Customer Reviews

For the First Time (Ryland Brothers)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this first novel in the Ryland Brothers series, Devlin Ryland, Waterloo war hero has returned to London in triumph, acclaimed for his courage and daring as he saved the life of one of England's officers. Devlin is embarrassed by the attention, as he wants no part of this, his newfound glory, nor reminders of a war and the part he played in it. A very good friend (from ELUSIVE PASSION) invited him to a house party on the outskirts of London, mentioning that he might be interested in looking at a property nearby to settle down in. It was at this house party that he would discover a woman who kindled his interest and desires like none he had ever met before the sister of his host, the tall and beautiful Lady Blythe Christian.

Unfortunately, the lady who brings all his yearnings to the forefront, and stirring passions and feelings he is too afraid to recognize, wants nothing at all to do with England's heralded champion. This hero, Devlin, saved the life of the man who was Blythe's betrothed...who after he recovered, heartlessly married another. No matter how devastatingly handsome, kind and gentle he appears to her, Devlin is a constant reminder of the pain and humiliation she felt at being betrayed. As a result of this betrayal, Blythe, has sworn to never marry, never trust her heart to another man only to run the risk of having it broken again. Devlin, dealing with his own feelings of inadequacy for all the adulation of being a hero, didn't believe he knew what love was. The only thing he knew was that no one made him feel like this and with Blythe, for the first time he found himself wanting something more.

This was a fabulous `love' story. It was honest, it was passionate and it pulled at my heartstrings. This author writes with a lot of `soul' and it is the type of book you can get emotionally involved in - WOW! Not only do you feel for the central characters, but she will have you feeling emotional over the joys and heartbreaks of her secondary characters as well. This was a total read for me and I am eagerly anticipating the release of the sequels on the remaining Ryland brothers. Outstanding imagery and great sensual love scenes - what more can you ask!

I just finished the book, and I loved it! The story and the characters were done great. The author does a great job drawing you into wanting to know more about the main characters, Blythe and Devlin. They both are strong, tall, and insecure when it comes to emotions. They both run away from their problems til they get to know one another physically and emotionally. Blythe left London 2 years ago after her heart and engagement was broken by Earl Carnover, Carny, who fell in love with another woman and married before arriving in London. She didn't want to face society after being jilted. She is insecure with her height and looks. Devlin is a rough, strong man who lived through wars and lives with guilt for killing a soldier during war. They both discover what love is really about as well as helping with each other's insecurities. They both grow confident with their trust and love towards each other. There are a few obstacles for them to face, there's a lot of heated moments with the couple. This is a book worth buying, a keeper. I just hope the author writes more about Devlin's brothers.

I love it when I find a new author!!! I won't write a storyline for this book since others have done so but I will say that this book was truly one of the most enjoyable historical romances that I have read in a long time. I tend to be a very picky reader but Kathryn Smith had me from the first chapter in this book! I read it in one sitting! I enjoyed this book so much that I ordered all of her other books immediately after I had finished For The First Time. Other lovers of historical romances will not be disappointed with this book!!!

This book did not impress me. The author really wanted us to know that this heroine was tall and big. She kept referring to her as this gargantuan beast. She towers over most men and is stronger than most men. I mean, by the time I'm done reading this thing, I'm imagining someone from the WWF.

And the hero in this book keeps referring to her as an Amazon. I'm sorry, but even if you're tall, no one wants to be called an Amazon! I know the guy was taller and bigger, but I just felt like it was two men falling in love (not that there's anything wrong with that). It just wasn't my idea of an ideal romance novel.

I don't think I'll be picking up anything else by this author. Obviously others disagree and really liked this book. I guess to each his own.

I don't usually read Kathryn Smith's books, (and I don't usually write reviews) but decided on this one as it sounded better than her others. It was one I read all the way through in one sitting. In fact, I might just go back and look over her other books one more time - maybe I missed something the first time! Anyways, this one is very good.

The question that keeps coming into play throughout this book, is, what is love? Both main characters question it even though it finds them and redeems them both.

Devlin has no clue what love is. He feels his parents never loved him and even though he cares for his brothers, they all have their own personal problems. He is so confused until he meets Blythe.

Blythe is a 6"0 junoesque amazon, or so we are told. She was jilted by a man who she was engaged to unofficially. But then he went off to war and found the woman of his dreams. Blythe's self esteem is so low. She hates being taller than most men and she is still smarting from her former beau's betrayal from 2 years ago. Her brother Miles and his wife Varya throw a house party and that is when she meets Devlin.

Devlin, quite simply is the perfect mate for her. He towers over her and makes her feels things she never feels before. Devlin feels the same but he has secrets in his past and because of this, he is unsure about his feelings for Blythe. Devlin is your typical "cry me a river" tormented hero. Things would run so smoothly if he could work out his angst.

Along with these two constantly questioning themselves, Blythe's old love Carny arrives with his wife.
Blythe is an interesting heroine, especially her description of being tall and having some meat on her bones.
Devlin at times can be annoying but is an overall nice guy who deserves a woman like Blythe.
The love scenes and very steamy... you will never look at a vanity the same way again!
Kathryn Smith is slowly becoming a rising star for the Avon Romance line and we should see more with Devlin's 3 other brothers who seem even more tormented then him!

If you like tormented but sexy heroes with strong heroines, pick up this book.

Katiebabs

So, I accidentally happenned upon this lovely little book one afternoon while shopping at Wal-Mart of all places! I must admit I was slightly deterred by the cheesy cover, but I am so glad I didn't put it back on the shelf! Before I get too carried away with my feelings on Kathryn Smith, or the novel I must warn you: Read 'Elusive Passion' FIRST (as it is the Prequel to 'For the First Time.' You will not regret my advice!

That being said, this story follows the romance and passion of the Christian children. This time it's tall, lovely, and somewhat rough-and-tumble Blythe's turn to be smitten. Recently jilted by her brother's friend, she and Devlin Ryland become infatuated with one another during a hunting party at her estate in the country. Looks of longing, midnight trysts in the garden, and, well... Need I say more?

Devlin is a celebrated war hero, who wants nothing more than to live a quiet life out of the public eye. Blythe finds him licking his wounds like a proper hero in a romance novel should. She, on the other hand, is still smarting from each new encounter with her ex-fiancee. However, their mutual wounds seem to be healed in one another's arms. Ahhh!

Romantic, sensual, and just so much fun! Kathryn Smith is sure to be your new favorite. So ladies, heed my words! Curl up in your favorite chair, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, and get ready to fall in love with this book! *sigh*

Kathryn Smith has done it again! She takes such care in telling her stories, and I am fascinated with her insightfulness about the human heart. Ms. Smith generously shares her gift with readers looking for characters who have believeable issues and who struggle to overcome them in order to find peace and beauty possible in real love. The vulnerabilities she gives her characters are genuine and timeless. It's so nice to read a romance to be savored to the end.

Devlin can't forgive himself for something he did in the past, and Blythe's trust in any man's affection is broken. Devlin's brothers add a whole new dimension to For The First Time, and I am hoping to read their stories, too!

There will be others who will elaborate on the plot, so let me just say "BUY THIS" it's one for your keeper shelf! Blythe and Devlin are perfect! Blythe reacts the way a real woman would. The whole story is believable and so much fun!!! Kathryn Smith has really hit her stride! Smith is developing her own voice...and what a sound it makes! If you love romance books, you have to add this one to your collection. I can't wait for the next one.

If you're looking for a guilt and self pity party, step right up to this one. These characters don't just wallow in it, they climb right up to the 10 meter platform then do a reverse 2 1/2 somersault dive right into the pity pool then dog paddle around until they've saturated themselves. Then they climb out and proceed to endlessly think about how little they deserve love and how they can't allow another human being into their lives because they *know* they're going to end up rejected. Then after they think all this, they head out to their friends' and relatives' homes and
talktalktalk about it some more. It's like reading a bunch of budding psychoanalysts the way this group searches for the deeper meaning of their childhoods, war time experiences and sex and love lives. Then when all the problems are solved with an afternoon discussion and trip down memory lane, it makes me wonder what they've been self-flagellating themselves about for 10 years and more!

I had been looking forward to trying this author because her plots sounded a little more intricate than the standard Avon stuff now but after reading reviews of her
works at all the major review sites, I'm going to trade this one in and probably
the other two I have as well. They all seem to have Wounded Heroes with
Tortured Childhoods who make their heroines prove over and over and over
how much they love them. Life is too short. D