8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Completely unrealistic, February 4, 2010
There was one reasonably good thing about this book - or at least about the half of it that I managed to read. The horse racing aspect was interesting, with some insight into the Jockey Club and how horses are trained (although I have no idea if this information was accurate).
However this book had a HUGE problem for this reader - it was completely unbelievable. Setting aside the fact that our heroine can communicate with animals, her behaviour was completely out of character for a woman of her time (England, nineteenth century). She seems to be able to get her way in anything, interrupting her father's business meetings to ask him to buy her a horse - a matter of life or death, apparently - masquerading as a jockey in a horse race, behaving in an entirely unchaperoned manner and, the final straw for this reader, going to bed with someone because of a very thin piece of blackmail, but prior to that telling her stepmother about it. No way! It also seems that the unusually-named Blaze is singlehandedly inventing horseboxes and suggesting removal of cockfighting at horse races, replacing them with additional races, that no-one else had previously thought of.
Blaze wasn't someone I could like, particularly with regard to her lack of empathy with people, lack of manners and general lack of believability. Her suitor, Ross, was also a bit suspect as he has a one-track-mind (fortunately headed towards marriage) but is prepared to blackmail her. It also seems that he's laughing at her a lot of the time.
The author also slipped into many uncomfortable Americanisms throughout this book. Yes, these are very common, and yes, most readers can see past them, but when there are so many other irritants in a book these add to the overall feeling of disappointment.
After the aforementioned sex scene I had to give up on this book - I couldn't face the rest. Knowing that Blaze is one of seven daughters, and that two of her sisters have already married rich and titled men (presumably in previous books), it appears this author has written several books before. On the evidence of this one, I'm surprised anyone is buying them.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2010
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Flambeau Hit..., January 3, 2010
I have read ALL of Patricia Grasso's books...and I only have one complaint. I hate to have to WAIT SO LONG for her next book!! The Flambeau sisters are so much fun and their stories are all individual but still connected. Each sister has a "unique gift"...one "sees" and one "feels things" one can read thoughts etc... this book like her others was an excellent and super fun read. Lots of dialogue and characters that we are familiar with. If you haven't read any of her past Flambeau books, get them and get started as they are all unique. Also, her earlier works, Courting An Angel, To Tame A Duke, To Love a Princess, Violets In The Snow...lots more, pick them up on Amazon or wherever you can find them...they are all terrific!!!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flamboyant Flambeau Regency romance, December 3, 2009
One of the Duke of Inverary's seven illegitimate daughters, Blaze Flambeau talks to animals. Her stepmom the Duchess has no problems with the eccentricity of talking with animals, but Roxie Campbell is upset that her stepdaughter has no plans to marry. Roxie wants everyone happy like she is so keeps sending her eligible young men.
In spite of her indifference towards men, three males want Blaze. Her father offers her a deal she cannot refuse re the trio of suitors. However, only Scottish Marquis Ross MacArthur understands the way to Blaze's heart is through her animals; specifically her beloved Pegasus. He offers to train her horse to run in a race, which she accepts. When her jockey is killed, Blaze wears men's clothing to ride Pegasus; not understanding a killer plans to murder other jockeys. As Ross wins her heart, he must keep his beloved safe.
The latest Flamboyant Flambeau Regency romance (see Tempting the Prince, Seducing the Prince and Enticing the Prince) is once again an engaging historical starring a unique heroine, an awesome male champion, and a courageous horse. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Ross concludes how to win the heart of Blaze is through Peg. Fans will enjoy the latest entry in the delightful Flambeau sisters' saga as Ross pushes all of Blaze's hot buttons including scandalous, as he rationalizes to himself that the end of making her his justifies the means.
Harriet Klausner
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