Master of Seduction [Mass Market Paperback]

Kinley MacGregor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2005

The infamous pirate Black Jack Rhys never encountered a ship he could not board or a woman he could not bed. But the dashing brigand may have met his match in the fiery beauty who has vowed to bring him to justice . . .

A fearless, flame-haired enchantress, Lorelei Dupree believes she has a duty to her fiancé and to the city of Charleston to help end the reign of the notorious Black Jack. But when the bold pirate eludes her carefully set trap, she suddenly finds herself the prisoner of the irresistible criminal they call "Master of Seduction." Once trapped in Jack's intoxicating gaze, Lorelei feels herself falling under the handsome rogue's sensuous spell. And now the terror of the high seas faces the one peril he never anticipated—for though he has stolen so many hearts, he never dreamed he'd meet a woman who could so effortlessly conquer his own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kinley MacGregor is a spirited new voice in adventure romance. Keep your eye on her." -- Romantic Times

"MASTER OF DESIRE proves once again that humor and passion are the trademarks of any Kinley MacGregor book." -- Christina Dodd, National Bestselling author of author of The Governess Brides Series

"Ms. MacGregor has a gift for storytelling." -- Affaire de Coeur

"Warm, witty and wonderful, Kinley MacGregor weaves a magical minstrel's tale." -- Stephanie Laurens, national bestselling author of A Secret Love

Black Jack Rhys never met a ship he couldn't board, a sea he couldn't conquer, nor a woman he couldn't bend to his will. But Lorelei Dupree may well be the death of him. For the cruel pirate, who laughs at danger, is nonplused by the fiery redhead who has vowed to bring him to justice. When fate locks them together in its unyielding grip, both Jack and Lorelei are determined to win. But neither have met their match until the day they square off against each other. Lorelei cannot resist the pewter eyes of the master of seduction, and Jack is fast finding himself the one being seduced.

Kinley MacGregor burst onto the scene with A Pirate of Her Own, lending a brilliant new voice to historical romance. Now, with Master of Seduction, Ms. MacGregor may just command a place at the top of the genre. Written in the swashbuckling, adventurous style which has quickly become her trademark, Jack and Lorelei's lusty, entrancing love story is one for the ages. Ms. MacGregor has created an incomparable hero, and a heroine worthy of the name. This one is a keeper. -- Affaire de Coeur

Kinley MacGregor provides an entertaining tale of conflict and desire, liberally laced with humor and human foibles.

A Pirate of Her Own is a delightful spring offering that will have you tensing at intrigue one moment and chuckling at the characters' confusion the next. I look forward to more offerings from this talented writer. -- Book Nook 5/7/99

Kinley MacGregor's fresh new voice brings humor, adventure and a delightful romance to make MASTER OF SEDUCTION a must read!

When Lorelei Dupree agrees to help her fianc set a trap to capture a pirate she doesn't realize that she will also endanger her life and her heart. Black Jack Rhys is a master of deception as well as seduction. The man is mad, bad and dangerous in and out of bed, and you'd love to be in his arms for a night (this is fantasy time so relax and enjoy it!).

...The repartee between Jack and Lorelei is spirited and witty and keeps this book humming.

The marvelous secondary characters that add so much to this swashbuckling tale will intrigue you. I know there have to be some great stories coming up from the pen of this gifted storyteller. I'd love to see a book for Kit, what a hero he'd make! -- Suzanne Coleburn--Belles and Beaux

Ring in the New Year with a book not to be missed! Once again, Kinley MacGregor has gifted her readers with a book to treasure for a liftetime. -- Romance Readers & Writers Forum

Sail into one of the best pirate stories ever. Lusty, poignant, uproarious and heart-breaking, A Pirate of Her Own is a delight. Absolutely impossible to put down. A guaranteed winner. MacGregor takes the classic pirate plot and spins such a yarn of hilarious yet heart-rending tangles, one is torn as to which emotion to follow first. Suspense permeates the action while Serenity slowly peals away layer after layer of the Sea Wolfs mysterious life. Tensions soars as these two do battle each other, other pirates, the British Navy and the elements. Breathtaking, sensuous love scenes add a piquant touch that meshes superbly with the rest of the action. I hated for this tale to end. Kinley MacGregor is a born storyteller. Bright, vivid pictures flow from her prose weaving a mystical spell that captures the reader in the first sentence. Congratulations on a most auspicious debut. -- RomCom.Com by Barbara Corrington

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Kinley MacGregor lives a life of extraordinary danger...as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets, and a collection of swords that all of the above have a major fixation with. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she can be found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With more than ten million copies of her books in print, in 26 countries, she certainly has a lot of friends to play with, too.

Writing as Kinley MacGregor and Sherrilyn Kenyon, she is the author of several series including: The Dark-Hunters, Brotherhood of the Sword, Lords of Avalon, and BAD. With an international, cult following, her books have appeared in the top three on the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestseller lists.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Avon (June 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061087122
• ISBN-13: 978-0061087127
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Really 3 1/2 stars -- Entertaining but not Wonderful, December 12, 2004

By 

ellejir "ellejir" (Virginia, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master of Seduction (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first book that I have read by Kinley MacGregor and I found it enjoyable but not really memorable. I am a pretty picky reader and tend to get put off by scenes and characterizations that are wildly improbable, so my problems with this book are not likely to be universal (what I mean to say is, loads of people *loved* this book, but you picky readers out there know who you are.)

I did like the character of the heroine, Lorelei Dupree, a spirited and spoiled girl from Charleston who has just gotten engaged to the man of her dreams at the beginning of the book. Lorelei is self-confident, spunky and vibrantly attractive. When her fiance, Justin, concocts a plan (a stunningly wrongheaded and improbable plan) to entrap the notorious pirate Black Jack Rhys which involves Lorelei posing as a barmaid (?? this is supposed to be in 1780 and Lorelei is a gently-bred lady????), Lorelei happily agrees and (of course) ends up being taken hostage by Black Jack.

Fortunately for Lorelei, the pirate ship is a comfortable *palace* of a vessel (with windows!! and multiple extra guestrooms!! and yummy food!! and art supplies!!!) and the pirates are perfect gentlemen. When Lorelei expresses a preference for the color yellow, her room is redecorated with yellow bedspreads and lacy curtains and YELLOW ROSES (Whaaaat????? They just *happened* to have yellow roses on a pirate vessel???) Romantic but ridiculous, in my opinion.

Captain Jack Rhys is a good hero--gorgeous and remote, damaged by his (really!) horrible childhood, he has managed to become (improbably) well-educated and wealthy. He rejects the idea of love and announces his intention to seduce the lovely Lorelei. And, well, you know where this is going, but it is pretty much fun getting there. (For those devotees of the classic pirate tale "Windflower", Jack is a bit like a grown-up Cat, but without Cat's brittle shell.)

The romance was fine and the story moved along reasonably well, although this was not a book that I stayed up all night reading. I do dislike books that break up chapters in the middle of a conversation for no apparent reason and the original cover of the book was one of the absolute *worst* (half-naked block-headed dark-haired man draped in a sheet--Jack is supposed to be a blonde hottie and I *HATE* naked men on the covers of my books!)

This was a fun (rather improbable) tale with a nice romance and a good hero and heroine. Recommended for those readers in the mood for a fluffy pirate romance.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was wonderful!, April 15, 2002

By 

M. Bradley "Mimmi" (Bluegrass State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Master of Seduction (Mass Market Paperback)

Lorelei Dupree has led a charmed life. She's always been the apple of the men in her life's eye-whether it's her father, her suitors, or her new fiancé. She brags that she knows how to handle any man, can make any man want her-just treat him like a dog; when he comes at your bidding, you reward him. You always speak in a gentle tone, so that he is sure to always listen closely to what you have to say, and so on...And her intended, Justin Wallingford, proves her words true. But Justin is not above using Lorelei for his own means-and he means to catch a pirate, and not just any pirate, but the notorious Black Jack Rhys.

Lorelei agrees to pose as a bar maid for Justin, to listen for any information she can gain on Black Jack. What she doesn't plan on is running into a handsome rogue with startling gray eyes that she'd gazed into only the night before-only he was someone else then. How could that be, unless HE was Black Jack?

Seeing the intelligence and knowledge that shines in Lorelei's eyes, Jack knows what he's going to have to do. There is no way around it; he'll have to kidnap her, and lure Wallingford into a trap on his territory to save her. But what Jack doesn't plan on is being lulled by her innocence and freshness, or wanting her with every breath he takes. He didn't plan on her being such a little spitfire, either, and is soon lured into a challenge-that Lorelei can win Jack's heart before he can win her body.

It was great fun reading the interaction between these two characters, who were both so sure of themselves where the opposite sex was concerned. The pace starts racing on page one, and doesn't let up. Jack and Lorelei are either at one another's throat, or having hands on one another's bodies. Things really heat up when Jack learns Lorelei has always wanted to paint, and provides paint supplies, and himself as a model. There were some laugh out loud moments with this! This book is full of fun and laughter, and sweet and poignant moments.

Kinley MacGregor never disappoints, and Master of Seduction is another wonderful read by this author. She lets us get to know the characters so well, and draws us into every nuance of the book. I just wish there had been more! I think there are some wonderful stories in the supporting characters. Maybe that is for another read! This reviewer can assure you that if you're a fan of historical romance, you will thrill yourself by picking up this read!

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars shiver me timbers!, February 17, 2000

By 

Romance Addict (Charleston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master of Seduction (Mass Market Paperback)

Black Jack Rhys is a pirate with an agenda. He wants to avoid the noose while forcing a confrontation with his mortal enemy. Enter Lorelei Dupree. Sassy, smart and too adventurous for her own good. She's engaged to the son of his nemesis and in Jack's way when he needs to escape and he knows by taking her his arch-enemy will come after them. But little does he know he has met his match in every way as he tries to seduce the Charleston Belle who vows he will go down on his knees to propose before she gives into his wicked charm.

This book is utterly delightful. I loved the play between them as each one edges closer to the other while falling hopelessly in love. Great dialogue, great characters and great fun.

Kinley MacGregor, if you read this, I want you to know I loved your book and plan on getting everything with your name on it!