Customer Reviews

The Sins of Lord Easterbrook

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have been looking forward to this book for what seems like forever. Throughout this series I have been intrigued by Lord Easterbrook. He was so different from all the other characters and I couldn't wait to see what made him tick. Unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations.

I think the statement that Easterbrook makes to Leona, "I am Easterbrook" really defines the entirety of his character. He's troubled yes, but the issues he has are overshadowed by his arrogance and belief in his own superiority. On one hand I think this is a refreshing attitude. It's hard sometimes to suspend belief when nobility act like they don't have a sense of entitlement. I think it's more realistic to show a nobleman secure in his belief that people should do what he says just because of who he is. On the other hand it makes him aggravating. His arrogance starts to grate and you have to wonder why Leona is letting him walk all over her.

When I learned the reason for Easterbrook's reclusive habits I was intrigued. I was eager to see how the author would handle this disability. I never felt like that was explored though. There was no need to get a handle on it because it seemed like it surfaced in fits and starts. We're told that it's a constant battle for him to deal with it, but it wasn't an issue when it would be inconvenient to the story and only appeared when the author wanted to show Easterbrook's angst. I wanted consistency and a real look at what a struggle life must be for him. We got vague memories of a hard childhood and the bitter realities of being able to see into an unhappy home, but it wasn't enough. I couldn't help but feel that everything skimmed the surface and nothing really had any depth.

Leona was a flat character for me. I think she was supposed to be multifaceted with being torn between her longing for Easterbrook and her belief that her brother needed her, but it didn't work for me. When she decides she wants to be with Easterbrook forever she easily dismisses the earlier difficulties she had with leaving her brother to manage things on his own. The opium plot had the potential to be interesting, but it didn't work out. There were too many plots going on that there was no depth to any of them. I don't have many good things or bad things to say about Leona. She was just... there. Like furniture. There was nothing interesting about her.

I had a problem with Leona's character consistency. When Easterbrook makes the big reveal to her about his disability she's surprised. I find that very odd when multiple times before she gave the impression that she sensed him trying to probe her mind so she hid her thoughts. If she has felt that before and comments to herself on it, then why would it be shocking to find out the truth? Wouldn't it be more of an "aha!" moment to her? It seemed inconsistent.

The ending went out with a whimper instead of a bang. When the characters find out whom the villain is it's kind of disappointing. Instead of, "Wow, really?" it was, "Oh... really?" I think my problem with the book was the fact that so much was told, not shown. I wanted to be able to see the characters develop and fall in love. Instead I was told they were developing and that they were falling in love. Also, if there were fewer plots I believe I would have been able to focus on them more and become invested in the outcome.

Madeline Hunter is definitely a hit or miss author for me. I keep buying her because when her work is on for me I absolutely love her writing. I fall into the story and read for hours. Even though this book was meh for me I still admire the way Madeline Hunter turns a phrase. I think that she is a very skilled writer even when I am unable to become engaged by the characters and storyline. If this is your first book by Hunter and you weren't into it you might want to try another. She's very skilled; unfortunately it's only hit or miss.

What would it be like if you had the ability to know the emotions and feelings of everyone around you; you could tell if they are lying to you, if they're feeling guilty about something, if they dislike you, if they desire you. Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook, has suffered from this problem his entire life and it's caused him to be something of a recluse. But he remembers a young woman whom he met in Macau years before, Leona Montgomery, who was somehow able to shield her thoughts and feelings from him.

Leona has made her way to London in order to try to set up some more shipping deals for her late father's business which her brother has now inherited. However she has a second mission, to try to find out who was behind the intimidation of her father and to expose the trade in opium with which various peers of England are involved. When she meets the Marquess of Easterbrook she discovers that the man she knew as Edmund in Macau is actually a titled Lord, perhaps one of those involved in the trade - especially as she suspects him of stealing her father's notebook.

As Christian and Leona get to know each other again he begins a determined pursuit of her. But Leona knows she will need to return to Macau eventually and that she's not the right sort of person for Christian anyway. But in order to keep Leona safe Christian will have to spend a great deal of time with her and he may find he can't live without her calming influence on his life - even though his secrets may drive her away.

Once again this was another good book by Madeline Hunter, one that had a rather original storyline and whose pacing was very good. Leona and Christian were both slightly unusual characters with Christian using his skills in seduction, as well as occasional imperious pronouncements, to get his own way, and Leona working doggedly to find out what really happened with her father. Christian and Leona both have issues to face in this book but overall it was a very enjoyable read with some interesting detail about the opium trade between England and China.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

I was fascinated with Lord Easterbrook when he first appeared in "Rules of Seduction." He was remote, uncivilized, and honestly, a little weird. But so commanding and masculine! Now we know all the nuances of his quirks, and why he gravitates toward Leona.
I found Hunter's revelations about the Opium trade and British-Chinese dealings very well researched. Connecting to the characters humanized the whole situation. As always, Hunter weaves a story both historical and romantic, full of mystery and criminals who don't quite get away. The only sure thing is that someone will have a HEA, and it won't be the bad guys.

I have found that Madeline Hunter succeeds in only one in every third book these days. This is one of her weaker novels. Easterbrook is not a very likeable character. He's egotistical and arrogant to a fault. I don't mind a domineering, egotistical hero, but Hunter paints Easterbrook with too strong a brush. He's very oft-putting. The reader doesn't really care for him until 150 pages into the book. And, even then, one never completely warms to him. Her heroine, Leona, is more likeable. But, the story centers mostly around Easterbrook's strangeness, not Leona. He is just plain weird. I never bought into Hunter's characterization of Easterbrook's "gift" and his Eastern mysticism and meditation. She tries to make him mysterious, but ends up making him seem otherworldly. That's not the kind of hero I find attractive. Maybe others will. I hope Hunter tries a different tack and is more successful in her next effort.

I loved this book. I was intrigued by Easterbrook in the previous books. MH penned him as arrogant, imperial, sometimes comical, and he also seemed lonely and tortured. To me he was very well written in the first three books. I almost didn't care what this plot would be about as long as Easterbrook remained true to character. And, MH delivered! His voice and actions were all Easterbrook. I laughed sometimes and sometimes felt sad for him. Overcoming the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their path, I thought created a deeply moving love story.
I also think MH did an excellent job throughout the series tying all the pieces together.

The Marquis of Easterbrook Christian has traveled the globe to learn how to cope with his inner secrets. In Macao, China pretending to be a commoner, Christian meets Leona Montgomery, the daughter of a trading house tycoon. Their attraction frightens both of them, but a young Leona flees from him fearing her feelings. He is heartbroken as she is the only person he ever met who keeps his demons at bay.

Seven years after they first met, Leona is in England seeking answers to her family's devastated business now run by her brother while also seeking needed capital investment. Her late father blamed the government sponsored Opium for Tea triangular colonialism trade anchored by the English opium monopoly for destroying his firm. Christian has waited for her all these years. Though he will help her on her quest, this time he will not allow her to run from love.

This mid nineteenth century romance is fast-paced and filled with action as love and intrigue make for an excellent historical. The relationship between the lead couple is worth the cost of this fine early Victorian, but it is the insight into the octopus tentacles of the Opium Trade for tea that brings depth to this passionate tale.

Harriet Klausner

MH has her place among the top romance authors for her ability to write some of the best declarations of love around! This is one of those novels that seep into your thoughts a day or two after you read it.

Ms. Hunter is at her best here with this one. There is substance to the plot and to the characters. They are not the cookie-cutter variety so common in romance novels. Dialogue is good and there is a chance to learn about England's realationship with China and the China Trade, the East India Company, and the Opium Wars. It is woven into the story and piques your interest to know more. And, a hero who meditates...

The Sins of Lord Easterbrook has it all: a historical backdrop of political intrigue, crime, and the corruption of the opium trade. It has lust, obsession and yes love.
I was delighted with Ms Hunter's portrayal of Easterbrook as a man so attuned to others' emotions that it literally pains him. Yet she portrays a man of strength who must keep himself apart or risk insanity. When he encounters someone whom he cannot `read', a lady he finds attractive, he falls in love. How can he not? But knowing she is rare, his love becomes obsession--particularly when he realizes what she is up to. And what she is up to he knows might very well kill her.
Ms Hunter does an equally good job of portraying Leona Montgomery, a young woman dedicated to her father's memory. She takes enormous risks traveling to England from the Far East to find those who have smeared her father's memory.
Ms. Hunter also cleverly draws on characters of previous books which I appreciate. It gives the story a - what shall I call it - a holistic feel? In short, I thoroughly enjoyed the book as I have all her books.

Actually, I never read any of the other books in this series, so I cannot compare this book with Madeline Hunter's other books. I liked this book. I really liked Easterbrook. Some reviewers found him arrogant, but I felt he used the arrogance to cover up the pain and struggle inside himself, I even found his arrogance comical at times, and if you read deeper... he was insecure and unsure of himself a lot of the time. I never understood Leona's need to not marry Christian because she needed to leave to help her brother though. She would not have been glued to England's shores after her marriage for goodness sake, with Easterbrooks money she or both of them could have gone to China to see if her brother needed a helping hand. I also gave this book a four star because I would have liked to see more a building of their mental relationship than all the sex. Sex once, twice but more than three times... I start skipping over it. I like the build up to a sexual relationship and the joining of minds better than 10 to 12 sex scenes. But I did like this book because Madeline Hunter has a way of putting words to paper that are enjoyable to read. So, I will buy another.
I know a lot of us can be too critical of a good author but it can't be easy trying to please everyone, as we all have different tastes when it comes to a good read. My cup of tea may not be your cup of tea.