No Choice But Seduction: A Malory Novel (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

American Katey Tyler’s plans to travel the world in search of adventure take a slight detour when ends up in an English jail. Englishman Boyd believes that she had played a part in the kidnapping of his brother-in-law Anthony Malory’s daughter Judith, when, in reality, Katey had rescued Judith. Boyd eventually discovers the truth, but it’s too late. Katey swears she will never forgive Boyd, which is a problem since he plans on marrying her. The plot is stereotypical fairy-tale romance, but fans of best-selling Lindsey’s Regency historical series featuring the Malorys won’t mind since the author’s signature blend of witty writing, charmingly unique characters, and a sexy love story continues to be irresistible. --John Charles --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Witty...sexy...irresistible." -- Booklist

Experience "Lindsey's mastery of historical romance." -- Entertainment Weekly

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; Reprint edition (April 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416537333
• ISBN-13: 978-1416537335
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,315 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother.., June 27, 2008

By	Jody Allen (US) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: No Choice But Seduction: A Malory Novel (Hardcover)

I don't expect complicated stories from this author but she has created a wonderful family in the Malorys. However, this book was an incredible disappointment. Katey and Boyd's story was at best a nouvella plunked down in what appears to be a book of boring backstory telling the reader all about the family members and their stories at the expense of Katey and Boyd's. First off her loyal readers know those stories and it would only have been important to tell the uninformed reader if it was relevant to this couples' story but it wasn't. The problem then was she spent so much time in the backstory of the Malory clan and the absolutely incredible cliched story of Sir Anthony and Katey that she forgot about Boyd and his need to court his lady.

At best all the reader saw was Boyd's lust for Katey and her need to be part of a family, this isn't the stuff of good romance fiction and Lyndsey knows that as should her editor. As this was a romance, where was the sexual tension and the "ah" factor? No black moment, no sexual tension. Don't expect it in this book, it isn't there. Sadly she finally spent the last three pages of the book bringing Katey and Boyd together which was the biggest sellout to her loyal readers and after thought at best. This couple deserve their own book and this one clearly isn't it. Makes one wonder if she actually wrote this book or was it the last book on a publisher's contract.

I would say buy the book used later on, but Loyal readers know the Malory stories already and Katey and Boyd just don't have enough of a story to bother to purchase this one new or used.. So my suggestion is to read her back list if you aren't familair with the Malorys and hope her next offering is more judiciously edited by her editor.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Far from her best, June 20, 2008

By	Beanbag Love "Beanbag Love" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Choice But Seduction: A Malory Novel (Hardcover)

I've enjoyed the Malory series and the off-shoot Anderson books, but this one just irritated me.

The interaction between the hero and heroine was rushed at first when the vital foundation of their attraction needed to occur and they spent the rest of the time alternating in treating each other badly. Both had moments where they were 'too-stupid-to-live' and, although the reader knows from his inner thoughts and motivations that Boyd is not a villain, some of his actions were beyond smarmy and inexcusable.

The Malorys appeared which is usually a bonus, but at one point Anthony and James (whose glib back-and-forth is becoming tiresome IMO) took over the entire story with a reveal that wasn't even hinted at until halfway through the book. Considering how much the characters involved appeared in the first half, that whole plot point (even with its importance) seemed like an afterthought. Boyd eventually dropped out entirely due to this story line and we didn't even check back in with him until three pages before the end when he showed up for the HEA.

During the Big Moment (similar to Danny's experience in 'A Loving Scoundrel') Boyd wasn't even there. It was Katey with the two Malory brothers and all of the chapters dealing with that business were long and detailed (in some cases taking pages to retell other Malory novels which is annoying to say the least when they weren't crucial to this story).

I'm very open to new things in novels. I don't need the traditional template. But this was unorganized and had a 'dashed off' feel to it. It felt as if the author had grabbed a few romance novel staples, strung them together and plugged a couple of decent characters into the creation. As a result, I didn't like either of their actions leading to the HEA and felt they needed more moments that were unsullied by manipulation.

I give it two stars because somehow I really did want them to end up together. And I could see why Katey came around and I was glad it finally happened. Otherwise I would have given it only one star.

I like Johanna Lindsay and I think she created two good characters here, which is very important, but then she did them a disservice by weighing them down with a top-heavy, disorganized story line.

And one last note. While I do enjoy seeing the Malorys I don't think it's necessary to retell each of their novels with so much detail. It takes away from the current story. They're just support characters at this point, so it's not necessary to refer to so many details that don't have an impact on the story at hand.

EDIT TO ADD: It's been brought to my attention and now I remember that the twist was indeed foreshadowed, however I never felt the connection itself had been set up. Possibly the feeling that it had dropped into my lap was the unnecessary nature of the twist along with the incredible coincidence involved in having it come about. But fair is fair, the hints did occur. I stand corrected. :)

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars What a Sleeper!, June 22, 2008

By	Mommabookworm "Mommabookworm" (Ca.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Choice But Seduction: A Malory Novel (Hardcover)

Zzzzzzzz. 170 pages into the story and I was still bored. The story keeps circling around it self never going anywhere. The characters are boring. Lindsey goes on and on about the "Mallory's". Who cares. There is no meat to this story.

I finally gave up. I couldn't imagine struggling through another 100 pages. Thank goodness I didn't waste money on this, thanks to the public library.