And there is another scene just like it later in the book! Sweep ladies off their feet much, Kell? I don't think so.

The book goes on forever, and fizzles to a halt at the end, where the rampant alpha male hero famous for having the most spectacular gaming den in London lives happily ever after looking for an orphanage to run.

I mean, really!

Every time the action slows, which is frequently, the author throws in a gratuitous sex scene with a fantasy lover, so that we never really get to see Raven and Kell interact apart from the three awful so called love scenes previously mentioned.

I also don't believe they ever spend enough time with each other apart from the last 20-20 pages of the book for them to get to know each other well enough to fall in love.

Everything was so restrained and tepid, and even the supposed really wild erotic scene in the make believe pirate ship in the brothel was dull and predictable. If I read the word breast one more time I was going to scream.

The villain of the piece is not in the least sinister, just mentally disturbed and rather pathetic.

I must say this has to be one of the dullest and most unromantic romances I've ever read. A bit of dialogue and bonding between the characters would have been welcome.

The sexual tension is almost non-existent: "You're my wife, so fulfill my physical needs." "All right, dear, it's only sex after all. You mean nothing to me."
"Fine. You mean nothing to me either."

Charming. We can well believe it for both of them. Give this one a miss for sure! Please, give the romance readers credit for some intelligence and taste, and stop presenting the reading public with such appalling drivel.