Seductive [Paperback]

Thea Devine (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although most erotic romances do not require much in the way of plot, Devine (Sinful Secrets) delivers a multilayered story that sizzles with sexual energy from start to finish. At the turn of the 20th century, proud Elizabeth purposefully marries elderly William Massey, earl of Shenstone, despite her infatuation with Peter, a Russian aristocrat. The marriage elevates Elizabeth into England's highest social circles, but it isn't until her husband's death that she begins to believe that she may have a future with Peter. Before she can claim Shenstone, her late husband's aggressive nephew, the enigmatic Nicholas Massey, arrives to nab his uncle's title and his land. Nicholas's secret plan is to root out the "Unseen Hand," a ruthless killer who is intent on finding a fortune of stolen Russian jewels, but he is easily distracted by Elizabeth's presence. There's no romance to be had between the two, however, and Nicholas takes advantage of the impoverished widow by proposing that she sleep with him so that she can remain at Shenstone and encourage Peter to propose. Elizabeth swiftly succumbs to Nicholas's brutal advances, but Devine's crude dialogue ("You need no more than this one inch of my penis to pleasure you, my lady ripe and ready") does little to enliven their superficial union. Predictably, the two fall in love, and Nicholas discovers that the mysterious murderer is really one of his own guests. A dark and explicit erotic romance that is unfit for the faint of heart, this feisty bedroom drama will please fans of Susan Johnson and Bertrice Small.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When her late husband's nephew and heir suddenly reappears to claim his inheritance, a move that would leave her destitute, the cool, pragmatic Elizabeth Massey enters into a sexual bargain with the interloper that nets her a consummate lover and a love she had never imagined. A tsar's ransom in Russian jewels, a clever, relentless murderer, and an intricately plotted story with more than a few surprises add to a historical romance that pushes the sexuality levels to the limits of the genre with an explicitness that practically sends the pages up in flames. Not for the squeamish or faint-hearted. Devine (Night Moves) is a noted veteran writer of highly erotic romance and lives in Larchmont, NY.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575667983
• ISBN-13: 978-1575667980
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #830,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Devine Does It Again, February 20, 2001

By 

Tina "tinaellorascave" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seductive (Paperback)

Nobody pens an alpha male quite like Thea Devine. Dark, brooding, mysterious, always in control, forever a step ahead of everybody else...the type of man most women couldn't stomach involving themselves with in real life, but love to dabble with in the realm of fantasy. Devine's latest release is an alpha male fantasy extraordinaire. When Thea is hot, she's very very hot, and her latest book Seductive is burning.

At the age of seventeen, Elizabeth Massey became the bride of the older and impotent Earl of Shenstone. She endured a loveless marriage for seven agonizingly long years until he died one night of a heart attack while trying to get her with child.

During her marriage, Elizabeth hadn't been faithful to her husband. Instead, she entered into an affair with Peter Romanov, a Russian royal who dissolved their liaison when he was ordered to do so by his family. But now Elizabeth is an heiress in control of her dead husband's vast fortune and suddenly she has the chance to get reacquainted with her old flame. She thinks everything is finally beginning to go her way until a letter from a solicitor arrives informing her that her deceased husband's nephew has been located and all of the money she thought was hers will revert to Nicholas' control.

Nicholas Massey dreams of only one thing: revenge. He swore to his mother on her deathbed that he would claim the title and lands, thereby avenging his father who had been disowned by the former earl. He had planned for every contingency before returning to England to make his mark, but he hadn't planned on the instant and primal attraction he possesses for Elizabeth, his dead uncle's widow.

Elizabeth fancies herself in love with Peter, but Nicholas doesn't let that knowledge dissuade him from seducing the countess into his bed. The only problem for the new earl is that once he has her where he wants her, he doesn't want to let her go...

There are many aspects of this novel that make Seductive a must-read, Devine's trademark scorching hot love scenes among them. How erotic is this erotic romance you might ask? On a scale of one to ten, I'd rate it an eleven.

Another attribute this book has going for it is a strong and well developed cast of characters. From the fallible yet lovable Elizabeth to the enigmatic and darkly sexy Nicholas (and all of the secondary characters in between), each one of them contributes to creating a page turner of a story.

If you're a Devine fan you don't want to miss this one, as Seductive is destined to be remembered as one of her most powerful novels to date. Though not as dark as her usual erotic offerings, the novel is gothic enough to please longtime followers and mainstream enough to tempt new devotees her way.

Get out your fans ladies: the Queen of Erotic Romance is once again holding court.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Style of narration distressing, July 28, 2001

By 

Desmond Chan (Bishan North Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seductive (Paperback)

Thea Devine's style of narration is getting harrowing and despite the steamy eroticism glossing up the pages between two impassioned characters - Elizabeth and Nicholas, one couldn't help feeling the plot is convoluted and jumbled up. Her abundant use of italics sabotaged the plot rather than enhanced it; Elizabeth as a widowed countess is forced to secure her wealth and subjugate to Micholas, one who is to claim his estate after the demise of her husband - with an arson and murder attempts - she finds out that it is the jewels of the Empress that somebody is after.

The pearls are used as an instrument for their ...and through out the book, the sex gradually loses its captivation without any emotions. The mystery is appalling and Thea Devine rambles on only to find that the twist is much too predictible.SEDUCTIVE coming from a erotica writer as vintage as Thea Devine, comes out disappointing and not so devine after all.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For fans of erotica romance, March 30, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seductive (Paperback)

She loved Peter, but he was too blueblooded for her. Elizabeth married an aging bull, Earl William Massey so she can go where royalty traveled. William wanted an heir, but seven unloving years later he died without ever obtaining a son. Elizabeth prays that now she is good enough to be a wife to Peter.

Nicholas Massey learns that his deceased father was actually brother to an Earl and that he inherited Shenstone. Nicholas informs Elizabeth that she is a penniless widow, who can stay if she has sex with him. He promises that as a by-product she will be able to seduce her Peter. As they make love in every nick and cranny, they begin to fall in love, but that does not stop Elizabeth from stealing kisses with Peter nor search for evidence to prove Nicholas is not the heir. Meanwhile Nicholas worries that a killer, perhaps Elizabeth, wants him dead.

SEDUCTIVE tries to satisfy too many diverse readers, as the tale never decides between what it wants to be: an erotic romance or a historical romantic suspense. The story line is fast-paced, but overwhelmed with too many subplots. Readers will feel a mixed bag towards Elizabeth, but admire Nicholas, a hunk, who belongs in the Olympics or Guinness for his ability to make love in the weirdest of locations. Thea Devine is a talented author, but her latest tale is not quite the divine novel expected from her.

Harriet Klausner