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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mutual seduction and a mystery, April 13, 2008
This review is from: Enticing the Earl (Applegate Sisters) (Mass Market Paperback)
The premise of this book is old, and well-written: Widow forms romantic attachment with aristocratic rake for the purpose of redeeming family heirloom, etc. I've read hundreds of books with the above plotline. What stood out about this one was the deftly-described characters, and fresh sub-plot. Lauryn..the widow, dearly loved her husband, and his family. She, herself, comes from a loving and large family. Unlike most of the books with this premise, Lauryn doesn't have to overcome any past anger or male control issues. Lauryn and her father-in-law are staying at a London hotel when she overhears the hotel maids talking about the Earl, and how he's recently given up his last mistress. Lauryn very much misses the love she shared with her deceased husband and after a year of mourning him she is beginning to believe her sexual needs will never be met again. The discussion of the hotel maids fires her imagination and makes her wonder about the Earl as a man. When she learns her father in law, Squire Harris lost his estate to the Earl in a card game, Lauryn feels she might be able to get his estate back AND feel physical love again..if only the Earl with hire her as his mistress. Her payment would be in the deed for Squire Harris' estate. She presents herself at the earl's home, and within short order removes her dress. Thankfully, the author does give Sutton a brain, and he quickly figures out what motivated "Mrs. Smith" to offer herself to him. What he didn't count on was falling in love with her. Suttons' past IS littered with bad memories of women, and he fights his love for Lauryn...almost to the point of losing her completely. There is an interesting crime/mystery to deal with...and a cautionary tale of opium use in the 1900th century. All together, a satisfying read.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two thumbs up., September 4, 2008
This review is from: Enticing the Earl (Applegate Sisters) (Mass Market Paperback)
I always enjoy when authors come up with different twists on romances and Nicole Byrd did a great job with this novel! There is enough sex (though not written in excessively graphic detail) for readers who want lots of sex, but more importantly there is enough of a developing relationship for those of us who want lots of romance. Lauryn isn't a blushing virgin and makes a deal with the Earl to be his lover so there isn't much time wasted in the "chase." To me, the most delightful part of the book was the interaction between the couple while they were out of bed. Whether it was the two of them working together to get rid of a bat (the flying kind) that got into the house or working together on the mystery of the earl's recovered cargo, their activities made me care about them as characters. And the interactions with the earl's younger brother and his former lover added to the interest of the book. I have enjoyed a number of Nicole Byrd's books and this one is close to the top because the growing affection between the couple felt real as I was reading it. I definitely recommend reading this book.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enticing the Earl, June 2, 2008
This review is from: Enticing the Earl (Applegate Sisters) (Mass Market Paperback)
Widow Lauryn Harris is horrified when her father-in-law informs her he's lost his ancestral estate to an Earl in a card game. Wanting to help him, she decides she will get it back. The only way she can think of to do so is by offering herself to the Earl of Sutton as his mistress. Styling herself as "Mrs. Smith," Lauryn goes to the Earl's London home and asks for the recently vacated position. Though he can tell "Mrs. Smith" is no courtesan, Marcus, the Earl of Sutton, is intrigued by her and agrees to take her on as his mistress. His plan is to bring her to the country with him so they can spend time alone together. Nothing works out as he's planned, however, including his own feelings. Can these two very different people find love despite their unconventional beginning? Enticing the Earl is an amusing historical romp. It was easy to root for Lauryn, who was able to marshal the courage to do something so against her shy nature. Though Marcus's habits with women in the past seem rather "rakish," he's an honorable and kind man, not to mention hot! I enjoyed the secondary characters as well, and there was a well-done mystery / suspense angle that added interest and excitement to the story. I'm a sucker for Regency tales, and Nicole Byrd did a great job of combining several tried-and-true Regency storylines to create something that didn't feel old or clichéd at all. I'll be picking up some more of Ms. Byrd's books ASAP! Cassie reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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