The Sinner [Mass Market Paperback]

Madeline Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2007

Filled with seduction, suspense, and passionate love, Madeline Hunter’s bestselling novels have captivated readers everywhere. Now she introduces fans to one of her most thrilling heroes yet—“the Sinner”—in an irresistible tale of a sensual bargain so dangerously provocative, it could tempt the devil himself . . .
 
THE SINNER
 
Wearing nothing but a man’s nightshirt, Fleur Monley wakes to find herself in the bed of England’s most charming and reckless libertine. But it was a stray gunshot, not passion, that put her at the mercy of a man as infamously handsome as he is famously talented in the arts of love. Believing herself immune to any seduction, Fleur thinks herself perfectly safe to proffer an arrangement no ordinary woman would dare make: half her fortune for the freedom she would gain by being his wife—in name only. Desperately in need of funds, Dante Duclaire could do worse than the “white marriage” proposed by this idealistic beauty too naïve to know the danger she is in. But the rashest thing he’s ever done is to tell himself he’ll be able to resist the invitation to sin that this sensuous innocent would arouse at every turn—or that he’ll be able to protect her from both the ruthless enemies that seek her ruin . . . and his own dangerous desire.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Another devastatingly sexy Dueling Society member must face the sins of his past in order to win the heart of a strong-willed, incomparable woman in this post-Regency-era romance from Hunter (The Charmer, etc.). When notorious lover Dante Duclairc accidentally shoots lovely Fleur Monley in her "rear nether region" as she flees her stepfather's plans to control her fortune and future, Dante gives up his own plan to escape his outstanding debts in order to rescue Fleur. Her stepfather is only delayed, however, not defeated. In order to protect herself from him, Fleur offers Dante a proposal: In exchange for a "white marriage" (one without physical intimacy) and Dante's promise not to interfere with her finances, she'll pay off his debts. But even blackmailers, double-dealing and whispers of his new wife's strange behavior cannot quell Dante's determination to have Fleur accept him in her bed and in her heart. Packed with sensuality and foreboding undertones, this book boasts rich historical details and characters possessing unusual depth and vitality, traits that propel it beyond the standard historical romance fare.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Dante Duclairc is one of the most beautiful men in England. His prowess with women is legendary, and he is much sought after, but now he finds himself deep in debt and on the run from creditors. Hidden in a cottage on his brother's land, he shoots at trespassers, including, to his surprise, his brother's ex-fiancee, Fleur Monley, who is dressed in men's clothing. Considered to be a virtuous spinster, Fleur is involved in a secret project and has unknowingly allied herself with nefarious men, among them her stepfather, who has been virtually holding her prisoner while trying to get her declared insane. Fleur proposes marriage to Dante, in name only, to save him from debtor's prison and to save herself from the machinations of others. Dante agrees, but it is very difficult for him to maintain the status quo and to rescue Fleur from a situation of her own making. Sensual, intriguing, and absorbing, prolific Hunter scores again. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Dell (August 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553590219
• ISBN-13: 978-0553590210
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 1.1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #553,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a published novelist, a mother and wife, an art historian and a teacher. My first historical romance was published in 2000 and my bibliography shows the list of books since then. My books have been on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly (where I have also had two starred reviews.) I have won the RITA award twice and been a finalist seven times. My novels combine strong romances between layered and complex characters with plots that include mysteries or intrigues.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Captivating Read from Hunter, May 14, 2004

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sinner (Get Connected Romances) (Mass Market Paperback)

Dante Duclairc, beautiful and intoxicatingly handsome rake, has come to the end of his rope. He has gambled himself so deep into debt he is planning an escape the following morning for the continent before he is thrown into jail. Unfortunately, he has accidentally shot the very lovely and old family friend, Fluer Monley, in her "rear nether region" (...) - A long story you'll just have to read this for yourself..... Recognizing that this was the young woman his brother Adrian had jilted some years before, Dante was determined to make sure she was taken care of after she told him of the circumstances that had driven her to be running through the countryside that evening. Dante managed, with the help of some friends to fend off her step-father and see to her immediate safety, but ended up in debtors prison himself after putting off his own escape.

In order to further delay her step-father's nefarious plans for her, Fleur visits Dante in prison and proposes a `white marriage' arrangement to him. The deal would be his debts would be paid, and he'd be given an generous annual amount in return for allowing her an independence with no questions asked about her financial and charitable affairs. With very little choice, Dante accepts the arrangement not realizing that the gentle, beautiful Fluer would soon become the one and only most desirous woman he would want - yet didn't want him. Fluer who most certainly didn't want intimacy, fought the strange attraction and unusual heated responses Dante caused by his presence. With patience and trust Fluer and Dante began to build a relationship that just might blossom if they could only survive the treachery and attacks meant to destroy the fragile bonds that were being built.

In the fourth book of Madeline Hunter's latest regency series (note I say fourth and not last - I'm hoping for more) we see one more member of the Dueling Society get what's coming to him - a partner and soulmate for all times! Fluer (originally introduced in THE SAINT) was the almost fiance of his brother Adrian. Dante was the fun loving younger son, too beautiful for his own good, masterful lover with no sense of direction. With Fleur being persecuted by her step-father, Dante found a purpose and the soul searching and deeply sensual attempts in trying to rid Fleur of her fears was beautifully scripted as he tried to win her heart. While some might find this story slow - to a certain extent - the depth of the feelings was so beautifully scripted that I really didn't mind. Hunter also introduced us to some new players that just beg to have a story told. Hopefully one of them will be Dante's friend Ewan McClean. Bottom line - another satisfying read that I do recommend. ---Marilyn, (...)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GREAT MIX OF ROMANCE AND INTRIGUE, March 25, 2006

By 

Regency Junkie "Lisa" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sinner (Get Connected Romances) (Mass Market Paperback)

"I do not think I could have been loved by a better man, Dante. Nor could I love one better than I love you."

Dante took her face in his two hands. "I want you to know something. I was always glad that we married, Fleur. If you had never been able to give yourself to me, I would have still cherished you and the love I have for you. I would have never regretted becoming your husband."

I just love Hunter's dialogue. This is the first book of the series that I read and I really enjoyed it. I was thoroughly entertained from the beginning to end. Some aspects of story were predictable, but it didn't matter because I was too engrossed to really notice or care.

UPDATE: I just read 3 other books in this series (The Romantic, The Seducer, and The Saint). If you can, read them in order. I believe it goes The Seducer, The Saint, The Charmer, The Sinner and The Romantic. Normally I don't mind reading books out of sequence, but this time it ruined the other stories for me. I definitely enjoyed The Sinner the most... then The Romantic, The Saint and The Seducer.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars You really can't go wrong with a Madeline Hunter story...., July 21, 2007

By 

G. Heyburn "Incurable Romantic" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Sinner (Get Connected Romances) (Mass Market Paperback)

Our heroine is traumatized by events in her past that she really doesn't understand, and our hero's past has finally caught up with him. The characters from the first three books weave in and out of the story adding a depth that can only be found in a successful series. While the pace of The Sinner was a bit more relaxed than that of the first three books in this series, it was definitely worth reading.