A Seductive Offer [Mass Market Paperback]

Kathryn Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2002

"A proposal of marriage she could not refuse...

Lord Braven has saved Rachel Ashton's life twice, it seems-when he snatched her from the icy Yorkshire river...and when he offered to marry her. Now the desperate miss will be rid forever of the repulsive husband-to-be her horrid stepfather has "sold" her to. But though both agree their marriage is in name only, Rachel finds she cannot dismiss her burning need to taste the sweet kiss of her dashing benefactor."A passion they could not resist

Having a real wife is unthinkable, since Braven must never love again. And as long as this sham marriage is not consummated, his heart will remain safe -- and his secret can go untold. But the exquisite beauty tempts the haunted lord unmercifully with her deep lavender eyes and sensuous full lips. How can he resist this most perilous desire, when his heart swears it would be more dangerous still to deny himself the ecstasy of true love?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Grief, forgiveness and marital abuse are only a few of the issues addressed in this affecting Regency-era romance, the second from talented newcomer Smith (Elusive Passion). Wracked by guilt over a death he failed to prevent, Balthazar Wycherley, the earl of Braven, has lived in seclusion for the past two years. But when Brave stumbles upon his neighbor, Rachel Ashton, and saves her from drowning in a nearby river, he realizes that he may have found the one woman who can help him forgive himself. Rumors of a courtship between the two abound after they are seen dancing and conversing at several social occasions, but it isn't until Rachel shows up on his doorstep, beaten and bruised, that he realizes how he can help her as well as himself. To rescue Rachel and her mother from her brutal stepfather, Sir Henry Westhaver, Brave proposes a marriage of convenience. Rachel readily accepts, but her hopes for the future pale when her mother decides to return to Henry and her feelings for Brave evolve into something more than friendly affection. Playful banter and endearing secondary characters brighten up this somber tear-jerker, but it's Smith's protagonists who steal the story and the reader's sympathy. Steamy love scenes combine with tangible romantic tension to make this a memorable read. (Jan. 8)Forecast: A generic "clinch" cover may cause some browsers to pass over this exceptional historical, but others will be drawn in by Lisa Kleypas's glowing cover quote.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Engaging, humorous and written with flair...sure to satisfy." 4 stars -- Romantic Times Magazine

"The brightest new star in romance. Kathryn Smith writes with passion and spectacular flair." -- Lisa Kleypas, author of 'Suddenly You'

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 375 pages
• Publisher: Avon (January 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380816113
• ISBN-13: 978-0380816118
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #885,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up in rural Nova Scotia -- a beautiful piece of the earth, but there wasn't much going on. My mother used to tell me stories and encouraged me to write my own when I was very young.

My first book was 372 hand-written pages about a rock band that sounded (and looked) suspiciously like Duran Duran. I know, I'm dating myself! At that point I was already stealing my sister's romance novels and had fallen in love with the historical genre. Anyway, it was many years later, during a return to university, that I would attempt to write a romance novel. My boyfriend (who I later had the good sense to marry) urged me to return to school and 'write that book', so I did. That book, Elusive Passion, sold to Avon Romance in the summer of 1999. It was published in 2001, and I'm proud to say that since then I've written more than 20 books, many of which have made national best seller lists (including the USA Today list) and have been translated into more than half a dozen languages. My goal is to write until I'm dead. Preferably leaving this world draped over a keyboard. :-)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guilt, redemption, forgiveness, December 31, 2003

By 

Scarletaka "Stacey" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Seductive Offer (Mass Market Paperback)

Lord Braven finds a woman drowning and it brings back memories. He saves the woman only to discover himself having feelings he hasn't had in over a year for the rescued woman. Could she be the key to his redemption? Will his saving her save him?

Rachel Ashton's life is saved, but what kind of life is it? Her current days are spent trying to keep an abusive stepfather from hurting her mother more than he already had and trying to find a way to get her a divorce without him finding out.

When Rachel discovers that not only has her Stepfather sold her into marriage, but into marriage with a man very much like him. So she goes to Lord Braven for help. His offer is to marry her. Of course, it's just a marriage of convenience, but Lord Braven wants to save Rachel to hopefully rid the demons that torment his soul. While Rachel only wants to save her mother.

The abusive stepfather and the complicated nature of the relationship between Rachel and Lord Braven offer up an interesting story. There are some very dark moments of the story involving the abusive relationship and the lengths an abuser will go to. There is also some humor in the story so it blends with together along with great chemistry between Lord Braven and Rachel. They are both attracted to each other, but isn't this marriage simply for convenience?

I enjoyed this story much more than I thought I enjoy historical romances but many today are still rather bland in the love scene department. Usually if you want to go past the bedroom door you have to search and ask for referrals from fellow readers.
This book has great heat and is very descriptive. For romance readers who enjoy a good love scene this is one. The book has great tension between the two lovers. There are many scenes of build up before the big event. This is what good romance books are to me. They have story and the event is also as good as the story.

I look forward to reading more by this author. As if I need another author to be hooked on, but happily I add her to the ever growing piles of faves on my list:)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars are not enough for Kathryn Smith!, February 8, 2002

By 

Heidi (Indiana, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Seductive Offer (Mass Market Paperback)

From the very first page of A Seductive Offer, Kathryn Smith has your attention. Wow. This book offers everything we all read romance fiction for...and makes you reluctant to get to the last page. It just doesn't get any better than this! I read a lot, and it is such a joy to have discovered a new author to follow. Very few writers draw me in deeply through their charactors' vulnerabilities, needs and passions. Smith does. I marvel at how she unravels a story so gently and wonderfully. She looks honestly at timeless issues, staying true to how people really are. Buy this book. You WON'T regret it! In fact, you'll savor every page and be sorry to reach the end. Elusive Passion, Smith's first book, is also a keeper!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable!, February 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Seductive Offer (Mass Market Paperback)

I became a fan of Kathryn Smith's after reading her first book,
"Elusive Passion". When I heard she had a second book out, I bought it immediately and it didn't disappoint. I like Smith's
unique writing style, and the way she deals with contemporary issues like domestic abuse, alcoholism and suicide. Her characters, Brave and Rachel, have a sense of humour, and her protagonists seem to genuinely care for and respect one another, something that is lacking in a great deal of historical romances. There is a subplot in this novel dealing with a lost love of a friend of Brave's, and I've heard Smith is working on a book about this couple. I'm looking forward to reading it.
If you enjoy romance novels but are bored with reading the same tired plots and dialogue over and over again, this book is definitely for you.