Customer Reviews

Velvet Is The Night

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

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I hope not. While, with a stretch, I can accept the premise that the hero has to act like a bastard for cloak and dagger reasons, I really can't imagine any woman ever forgiving a man who could do something like this. Only in porno movies and really, really bad books do women fall in love with men who rape them (yes, the term is rape, not forced love-making, as another reviewer wrote.) After this part, any sense that the characters could be real left me-I found it a chore to read the rest.

I find it amusing that almost every review for this book is either 5 stars or 1 star-- that will pretty much tell you all you need to know. Which is why I'm playing the moderate and setting it objectively where it belongs-- somewhere in the middle. It's obvious by the reviews that the writing style is-- as with all of Thoronton's books-- superlative. But, the subject matter, is polarizing.

Most of the controversy is over the first meeting of the hero characters in a forced seduction scene. The heroine is attracted to the man, but she does not WANT to capitulate-- the thing that the negative reviewers are ignoring, is that the heroine gives herself freely- if unwillingly. She made a deal with the devil, and then the devil's brother takes over knowing nothing of the bargain-- he just assumed this was his brothers mistress and that it would be remiss of him to ignore her when she shows up naked in his suite of rooms. Make of it what you will, but the heroine is the one who struck the deal, so you can't blame the clueless guy for taking what he thinks is offered.

It is exactly this mix of love and hate that makes the story so interesting. She's upset and conflicted because she WANTS to hate him... the problem is she doesn't. That makes for an interesting read. Usually in romance novels the two main characters have moments where they misunderstand each other and are frustrated or annoyed by the others actions but rarely do they harbor actual HATE for one another. Thornton managed to set up a scenario where our heroine can actually HATE the hero-- and yet begins to find herself attracted and softening to him-- causing her to HATE herself. Again- THAT is interesting. While it's not my favorite Thornton novel, fans won't be disappointed nor likely offended. Has anyone read Mistress of the Revolution by Delors?- It was a bestselling historical fiction novel with almost the EXACT same premise- Girl sells herself as a mistress to save her neck during the Revolution, cries kicks and screams during the consummation but then falls in love with her protector. What's the difference here? No one is condoning the behavior- it's a story. I'd always rather read the story with a great amount of thrilling conflict than the alternative. I can't abide by books who rely on miscommunications or clearly surmountable problems to keep the heroes apart.

I AM a fan of this author, but this book was just too brooding, not a feel good type of romance. Sure the turmoil taking place in France & America was very real, and this author didn't come close to relaying it realistically - one example: a woman frets because she thinks Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr might show up at the same party but noooo, someone says, the Hamiltons were specifically not invited because Burr was; according to history, things like that did not happen, and these two men, were in fact, cordial to one another in public, (I hate to defend Burr, but it's true). Sounds trivial, sure, but so much of this book was based on actual events, it should be accurate.

I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Thornton's and I love all her books. True, this one isn't as polished as some of her more recent releases, but at its center is a love story. And a happily ever after!

True to herself, Elizabeth Thornton has again succeeded in capturing the reader's attention from the first page on. The story is set in the aftermath of the French revolution and alternatively moves between the US and France. The change in scenery, the realistically depicted historical background, and the well developed characters all work together to create a fast moving plot full of suspense and emotional depth. Enjoy!

Ugh! This guy was the worst leading man ever. I like Elizabeth Thornton but this book was horrible. The discussion of the French Revolution and American politics was kind of interesting, and I did like the first book in this series, 'Tender the Storm' but I had a very hard time finishing 'Velvet Is the Night'. He is overcome with lust for her, which turns to love at some point but he can never bring himself to tell her, or show her either! He flirts with other women (so his enemy won't figure out how much she means to him) and basically treats her very badly the entire time - in one scene he is jealous and "takes" her in the garden, he is SO on the verge of hitting her - "There was something at work in him, something primitive that went beyond rational thought. It was as though his rights to Claire had been challenged, not by another male, but by Claire herself. If she did not already know it, he would soon teach her her place.". What a jackass! I usually like a bit of jealous posessiveness but this goes way beyond - and he has no redeeming qualities to conpensate.

I was really grossed out by the suggestions of rape being okay in this book. Actually I have read the first in this series Tender the Storm and the same scenario plays out there. Her other books were really good and I hope she gets off this rape but not really theme. Come on Ms Thornton, we really dont buy the sugarcoated version of abuse and rape in this book - its just stupid. Plus the story line was boring. I lost interest in the characters and this long winded saga very early! Dont bother reading this.