Customer Reviews

Ravished

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Christened The Beast of Blackthorne Hall, it is said Gideon Westbrook, Viscount St. Justin, ravished and caused the suicide of a country rector's daughter. With a scarred face to match his marred reputation, all and sundry feared Gideon, all that is, except Harriet Pomeroy. Seeking aid to protect her sacred caves, Harriet turns to the most powerful land owner in the district, unaware of his insidious past. Together they form a bond that sets Society on it's ear and has the whole 'ton' talking in Amanda Quick's _Ravished_.

I am a firm believer in Amanda Quick's talent to shape characters that are not only three dimensional but people you'd feel privileged to know. In _Ravished_ she creates the finest characters of her career. Gideon will touch your heart. It is difficult to put into words just what you will feel for Gideon. While he is domineering, headstrong, and arrogant on the surface, beneath his confident facade lurks a man who has endured more physical and emotional pain than anyone should be forced to experience. The instant you meet Gideon, you know, just as Harriet knows, that he is incapable of the vile things people claim he did. He is kind, giving and the very epitome of a true gentleman. Harriet is a tyrannical bluestocking who has just the right flare to tame the Beast. She is honorable, noble and you instantly love the way she guards and protects Gideon. It is charming to watch her spar with the people who would smear Gideon's name.

While the romance is the main focus of this book, Ms. Quick adds just the right amount of humor and mystery to keep things interesting. There were quite a few places I found myself laughing aloud! The main thing I loved about this book though, was the fact that both the hero and the heroine *need* each other. Gideon makes Harriet feel beautiful and Harriet heals the wounds that impair Gideon's soul. As always, I was more than pleased in my selection. _Ravished_ will be a book I visit very, very often.

"Ravished" is my favorite of Amanda Quick's books. Gideon is a brooding hero, but for once the reader can understand his pain because of his past. He's not forbidding for no reason, which is often the case with reluctant heroes. Harriet is just a delight, with her love for fossils and common-sense approach to life. The passion that ignites between them seems very urgent and very real. While this is basically a "redemption" novel, there is enough charm and humor throughout to keep it from becoming cloyingly sweet. The unexpected twists and turns in the plot serve up some danger and suspense, but the true joy in this book is the friendship and love that develops between the couple. I loved the depth of Gideon's sensitivity and perception beneath his fierce exterior. This is truly a "must-read" for regency fans.

Amanda Quick does it again. Harriet is an intelligent fossil hunter but a social amatuer who is just unconcerned enough about the goings on between men and women that she completely dismisses the scandal haunting the emotionally wounded Gideon. Her faith in him is absolute and the scene where she physically defends his honor by knocking a vicar to the ground in front of the ton and proceeds to pound on him remains one of the best scenes ever written in a romance novel. The characters are a delight, and the story is fast paced and exciting. I re read this book several times over the course of a year, and once left it in a taxi. When I discovered its loss, I went immediately to the closest bookstore and bought it again because the thought of it not being on my bookshelf was impossible. Thanks for another jewel, Ms. Quick.

Ravished is Amanda Quick's best book ever. I have read every book by AQ, but Ravished tops all. Her hero Gideon, though scarred, remained gallant to the end. The description of both the hero and the heroine made them seem real. Most books paint a picture of perfection in looks and actions that the characters are impossible to believe. AQ has a way of making the characters believable. Love her work and will read all of her books even the ones written under the pseudonym of JC or JAK.

Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale. When I was younger, I wanted to hear the story every night. There is just something magical about the tale that draws me to it like a moth to a flame. So when _Ravished_ came my way, I was once more swept away into this magical story of where a charming beauty tames a beast.

Six years ago, Gideon Westbrock, the Beast of Blackthorne Hall, had his honor questioned for life. He was engaged to a woman who was pregnant before their marriage. The night she told Gideon, she killed herself. Everyone said that the Beast drove her to her death. This was also around the time when Gideon's brother was killed, and there were whispers about his being involved in the killing so that Gideon would come into the title and the money that should have gone to his older brother. With a scarred face to match his reputation, Gideon retreted from Society to become a hermit whose only activity was to watch over his father's estates.

In Upper Biddleton, a small seaside town, lived Harriet Pomerory, a vicar's daughter. When her father died, Harriet took up responsibility of running the house. Her aunt came to live with Harriet and Felicity (Harriet's sister) becoming their gaurdian and helping Felicity prepare for a season that the three hope will be sponsered by another one of their aunts. Harriet does not care for Society and spends her time indulging in her one hobby, fossil collecting. So, when she discovers that there is a ring of theives opperating in her caves, who does she summon but Gideon. Little does Harriet know that she has just summoned the Beast of Blackthorne Hall back to Upper Biddleton.

Gideon and Harriet are instatnly attracted to one another, and Harriet looks past Gideon's scars. The two are crompromised one night in the caves, and Gideon offers for Harriet's hand in marriage. Harriet accepts, but is not willing to give up her freedom. Will the two be able to live together in harmony. Can Harriet melt Gideon's heart of stone? What about the ring of theives in the caves?

_Ravished_ was by far my favorite Amanda Quick book. I loved the Beauty and the Beast tale, the sea side villiage, the glimpse of the ton, Gideon, Harriet, basically everything in the book. I really felt awful for Gideon. He has such a gentle soul and sense of honor, but he was ruined by vicous gossip. When he meets Harriet, it is obvious that she is the only one who can heal his wounds. Harriet was wonderful. Although she was not a complete beauty, Gideon made her feel breath taking. That was one thing about the two, they complimented each other. Gideon made Harriet feel beautiful, and Harriet made Gideon feel handsom. They fit together like peanut butter and jelly, and it was nice to see Gideon be so affectionate to Harriet right from the begining. All of the characters were well fleshed out and extremly well developed and three demensional. As always, Amanda Quick made her side characters important, and I loved reading about them as much as Harriet and Gideon. The mystery was one of Amanda's best. It was very complex, and there was more then one answer... it kept me guessing until the end. So, do yourself a favor and read this wonderful tale about a beast and the woman who wins his heart. Highly recomended.

Ravished is one of my all-time favorite Amanda Quick novels. It's a wonderful story with likable characters and I must have read it at least 3 times already. Gideon is a scarred, brooding, semi-outcast whose own parents don't believe in his innocence. Despite having more reason to be bitter and harsh than the immature heros of many other romances, Gideon never behaves like a jerk or takes out his anger on the heroine. He can be arrogant and dictatorial, but he is tender to and proud of Harriet from practically the beginning. Harriet is eccentric, geekily obsessed with fossil collecting, intelligent, a bit bossy, a bit plain and on-the-shelf in her mid-20's. She's no shrinking violet, and is not afraid to go for it when she and Gideon get stuck in a cave alone overnight. Their bond is wonderful, she believes in him and defends him (verbally and in 1 memorable scene physically) to everyone, and he sees her as beautiful. There are some nice passionate scenes. Some good humor too, when Harriet's geeky friends try to "save" her from the Beast. Assorted villains, including a rival fossil hunter, add to the plot. But the focus remains on the romance and it's lovely *sigh*.

Excellent work by Quick. We are presented with a truly likeable character in Harriet. She's the "everywoman's" heroine. Intelligent, bright, spunky, not a fashion plate and not dazzlingly beautiful. She is a bluestocking who loves to collect fossils! Her mate is the Beast of Blackthorn Hall, Gideon. A strong man burdened with a scarred face and scarred reputation. Together they forge a strong love that really makes one laugh and cry. While learning to love one another they also foil jewel theives, stop a rapist and catch a killer. Exciting plot with many twists and fast paced. Highly recommended.

This book was the best. The characters are great! I love her quirky heroines and the men they fall for. This book has a beauty and the beast feel to it because Gideon, the hero, has a deep scar on his cheek and is misjudged by everyone he knows until he meets Harriet. She never doubts his word and trusts him with her life. How romantic. None of Quick's new titles even come close to this one. If you havn't read this one check it out!

It is nice to know that not all love story requires the main characters to be gorgeous and handsome. The story between Harriet and Gideon is GREAT! She is so obsored in her study of fossils that some of the things she says are extremely funny. Her trust and loyalty to Gideon is heart-warming and lovely. The ways she defended him and his reputation is great with a hint of humor. Gideon is a victim of circumstances, but he makes a great match for Harriet. Her obession with the cave really makes the story flow nicely. I love the leading ladies in Amenda Quick's novel because they are all strong, smart, and different. Ms. Quick does not spend much time describing their beauty and leave that to the imagination of her readers which is what I prefer. Another great one! I also enjoyed Deception and Desire.

This is the 3rd book I've read by Amanda Quick and the best so far. The characters were great and funny. It is always nice to read a book about a heroine who is not an ethereal beauty and a rake who is not as handsome, arogant or a rake, you just get sick and tired reading the typical heroes and heroines from other romance novel that it makes you say...."okay, so if i'm not a great beauty, its most likely I won't find my true love", anyway, I'm babbling. I just thought that this book is one of the best i've read. I've always liked reading novels about a hero with scars on their faces. Everything about this book is soooo funny, i had kept laughing and giggling all throughout, my husband thought i was loosing it. One of my favorite scenes was the one at the carriage where she was kidnapped by her three friends and planned to take her to gretna green, read it and you'll know what I mean, there are some other memorable scenes in this book as well, very funny. Overall, definitely a great read and keeper.