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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent desert historical romance, April 26, 2008
This review is from: The Scorpion & the Seducer (Leisure Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
In London, the Ton has always treated half-Egyptian Jasmine Tristan as a pariah disparaging her as the "Brown Scorpion". Perhaps the only exception besides her adopted father is the Earl Thomas Wallenford, who not only admires her élan, but believes he is in love with her. Although she reciprocates his feelings, she knows they cannot make a match; when he was twelve, his late father made it clear she was a loser two times as a heathen and as an illegit; affirmed by Thomas' mother.
When his older twin Nigel the "perfect one" dies, Thomas becomes the duke and must ignore his heart for the sake of his title. Still he and Jasmine make a trek to Egypt where she hopes to learn who her natural parents are and he spent time with family there when Nigel was ill back when they were preadolescents. As they admit their love in the desert, the person who killed the twin plans to murder Thomas too.
The latest desert historical romance is a superb tale that brings to life Egypt in the late 1890s. The lead couple is a strong pairing as both knows his mother thinks Jasmine is beneath her socially yet love blossoms between them. The murder mystery is well done, but serves as a minor subplot as Bonnie Vanak provides another strong Victorian Egyptian romance filled with a vivid background.
Harriet Klausner
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Eqyptian/English 1800's Adventure, May 4, 2008
This review is from: The Scorpion & the Seducer (Leisure Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
This book is set in the 1800's and takes place in England and Egypt. The heroine, who was a child in past books from this series, has to deal with bigotry and a sense of not knowing where she belongs. the hero is someone trying to fullfil his horrible family's expectations for his place in society. don't let that bore you...there is also a great mystery and twist with Eqyptian adventure! AND if that itsn't enough, there are great love scenes. If you enjoy this time period/setting in a romance, and like to see a little paranormal or adventure thrown in, then bonnie vanak's books are for you. this book didn't have really any paranormal elements, but some of her past work does. this is a great stand-alone page turner, however, the other books in this series are so fantastic and original, i would start there. the Eqyptian romances by bonnie vanak in order are:
the falcon & the dove;
the tiger & the tomb;
the cobra & the cocubine;
the panther & the pyramid;
the sword & the sheath; and
the scorpion & the seducer.
the first one is still one of my favorites!!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
A Delicious Desert Romance!, January 4, 2010
This review is from: The Scorpion & the Seducer (Leisure Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
From page one, The Scorpion and the Seducer managed to draw me right into the story. The writing and the story was amazing, compelling and interesting. Bonnie Vanak is a wonderful author, truly a one of a kind, who writes romances that are not only steamy but touching and very vivid, not only in the emotions but also in the descriptions of the story and characters, the background and culture. Like all of her other books, The S & the S is set in Egypt, with a bit of England thrown in, and she manages to capture all of the country's bright colors and culture, painting a beautiful story as you read. Vanak has a way with words that very few authors have.
Jasmine and Thomas's story was very touching and loving, and the journey they had to endure to be together forever was long and treacherous, but they stuck to it. Besides their love, which was tender and sweet, their conversations were also very interesting and funny. Jasmine is no meek and weak English miss, but a fiery and tough woman who has no problem speaking her mind. Because of this, she won't back down when Thomas, or any one else for that matter, tries to engage her in a battle of wits and remarks, which leads to a very funny play on words between them. And since you know that they love each other, their 'battles' of words are that much more enjoyable.
Aside from the romance, which was also very intense and sexy in all the right places, The S & the S was filled with intrigue and mystery, suspense and action, which blended together perfectly with all the other elements- there wasn't too much of any one of them. I love how Vanak writes such delightful stories set in the captivating backdrop of the heated and magical Egypt, something that I don't see in many historical romances, and definitely never describe to the extent that Vanak does. She makes everything flow together, moving along smoothly, painting the perfect picture to go along with the story.
5/5 STARS! An absolutely delicious romance that has everything you could possibly want in it: tender love, steamy sex, wit and humor, suspense and action. Easily one of the best romance novels out there, written by one of the top authors in the field! A must read for anyone.
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