Customer Reviews

Pride and Pleasure

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In 1818 London, a man by the name of Jasper Bond works as a thief-taker; a man who offers security to people who need it and does everything within his power to find what is lost, as well as uncover the secrets that are hidden by others.

As we begin our story, the amazingly handsome Mr. Bond goes to meet a local person who desperately needs his help. As this amazingly sexy man wraps his gloved hand around the eagle's head on top of his cane and walks into St. George's cathedral, he runs directly into a woman by the name of Eliza Martin and her uncle. Jasper is completely intrigued as he sits with Eliza who tells him immediately that he is far too good looking for what she needs. This beautiful redhead who is a very wealthy woman wants suitors to leave her be so that she can get through this, the sixth and last season that she has to date and look for a significant other, and then be left alone.

Eliza has had a horrific time as of late. She knows she needs protection from someone who is a predator who seems to want to scare her silly. Setting her up with a snake in her bedroom, a broken saddle that almost made her fall during a ride, and other small "accidents" that could harm Eliza, have happened to her all Season. A suitor that could walk around with her and investigate who the culprit is that's trying to harm Eliza is someone she needs, yet Jasper is indeed a man with the looks and heat that make the normally steady Eliza forget everything except him.

Jasper makes Eliza a deal and convinces her that he's the thief-taker she needs who will find the culprit and stop the "accidents" from happening. There are fortune hunters aplenty after the woman's money - including Montague who is a young man that Jasper is trying desperately to destroy because of their past. As they each unveil each other's history, Eliza and Jasper find themselves falling deeper and deeper into a love that neither can understand.

The passion is amazing in this fantastically written novel. Eliza is an extremely strong character with an intelligence that holds her far above the rest of society; and, Jasper is a strong, handsome man who has come from nothing to become one of the most eligible bachelors in town. The romance between the two will keep all readers glued to the page, and the mystery involving who, exactly, is out there dying to hurt Ms. Eliza for reasons that the reader will never guess makes for an imaginative, fun-filled mystery that will keep readers completely engaged.

Ms. Day has done an extremely remarkable job with this romance. From the costumes to the dead-on language, to characters that are not easily forgotten, this wonderful, creative author has produced a romance that all readers will want to delve into and not put down until the very last page. Enjoy!

Until Next Time,
Amy

I really liked Jasper and Eliza's story. Eliza was a stubborn, independent, take charge woman and Jasper was a determined, arrogant man. From the first time they met he knew that he wanted her. The mystery of who was behind all the freak accidents that Eliza was victim to was a nice back drop. But what I really enjoyed was the bold bantering between the two of them and Jasper's seduction of Eliza was perfect.

"God. Am I hurting you?" "No...Too full." Stretched to the point of aching, but she was not pained.
"You can take me." His fingers rubbed between her legs, starting a hot, sweet trickle of sensation in her core. "Let me in Eliza. Don't fight it." pg.134

Oh and the sex scenes weren't bad either. ;-)
Great historical romance.

Eliza Martin prefers staying on the shelf rather than marrying some bonehead only interested in her money. In fact the heiress prefers rusticating alone than partying with the Ton. However, her guardian uncle keeps introducing Eliza to suitable suitors who want to control her fortune. She keeps rejecting these fortune hunters.

Recently Eliza has been a victim of a series of accidents that the intelligent woman suspects is not coincidental. She hires thief-taker Jasper Bond to go undercover as another suitor in order to protect her and to expose who she is trying to harm her and why. She is attracted to her bodyguard, but believes he is too big and handsome for her. Jasper conceals he is another member of the Ton wanting her though he wants to steal her heart not her money.

This is an exciting Regency romantic suspense as the lead couple falls in love as they investigate the incidents. Fast-paced, Jasper tries to never ignore his client's safety while also hoping to win her love. Although the motive for the accidents seems preposterous, readers will enjoy Pride and Pleasure as the hero not only vows to keep his beloved safe, but overcome her prejudice towards him.

Harriet Klausner

The dialogue in this book was extremely amusing and kept the pace of the book fast and interesting. I appreciated that Pride and Pleasure was entirely unpredictable and included many characters and opportunities of "what ifs" to keep me guessing. I did not anticipate the end and found it to offer complete closure on many different issues without being too drawn out.

Overall, a perfectly enjoyable read.

This book was so good I couldn't put it down! Kept me up reading until the wee hours of the morning.

From the beginning, Eliza and Jasper had a very strong sexual attraction to each other. She tries to avoid him and he is up for the challenge she presents. Jasper takes every opportunity to be around her, and in the end she can't resist him. Once they decided to be together, I loved that Eliza didn't ever let what was said about Jasper keep her away from him. She believed in her decision to marry him and stuck with it. I also loved how Jasper realized what he had with Eliza, and didn't let his revenge get in the way of their being together.

I thought Sylvia Day did a great job of building their relationship, and as usual, adding well-written, very hot scenes. I was surprised who the 'bad-guy' was, which was nice that it wasn't predictable.

Read this book ... you won't be disappointed!

I have seen Sylvia Day books out there, but I had not read any until this book -- and I definitely was not disappointed! The great thing about this was that it reminded me the Amanda Quick regencies, where the heroine is mostly lost in her own world, maybe a little too logical at times, but needs the help of someone, the person becoming the hero of the story. And of course, within the events in the book, the other person wreaks havoc on each other's ordered existences. And have a rather hot time doing it too. This was a fun and easy read -- and, I did not figure out who was the culprit; but then, I'm usually bad at sort of thing, even if others say it was obvious. The ending, I did think was a tiny bit rushed, but definitely was not something that took away from the totally enjoyment of the book. Definitely will be watching for more from this author!

Passion and love undermine the best laid plans. Eliza Martin, a self-sufficient heiress, who is avoiding forfeiting her freedom and fortune to a husband, plans to retire to the country after her sixth London season is over. Suspicious incidents make Eliza wary of her suitors, thinking someone is trying to force her into a marriage for protection. She hires a runner (London pioneering police) who doesn't take her seriously, but recommends Jasper Bond's thief-taker associate, Thomas Lynd, who cannot stand Eliza, and ends up asking Jasper to look after her security and to continue with the investigation.

Jasper is an honest thief-taker in a time most aren't. He finds what is lost and protects those in need of security. He also follows an ethical code in his trade. Jasper has worked hard to execute revenge on the family who wronged his mother, and he is closer than ever to achieve his life's goal. He doesn't want a wife, there is no place in his life for one, and he plans to move overseas once his vengeance is consummated. In spite of his traumatic childhood, Jasper is a caring human being, a decent man, and a loyal friend. Protecting Eliza and caring for her is a natural thing for him.

Eliza, being a strong woman in charge of her own life and money, is affected by Jasper's raw masculinity and handsomeness. She is mortified by memories of her mother's risque behavior that she tries to avoid repeating, and which she never understands, until she meets Jasper. Eliza rejects the notion of Jasper working for her, and finds excuses to justify why he isn't the right man for the job. Jasper, who has a penchant for mysteries is more intrigued for Eliza herself than the mysterious circumstances that compel her to ask for his services. Using his wit Jasper convinces Eliza of giving him the opportunity to prove he is worthy of the position. Jasper decides he wants her for himself, and since Eliza has made clear that she will never marry, he doesn't have any qualms in seducing her. Indeed, his resolve increases when Jasper realizes that he might lose her to the opposition, who includes his nemesis, and later in the game, even his own best friend and collaborator.

Pride and Pleasure is a satisfying reading, the characters are of the most sympathetic ones I'd ever encountered, and the love scenes are fervid. The first one between Jasper and Eliza is one of the most original and passionate, seducing the virgin scene, I'd ever read. The more they learn about one another, the more their mutual admiration and love spring up. The suspenseful subplot makes one distrusts nearly all the secondary characters until the discovery of the wrongdoer. The book is written in a prose that belongs to the period is set, and there are plenty of witty exchanges amongst the characters. That has always been my favorite part of historicals, so I fully enjoyed the beautiful and diverse usage of the English language by the author for our reading pleasure.

Eliza Martin is in her sixth season in London's ton and she is determined it will be her last. She is not as eager to marry as the people surrounding her. Frankly, if she was anything other than an heiress she would have been sent away by now; unmarried at her age just isn't right. There are plenty of gentlemen hoping to gain the position of Eliza Martin's husband but she is unwilling to surrender her independence to anyone. Unfortunately, her lack of interest has provoked someone to become overzealous. Eliza has become the victim of attacks that can no longer be deemed random. She is the target. Eliza fears that someone hopes to incite her to seek the protection of man therefore forcing her to marry. Never one to submit to another's decree, Eliza comes up with her own plan to find the culprit.

Jasper Bond is a thief-taker by trade. Currently, his only goal is revenge, that is, until Miss Eliza Martin comes to him with quite an intriguing proposition. She would like him to pose as a suitor to fend off the cadre of men currently courting her. She would also like for him to discover the real villain. Jasper is perplexed by the oddity of Eliza. She is unlike any female he has ever known. She values intelligence before beauty, says exactly what she is thinking, and constantly shuts the door on societal norms. Miss Eliza Martin may be the woman that captures his lonely heart.

As Jasper delves into the lives of Eliza's suitors he finds plenty of suspects. Jasper must find the person taunting Eliza before she gets hurt. The more Jasper is around Eliza the more enamored he becomes. Can this thief-taker fit into an heiress' life on a long term basis? Can Jasper and Eliza unravel this mystery before it's too late?

Pride and Pleasure is a tantalizing sensuous love affair. Jasper and Eliza sparkle, the chemistry between them is smoldering. Sylvia Day weaves a spellbinding historical tale that will capture you with its charming characters and take you on a thrilling journey. Eliza is smart as a whip with an attitude to match. She is very much the proper lady with an independent streak that is never ending and she intends to keep it that way. Jasper is that alluring bad boy with a heart of gold. Jasper's looks absolutely get your heart racing, but you fall in love with the man who takes such care with the lady he adores. These two share some of the most exciting conversations. As soon as they are in the room together it's as if they are under a huge spotlight. I became absorbed I wanted them to keep talking forever. In this story Eliza has enough Pride for an army and Jasper has all the Pleasure she can handle. Pride and Pleasure is a truly delightful novel, Ms. Day has outdone herself!

Miranda
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This was an excellent book. The chemistry between Eliza & Jasper was electric and oh so hot!!! If you're looking for an engaging story with sensual, erotic love between the Hero and heroine, this is the book for you!

I am a big fan of Sylvia Day and was pretty excited when I found out she was going to have a book out. But I found that the story seemed a bit to long. It would have probably been better as a short story in a collection.