Customer Reviews

Tempted by Fire

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

 

 

Although all the elements of a Regency romance is there; rich jaded (and dark) gentleman trapped into a bargain between a virgin destitute and introduces her into ton. They hate each other and verbal slings are exchanged. She becomes toast of the season during which sexual tension between them sizzles out of control. And lo-ho! they realize they were made for each other.

In place of guilt-entrenched misunderstandings and betrayal is lots of sizzling sex with the struggle for sexual domination. Once he realizes his need for her, the struggle becomes futile.

Thea Devine is a gifted writer and the dialogue brims with intellectual subtleties and sarcasm aimed both at the society at the time as well as at the reader who craves a fairytale romance.

The hero's actions belies his words and the ending satisfies and gives closure. Unique romance and not to miss as it gives romance a kick in it's 'dark' reflection.

I love Thea Devine's erotic romances. And yes although all her work is labled as romance, sometimes the romance doesn't entirley come in her books until the last 2 pages. Up until this book, the erotically charged romances she has created was absolutley wonderful. However, this book was just full of erotica with no wonderful ending in site. No, "I love you's", and no other sweet mushy endings us romance readers often enjoy. I love my books with lots of erotically charged sex and then the wonderful endings, this book only has the sex. It's still a Devine book, so if you are truly a fan , don't cull it. Just understand going in that the Romance is sketchy at best.

Basically, the many subplots further muddled a weak plot to begin with. New characters jumped into the dialogues without ever letting the reader know for example,(You have to GUESS this part) that Jeremy was a very good friend or that Lady Waynflete was like a beloved foster mother. Traded insults coated in civility were SO SUBTLE, THEY HAD TO BE EXPLAINED.

TOTALLY UNROMANTIC! The sexual act was more like a lesson in dominance & submission. It's always described in terms of "subjugate & dominate, capitulate & possess, submit & master." For example: There's the scene where Nicholas wrenches Jainee's hair & pours chocolate all over her dress, mouth & nose (A miracle she didn't choke!), then 'eating' at her mouth. Then, after just taking her virginity, he curses her for a 'whore, bawd, strumpet, brazen-faced jade, etc.'

All throughout the entire book, there were lots of long-winded & repetitive phrases like Jainee's motto: "Never explain, always attack. Attack, attack, attack...Strike a bargain & come away with something for a woman must pay...Pay, pay, pay." Aaargh. Gimme a break already!

Lastly, in my list of complaints, is the confusing matter wherein it's the first time I've ever heard the fashionable MEN of the ton refered as 'exquisites.'