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The Seducers #1
The Seducer
From the moment he arrived to rescue her, Diane Albret saw more in the darkly handsome, charismatic gentleman than just a guardian. Over the years that have passed since she first laid eyes on Daniel St. John, he had become, quite simply, the most dangerously irresistible man she could ever have imagined. Diane herself has changed from a bewildered schoolgirl, tragically orphaned, into a determined young woman of alluring charm and beauty. Now, leaving the cloistered life of her school, she has been brought to Daniel’s home with dreams of her own amid rumors and hints of scandal. But the legendary seducer seems to have other plans for Diane—and he possesses a secret about her lost past that he will do everything to keep: a secret that will put both their lives in jeopardy, even as the passion they have denied for so long threatens to break out of all control.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
192 people are currently reading
1604 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Hunter
102 books2,108 followersMadeline Hunter is a nationally bestselling author of historical romances who lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. Her books have won two RITA awards and seven nominations, and have had three starred reviews in Publishers Weekly. In a parallel existence to the one she enjoys as a novelist, Madeline has a Ph.D. in art history and teaches at an East Coast university.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
December 9, 2021
Very good revenge story! I loved the dark mysterious David. I never could figure out the whole story of his revenge until the end.
I highly recommend!
I highly recommend!
August 15, 2023
2-Revenge-Went-Cold-Stars
Another one, randomly selected from my TBR, bites the dust. I am wondering what the hell kind of books did I add to my "want to read" pile?
Quick Review
- This was my first Madeline Hunter book, and the writing was a little flowery but easy to comprehend.
- There weren't a lot of descriptions of characters, locales or physical attributes; hence visualisation was a problem. Even if my life depended on it, I couldn't tell you how Diane and Daniel were described (apart from beautiful and handsome).
- My biggest issue with this story was the plot pacing. It was a snail's pace milimetering along towards a hopelessly convenient end. And I am doing a favour by not commenting on the gaping plot holes big enough to sink ships.
- The villains were introduced too slowly, intermittently and without due background. The characters did not feel fleshed out because their stories were not uncovered to conceal the mystery. This cloak-and-dagger approach deterred me from enjoying this book. And when all was revealed, it left me with more questions than satisfaction.
- The romance was underwhelming at best. I could not get to know Diane and Daniel because the author never allowed any information about them to filter through to protect her stupid revenge plot, which was also left unclear until the last moment. Then there was a barrage of information that served no purpose save a weak resolution. I believe my reaction was a very tepid "Ah! I am glad that's over."
- I gave it two stars because I liked Daniel. With the teensy information I operated on, his character arc was phenomenal. Ruthlessness to kindness. Mercenary to loving. Selfish to sacrificing. I enjoyed reading him.
- Diane was a decorative ornament, a pawn, or just there, depending on how you look at her. I wouldn't go as far as calling her TSTL, but the girl had no personality.
The entire thing was lacklustre. Next!
Another one, randomly selected from my TBR, bites the dust. I am wondering what the hell kind of books did I add to my "want to read" pile?
Quick Review
- This was my first Madeline Hunter book, and the writing was a little flowery but easy to comprehend.
- There weren't a lot of descriptions of characters, locales or physical attributes; hence visualisation was a problem. Even if my life depended on it, I couldn't tell you how Diane and Daniel were described (apart from beautiful and handsome).
- My biggest issue with this story was the plot pacing. It was a snail's pace milimetering along towards a hopelessly convenient end. And I am doing a favour by not commenting on the gaping plot holes big enough to sink ships.
- The villains were introduced too slowly, intermittently and without due background. The characters did not feel fleshed out because their stories were not uncovered to conceal the mystery. This cloak-and-dagger approach deterred me from enjoying this book. And when all was revealed, it left me with more questions than satisfaction.
- The romance was underwhelming at best. I could not get to know Diane and Daniel because the author never allowed any information about them to filter through to protect her stupid revenge plot, which was also left unclear until the last moment. Then there was a barrage of information that served no purpose save a weak resolution. I believe my reaction was a very tepid "Ah! I am glad that's over."
- I gave it two stars because I liked Daniel. With the teensy information I operated on, his character arc was phenomenal. Ruthlessness to kindness. Mercenary to loving. Selfish to sacrificing. I enjoyed reading him.
- Diane was a decorative ornament, a pawn, or just there, depending on how you look at her. I wouldn't go as far as calling her TSTL, but the girl had no personality.
The entire thing was lacklustre. Next!
March 25, 2019
Diane Albret does a Bad Thing at her school which results in her guardian, Daniel St. John, being summoned to OK a caning. Except her bare bottom appears to be much older than claimed!! :o (NOT JOKING.) He removes her from the school and decides that because she is young, beautiful, and innocent she will make excellent bait for the rapist pedo-esque villain of the piece. Unfortunately, his RAGING BONERS get in the way, spoiling forever his attempt at revenge!!!
1. Daniel is kind of a an alpha pile. He and his family was betrayed! BETRAYED!!!! which means that it's obviously OK to do whatever it takes to get back at those who wronged him. And while he promises that no harm will befall Diane, what he means is that no man but him will ever put his hands on her because something something PROPERTY.
2. Diane at least calls him on his dictatorship!! And she's a sharp heroine, which I absolutely appreciated! It was just too little in the face of the overwhelming MURK.
3. The atmosphere is so mired in its own drama and history that it gets exhausting to read. Everyone is something of a villain except the heroine who is So Pure that Her Love Will Overcome. It's fine, it's just a tone I wasn't particularly in the mood for. I ended this feeling very little joy at the happy ever after because the world the characters inhabit seems very unhappy in general.
4. Also I tire of the horribly Mangsty heroes that fixate on the innocent virgin who absolves all their pain and troubles: NEXT.
1. Daniel is kind of a an alpha pile. He and his family was betrayed! BETRAYED!!!! which means that it's obviously OK to do whatever it takes to get back at those who wronged him. And while he promises that no harm will befall Diane, what he means is that no man but him will ever put his hands on her because something something PROPERTY.
2. Diane at least calls him on his dictatorship!! And she's a sharp heroine, which I absolutely appreciated! It was just too little in the face of the overwhelming MURK.
3. The atmosphere is so mired in its own drama and history that it gets exhausting to read. Everyone is something of a villain except the heroine who is So Pure that Her Love Will Overcome. It's fine, it's just a tone I wasn't particularly in the mood for. I ended this feeling very little joy at the happy ever after because the world the characters inhabit seems very unhappy in general.
4. Also I tire of the horribly Mangsty heroes that fixate on the innocent virgin who absolves all their pain and troubles: NEXT.
December 19, 2014
Daniel St. John takes his ward away from her school when he discovers she's older than he thought. He realizes how attractive she is and decides to use her as a pawn in a game of revenge he's been playing for almost a decade. Nobody knows much about his past and there are many tales about his success with the wives of some peers. But the innocent woman he plans to use lures him like no other and makes it difficult to hold on to his original plans.
I really liked this dark romance. I cared for the characters early on and found their attraction powerful. I like the suspense part, which neither overshadowed the romance, nor was a minor detail in the background. There was a dark atmosphere throughout the book that made me think it was constantly dark and cloudy outside:) Good chemistry and very interesting secondary characters.
The pace however was slow enough to make my mind drift away sometimes. But as I've said before, Hunter's writing style does that for me usually, so I might not be objective. I liked it enough though to want to read another book in these series. I'll have to decide then if I can be persuaded to put more of Mrs Hunter's books in my to-buy list.
I really liked this dark romance. I cared for the characters early on and found their attraction powerful. I like the suspense part, which neither overshadowed the romance, nor was a minor detail in the background. There was a dark atmosphere throughout the book that made me think it was constantly dark and cloudy outside:) Good chemistry and very interesting secondary characters.
The pace however was slow enough to make my mind drift away sometimes. But as I've said before, Hunter's writing style does that for me usually, so I might not be objective. I liked it enough though to want to read another book in these series. I'll have to decide then if I can be persuaded to put more of Mrs Hunter's books in my to-buy list.
September 2, 2025
Interesting story, with a mystery.
As a young boy Daniel see his family Murdered . His sister crippled. He has wanted his revenge on the people who have done it.
Diane is left at a boarding school as a young child. Till the day her guardian, turns up and takes her away.
As a young boy Daniel see his family Murdered . His sister crippled. He has wanted his revenge on the people who have done it.
Diane is left at a boarding school as a young child. Till the day her guardian, turns up and takes her away.
December 5, 2025
4⭐
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2025/...
La lectura ha empezado algo lenta pero me dado cuenta de que la estaba disfrutando más que mucho de lo que leo ahora
Daniel tiene planeada una gran venganza y Diane se mete por medio, por lo que no le aprovecha para usarla. Mal.
en el fondo Daniel, ese joven hosco y fría es un personaje encantador, bastante humano y coherente
Una pasión refrenada casi toda la novela con unos personajes complejos de los que la autora tarda en ir desmenuzando su historia, creando así expectación en la lectura.
Me ha gustado, nada está al azar y todos los personajes son estupendos
Seguiré con los otros dos que tengo de la serie
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2025/...
La lectura ha empezado algo lenta pero me dado cuenta de que la estaba disfrutando más que mucho de lo que leo ahora
Daniel tiene planeada una gran venganza y Diane se mete por medio, por lo que no le aprovecha para usarla. Mal.
en el fondo Daniel, ese joven hosco y fría es un personaje encantador, bastante humano y coherente
Una pasión refrenada casi toda la novela con unos personajes complejos de los que la autora tarda en ir desmenuzando su historia, creando así expectación en la lectura.
Me ha gustado, nada está al azar y todos los personajes son estupendos
Seguiré con los otros dos que tengo de la serie
November 16, 2019
No conforme con nada de lo que se está publicando últimamente (creo que muchas autoras nuevas deberían volver al taller literario) decidí leer a una autora viejuna, aunque no tanto, cuyos libros me hubieran gustado en el pasado.
La elegida fue Madeline Hunter, de la que había disfrutado "El Santo" que vendría a ser el segundo de la serie "Amantes indomables". No había leído el primero, "El Seductor", que pude hallar en la biblioteca.
Realmente me atrapó, gracias a Dios porque venía con una racha DNF importante.
Primero debo decir que el título es un poco engañoso porque no representa lo que Daniel es. Un mejor título sería "El Vengador". Dejemos la seducción para el chusmerio. Lo aclaro porque, entre otros tópicos, el de los libertinos me tiene harta y en otro momento hubiera descartado el libro por el título.
A diferencia de "El Santo" que tiende a la comedia, "El Seductor" es una novela oscura, casi gótica.
Diane, huérfana que no recuerda nada anterior a su ingreso a un orfanato, se convertirá en el instrumento de venganza de Daniel por sucesos terribles del pasado. Pero quizá el oscuro corazón de Daniel tenga esperanzas de renacer.
Con aires a "Jane Eyre" y "El conde de Montecristo" y con mucha sensualidad me gustó mucho.
No van las 5 estrellitas porque en ciertas partes de la trama me hubiera gustado un desarrollo diferente. Pero lo disfruté.
La elegida fue Madeline Hunter, de la que había disfrutado "El Santo" que vendría a ser el segundo de la serie "Amantes indomables". No había leído el primero, "El Seductor", que pude hallar en la biblioteca.
Realmente me atrapó, gracias a Dios porque venía con una racha DNF importante.
Primero debo decir que el título es un poco engañoso porque no representa lo que Daniel es. Un mejor título sería "El Vengador". Dejemos la seducción para el chusmerio. Lo aclaro porque, entre otros tópicos, el de los libertinos me tiene harta y en otro momento hubiera descartado el libro por el título.
A diferencia de "El Santo" que tiende a la comedia, "El Seductor" es una novela oscura, casi gótica.
Diane, huérfana que no recuerda nada anterior a su ingreso a un orfanato, se convertirá en el instrumento de venganza de Daniel por sucesos terribles del pasado. Pero quizá el oscuro corazón de Daniel tenga esperanzas de renacer.
Con aires a "Jane Eyre" y "El conde de Montecristo" y con mucha sensualidad me gustó mucho.
No van las 5 estrellitas porque en ciertas partes de la trama me hubiera gustado un desarrollo diferente. Pero lo disfruté.
August 17, 2025
The seducer de Madeline Hunter, es del año 2003. La inglesa Diane Albret (20) está siendo educada en un convento francés. De allí la saca su guardador, Daniel Saint John (32), un hombre con un plan de venganza en la que esta muchacha le puede ser útil. Con lo que no cuenta es con esa atracción sensual y emocional tan intensa que sienten el uno por el otro. Aquí hay pisto del bueno, secretos por aquí y por allí, que vas descubriendo poco a poco.
Es histórica «seria» (por oposición a la ligereza de una Chase o Kleypas), con personajes complejos, diálogos inteligentes, momentos de ensimismamiento y descripción que hacen de ella una lectura lenta. Con sexo explícito en más de una escena, de una elevada sensualidad, pero totalmente con sentido dentro de la historia.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.
Es histórica «seria» (por oposición a la ligereza de una Chase o Kleypas), con personajes complejos, diálogos inteligentes, momentos de ensimismamiento y descripción que hacen de ella una lectura lenta. Con sexo explícito en más de una escena, de una elevada sensualidad, pero totalmente con sentido dentro de la historia.
Reseña algo más extensa, en mi blog.
August 26, 2012
Diane Albret is an orphaned girl in a French girl's school. Every year her guardian, Daniel St. John, shows up and asks her if she's treated well, if she has complaints, if she's learning her lessons, and how old she is. He seems inclined to leave her in this school forever. But this year she's set the stage for something different.
Daniel has been summoned by the headmistress. He forbade the school's staff years ago from physically disciplining Diane, so the old harpie needs his consent to beat the snot out of Diane, who was caught with a dirty book—it had pictures and everything.
Far from being outraged by the whole idea of beating a child, Daniel seems fine with it—in fact he agrees to stick around to watch his ward take a bare-arsed caning. But he notices that her bared bottom looks closer to 20 years old than the claimed 16. Cuz he couldn't tell her age from her face or anything.
Anyhoo, something about the full moon inspires Daniel, and it's not just that he's become too much for his trousers, tho that does play a part (if you're thinking he's kinky, maybe so but the sex, when it finally happens, is pretty vanilla). He's after vengeance, you see, and it strikes him that Diane can provide him with an opportunity.
Diane wants to be released from the school so she can go to England, find work as a governess, and seek out whatever is left of her family. She desperately wants to belong somewhere. Daniel promises to help her in her quest, but he's constantly putting her off. Instead, he hands her over to his paralyzed sister, Jeannette, to be clothed and trained up as a cultured lady. Jeannette understands and disapproves of Daniel's plan, but she does what she's told, helping Di to connect with the aristocracy in England. Her only caveat is that Di can't be hurt in the process of taking his vengeance on the people he's targeting. Oh, and Jeannette keeps reminding Daniel that if his plan is to work Diane has to remain innocent, which leads to
Evidently the restriction against hurting Di applies only to physical pain, because when Daniel's plans finally become apparent, it's obvious Di's emotions will take a clubbing (think baby seal). I didn't much like Daniel at times, but by the time it's all laid out and played out the denouement worked for me .
The fact that it took me almost 4/5 of the book to realize that I'd read this before says something. Obviously the premise appeals. Obviously the execution is not so memorable. The writing style (more telling than showing) distanced me from a story that could otherwise have totally yanked my heartstrings.
I'm reluctant to give 1-star ratings, unless the story really sucked or it was beyond offensive. This one would've gotten a 2 star because of the writing (Hunter has definitely improved with her more recent work), but it got an extra star just because of the ending, and the way the vengeance actually played out.
Daniel has been summoned by the headmistress. He forbade the school's staff years ago from physically disciplining Diane, so the old harpie needs his consent to beat the snot out of Diane, who was caught with a dirty book—it had pictures and everything.
Far from being outraged by the whole idea of beating a child, Daniel seems fine with it—in fact he agrees to stick around to watch his ward take a bare-arsed caning. But he notices that her bared bottom looks closer to 20 years old than the claimed 16. Cuz he couldn't tell her age from her face or anything.
Anyhoo, something about the full moon inspires Daniel, and it's not just that he's become too much for his trousers, tho that does play a part (if you're thinking he's kinky, maybe so but the sex, when it finally happens, is pretty vanilla). He's after vengeance, you see, and it strikes him that Diane can provide him with an opportunity.
Diane wants to be released from the school so she can go to England, find work as a governess, and seek out whatever is left of her family. She desperately wants to belong somewhere. Daniel promises to help her in her quest, but he's constantly putting her off. Instead, he hands her over to his paralyzed sister, Jeannette, to be clothed and trained up as a cultured lady. Jeannette understands and disapproves of Daniel's plan, but she does what she's told, helping Di to connect with the aristocracy in England. Her only caveat is that Di can't be hurt in the process of taking his vengeance on the people he's targeting. Oh, and Jeannette keeps reminding Daniel that if his plan is to work Diane has to remain innocent, which leads to
Evidently the restriction against hurting Di applies only to physical pain, because when Daniel's plans finally become apparent, it's obvious Di's emotions will take a clubbing (think baby seal). I didn't much like Daniel at times, but by the time it's all laid out and played out the denouement worked for me .
The fact that it took me almost 4/5 of the book to realize that I'd read this before says something. Obviously the premise appeals. Obviously the execution is not so memorable. The writing style (more telling than showing) distanced me from a story that could otherwise have totally yanked my heartstrings.
I'm reluctant to give 1-star ratings, unless the story really sucked or it was beyond offensive. This one would've gotten a 2 star because of the writing (Hunter has definitely improved with her more recent work), but it got an extra star just because of the ending, and the way the vengeance actually played out.
July 25, 2012
Frustration and more of the same is what I thought and felt throughout most of this book.
At the beginning I felt sucked into the story because of the strength of the plot; it's mysterious with who is who's, what happeneds, and oh boy what is going to happen. (fully aware that last sentence is a grammatical nightmare but I'm tired so you get what you get). I was rolling along getting excited for about four chapters thinking "here we go!" until the story slowed down and I felt like I was sloshing through mud.
Right off the bat I had a hard time connecting with the main hero Daniel. He was a shady character for far too much of the book. After I had finished the story and sat back thinking about him, I liked him a lot more. The value of hindsight and knowing why he did the things he did. However, during reading the author didn't reveal enough of his thoughts and feelings for me to connect with him. Taken as a whole with all the info Daniel is a pretty interesting guy, but I wish the author could have let me into his mind so I could have enjoyed his character more as I read.
Our heroine Diane was alright (try not to be blown away with that description I just gave of her). With her character, looks/mannerisms and such, I've been there and bought the t-shirt. I kept waiting for her to step up more and break out into a more intriguing character, didn't happen. In fact that pretty much sums up my feelings about the whole book. It had break out potential but failed whenever it came time to step up.
The mystery part of the storyline of why Daniel was doing the things he was doing and using Diane wasn't revealed until the very end. Little clues were given but seriously the whole picture wasn't made available until the very, very end. This type of story where the reader is playing catch up only works in fast pace books not slow ones like this.
There was a stilted coldness and mature feeling to this story that I can only attribute to the writers style and probably why I always felt like I was looking from the outside in instead of being immersed in the story. Around the middle end of the book I started to warm-up to the characters but never enough to get excited about.
There was a cute/hot moment of interaction between Diane and Daniel who are looking at a book that contains some interesting drawings and Diane is saying whether she finds them interesting or shocking. When Diane focuses on one particular drawing Daniel's reactions are quite humorous. This scene added some much needed levity and how I wish there were more moments like this to share with you all.
Like I said before the revelations don't come until the end of the book and by the time I got to the them I was just bored and more than ready to move on. Looking at just the storyline and how the author plotted out the past interactions between characters and how they meet up again in the present, I would give this book an A grade. So why did I give it a C-? Because I didn't care or feel connected to these wonderful plotted characters. I seriously was only into this story for about four chapters.
Complaint: This book had a serious misleading title. "Seducer"? My butt. There were a couple times the author tried to work it in, but you can't fool me sister!!!
C-
At the beginning I felt sucked into the story because of the strength of the plot; it's mysterious with who is who's, what happeneds, and oh boy what is going to happen. (fully aware that last sentence is a grammatical nightmare but I'm tired so you get what you get). I was rolling along getting excited for about four chapters thinking "here we go!" until the story slowed down and I felt like I was sloshing through mud.
Right off the bat I had a hard time connecting with the main hero Daniel. He was a shady character for far too much of the book. After I had finished the story and sat back thinking about him, I liked him a lot more. The value of hindsight and knowing why he did the things he did. However, during reading the author didn't reveal enough of his thoughts and feelings for me to connect with him. Taken as a whole with all the info Daniel is a pretty interesting guy, but I wish the author could have let me into his mind so I could have enjoyed his character more as I read.
Our heroine Diane was alright (try not to be blown away with that description I just gave of her). With her character, looks/mannerisms and such, I've been there and bought the t-shirt. I kept waiting for her to step up more and break out into a more intriguing character, didn't happen. In fact that pretty much sums up my feelings about the whole book. It had break out potential but failed whenever it came time to step up.
The mystery part of the storyline of why Daniel was doing the things he was doing and using Diane wasn't revealed until the very end. Little clues were given but seriously the whole picture wasn't made available until the very, very end. This type of story where the reader is playing catch up only works in fast pace books not slow ones like this.
There was a stilted coldness and mature feeling to this story that I can only attribute to the writers style and probably why I always felt like I was looking from the outside in instead of being immersed in the story. Around the middle end of the book I started to warm-up to the characters but never enough to get excited about.
There was a cute/hot moment of interaction between Diane and Daniel who are looking at a book that contains some interesting drawings and Diane is saying whether she finds them interesting or shocking. When Diane focuses on one particular drawing Daniel's reactions are quite humorous. This scene added some much needed levity and how I wish there were more moments like this to share with you all.
Like I said before the revelations don't come until the end of the book and by the time I got to the them I was just bored and more than ready to move on. Looking at just the storyline and how the author plotted out the past interactions between characters and how they meet up again in the present, I would give this book an A grade. So why did I give it a C-? Because I didn't care or feel connected to these wonderful plotted characters. I seriously was only into this story for about four chapters.
Complaint: This book had a serious misleading title. "Seducer"? My butt. There were a couple times the author tried to work it in, but you can't fool me sister!!!
C-
July 23, 2024
like a sexy version of A. Dumas book with revenge motives, changing identity, redemption, human frailty, ties of blood and fraternity. H was wayyyy too weak and waif for me to enjoy her part in the story.
August 18, 2020
Gosto muito de livros de época, adoro a linguagem e os termos que nos fazem viajar a épocas tão distantes. Neste livro vamos acompanhar várias tramas até tudo se reduzir ao duelo final! Gostei muito
July 29, 2021
Ms. Hunter is becoming one of my favourite authors. This was a very good read. If you're looking for a guardian/ward with a revenge trope, then this is for you. Diane is my kind of heroine. She is an innocent but not really naïve. She caught up in the ways of the world pretty fast after leaving the orphanage. Daniel St. John is a man consumed with revenge and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Initially, he wanted to use Diane to lure his enemy but fell for her instead. I like the fact the both of them are equal meaning that Diane can hold up to Daniel. Ms. Hunter writes really interesting premises and this book is no different. The reason for Daniel wanting revenge is believable. The pace is a bit slow in the middle, but the pace picks up again shortly after. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
November 8, 2012
A escrita? Continua a ser de fácil leitura, nada de muito complicada mas sempre com um toque da linguagem utilizada na época.
As personagens? A protagonista feminina é Diane, uma jovem, que viveu até ao seus 20 anos num colégio interno, sem família e apenas visitada de tempos a tempos por um tutor. Motivada pela ausência de informações sobre o seu passado e a sua família consegue criar um esquema para motivar a visita do seu tutor de forma a conseguir deixar o colégio. Apesar de ter crescido numa redoma e por isso ser ligeiramente ingénua, é extremamente perspicaz e inteligente. Daniel St. Jonh, é o Homem do Diabo, o tutor de Diane. É um homem intrigante e sedutor, que conseguiu a sua imensa fortuna e uma posição relativamente considerável na sociedade, bastante jovem e através de certos esquemas que são revelados no decorrer da leitura. O seu passado obscuro e o mistério que o envolve vão servir de base para a relação de ambos e cada um terá de aprender a ultrapassar o seu passado e a confiar um no outro.
O enredo? Temos algumas referências aos problemas enfrentados na época, como a guerra Napoleónica, a fome, os distúrbios que ocorriam em Londres e o enfraquecimento da aristocracia. O enigma que envolve as diversas personagens: como todas se conhecem? Qual a ligação entre cada uma? O porquê da necessidade de vingança? – tudo isto serve de propulsor à leitura. Existem cenas bem marotas mas bastante sublimes e adornadas de uma linguagem discreta.
Conclusão? Porque é que desta vez não fiquei tão rendida, como habitualmente? Sou romântica e por isso esperava uma interessam diferente entre os apaixonados, faltou-lhe um certo toque de paixão, de dialogo entre ambos, muitos dos momentos são narrados posteriormente por um dos intervenientes e apenas ficamos a saber a sua “versão” deixando-nos a ponderar no resto.
O bom? Deixou-me bastante cativada pela ler o restantes livros da serie! Fiquei bastante curiosa com certas personagens, desde a Condessa Penélope e seu irmão Vergil Duclairc, bem como, o subtil advogado Hampton. Pelo que já pesquisei (se a editora resolver manter a ordem certa) o próximo livro pertence ao Vergil.
As personagens? A protagonista feminina é Diane, uma jovem, que viveu até ao seus 20 anos num colégio interno, sem família e apenas visitada de tempos a tempos por um tutor. Motivada pela ausência de informações sobre o seu passado e a sua família consegue criar um esquema para motivar a visita do seu tutor de forma a conseguir deixar o colégio. Apesar de ter crescido numa redoma e por isso ser ligeiramente ingénua, é extremamente perspicaz e inteligente. Daniel St. Jonh, é o Homem do Diabo, o tutor de Diane. É um homem intrigante e sedutor, que conseguiu a sua imensa fortuna e uma posição relativamente considerável na sociedade, bastante jovem e através de certos esquemas que são revelados no decorrer da leitura. O seu passado obscuro e o mistério que o envolve vão servir de base para a relação de ambos e cada um terá de aprender a ultrapassar o seu passado e a confiar um no outro.
O enredo? Temos algumas referências aos problemas enfrentados na época, como a guerra Napoleónica, a fome, os distúrbios que ocorriam em Londres e o enfraquecimento da aristocracia. O enigma que envolve as diversas personagens: como todas se conhecem? Qual a ligação entre cada uma? O porquê da necessidade de vingança? – tudo isto serve de propulsor à leitura. Existem cenas bem marotas mas bastante sublimes e adornadas de uma linguagem discreta.
Conclusão? Porque é que desta vez não fiquei tão rendida, como habitualmente? Sou romântica e por isso esperava uma interessam diferente entre os apaixonados, faltou-lhe um certo toque de paixão, de dialogo entre ambos, muitos dos momentos são narrados posteriormente por um dos intervenientes e apenas ficamos a saber a sua “versão” deixando-nos a ponderar no resto.
O bom? Deixou-me bastante cativada pela ler o restantes livros da serie! Fiquei bastante curiosa com certas personagens, desde a Condessa Penélope e seu irmão Vergil Duclairc, bem como, o subtil advogado Hampton. Pelo que já pesquisei (se a editora resolver manter a ordem certa) o próximo livro pertence ao Vergil.
November 5, 2012
Conheci a Madeline Hunter através d’As Regras da Sedução há muitos anos. Tenho ainda a primeira edição desse livro, com a respectiva protecção exterior, muito verde e nada a ver com o seguimento que a editora deu a estas publicações. Apostei na autora porque sou uma romântica apaixonada por História e o livro prometia ambos os ingredientes. Desde esse livro não deixei de adquirir e ler as obras da Hunter, mas tenho ficado com um travo amargo na boca graças a livros como Lições de Desejo e Mil Noites de Paixão, que achei desprovidos de ambos, excepto de sexo. Nenhuma das personagens tinha qualquer conteúdo e os livros são, regra geral, maiores do que o necessário. O Sedutor – lamento, uma vez mais, a escolha do título – recupera um pouco da boa Hunter. Daí que lhe dê a nota de 4, é um 4 à luz da obra da Hunter e dentro dos romances do género. A História está bem cimentada, envolve sublimemente o enredo. A intriga é boa, a dado momento dei por mim impelida para continuar a leitura e desvendar o mistério. O Daniel St. John venceu-me, é um daqueles homens atraentes, graciosos e elegantes, que carregam uma certa perturbação neles, um certo senso melancólico e misterioso que me prendeu à leitura. A Diane não é propriamente tola, embora seja ingénua frequentemente. Simpatizei com ambos e, desse modo, não me foi difícil deixar-me cativar pela história. Algumas das personagens surgirão noutros romances desta série e estou sobretudo interessada no romance entre o Julian Hampton e a Penelope, que virá fechar esta fiada de cinco livros. O Julian pareceu-me mais comedido e maduro que o próprio St. John e, deste modo, ficarei ansiosamente atenta aos livros que se seguirem. Faço um reparo ao facto de que o livro tem, uma vez mais, de cem a cento e cinquenta páginas a mais do que o necessário. Perde-se tempo com pormenores exagerados.
http://castelos-de-letras.blogspot.pt...
http://castelos-de-letras.blogspot.pt...
August 10, 2008
Orphaned Diane Albret finds herself in the headmistress's office to be punished under the eyes of her mysterious guardian, Daniel St. John.
Daniel soon realizes his young charge is no longer a child he thought he knew and she no longer belongs into a school. He takes her to his home in Paris, a home he shares with his sister.
As Diane's guardian, Daniel buys her a new wardrobe and takes her to the theater, not realizing the impact such attention might have on his young charge... or to him.
Despite his reputation as a notorious seducer, Daniel fights his attraction to his beautiful protegee since she is part of the revenge plan he's been harboring for the past fifteen years.
But the heart and passion would not be denied and as Daniel takes Diane into his arms and his bed, he realizes the most important lesson of all. Revenge does not come sweet, when the cost is love.
Madeline Hunter has moved from the medieval settings into Regency, offering us a dark and sensual introduction into a new series.
Daniel St. John is one of the darkest, brooding heroes that I've encountered. His secrets keep accumulating, keeping the reader at the edge of the seat wandering what they are and whether there are even more of them.
Ms. Hunter weaves a dark tale of seduction, revenge, sensuality, secrets, and love so palpable you can touch it.
Daniel soon realizes his young charge is no longer a child he thought he knew and she no longer belongs into a school. He takes her to his home in Paris, a home he shares with his sister.
As Diane's guardian, Daniel buys her a new wardrobe and takes her to the theater, not realizing the impact such attention might have on his young charge... or to him.
Despite his reputation as a notorious seducer, Daniel fights his attraction to his beautiful protegee since she is part of the revenge plan he's been harboring for the past fifteen years.
But the heart and passion would not be denied and as Daniel takes Diane into his arms and his bed, he realizes the most important lesson of all. Revenge does not come sweet, when the cost is love.
Madeline Hunter has moved from the medieval settings into Regency, offering us a dark and sensual introduction into a new series.
Daniel St. John is one of the darkest, brooding heroes that I've encountered. His secrets keep accumulating, keeping the reader at the edge of the seat wandering what they are and whether there are even more of them.
Ms. Hunter weaves a dark tale of seduction, revenge, sensuality, secrets, and love so palpable you can touch it.
June 26, 2020
A bit of a dark revenge plot involving an orphan and her guardian. It's not that salacious because nothing happens between them until she's past the age of 20. This book is the first in the series, and is a common motif of Hunter, she tends to start her series with the least blue-blooded person in the group. In this case Daniel St. John is a merchant who made his money off trade (he owns a fleet of cargo ships). Diane, his ward, is an orphan whose education he paid for, and who he has now brought to his home because unbeknownst to her, she will be useful to him in a plot of revenge. He's dour and sour for the first quarter, she's incisive and self-aware. He constantly tries to control her movements (presumably for her own safety), and she chafes at it (this is a common plot device throughout this series, I've read about 3/5 books in it so far). The last third of the book focuses primarily on the revenge plot, and involves a duel. This series should have been called "Dueling Society" rather than Seducers, because there's less seduction and more dueling in here.
Hunter writes alpha-ish men and confident but not stupid heroines. Sometimes that combo works, and other times it flops. This time I'll say it turns out pretty well.
Four stars.
Hunter writes alpha-ish men and confident but not stupid heroines. Sometimes that combo works, and other times it flops. This time I'll say it turns out pretty well.
Four stars.
December 31, 2010
I struggled to rate this book, because on the one hand the actual romance between Daniel and Diane was satisfying, but on the other as a reader I was too lost for too long even up until the end.
Even after all was revealed, I still wasn't sure that I understood absolutely everything that took place. That kind of spoiled my enjoyment of the book. I was more interested in the other players in the book and wanted to know who their hookups were. I will continue with the series as I know that for me, MH can be a uneven writer, so I hope that the other stories work for me a bit better.
Even after all was revealed, I still wasn't sure that I understood absolutely everything that took place. That kind of spoiled my enjoyment of the book. I was more interested in the other players in the book and wanted to know who their hookups were. I will continue with the series as I know that for me, MH can be a uneven writer, so I hope that the other stories work for me a bit better.
October 31, 2020
3.5. Decent guardian-ward romance. I liked the sharp heroine and the growing love story but the hero was too mysterious and secretive in the beginning, he hurt the heroine unnecessarily with his keeping things she should know from her but his love and actions later made me like him more towards the end. I still don’t like his nick “the seducer” and the hints at him using women and sleeping his way to wealth.
I don’t like mystery/suspense but it didn’t bother me here, it was sort of part of the story even if it was a bit twisted.
I don’t like mystery/suspense but it didn’t bother me here, it was sort of part of the story even if it was a bit twisted.
August 6, 2014
I love Daniel St. John,...I want to marry him...
From the theme : Guardian/ward romance, I think this is the most memorable books that will stay on for me for the rest of my life ^^...how much I love the tense, how romantic all the scene, how beautiful everything, so yummy story...so so romantic...ooohhh..I love this story.
Really my favorite...
From the theme : Guardian/ward romance, I think this is the most memorable books that will stay on for me for the rest of my life ^^...how much I love the tense, how romantic all the scene, how beautiful everything, so yummy story...so so romantic...ooohhh..I love this story.
Really my favorite...
March 13, 2017
Eu li pelo menos três livros de Madeline Hunter e adorei. Quanto a Romances Históricos são os meus preferidos. Passados mais ou menos quatro ou cinco anos, decido que quero voltar a ler romances históricos. Começo claro, por uma escritora que adoro a escrita, mas arrependi-me. Se antes adorava romances históricos, agora percebi que já não é mais o meu estilo.
Foi tão, mas tão complicado para mim gostar do livro. Eu li mais de cem páginas sem gostar deuma única personagem. Só mais ou menos a meio é que consegui interessar-me pela história. Mas depois, o meu entusisamo perdeu-se por a história ficar prevísivel.
Odiei o facto de Diane tentar parecer muito dona de si mesma, e depois viver sempre debaixo da capa de Daniel. Eu não gostava da relação deles, uma relação assim nem merece ser relação. Eu detestei o final, foi óbvio, e eu não sou muito do "E viveram felizes para sempre".
Eu fico mesmo triste por não ter gostado deste livro da Madeline Hunter, era uma das minhas escritoras preferidas. Sinto-me tentada em desfazer-me do livro porque sei que ele não me irá fazer falta na estante. E até tenho vergonha de o colocar ao lado dos outros livros da autora.
Eu talvez, um dia mais tarde, volte a tentar pegar nos romances históricos. Por enquanto, já não são a minha onda infelizmente. Mas se gostam imenso de romances históricos, aconselho-vos a experimentar Madeline Hunter, ela tem livros incríveis.
Foi tão, mas tão complicado para mim gostar do livro. Eu li mais de cem páginas sem gostar deuma única personagem. Só mais ou menos a meio é que consegui interessar-me pela história. Mas depois, o meu entusisamo perdeu-se por a história ficar prevísivel.
Odiei o facto de Diane tentar parecer muito dona de si mesma, e depois viver sempre debaixo da capa de Daniel. Eu não gostava da relação deles, uma relação assim nem merece ser relação. Eu detestei o final, foi óbvio, e eu não sou muito do "E viveram felizes para sempre".
Eu fico mesmo triste por não ter gostado deste livro da Madeline Hunter, era uma das minhas escritoras preferidas. Sinto-me tentada em desfazer-me do livro porque sei que ele não me irá fazer falta na estante. E até tenho vergonha de o colocar ao lado dos outros livros da autora.
Eu talvez, um dia mais tarde, volte a tentar pegar nos romances históricos. Por enquanto, já não são a minha onda infelizmente. Mas se gostam imenso de romances históricos, aconselho-vos a experimentar Madeline Hunter, ela tem livros incríveis.
August 18, 2023
Madeline Hunter writes sexual tension like no other, and her slow burns tend to be smoldering. But I ultimately found this book much too slow and much too long. I still read it straight through because I found the characters enticing and their individual motivations compelling and emotional, but I skimmed a lot of side plot.
December 12, 2012
Madeline Hunter é uma das minhas autoras preferidas, das quais não faltam aqui em casa nenhum dos livros já publicados no nosso país. É uma autora com uma maneira muito própria de contar as suas histórias e que ao longo das suas páginas nos faz sonhar e desejar sermos nós as protagonistas de tão maravilhoso conto.
Apesar de termos muitas vezes a mesma fórmula, ou seja, de vermos uma personagem feminina frágil e sem meios de conseguir aquilo que deseja e um homem poderoso que tem a missão de “a salvar”, este é um livro fantástico que me fez pensar até onde poderá ir uma mentira para tentar amenizar a dura verdade. Dianne é uma órfã, que muito deseja encontrar a sua família enquanto Daniel, seu tutor, a usa para conseguir a vingança que à muito deseja. Por detrás destes objectivos, muitos são os mistérios que vão aumentado ao longo da trama e que tanto nos faz questionar acerca dos verdadeiros motivos de tanta raiva e força de vontade. Claro que, sendo um romance, os sentimentos de ambos irão traí-los e quando dão por si encontram-se perdidamente apaixonados e sem saber como canalizar esses sentimentos. Mas nem tudo é fácil, num jogo em que a inocência de Dianne é tão importante para que a vingança seja completa, Daniel vê-se numa encruzilhada sem saber qual o caminho certo a escolher.
Como sempre, na minha opinião, todas as personagens foram muito bem construídas e a história foi mantida relativamente simples e fluída, dando ao leitor a chance de a saborear sem grande dificuldade. Outra particularidade que achei soberba sou a maneira como a autora conseguiu esconder certos detalhes importantes e que foram finalmente descobertos em momentos certo e sem grande aceleração de acontecimentos. Ou seja, penso que tudo aconteceu de maneira a dar tempo ao leitor de digerir pormenores um pouco dolorosos e também foram respondidas a todas as questões que poderiam ser lançadas ao longo da história.
Este é o primeiro livro de uma série que no original se chama “The Seducers” e por isso tenho a esperança de encontrar novamente outras personagens bastante interessantes que foram aparecendo durante este volume. Pelo que já li no site Goodreads, o próximo livro é acerca de Vergil Duclairc e muito parece prometer, espero que não precisemos de esperar muito por ele.
http://viv-omundoencantadodoslivros.b...
Apesar de termos muitas vezes a mesma fórmula, ou seja, de vermos uma personagem feminina frágil e sem meios de conseguir aquilo que deseja e um homem poderoso que tem a missão de “a salvar”, este é um livro fantástico que me fez pensar até onde poderá ir uma mentira para tentar amenizar a dura verdade. Dianne é uma órfã, que muito deseja encontrar a sua família enquanto Daniel, seu tutor, a usa para conseguir a vingança que à muito deseja. Por detrás destes objectivos, muitos são os mistérios que vão aumentado ao longo da trama e que tanto nos faz questionar acerca dos verdadeiros motivos de tanta raiva e força de vontade. Claro que, sendo um romance, os sentimentos de ambos irão traí-los e quando dão por si encontram-se perdidamente apaixonados e sem saber como canalizar esses sentimentos. Mas nem tudo é fácil, num jogo em que a inocência de Dianne é tão importante para que a vingança seja completa, Daniel vê-se numa encruzilhada sem saber qual o caminho certo a escolher.
Como sempre, na minha opinião, todas as personagens foram muito bem construídas e a história foi mantida relativamente simples e fluída, dando ao leitor a chance de a saborear sem grande dificuldade. Outra particularidade que achei soberba sou a maneira como a autora conseguiu esconder certos detalhes importantes e que foram finalmente descobertos em momentos certo e sem grande aceleração de acontecimentos. Ou seja, penso que tudo aconteceu de maneira a dar tempo ao leitor de digerir pormenores um pouco dolorosos e também foram respondidas a todas as questões que poderiam ser lançadas ao longo da história.
Este é o primeiro livro de uma série que no original se chama “The Seducers” e por isso tenho a esperança de encontrar novamente outras personagens bastante interessantes que foram aparecendo durante este volume. Pelo que já li no site Goodreads, o próximo livro é acerca de Vergil Duclairc e muito parece prometer, espero que não precisemos de esperar muito por ele.
http://viv-omundoencantadodoslivros.b...
February 8, 2017
da www.sognipensieriparole.com
Finalmente un romance diverso, senza la solita trama trita e ritrita.
Lasciatemi dire che questo primo episodio mi ha così colpito in modo favorevole, che mi sono messa alla ricerca degli altri volumi (ahimè, abbastanza datati) della serie, tanto per levarmi lo sfizio di proseguire nella lettura delle storie degli altri personaggi.
La Hunter ci fa piombare nel mezzo di un intrigo, senza però rivelarcelo.
E già questo mi è piaciuto: basta con i misteri svelati sin dall'inizio o subdorati a metà libro, tanto per far concludere la storia a tarallucci e vino. Qui c'è una vendetta da compiere, una vendetta accarezzata da anni, metodicamente preparata nel suo svolgersi, ma anche il lettore è costretto ad aspettare, mentre i dettagli e le rivelazioni vengono centellinate capitolo dopo capitolo. E pure il finale non è così ovvio, perchè sino all'ultimo non si comprende come finiranno la coppia e i personaggi di contorno.
E poi c'è Daniel, il vendicatore, l'uomo-diavolo che (per fortuna) non si trasforma nella solita pappetta adorante al primo battito di ciglia di lei, ma pianifica nell'ombra, si strugge, combatte i suoi sentimenti, rende difficile far crescere quest'amore che non deve crescere.
Alla fine è stata una girandola d'emozioni.
Ammetto che lo stile risente di quasi quindici anni d'età e che può risultare più denso di certi romanzetti usa e getta dove ci sono tre dialoghi in croce prima di una vagonata di sesso acrobatico. Ma il bello della Hunter è anche calarsi nell'animo dei due, farci scoprire i loro sentimenti, soffermarsi sulle loro espressioni e (scusate se è poco) dare comunque un discreto contesto storico al tutto.
Finalmente un romance diverso, senza la solita trama trita e ritrita.
Lasciatemi dire che questo primo episodio mi ha così colpito in modo favorevole, che mi sono messa alla ricerca degli altri volumi (ahimè, abbastanza datati) della serie, tanto per levarmi lo sfizio di proseguire nella lettura delle storie degli altri personaggi.
La Hunter ci fa piombare nel mezzo di un intrigo, senza però rivelarcelo.
E già questo mi è piaciuto: basta con i misteri svelati sin dall'inizio o subdorati a metà libro, tanto per far concludere la storia a tarallucci e vino. Qui c'è una vendetta da compiere, una vendetta accarezzata da anni, metodicamente preparata nel suo svolgersi, ma anche il lettore è costretto ad aspettare, mentre i dettagli e le rivelazioni vengono centellinate capitolo dopo capitolo. E pure il finale non è così ovvio, perchè sino all'ultimo non si comprende come finiranno la coppia e i personaggi di contorno.
E poi c'è Daniel, il vendicatore, l'uomo-diavolo che (per fortuna) non si trasforma nella solita pappetta adorante al primo battito di ciglia di lei, ma pianifica nell'ombra, si strugge, combatte i suoi sentimenti, rende difficile far crescere quest'amore che non deve crescere.
Alla fine è stata una girandola d'emozioni.
Ammetto che lo stile risente di quasi quindici anni d'età e che può risultare più denso di certi romanzetti usa e getta dove ci sono tre dialoghi in croce prima di una vagonata di sesso acrobatico. Ma il bello della Hunter è anche calarsi nell'animo dei due, farci scoprire i loro sentimenti, soffermarsi sulle loro espressioni e (scusate se è poco) dare comunque un discreto contesto storico al tutto.
July 9, 2019
Daniel St. John is called to the cloister school where is ward, Diane Albret, attends. The offense is a compromising book found in Diane's possession. Madame Leblanc, the head mistress, wants to discipline Diane, but she needs St. John's permission to do so. Daniel sits in on the punishment. He surmises Diane is older then she says. Daniel stops the discipline and asks Diane her age. She tells him she is sixteen. Daniel doesn't believe her. He tells her to remove her dress so he can determine her age. Daniel expects Diane to call his bluff. Instead, she coolly tells him she is twenty. He decides it is time for her to leave the cloister school.
Daniel has been planning his revenge for fifteen years. He plans to use Diane to lure Andrew Tyndale to a duel. Daniel has already set in motion his revenge against Gustave Dupré, a French inventor. Daniel knows the secret that ties these two men together. Daniel doesn't plan for Diane to be hurt. He doesn't plan to seduce her either.
Diane Albret seems like a pawn being used by a chess master. Though Daniel appears to hold all the chess pieces, he doesn't realize that love will change all his plans. The sensual sparks that fly between Diane and Daniel are tame compared to the book, Pure Ecstasy by Aja James, I am starting next. I would give this book a rating of three out of five on the scorch scale. The revenge subplot almost over shadows the romance. The descriptions are fine. I feel the settings were well established. Overall, a good book and well worth pursuing the next book in the series.
Daniel has been planning his revenge for fifteen years. He plans to use Diane to lure Andrew Tyndale to a duel. Daniel has already set in motion his revenge against Gustave Dupré, a French inventor. Daniel knows the secret that ties these two men together. Daniel doesn't plan for Diane to be hurt. He doesn't plan to seduce her either.
Diane Albret seems like a pawn being used by a chess master. Though Daniel appears to hold all the chess pieces, he doesn't realize that love will change all his plans. The sensual sparks that fly between Diane and Daniel are tame compared to the book, Pure Ecstasy by Aja James, I am starting next. I would give this book a rating of three out of five on the scorch scale. The revenge subplot almost over shadows the romance. The descriptions are fine. I feel the settings were well established. Overall, a good book and well worth pursuing the next book in the series.
July 12, 2016
Mediocre historical. Could have been better but the character development was unbalanced. The hero was complex & had a deep history but it was never well explained, other than to tie up the plot. His personality and mannerisms were intriguing though. The heroine suffered from Boring Virgin Syndrome and her personality was not developed enough to make her compelling at all. I couldn't figure out what the hero fell in love with about her, but mostly because we simply weren't shown. There could have been so much more. A fascinating secondary character was the hero's sister, who could have been absolutely riveting... but again, under-used. Author sent the reader to spend too much time in Boring Virgin's mind and not enough time in the truly interesting minds.
That said, it was a proper historical romance and wasn't terrible. Just lacked the level of nuance and intellect that makes a story special. I don't expect to remember this one past the end of the day.
That said, it was a proper historical romance and wasn't terrible. Just lacked the level of nuance and intellect that makes a story special. I don't expect to remember this one past the end of the day.
shelved
July 1, 2020Shelving for possible pick up later. Was not feeling it at the moment. Some uneasiness with plot/ possible grooming.
September 19, 2016
Diane Albret, raised in a French boarding school from the age of twelve, is a young woman searching for family connection. Her reluctant guardian, Daniel, is a man bent on revenge. This is a complex story of how their lives entwined years before, how that drama unfolds now, and how it affects their growing attraction for each other. Madeline Hunter writes thick, deeply emotional stories. There’s not a lot of lightness and humor thrown into that emotion here (my preference), but plenty of tension and suspense. She’s a great storyteller and I was rooting for these two characters.
March 15, 2017
I don't think I have read any other books by Madeline Hunter during my 'read only historical romance novels' phase. Not sure how I missed her novels, anyways, this one really was well written.History and mystery interwoven so nicely with deeply moving romantic scenes. The magnetism and chemistry of the lead characters really do come thru the pages. I'm sure to read more of her novels.
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