Untie My Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

by Judith Ivory (Author) "This is a work of fiction..." (more)
Key Phrases: new viscount, Mount Villiars, Emma Hotchkiss, Stuart Aysgarth (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Set against the colorful backdrop of Victorian Britain, Ivory's (The Indiscretion, etc.) sensual tale begins when the handsome and exotic Stuart Aysgarth, Lord Mount Villiars, returns from Russia to claim his inheritance from a dissolute father, only to find that his shady Uncle Leonard is stealing from the estate. While Stuart attempts to untie the resulting financial tangles, his coach accidentally kills a valuable lamb owned by luscious young widow Emma Hotchkiss, a former confidence woman now living a quiet life in Yorkshire. Emma tries to recoup her financial loss by means both fair and, eventually, foul; Stuart turns the discovery that she has cooked his books to his own advantage, threatening her with exposure if she doesn't help him double-cross the oily Leonard. As their schemes mature, the two engage in a series of sexual games. The delightfully complex con that forms the story's liveliest element isn't introduced until halfway through the narrative, and the novel's sparkle is occasionally dimmed by expository and noticeably anachronistic prose. Still, the playful roguishness of both protagonists adds a wickedly welcome twist to the familiar historical romance formula, while Ivory's gift for creating passionate (even outr‚) sexual interludes is sure to please readers who prefer their romances warmly spiced.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Stuart Aysgarth, the new Viscount Mount Villiars, doesn't know he's playing with fire when he inadvertently runs afoul of Emma Hotchkiss. True, the exquisite Yorkshire lady is a mere sheep farmer, but she also guards a most colorful past that makes her only more appealing to the handsome, haunted lord. Emma has come to him seeking justice -- and Stuart is determined that she will not leave until she has shared her secrets ... and his bed. Her clever revenge scheme must fail in the face of his soft words and tender caress -- and then he turns the tables on his bewitching adversary, seducing her into a daring deception of his own ...

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (November 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380812975
• ISBN-13: 978-0380812974
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #392,665 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Judith Ivory!, November 13, 2002

By A Customer

Ivory continues to write beautifully crafted stories with unusual, complicated characters and believable love stories. She manages to create unique stories in a genre that thrives on formula and hackneyed story lines; the imperfections of her characters (both in body and in character--a refreshing change from overwrought femme fatales with 18-inch waists and bounteous, heaving bosoms!) make them more real and endearing to the reader. She even manages to make the developing relationship between Emma and Stuart believable, despite the signficant class/social differences. A few criticisms, however: I have to agree that Leonard was too one-sided (too greedy, too lecherous and too gullible) to be believable. It was hard to believe that anyone would fall for such a half-baked scheme--especially someone that is as bright as Leonard purportedly is--and then flee overseas when told to go. I guess I prefer my "villains" with some redeeming qualities. Still, overall, a very satisfying read that I was sorry to see end. I can't wait for her next effort!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing..., December 6, 2002

By	L. Ponder "linsfolly" (Hamilton, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Emma, sheep farmer, and Stuart, viscount, become entangled after Stuart's carriage runs over Emma's prize sheep. Emma tries to swindle the worth of the sheep from Stuart. And Stuart tries to use Emma's swindling skills to get back his estate. Stuart's Uncle Leonard swindled Stuart, convincing people of Stuart's death.

I'm afraid I was looking for a darker hero and Stuart seemed childish and arrogant, to me. Expecting to see an experienced heroine, Emma seemed controlled and innocent, to me. So much for my expectations.

Besides having a problem with the leads, I had problems with the plot, as the chair scene was physically impossible. Nothing new in romance, I know. But I expected more from Ms. Ivory. Besides that, it wasn't particularly sexy or romantic.

The sting seemed short-changed, as if it was being sqeezed in among the love scenes. And Leonard seemed quite dumb for a somewhat sucessful villian.

Ms. Ivory's prose shines in many places. Some of her descriptions took me into the heart of the novel. And Stuart's entrance into a bank made me take notice. However, even with these pluses, I found UNTIE MY HEART a very disappointing read.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Will Never Be Right Without You...(5+ stars), November 30, 2004

By	M. I. "krushedvelvet" (Old Bridge, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

Perfect, heartwrenching, exquisite...All of these words could be used to describe "Untie My Heart", but truly - None of them are enough. This book simply blew me away.

Stuart Aysgarth, a stranger to his country - England, has through the death of his father become the new Viscount Mount Villiars. While en route to his newly inherited home, he unknowingly offends Miss Emma Hotchkiss.

Emma Hotchkiss is not one to take offense lightly. However,when she comes to Stuart, demanding justice for the wrong he has done her, Stuart learns that this is no ordinary woman...Emma has a colorful past and some surprising talents that Stuart realizes could be quite useful to him.
After some inventive persuasion, Emma reluctantly agrees to help Stuart with a personal problem he has been struggling with and the two of them cook up a clever scheme of revenge that forces them together and ends in the sweetest way possible.

"Untie My Heart" is without a doubt one of the most entertaining books I have ever gotten my hands on. I was hooked from page one.

Stuart - ooooooohhhh Stuart. The man was to die for with is funny little ways and his beautiful-sad eyes. He was so taken with Emma. And the things he said to her! O-M-G.

And Emma. She was hysterical. She was such a strong character. I adored her. I havent loved a couple as much as I loved Stuart and Emma in forever.

Judith Ivory..My God, can the woman ever write. The first kiss that Stuart and Emma shared was so wildly erotic I almost died right then and there. Truly - RUN out and get this book. There is not one thing I can find to complain about except that I wanted more more more...oh and wow...the ending...
A DEFINITE Keeper. Read it.