Customer Reviews

Lord of Sin

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a smart, well written, and satisfying story with interesting leads, a good romance and a compelling mystery. Ewan McLean, carefree lover and man-about-town, promises his uncle the earl, on his deathbed, that he will help the family of a man whom the uncle ruined years before. This takes Ewan, now the new earl, to a remote part of Scotland where he learns that the man has died and left behind four daughters. Ewan and the eldest daughter Bride, a passionate and self-reliant Scottish beauty, are immediately and intensely attracted to one another. They have several intimate encounters, but Ewan does not allow things to go too far because he feels responsible for Bride - responsibility being a rather new concept for Ewan. The sisters are barely making ends meet, so Ewan offers to move them to a comfortable home in Glasgow, but they stubbornly refuse. They insist they can get by on the money they earn from engraving prints from templates, a trade learned from their father. Ewan nonetheless arranges for generous trusts for the three younger sisters (Bride refuses one for herself), and reluctantly returns to London, afraid that he will compromise Bride if he stays.

Weeks pass and Ewan cannot get Bride out of his mind. Then suddenly she appears on his doorstep, sisters in tow, having been evicted from their home. What Ewan does not know is that Bride has another reason for coming to London. She is trying to find out who stole her late father's templates for forged banknotes, before she and her sisters can be implicated. What Bride does not know is that Ewan, an expert on engravings, is investigating reports of forged banknotes on behalf of the government. With deception and intrigue swirling around them, can true love prevail for this passionate pair?

This appealing story is well-paced and held my interest from start to finish. Ewan and Bride are an unusual and refreshing couple, for each has a background that is somewhat imperfect, and yet they are clearly perfect for one another. Ewan is a collector of erotic art and has a liking for all things sensual; Bride does not reject out of hand his rather unconventional hobby, but instead has a healthy curiosity about it. Both have great appreciation for the other's qualities, and they truly connect as soul mates on a physical, emotional and intellectual level. The story has many funny moments as Ewan tries to hide his irregular activities from the prying eyes of Bride's sisters and chaperone, all while they are living under his roof. The dialogue is thoughtful and intelligent, and the romance sensual and satisfying. Highly recommended.

I was really suprised by some of the other reviews, especially the woman who said she had to take a shower after reading the book. Based on their opinions, I guess I am an immoral pervert because I had no objections to the hero, he was no worse than some of the other male leads in books that have gotten rave reviews. Madeline Hunt is one of the best writers I have read in a long time. Her 'bad' books are way better than the average historical or regency books out there.

I was extremely dissapointed with this novel. Madeline Hunter and Liz Carlyle are my favorite historical romance authors, so I was really looking forward to Lord of Sin. I disregarded the less than glowing reviews, thinking I was safe with Ms. Hunter. That was a mistake, and I have seen for myself that this was an uninspired effort by the author. I did not like the hero nor the heroine, I could not get close to them, and I did not believe in their relationship. These are other issues I have with the novel:

1. I can appreciate a hero who is a rake, but I found Ewan disgusting and shallow. Someone who gets excited by having sex in front of others, who is (in)famous for organizing and participating in orgies, who collects expensive erotic art that cannot be displayed freely, who abhors responsibility, and who is completely amoral is not hero material for me. Eeewww! And then the reader is supposed to believe that this "hero" will be content in a regular, monogamous relationship, ugh!

2. The heroine didn't fare much better. She held on to her secrets for way too long, trying my patience. It seemed to me that the conflict was too contrived and took over the romance to the point where it overwhelmed the development of the characters and their relationship.

3. The setting of the story and the information about engraving and forgery was interesting, but extremely detailed. This was another element that only served to dilute the romance that was supposed to be the central part of the story.

4. The "efforts" of the h/h to be discreet about their relationship seemed pointless and useless. How did Bride expect her sisters to be virtuous when she was carrying on a sexual relationship under their noses for the second time? Was she excused because of her age from the expectations society had for unmarried ladies of her time?

5. For a novel whose h/h were supposed to be so sensual, I found the love scenes cold, superficial, and uninspired. Very different from the author's other novels.

6. Unbelievable coincidences and a lot of telling instead of showing make me think that Ms. Hunter was trying to meet a deadline while busy with a lot of projects that didn't leave her enough time to write in the way to which we have become accustomed. This kept me detached from the story and for the first time I skimmed through pages of this author's writing.

I really, really, really, hope that Ms. Hunter will go back to writing medievals and I really, really, really hope that her next work shows she has recovered from whatever impaired her undeniable story telling skills this time.

Courtesy of Love Romances Reviews

Ewan McLean is a grand seducer of women. All he cares about is enjoying the pleasures of the flesh and adding to his collection of erotic art. Until he grants the death bed wish of his uncle to right an old wrong, that is. Now Ewan is off to Scotland to grant this request and his life changes abruptly as a result.

Bride Cameron is the sole support of her family that consists of herself and three younger sisters. They make their living by doing engravings using their father's old equipment, and by a secret mission that could get them into big trouble if ever discovered. The last thing she needs is an overbearing man coming into their home with the strange idea that he should support them.

Sparks fly between Ewan and Bride from their first meeting, and those sparks grow into a burning desire as they journey back to London to try and track down the person who is forging money and priceless works of art. As Bride works her way in to Ewan's heart, he begins to wonder if his life would be better with her in his bed... as his wife.

Madeline Hunter has written another lush historical to delight her many fans. In this story she even gets to demonstrate her remarkable knowledge of art, which is the focal point of her career outside of her books. It is more than evident that she knows her stuff where the history of the art of printing is concerned. Readers will love to see the results of the compilation of both of her careers in this book.

Readers who have read previous books in the Seducer series will remember the carefree Ewan. It is delightful to see how he grows and changes throughout this story. Bride is a force to be reckoned with as well, with a fiery temperament to match her flame-colored hair. Ewan has met his match in Bride and watching the dance of desire between them is fascinating.

The plot of the forged art and money is brilliantly woven throughout the story, adding to the romance found in this tale and showcasing both Ewan and Bride's considerable knowledge of art. There are also enough sub plots to intrigue readers on many different levels. Readers will also relish the opportunity to visit some old friends from previous books in the series.

As always, Ms. Hunter has penned a passionate love story, rich in historical detail, that is bound to leave fans, be they new or old, longing for the next book by this talented author.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, August 2005. All rights reserved.

Althought the title makes one cringe, the content is classic Hunter with characters who have depth, and a much more interesting view of the Regency period than the endless (boring) rounds of parties, frothy dress details, who was "bad" and who is "good" and the usual angst about the "ton" that is the usual historic romance. Other reviews will give plot details. You will enjoy the fact that there is in fact a plot. This is a sensuous book, probably a bit more than the other titles in her regency series, but the love making is carefully done to fit the characters and not for effect.

Ewan McLean was the worst type of rake and slacker. He was known throughout London for his "special" parties and dissolute ways. Therefore it is quite a surprise when he suddenly inherits responsibility in the form of an Earldom. If having a title isn't bad enough he also finds himself in the uncomfortable position of honoring a deathbed promise, he never thought he would have to keep, in the form of a guardian to four Scottish women. His uncle believed he had wronged their father and wanted to be sure the girls were not hurt by his actions.

Intending nothing more than leaving them with enough money to see them through, instead Ewan found the eldest Cameron sister incredibly intriguing. She was beautiful, shared his passion for art, mysterious, and completely uniterested in his aid.

The last thing that Bride Cameron needed was a guardian. She had enough problems without someone looking into her affairs. Particularly someone with extensive knowledge of art and engraving. Following in their father's trade, the Cameron girls survived by engraving. Unfortunately, her lover and some of her father's engraving plates had disappeared. This could prove disastourous for her and her sisters. As far as Bride could see the only benefit to her new guardian was the opportunity to go to London and investigate the mystery of her missing plates, while attempting to hold her new guardian at bay. This new guardian was a complete threat to her. While deeply attracted to him, his knowledge of engraving could bring disastor down on Bride and her sister's, for whom she was responsible and must protect at all cost.

I really liked Ewan's character in The Sinner, and was looking forward to his book. I thought the character would be alot of fun. Unfortunately, this time around he was less fun, and just perverse.

Bride Cameron didn't hold alot of appeal for me either. I really never understood what was special enough to reform a man like Ewan McLean. I also didn't feel that Bride and her sisters actions were completely justified.

However, the engraving was an interesting and unique plot. Ms Hunter does and excellent job describing the trade and process during the 1800's regency period. I did feel like I came away knowing more about the art world and engraving process of the time period.

Overall this is an average read. Some of her other works are better particularly her medievals.

Whoever wrote here that Hunter books display characters different that those of other writers - is right on. There is a much darker edge to these lords and ladies - whether it is their shameless parties or their total disregard to the ton - all of the men in this series have had such a mystery to them. And Ewan was perhaps even more so than the others, might have been a greater addition to have seen him at his worst as the book began to get a true comparison because other than the references to his parties and his former life he almost seemed a little boring. I loved the characters though - Bride and Ewan were a compelling couple - and their story was beautifully written. Some of the mystery involving the engravings and forgery was a little too confusing but it did not totally overwhelm the book. There were some parts I think could have been a little better but overall a good book!

Plot Summary: Ewan McLean is one seriously randy guy whose carefree lifestyle comes to a halt when his dying Uncle requests that the next Earl of Lyndale protect a ruined family. When Ewan unexpectedly inherits the title and family fortune, he travels to Scotland to fulfill his vow. There he finds a tall, strapping, red-headed lass named Bride who is only interested in sending him packing. Bride and her sisters are engravers, a trade they learned from their father, but what Ewan cannot suspect is that these innocent girls are not entirely honest in their craft.

Boy, when Hunter dubbed Ewan the "Lord of Sin," she meant it emphatically. I've heard heroes described as sinful in the past, but usually it was a figure of speech. With Ewan, `sin' is an absolutely literal application. If Ewan were alive today, some shrink would probably diagnose him as a sex addict.

Let's say you meet a handsome guy, and sample some of his amazing bedroom talents. At some point, you go to his house, and discover that not only does he have a sex swing attached to his living room ceiling, but he also has the largest collection of pornography known to man. Oh, and every time he throws a party, it turns into a drunken orgy. Would you be okay with all that?

That's an exact description of Ewan, but I neglected to mention that this is all set during the Regency period. It kind of boggles the mind. Even a modern woman would find him extreme, so I cannot understand how Bride takes it all so calmly. I suppose it's a sign that Bride and Ewan belong together, but I argue that living in an isolated house in the Highlands does not prepare a young woman for that kind of depravity, even if she isn't a virgin.

The writing was strong, and I was entertained, but Ewan was just a bit too unconventional for me. I could appreciate him, but he doesn't fit my heroic mold, and I took Ewan's promise of fidelity to Bride with a huge pinch of salt.

I was apprehensive about this book when I read the orginal summary - but, it was so much better than I expected. But, Ms Hunter has yet to disappoint me. On a scale of 1-10 this was a TEN on my personal list.

Ms. Hunter kept me interested throughout this tale. I did want to find out how the secret would unfold. However even though each sister had a distinct personality, I felt abandoned each time I was getting to know one. It was tell-a-little and then off to something else. I found this a bit frustrating. Since Ms. Hunter knows her art history I was pleased with the accurate information on the lord's collection of prints and also the engraving of the copper plates and printing was facinating. I'm always up for learning something while enjoying a good read. I found the ending a bit abrupt and again would have liked more information on the sisters. An Epilogue would have been nice. All in all a good read but could have been better.