Customer Reviews

What Isabella Desires (Spies and Secrets)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lady Isabella Willoughby widowed these last three years, has always been in love with the inscrutable Marcus, Lord Roth, one of the most powerful members of the House of Lords. Patient and proper, Bella and Marcus have been good friends through the years, but now Isabella is ready to let loose and capture the object of her desire - if only for just one kiss.

Wealthy, handsome and brooding, Marcus not only serves in the House, but has a network of men who serve to protect and remove those who would cause harm. Lately, his network has been breached and someone is killing off those close to him. As Lady Isabella begins her campaign to bring forth her wild side, expecting more from him than friendship, Marcus is about to break his one simple rule of not falling in love. Unfortunately, not only must he guard Bella from his enemies, but her heart from discovering his dark family secret.

*** I am becoming a huge fan of Ms. Mallory who has a remarkable talent of creating memorable and likeable characters, not only those who are pre-destined for one another but are immensely appealing to the reader.

It was amusing the way the author let the very prim and proper widow Lady Bella break out of her self imposed proper little world to try to entice the man she'd always loved. Having run out of patience when Marcus never gave her any encouragement, Bella had initially settled and had a good but not passionate marriage. She was determined to change her life and sedate looks with daring clothes and by attending some of the more risqué entertainments to make her good `friend' Marcus sit up and take notice!

Marcus definitely took notice and didn't like it one bit that Bella was attracting the attention of persons he considered opponents as well as enemies. With an underlying element of danger, Marcus convinced himself he was `protecting' Bella from her own foolishness. He'd never been immune to her charms but held a dark family secret that he knew from Bella's own personal history, would cause her heartache and pain should he encourage their closeness. The author did well with keeping the intrigue and danger at the forefront as Marcus succumbed to the desires of the one woman he'd tried to keep from being hurt.

Ms. Mallory kept the intrigue, fast-paced action and sensual seduction going strong throughout the story striking a perfect balance of danger, titillating humor, passion, along with a heartwarming ending. Fabulous entertainment is in store for Regency fans!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

Lady Isabella Willoughby is tired of being proper and alone. Isabella decides to take matters into her own hands and reach for what she desires. What she desires is more of a 'who' rather than a 'what'. Isabella desires her very good friend, Marcus, Lord Roth.

To make Marcus see her as more than a friend, Isabella lowers her neckline and begins to attend the ton's scandalous after season parties. Isabella wants to find herself in Marcus' bed and Marcus' heart. For Marcus, all of him, is Isabella's heart's desire.

I adore stories of unrequited love. I adore Anne Mallory's What Isabella Desires. Isabella is a heroine strong enough, determined enough and brave enough to fight for what her heart desires.

What Isabella Desires is sensual, heart wrenching and ever so romantic.

Annmarie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Anne Mallory delivers another great Regency---with a fresh twist, a little murder mystery, and heroine and hero who were destined for each other. I read this book in a night and enjoyed every minute of it!

Way to go, Ms. Mallory!

Kathrynn Dennis, author, DARK RIDER (Sept, 2007)

Love conquers all in this newest novel by the talented Mallory. What Isabella Willloughby desires is love everlasting with Marcus Stewart, Lord Roth. Unfortunately, Marcus doesn't want to fall in love. These two strong, mature characters go full tilt toward the inevitable while battling pasts filled with disappointment and sadness. Imbued with mystery, longing and sizzling tender/hot love scenes, What Isabella Desires is a definite keeper. You're going to love this one!

This is a charming and heartwarming story, with a fabulous combination of sensual tension, danger, and witty repartee; laugh out loud moments, and heartfelt emotion that brought tears to my eyes. I had a wonderful time reading it.

The lovely and proper widow, Lady Isabella Willoughby goes after her heart's desire in this tale of unrequited love. Isabella has been in love with Marcus Steward, Lord Roth since before her debutante days. Lacking the confidence to win Marcus's affection, young Isabella gives up her chance at true passionate love by marrying someone else. But Isabella's married life doesn't last; her husband Lord Willoughby dies after a long-suffering illness. For years, not a breath of scandal has ever been attached to Isabella's name, she is what all debutantes, wives and widows are encouraged to be: quiet and proper.

But quiet and proper are the very things Isabella no longer wants to be. Now at twenty-eight, with a "respectable distance from widows weeds", destiny has given Isabella a chance to get Marcus to notice her. Not as the quiet friend who challenges him at games of chess, but as lover, a passionate woman who loves him unconditionally.

Isabella's plan to seduce Marcus works right away though Marcus fights his attraction for her every step of the way.

As an influential and powerful member of the government, Marcus's duty and commitment is to his country. Marcus cannot allow himself to fall in love, or for love to cloud his judgment.

But Isabella's allure and confidence challenge his defenses, and the secret he's harbored for years. One that could destroy his career, the respect of his peers, and this woman who with each tantalizing caress is so close to conquering his heart. Then his worst fears come true when Isabella's life is threatened, Marcus must take her under his protection, close to his home and heart. Close to his past and disastrous not too distant future.

Well written, well paced and entertaining, What Isabella Desires is a story about taking risks, second chances, and hope. The hope that true love conquers all. Ms Mallory delivers on all accounts, she consistently writes "must buy" books.

It's pretty sad when you finish a book and all you can think about is how boring it was. Such is the case with What Isabella Desires. I am a fan of unrequited love stories, but the affection Isabella had for her childhood friend Marcus was simply not believable. Their love affair was beyond dull to the point that I wondered how these two would co-exist with each other even after they have their HEA.

Marcus Stewart, Lord Roth, doesn't feel worthy of love for no particular reason that I can see. This doesn't make sense as Marcus seems to have it all with his dark hair, whiskey eyes, lush lips... well, you get the point. He has a wonderful set of friends and a woman who would do anything for him. He also happens to be a top notch something-or-other for the Foreign Office.

Lady Willoughby was married to a nice man who is now conveniently deceased, but Marcus has always had her heart. Isabella hides this so well that she is more of a sister to him than anything else and she seems to divide her time between watching Marcus in crowded ballrooms and gardening. Isabella decides she wants to be a little more daring, so she starts wearing shocking dresses that show too much cleavage. Suddenly, the brotherly feelings Marcus has for Isabella disappear because he likes the way she now looks in her new low-cut red ball gowns. He just has to kiss her and soon decides that this is a good time to have an affair with her. Other than trying to solve the mystery of some unknown murdered agents, what else has he got to do?

Soon Isabella and Marcus are exchanging longing glances in public which somehow makes Isabella a target for the bad guy. This gives Marcus an excuse to whisk her away to his country home for her protection and, of course, a little seduction. I will give Mallory some credit for the interesting use of a piano as a seduction tool, but all I could think about during that love scene was that Isabella will have a lot of back pain the next day. For some reason, the thought of consummating a relationship on piano keys doesn't appeal to me in the least.

Eventually Marcus is able to solve the vague mystery that I couldn't even remember by the time I got to the final chapter. Perhaps my problem is that I didn't care to. Everything about What Isabella Desires was so vague and overall "blah" that it took quite a bit of willpower on my part not to stop reading by the third chapter. The chemistry between Isabella and Marcus was non-existent and the fact that our hero has the stereotypical brooding issues for no good reason made me really want to give up reading altogether.

For those who like mundane and, dare I say, inane storylines with no passion or intrigue, you are welcome to this one. I, for one, will take a pass next time I see an Anne Mallory title.

Katiebabs

Everyone who knows Marcus Stewart believes the aristocrat lives the perfect single life; yet these same aristocrats assume he will marry soon as his two best friends recently did. However, he knows otherwise hiding his dark secret from friends like Angelford (see MASQUERADING THE MARQUESS) and Marston (see DARING THE DUKE), but especially from the prim and proper Isabella Willoughby, who he has known all his life.

Bella hides a deep secret from everyone especially Marcus; she fantasizes dancing naked as part of seducing Marcus who is the man she loves. However, refusing to be patient any longer for the man of her affection to come to her, Bella begins her seduction that has Marcus unable to resist her lure. WHAT ISABELLA DESIRES seems to be at hand except Marcus wonders if he is worthy of his beloved as he has hidden a truth that he fears if his Isabella learns it, her love would turn to hate.

There is a bit of a mystery as Isabella investigates what eats at the soul of her beloved while making efforts to become his lover. However, for the most part Anne Mallory's latest tale is a delightful historical romance starring two mice people who deserve all that love can bring them, but first they must overcome his demons. WHAT ISABELLA DESIRES is an entertaining Regency romance starring a woman who knows what she wants and sets out to achieve it and a man who knows what he wants and sets out to avoid it.

Harriet Klausner

I felt like Marcus was kind of a baby about the whole illness thing at the end. Their love affair was boring. I actually found myself reading through the love scenes and getting distracted by a game I was playing. I actually wanted to play the game more then read a sex scene lol. That's how dull it was.

This novel truly stirs my emotions. I couldn't put down it until I raced to the last page. This is not an ordinary love story with happy ever after ending since you eventually found out that the earl had a debilitating illness that he tried to hide. What would any woman do in that situation when one only has one life to live with one great love to give. Over the last twelve years, I lost my first husband, my brother, my grandfather and my father. I am partial to story on not give up on loving someone just because one knows the end would come sooner. This is a romance with real heart and soul.

*4.5 stars to be exact.*

I am so pleased with this final entry in the Lords of Intrigue trilogy! I liked the preceding two, but they were missing the click that I usually have with this author's work. That could very well be because my first tastes of her were with her more recent works, and this trilogy was her debut.

After having quite a bit of back and forth conversation with a friend, I've drawn a few parallels in my mind with one of Anne Mallory's other books. It's not that they're similar storylines, but there are some similarities, and differences, I want to draw between the heroes and their behavior toward the heroines.

The book that I'm referring to is Three Nights of Sin. The hero of that book, Gabriel, was very closed off and manipulative. He played his little power games with the heroine and always held himself apart. The hero of this book, Marcus, does exactly that too - although it's to a lesser extent.

I had an extremely hard time with Gabriel's relationship with Marietta. She was so in the dark and rather like a sexual puppet most times. It all felt very uncomfortable to me, and I railed against Marietta's passive attitude and unfounded trust. A dead body could have been in her path and she would have just stepped over it without looking down. That's how oblivious she was.

The big difference in my feelings toward that book and my feelings toward this book is simple. Isabella had an awareness that Marietta never had. Isabella knew that Marcus was playing his games with her, maneuvering her around like a chess piece. She knew that he danced around answering her questions and tried to distract her with her feelings for him. But she consciously chose to play the game with him in the hope that things would play out in her favor. That's all I need, awareness. I never felt like Isabella was a dim victim - as I sometimes did with Marietta - because she had the strength to choose. Marcus could only manipulate her for as long as she chose to let him.

I really loved Isabella's character. What most people would see as pitiable actually opened her up to her biggest strength. I'm referring to her secret love of Marcus, of course. She had the strength to reach out for what she wanted. Even when she was knocked down by embarrassment she was strong enough to pick herself up and try again. Because what she was reaching for mattered too much to her to not give it her all. She was willing to forgive Marcus's occasional jerk moments and his stoic attitude because the potential pay off would be worth a little tweaked pride. Usually I see characters in this position as people to pity, but I just couldn't feel that way about Isabella.

Marcus caught my heart and squeezed it even when he was irritating me. The more I learned about him the sadder I was. His friendship with Isabella has been a rock for him throughout his life. He's known her since she was 7 1/2, and she has always been a bright spot for him. Especially after he was changed by an event when he was 18. That was when Marcus closed himself off from the world. He has existed as an island. He has friends, but he never lets them get too close to his personal life. He trusts them, but he doesn't trust them, not with the deepest parts of himself. There are things about himself and his future that he had hoped to never share with anyone. Things have started to come to a head for him though, and it's the slight vulnerability that it created that really seems to have made Isabella's change of behavior hit him so hard.

I had so much fun watching Marcus pace around the shadows getting edgier and edgier with each new dress Isabella wore, and each new man she was friendly with. It was especially entertaining watching Marcus interact with his friends during this! At times Marcus's attitude became a little tiring, but on the whole I stayed sympathetic rather than frustrated.

I just wanted to make a quick mention of how surprisingly hot some of this book was! The tension and anticipation worked extremely well for me. I've quoted one of the scenes in one of my status updates if anyone cares to have a look.

I knocked down a half star because of the ending. I don't mean the very end, because I actually liked that it was a realistic happy ending. I ended it a little sad for the eventual future, but very hopeful of certain things and very confident in their relationship no matter what happened. But before that there was a section that was resolved way too quickly. I wanted to be a fly on the wall as realizations were made and courage was gathered. I felt a little cheated that it was all so abrupt.

Other than that little thing I enjoyed this book immensely. I cannot wait to read more by my new addiction, Anne Mallory!