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Sweet Torment
PASSIONATE RAGE
Ravishing Morgana Pierce had never met anyone as arrogant as dark-haired Devon Howard. She could see from the infuriating gleam in his eye that he thougth she had deliberately mistaken his cabin for hers. During the long, tortuous sea voyage to Mexico City, she tried to keep out of his path. But there was something about his slow, contemptuous smile that refused to be ignored. With one taunting look he sent her blood rushing with a cold fury she had never known. And with one searing kiss he set her body aflame with a white-hot desire she had never imagined.
SEETING DESIRE
From the moment he found Morgana in his room, with her chestnut tresses and tantalizing doe eyes, Devon suspected she was a seductress. Her passionate response to his kiss proved she was no innocent. Then he saw Mexico's most powerful general creeping into her bedroom and he knew her for a wanton traitor. But the memory of her melting kiss lingered, intoxicating him with visions of her lush curves, inflaming him with desire for her satin flesh. He would tame her...or live forever in SWEET TORMENT
Ravishing Morgana Pierce had never met anyone as arrogant as dark-haired Devon Howard. She could see from the infuriating gleam in his eye that he thougth she had deliberately mistaken his cabin for hers. During the long, tortuous sea voyage to Mexico City, she tried to keep out of his path. But there was something about his slow, contemptuous smile that refused to be ignored. With one taunting look he sent her blood rushing with a cold fury she had never known. And with one searing kiss he set her body aflame with a white-hot desire she had never imagined.
SEETING DESIRE
From the moment he found Morgana in his room, with her chestnut tresses and tantalizing doe eyes, Devon suspected she was a seductress. Her passionate response to his kiss proved she was no innocent. Then he saw Mexico's most powerful general creeping into her bedroom and he knew her for a wanton traitor. But the memory of her melting kiss lingered, intoxicating him with visions of her lush curves, inflaming him with desire for her satin flesh. He would tame her...or live forever in SWEET TORMENT
491 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1984
About the author
Elaine Barbieri
57 books51 followersAKA Elaine Rome
Elaine Barbieri wrote over thirty historical novels that have been published worldwide. She was certain young adult readers would enjoy the excitement of historical romance if given a chance, and she welcomed the opportunity to write Miranda and the Warrior for this new audience. Elaine lived in northern New Jersey with her husband and family, and with Harrison, a demanding male who she is sure would be the ultimate hero -- if he weren't a cat.
Elaine Barbieri wrote over thirty historical novels that have been published worldwide. She was certain young adult readers would enjoy the excitement of historical romance if given a chance, and she welcomed the opportunity to write Miranda and the Warrior for this new audience. Elaine lived in northern New Jersey with her husband and family, and with Harrison, a demanding male who she is sure would be the ultimate hero -- if he weren't a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 31, 2016
This review is of “Sweet Torment” by Elaine Barbieri.
The book begins with an introduction to the heroine of the book, Morgana Pierce, 18. Recently orphaned after her father’s passing, Morgana is traveling by various ships to Mexico to live with her aunt Isabella and her uncle, Manuel a high-ranking General in the Mexican Army. Another passenger heading to Mexico is the hero of the book, Devon Conrad. His reasons are different from Morgana’s; he is trying to negotiate the release of Stephen F. Austin from a Mexican jail. Upon meeting Morgana, Devon treats her contemptuously, insults, belittles and tries to seduce her.. (He succeeds at all of the above.) This pattern will continue for the rest of the book.
When they arrive in Mexico, they are greeted by the President of Mexico, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and things become more strained between Morgana and Devon. Like two dogs fighting over a bone, Antonio and Devon begin a duel for Morgana’s affections. (This despite the fact that Antonio is married.) Later, in what I can only describe as an incredibly stupid thing to do, Devon hires the bandits who nearly killed Morgana to kidnap her. The purpose of this: Devon wants to use her to punish Santa Anna and try to free Austin. Devon later takes Morgana to his ranch in Texas. Morgana gets away, goes back to Mexico and discovers she is pregnant with Devon’s child. This leads to a completely unromantic proposal from Devon, a marriage, a lame apology from him and their Happily Ever After, or something like that.
Upside: I say this about every book I read by Ms. Barbieri, and it remains true in “Sweet Torment”. Ms. Barbieri knows how to bring her characters emotions to life.
Downside: Devon Conrad is cut from the same cloth as Damien Straith from “Love’s Fiery Jewel”, which is to say he is an obnoxious bastard. No amount of lame “apology” at the end makes up for me the abuse he heaps on Morgana throughout the book. I also fault Morgana for being stupid enough to fall in love with Devon. The characters are not developed: Morgana is going to live with her aunt and uncle after her father’s death, but there is very little information about that, other than to say that she is penniless. Devon’s “I hate you, I think you’re a tramp, you're immoral, you're a scheming jezebel, I love you” transformation through the book is completely unbelievable.
Sex: The sex scenes are very mildly graphic. They are not erotica, and use euphemisms to focus more on the feelings than the mechanics of lovemaking.
Violence: A few slapping scenes. Morgana is nearly killed by Mexican bandits. Later, Devon is shot and seriously injured in a war; sadly, he doesn’t get killed. That would have made me happy!
Bottom Line: Do you like books where the heroine has zero pride and self-esteem, and falls in love with a “hero” who emotionally, mentally and verbally abuses her? If you are, chances are you’ll love some of Elaine Barbieri’s books. The rest of us...not so much. There is nothing “Sweet” about this “Torment”.
The book begins with an introduction to the heroine of the book, Morgana Pierce, 18. Recently orphaned after her father’s passing, Morgana is traveling by various ships to Mexico to live with her aunt Isabella and her uncle, Manuel a high-ranking General in the Mexican Army. Another passenger heading to Mexico is the hero of the book, Devon Conrad. His reasons are different from Morgana’s; he is trying to negotiate the release of Stephen F. Austin from a Mexican jail. Upon meeting Morgana, Devon treats her contemptuously, insults, belittles and tries to seduce her.. (He succeeds at all of the above.) This pattern will continue for the rest of the book.
When they arrive in Mexico, they are greeted by the President of Mexico, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and things become more strained between Morgana and Devon. Like two dogs fighting over a bone, Antonio and Devon begin a duel for Morgana’s affections. (This despite the fact that Antonio is married.) Later, in what I can only describe as an incredibly stupid thing to do, Devon hires the bandits who nearly killed Morgana to kidnap her. The purpose of this: Devon wants to use her to punish Santa Anna and try to free Austin. Devon later takes Morgana to his ranch in Texas. Morgana gets away, goes back to Mexico and discovers she is pregnant with Devon’s child. This leads to a completely unromantic proposal from Devon, a marriage, a lame apology from him and their Happily Ever After, or something like that.
Upside: I say this about every book I read by Ms. Barbieri, and it remains true in “Sweet Torment”. Ms. Barbieri knows how to bring her characters emotions to life.
Downside: Devon Conrad is cut from the same cloth as Damien Straith from “Love’s Fiery Jewel”, which is to say he is an obnoxious bastard. No amount of lame “apology” at the end makes up for me the abuse he heaps on Morgana throughout the book. I also fault Morgana for being stupid enough to fall in love with Devon. The characters are not developed: Morgana is going to live with her aunt and uncle after her father’s death, but there is very little information about that, other than to say that she is penniless. Devon’s “I hate you, I think you’re a tramp, you're immoral, you're a scheming jezebel, I love you” transformation through the book is completely unbelievable.
Sex: The sex scenes are very mildly graphic. They are not erotica, and use euphemisms to focus more on the feelings than the mechanics of lovemaking.
Violence: A few slapping scenes. Morgana is nearly killed by Mexican bandits. Later, Devon is shot and seriously injured in a war; sadly, he doesn’t get killed. That would have made me happy!
Bottom Line: Do you like books where the heroine has zero pride and self-esteem, and falls in love with a “hero” who emotionally, mentally and verbally abuses her? If you are, chances are you’ll love some of Elaine Barbieri’s books. The rest of us...not so much. There is nothing “Sweet” about this “Torment”.
August 23, 2022
Not one of Ms. Barbieri's best, with a H too quick to think the worst of the h, and a h too quick to think the best of Santa Anna. Neither one was justified.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews