Customer Reviews

Secret Nights (Topaz historical romances)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I could not put this book down. When the clock struck the second hour after midnight, I forced myself to finally close the book.

Using great skill, Anita Mills takes the captivated reader to Regency England to the great city of London, in 1815, before social reform. Mills handles the enchanted tour guide role with amazing simplicity. This author provides an educational access into Newgate Prison; enabling the reader to smell the wretched stench, feel the pitiful despair, and witness the inmates' hunger and hopelessness -- astonishing. Ms. Mills has categorized several elements of human failing for the reader: greed for money and political power; the longing for social position; and finally lustful gratification. Certainly, the ugly side of mankind.

Throughout the chapters, Mills paints our two main characters using a fine tip brush, expertly weaving her words, and forming Patrick Hamilton, the brilliant London barrister, and the beautiful Elsie Rand. The love scenes are full of passion and sensuality.

Incredibly, this writer holds no punches with her storyline. The evil participate in the hideous crimes, displayed throughout the story, is guilty -- as her reader acknowledges. Still, Mills holds her captivated reader spellbound -- waiting for the expected plot twist. It does not happen and because it does not happen, Mills allows her book to soar to a higher position.

Yes, Anita Mills is a talented author. Do try the library, or your local used book store, to find a copy! My copy is definitely headed for the keeper shelf. When the Canadian winter settles in, and the bitter winds blow across the land, I will take it out and return to Regency England one more time. Well done.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

What I liked about this book:

Not your run of the mill Regency Romance. This book dealt more with the seamier side of Regency London and human nature. The plot was pretty good.

What I didn't like:

Although I liked the fact that the author was trying to write a more realistic book, it seemed to trudge on and on without any humor or lightness.If the book had been more interesting I wouldn't have minded the darkness of it (for example, I love the mother of all romance novels "Jane Eyre"). Unfortunately, I found this book to be boring and the main characters uninspiring. I hated the way Patrick took Elise's virginity without any intention of marrying her. I really didn't like him at all. And for someone who is suppose to be smart and rich, Elise doesn't seem to have a clue about affecting a positive change in the world. I didn't blame her for that - at least she was trying- but it was still frustrating. Finally, I did not find this book to be very sensual at all. Most of the sex was degrading and left me with an icky feeling. Overall the book was a disappointment.

I have had this book sitting on my shelf for months. I had begun reading it on at least three different occations, but never seemed to be able to get past the first two chapters, but wow... once I did, I found myself falling in love with the characters and the plot.

I loved the way Anita Mills slowly brought the plot into play thoughout the first few chapters!!! I found myself liking Elise's father, despite his prejudice thinking, he truely loved his daughter, which made it so hard to really accept that he was guilty of the crimes accused of him. I found myself constantly wondering if perhaps there would be some twist at the end that would prove him innocent.

This was a great book even though it took me a while to get past the first couple chapters(which is why i took away 1 star, it took to long to really capture my attention)... it was wonderful! I would recommend this book to any fellow historcal romance reader!

This is a story of a young and alluring beauty, the only daughter of a rich merchant, who offered herself as the price to a well-known criminal lawyer Patrick Hamilton , in return for his defence of her father in a murder case. You encounter here the different human sins-- greed for money, lusts for political power, social eminence and carnal gratification..etc.. Anita Mills writes a story so full of passion that some of the love scenes sizzle . But they are so beautifully sensual and erotic that one enjoys them instead of finding them resentful.