A Passion for Him (Paperback)

by Sylvia Day (Author)
Key Phrases: night rail, Sylvia Day, Miss Benbridge, Lord Ware (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Miss Amelia Benbridge is ready to leave behind a past filled with heartbreak for a sensible marriage. Until temptation itself comes calling, with an invitation to seduction...Amelia Benbridge and the Earl of Ware are the most anticipated match of the Season. Lord Ware is handsome, wealthy, and kind, and he understands that her love will always belong to her childhood sweetheart, Colin. When Colin died, Amelia believed she would never feel such passion again. But her primal reaction to the brooding stranger who approaches her at a masquerade, coaxing her into a moonlit minuet and a single, sensual kiss, proves otherwise...Colin Mitchell knew a pairing between a peer's daughter and a gypsy stable boy was impossible. Amerlia's mistaken belief in his demise afforded him the opportunity to return to her as a man of means. But time has slipped through his fingers. She is preparing to wed another and danger prevents him from revealing the truth. Colin can only bid her a secret farewell, but he underestimates her determination to unmask her phantom admirer. A forbidden kiss leads to her ardent pursuit and a soul-scorching affair. Amelia is perfectly attuned to his every desire, every thought - and hungry for stability he can't offer her. For deception lies at the heart of their love, waiting to drive them apart once again...

From the Publisher
From Brava's next big historical romance star, author of Ask for It and The Stranger I Married, comes a richly imagined, highly sensual story of a passion begun in deception.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Brava (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758217617
• ISBN-13: 978-0758217615
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #339,301 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Teen love turns to torrid romance, October 30, 2007

By	Misuzmama (New York, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Raised by a despicable father, Amelia Benbrige was always on the move. Never in one place for too long. Forced to live nearly alone and endure the never ending turn around of governesses and servants. Friendships were scarcely made and then broken. The only constants in her life were the groomsman and the gypsy stable boy. A boy close to Amelia's age who brought her laughter, light and true love. That is until he risked his life for her and died.

Colin Mitchell has been living a secret life for six years. A life that he hoped would bring him riches and a title, making him into someone who would be suitable for a peer's daughter. Now that he has all that, the only thing missing is the woman he's loved for years. But now it may be only too little too late. Amelia's about to marry another. And even if she succumbs to the phantom's kisses, will she ever forgive him for his *death* when her lover is unmasked?

This is the third book in the Georgian set series by Day. 'Passion For The Game' being the prequel. I liked that one, but its not necessary to read it before. This is a stand alone book. Nearly all the parts with Amelia and Colin are rewritten as flash backs here. (Plenty of Maria & Christopher from PFTG -so you may want to read the prequel for that reason)

Now what did I think about the book? Ahhhhh!...Yet another one of those unrequited love books (which gosh darn it I love!). Only here the heroine thinks the hero has been long dead, so she doesn't understand her immediate attraction to the masked stranger. Day puts her own spin on this one with her signature super steamy love scenes (wowsa!), well drawn out characters and danger laced plot. I especially liked that the length of time the reader was in suspense over which when the hero would be unmasked. And heck it was sure worth the wait! ;) I also appreciated the rival suitor not being some toad, but rather an extremely handsome and eligible Earl. I mean really! Whose going to choose spam when they could have filet mignon? Those book irritate me.

A Passion For Him is another well written romance that kept me turning the pages well into the night with toothpicks keeping my eyes open (OK so thats a lie :)). But I really do enjoy all of Days historical romance (not a lie! I swear!). She's one of the authors I turn to when I want a bit of extra sizzle over the typical historical. If you don't believe me then read 'Bad Boys Ahoy', just keep a fire extinguisher handy. And if you like this then you might also enjoy Lisa Valdez's 'Passion', Kalen Hughes 'Lord Sin' and Elizabeth Holt's 'The Raven Prince' and its sequels.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A satisfying sequel in this wonderful series!, November 1, 2007

By	Jennifer Ray "Reviewer for Wild on Books (www... (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

**This book is my Recommended Read for November 2007!**

Six long, mournful years ago, Amelia's life was turned upside down. Her father was exposed as the criminal he was, she was reunited with her long-lost sister, and she lost the love of her life. Resigned to the fact that her one chance at true romantic love was lost with her childhood sweetheart's murder, she faces a promising future as wife of the Earl of Ware, her long-time friend and trusted confidante. But having once tasted abiding love and unbridled passion, albeit unconsummated, she yearns for more.

Colin came very close to losing his life that fateful night when he helped Amelia escape her father's evil clutches. But he survived. Indeed, he did more than survive, using their separation to build his status from that of a gypsy stable boy with no future to that of a mysterious and obscenely wealthy nobleman.

Now, when Colin has retired from his short stint as a secret agent, ready to return to Amelia and claim her for his own, the enemies he made along the way endanger everything he has sacrificed for all these years. Worse, Colin's own decisions threaten to destroy Amelia's trust in him forever.

I only just read the previous story to this one, Passion for the Game, a few months ago, but it knocked my socks off to the point where I was left panting for its sequel! Between Sylvia Day being firmly ensconced on my list of very favorite authors and the previous book in this passionate (pun intended) series, my expectations for 'A Passion For Him' were extremely high. As usual, Ms. Day does not disappoint her fans. This book lives up to every hope and dream this reviewer had for Colin and Amelia, making the interminable moments of anticipation waiting for its release more than worthwhile.

Raised in virtual solitude with only servants for companions, closely guarded by her father, the unpretentious Lady Amelia has no notion of the social mores of the real world. She never realized the difference in station between herself and the few friends she made in her childhood. But Colin was never allowed to forget his place in her life, no matter that the love he harbored for her was requited. Knowing he can never give her the life she deserves as a stable boy, he resolves to grab the chance he is given to make something more of himself, with a plan to return to her once he is firmly established. But to take that opportunity, he lets everyone who loves him most believe him dead for six years.

Poor, virtuous Colin is a typical headstrong male - once he decides he knows the best way to proceed, he doesn't always consider the emotional impact of his actions on this around him. Although he had the very best of motivations, and admirable intentions, Colin's methods leave something to be desired. Will those actions cost him the one thing he desires above all else?

Amidst it all, our fair couple, along with their family and friends, is embroiled in an intrigue that keeps them on the edge of danger - a fact that Colin is always conscious of. The unraveling intricacies of the plot against our hero keep the story as exciting as the romance, and the reader on the edge of their seat!

I pre-ordered 'A Passion for Him' with two-day shipping as soon as I read its predecessor, and planned the evening of its UPS delivery around this book. I began reading it the moment I arrived home from work and was, as expected, unable to put it down until I finished the book that same evening. I know fans of Sylvia Day and fans of historical romance will find this delightful new release as gripping as I did!

Series Order:
Ask For It
Passion for the Game
A Passion for Him

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies!, November 2, 2007

By	C. Dionne "Chrissy Dionne" (Cloverdale, OREGON USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amelia Benbridge seems to have everything a woman could desire. Her upcoming marriage to the Earl of Ware ensures her a place amongst the creme de la creme of society despite her father's shameful captivity. It's not a love match, but Amelia and Ware are good friends. He fully understands that she's never stopped loving Colin, her childhood sweetheart, and still mourns his death but he also believes that they're perfect for each other - after all, many marriages have started with far less than friendship.

Colin Mitchell has loved Amelia for as long as he can remember but the simple fact that he was a stable boy makes any relationship between them futile. Amelia's misguided belief that Colin died presents him with the opportunity to slip away and `make something' of himself and then return to her as a new man - one worthy of her love and hopefully the title of her husband. There's just a few glitches in this plan. Amelia's about to marry another man and she has no idea of his true identity.

Amelia's content with her engagement to the Earl of Ware. They may not be in love but they're comfortable with each other. She's just never felt that special spark with him that she'd had with Colin and doesn't believe any man will ever inspire her to lust again. That is until she notices a masked man watching her at a ball - all of a sudden long dead feelings are roused and she can't understand why that would be. Colin's very careful to keep his true identity a secret. He'd found himself in a bit of trouble while in France just before he departed for England. He has a price on his head and he fears what may happen to Amelia if she's caught in the middle of his problems. He struggles with his desire to remain near her and the necessity to ensure her safety by leaving the area, but that decision is taken out of his hands when Amelia spots him as he tries leaving town and follows him. What follows is a sizzling affair with her mystery lover. How will she react when she learns that her phantom lover is none other than her childhood sweetheart Collin? And can the lovers share a life together free of worry about Collin's past?

Once again Sylvia Day gives readers a book that encompasses all the passion, intrigue and endearing characters that we've come to expect in her storylines. I couldn't help but feel an immediate attachment to Collin and Amelia and had my fingers crossed for a happily-ever-after for them. At the same time I really felt bad for the Earl of Ware. I loved getting the chance to revisit characters from ASK FOR IT and PASSION FOR THE GAME. Now I'll be on the lookout for DON'T TEMPT ME which is due out in March 2008. Sylvia Day never fails to write stories that can transport me to into the characters lives for the extent of the tale and they often live on long after I've finished reading. If you haven't picked up a Sylvia Day book yet then you're missing out.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)