Customer Reviews

Seducing the Heiress

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

 

 

I really liked Ratcliff and until the author had us do the math to figure out his age, I was delighting myself of seeing him 24 or 25. His antics were more of a younger lord that hadn't matured completely. He was honest with himself that he needed a wealthy debutante because of the the money. I agree with other reviews that the Portia's parents were well written. Also loved the strawberry scene! Spectacles. Ratcliffe trying to do the right things...all very, very good.

What I didn't like was the second half of the book.
1. The bad guy needed more of a reason to be in Ratcliff's face all the time.
2. Ratcliff stepped out of character when he didn't send his mother back to the country. As soon as the author allowed him to differ from his strategy of three years, it was too easy of a set up. I think the author could have still used the same plot ideas, just write it in a way that wasn't glaring to the readers that this was going to be an obvious problem.
3. Hated scenes where Portia constantly participated in romantic moments, then immediately would say I hate you. Leave me alone. If only the author didn't write every romantic scene that way, I would have enjoyed the book more. I would love to have Portia grow with her love and enjoy his attempts to be with her than do the hot cold relationship.
4. I didn't like the ending being so neat and clean so quickly and unbelievable.

I was very pleased with this book. It was a perfect read for the day after Christmas--light, very entertaining, and with great characters. Olivia Drake also writes as Barbara Dawson Smith and I have always been a fan of hers. This book will end up on my keeper shelf as I am anxious to read the stories of the other two sisters. Portia and her family have returned from India, but she secretly plans to return there to marry her Indian love, Arun. However, she is much prized on the English marriage mart for her huge dowry and many men are planning to marry her and keep her in England. Naturally our hero, Colin, spies her and needs her to pay his enormous debts. I loved the scene where he saves her by throwing a strawberry. He was a real charmer and he really made the book for me. I liked her sisters, Blythe and Lindsey. Portia's parents were typical. Dad loved her but mom wanted her to marry up and pull the family up with her. Colin's mother had quite the backstory and really showed the kind of man Colin was. He was great with his mother and went above and beyond to protect her. I love it when these gorgeous, wonderful men have a little flaw. His was he had to wear spectacles when he read. Just made him even yummier. Anyway, this was a very good book by a very accomplished and prolific writer. I eagerly await her next offering.

Viscount Colin Byrd needs to marry a wealthy heiress rather quickly to pay off his debts and he decided to target Miss Portia Crompton. Unfortunately for him Portia is pining for her beloved Arun back in India. There was something lacking with this story. I felt it had potential as both Colin and Portia did have some chemistry but it needed to be developed further.

Viscount Colin Byrd needs to marry a wealthy heiress rather quickly to pay off his debts. He targets Miss Portia Crompton who grew up in India and only recently returned home with her family. Colin knows it will not be easy as he is blackballed for killing his father, leaving his mother rusticate, and has exorbitant gambling debts. He sneaks into a ball hosted by his family's enemy the Duke of Albright and meets Portia by throwing strawberries at insulting Mrs. Bardsley. However, Albright kicks him out before he can make much progress. His plan remains the same to get Portia to love him so she will marry him, but has had problems seeing her as her parents banned him.

Portia is unhappy as she has not received a letter from her beloved Maharajah Arun in a year. They fell in love, but his dad rejected her and her parents rushed her back to London. Portia is home alone with her sisters and the servants when she finds Colin in her room. Unafraid Portia asks about his dad and if he would pursue her if she was broke. He says his father died in a tragic accident, and her money made him aware of her, but since he met her he would pursue her. Meanwhile Albright does what he can to paint Colin as a killing wastrel, bur Portia is attracted to him anyway while the truth remains to be seen through a hazy web of lies.

The changing relationship between the lead couple is superbly developed so that the audience can see and understand the metamorphosis of both of them. Her family is terrific as fully developed characters while his mother is so shallow she seems real. Although the villain's motive does not ring true especially since he conceals his deep anger so effortlessly, fans will enjoy this entertaining historical romance where nothing is quite like it seems.

Harriet Klausner

I absolutely love this book. Colin is a wonderful hero- the perfect man. Definetly a great read to pass the time. Cannot wait for other books by this author.

I loved this book! Portia Crompton & her wealthy family has been living in India most of her life and now her mother wants her marry into society. Her mother wants her marry this Duke but she is being pursued by Colin Byrd, Viscount Ratcliffe the Duke's enemy. Ratcliffe & Portia continue to have great romantic interludes but because Ratcliffe is outcast in society and that all he wants is Portia's money - it just does look like a happy ending. The twist and turns with make you want to cheer - on the edge of your seat...

Looking forward to the other Crompton sister's stories; Never Trust A Rogue & Scandal of the Year.