GUILTY PLEASURES. [Paperback]

Laura Lee. Guhrke (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (2004)
• ISBN-10: 0007740395
• ISBN-13: 978-0007740390
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,124,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times Bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke spent seven years in advertising, had a successful catering business, and managed a construction company before she decided writing novels was more fun. The author of many historical romances, Laura has received many literary awards, including romance fiction's highest honor, the Rita Award. When she's not writing, Laura spends her time skiing down the slopes and wakeboarding across the lakes of her beautiful home state of Idaho. She loves hearing from readers, and you may write to her by visiting her website: www.lauraleeguhrke.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not an "ugly duckling" story., April 12, 2007

By 

J. Lesley "(Judy)" (Midsouth, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guilty Pleasures (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

I read all the reviews posted here on Amazon before beginning to write this review and I was struck by how many referred to Daphne as an "ugly duckling" who turned into a "swan". I did not see her in this way. I thought the author did a wonderful job of describing her as a woman who was normal, like most women in the world. She was not a raving beauty but she was normal. Obviously a heroine must fall into two general catagories. She must be breathtakingly beautiful or she is plain. We as readers don't seem to give authors much leeway in describing their characters. Most people are neither beautiful nor plain, they are just average. That is were that term comes from. Daphne was normal, average. She wore glasses, but only if she wanted to see well (that is a bit of sarcasm for those of you who don't need glasses!). I absolutely loved the fact that Ms Guhrke did not make Daphne undergo dramatic changes in her appearance in order to become the object of the Duke's affection. Instead, he learned to love HER, not her outward appearance.

The Duke of Tremore was not a hard character for me to understand. It was important for me to remember the historical setting of this novel. This man held a title which gave him incredible standing. He ranked above all his peers and beneath only royalty. How could he not have an exalted idea of his place in society? This particular man had assumed the duties of Duke of Tremore while his father was still living because his father was rendered totally incapable of discharging his duties because of his grief for his wife. It is very important to remember that this young man assumed the active role of being in charge of his family at the age of 12. That had to impact his character development in a tremendous way and this author showed that to us over and over in order to make us understand his handling of Daphne resigning her position.

It was fascinating to watch Anthony court Daphne using the language of flowers. That is a subject which has interested me for a long time but this is the first work of fiction where I have been privileged to watch it work. It was very unusual, a very gentle method for allowing him to show his regard and ultimately his love for the woman he wanted to be his duchess. I just loved it. Anyone who doubts his profession of his love for Daphne missed the significance of the single, thornless red rose. This book contains sensual moments but it also contains quiet, gentle moments and I really like and appreciate that combination. I find it to be much more realistic. A relationship between two people can not always consist of physical passion. They need to connect on many levels and I feel this book did that. We were allowed to see the strengths and weaknesses of both the hero and heroine.

An eminently satisfactory read from my standpoint. It will be given a place of honor among the small number of romantic fiction books I choose to keep.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly romantic story, April 5, 2004

By 

L. G. Schilling "gigibookworm" (SPRING HILL, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guilty Pleasures (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

Daphne Wade has been left virtually destitute after her father's untimely death. Luckily, the knowledge she gained by living and working alongside her father, who was a famous and respected antiquarian,has gained her a position working to unearth a Roman villa at the Duke of Tremore's estate. Daphne is immediately dazzled by the Duke's good looks and falls in love with him agaisnt her better judgment. Daphne knows nothing could come out of her hopeless fixation with Anthony but heartbreak but how can she resist him especially when he insists on taking off his shirt and exposing his gorgeous chest. To make matters worse, she is either struck mute or starts stammering wildly whenever he comes near her. The inevitable eventually happens when she overhears the Duke conversing with his sister and comparing her to, among other things, a machine and a stick insect. Daphne is devastated but her spirit is unbroken. She finally regains her senses and hardens her heart agaisnt Anthony and vows to leave her post and start life anew with the help of Anthony's sister Viola, who can see the strong, vivrant woman beneath Daphne's plain exterior. On the other hand, Anthony is flabbergasted when Daphne presents her resignation. He cannot afford to lose her valuable skills when he is so close to realizing his dream of opening a museum displaying his impressive collection of Roman artifacts. Furthermore,Anthony is unused to hearing the word no and refuses to accept the fact that for once in his life he is not getting his way. He begins a concerted campaign to keep Daphne from leaving him. Anthony brings out the heavy artillery and begins to charm and disarm Daphne. The only problem is that Anthony didn't count on his previously mousy ol' stammering employee turning into a strong, smart, sassy woman who is determined it seems, to be rid of him. Slowly but surely Anthony finds himself captivated by this new woman with her flashing eyes and the body of a goddess and begins to see her in a new light. Before long he starts to wonder how he could have ever thought her plain. For her part, Daphne thought she had steeled her heart against Anthony's charm and even though she knows that his sudden interest in her is purely for his own selfish reasons she cannot help but be captivated by him and by her discovery that beneath the haughty aristocratic demeanor lies a warm loving, man who is deeply afraid of falling in love.

I absolutely loved this author's version of the ugly duckling theme because unlike other books I have read with this theme the heroine doesn't turn into a swan by the end of the book. In other words, Daphne doesn't undergo any physical transformation except in Anthony's eyes. She is not a beautiful woman, in fact she isn't even described as pretty just merely attractive in her own way. The way Anthony begins to slowly see beyond the surface and begins to fall in love with the woman beneath made for an absolutely amazing reading experience.If you are a hopeless incurable romantic like me you will not want to miss this book. I highly, highly recommend it.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very enjoyable Regency Cinderella, February 5, 2004

By 

Deborah MacGillivray "Author," (US & UK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guilty Pleasures (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

Handsome Anthony Courtland is excavating Romance ruins on his estate. He pays little attention to Daphne Wade, the woman he has hired to restore the precious artifacts he unearths from the ancient villa. He may pay her little notice, outside of the work, but Daphne is having a hard time keeping her eyes in her head as he strips to the waist, laboring on the dig.

Only, Anthony's sister is itching to play faery godmother to the wide-eyed Daphne. Much to Anthony's annoyance, not only does his sister create a swan from the ugly duckling, but she is determined to see Daphne married.

This begins to upset Anthony because he does not want to lose his valued worker. In order to keep her on, he begins to help polished Daphne's edges, such as dancing lessons, to keep her from slipping away completely. Slowly, a vivacious Daphne is really becoming "Cinderella" before Anthony's eyes, and he is determined not to lose her - and not only for the expert work she does. Sparks fly as Daphne comes into her own, with the repartee between the two wittily crafted. Anthony and Daphane create sexual tension that sizzles.

So, a Guilty Pleasure??? No, just Pure Pleasure from start to finish.