One Week As Lovers [Paperback]

Victoria Dahl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2009

Some Pleasures, Once Tasted...

Even after finding his betrothed in the arms of another man, Nicholas, the Viscount Lancaster, knows he must wed. Propriety and the dire state of his finances decrees it. At least a visit to his country estate provides relief from playing the role of loving fiancé, as well as a surprising encounter with Cynthia Merrithorpe. Once his childhood companion, Cynthia has grown into a lovely, alluring woman one who's undertaken a daring ruse to avoid being sold into a miserable marriage.

Are Too Delicious To Forget...

When Nicholas left for London to assume his new title, Cynthia was forced to put aside her girlish infatuation. Now he's returned, more wickedly attractive than ever. And this time, Cynthia is determined to experience the pleasure she's dreamed of for so long. But with a man like Nicholas, seduction is only the beginning of a sensual journey that will tempt them both to defy convention, and uncover the very heart of desire...

Praise for Victoria's Dahl's A Rake's Guide to Pleasure...

"So hot the pages smoke. Don't miss this book!" Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A sizzling love story...she keeps the pages flying with a strong pace and powerful sensuality."-Romantic Times on TO TEMPT A SCOTSMAN."

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market); Original edition (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420104829
• ISBN-13: 978-1420104820
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #767,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but her first two were better., August 9, 2009

By 

Old Latin teacher (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: One Week As Lovers (Paperback)

Victoria Dahl's first two historical romances (To Tempt a Scotsman, A Rake's Guide to Pleasure) were superior to this one. This romance seemed a bit disjointed, going off in so many directions: looking for a lost treasure, playing at ghosts, traveling to Nick's friend's estate, (that of the duke from the previous historical romance by Dahl), gambling to increase the income generated by the treasure hunt, fighting a duel, just to mention a few, rather than developing better the emotional problems of Nick and the relationship of the hero and heroine. And I beg to differ with the reviewer who said there are no villains in this book. I believe a sexual abuser of children qualifies as a villain. And the idea of this being a "fun" historical romance with a romantic triangle among Nick, Cynthia and Imogene is not accurate either. Imogene, the daughter of a rich "cit", hardly figures in the story, other than as a mistake on Nick's part. A nit I have to pick with the author is her resolution near the end of Nick's financial problems by having him work with his friend, the duke. Why didn't he ask his friend for help right from the get-go, rather than try to marry money? Oh, well, one doesn't really read this type of book expecting logical behavior on the part of the heroes and heroines.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Light, breezy 4 1/2 star book., September 19, 2009

By 

denak (lawrence Ks) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Week As Lovers (Paperback)

In my opinion, this is the perfect book to read on a nice Fall day.

Ms. Dahl suceeds in creating two characters that the reader will cheer for. The book is simultaneously light and serious. There are some funny parts in the book and some very serious parts. Ms. Dahl writes about a subject that is very rarely mentioned in romance novels and by doing so, fleshes out Nick's character making him more than "just a pretty face." Moreover, Ms. Dahl doesn't take the easy way out by having Nick or Cynthia inheriet from a mysterious relative. Nick has to find a real world solution to his problem and that,to me, makes it a better book.

The only drawback to this book is the last 10 pages or so. The book really does end around page 340. Then Ms. Dahl moves the action (or should I say inaction) to New York. The only reason I can think of her doing this is so that she can introduce the cast of characters for her next book. I think this was a strategic mistake.

So, if one can ignore the last few pages of the book, I recommend this book. Nick and Cynthia's story is worth it.

Dena

So, if you want to read a

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hero makes this a good novel, almost four stars, August 17, 2009

By 

Melissa (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: One Week As Lovers (Paperback)

This is my first novel by Ms. Dahl so I had no background information on the hero, Nicholas, Viscount Lancaster. Apparently he was in a previous work. This novel moved unevenly with many plot devises such as ghosts, hidden treasures, and a runaway heroine, however the characters are very interesting and unique. The male protagonist is honorable and heroic.

Heroine Cynthia Merrithorpe is likable but she also has a quick temper, lashes out when she is frustrated and can be as stubborn as the day is long. She is not overly insightful and has a terrible habit of making assumptions. Yet she is very empathetic when it comes to hero Nick and this makes her faults more tolerable. Nick and Cynthia have grown up together and when they reconnect they start an instant friendship.

Nick is engaged to a woman who does not love him nor does he love her but she is rich and he needs the money to support his mother and siblings. Cynthia is aware of his engagement and disheartened to know that he will marry without love.

Cynthia has her own problems though, namely a sadistic man intent on marrying her. This man plays a part in Nick's life too and it is impossible not to despise this villain. Cynthia believes she has a solution for both Nick and her money problems and that is a hidden treasure stashed away long ago by her deceased uncle in the cliffs around Nick's estate.

Cynthia and Nick have a combustible relationship. They are smart but also secretive. Cynthia pales in comparison to Nick when it comes to personality. Nick has more depth and his haunted past is evident in and out of the bedroom. Nick and Cynthia's intimate trysts are gut wrenching at times but also the best written scenes in the novel.

I was not overly fond of this novel's ending. It seemed a bit too far fetched and out of character for an aristocrat and I wondered about Cynthia's impatient nature even in the last chapter. All in all though, a nice read with a wonderful hero.