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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The headiness of newfound love, paired with a good mystery, March 8, 2006
This review is from: Lady of Sin (Seducer) (Mass Market Paperback)
An intriguing mystery involving a boy's parentage fuels this intelligently written romance of two long-standing adversaries who are suddenly very attracted to one another. Lady Charlotte Mardenford, a baron's widow for six years, has begun to feel lifeless and alone despite a very full life. She decides on a whim to attend a decadent masquerade party at the home a friend, purely to watch and not to participate. Charlotte soon becomes uncomfortable and is offered a quiet corner in which to withdraw by Nathaniel Knightridge. Nathaniel is a family friend with whom she endures a very contentious relationship. She knows who he is because his face is not hidden behind a mask; hers is, however, so he does not recognize her. Nathaniel is a prominent defense counselor and he just lost his first murder case. He is deeply depressed, but he is also gentler and more vulnerable than she has ever seen him. Charlotte shows a different side of herself as well - softer, warmer and more needy. Of course, before long they are in each other's arms. They share a night of passion like nothing they have ever experienced, yet they leave the party with her identity still a secret.
Weeks pass, and Charlotte shows up at Nathaniel's door on the day of his murder client's execution, ostensibly to discuss a women's rights bill. She has really come to comfort Nathaniel in his time of need, fearing correctly that he is grief-stricken. Charlotte winds up doing some fairly intimate consoling of Daniel before they are interrupted. Daniel is amazed and quite touched by her compassionate gesture, particularly in light of their past adversarial relationship. He also has some moments of déjà vu, but cannot fathom that the thorny Charlotte could be the pliant and lovely woman that haunts his memories. Charlotte has piqued Daniel's interest, however, and he begins a deliberate pursuit of her. At the same time, he starts to investigate a blackmail case involving a young street boy who may be related to the family of Charlotte's late husband. The case could have a devastating impact on the Mardenfords, including Charlotte. Daniel is torn between his search for the truth, and his desire to protect the woman he is growing to love.
The mystery component of this story definitely captured my interest, pulling me through right to the end. The romance was also appealing, particularly how it captured the heady feeling and obsessive nature of newfound love. My one dissatisfaction is that the writing was at times a little wordy, and both lead characters tended to over-analyze things. Nonetheless, there is good dialogue and humor in the story, and I liked the quiet passion that the couple had for one another, contrasted with their sometimes noisy exchanges in the past. Their road trip together was romantic and fun and one of the highlights of the story. I have not read the previous books in this series, but look forward to doing so now. Well done.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a beautifully told and lyrical romance, October 21, 2006
This review is from: Lady of Sin (Seducer) (Mass Market Paperback)
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
In one night of impulse, Charlotte Mardenford's entire world changes.
As a prim and proper young widow, everyone expects Charlotte to always do what is right. One night she decides to find out what it would be like to give in to her urges and attending a rather sexual party in disguise, finds herself giving everything to fellow party-goer, her least favorite person, Nathaniel Knightridge. It's no surprise that when they meet again later on, he has no clue as to who was that masked woman.
Charlotte is on a mission. She is fighting for women's rights and having solicitor Nathaniel on her side could do wonders for her campaign. If only she can keep her secret about their night of passion. Little did she expect that though he didn't know who she was, he has designs on her.
As they venture across the country gaining support for Charlotte's cause, they encounter a young boy who looks surprisingly like the relatives of her late husband. Now they have an additional duty to undertake... finding out the connections of this boy to her family. But Nathaniel and Charlotte find they are having greater difficulty resisting each other's allure. How can they give their relationship room to grow that won't scandalize English society and threaten the family Charlotte dearly loves?
With Lady of Sin by Madeline Hunter, we are carried back in time to a day and age where what was proper was the most important thing many people worried about. Charlotte is the epitome of what women are expected to be so getting inside her head and discovering what she really thinks and feels was fascinating to encounter. Her passion for Nathaniel is very real, as much as she tries to deny it to herself.
Nathaniel is a zealous man, who finds what he wants and will pursue it until he gains it. Presently, what he wants, or rather who he wants, is Charlotte and he is determined to succeed. Yet as he pursues her, he discovers much about himself and Charlotte that surprises him.
The secondary plot line of the mystery child adds depth to the story. It takes Charlotte and Nathaniel on additional journeys as they travel across England trying to get to the bottom of who the boy is and how he ended up on the street as a part of a gang of child thieves. It also adds tension between Charlotte and Nathaniel because they are in disagreement over what to do. The resolution of this mystery is not a total surprise but readers will still be thrown a bit to discover the truth.
As with any book by Madeline Hunter, readers are in for a beautifully told and lyrical romance with Lady of Sin. Though this probably isn't her best book, it is still remarkably well done and guaranteed to keep you reading through to the end.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, September 2006. All rights reserved.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and a quick read, November 18, 2006
This review is from: Lady of Sin (Seducer) (Mass Market Paperback)
Charlotte, the widowed Baroness Mardenford, and Nathaniel Knightridge, renowned London barrister, can't stand each other. Whenever they're in each other's company, they can't resist getting on each other's nerves. All that begins to change when Charlotte shows up at Nathaniel's house to cheer him up. One of his clients, found guilty for whatever crime he committed, was hung that day and Nathaniel was content to get himself drunk to try and forget his failure...until Charlotte shows up. What follows after their usual argument is a sudden heated passionate encounter that catches them off guard.
Regardless of his sexual attraction to Charlotte, Nathaniel can't forget the mysterious woman he met at a masquerade ball a month ago. Every time he's with Charlotte, much to his chagrin, his mind drifts to that woman. As he tries to unveil this mystery, Nathaniel is saddled with prosecuting a man who is tried for extortion. The man tells Nathaniel an interesting story of a young lad whose father is a nobleman. At first, Nathaniel doesn't believe him, until the man ends up dead. Nathaniel decides to investigate the man's claims and runs into the boy in question. His first glimpse of the little boy rocks him back on his heels. Nathaniel immediately realizes that if he were to investigate further, the truth could ruin Charlotte and possibly any chances they have of having a relationship.
I think Lady of Sin was far better than Lord of Sin. The attraction between Nathaniel and Charlotte was far more convincing, moving immediately from their mutual dislike of each other to passionate sexual attraction. The story is further enriched with a believable and enticing mystery involving Charlotte's brother-in-law and what he was trying to cover up. I enjoyed reading this story. It's not my favorite Madeline Hunter book but it's passable.
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