Customer Reviews

An Invitation to Sin

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ms. Enoch's second book in the Griffin Family series is at both turns entertaining and a wee bit frustrating. Although not a brilliant example of what she can create...it is by no means a story you should ignore either.

Caroline Witfeld is a talented artist who wants desperately to be accepted in an art school. Her last chance has presented itself. She will be able to attend a prestigious school...provided she submits a sketch of a Lord with a letter saying that peer was pleased with his drawing. Wonderful...but where is she to find a lord to sit for her? She lives in the country...and they are not as prevalent as one would think. That is until one just so happens to ride up to her front door. When she sees Lord Zachery Griffin she promises herself that he will be her art submission...now she just needs to prove to the rake she really means to draw him and that it's not a chance for seduction...so much for best laid plans.

Zachary Griffin wants to live life on his own terms. Ideally he would like to join the army but his older brother has other ideas. He forces Zachery to rusticate in the country with their aunt. If after this time has passed he will be able to do as he wishes. Well, rusticating in the country is one thing...but its quiet another to be doing so in the house of seven young women...one of which keep staring at him! It's not long before he and Caroline start working together and what starts out as a dread trip to the country takes on a whole new look. Will Zachary be able to walk away from Caroline with his heart or will she manage to steal it?

This was a fine story if one can over look some really sad errors in editing. Although Caroline and her sisters were fun characters...at times the secondary characters over shadowed the romance between Caroline and Zachary. Still, Ms. Enoch has brought to life her make believe world and I look forward to reading her again in the near future.

Lord Zachary Griffin accompanies his aunt on a trek to the Whitfield home where six marriage aged daughters reside. The sisters enjoy his company as Zachary is kind to each one. That is the siblings appreciate the young handsome gentleman's thoughtfulness except Caroline who sees the virtues of his body; she wants to use Zachary as a model to finish a portrait that she believes will provide her admittance to attend an art academy.

As Zachary tutors the young ladies in the art of men, he has his most fun with the serious Caroline teasing her with sensual innuendoes and images to whet her carnal appetite as he poses for her painting. As they talk and share desires and dreams they begin to fall in love, but she has her heart set on art school not a husband; unless he can complete his courting of the reluctant artist.

This is a terrific Regency romance starring a wonderful kindhearted hero, an intriguing hard to catch female and her sisters who want to dine with Zachary as the main course. The humorous story line is character driven with the sisters, each unique, adding escapades and depth to the relationship between the lead pair. Readers will enjoy this charming courtship and look forward to more sisterly escapades.

Harriet Klausner

I usually like Enoch's novels. When I saw this one at the bookstore, I immediately snatched it up, and am now regretting not reading the reviews before I did. Lord Zachary is a boat without a rudder. Coming from a high ranking family, whose older brother is the Duke of Melbourne, Zachary is at a loss as to his purpose in life, so is constantly starting ventures and abandoning them when they lose his interest. Finally, he's hit upon what he wants, or thinks he wants to do, take up a military post and find glory in war. Unfortunately, the Duke knows his brother too well, and commands Zachary to accompany their aunt to Bath before making such a momentous life changing decision. Along the way, his aunt takes a side trip to visit her dear school friend - one who happens to have seven eligible, unmarried daughters. The oldest in this eccentric family, is Caroline Witfield, who does not want to be married - she dreams of becoming a painter.

This may seem to be the makings of a good story, but Enoch, unfortunately, does not deliver. The story falls flat because of the characters. Zachary is redeemable, but Caroline is just blah. She is an uninteresting character because of her single--mindedness and her unlikeability. Enoch attempts to set her apart from her sisters, portraying her sisters as flighty creatures with only one thing on their mind - to get married. The relationship between Caroline and her sisters leaves a bad taste in the reader's mouth - you get the feeling they don't like each other, and Caroline is the worst. Her only goal is her painting, she doesn't care what happens to her sister's or her parents. Very one-dimensional character.

The relationship between Zachary and Caroline is another blah. There is no chemistry, there are no sparks. If the two were shoved into a room full of combustible material, they would not have to worry of an explosion going off. I kept putting the book down, and in the end, had to force myself to finish it. It's a bad sign for me when it takes 3 weeks to finish a book, I didn't even care if Zachary and Caroline ended up together. I just wanted to finish the book so I could sell it back.

I really enjoyed this book! The repertoire between the characters was writing at its best. I laughed out loud more times than I can count.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it dragged in a couple parts, however, it still kept my attention. I loved that the hero realizes his love before the heroine. I also loved Caroline's independant personality. This isn't the sort of book where the heroine starts out independant and halfway through, she follows the hero around like a puppy. She remains true to herself to the end.

"Invitation" is a definite keeper. I cannot wait for Sebastian's book!

With each book written Suzanne Enoch gets better and better. Everyone of her books is a delight to read. An Invitation to Sin is definitely one of her best. Never has seduction been written so masterfully, as each page is one to savor. The reader feels bereft when the book is over. Ah, but not for long, as this is a series and another will soon follow. Lord Zachary Griffin has got to be one of the sexiest men alive and Caroline Witfield is his perfect mate, a beautiful, but strong woman. No flighty characters here, other than the crazy relatives, which makes the lighter scenes so much fun. The combination of art and seduction is volcanic. I do not think I will ever look at paints again without thinking of that blazing love scene in Lord Griffin's parlor. A definite 9 out of 10 on the sensual scale. A definite keeper and one to read over and over again.

I absolutely loved this book. Zachary is a wonderful hero that shows a lot of growth through the story, and Caroline is very refreshing as a heroine. Devoted to her art, she doesn't waver from her goals even though she falls in love with the handsome Griffin. I did find her sisters extremely irritating, but it said a lot about Zachary's character in that he managed to put up with them without smacking them silly. (their Mother too) Her father on the other hand was likeable although excentric and I was sorry to see this book end. I cannot wait to read the others in the series, although Melbourne's story sounds disappointing according to the other reviewers. You can't go wrong with this heroine. Caroline was strong, spirited, witty and a perfect match for Zachary.

I was excited to read this new S. Enoch, and I was not dissapointed! This story focuses on Lord Zachary Griffin, a 3rd son whose family loves him but sees him as somewhat undirected. In an attempt to teach him responsibility and patience, and to keep him from joining the military, Zachary's older brother sends him to escort their elderly aunt on a trip to Bath. While on the trip, Aunt Tremaine stops at the home of an old school friend (Sally Witfield) for a visit. This married friend has seven daughters, five of which are "silly" according to their charming, but eccentric father. While staying with the Witfields, Zachary finds himself being avidly pursued by the younger sisters while the oldest sister, Caroline, needs him to sit for a portrait. Caroline (Caro) is an aspiring aritist who has vowed never to marry in order to avoid the meaningless, mundane life of her mother. Instead, she is determined to study under a great artist, and needs only a portrait of a Lord in order to be accepted to an art school in Vienna. As "aimless" Zachary and "focused" Caroline work together to create the portrait and get to know one another in the process, they affect the dreams and wishes of each other and, of course, fall in love. Their building relationship is wonderfully written. Both characters are very likable; Caroline feels almost like a woman of today with her desire to be financially independent and to be recognized for her talent, and Zachary's kind heart and dedication to family endear him to the reader. Enoch keeps the book tantalizing and amusing until the end. I enjoyed this so much, I read it in ONE DAY. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy intelligent characters, witty dialogue, and just the right amount of humor. Yay, Suzanne Enoch! Keep them coming!

An Invitation to Sin possesses everything for a good, satisfying read. This book is sharp and fast-moving. This was a very romantic read. The push and pull between Caroline and Zachary will keep readers glued to the pages if only to see when these two people will finally be able to act on their feelings. Suzanne Enoch knowledge of the period paints such vivid pictures that her readers feel they're a part of the action, and the underlying sexual tension will leave you squirming in your chair. If you long to be swept into the lives of two enchanting people, I highly recommend this one. The love scenes are ample & steamy, and the plot is a good one. I enjoyed this novel from beginning to end. This was just the kind of romance novel I love. There are interesting plot twists and we get to know several secondary characters well. The secondary characters are not boring. The chemistry between Caroline and Zachary was very sensual and immediate. Wonderful love story, great characters with an emotionally scarred hero and strong but vulnerable heroine, unique setting, intriguing plot, heart-tugging emotion, excellent writing, intense sensual love scenes, and a superb ending. The plot was interesting and it kept you interested in what was going to happen next.

I love how Zachary teaches Caroline's sisters to catch a man and how Zachary wants the one sister who doesn't think she needs a man. This my first book I have read from Suzanne Enoch. I'm looking forward to read more.

I don't know about anyone else but there are some errors that irritate more than others. This book is based in England and centres around the town of Trowbridge.This town is in West Wiltshire. Imagine growing up there and on reading the book you have been brought up in a village and that it is in East Witshire. Some things can be forgiven but Trowbridge is the county town (seat of local government) and definitely in the west.

These small errors marred an otherwise enjoyable read.

I'm still reading the book but there is an appalling inaccuracy that bellows a total negligence by the author and the editors. At page 70 Zachary tells Caroline that he visited the Louvre and stood for nearly an hour looking at Michelangelo's painting, the Mona Lisa. Well the Mona Lisa was not painted by Michelangelo and it's basic common knowleadge that Leonardo da Vinci did it. I guess both the author and the editor should have more care next time because it's not any obscure painting they're talking about but the most famous of them.