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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Well, at least they seem to suit each other, November 12, 2008
This review is from: Lord Ruin (Mass Market Paperback)
Rakish Duke of Cynssyr has decided it's time for him to get married. Since he only gets the best of everything he's settled on Emily Sinclair, the beautiful youngest sister of mousy, bespecled Anne Sinclair, the sister he actually winds up married to after he accidentally debauches her. How does one accidentally debauch a woman? When circumstances contrive to have her in his bed and flying high on laudanum after she hurts her foot. Neither of them want to marry the other but they both decide to make the best of things, and it certainly helps that they constantly lust after each other.
** This is the second Carolyn Jewel book I've read and it has many of the same problems - the hero has some real character (even if it's an unappealing one), but the heroine is a complete cardboard cutout; flat, boring and lifeless. And while the Ruan (the duke) may have some character it's not the kind that you really want to spend several hours with, being arrogant and thoughtlessly high-handed but without any traits like humor or compassion that would soften his arrogance and make it endearing rather than annoying. As for Anne she's the classic Mary Sue - Jewel constantly writes Ruan thinking about how comfortable he feels with her while providing no reason for him to feel that way. All she ever does is act like a doormat while he makes his dictatorial pronouncements.
It's too bad - I like stories about rakes and bluestocking spinsters but this particular spinster was boring and the rake a real jerk. Although in all honesty I have to say they suit each other perfectly.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
super steamy regency..., May 31, 2005
This review is from: Lord Ruin (Mass Market Paperback)
under this seemingly sweet regency cover hides a sexy, racy regency read that was throughly enjoyable and well written.
The story starts with a very controversial premise-not to give anything away-the hero is forced to marry the heroine because of an indiscretion caused by a very mistaken identity.
The book centers on the fact that both main characters had some ingrained preconcieved notions of each other, and of the opposite sex in general. Being thrust into marriage they learn about each other, about what love really is, and that they truly are meant to be together.
Unlike the other reviewers, I enjoyed the mystery in the story, especially since Anne was able to help solve it.
Those of you who like traditional regencies, and who may be offended by LOTS of fairly graphic love scenes should skip this one as it is very erotic and explicit.
Ms. Jewel is a great new, talented writer and for a first novel it was excellent. Like another review, I also felt that if there had been more characterization and interaction between the two characters and a few less sex scenes than this book would rate a 5.
Otherwise a spicy glimpse into Regency life, fun and enjoyable. 4 stars!
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sensuous love scenes but book suffered for it, April 1, 2005
This review is from: Lord Ruin (Mass Market Paperback)
I liked this book and it is worth about 3 1/2 stars. The love scenes bordered on erotic but were not overboard - they were very sensuous. But anytime I felt Cynssr and Anne were going to come to any understanding in their relationship, there he was taking her against a table - all their furniture must have strong legs!! I would have liked a little more resolution of their feelings and a little better storyline.
Cynssr seemed so loving and wonderful I got a little tired of Anne pushing him away (mentally NOT physically!). It was enjoyable that Cynssr thought she was beautiful when he first saw her asleep in his bed - though all he could remember was her spectacles. I found Anne was too good at hiding her feelings, almost cold. But her life with her father and very lovely sisters must have given her the ability to hide her emotions well. It was nice that Cynssr said he loved her first and was really the one more passionate in his feelings.
Onto a few things I did not like. I almost needed a roster of the other characters in this book. I couldn't keep straight who was who! I even got confused about the victims of the mysterious abductors/kidnappers. It was not a very good mystery since as a reader, I couldn't solve it. I almost thought it was going to turn out to be one of the "good guys." Most of Cynssr's friends did not impress me. In the end I thought, thank goodness Anne didn't marry Devon since I didn't like him that much. The servants were interesting characters.
I will look for the other books this author has written and may well buy others she writes but this book did not stir my emotions even though it stirred "other" feelings.
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