Customer Reviews

Vow of Seduction (Zebra Debut)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This storyline was very intriguing and excellently told. This story is suspenseful, erotic, and the characters were both equally matched in bold battle skills.

The only reason I felt this story should not be rated a 5 is because the final ending chapters seemed to have been very rushed by the author. The heroine although very much in love with her perceivingly betraying husband, holds on to her conviction of not wanting to forgive her husband for setting off to the Crusades battle the day after their arranged marital ceremony (she was in love with him since she was old enough to wield a bow and arrow, and he was an honorable lad training to be a knight) throughout the entire book.

Although the hero woos his wife in order to gain her trust once more, falls in love with her beyond measure and risks his life for her, the heroine maintains her hardened position throughout the entire book. Unconvincingly to us readers, the heroine changes her mind in the final two pages of the book by accepting his declaration of love after he has seduced her with very passionate lovemaking. Also, there were various sub-plots within this story that left little to the imagination as one could easily guess one of the culprits to the hero's imprisonment and hence the reason for his delay to returning to his wife any time sooner. The other culprit's reason for being involved in such treason is a bit questionable. Moreover, the end destination to the master schemer of this whole evil plot against the hero was totally bogus and did not seem in coherence to what the notorious King Edward Longshanks would have executed to someone for having performed such a criminal act against one of his knights and cousin. The King was very supportive of his knights within this book and even assisted in capturing the bounty-hunter-like criminal ("Scarface")so that the hero can personally interrogate and submit for further torturing as he pleased. Furthermore, the heorine was the king's cousin and when in captivity, she kept informing her captors that King Edward Longshanks would not react kindly to such treasonous behavior against his valuable knight and herself, his cousin. Yet, at the end of the book, there was no mention of the King having been involved in any retaliation efforts towards said master schemer. It was wrapped up too quickly and any potential loose ends were too easily dismissed.

However, on an overall basis, this was a very good book!

I think this author has a lot of potential. As a long-time reader of romance novels, I think I can speak for a lot of readers when I say that this author, being new, has done a good first book and will continue to write intriguing, erotic books.

That being said, this is definitely a first book. And has some of the requisite new-author mistakes that other commentators have pointed out. Some of the sex scenes are beautiful and very well done, but some of them were eye-rolling annoyances. The characters are interesting, and I found the premise of the plot to be intriguing (a thought-dead man returns from a Crusade to a wife he abandoned, whom he has idolized during years in a Saracen prison), but the plot has holes and is not well-developed. The threads do not come together in a beautiful tapestry, although the writing is often quite good, and the characters are engaging. I found the heroine to be worth reading, and the hero a tragic, compelling man. I stuck through some of the other issues because I really wanted them to get their Happily Ever After.

The secondary plots were not as well-done as the primary. And the sudden appearance of Alex's first love about halfway through the book was frustrating, but provided the necessary modus apperandi for the plot to tie up in the end. That being said, though, if you're looking for a good erotic romance, there is a lot of sex, and most of it is quite well-written. All of it makes sense in the plot of the book, because the whole premise of their relationship is seduction.

Given the fact that there were glimmers of real excellence in the book, I really hope that Angela Johnson continues to write. I appreciated the uniqueness of the plot, and thought there were some love scenes that rivaled some of the best I've read in this genre. I will look forward to getting a chance to read another of Ms. Johnson's books at some point in the future. Thanks for an interesting first read.

Katherine of Montclair and Alex de Beaumont marry, but almost immediately after exchanging their vows, he insists he must leave. Alex is sworn to support King Edward I, who is leading a Crusade to take back the Holy Land from the Infidels so on his wedding night he joins his monarch.

Almost a decade has passed since Alex left and never came home. Kat and others assume he died. Instead he lingered in a Saracen prison where he had plenty of time to think about his beloved Kit-Kat, whom he hurt with his departure and his inability to tell her he loved her. Alex vows if he ever returns he will earn her love by showering her with his.

In 1276 Alex comes home to find his Kat about to marry Sir Luc de Joinveille. She rejects Alex's plea saying she despises him and he is not welcome. Alex swears he changed and will prove to her that he has. However, someone wants them kept apart trying to kill either or both of them while Alex also seeks the traitor who left him dead back in the Holy Land.

This is a fabulous medieval romance starring two likable lead characters with well drawn flaws as each fears love for different reasons. He fled from love as he never felt like that before and she believes those she loves leave like him and her late parents. Although the plotters seem like half of England and this over the top of Big Ben (at least the original clock tower of the thirteenth century that is), fans will enjoy the gender war between the kick butt heroine and her born again wannabe champion.

Harriet Klausner

After suffering years of abuse at the hands of her deceased husband Rosalyn `Rose' Harcourt has absolutely no interest in remarrying. In fact she's fully intends to join the church - it's the only way to ensure she isn't forced to marry again and still protect her young son and his estate. Unfortunately none of her plans are working out as she hoped and the Bishop has been inaccessible to hear her pleas. The last thing she needs or wants is to be summoned to King Edward's court leaving her no doubt that she will be ordered to wed by royal command.

Sir Rand Montague faithfully serves King Edward I but that doesn't mean that he always agrees with his decisions. Much to his own distaste he's been sent to escort Lady Rosalyn to court where she is to be married off to Sir Golan, an abrasive knight whom Rand despises. This is no easy task since Rand has long admired Rose but he's sworn not to marry and not even his deep affection for her is going to sway him.

Rand does his duty and Rose arrives at court safely, despite her obvious discomfort in being away from her son and the command she knows is forthcoming from the King which she will be unable to refuse. Rand hates knowing that she'll be married to another man but knows there's nothing he can do about it, that is, until he rescues Rose from Sir Golan's attempt to compromise her - and offers to marry her himself.

Rose doesn't want to marry but faced with no other option she'll accept Rand over Sir Golan. The simple fact that Rand agrees to her terms of a marriage in name only gives her some measure of comfort, but she can't deny that she's always been attracted to him, and even though it's supposed to be a marriage of convenience they both hunger for more. It doesn't help matters much that neither of them can stop thinking of their one sexual encounter so long ago - and how good it was.

Rose and Rand have both suffered terribly in the past and this accounts for their aversion to marriage now. For Rose it's simply a matter of learning how lovemaking is truly supposed to be but for Rand it's going to take a lot more insight because he firmly believes that love leads to loss - and that's not something he's willing to risk.

VOW OF DECEPTION is a thoroughly captivating historical novel with tons of action, sensuality, suspense and emotion. I love a good story with characters I can relate to and empathize with and Angela Johnson's story definitely lived up to my expectations. Rose's abuse at the hands of her deceased husband is heartbreaking but because of that she's able to fully embrace and appreciate everything Rand has to offer. It also gives her more insight to Rand's own fears and why he's so afraid to love her, or anyone, for that matter. While I admit I adore Rand and Rose and their dedication to each other what I really love about VOW OF DECEPTION are the villains. They're so evil it just makes you giddy to hate them! Love `em or hate `em, one thing's certain, you won't soon forget any of the characters you read about in VOW OF DECEPTION and it will definitely leave readers eager for Ms. Johnson's next release.

While it's not really necessary in order to fully appreciate this story you might want to pick up a copy of VOW OF SEDUCTION as well. It contains Rand's cousin Kat and Alex's romance which we get to see glimpses of throughout VOW OF DECEPTION but admittedly I still wanted to know more about them.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

4.5 Stars. I really enjoyed this one! Alex was rather naive emotionally when he married Katherine; however, he certainly changed when he was captured during the Crusades and went through untold horrors. Alex reappears when Katherine is in the midst of marrying another man (Alex was believed to be dead). Things get explosive rather quickly. I thought it was great when Alex realized he wanted to always be with Katherine, and did his damndest to change her mind about him. Great characters, engaging story, with heat and action. Looking forward to the next one.

It is the year of our Lord 1276 as Sir Alex de Beaumont crashes through the back doors of the chapel to stop the ceremony taking place in Westminster Palace. He has just reason to believe these two should not be wed this day...the woman at the alter is already his wife.

Kat, on the other hand, had every reason to believe her husband was dead. Claims of his dead body being found were spread far and wide. So she was shockingly dismayed to see her husband arrive on the day of her second marriage. After all, Alex spent one night in her bed and then left to fight for King Edward at dawn without saying goodbye. Being abandoned did not sit well with Kat, and so with his return, she resolved herself to never forgive Alex for his betrayal.

Alex wants nothing more than Kat's forgiveness. He regrets his decision four years ago to leave his beautiful bride without notice. After spending one year fighting and the next three imprisoned, Alex had plenty of time to regret his mistake. He comes to realize how important Kat is and how much he cares for her. Now that he has returned to her, he strikes a bargain with Kat: He wants three months to properly court and seduce Kat. Should he fail, Alex is willing to give her something that would disgrace him forever: an annulment. Obstacles stand in the way of mending their marriage. Alex believes his captivity was not a happenstance of war, but rather part of a malicious plot against himself and Kat. Alex must not only win back her heart, but must protect her from the evil enemy out to eliminate them both.

Ultimately, Alex thought fighting in the Crusades and being imprisoned were the most difficult trials he had to face in his life. That was until he returned home to the unforgiving wife he abandoned after their wedding night, vowing to seduce his way back into her bed...and her heart.

Vow of Seduction by Angela Johnson is a tale of fear, regret, hatred and love. It had me in its grip from the first chapter. I was intrigued from the beginning on where the story was going and how this couple's story would conclude.

Angela's writing was classic. There were times she gave additional details that in other cases would drag down the story. In her case though, they improved the story. Her details would sharpen the picture of the time period. The historical background she included was wonderful. She had a strong feel for the time period and kept the reader swept away in the classical world she crafted. The chemistry she created between the two leads was undeniably steamy. It was hard to deny the sensual heat between Alex and Kate. The passion they both shared was intense and chilling at the same time.

The hero put his heart of his sleeve from the get-go and it was really a charming and unusual thing to read...he was not the typical hero holding his feelings in reserve:

"Whether you believe it or not, I spent four agonizing years in prison dreaming about you. I vowed that one day I would return to claim you. I know I do not deserve a second chance, but I am going to do everything in my power to earn your forgiveness and win you back."

It was a very enchanting story and I was with the book ultimately until the very end. The last ten pages I became so exhausted with the heroine's anger and frankly, her stupidity. Her anger was justified throughout the book but when her anger seemed to lack merit, she still hung onto it diligently. Perfection would have seen the story fleshed out just a trifle bit more to justify Kat's ultimate change of heart. I wanted to know more of her past to understand why her beliefs were so strong to her.

So ultimately the book wasn't perfect, but that wasn't to say I didn't enjoy it immensely. Romance novels set in Medieval time are not usually my favorite, but if more were written like Vow of Seduction, I would predict my appreciation of the sub-genre would grow drastically.

Overall Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 4/5

Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter

I agree with other reviewers that there were some 'issues' in the book. I got quite put out with the heroine at times and wanted to slap her. The ending was kinda silly and I agree that Longshanks would have been more brutal to the treasonist. Otherwise, the book was very well written and the characters were well developed. I enjoyed it and hope to hear Rand's story next!

This is not my normal genre; but the book was recommended to me by a friend.

The story flows well and the characters are sympathetic. You can identify with both of the main characters and throughout the book will be variously impressed and irritated by their behavior as they expose both faults and strengths. One of the common failings you see of new writers is a lack of variety in their subjects; but each player in this story has a distinct and developed voice. You care about them.

The plot is strong and keeps the reader interested and guessing. The period terms add flavor and despite one obvious typo so eloquently explored by another reviewer, the language flowed and read well without being simple.

I've seen a complaint in another review about the intensity of the sex scenes; but I'm not sure what the reader expected! This IS a romance novel, after all, and I've read more graphic material in other genres.

In sum, it's a well written novel and worth a read.

Vow of Seduction pulls you in with very real emotions that roll between anger and hurt and love and attraction. Lady Katherine was betrayed by her new husband, who left to fight the Crusades after one night in her bed. When Alex returns, it is no wonder she is angry and hostile.

While sub-plots keep this book interesting, it is really the relationship between Kat and Alex that shines. It's a real-world mixture of emotions that aren't too sappy for those who don't read a lot of romance. I recommend Vow of Seduction!

When Lady Katherine - Kat - married Sir Alex de Beaumont, she knew it was because her father had requested the match. However, when Sir Alex left for the crusades the morning after their wedding night, Kat's heart was broken. Alex died on Crusade and so Kat is preparing finally to marry again, seven years later.

When her wedding ceremony is stopped due to the arrival of Alex, Kat's life gets turned upside down again. Alex wants her back as his wife but Kat isn't sure that she can trust him again. They make a wager where Alex will try to prove he is trustworthy, but if he fails he will offer Kat an annulment.

The bulk of this story consists of the interactions between Alex and Kat. These appear mostly to be Alex trying to seduce Kat and Kat going along with that but then saying she can't trust Alex. This reader found much of this part of the book pretty boring and far too repetitive. There was also a sub-plot about who was responsible for getting Alex imprisoned on Crusade, who is trying to kill both of them now, and an old flame from Alex's past. But none of these extra plots was enough to lift the book from the mundane, particularly as I found the overall premise - that Alex's one night with his wife is life-changing and yet he still runs off on Crusade, despite him not wanting to marry and being in love with someone else at the time - unconvincing.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2009