Customer Reviews

Notorious And Noble (Zebra Regency Romance)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As in all anthologies, all the stories included are not good. In this case, only Judith Lansdowne's story, "Fasincation" was enjoyable, and that with a certain frown at the end. The first story, "Seduction" was just okay, with a plain spinster, Amanda, having to stitch a nude painting to win a bet with a rake, Lord Rivenhall, to save her brother's inheritance. The third story, "Temptation" was just plain boring and I had to skim most of the story. Judith's "Fascination" was really good and fun to read. The Hawk, Lord Hawksworth, a notorious Earl who lived by his own set of rules, strides into a ball and knocks flat his step brother, Tolly, with two punches, then strides out. Miss Priscilla Pritkin, whose sister, Sarah, is planning on marrying Tolly, is enthralled and the magic between the Hawk and Priscilla is fun to read, especially the bath scene. However, one thing I did not like at all was the fact that Tolly had beaten his mistress, even knocked out her teeth. That is why the Hawk punched him and threatened to kill him if he ever did it again. Apparently, he had beaten her several times. The Hawk was concerned, especially after he fell for Priscilla, that he would harm Sarah. A reasonable concern and Judith ties it up at the end. It seemed that no one was really concerned about Sarah and Tolly's habit of beating women, because the love of Tolly for Sarah would cure the beast in Tolly and he would not harm Sarah. That was poorly done and a huge disservice to women everywhere. Everyone knows that love alone does not cure a batterer. Poorly done, Ms. Lansdowne.

This is without one of the most disappointing short-story romance anthologies I have ever read! The first story with the abusive Tolly and his basically getting away with it and still winning the love of Sarah who was stupidly convinced by Pricilla and Hawk to forgive him and give him another chance totally marred what could have been a terrific book! Yes it even marred the romance of Pricilla and Hawk! Okay so it was Tolly's ex-girlfriend who he beat up and not Sarah but he was verbally abusive to Sarah and the fact that he physically abused his ex should be a warning sign to Sarah, Pricilla and Hawk.

Although I enjoy a light read, I also enjoy a thick book. Thus, I usually stear clear of anthologies. But, I read this because I love Judith Lansdowne's books, and I actually only read hers. This one didn't disappoint. A handsome rogue with the soul of an artist and a woman who's the only one to see it. A great story, a great romance, I just wish it had been longer.

Three novellas in which women set out to reform rakes, though only one of the rakes really seems to qualify as a cad in need of reforming. The best of the three is Judith Lansdowne's and her rake has the soul of an artist, though he does have a horse no one else can ride. His story is full of good fun and high adventure, and it's worth the price of the paperback all by itself.

This book has nothing to offer in terms of stories, but I just love the cover - John DeSlavo looking so dashingly romantic that made my knee weak. I am more than willing to hand over my hard-earned bucks for it.

5 stars for the publisher's marketing team + 0 star for the authors = 2.5 Stars overall .