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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This one has it all - passion, romance, laughter & love..., June 27, 2006
This review is from: Her Scandalous Marriage (Mass Market Paperback)
This is the first book by LL that I have read. I sought her and a handful of other authors out that I have never read before. I'm always looking for the diamond in the rough. Most of the time, the authors are passable but, not noteworthy. LL is definitely a keeper. I am buying some more of her books and hoping others are as good as "Her Scandalous Marriage" ended up being.
The reason I enjoyed this book so much is that there was passion, attraction and seduction but, unlike many books where the couples get together early and the interest wears off....this author was really talented in keeping the plot line going even after the main characters had been intimate many times. Many authors go from innocence to frankly dark and dirty passion much too quickly with characters. And...they have them doing it so often you actually get bored reading about it. In this book, the author did a good job of having suspense and sexual desire and attraction build and because circumstance wouldn't allow it...often they had to tease but, refrain from being together. Thus...the attraction built to a fine level. When they did get together, it was tastefully written, appealing, light and the intensity was just right. Nothing too deep, exotic or dark. The main characters of Drayton and Caroline were not only attractive and beautiful but, definitely funny, quirky and loveable. They were well rounded and easy to bring to life. Authors often make the male lead one way and the female another (either strong and arrogant for the man and simple and naïve for the woman, etc). LL did a fine job of making Drayton and Caroline into real world characters that had blemishes from their past and mistakes along the way but, they were likeable for all their human weaknesses. And...as they got together, all their best qualities continued to shine and they continued to blossom into warm and appealing lead characters.
Their world was complex and complete with the additions of Caroline's half sisters of Fiona and Simone, Drayton's friends of Aubrey and Haywood and the many employee's at the estates who loved them - one and all. It was a charming group thrown together kicking and screaming by an old man's dying wishes but, fortunately, his unwanted wishes ended up giving them a family and deep love they never expected.
One reviewer said it was boring, hard to read, easy to skim the end and couldn't wait for it to be done. Everyone has their opinion but, if you are looking for more than a sex book, or a book light on romance, than this is the book for you. This book was truly the story of two people who were doing fine on their own and meeting up and realizing that what they thought they wanted was not what they wanted at all. They thought marrying for money to keep their titles and estates in line was what should and had to be done. They didn't think they could give it to happiness, joy and love as that's simply not done in the world of a Duke and a Duchess. Fortunately, they found a way to eventually defy convention.
Together, they found friendship, laughter, joy, a family and eternal love. It was sexy, funny, interesting and appealing. All the emotions were also realistic and you could feel for what they were going through. Their thoughts and actions never felt empty and contrived, instead, it was heartfelt and real. All the internal dialogues each character had in their heads when something happened was a riot - very funny to read (like when Aubrey's mother gave society lessons to Caroline). Especially sassy Simone. Characters that are life like and likeable are not easy to create in one dimension on flat paper or a computer screen. This author brought Caroline and Drayton and the whole gang to life. I am hoping to read a story about Haywood or Aubrey (to redeem these two stuffy and naughty fellas) or even Fiona (gentle, shy and with a limp) and Simone's (sassy, strong and independent) stories one day when they grow up.
This was a great book if you are a true lover of historical romance novels. Add this author and this story to your favorites - it's great! Four stars for sure!
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting premise, good start, and lots of potential...but couple's actions are not logical and love scenes lack tenderness, May 13, 2006
This review is from: Her Scandalous Marriage (Mass Market Paperback)
Drayton Mackenzie recently became the new Duke of Ryland following the unexpected deaths of two distant cousins. In order to collect a substantial monetary inheritance, which he desperately needs to maintain and repair the estates that come with the title, he needs to fulfill a very unusual clause in the will. He must find and become guardian for the three illegitimate daughters of the former Duke, and then turn them into proper ladies. He gets a portion of his inheritance upon the suitable marriage of each. The oldest daughter, Caroline, is twenty-three and the owner of a dressmaking shop. She is beautiful and strong-willed, and at first she resists going with Drayton because of his arrogance and her ill feelings toward her late father. Drayton becomes much more human as they travel to collect her two impoverished younger half-sisters, who are eleven and fourteen. Before long - and I mean less than twenty-four hours - the cozy couple has warmed to one another and wind up sharing a passionate night at a roadside inn. Drayton gallantly proposes the next day, but Caroline declines, insisting that it will be more practical for them to find wealthy spouses who can supplement their inheritance. As they arrive at Drayton's dilapidated country estate, he wonders why he isn't happier about being let off the hook by Caroline. He resolves then and there to pursue her, unclear what that means or how it all will end.
This is my first novel by Leslie LaFoy, although I greatly enjoyed her novella in the "My Scandalous Bride" anthology. I therefore had high expectations for this book, but am rather disappointed. I like the general premise of rescuing the illegitimate daughters, and the two younger girls are delightful and add much to the story. I also like how Caroline uses her seamstress skills to make so many wonderful changes to the house. And Drayton has many appealing qualities. However, the romance part of storyline is very unsatisfactory, and the love scenes are too raw, and lack charm and tenderness. I am fine with the love/lust at first sight scenario, but where the story takes us from here is not logical. Caroline's refusal to consider marriage to Drayton, and his feeble acceptance of it, are annoying and inexplicable. Neither lead is a mercenary type, so it is confounding that they would go after a bit more money rather than marry each other when there is such an amazing attraction between them. This would also enable Caroline to remain with her sisters. Moreover, Caroline's behavior does not seem like that of a nineteenth century heroine. She is very sexually forward and her vocabulary seems very modern, at times even a bit crude.
So although there are a number of good story elements here, and the ending is fine, they are overshadowed by some less pleasing facets. I will probable read the next book in the series, because Caroline's sisters seem interesting, but I will hope for a better follow-through.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quite enjoyable, July 2, 2006
This review is from: Her Scandalous Marriage (Mass Market Paperback)
I have been reading historical romance novels for the last 20 years and know what I like and I liked this book. As one reviewer pointed out that the heroine wasn't a virgin, this usually turns me off to a book right away. I have even stopped reading books when I feel that the female is "slutty". I didn't get that feeling at all. The two main characters had an affectionate and fun relationship. I was glad that I didn't have to wade through 100 pages or more simpering courtship and such. Maybe this is not a "technical" historical romance, but that doesn't take away from this being an enjoyable and relaxing story. If you want something light, where there is romance and a good laugh then gives this book a try.
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