Lions and Lace [Mass Market Paperback]

Meagan McKinney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1992

When unscrupulous Irish tycoon Trevor Sheridan threatens to expose her family secret unless she marries him, Alan Van Alan, a woman of wealth living in 1870s New York, has no other choice but to consent.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Island Books (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440212308
• ISBN-13: 978-0440212300
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,095,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A second look at Lions and Lace, September 27, 2002

By 

Saki (Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lions and Lace (Mass Market Paperback)

I've reread this novel several times since my last review and unfortunately, my opinions haven't changed. To be fair though, I admit that Lions and Lace is very well written, but poor when it comes to the romantic scheme of things. The way McKinney describes the time period is impressive because you really feel as if you are a part of it, and she has a way of being detailed without going overboard. Even her side characters are vivid. They all come alive and have their own side stories to tell; and all this is done without overshadowing the main couple.
But for all her research and creativity, I'm going to have to give L&L a bad word, but I'm going to make a distinction and be very specific about this.

As a book, Lions and Lace is exceptional, but as a romance it is a flop (in my humble opinion).

I have nothing against cruel heroes (I even love some of them), but I was disappointed with how Trevor Sheridan treated Alana throughout the love story...throughout their* 'love' story.
I think one of the most important things in a romance novel with a cruel hero is that he must be redeemed at some point in the novel. I don't want him to change and become a 'good boy' - part of his appeal is his darkness, and I acknowledge that, but I feel that if a hero treats his heroine unkindly, he owes it to her to make up for his bad behavior. He must* show that he is sorry and it becomes a must for me, to see him behaving in ways that convince me that he does love the heroine.

My problem with Trevor is that he spends 99% of the novel fighting his love for Alana and he admits it only in the third to the last page (literally). I DO realize and understand why he does and says those awful things to her but my question is, how am I to be convinced that he loves her when not once do I see the transformation of his feelings from love to hate?
His hatred for Alana was apparent throughout, then all of a sudden when she is about to leave he writes her a note (which is another disappointment because he could not even go to her himself and beg her forgiveness- she had to come to him instead despite all she endured), and says that he loves her.

I've noticed that a lot of people admire Trevor Sheridan because of his love for his family. I myself, have no doubt that he would kill to protect that little sister of his- Alana was right when she thought that "as a brother, he was a saint". But would he do the same for Alana? I think not.

The most important thing is...in order to be able to tell that a man loves another, that a man would fight for that loved one, that he would do anything to protect and make that loved one happy- you have to be able to SEE his love in the things he does for her. Trevor may not be a 'cuddly', expressive man but there was never a doubt that he loved Mara and Eagan to the death.
Trevor Sheridan DOES have a great capacity to love.

It is a pity though, that his great capacity for loving, fighting for and protecting does not extend to Alana Van Alen. And that is the reason why I cannot appreciate this story for there is no love in it. I would've forgiven Sheridan for all his cruelty towards Alana had I seen his love for her- but that eloquent note of his in the end was hardly proof for me. He never even apologized.

Whenever I reread Lions and Lace and take note of Trevor saying such
sweet, wonderful things to his sister ("I want you to never doubt that I'd do anything for you Mara...I want tonight to be as glorious as your dreams"), I compare it to the things he says to Alana. When I first read Lions and Lace I was so excited- I couldn't wait for Trevor to realize his mistake and treat Alana the way he treated Mara (if not even BETTER). I was convinced by that example above, that this hard man could be loving- that once he got over what ailed him he would take back all the unkind words he said and worship the ground his wife walked on. I did not see that.
He never said that he wanted Alana to be happy (whereas he says "I want Mara to be happy" or "I won't let them hurt Mara", a dozen times in the book).
I can give so many examples but I think I've already made my point, and in doing so I feel rather sad. Trevor Sheridan had so much potential to be a great romance novel hero but it just never happened.
A great brother, yes. But a husband? No.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!, March 24, 2000

By 

Julianne "bicoastalite" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lions and Lace (Mass Market Paperback)

Lions and Lace is an amazing romance novel. From start to finish Meagan McKinney writes and conveys such strong feelings of innocense, betrayal, love, confusion and lust... and not necessarily in that order. The hero, Trevor Sheridan is a brooding, dark and unforgiving character. But behind this facade, he is just looking for love and acceptance. When he meets the New York socialite Alana Van Alen, it's not only a case of convenient revenge on the Knickerbockers of the NY elite but also a struggle against the magnetic attraction. It is through their hurt and mutual pain that you grow the know these characters and even hope that they overcome the obstacles and recognize the love between them. It's an emotional roller coaster.. Highly recommend. If you're looking for a light hearted sweet romance... this isn't the book for you. But if you want a book to touch your soul... this is it.

Julianne

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can read it over and over!, December 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lions and Lace (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a book I read several years ago and usually re-read once or twice a year. It is romance at its best. I found Trevor to be the hero most romance authors should try to emulate. He is smart, powerful, sexy, but he is also caring and vulnerable. He is adorable! Alana is a heroine you can really root for. You really hope that she gets her man and he can help her put her life in order. The secondary characters are excellent, expecially Mara. This book really is an excellent example of romance writing at its best.