Velvet Is The Night [Paperback]

Elizabeth Thornton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

To save her family from the guillotine, proud Claire Deveraux would do anything - even stike a devil's bargain with the ruthless new commissioner, Phillipe Dehet. Though an innocent, the breathtaking beauty has no illusions about what she has just promised...to surrender herself, body and soul, and become sensual prisoner to Duhet's every whim of pleasure.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821773887
• ISBN-13: 978-0821773888
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nobody Does It Better!, May 30, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Velvet Is The Night (Paperback)

The second novel of the Deveraux trilogy chronicles the life of the eldest daughter Claire Deveraux during the height of the French Revolution in 1773. She knows the look of a man, and though a maiden, is ready to sacrifice herself for the sake of her siblings, Zoe and Leon. Though the reputation of the man in question, Deputy of Rouen, Phillipe Duhet, is horrifying and the mere sight of him makes her skin crawl, she would do anything, sacrifice anything to save her family from the guillotine. Unbeknownst to Claire is that the bargain made with Phillipe Duhet, and the man who returned seemingly to her mind to collect, was not the same Phillipe but his look-alike half brother, an American spy, Adam Dillon. Adam took on the role as part of an elaborate scheme to help French citizens avoid the guillotine, and escape to America, but more than that it would be payback for the abuse Adam had suffered at the hands of his step-brother. Adam, walked in cold to assume his brother's identity and found more than he bargained for - none other than a beautiful woman that he had admired but could not approach as he waited his chance to affect the switch. Finding Claire ensconced in his brother's house and knowing of his cruel nature, he assumed she was his mistress so he acted out the way he knew his cruel brother would. To show any kind of concern would have been totally out of character and dangerous for the lives of those he proposed to save. The bigger question was, who would save him from the dangerous feelings of caring and love he felt for Claire should he slip and let go of the façade of cruelty he needed to portray.

I am amazed that other people who have reviewed this novel - just don't seem to get it! Yes there are scenes of rape and violent behavior, and if you are fainthearted, then this book is not for you. The story was exciting, set in the middle of the turbulence that was France during the period when neighbor turned against neighbor at the drop of a hat. The romance was there, because in spite of the forced lovemaking, Claire knew that there was something different and good about this Phillipe. The abandonment, the cruelties, and the forgiveness are all essential parts of this wonderful `historical' romance. Without these elements the story would be flat - but this outstanding author has pulled it all together to give you a fast paced, exciting and deeply sensual novel of excitement, love, lust, and forgiveness in a style that is all her own. Bravo Ms. Thornton!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow Wow Wow!, January 15, 2008

By 

Magford (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Velvet Is The Night (Paperback)

I cannot emphasize how wary I was when I started reading this novel due to the horrendous reviews. But I wanted a different setting than the typicl regency and I was sort of thinking there was a rape scene that people overreacted to (Kind of like in Whitney My Love) Well I was right! In the first 30 pages the Adam "rapes" Claire because he thinks she's the man he's impersonating's mistress! At this point in the story its quite clear that he'll sleep with any woman who seems willing (and he rightfully assummed that Claire was. She offered herself to Phillipe. The fact that he was such a womanizer makes him that much more likable as he changes.

The people who stop readng after this point really are just stupid. They miss out on the GREAT love story filled with passion intrigue and excitement that follows. Anyways, if you get past this point you will not be able to stop reading. Claire and Adam develop to greater depths, as do all the supporting characters. Claire and Adam's behavior throughout the novel is justifiable ad definitely understandable. It makes the reader feel pain, joy, worry and I became so wrapped up in this book.

Please disregard all the negative reviews and read this book. YOu will not be dissappointed. I've read lots of romance novels, many of which have been bad, some of which have disgusted me, but this was not one of them. This is one I want to buy and reread.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars And that star is a minus star!, January 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Velvet Is The Night (Paperback)

Why was this book ever reprinted? It was not very enjoyable reading many years ago and it's even less now. It's a book
to leave a bad taste in your mouth - forced sex (he just has to have her!) that overwhelms the young heroine so much
she responds against her will. The writing and storyline are
not up to later Thornton books. Could not bring myself to finish it. May be good for Barbara Cartland fans.