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Mad Passions #2
Lady in Red
The Victorian era was full of majestic beauty and scandalous secrets—a time when corsets were the least of a woman’s restrictions, and men could kill or be killed in the name of honor…
Lady Mary Darrel should be the envy of London. Instead, all society believes her dead. For Mary holds a secret so dangerous, her father chose to keep her locked away…and have a grave made for her near her mother’s. Driven to the edge of desperation, Mary manages to escape the asylum, only to find that her fate yet again rests in the hands of a man…
Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, longs for some way to escape the torment of his father’s crimes. In Mary’s warrior spirit and haunted gaze—which so mirrors his own—he finally sees his path to redemption. He will stop at nothing to keep her safe, even as she seeks revenge. But will the passion they discover in each other be enough to save them from their demons?
Lady Mary Darrel should be the envy of London. Instead, all society believes her dead. For Mary holds a secret so dangerous, her father chose to keep her locked away…and have a grave made for her near her mother’s. Driven to the edge of desperation, Mary manages to escape the asylum, only to find that her fate yet again rests in the hands of a man…
Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, longs for some way to escape the torment of his father’s crimes. In Mary’s warrior spirit and haunted gaze—which so mirrors his own—he finally sees his path to redemption. He will stop at nothing to keep her safe, even as she seeks revenge. But will the passion they discover in each other be enough to save them from their demons?
300 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
21 people are currently reading
758 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 1, 2015
2.5 stars
I love the heroines in these books, they are put through horrific circumstances but their strength is always evident, even when they are at their lowest; this author writes women phenomenally. The atmosphere and over reaching story is wonderfully darkly atmospheric and breathtakingly triumphant. However, I'm having a problem with the middle of the story sagging and when it comes to our hero and heroine's relationship, I just don't feel it. I'm fully locked into the heroine's story but not getting the emotions of the hero and heroine forming a romantic/loving relationship. I want to really like these books but I'm just not fully getting there. Reading the next in the series because I want to believe!
I love the heroines in these books, they are put through horrific circumstances but their strength is always evident, even when they are at their lowest; this author writes women phenomenally. The atmosphere and over reaching story is wonderfully darkly atmospheric and breathtakingly triumphant. However, I'm having a problem with the middle of the story sagging and when it comes to our hero and heroine's relationship, I just don't feel it. I'm fully locked into the heroine's story but not getting the emotions of the hero and heroine forming a romantic/loving relationship. I want to really like these books but I'm just not fully getting there. Reading the next in the series because I want to believe!
July 24, 2016
I've given this a C+ at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars here.
I’d heard good things about Ms Claremont’s début novel (The Dark Lady) and as I’m not averse to a romance with a large dollop of angst, I settled in to read Lady in Red with fairly high expectations. The story centers around Lady Mary Darrel, the eighteen year-old daughter of the Duke of Duncliffe, who, three years prior to the beginning of the book, has been placed in a mental asylum by her abusive and controlling father where she has been repeatedly raped, beaten, and force-fed laudanum to ensure her docility. Ms Claremont does not sugar-coat this side of Mary’s experiences, and indeed, it was not an uncommon event for a woman to be branded insane and locked away by her male relatives on the slightest pretext at the time in which the novel is set.
The story opens as Mary, battered and bedraggled, has escaped from the asylum and arrives at the high-class brothel run by a dear friend of her mother’s (who had also been a high-flying courtesan before her marriage) seeking refuge from her keepers and her father. That same evening, she is seen by Edward Barrons, the Duke of Fairleigh who, despite her emaciated appearance, is immediately attracted to her, both physically and emotionally. Yvonne (the madam) immediately realizes that she will not be able to protect Mary from her father and suggests instead that she should become Fairleigh’s mistress. Being of the same rank as her father, Edward will have a better chance of keeping her safe and he has already expressed his interest in Mary and extended an offer of protection. Given the terrible degradations she has suffered at the hands of the male attendants at the asylum, Mary is naturally not keen on the idea of becoming any man’s mistress – but she can see the sense in Yvonne’s argument and agrees.
But Edward, too, has his own dragons to slay and it’s clear from the outset that his interest in Mary is as much to do with helping himself as it is with helping her. He is looking for someone to save, someone who will enable him to divert his thoughts from his own inner darkness – and thus, someone who will set him free from the horrors of his past.
It’s fairly obvious that that kind of willful self-obfuscation isn’t the best basis for a relationship. And the waters are muddied further when Edward, believing it to be the best way to help Mary to heal, offers to help her to destroy the man who did this do her and sets her on the path to revenge. To help her with this, Edwards enlists the help of his friend, Viscount Powers. Edward has helped Mary to hone her skills with a pistol, but for the instruction in hand-to-hand combat, she needs someone else, and Powers is the man. Mary immediately recognizes a fellow addict – and at first it’s open hostility between them. But Edward says they need him, so Mary acquiesces, and she begins working with the enigmatic viscount.
Powers is physically imposing, gorgeous, incredibly sarcastic, and frequently unpleasant – and I felt that his addition to the dramatis personae caused a severe imbalance in the book. It’s never a good thing when the secondary male “hero’s friend” character is more interesting than the hero and I have to say that there were times when Powers made Edward seem insipid. Once he appeared, there was more sexual tension between him and Mary than there was between Mary and Edward; to such an extent that I wondered if the three of them were going to end up hitting the sheets together!
As the story progresses and Mary begins to regain her strength, both physically and mentally, the focus shifts slightly to Edward and the inner demons he is continually trying to fend off. What he hasn’t realized – and doesn’t for quite some time – is that for him to be able to help Mary, he needs to let her help him ; but he’s so intent on protecting her from his shameful past that he won’t let her in.
But there comes a turning point for Edward when he realizes that he’s done a terrible thing in setting Mary on a quest for revenge, telling her that it will destroy, rather than free her and begging her to turn aside from it. There’s a truly poignant moment when she tells him that by saying that, he is stealing back the hope he had given her – and in which she realizes that he will never be able to give her the love she wants and needs.
There was much to enjoy in Lady in Red, not the least of which was the author’s stylish prose and the emotional punch she packed in certain scenes. I enjoyed seeing Mary gradually regain her sense of self-worth and taking back the control of her self to the point where she is able to confront her father boldly and without fear.
But I did have issues with certain aspects of the plot. Mary was repeatedly abused in the asylum – sexually, emotionally, and physically – and while it’s true that she does not (at first) want to be touched and is uncomfortable around men, it’s not very long before she is looking at Edward with sexual interest. Now, I’m no expert and am certainly not going to say that it’s impossible that a woman who has been brutalized as Mary was could never regain an interest in sex – just that it seemed to happen rather more quickly than I would have thought. In fact, the events related in the book seem to take place over days and weeks; I would have found Mary’s recovery to have been more realistic had it taken place over a longer period of time.
Which brings me to another issue, which is to do with Mary’s addiction. She was plied with Laudanum in the asylum, and yet is able (apart from one lapse early on) to stop taking it with hardly any ill effects.
The biggest stumbling block for me, however, was the fact that I never connected with either of the main characters, and didn’t feel anything resembling a real emotional connection between them. Although Edward was kind, protective and quite intuitive, and the horrible events in his past had served to badly mis-shape his view of himself, he never seemed more than two-dimensional; and while I sympathized with Mary and was cheering her every step of the way as she pulled herself back from the edge, she remained a character in a book rather than someone who came to life in my imagination.
I’m not completely sure whether my disappointment in Lady in Red is due to the fact that my expectations were too high, because it’s by no means a bad novel. It’s well written; it’s also clear that the author is able to create memorable characters and that she is able to craft an interesting storyline. But somehow, this ended up being one of those books where the sum of the parts unfortunately proved to be greater than the whole.
I’d heard good things about Ms Claremont’s début novel (The Dark Lady) and as I’m not averse to a romance with a large dollop of angst, I settled in to read Lady in Red with fairly high expectations. The story centers around Lady Mary Darrel, the eighteen year-old daughter of the Duke of Duncliffe, who, three years prior to the beginning of the book, has been placed in a mental asylum by her abusive and controlling father where she has been repeatedly raped, beaten, and force-fed laudanum to ensure her docility. Ms Claremont does not sugar-coat this side of Mary’s experiences, and indeed, it was not an uncommon event for a woman to be branded insane and locked away by her male relatives on the slightest pretext at the time in which the novel is set.
The story opens as Mary, battered and bedraggled, has escaped from the asylum and arrives at the high-class brothel run by a dear friend of her mother’s (who had also been a high-flying courtesan before her marriage) seeking refuge from her keepers and her father. That same evening, she is seen by Edward Barrons, the Duke of Fairleigh who, despite her emaciated appearance, is immediately attracted to her, both physically and emotionally. Yvonne (the madam) immediately realizes that she will not be able to protect Mary from her father and suggests instead that she should become Fairleigh’s mistress. Being of the same rank as her father, Edward will have a better chance of keeping her safe and he has already expressed his interest in Mary and extended an offer of protection. Given the terrible degradations she has suffered at the hands of the male attendants at the asylum, Mary is naturally not keen on the idea of becoming any man’s mistress – but she can see the sense in Yvonne’s argument and agrees.
But Edward, too, has his own dragons to slay and it’s clear from the outset that his interest in Mary is as much to do with helping himself as it is with helping her. He is looking for someone to save, someone who will enable him to divert his thoughts from his own inner darkness – and thus, someone who will set him free from the horrors of his past.
It’s fairly obvious that that kind of willful self-obfuscation isn’t the best basis for a relationship. And the waters are muddied further when Edward, believing it to be the best way to help Mary to heal, offers to help her to destroy the man who did this do her and sets her on the path to revenge. To help her with this, Edwards enlists the help of his friend, Viscount Powers. Edward has helped Mary to hone her skills with a pistol, but for the instruction in hand-to-hand combat, she needs someone else, and Powers is the man. Mary immediately recognizes a fellow addict – and at first it’s open hostility between them. But Edward says they need him, so Mary acquiesces, and she begins working with the enigmatic viscount.
Powers is physically imposing, gorgeous, incredibly sarcastic, and frequently unpleasant – and I felt that his addition to the dramatis personae caused a severe imbalance in the book. It’s never a good thing when the secondary male “hero’s friend” character is more interesting than the hero and I have to say that there were times when Powers made Edward seem insipid. Once he appeared, there was more sexual tension between him and Mary than there was between Mary and Edward; to such an extent that I wondered if the three of them were going to end up hitting the sheets together!
As the story progresses and Mary begins to regain her strength, both physically and mentally, the focus shifts slightly to Edward and the inner demons he is continually trying to fend off. What he hasn’t realized – and doesn’t for quite some time – is that for him to be able to help Mary, he needs to let her help him ; but he’s so intent on protecting her from his shameful past that he won’t let her in.
But there comes a turning point for Edward when he realizes that he’s done a terrible thing in setting Mary on a quest for revenge, telling her that it will destroy, rather than free her and begging her to turn aside from it. There’s a truly poignant moment when she tells him that by saying that, he is stealing back the hope he had given her – and in which she realizes that he will never be able to give her the love she wants and needs.
There was much to enjoy in Lady in Red, not the least of which was the author’s stylish prose and the emotional punch she packed in certain scenes. I enjoyed seeing Mary gradually regain her sense of self-worth and taking back the control of her self to the point where she is able to confront her father boldly and without fear.
But I did have issues with certain aspects of the plot. Mary was repeatedly abused in the asylum – sexually, emotionally, and physically – and while it’s true that she does not (at first) want to be touched and is uncomfortable around men, it’s not very long before she is looking at Edward with sexual interest. Now, I’m no expert and am certainly not going to say that it’s impossible that a woman who has been brutalized as Mary was could never regain an interest in sex – just that it seemed to happen rather more quickly than I would have thought. In fact, the events related in the book seem to take place over days and weeks; I would have found Mary’s recovery to have been more realistic had it taken place over a longer period of time.
Which brings me to another issue, which is to do with Mary’s addiction. She was plied with Laudanum in the asylum, and yet is able (apart from one lapse early on) to stop taking it with hardly any ill effects.
The biggest stumbling block for me, however, was the fact that I never connected with either of the main characters, and didn’t feel anything resembling a real emotional connection between them. Although Edward was kind, protective and quite intuitive, and the horrible events in his past had served to badly mis-shape his view of himself, he never seemed more than two-dimensional; and while I sympathized with Mary and was cheering her every step of the way as she pulled herself back from the edge, she remained a character in a book rather than someone who came to life in my imagination.
I’m not completely sure whether my disappointment in Lady in Red is due to the fact that my expectations were too high, because it’s by no means a bad novel. It’s well written; it’s also clear that the author is able to create memorable characters and that she is able to craft an interesting storyline. But somehow, this ended up being one of those books where the sum of the parts unfortunately proved to be greater than the whole.
April 27, 2014
**5 Spellbinding Stars**
I was totally gripped by this intense, angsty and dramatic story. Once again, Máire Claremont explores the darker side of Victorian London with graphic realism.
Mary left such a deep impression on me in The Dark Lady . She had selflessly protected her friend, Eva, from the worst of the horrors of the asylum and, when the two of them escaped, Mary’s fate was left in the balance. I was desperate to know what happened to her.
Condemned to the asylum by her own father, Mary suffered unspeakable abuse during those three years incarcerated in that hellish place. But, somehow, she retained the strength and will to survive and make her escape, determined never to return.
Edward has demons of his own to conquer. He has never been able to escape the guilt he feels because he did nothing to save a young woman from his evil father’s clutches. He is desperately looking for some sort of purpose to his life and his greatest fear is becoming just like his father.
Sharing Edward and Mary’s story is a powerful and emotional journey. Ms Claremont writes with such depth that I shared every moment of that journey until they finally discover that only their love can truly set them free.
Her very presence held him with a force that knocked the air out of his lungs.
♥♥♥
She stood in the same spot for several moments, gasping. His very presence had changed how her body felt. She no longer felt battered or afraid. She felt strong and alive. How had he done that?
♥♥♥
“No matter what you do, no matter what you say, I shall always be in awe of your perfect vulnerability, your perfect imperfect soul.”
♥♥♥
“I am still among the ashes. I have not yet flown.”
He lowered his head toward her in careful, slow stages. “But you will.”
♥♥♥
Tears stung Mary’s eyes and she eased toward his naked body, burrowing close. As he curved his arm about her, tucking her to his chest, she did feel safe. Safer than she had felt in her lifetime.
♥♥♥
“Together then. We shall be whole.”
“Yes,” she said with an assurance it never could be gainsaid. “You are my other half as I am yours.”
♥♥♥
I love Edward’s friend, Viscount Powers…so sarcastic, dark and enigmatic and so full of pain. I just know his story is going to be just as compelling and I can’t wait to delve into The Dark Affair .
Ms Claremont doesn’t shy away from scenes that are often harrowing and brutal but I was riveted to the pages desperate to know what happened.
If you enjoy a dark, intense romance with an original and suspenseful plot and unforgettable characters, then you will definitely enjoy LADY IN RED.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 Stars
The Mad Passions series (click on the book cover for more details):
This review is also posted on my blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
I was totally gripped by this intense, angsty and dramatic story. Once again, Máire Claremont explores the darker side of Victorian London with graphic realism.
Mary left such a deep impression on me in The Dark Lady . She had selflessly protected her friend, Eva, from the worst of the horrors of the asylum and, when the two of them escaped, Mary’s fate was left in the balance. I was desperate to know what happened to her.
Condemned to the asylum by her own father, Mary suffered unspeakable abuse during those three years incarcerated in that hellish place. But, somehow, she retained the strength and will to survive and make her escape, determined never to return.
Edward has demons of his own to conquer. He has never been able to escape the guilt he feels because he did nothing to save a young woman from his evil father’s clutches. He is desperately looking for some sort of purpose to his life and his greatest fear is becoming just like his father.
Sharing Edward and Mary’s story is a powerful and emotional journey. Ms Claremont writes with such depth that I shared every moment of that journey until they finally discover that only their love can truly set them free.
Her very presence held him with a force that knocked the air out of his lungs.
♥♥♥
She stood in the same spot for several moments, gasping. His very presence had changed how her body felt. She no longer felt battered or afraid. She felt strong and alive. How had he done that?
♥♥♥
“No matter what you do, no matter what you say, I shall always be in awe of your perfect vulnerability, your perfect imperfect soul.”
♥♥♥
“I am still among the ashes. I have not yet flown.”
He lowered his head toward her in careful, slow stages. “But you will.”
♥♥♥
Tears stung Mary’s eyes and she eased toward his naked body, burrowing close. As he curved his arm about her, tucking her to his chest, she did feel safe. Safer than she had felt in her lifetime.
♥♥♥
“Together then. We shall be whole.”
“Yes,” she said with an assurance it never could be gainsaid. “You are my other half as I am yours.”
♥♥♥
I love Edward’s friend, Viscount Powers…so sarcastic, dark and enigmatic and so full of pain. I just know his story is going to be just as compelling and I can’t wait to delve into The Dark Affair .
Ms Claremont doesn’t shy away from scenes that are often harrowing and brutal but I was riveted to the pages desperate to know what happened.
If you enjoy a dark, intense romance with an original and suspenseful plot and unforgettable characters, then you will definitely enjoy LADY IN RED.
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 Stars
The Mad Passions series (click on the book cover for more details):
This review is also posted on my blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
February 14, 2014
The Mad Passions series is historical romance for people who don't like historical romance - less faff and more awesome. Asylum! Laudanum! Murder! These are the elements that tempted me into adding the books to my wish-list, and they keep me reading them.
The author also excels in cool secondary characters. (Good news: Powers has his own novel, and Clare has her own novella.) I wonder if Lady in Red would've had the same effect if it was the woman nursing the battered and addicted man back to health and strength, to aid his revenge...
The author also excels in cool secondary characters. (Good news: Powers has his own novel, and Clare has her own novella.) I wonder if Lady in Red would've had the same effect if it was the woman nursing the battered and addicted man back to health and strength, to aid his revenge...
October 12, 2013
Rated 5 Blue Ribbons + Recommended Read courtesy of Romance Junkies. Posted at TBR Mountain Range amongst other books I've read this year.
The epitome of an amazing dark romance, this novel will surprise you more than once before the satisfying end.
Sometimes I wonder how I happen upon such superb novels to review. I never intend for it to happen even though I hope. I choose books blindly, with only my instincts to guide me and so, I am always surprised when I read a book this amazing. LADY IN RED will forever change me with its message. It is dark—treacherous like a thief-ridden alleyway, wary until the end, where hope is finally realized. So beautiful that it leaves you gasping for more.
Lady Mary escapes the asylum where she had been imprisoned, barely alive, addicted to the drugs they forced her to take. Upon her escape, she presses forward with a sheer will to live, toward the only woman her mother ever trusted, Madame Yvonne. Madame Yvonne will do anything for her dear departed friend's daughter, even if it means danger for herself.
Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, visits Madame Yvonne's establishment in order to forget his past. A past that's demon-laid with regret and shame. One that no amount of his strength can ever leave behind, forgotten. He seeks Madame Yvonne's council in that only a woman like her could fathom his pain and not question his need for oblivion. That's where he meets his Calypso for the very first time, the Goddess of his heart, bathing in Yvonne's room. Her instant terror and fierce reserve in finding herself alone in a room with the enemy, a man, solidifies his determination to help his Calypso to heal from her wounds.
Mary had been brutalized in the worst ways imaginable at the hands of her cruel "keepers" within the walls of an insane asylum. Her own father had signed for her torture when he, as her guardian, imprisoned her within those walls. That she escaped and helped another to do so at the same time was nothing short of miraculous. She has nowhere else to go and no one she can trust other than Madame Yvonne, her mother's dearest friend. It is that trust that she believes in when they realize that her father will find her, knowing that Yvonne's is the one place she would certainly seek as a refuge when she left the mad house.
Edward offers to take Mary as his mistress in order to keep her safe as her protector. Mary agrees as long as it is on her terms. Yvonne assures her that she has no choice and that Edward is a kind man. Edward promises Mary that he will allow her the time she needs to accept their agreement. Neither has any intention of giving their heart.
So begins their dance of Edward waiting to heal Mary, with Mary always wary and ready to run away. When Edward introduces Mary to his best friend Viscount Powers to help her learn to defend herself, will his lessons go beyond what any of them desire? Their triangle of friendship is as wanton as it is steadfast and increased my enjoyment of this novel exponentially. Viscount Powers adds a dark humor that suits this book so well.
LADY IN RED is layer upon layer of intrigue formed by the characters' determination to survive their inner demons at all costs. I've never read anything quite like it. It is as devilishly sweet as it is evil personified, all while balancing the thin line between good and evil. For those who love the intense thrall of a dark novel, you will be captivated. A fascinating recommended read!
I cannot wait for book three, a novel of MAD PASSIONS, THE DARK AFFAIR, which stars Viscount Powers whom I fell for completely in LADY IN RED. I didn't even notice that I was missing anything from the first book because I was so entranced with book two. I won't hesitate to go backwards to read book one, THE DARK LADY, which is about Mary's friend from the asylum. For those who have read book one, I'm sure you will enjoy the update about those characters. I am spellbound by author Máire Claremont who has passionate and seductive depth enraptured with a touch of evil in her pen.
The epitome of an amazing dark romance, this novel will surprise you more than once before the satisfying end.
Sometimes I wonder how I happen upon such superb novels to review. I never intend for it to happen even though I hope. I choose books blindly, with only my instincts to guide me and so, I am always surprised when I read a book this amazing. LADY IN RED will forever change me with its message. It is dark—treacherous like a thief-ridden alleyway, wary until the end, where hope is finally realized. So beautiful that it leaves you gasping for more.
Lady Mary escapes the asylum where she had been imprisoned, barely alive, addicted to the drugs they forced her to take. Upon her escape, she presses forward with a sheer will to live, toward the only woman her mother ever trusted, Madame Yvonne. Madame Yvonne will do anything for her dear departed friend's daughter, even if it means danger for herself.
Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, visits Madame Yvonne's establishment in order to forget his past. A past that's demon-laid with regret and shame. One that no amount of his strength can ever leave behind, forgotten. He seeks Madame Yvonne's council in that only a woman like her could fathom his pain and not question his need for oblivion. That's where he meets his Calypso for the very first time, the Goddess of his heart, bathing in Yvonne's room. Her instant terror and fierce reserve in finding herself alone in a room with the enemy, a man, solidifies his determination to help his Calypso to heal from her wounds.
Mary had been brutalized in the worst ways imaginable at the hands of her cruel "keepers" within the walls of an insane asylum. Her own father had signed for her torture when he, as her guardian, imprisoned her within those walls. That she escaped and helped another to do so at the same time was nothing short of miraculous. She has nowhere else to go and no one she can trust other than Madame Yvonne, her mother's dearest friend. It is that trust that she believes in when they realize that her father will find her, knowing that Yvonne's is the one place she would certainly seek as a refuge when she left the mad house.
Edward offers to take Mary as his mistress in order to keep her safe as her protector. Mary agrees as long as it is on her terms. Yvonne assures her that she has no choice and that Edward is a kind man. Edward promises Mary that he will allow her the time she needs to accept their agreement. Neither has any intention of giving their heart.
So begins their dance of Edward waiting to heal Mary, with Mary always wary and ready to run away. When Edward introduces Mary to his best friend Viscount Powers to help her learn to defend herself, will his lessons go beyond what any of them desire? Their triangle of friendship is as wanton as it is steadfast and increased my enjoyment of this novel exponentially. Viscount Powers adds a dark humor that suits this book so well.
LADY IN RED is layer upon layer of intrigue formed by the characters' determination to survive their inner demons at all costs. I've never read anything quite like it. It is as devilishly sweet as it is evil personified, all while balancing the thin line between good and evil. For those who love the intense thrall of a dark novel, you will be captivated. A fascinating recommended read!
I cannot wait for book three, a novel of MAD PASSIONS, THE DARK AFFAIR, which stars Viscount Powers whom I fell for completely in LADY IN RED. I didn't even notice that I was missing anything from the first book because I was so entranced with book two. I won't hesitate to go backwards to read book one, THE DARK LADY, which is about Mary's friend from the asylum. For those who have read book one, I'm sure you will enjoy the update about those characters. I am spellbound by author Máire Claremont who has passionate and seductive depth enraptured with a touch of evil in her pen.
January 17, 2014
Originally posted on Adria's Romance Reviews
This is no fluffy, light romance. This is a mad, passionate tale that doesn't shy away from the darker, seedier side of life in Victorian England. Lady in Red shows just how powerless women were when it came to men and how they were little more than cattle to be treated however the man wished.
I have been dying to read Maire Claremont's Mad Passions series ever since the first book (The Dark Lady) came out last year and though I still haven't read it (bad wallet), I can say that Lady in Red can be read as a stand alone.
Not every one will appreciate the level of angst and conflict in the story but I certainly did! Mary has all but reached rock bottom, her mother is dead and her father locked her in an asylum while letting all of London believe she is dead as well. From the moment the story begins to the very last page, Mary is fighting just to find the will to survive and I was impressed at how much strength she had in her even though she had every reason to give up. The level of abuse and degradation that Mary endures was astonishing but even with how horrible it was, it made Mary a more interesting character.
At the same time, Edward had his own demons that tormented him to almost no end, yet doing the right thing came almost naturally to him. He was merely existing for such a long time and he was becoming used to the listlessness and tediousness of his life that when he saw Mary for the first time, he immediately knew that she was someone he hadn't encountered before. Maybe he didn't know why he was drawn to her at first but he was smart enough to keep her close.
With both main characters suffering from some form of trauma, it was definitely a struggle for them to find peace, let along love with each other. At times I doubted that their pasts would ever let them go and I did become emotionally invested in both Edward and Mary for very different reasons. I was literally cheering these two on because there were times it felt like they just wouldn't triumph over the villains, much less their own demons.
Aside from Edward and Mary I also enjoyed Powers, Edward's close friend. He seemed to be a man in a lot of emotional pain, yet like Edward, he has a deeply ingrained instinct and desire to help Mary. He was lewd, tortured and sarcastic which naturally meant I wouldn't be able to resist him. His friendship with both Edward and Mary cemented his place on my radar (And wouldn't you know it, he's the hero in the next book, yay!).
My only let down was the final confrontation and resolution of Mary's problems. After all the buildup and after all Mary had been through the conclusion was a bit of a let down. Though that didn't stop me from enjoying Mary's story because no matter what, Lady in Red is Mary's story. It's a story of a woman who endured hell, escaped and lived to find the beginnings of peace and happiness with a man who would never blame her for what happened and who, on some level, understood what she had been through.
Lady in Red flirted with that line between tragedy and triumph, with two main characters who were severely damaged by life that at times it seemed like they would never overcome their circumstances and a cast of characters that are either pure evil or decent people who have seen hell and may or may not live to tell about it. All in all, I can't wait to read the next book in the series as I do love the level of angst and passion in this series.
This is no fluffy, light romance. This is a mad, passionate tale that doesn't shy away from the darker, seedier side of life in Victorian England. Lady in Red shows just how powerless women were when it came to men and how they were little more than cattle to be treated however the man wished.
I have been dying to read Maire Claremont's Mad Passions series ever since the first book (The Dark Lady) came out last year and though I still haven't read it (bad wallet), I can say that Lady in Red can be read as a stand alone.
Not every one will appreciate the level of angst and conflict in the story but I certainly did! Mary has all but reached rock bottom, her mother is dead and her father locked her in an asylum while letting all of London believe she is dead as well. From the moment the story begins to the very last page, Mary is fighting just to find the will to survive and I was impressed at how much strength she had in her even though she had every reason to give up. The level of abuse and degradation that Mary endures was astonishing but even with how horrible it was, it made Mary a more interesting character.
At the same time, Edward had his own demons that tormented him to almost no end, yet doing the right thing came almost naturally to him. He was merely existing for such a long time and he was becoming used to the listlessness and tediousness of his life that when he saw Mary for the first time, he immediately knew that she was someone he hadn't encountered before. Maybe he didn't know why he was drawn to her at first but he was smart enough to keep her close.
With both main characters suffering from some form of trauma, it was definitely a struggle for them to find peace, let along love with each other. At times I doubted that their pasts would ever let them go and I did become emotionally invested in both Edward and Mary for very different reasons. I was literally cheering these two on because there were times it felt like they just wouldn't triumph over the villains, much less their own demons.
Aside from Edward and Mary I also enjoyed Powers, Edward's close friend. He seemed to be a man in a lot of emotional pain, yet like Edward, he has a deeply ingrained instinct and desire to help Mary. He was lewd, tortured and sarcastic which naturally meant I wouldn't be able to resist him. His friendship with both Edward and Mary cemented his place on my radar (And wouldn't you know it, he's the hero in the next book, yay!).
My only let down was the final confrontation and resolution of Mary's problems. After all the buildup and after all Mary had been through the conclusion was a bit of a let down. Though that didn't stop me from enjoying Mary's story because no matter what, Lady in Red is Mary's story. It's a story of a woman who endured hell, escaped and lived to find the beginnings of peace and happiness with a man who would never blame her for what happened and who, on some level, understood what she had been through.
Lady in Red flirted with that line between tragedy and triumph, with two main characters who were severely damaged by life that at times it seemed like they would never overcome their circumstances and a cast of characters that are either pure evil or decent people who have seen hell and may or may not live to tell about it. All in all, I can't wait to read the next book in the series as I do love the level of angst and passion in this series.
August 15, 2017
Let me start by saying that Lady in Red (Mad Passions series #2) is a dark book. Very dark. Very Gothic. This is not to say that it isn’t a good book because it is quite good. But do not look for a sweet, heart-warming story. Every character in Lady in Red is tortured in some way, including the secondary characters. Each has a troubled past that is complicating the present. The book is so dark that we don’t see much light at all until nearly the very end, yet it is a romance with a happy ending. I found myself intrigued by the story and was very wrapped up in the characters. I also read the book very quickly which is a sure sign that I enjoyed it.
Set in Victorian England in 1865 the book picks up where the first book (The Dark Lady) left off, with Mary Darrel on the run after escaping from an insane asylum. Mary seeks help from the only person she can think of, her mother’s friend, a whorehouse madam named Yvonne. It is there that she meets another damaged soul, Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh. He is immediately drawn to her plight and envisions saving her as offering redemption to him. He takes her to his home and helps her begin to recover from her physical and emotional traumas. But soon her father, the Duke of Duncliffe, who had imprisoned her and told everyone she was dead, finds where she is and comes after her. Edward engages the help of his friend, Viscount Powers, to empower Mary to fight her father. Will revenge satisfy Mary’s need for resolution? Can Edward release himself from his tormented past and more forward? Can two marginal people somehow rebuild each other?
Lady in Red was a strangely compelling book. Even though I like really tortured characters this was almost too dark for my taste. There was a considerable degree of violence, torture, insanity, and serious opium and alcohol addiction surrounding the events. One high point of the book for me was the character of Viscount Powers. I loved his sarcastic wit and was touched by his damaged spirit. It is exciting to know that he is the hero of book #3 (The Dark Affair, coming March 2014). This was one of the best set-ups for the character in the next book that I have seen. As I progressed through the book I was somewhat overcome by all of the troubles, but I rooted for the characters nevertheless. The ending was satisfying, but a little abrupt and it shifted gears perhaps too quickly. The sudden leap into lightness was appropriate, but felt just a bit strange. I think that Claremont did such a good job with the darkness that it was hard to see the characters any other way. All in all, I really liked the book and am looking forward to the next one.
Set in Victorian England in 1865 the book picks up where the first book (The Dark Lady) left off, with Mary Darrel on the run after escaping from an insane asylum. Mary seeks help from the only person she can think of, her mother’s friend, a whorehouse madam named Yvonne. It is there that she meets another damaged soul, Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh. He is immediately drawn to her plight and envisions saving her as offering redemption to him. He takes her to his home and helps her begin to recover from her physical and emotional traumas. But soon her father, the Duke of Duncliffe, who had imprisoned her and told everyone she was dead, finds where she is and comes after her. Edward engages the help of his friend, Viscount Powers, to empower Mary to fight her father. Will revenge satisfy Mary’s need for resolution? Can Edward release himself from his tormented past and more forward? Can two marginal people somehow rebuild each other?
Lady in Red was a strangely compelling book. Even though I like really tortured characters this was almost too dark for my taste. There was a considerable degree of violence, torture, insanity, and serious opium and alcohol addiction surrounding the events. One high point of the book for me was the character of Viscount Powers. I loved his sarcastic wit and was touched by his damaged spirit. It is exciting to know that he is the hero of book #3 (The Dark Affair, coming March 2014). This was one of the best set-ups for the character in the next book that I have seen. As I progressed through the book I was somewhat overcome by all of the troubles, but I rooted for the characters nevertheless. The ending was satisfying, but a little abrupt and it shifted gears perhaps too quickly. The sudden leap into lightness was appropriate, but felt just a bit strange. I think that Claremont did such a good job with the darkness that it was hard to see the characters any other way. All in all, I really liked the book and am looking forward to the next one.
October 23, 2013
At a young age, Mary Darrel, the young daughter of the Duke of Duncliffe, after witnessing her mother's deadly fall down the stairs, was sent to an asylum by her father. She escaped with her friend Eva (read:
The Dark Lady
) and, with no other place to go to, she approaches the only woman she and her mother have ever trusted, a madam by the name of Yvonne. At Yvonne's house, Mary finds shelter and comfort -- and also a man so unlike any other men she has ever met:
Edward seeks to take care of her and protect her -- not hurt her. A novel and unknown concept to a woman abused and degraded to the brink of madness. Yvonne sees that an arrangement between Edward and Mary might work: her father is certain to be searching for her, as well as the people from the asylum -- Edward is a new character in this mad drama and would be one of the last places they would look for Mary.
Edward is the Duke of Fairleigh is no stranger to the perversities of one's forebears. His terrible burden is of being responsible for his father's hanging: a rare thing to hang a Duke, rarer still to have the duke's son and heir testify against him. Edward sees Mary as a way to atone for the horrific death suffered by a woman who was much younger and more helpless than Mary. He leads Mary down the path of healing and rebuilding -- and the path to vengeance.
Mary grows stronger each day with Edward -- she is learning to defend herself, to speak up for herself, to choose for herself, and to rediscover a heart she thought had long withered: love for Edward blossoms within Mary from the aridness of her soul and Mary recognizes what a miracle this is.
Edward is more hesitant to open his heart to Mary, afraid to show all the darkness he hides inside -- when the two reach the crossroads, Mary knows where she is going but Edward isn't too certain he wants to follow.
There are fairy tales and there are Fairy Tales. We all know the story of Cinderella, about her wicked stepmother and about her glass slipper. We know the story of Sleeping Beauty and the spindle of a spinning wheel. We know the story of the Little Mermaid, her lost voice and her great sacrifice for love and we take comfort in the message of these fairy tales: all will be well in the end. Love and a bit of magic will conquer all. There is a Prince Charming to rescue us.
But behind these idyllic, perfect stories lie darker, more gruesome stories: about the stepsister cutting off her toe and the other one her heel to fit the glass slipper, of Sleeping Beauty being raped as she lay sleeping, and of the Little Mermaid's legs being painful to walk on and she jumps to her death, turning into sea foam. The original collected fairy tales by Grimm and by Hans Christian Andersen are more macabre and, were definitely not for children.
Maire Claremont's romance novels are dark and terrifying. In her Mad Passions series, Claremont throws the doors open on the asylum practices of Victorian England and of the patients who are sometimes wrongfully sent there.
Red is the color of blood, of fire, of war but it is also the color of passion, the color of love. Mary epitomizes both aspects of this color: the violence and the passion for life both simmer deeply within her.
She has escaped the asylum: what's next for her? The truth is, there is nothing: it is her father who betrayed her and had her declared dead, and those paid to "take care" of her abused and degraded her in an indissoluble way. Mary is forging forward into an unknown future: she knows only to do one thing -- to live. And she has done so up to this point. She relies on the kindness of her mother's only friend and then on Edward and his friend Powers. It is Edward who gives her direction and a target for all that rages within her. It is Edward who teaches her about revenge.
Revenge is at the center of the conflict between Edward and Mary. Initially, Edward helped focus Mary towards avenging herself against her father: training her in self-defense and to channel her anger and energy towards making herself stronger -- but, in time, Edward realizes that revenge would not be the answer. Edwards sudden change of heart was brought about by his change of heart: from frozen and locked, his heart has thawed and opened up to Mary -- it is a liberating feeling for Edward, but also frightening. Can someone with his family history, his blood and his past truly love and deserve the love of another person?
For Mary, revenge is her only course. Despite her feelings for Edward, it is clear that there is no future with him and she has no future anywhere else: she's "damaged goods", still fighting off her addiction to laudanum, and has nothing to lose.
This was a painful story to read as it tells the story on the human being at her lowest, darkest point. It is a point in most people's lives that we are afraid to experience, much less imagine: but Maire Claremont is telling her heroine's story from there -- but in doing so, she shows how truly admirable Mary is, how she is a heroine unlike any other heroine (well, maybe except for Lady Eva) ever written.
But, ultimately, reading this from beginning to end is a cathartic journey for our hero and heroine and a cathartic experience for the readers: because, beyond the darkness and the shadows, Maire Claremont always, always anchors her story to the human heart and to love. In the end, this dark story celebrates the brightness, the triumphant light that comes from loving.
Final note: The stand-out character for me in this story is Powers, he and Mary are alike in their addiction and brokenness. I loved the "love triangle" that forms between him, Mary and Edward (and am still curious how the story would have turned out if they had ended up together.)
Edward seeks to take care of her and protect her -- not hurt her. A novel and unknown concept to a woman abused and degraded to the brink of madness. Yvonne sees that an arrangement between Edward and Mary might work: her father is certain to be searching for her, as well as the people from the asylum -- Edward is a new character in this mad drama and would be one of the last places they would look for Mary.
Edward is the Duke of Fairleigh is no stranger to the perversities of one's forebears. His terrible burden is of being responsible for his father's hanging: a rare thing to hang a Duke, rarer still to have the duke's son and heir testify against him. Edward sees Mary as a way to atone for the horrific death suffered by a woman who was much younger and more helpless than Mary. He leads Mary down the path of healing and rebuilding -- and the path to vengeance.
Mary grows stronger each day with Edward -- she is learning to defend herself, to speak up for herself, to choose for herself, and to rediscover a heart she thought had long withered: love for Edward blossoms within Mary from the aridness of her soul and Mary recognizes what a miracle this is.
Tears stung her eyes. "You're not going to send me away, then?"
"Why would I do that?" he asked, shock tightening his features.
"B-because of what I have done. Where I have been."
"I want you all the more because of what you have done, where you have been, and your will to survive."
- Chapter 10
Edward is more hesitant to open his heart to Mary, afraid to show all the darkness he hides inside -- when the two reach the crossroads, Mary knows where she is going but Edward isn't too certain he wants to follow.
There are fairy tales and there are Fairy Tales. We all know the story of Cinderella, about her wicked stepmother and about her glass slipper. We know the story of Sleeping Beauty and the spindle of a spinning wheel. We know the story of the Little Mermaid, her lost voice and her great sacrifice for love and we take comfort in the message of these fairy tales: all will be well in the end. Love and a bit of magic will conquer all. There is a Prince Charming to rescue us.
But behind these idyllic, perfect stories lie darker, more gruesome stories: about the stepsister cutting off her toe and the other one her heel to fit the glass slipper, of Sleeping Beauty being raped as she lay sleeping, and of the Little Mermaid's legs being painful to walk on and she jumps to her death, turning into sea foam. The original collected fairy tales by Grimm and by Hans Christian Andersen are more macabre and, were definitely not for children.
Maire Claremont's romance novels are dark and terrifying. In her Mad Passions series, Claremont throws the doors open on the asylum practices of Victorian England and of the patients who are sometimes wrongfully sent there.
Red is the color of blood, of fire, of war but it is also the color of passion, the color of love. Mary epitomizes both aspects of this color: the violence and the passion for life both simmer deeply within her.
She has escaped the asylum: what's next for her? The truth is, there is nothing: it is her father who betrayed her and had her declared dead, and those paid to "take care" of her abused and degraded her in an indissoluble way. Mary is forging forward into an unknown future: she knows only to do one thing -- to live. And she has done so up to this point. She relies on the kindness of her mother's only friend and then on Edward and his friend Powers. It is Edward who gives her direction and a target for all that rages within her. It is Edward who teaches her about revenge.
Revenge is at the center of the conflict between Edward and Mary. Initially, Edward helped focus Mary towards avenging herself against her father: training her in self-defense and to channel her anger and energy towards making herself stronger -- but, in time, Edward realizes that revenge would not be the answer. Edwards sudden change of heart was brought about by his change of heart: from frozen and locked, his heart has thawed and opened up to Mary -- it is a liberating feeling for Edward, but also frightening. Can someone with his family history, his blood and his past truly love and deserve the love of another person?
For Mary, revenge is her only course. Despite her feelings for Edward, it is clear that there is no future with him and she has no future anywhere else: she's "damaged goods", still fighting off her addiction to laudanum, and has nothing to lose.
This was a painful story to read as it tells the story on the human being at her lowest, darkest point. It is a point in most people's lives that we are afraid to experience, much less imagine: but Maire Claremont is telling her heroine's story from there -- but in doing so, she shows how truly admirable Mary is, how she is a heroine unlike any other heroine (well, maybe except for Lady Eva) ever written.
Something rose inside Edward so fierce that it nearly blinded him.
"I don't care if you are using me, Mary."
She lifted trembling hands, appealing to some invisible power before she fired out, "You should care. What are we if we are just using each other? Parasites. That's what we are."
- Chapter 22
But, ultimately, reading this from beginning to end is a cathartic journey for our hero and heroine and a cathartic experience for the readers: because, beyond the darkness and the shadows, Maire Claremont always, always anchors her story to the human heart and to love. In the end, this dark story celebrates the brightness, the triumphant light that comes from loving.
Final note: The stand-out character for me in this story is Powers, he and Mary are alike in their addiction and brokenness. I loved the "love triangle" that forms between him, Mary and Edward (and am still curious how the story would have turned out if they had ended up together.)
His narrowed gaze trailed over her in a critical trace. "Good god, woman, don't you eat? You're rag and bone."
The words, true but abrasive, hit her hard. She was eating -- Edward had ensured that -- but it was taking time to regain her strength. What a bastard this man was for pointing it out! An astounded breath escaped her lips before she drew herself up and replied, "'Tis a trifle early to be chasing dragons, my lord, don't you think?"
The frigid man's brows barely rose and his nostrils flared. Emotions seemed to unleash from his cold control for the barest moment, but then the edges of his lips tilted in dry amusement. "One must assume you, too, have gone over a dragon or two, madam, to recognize the signs."
- Chapter 11
February 17, 2014
LADY IN RED by Marie Claremont is an exciting Victorian Historical Romance. #2 in the "Mad Passions" trilogy, but can be read as a stand alone. See, "The Dark Lady". Fast paced, with engaging characters and an intriguing story line. Filled with mental, physical, and sexual abuse,drug addiction,passion, grief, secrets, revenge,forgiveness, healing and the power of true love. An intense but compelling and dark tale of abuse and healing. A powerful romance with secrets, scandal, heartbreak and drama. Loved it! Ms. Claremont is the Queen of the dark side of drama and romance. A must read! A powerful,wicked tale of love and passion. Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: HOT/VIOLENCE
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: HOT/VIOLENCE
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
September 24, 2013
Had it not been for the dreaded Magic Peen syndrome, this book would've been a 4.5 -- it was deliciously dark and full of Very Bad Things.
I just couldn't get over how quickly SHE got over all of that trauma, so in the end, 3.5 - 4/5 Stars
Full review to follow.
I just couldn't get over how quickly SHE got over all of that trauma, so in the end, 3.5 - 4/5 Stars
Full review to follow.
October 14, 2013
3.5*
Some stuff just didn't work for me...
Some stuff just didn't work for me...
August 31, 2014
Dark and delicious!
March 29, 2016
A very good dark romance. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 15, 2020
Disturbing subject matter handled right.
September 2, 2015
Meh. Powers was the most interesting character and he was secondary.
October 26, 2025
Mary's story was UNREAL!!!
What a beast of a father and him getting married again to someone old enough to be his daugher, while wishing his daughter to be found and killed, while living a lie that she has been dead for years.
Enter Edward, who saw Mary at her worst and still was intrigued. He is also scarred and wants to save Mary, but unwilling to save himself.
Thus starts a battle of wills and danger culminating in a confrontation with Mary's despicable father who has been abusing his new wife, as well.
What a beast of a father and him getting married again to someone old enough to be his daugher, while wishing his daughter to be found and killed, while living a lie that she has been dead for years.
Enter Edward, who saw Mary at her worst and still was intrigued. He is also scarred and wants to save Mary, but unwilling to save himself.
Thus starts a battle of wills and danger culminating in a confrontation with Mary's despicable father who has been abusing his new wife, as well.
November 14, 2017
Intriguing premise - woman escapes from asylum where her father put her. Sadly tedious execution. Heroine is unbelievably irresistable to all men. Hero and heroine fall in love instantly for no obvious reason. Heroine gets over repeated sexual abuse in a matter of days so the author can have her sleep with the hero. The protaganists' thoughts and feelings are constantly told to us rather than demonstrated through dialogue and action. So boring I could barely finis
October 16, 2019
Tragedy porn
This book is the epitome of misery porn. I...enjoyed it? I think? But SO MUCH bad stuff happened to Mary, over and over AND OVER again. Plus, she should've ended up with Powers.
This book is the epitome of misery porn. I...enjoyed it? I think? But SO MUCH bad stuff happened to Mary, over and over AND OVER again. Plus, she should've ended up with Powers.
April 12, 2021
It's a very dark book - graphic. Of course it has a happy ending, but I don't think that makes up for the pain/violence in it.
October 14, 2013
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B
This story centers around two people trying to escape their past. Edward is trying to right a wrong he’s convinced he could have prevented when he realized that his father raped and killed a young girl. Edward thought he could have and should have went for help to try and save her but he was young, scared and didn’t do anything. He came forward to tell the truth to the authorities that resulted in his father’s hanging but he’s still living with guilt over the young girl’s death. When he sees Mary, a woman who was living in hell at an asylum for years, who managed to escape and seek refuge with her dead mother’s friend, he sees a way for him to help a woman who needs it and hopefully ease some of the pain he’s been living with for years.
Mary tugged at my heart in the first book of this series (The Dark Lady) when she sacrificed herself to save someone else and I’ve been worried about her ever since. She’s the daughter of a Duke, a horrible man with a vicious temper who killed her mother and had Mary sent off to an asylum where she was tortured, raped, starved, you name it, she went through it. She managed to make it to Yvonne, her mother’s friend, but they both know she can’t stay with her since it’s the first place her father’s men will look. Edward has offered to take her into his keeping, having her pose as his mistress and living with him so she has a safe place to stay and time to heal. Mary is so very wary of men and she can’t let herself believe that Edward only wants her safe and secure and wants nothing more from her that she isn’t willing to give. She’s out of options through and goes with Edward.
As Mary starts to recover and gain some semblance of confidence back, Edward suggests taking things to the next level, as in not just recovering but preparing herself to get revenge against her father. Mary is ready to put the past behind her, confront her father and make him pay for everything he put her and her mother through, so she starts training with Edward and his sort-of friend Powers on fighting, knives and shooting. But the more Mary starts focusing on revenge, the more Edward believes he’s helped to put her on the wrong path. This serves to start to drive a wedge between Mary and Edward especially after they had starting getting so close and it’s the catalyst that sends Mary heading off on her own and finding danger. But being a changed woman from the one she was the first time she found herself in the asylum, the outcome is much different this time.
This is a very dark romance. Much like The Dark Lady was, there are no are no pretty balls to attend or dresses to wear in the latest fashion. This is about Mary and Edward trying desperately to move beyond their pasts to find happiness in the present. Mary knows she can do that with Edward, but it’s getting Edward to stop blaming himself for events in the past that prove hard to do. I really liked seeing the protective Edward early on. He wanted nothing more than to care for Mary and if that was simply giving her a safe place to stay, that was enough. If it was more she needed, he provided any and everything and when the time was right they found comfort with each other as well. Their romance is enjoyable and but what really struck a cord with me was how Edward acted early on, he only wanted Mary to be safe and recover and I loved how he took care of her.
With the darkness that surrounds this series, there is violence and it’s sometimes heartbreaking to read. In this case, a supporting character helps the wrong person and pays the price. For as much as I enjoyed Mary and Edward, Yvonne and Powers are the supporting characters that really made me stand up and take notice. I love the roles they both play in Lady in Red and I hope to see more of them both in the future. They both have such interesting backstories, especially Powers who’s so tortured by grief (aren’t they all in this series!) I want to know more.
There’s something very satisfying reading a story that has such a dark undertone, where characters are put through the wringer and come out on the other side for the better. Mary and Edward both have their issues to battle and finding peace with each other makes their sometimes hard journey well worth it.
Blog rating: B
This story centers around two people trying to escape their past. Edward is trying to right a wrong he’s convinced he could have prevented when he realized that his father raped and killed a young girl. Edward thought he could have and should have went for help to try and save her but he was young, scared and didn’t do anything. He came forward to tell the truth to the authorities that resulted in his father’s hanging but he’s still living with guilt over the young girl’s death. When he sees Mary, a woman who was living in hell at an asylum for years, who managed to escape and seek refuge with her dead mother’s friend, he sees a way for him to help a woman who needs it and hopefully ease some of the pain he’s been living with for years.
Mary tugged at my heart in the first book of this series (The Dark Lady) when she sacrificed herself to save someone else and I’ve been worried about her ever since. She’s the daughter of a Duke, a horrible man with a vicious temper who killed her mother and had Mary sent off to an asylum where she was tortured, raped, starved, you name it, she went through it. She managed to make it to Yvonne, her mother’s friend, but they both know she can’t stay with her since it’s the first place her father’s men will look. Edward has offered to take her into his keeping, having her pose as his mistress and living with him so she has a safe place to stay and time to heal. Mary is so very wary of men and she can’t let herself believe that Edward only wants her safe and secure and wants nothing more from her that she isn’t willing to give. She’s out of options through and goes with Edward.
As Mary starts to recover and gain some semblance of confidence back, Edward suggests taking things to the next level, as in not just recovering but preparing herself to get revenge against her father. Mary is ready to put the past behind her, confront her father and make him pay for everything he put her and her mother through, so she starts training with Edward and his sort-of friend Powers on fighting, knives and shooting. But the more Mary starts focusing on revenge, the more Edward believes he’s helped to put her on the wrong path. This serves to start to drive a wedge between Mary and Edward especially after they had starting getting so close and it’s the catalyst that sends Mary heading off on her own and finding danger. But being a changed woman from the one she was the first time she found herself in the asylum, the outcome is much different this time.
This is a very dark romance. Much like The Dark Lady was, there are no are no pretty balls to attend or dresses to wear in the latest fashion. This is about Mary and Edward trying desperately to move beyond their pasts to find happiness in the present. Mary knows she can do that with Edward, but it’s getting Edward to stop blaming himself for events in the past that prove hard to do. I really liked seeing the protective Edward early on. He wanted nothing more than to care for Mary and if that was simply giving her a safe place to stay, that was enough. If it was more she needed, he provided any and everything and when the time was right they found comfort with each other as well. Their romance is enjoyable and but what really struck a cord with me was how Edward acted early on, he only wanted Mary to be safe and recover and I loved how he took care of her.
With the darkness that surrounds this series, there is violence and it’s sometimes heartbreaking to read. In this case, a supporting character helps the wrong person and pays the price. For as much as I enjoyed Mary and Edward, Yvonne and Powers are the supporting characters that really made me stand up and take notice. I love the roles they both play in Lady in Red and I hope to see more of them both in the future. They both have such interesting backstories, especially Powers who’s so tortured by grief (aren’t they all in this series!) I want to know more.
There’s something very satisfying reading a story that has such a dark undertone, where characters are put through the wringer and come out on the other side for the better. Mary and Edward both have their issues to battle and finding peace with each other makes their sometimes hard journey well worth it.
November 3, 2013
*I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. This in no way affects my following review.
Lady in Red packs an emotional punch, it was dark, gritty, angst and gripping - it will just suck you in from first page to the last. Mostly I enjoy light-hearted books, but I was in the mood for something different today and having gotten this in the mail I dove right in. I was not disappointed, it's a non-stop, at times emotionally wrenching journey (though there were a few more light-hearted, even humorous moments). This is not your typical Victorian romance. The characters drew me in immediately their suffering and pain, to their strength and courage. This is not a very strong plot-focused novel, however it was a very emotional, character-driven novel, where you feel every triumph and every blow.
The characters are flawed and real with their own demons and problems, this jumps from the page from the get go. But they also have such a wonderful strength to them that reveals itself more and more as the story goes on - particularly in Mary's case. Despite the horrors that she's faced - there is such a determination and strength in her that makes her instantly appealing. She gets stronger and more confident in herself as the book goes on, a lot in part to the interaction with Edward and the right kind of environment and attitude in which she's allowed to be herself - at her own pace.
Edwards got his own share of demons to face, and is also highly sympathetic. It's revealed early on he's got a dark secret somewhere in his past, but it's revealed slowly over the course of the book until he and Mary have the Major talk (as I call it). Edward is determined to help Mary, and while occasionally going about it the wrong way - did a great deal of good toward her. He gave her space when she needed it, and let things progress naturally without trying to force it (except that one time). He is a genuinely good guy who, like Mary thinks he's unworthy. Edward was a wonderful hero, he was exactly what Mary needed, and she was what he needed (even if he didn't know it). They both helped each other heal, in both obvious ways and in ways they didn't even know they needed. I just loved this pair.
There were two other notable characters that I want to mention, Yvonne and Viscount Powers, both likable and with their own demons and issues. I really liked Powers and think he has his own story to tell. I will admit the bickering between Powers and Mary was amusing at times, and I did love their shared experiences and bonding. It's pretty rare that we get to know a secondary male character so well that I almost wanted Mary to turn her affections to him, mostly because I really felt for the flawed (and perhaps even more tortured) Powers.
The characters were flawed, tortured and they didn't get better over night. It was a slow progress, and it wasn't a once they were better that's that kind of thing - especially in regards to Mary's addiction and Edward's self-recriminations, but they did grow as individuals and really fit each other well as a couple. The only thing I would've changed was the external aspect of the people hunting for Mary (that could've been explored and expounded upon more).
Overall, I really enjoyed this, more than I thought I would. This is the kind of book that once you start you don't want to stop because you want to see the characters succeed (so to speak). I absolutely enjoyed this. 4.5 stars!
Lady in Red packs an emotional punch, it was dark, gritty, angst and gripping - it will just suck you in from first page to the last. Mostly I enjoy light-hearted books, but I was in the mood for something different today and having gotten this in the mail I dove right in. I was not disappointed, it's a non-stop, at times emotionally wrenching journey (though there were a few more light-hearted, even humorous moments). This is not your typical Victorian romance. The characters drew me in immediately their suffering and pain, to their strength and courage. This is not a very strong plot-focused novel, however it was a very emotional, character-driven novel, where you feel every triumph and every blow.
The characters are flawed and real with their own demons and problems, this jumps from the page from the get go. But they also have such a wonderful strength to them that reveals itself more and more as the story goes on - particularly in Mary's case. Despite the horrors that she's faced - there is such a determination and strength in her that makes her instantly appealing. She gets stronger and more confident in herself as the book goes on, a lot in part to the interaction with Edward and the right kind of environment and attitude in which she's allowed to be herself - at her own pace.
Edwards got his own share of demons to face, and is also highly sympathetic. It's revealed early on he's got a dark secret somewhere in his past, but it's revealed slowly over the course of the book until he and Mary have the Major talk (as I call it). Edward is determined to help Mary, and while occasionally going about it the wrong way - did a great deal of good toward her. He gave her space when she needed it, and let things progress naturally without trying to force it (except that one time). He is a genuinely good guy who, like Mary thinks he's unworthy. Edward was a wonderful hero, he was exactly what Mary needed, and she was what he needed (even if he didn't know it). They both helped each other heal, in both obvious ways and in ways they didn't even know they needed. I just loved this pair.
There were two other notable characters that I want to mention, Yvonne and Viscount Powers, both likable and with their own demons and issues. I really liked Powers and think he has his own story to tell. I will admit the bickering between Powers and Mary was amusing at times, and I did love their shared experiences and bonding. It's pretty rare that we get to know a secondary male character so well that I almost wanted Mary to turn her affections to him, mostly because I really felt for the flawed (and perhaps even more tortured) Powers.
The characters were flawed, tortured and they didn't get better over night. It was a slow progress, and it wasn't a once they were better that's that kind of thing - especially in regards to Mary's addiction and Edward's self-recriminations, but they did grow as individuals and really fit each other well as a couple. The only thing I would've changed was the external aspect of the people hunting for Mary (that could've been explored and expounded upon more).
Overall, I really enjoyed this, more than I thought I would. This is the kind of book that once you start you don't want to stop because you want to see the characters succeed (so to speak). I absolutely enjoyed this. 4.5 stars!
September 18, 2013
Dark, edgy, brooding, pulsing with a heartbreaking passion, Maire Claremont's Lady in Red gives us what other books from this era only dream of. Honestly, I cried throughout the entire book.. these characters make you bleed tears for them.. Great Job Maire!!
Lady in Red is book two in Ms Claremont's Mad Passions Series and I seriously am hoping for a great many more! Such a talent can only grow with each book!!
The Victorian era was full of majestic beauty and scandalous secrets—a time when corsets were the least of a woman’s restrictions, and men could kill or be killed in the name of honor.…
Lady Mary Darrel should be the toast of the town. She should be the woman every man is reaching for. Beauty, grace, wealth and the daughter of a Duke.. Instead the rest of the world thinks she's dead
"You're the Duke of Duncliffe's daughter."
"I am," she confirmed flatly,
"I...went to your funeral."
"Did you? How kind."
Instead she has been confined to a place worse than any death imaginable.. by her own father no less! Someone in the Ducal family is mad as a march hare and it's not the girl lost in the madhouse! But Mary has something no one can take away from her.. a determination to survive!
Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, fights his own demons.. Lost in the past of his father's crimes, Edward will do anything to escape them. Including helping a woman he met in a brothel. More Waif than woman, Edward sees in her eyes his redemption. A way to not escape his past but rather help Mary survive hers. He has no clue who she is only that the ton's most notorious madam has asked him for help..
Beginning to see why I fell in love? And yet there is so much more.. running alongside the need for revenge, the need to bring the Duke down.. Is the need to protect. The need to make sure no one else suffers his evilness. To protect those around her Mary fights body and soul to win in her battle against the Duke and the hell he left her in.
Bittersweet poignancy reigns supreme in this book.. when you aren't infuriated by the evil done you are cheering amongst your tears for the heart of these beautiful characters. They are so broken, so destroyed and yet they march to the beat of human hearts so pure there can only be triumph.
Gathering a crew of misfits, also broken by life's battles Edward and Mary fight for survival.. Only to realize that neither really understands what truly keeps them going. It isn't revenge.. It's love. And only love can protect them from what is to come. A great, great book!!
There is so much more to Lady in Red than just a love story.. It is Milton's Paradise lost in the Victorian Era.. Individuals who have seen the light but are lost in the darkness only dreaming of finding the light again. It shows us the dark and seamy side of Victorian England, a glimpse into what happened in those madhouses and the addictions they caused. And most of all what can happen when evil men have control.
I wouldn't want every book I read to be this dark, this edgy, this battle for light but for this series.. I am willing to weep in order to find the triumph!! Again Great Job!!
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Lady in Red provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2013
Lady in Red is book two in Ms Claremont's Mad Passions Series and I seriously am hoping for a great many more! Such a talent can only grow with each book!!
The Victorian era was full of majestic beauty and scandalous secrets—a time when corsets were the least of a woman’s restrictions, and men could kill or be killed in the name of honor.…
Lady Mary Darrel should be the toast of the town. She should be the woman every man is reaching for. Beauty, grace, wealth and the daughter of a Duke.. Instead the rest of the world thinks she's dead
"You're the Duke of Duncliffe's daughter."
"I am," she confirmed flatly,
"I...went to your funeral."
"Did you? How kind."
Instead she has been confined to a place worse than any death imaginable.. by her own father no less! Someone in the Ducal family is mad as a march hare and it's not the girl lost in the madhouse! But Mary has something no one can take away from her.. a determination to survive!
Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, fights his own demons.. Lost in the past of his father's crimes, Edward will do anything to escape them. Including helping a woman he met in a brothel. More Waif than woman, Edward sees in her eyes his redemption. A way to not escape his past but rather help Mary survive hers. He has no clue who she is only that the ton's most notorious madam has asked him for help..
Beginning to see why I fell in love? And yet there is so much more.. running alongside the need for revenge, the need to bring the Duke down.. Is the need to protect. The need to make sure no one else suffers his evilness. To protect those around her Mary fights body and soul to win in her battle against the Duke and the hell he left her in.
Bittersweet poignancy reigns supreme in this book.. when you aren't infuriated by the evil done you are cheering amongst your tears for the heart of these beautiful characters. They are so broken, so destroyed and yet they march to the beat of human hearts so pure there can only be triumph.
Gathering a crew of misfits, also broken by life's battles Edward and Mary fight for survival.. Only to realize that neither really understands what truly keeps them going. It isn't revenge.. It's love. And only love can protect them from what is to come. A great, great book!!
There is so much more to Lady in Red than just a love story.. It is Milton's Paradise lost in the Victorian Era.. Individuals who have seen the light but are lost in the darkness only dreaming of finding the light again. It shows us the dark and seamy side of Victorian England, a glimpse into what happened in those madhouses and the addictions they caused. And most of all what can happen when evil men have control.
I wouldn't want every book I read to be this dark, this edgy, this battle for light but for this series.. I am willing to weep in order to find the triumph!! Again Great Job!!
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Lady in Red provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2013
July 13, 2014
Jo's Review Book Gifted for Honest Review
So this weekend I have done two things that I haven't done for long time. Firstly, I read a paperback!! And secondly I read an historical romance!! I'm not sure that I would go back to the paperback but I would definitely read a historical romance again, especially if was by Marie Claremont.
"The Lady in Red" was a passionate story full of twists and turns that had me at times on the edge of my seat. Mary had lived a brutal past, locked up in an asylum where she was badly treated. She managed to escape but she was scarred from her harrowing ordeal. Mary didn't know who to trust however she was in need of someone to help her but who would that person be...
Edward came along just at the right time. He was a rich Duke who felt a connection with Mary and was determined to help her in her time of need.
And so Edward helped Mary to recover, showing her care and attention that she had long since forgotten. He saved her, brought her back to life but did that mean they could live happily ever after? Unfortunately not because there were dangerous shadows lurking from the past, just waiting to pounce and when they did, would Edward be enough to save Mary from her demons?
Mary's tragic past truly pulled on my hearts strings. I felt so sorry for her. Despite her traumatic experiences (with Edwards help) she fought through the nightmares and became determined to exact revenge. I loved how gutsy she became. Mary definitely had girl power!
I loved Edward, he was everything that a women could want in a man. Rich. Sexy. Loving. Passionate. Edward (like Mary) also had demons of his own and he had me wandering what he was hiding.
Mary and Edward made a beautiful couple. I just loved how Edward cared for Mary, and Mary.. well she appeared to bring out a playful side to this man that was a joy to read. They shared some adorable moments together that had me swooning like crazy.
I thoroughly enjoyed being taken back in time with this story. I devoured it in one afternoon. The plot really captivated me and I just couldn't put my book down. I needed to know what the future held for Mary and Edward and I wasn't disappointed. Yes, there were some heart stopping moments but the story ended perfectly and the epilogue was just beautiful.
If you looking for something different or want to be transported back in time to the days of Earls, Lady's and Dukes than I would recommend getting lost in a Marie Claremont book!
Lady in Red gets 4 passionate hearts from me!
So this weekend I have done two things that I haven't done for long time. Firstly, I read a paperback!! And secondly I read an historical romance!! I'm not sure that I would go back to the paperback but I would definitely read a historical romance again, especially if was by Marie Claremont.
"The Lady in Red" was a passionate story full of twists and turns that had me at times on the edge of my seat. Mary had lived a brutal past, locked up in an asylum where she was badly treated. She managed to escape but she was scarred from her harrowing ordeal. Mary didn't know who to trust however she was in need of someone to help her but who would that person be...
Edward came along just at the right time. He was a rich Duke who felt a connection with Mary and was determined to help her in her time of need.
Two warring emotions brewed riotously within him. Sadness that her life had been so bleak and a sudden spark of hope. Perhaps she was the one who could shake him from his darkness. The one who could finally see justice done.
And so Edward helped Mary to recover, showing her care and attention that she had long since forgotten. He saved her, brought her back to life but did that mean they could live happily ever after? Unfortunately not because there were dangerous shadows lurking from the past, just waiting to pounce and when they did, would Edward be enough to save Mary from her demons?
Unspoken secrets hung around her like murderous ghosts, each one threatening to steal her life or mind away if she betrayed them.
Mary's tragic past truly pulled on my hearts strings. I felt so sorry for her. Despite her traumatic experiences (with Edwards help) she fought through the nightmares and became determined to exact revenge. I loved how gutsy she became. Mary definitely had girl power!
I loved Edward, he was everything that a women could want in a man. Rich. Sexy. Loving. Passionate. Edward (like Mary) also had demons of his own and he had me wandering what he was hiding.
"It is refreshing to meet someone who might possibly understand my own history. Only you, Mary could understand the horror, the need to forget."
Mary and Edward made a beautiful couple. I just loved how Edward cared for Mary, and Mary.. well she appeared to bring out a playful side to this man that was a joy to read. They shared some adorable moments together that had me swooning like crazy.
"Until I met you, I was dead. But then, day by day, being with you, living with you, I have been awakening to happiness."
I thoroughly enjoyed being taken back in time with this story. I devoured it in one afternoon. The plot really captivated me and I just couldn't put my book down. I needed to know what the future held for Mary and Edward and I wasn't disappointed. Yes, there were some heart stopping moments but the story ended perfectly and the epilogue was just beautiful.
If you looking for something different or want to be transported back in time to the days of Earls, Lady's and Dukes than I would recommend getting lost in a Marie Claremont book!
Lady in Red gets 4 passionate hearts from me!
October 14, 2013
I had a hard time connecting to this book. I really enjoyed The Dark Lady, though, so I stuck with it. I’m glad I did, because I got more invested in the last third or so. But the first book was definitely better.
This is Mary’s story. If you are familiar with the series, you’ll recognize her as the woman who escaped the asylum with Eva. (If you didn’t read book one, don’t worry, though. This works fine as a standalone.) She barely got out of the horrific madhouse with her life. She almost killed a guard to escape. Now the only place she has to turn is the madam who was friends with her mother before she died.
Yvonne does take her in, but tells Mary she can’t stay long. You see, it was Mary’s father who put her in the asylum to rot, and Yvonne’s place will be the first place he looks. Fortunately, Mary catches the eye of one of Yvonne’s clients, giving her a place to go. — This is where I had my first problem with the story… or should I say problems. Edward is suffering some serious ennui over the death of his father and feelings of low self worth. He doesn’t want any of the courtesans in Yvonne’s house, but when he catches sight of the emaciated Mary with her shorn hair in the bathtub, he is drawn to her. The fact that she looks like a prison camp survivor, yet speaks as a lady, and (*gasp*) doesn’t fawn over him is apparently a cocktail he can’t refuse. So much so that from that single meeting, he agrees to become her protector when Yvonne makes the offer.
This brings me to Issue 2. Mary was terribly abused in the asylum: physically, emotionally, and sexually. But she is going to become a man’s mistress with very little fanfare. Yeah, we have a tough moment or two when she has some rape flashbacks. Yet for the most part, she wants Edward’s touch. She wants to see and touch his body. It was too easy. So was her ability to kick her crushing laudanum addiction. Yes, she has one almost slip, but there is no vomiting, shaking, or overt physical signs of withdrawal… just the desire for escape from her pain. The relative ease in which all these major issues are resolved made the story feel somewhat superficial and difficult to connect to.
It did get better for me. I was intrigued by Edward’s friend Powers, though any allusion to a possible love triangle was ridiculous. I liked the friendship that grew between him and Mary, and I enjoyed seeing the strength that each of them gained as a result. The story really picked up for me when Mary decided she wanted more than what she was getting from Edward and the dominoes fell one at a time as a result. There is a good amount of action and villains that are easy to hate –and fortunately, get their due.
I was satisfied with the resolution to both the internal and external conflicts –and glad to see Eva pop up in the story. It was just that with the weightiness of the subject matter, I found too much of it to be too easy. There were obstacles, yes, but I felt like Edward had a harder time getting over his issues than Mary did, which just didn’t work for me, with all she had endured. I’m willing to give the next book a try, though, especially if it features poor Powers and his HEA.
Rating: C
*ARC Provided by Penguin via NetGalley
This is Mary’s story. If you are familiar with the series, you’ll recognize her as the woman who escaped the asylum with Eva. (If you didn’t read book one, don’t worry, though. This works fine as a standalone.) She barely got out of the horrific madhouse with her life. She almost killed a guard to escape. Now the only place she has to turn is the madam who was friends with her mother before she died.
Yvonne does take her in, but tells Mary she can’t stay long. You see, it was Mary’s father who put her in the asylum to rot, and Yvonne’s place will be the first place he looks. Fortunately, Mary catches the eye of one of Yvonne’s clients, giving her a place to go. — This is where I had my first problem with the story… or should I say problems. Edward is suffering some serious ennui over the death of his father and feelings of low self worth. He doesn’t want any of the courtesans in Yvonne’s house, but when he catches sight of the emaciated Mary with her shorn hair in the bathtub, he is drawn to her. The fact that she looks like a prison camp survivor, yet speaks as a lady, and (*gasp*) doesn’t fawn over him is apparently a cocktail he can’t refuse. So much so that from that single meeting, he agrees to become her protector when Yvonne makes the offer.
This brings me to Issue 2. Mary was terribly abused in the asylum: physically, emotionally, and sexually. But she is going to become a man’s mistress with very little fanfare. Yeah, we have a tough moment or two when she has some rape flashbacks. Yet for the most part, she wants Edward’s touch. She wants to see and touch his body. It was too easy. So was her ability to kick her crushing laudanum addiction. Yes, she has one almost slip, but there is no vomiting, shaking, or overt physical signs of withdrawal… just the desire for escape from her pain. The relative ease in which all these major issues are resolved made the story feel somewhat superficial and difficult to connect to.
It did get better for me. I was intrigued by Edward’s friend Powers, though any allusion to a possible love triangle was ridiculous. I liked the friendship that grew between him and Mary, and I enjoyed seeing the strength that each of them gained as a result. The story really picked up for me when Mary decided she wanted more than what she was getting from Edward and the dominoes fell one at a time as a result. There is a good amount of action and villains that are easy to hate –and fortunately, get their due.
I was satisfied with the resolution to both the internal and external conflicts –and glad to see Eva pop up in the story. It was just that with the weightiness of the subject matter, I found too much of it to be too easy. There were obstacles, yes, but I felt like Edward had a harder time getting over his issues than Mary did, which just didn’t work for me, with all she had endured. I’m willing to give the next book a try, though, especially if it features poor Powers and his HEA.
Rating: C
*ARC Provided by Penguin via NetGalley
October 13, 2013
Posted on What I'm Reading
Rating 4 1/2 Stars
We all know that I love sunshine and lollypop kind of books, you know the sappy ones. The sappier the better. However, you will not find that in Máire Claremont's Lady in Red. No, this story has a darker sinister feel. Every now again I do enjoy a darker book. I guess my darker side needs to be unleashed. Máire's tend to be fantastic stories that are amazingly written and captive readers. In Lady in Red, we follow the harrowing adventure of Lady Mary Darrel.
If you remember from the The Dark Lady you would recall Eva and Mary escaping from the asylum with the help of Ian. However, they were being chase by the guards and Mary decided to jump out of moving carriage to save her friend Eva. Fortunately, Mary was never capture and we find her in London at the beginning of Lady in Red.
Poor Mary, she needs a lot of help. She first turns to her mother's old friend, Yvonne. Which Yvonne hands Mary over to Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, for protection. In turn Edward calls upon his acquaintance Viscount Powers for help. So, Lady Mary has all these allies to help her take down her father.
At the start of Lady in Red, we see Mary doesn't see much worth in herself. With the help of Edward and Powers, Mary starts to develop confidence in herself and she realizes that she's worthy to have someones love. However, the one she wants to love her has a couple of demons to conquer. Edward has many demons and feels that he doesn't have the power to love anyone. In the story Edward believes one of the ways of exorcising these demons is to help Mary take out vengeance on her father.
As the story develops, Edward realizes that vengeance isn't the answer and tries to discourage Mary from taking out her father. However, Mary sees this as a way to control her, so she turns to Powers for help. At first Powers wanted to seduce Mary away from Edward, but he starts to develop some feelings towards Mary. Mary and Powers actually share a lot in common, so it would be natural for Mary to turn her affection to Powers. As we read the story, we see a possible love triangle. Both men are different as night and day. However, one has the thing that Mary so desperately needs.
One of my favorite quote from the story:
I suppose a book is a good if it can pull you into its world, so our world disappears. That the characters become as real as you or I.
The best way to sum up Lady in Red is from that quote. Máire has the ability to drag you into her world with her stories. It is truly a captivating story that will suck you in from the first page. Some of you might be like me and love stories that are sunshine and lollypop kind of reads, but if you are willing to take a chance with Máire story you find yourself wanting see how Mary and Edward conquers the demons they have. Even as a darker read, this an unbelievable story that will take you on a harrowing adventure and eventually find happiness in the end. So, if you are looking a Victorian romance that borders on the darker side, you might enjoy the Lady in Red.
Copy provided by author
Rating 4 1/2 Stars
We all know that I love sunshine and lollypop kind of books, you know the sappy ones. The sappier the better. However, you will not find that in Máire Claremont's Lady in Red. No, this story has a darker sinister feel. Every now again I do enjoy a darker book. I guess my darker side needs to be unleashed. Máire's tend to be fantastic stories that are amazingly written and captive readers. In Lady in Red, we follow the harrowing adventure of Lady Mary Darrel.
If you remember from the The Dark Lady you would recall Eva and Mary escaping from the asylum with the help of Ian. However, they were being chase by the guards and Mary decided to jump out of moving carriage to save her friend Eva. Fortunately, Mary was never capture and we find her in London at the beginning of Lady in Red.
Poor Mary, she needs a lot of help. She first turns to her mother's old friend, Yvonne. Which Yvonne hands Mary over to Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, for protection. In turn Edward calls upon his acquaintance Viscount Powers for help. So, Lady Mary has all these allies to help her take down her father.
At the start of Lady in Red, we see Mary doesn't see much worth in herself. With the help of Edward and Powers, Mary starts to develop confidence in herself and she realizes that she's worthy to have someones love. However, the one she wants to love her has a couple of demons to conquer. Edward has many demons and feels that he doesn't have the power to love anyone. In the story Edward believes one of the ways of exorcising these demons is to help Mary take out vengeance on her father.
As the story develops, Edward realizes that vengeance isn't the answer and tries to discourage Mary from taking out her father. However, Mary sees this as a way to control her, so she turns to Powers for help. At first Powers wanted to seduce Mary away from Edward, but he starts to develop some feelings towards Mary. Mary and Powers actually share a lot in common, so it would be natural for Mary to turn her affection to Powers. As we read the story, we see a possible love triangle. Both men are different as night and day. However, one has the thing that Mary so desperately needs.
One of my favorite quote from the story:
I suppose a book is a good if it can pull you into its world, so our world disappears. That the characters become as real as you or I.
The best way to sum up Lady in Red is from that quote. Máire has the ability to drag you into her world with her stories. It is truly a captivating story that will suck you in from the first page. Some of you might be like me and love stories that are sunshine and lollypop kind of reads, but if you are willing to take a chance with Máire story you find yourself wanting see how Mary and Edward conquers the demons they have. Even as a darker read, this an unbelievable story that will take you on a harrowing adventure and eventually find happiness in the end. So, if you are looking a Victorian romance that borders on the darker side, you might enjoy the Lady in Red.
Copy provided by author
October 21, 2013
3.5 stars Originally reviewed for The Book Vixen
In a Nutshell: Dark and emotional historical romance with two very damaged leads that I devoured. My huge complaint is I often felt like scenes were shifted too quickly and caused me lots of confusion as I read.
The Set Up: Lady Mary’s father killer her mother and locked Mary away in an evil asylum. Mary managed to escape and meets Edward, the Duke of Fairleigh who sees in Mary a chance to help a destitute woman when he couldn’t others in his past. Mary and Edward battle their demons and Mary’s father but they don’t want to battle each other.
Why I Read this Book: I so enjoyed book one in this series and was awaiting book 2’s release.
What I Liked: This is a captivating gothic romance dripping in emotional intrigue. Mary and Edward each have demons that nearly cripple them but they cautiously turn to each other and this is powerful to read. Edward’s desire to help Mary recover from her torture is believable, as is Mary’s determination and caution. I love the scene where Edward encourages Mary’s sexual exploration as I think it had believable tension and eroticism for these two deeply damaged characters. This isn’t the most erotic romance but its emotional intensity more than made up for the lack of bedroom antics, besides, with Mary’s past this romance made the most sense.
I also like how mature both characters are. They acknowledge their relationship started as them using each other and has morphed into something more. They have a maturity that I greatly enjoyed.
What I Also Liked: The plot is a gothic suspense that set the tone of the book. Mary’s revenge quest on her father is one readers will root for and how this unfolds kept my attention. I love Edward’s quasi-friend, Powers, who helps Mary in her quest but is battling his own demons with addiction and guilt. I hope he’ll be the lead in a subsequent book as he was a captivating character for me. Finally, I love that this book allows vengeance and forgiveness to all happen simultaneously. What happens to the henchman that assaults the woman who helps Mary is gory brilliance and unexpected. Mary’s quest was a bit conveniently concluded but had a satisfying conclusion as well.
What I Didn’t Like: I wanted to love this book but on multiple occasions I felt ripped out of one scene and suddenly dropped into a new one. I even thought some of my pages were missing. For example, Edward and Mary are in the library getting ready to read a book together and suddenly a week or more has past and they’re visiting Mary’s mother’s grave. This happens multiple times and jerked me out of the story as I had to figure out what I’d missed.
IMO: Lady in Red is a very good gothic historical romance but the confusing jumps in scenes happened often enough to diminish my overall enjoyment.
*review copy via NetGalley*
In a Nutshell: Dark and emotional historical romance with two very damaged leads that I devoured. My huge complaint is I often felt like scenes were shifted too quickly and caused me lots of confusion as I read.
The Set Up: Lady Mary’s father killer her mother and locked Mary away in an evil asylum. Mary managed to escape and meets Edward, the Duke of Fairleigh who sees in Mary a chance to help a destitute woman when he couldn’t others in his past. Mary and Edward battle their demons and Mary’s father but they don’t want to battle each other.
Why I Read this Book: I so enjoyed book one in this series and was awaiting book 2’s release.
What I Liked: This is a captivating gothic romance dripping in emotional intrigue. Mary and Edward each have demons that nearly cripple them but they cautiously turn to each other and this is powerful to read. Edward’s desire to help Mary recover from her torture is believable, as is Mary’s determination and caution. I love the scene where Edward encourages Mary’s sexual exploration as I think it had believable tension and eroticism for these two deeply damaged characters. This isn’t the most erotic romance but its emotional intensity more than made up for the lack of bedroom antics, besides, with Mary’s past this romance made the most sense.
I also like how mature both characters are. They acknowledge their relationship started as them using each other and has morphed into something more. They have a maturity that I greatly enjoyed.
What I Also Liked: The plot is a gothic suspense that set the tone of the book. Mary’s revenge quest on her father is one readers will root for and how this unfolds kept my attention. I love Edward’s quasi-friend, Powers, who helps Mary in her quest but is battling his own demons with addiction and guilt. I hope he’ll be the lead in a subsequent book as he was a captivating character for me. Finally, I love that this book allows vengeance and forgiveness to all happen simultaneously. What happens to the henchman that assaults the woman who helps Mary is gory brilliance and unexpected. Mary’s quest was a bit conveniently concluded but had a satisfying conclusion as well.
What I Didn’t Like: I wanted to love this book but on multiple occasions I felt ripped out of one scene and suddenly dropped into a new one. I even thought some of my pages were missing. For example, Edward and Mary are in the library getting ready to read a book together and suddenly a week or more has past and they’re visiting Mary’s mother’s grave. This happens multiple times and jerked me out of the story as I had to figure out what I’d missed.
IMO: Lady in Red is a very good gothic historical romance but the confusing jumps in scenes happened often enough to diminish my overall enjoyment.
*review copy via NetGalley*
October 5, 2013
Darkly romantic and thrilling, Lady in Red was an amazing historical romance. It had dark romance, haunting pasts, shocking betrayals and I loved every bit of it!
Mary was a very strong heroine. Her past is enough to make most people break down, but she survived and is determined to get revenge. She was an awesome character and very likable. I liked that she didn't hide behind the men offering their help, though neither did she scorn them. Instead, she learned what she needed to protect herself and became a force to be reckoned with. I thought she was a wonderful heroine and I really liked her.
Edward was also amazing. Like Mary, his past also haunts him, but in a different way. Because of what his parents were like, he is terrified that their cruelty and madness would pass on to him and tries to prove that wrong as much as he can. He was very honorable, noble, and determined to do the right thing, even if it wasn't the easy way. He was also very sweet and devoted to his loved ones. I adored him. I thought he was a perfectly flawed hero.
The romance was intense. Mary and Edward both have terrible pasts and, when you put that together, you get a very darkly intense relationship, if that makes sense. They clung to each other as safety nets. And, their relationship allowed them both to heal. And, the sparks between them were constant. There was definitely a wealth of passion in their relationship. Sometimes, though, I wanted to shake some sense into both of them. They seemed to be on different pages a lot. This might sound cheesy, but they really needed to communicate. It would have saved them several misunderstandings. They eventually learned how, so that didn't bother me too much. Overall, I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot was fast paced. I was hooked the entire way through. The betrayals and secrets were shocking and kept me on the edge of my seat. The truth of both Mary's and Edward's pasts were a surprise. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect.
Lady in Red was a dark romance that I absolutely loved. It was dark, romantic, thrilling, and full of secrets. I enjoyed every bit of this historical romance. Lovers of romance, if you want something dark and thrilling to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is a book you'll want to read.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Quotes:
"'Let me know the depths of your heart,' he whispered. 'Let me be its guardian.'"-Edward
"'We are all broken, Mary, but together...you and I are whole. Yes, we used each other in the beginning. But now it is so much more. Out of pain came love.'"-Edward
Mary was a very strong heroine. Her past is enough to make most people break down, but she survived and is determined to get revenge. She was an awesome character and very likable. I liked that she didn't hide behind the men offering their help, though neither did she scorn them. Instead, she learned what she needed to protect herself and became a force to be reckoned with. I thought she was a wonderful heroine and I really liked her.
Edward was also amazing. Like Mary, his past also haunts him, but in a different way. Because of what his parents were like, he is terrified that their cruelty and madness would pass on to him and tries to prove that wrong as much as he can. He was very honorable, noble, and determined to do the right thing, even if it wasn't the easy way. He was also very sweet and devoted to his loved ones. I adored him. I thought he was a perfectly flawed hero.
The romance was intense. Mary and Edward both have terrible pasts and, when you put that together, you get a very darkly intense relationship, if that makes sense. They clung to each other as safety nets. And, their relationship allowed them both to heal. And, the sparks between them were constant. There was definitely a wealth of passion in their relationship. Sometimes, though, I wanted to shake some sense into both of them. They seemed to be on different pages a lot. This might sound cheesy, but they really needed to communicate. It would have saved them several misunderstandings. They eventually learned how, so that didn't bother me too much. Overall, I thought they were a lovely couple.
The plot was fast paced. I was hooked the entire way through. The betrayals and secrets were shocking and kept me on the edge of my seat. The truth of both Mary's and Edward's pasts were a surprise. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect.
Lady in Red was a dark romance that I absolutely loved. It was dark, romantic, thrilling, and full of secrets. I enjoyed every bit of this historical romance. Lovers of romance, if you want something dark and thrilling to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is a book you'll want to read.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Quotes:
"'Let me know the depths of your heart,' he whispered. 'Let me be its guardian.'"-Edward
"'We are all broken, Mary, but together...you and I are whole. Yes, we used each other in the beginning. But now it is so much more. Out of pain came love.'"-Edward
January 15, 2014
Originally published at Rookie Romance.
I loved The Dark Lady (the first book in the Mad Passions series) so much, and I was very much looking forward to getting stuck in to Lady in Red. Personally, although I didn't love this book as much as the first, I still really liked it and was engrossed in Mary's story.
Mary is such an incredibly strong character, and my heart bled for her. Mary had been thrown into a mental asylum, run by a cruel and merciless mistress, and left for dead. Mary suffered horrific abuse at the asylum, where she was raped, beaten and force fed laudanum. Despite all of this, Mary doesn't lose her determination to survive and escapes the asylum. She doesn't let her past break her down, and becomes determined to have her revenge- with the aid of Edward, Duke of Fairleigh. I loved how badass Mary could be, she is trained by Edward and his friend, Viscount Powers, in order to ready herself for her revenge. She's the type of heroine you root for and marvel at her strength, whilst urging her to not throw away the chance for love in front of her.
Edward was also a great character, and has his own dark past that tortures him. He's flawed and driven by his need to do the right, honourable thing and avoid his parents' fates. His demons constantly chase him, and sometimes he could be blind to what he needed, i.e. Mary. Although I loved how Edward protected Mary and brought out the woman she could be.
I loved Edward and Mary together, they have a very dark and intense romance, which sometimes seemed doomed. At first they seem to be using each other for their own needs, but as they become closer it's apparent that as much as Mary needs Edward, he needs her as well. They just had an instantaneous chemistry that has you rooting for them both from the beginning.
I also loved the addition of Viscount Powers, as a character. He connects with Mary on a different level than Edward, and can relate to her struggles with addiction. In some ways he understand things about Mary that Edward can't, and I did enjoy the additional 'love triangle' element he presented. Although, because I was so intrigued by Powers, at times he overshadowed Edward and left me confused as to who it was I wanted Mary to end up with.
I love Máire's writing so much. She doesn't pull any punches and sometimes it can be almost painful to read about the suffering of the characters you come to know so well. But there's a dark beauty woven throughout the whole story that draws you in and doesn't let you put it down. With the darkness, there's light and I'm so looking forward to reading Powers' story in The Dark Affair, and hopefully he'll find his light.
I loved The Dark Lady (the first book in the Mad Passions series) so much, and I was very much looking forward to getting stuck in to Lady in Red. Personally, although I didn't love this book as much as the first, I still really liked it and was engrossed in Mary's story.
Mary is such an incredibly strong character, and my heart bled for her. Mary had been thrown into a mental asylum, run by a cruel and merciless mistress, and left for dead. Mary suffered horrific abuse at the asylum, where she was raped, beaten and force fed laudanum. Despite all of this, Mary doesn't lose her determination to survive and escapes the asylum. She doesn't let her past break her down, and becomes determined to have her revenge- with the aid of Edward, Duke of Fairleigh. I loved how badass Mary could be, she is trained by Edward and his friend, Viscount Powers, in order to ready herself for her revenge. She's the type of heroine you root for and marvel at her strength, whilst urging her to not throw away the chance for love in front of her.
Edward was also a great character, and has his own dark past that tortures him. He's flawed and driven by his need to do the right, honourable thing and avoid his parents' fates. His demons constantly chase him, and sometimes he could be blind to what he needed, i.e. Mary. Although I loved how Edward protected Mary and brought out the woman she could be.
I loved Edward and Mary together, they have a very dark and intense romance, which sometimes seemed doomed. At first they seem to be using each other for their own needs, but as they become closer it's apparent that as much as Mary needs Edward, he needs her as well. They just had an instantaneous chemistry that has you rooting for them both from the beginning.
I also loved the addition of Viscount Powers, as a character. He connects with Mary on a different level than Edward, and can relate to her struggles with addiction. In some ways he understand things about Mary that Edward can't, and I did enjoy the additional 'love triangle' element he presented. Although, because I was so intrigued by Powers, at times he overshadowed Edward and left me confused as to who it was I wanted Mary to end up with.
I love Máire's writing so much. She doesn't pull any punches and sometimes it can be almost painful to read about the suffering of the characters you come to know so well. But there's a dark beauty woven throughout the whole story that draws you in and doesn't let you put it down. With the darkness, there's light and I'm so looking forward to reading Powers' story in The Dark Affair, and hopefully he'll find his light.
October 8, 2013
A copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest review at Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance.
Maire Claremont is a new author for me, but when I saw the blurb of LADY IN RED, I couldn’t wait to get started reading it. I was immediately sucked in to the plight of Lady Mary Darrel, a woman starved and bedraggled, pleading for help at the doorstep of a London brothel as her last best hope for rescue. She was abused and misused at the hands of those doing the bidding of her monstrous father, the one who had locked her away in a madhouse after she’d witnessed his murder of her beloved mother. Her escape came at a great cost to herself and others, and now her incipient freedom might do likewise to those who will help her seek her vengeance.
When Edward Barrons sees Mary bathing upstairs in a whorehouse bedroom, he initially mistakes her for one of the working girls. After she sets him straight in a most direct fashion, it’s her spirit that calls to him as much as her only slightly diminished beauty. As Duke of Fairleigh, he has the power and social standing to protect her from her father, but only inasmuch as she will allow. As Mary begins to recover and prepares herself to take revenge on those who have harmed her, she and Edward start to bond in a way which could end in their mutual happiness if only they can confront their individual demons in time to see the light.
LADY IN RED was an intense read for me, one where I was so captivated by Mary and Edward and the terrible danger they were in that I was actually afraid to finish the book, deliberately putting it aside after reading a rare happy moment so I could finish it the next day. I especially enjoyed the presence of Edward’s cynical friend, Viscount Powers, who was just as damaged as Mary and Edward, yet was in a unique position to commiserate more fully with them individually than they were able to with each other. Once Mary is set on the path of revenge by Edward, the story hurtles along toward that dread goal, picking up speed along the way and sending me down a foreboding path of not knowing how it all could possibly end well for anyone. Reading THE RED LADY was a fantastic rollercoaster ride of emotions and I’m still experiencing a well-earned book hangover days later. I’ve already bought the first book in the Mad Passions series, THE DARK LADY, to read next, and I’m very pleased to see that Viscount Powers will be the hero of THE DARK AFFAIR. Maire Claremont is now one of my very favorite historical romance writers, and I have LADY IN RED to thank for that.
Favorite Quote:
“Why are you so afraid?” she whispered.
“I am afraid of nothing,” he snapped, bracing his palms on the mantel.
“Fear and I are intimate acquaintances, Edward. You are in its bed.”
Maire Claremont is a new author for me, but when I saw the blurb of LADY IN RED, I couldn’t wait to get started reading it. I was immediately sucked in to the plight of Lady Mary Darrel, a woman starved and bedraggled, pleading for help at the doorstep of a London brothel as her last best hope for rescue. She was abused and misused at the hands of those doing the bidding of her monstrous father, the one who had locked her away in a madhouse after she’d witnessed his murder of her beloved mother. Her escape came at a great cost to herself and others, and now her incipient freedom might do likewise to those who will help her seek her vengeance.
When Edward Barrons sees Mary bathing upstairs in a whorehouse bedroom, he initially mistakes her for one of the working girls. After she sets him straight in a most direct fashion, it’s her spirit that calls to him as much as her only slightly diminished beauty. As Duke of Fairleigh, he has the power and social standing to protect her from her father, but only inasmuch as she will allow. As Mary begins to recover and prepares herself to take revenge on those who have harmed her, she and Edward start to bond in a way which could end in their mutual happiness if only they can confront their individual demons in time to see the light.
LADY IN RED was an intense read for me, one where I was so captivated by Mary and Edward and the terrible danger they were in that I was actually afraid to finish the book, deliberately putting it aside after reading a rare happy moment so I could finish it the next day. I especially enjoyed the presence of Edward’s cynical friend, Viscount Powers, who was just as damaged as Mary and Edward, yet was in a unique position to commiserate more fully with them individually than they were able to with each other. Once Mary is set on the path of revenge by Edward, the story hurtles along toward that dread goal, picking up speed along the way and sending me down a foreboding path of not knowing how it all could possibly end well for anyone. Reading THE RED LADY was a fantastic rollercoaster ride of emotions and I’m still experiencing a well-earned book hangover days later. I’ve already bought the first book in the Mad Passions series, THE DARK LADY, to read next, and I’m very pleased to see that Viscount Powers will be the hero of THE DARK AFFAIR. Maire Claremont is now one of my very favorite historical romance writers, and I have LADY IN RED to thank for that.
Favorite Quote:
“Why are you so afraid?” she whispered.
“I am afraid of nothing,” he snapped, bracing his palms on the mantel.
“Fear and I are intimate acquaintances, Edward. You are in its bed.”
November 15, 2013
As far as historical fictions goes, Lady in Red is an enjoyable enough read. I certainly enjoyed Claremont’s writing style, which had a wonderful flow and a beautiful way of narrating her character’s thoughts and feelings. I also enjoyed how her characters Edward, Mary, and Powers were the sort who manages to be both heroic and humanly flawed. Many times you will have heroic characters who seem to be too perfect in their characterizations leading to a lack of believability and even likeability. I appreciated how issues of addiction, alcoholism, and the idea of murder for revenge were talked about and dealt with in the story. It lent an air of credibility in the book’s plotline of the two main characters (Edward and Mary) trying to overcome their demons to find peace and love.
There were moments in the book where the pace of the story slowed down, producing a lull for me. I could’ve done with a little more action and less character reflections about how damaged they are and the darkness that lies within them. I understand the need for insights into the characters motivations and feelings, but at times I just felt they a little repetitive and unnecessary.
I also was disappointed with the story’s climax. The previous chapters leading up to it, built up the moment of confrontation between Mary and her father especially since Mary was so hell bent on her revenge and desire to see her father ruined. I was expecting to get something more dramatic and action-packed than what was actually delivered. It sort of took out the air of the story for me and I just waited for the end of the book.
However, the part of the book I enjoyed most of all was the character of Powers, Edward’s closest friend. He’s lewd, an alcoholic, highly inappropriate at times and has a dangerous edge to him and yet he was such an endearing and likeable character for me. As I read further into the book, he continued to grow on me. I actually found myself being amused by his antics and with the way he can easily irritate both Edward and Mary. But his scenes with Mary and helping her through her issues really cemented my regard towards him. You got a deeper sense of the man underneath the banter and the sarcasm and you see a man who is haunted by his own demons who is still trying to find his way out. He may not have had many scenes, but when he was present, he really took the spotlight and was so fun to read.
Overall, this was a good book to read when you have some spare time to kill. It was written nicely with some likeable characters. I have read other historical fiction novels which has stood out more for me, but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to others.
*Received copy from Goodreads First Reads giveaway
There were moments in the book where the pace of the story slowed down, producing a lull for me. I could’ve done with a little more action and less character reflections about how damaged they are and the darkness that lies within them. I understand the need for insights into the characters motivations and feelings, but at times I just felt they a little repetitive and unnecessary.
I also was disappointed with the story’s climax. The previous chapters leading up to it, built up the moment of confrontation between Mary and her father especially since Mary was so hell bent on her revenge and desire to see her father ruined. I was expecting to get something more dramatic and action-packed than what was actually delivered. It sort of took out the air of the story for me and I just waited for the end of the book.
However, the part of the book I enjoyed most of all was the character of Powers, Edward’s closest friend. He’s lewd, an alcoholic, highly inappropriate at times and has a dangerous edge to him and yet he was such an endearing and likeable character for me. As I read further into the book, he continued to grow on me. I actually found myself being amused by his antics and with the way he can easily irritate both Edward and Mary. But his scenes with Mary and helping her through her issues really cemented my regard towards him. You got a deeper sense of the man underneath the banter and the sarcasm and you see a man who is haunted by his own demons who is still trying to find his way out. He may not have had many scenes, but when he was present, he really took the spotlight and was so fun to read.
Overall, this was a good book to read when you have some spare time to kill. It was written nicely with some likeable characters. I have read other historical fiction novels which has stood out more for me, but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to others.
*Received copy from Goodreads First Reads giveaway
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