The Charmer (Get Connected Romances) (Mass Market Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although most early 19th-century romances have a narrow scope, the subgenre continues to draw readers thanks to the ingenuity of writers like Hunter (The Seducer, etc.), whose newest offering is based on a seldom-visited chapter of English history. As rioting spreads throughout Britain in 1831, rising political figure Adrian Burchard, the illegitimate son of a nobleman, is charged with bringing a young duchess back from Paris because the votes she controls in Parliament are urgently needed to defeat a voting reform bill. Sophia Raughley, who has painful reasons of her own for objecting a return to England, soon finds that even her strong will is no match for Adrian's. Resentful at being used and manipulated by others, Sophia battles his attempts to control her even as the sexual and emotional attraction between them intensifies. Society throws up obstacles, however: for one, Sophia's elevated title places her out of Adrian's reach. A violent plot to marry her off to a man chosen by her late, rigid father adds believable complications and will have readers holding their breath, hoping for a happy ending. With its rich historical texture, steamy love scenes and indelible protagonists, this book embodies the best of the genre.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Adrian Burchard has come to Paris on a mission for the King of England. His country is in a state of unrest, and the Tories need all the votes they can get to overturn a reform bill. The Duke of Everdon has died, and it is left to his daughter, Sophia, now the Duchess of Everdon, to inform his people how to cast their ballots. Adrian finds Sophia nearly insensible in the arms of one of the many men at her bacchanalian party, which is verging on an orgy. Adrian takes charge of the situation, forcing Sophia to leave with him. Sophia continually tests Adrian's patience as he tries to perform his duty and she tries to go back to Paris, fed up with England, Everdon, and the men who need her to do their bidding. Eventually Adrian becomes the only man she trusts, and Sophia becomes someone Adrian needs in a way he's never needed anyone before. In yet another excellent offering from Hunter, her intriguing characters elicit both fascination and sympathy. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (December 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553585916
• ISBN-13: 978-0553585919
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,264 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was very disappointed when Madeline Hunter decided to, December 23, 2003

By	L. G. Schilling "aaronssweetheart" (SPRING HILL, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

abandon the medieval period for the regency period. I was further disappointed by the first book in this series The Seducer that while extremely well written and readable did not pack the emotional punch of her previous efforts. I am happy to report that with The Charmer Madeline Hunter is once again at the top of her game and at the top of my autobuy list.

Adrian Burchard the third, unwanted son of an Earl is sent to Paris on a mission to bring the errant Duchess of Everdon back to England. After the death of her cold, autocratic father Sofia Raughley has been made Duchess in her own right.This means she now holds one of the most powerful titles in the peerage. Adrian's task is to bring Sofia back not because anyone is interested in her personal well being but because she now has the power to sway key votes in the Tories favor to help defeat the Reform Bill. Sofia is under no illusions as to why she is being summoned back with such haste by the King and others. She is to be used again as a pawn by powerful men who will try to marry her off so they can put a man in control of Everdon again. She refuses to accompany Adrian back but he is not a man who can be easily dissuaded from his mission especially by a seemingly decadent, spoiled, petulant woman. The stench of revolution permeates England and his own future hangs in the balance thus in this Adrian cannot fail. So, he does the only thing a man in his position would do he throws her over his shoulder and forcibly hauls her off across the Channel. Before long though Adrian realizes that there's much more to Sofia than the haughty, frivolous demeanor she presents to the world. Little by little and in his own quiet understanding way he begins to peel away Sofia's layers to uncover the tortured,terrified but strong woman that hides beneath.

I loved this book for many reasons but the most important is that this book is about a relationship between a man and a woman. By this I mean that while there's intrigue, a villain and a rich historical backdrop Adrian and Sofia's love story remains firmly in the center. Also,Madeline Hunter's quiet almost lyrical prose makes this book a pleasure to read. Furthermore, the characters are unique, believable and fully fleshed out. Sofia is a strong, intelligent heroine and Adrian is to die for. Something else I loved about this story was that the hero never fought his feelings for Sofia. He was in love and without mincing any words he let her know it. To me, this was a refreshing change because any die hard romance reader knows the hero usually fights his feelings for the heroine almost to the last page. In short, Madeline Hunter has created an unique, moving love story with credible and memorable characters who will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommended :0)

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Gold Romance - Divine Hero!, May 11, 2004

By	M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Setting - France and England 1831 --- In THE CHARMER, this third entry into Ms. Hunter's latest Regency era series I find Hunter back where she belongs - right on top with SOLID GOLD! One cannot but admire the ingenuity of this regency romance using as a background the seldom discussed period of British history political unrest circa 1831-1832.

Sophia Raughley, with the death of her father, was now the Duchess of Everdon. Eight years previously she had fled, from her autocratic father to the continent and had been living outrageously in France. Now, none other than the king of England himself has summoned her home and sent a handsome messenger to complete the task. Charged by Wellington with the task of bringing the duchess home is one of the most divine hero's to hit the pages of this talented wordsmith. Adrian Burchard, third son (though illigetimate) of the Earl of Dincaster. While Adrian's first impression of the new Duchess of Everdon did not display her in the best of circumstances - she really did `display' quite a bit of her charms - her impression of him was of another autocratic and manipulative male. Knowing full well that the summons is only to marry her off in order to put a man in one of the most powerfully political seats, she is resentful at being forced into being manipulated and used once again by the men in her life. Both lead protagonists, were resentful of one another but circumstances compelled them into a close association and as Sophia began to trust Adrian, they both began to recognize a kindred spirit as they peeled back the layers of mistrust, and lack of nurturing they'd both endured during their formative years. Adrian realized that under the frivolous demeanor Sophia showed to the world there existed a terrified and tortured soul that with his quiet strength and understanding helped her to overcome her fears - all the while as they opened their eyes and embraced the passion that soon overcame them both they stole what happiness they could as he tried to protect Sophia from the treachery of those who would use her for their own means.

This was a fabulous read with two very intelligent, complex and wonderfully defined protagonists. The passionate intensity of the story and the steamy love scenes were all the more poignant as through it all, Adrian because of his checkered bloodlines and political affiliations knew that their love had no future. He loved as though each time might be their last and the sensual dialog's were so beautifully composed that they truly did touch my heart. Along with this very moving romance, we are treated to a wonderful cast of secondary characters of which Sophia's two protégés, Attila and Jacques, who were tremendously delightful, especially when Jacques reprimanded Adrian for not being a good lover -- then proceeded to give him tips! On top of all of this, the reader will uncover a very surprising twist at the end that I never saw coming - but you'll have to read the book to discover it! Bottom line -- THIS is romance at it's best and what I've come to expect from Madeline Hunter! --- Marilyn, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com ---

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Memorable of all Romances..., April 9, 2004

By A Customer

This has to be one of the best novels I've ever read. Adrian was such a great guy, so smart, exceptionally handsome, loyal, gentle to those he loved, and tough to his enemies.
Sophia's friends, Attila and Jacques very nearly stole the show, though! These two were hilarious, especially when they showed up in the park.
Adrian's older brother, Colin, (the oldest we never did meet) was a wonderful man, yet I did wonder why there was no explanation about Colin's feelings concerning Adrian's birth. Colin accepted Adrian, which was fantastic, but what led to this great friendship?
Also, I'm sorry to say that I found one scene in this book totally boring and I didn't like the distraction. It was when Sophia visited her ancestral home to fight the ghosts of her past. Her relationship with Adrian was progressing nicely, then all of sudden Sophia leaves and the action just stopped! I would never discount the severity of her tragic past, but we learned nothing new by her going there. Her supposed conversation with her deceased father was boring, and not the least informative.