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Devil's Desire
IMPETUOUS DESIRE ... SEARING PASSION ... ENDURING LOVE
In a rousing, unforgettable saga that sweeps across the valleys and peaks of human destiny, the stormy alliance of beautiful young Lady Elysia Demarice and Lord Alex Trevegne plumbs the depths of raw human emotion -- lust, jealousy and hate -- for though Lord Alex has married Elysia, he cannot possess her in flesh or spirit. Out of the turbulence of their clashing wills comes one of the greatest love stories ever written, as their twin passions mingle at last, in a rippling tide of liquid fire!
In a rousing, unforgettable saga that sweeps across the valleys and peaks of human destiny, the stormy alliance of beautiful young Lady Elysia Demarice and Lord Alex Trevegne plumbs the depths of raw human emotion -- lust, jealousy and hate -- for though Lord Alex has married Elysia, he cannot possess her in flesh or spirit. Out of the turbulence of their clashing wills comes one of the greatest love stories ever written, as their twin passions mingle at last, in a rippling tide of liquid fire!
428 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1975
101 people are currently reading
1183 people want to read
About the author
Laurie McBain
17 books155 followersLaurie McBain was born on October 15, 1949. She was always passionate about art and history, and her father encouraged her and helped her write her first historical romance. At twenty-six, Laurie became a publishing phenomenon with her first historical romance. Her first novels "Devil's Desire" and "Moonstruck Madness" each sold over a million copies. She was one of the pioners of the new romance style with Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. But, after the death of her father, she decided to retire from the publishing world in 1985, with only seven romances written.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
May 6, 2017
Well, this was...painful.
I'm well aware that Devil's Desire is the great-grandmother of many historical romances today, so I'm willing to let the predictable plot & cheeseball suspense slide. But the flat characters & terrible writing are inexcusable. This author is labeled one of HR's grande dames, yet I saw nothing to earn that title aside from the mid-1970s publishing date. The bulk is a mash of clunky infodumps, adverbial orgies, & sloppy writing with a wallpaper-thin Regency backdrop. Backstories are repeated ad nauseam -- except when key points are never explained at all, or other characters plop in with no prior histories whatsoever. Minor personages are abruptly dropped when no longer needed. Everyone stands around yammering for 95% of the book before some crazy frothing-at-the-mouth villain takes over in a scene straight out of Scooby Doo. The hero was a paltry rake who's one step away from stompy-ass Harlequin Presents idiocy, & the heroine was a standard "spunky" Regency miss who feels oppressed by "normal" feminine activities but loves to read & ride horses (still the favored template in genre HR).
Blech.
And so, I present...
DEVIL'S DESIRE;
or,
MY MISUNDERSTANDING IS BIGGER THAN YOURS.
-a parody in screenplay-
(Includes spoilers & swearing, of course. :P)
ELYSIA: Boohoo, woe is me. I’m the heroine. I have flaming red hair & shining green eyes. I used to have a mother, a father, a brother named Ian, & a white horse named Ariel. I raised Ariel since he was born & he let nobody ride him but me.
EVIL AUNT AGATHA: Muahahaha!
ELYSIA: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
EVIL AUNT AGATHA: I’m your evil aunt, & I loathe you with the unreasonable passion of a thousand fiery suns!
ELYSIA: But I don’t understand why.
EVIL AUNT AGATHA: Blah, blah, blah. Here’s a long-winded backstory about how I’m a psycho bitch who holds grudges for thirty years. And by the way, I’ve arranged a marriage for you.
ELYSIA: Oh noes!
EVIL AUNT AGATHA: Yes, he’s a lecherous fat guy with three shrewish daughters. Enjoy yourself.
LECHEROUS FAT GUY: Muahahaha! You haz boobies.
ELYSIA: I shall run away so none of these people can find me again.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Is it too early to be gripped by a nebulous sense of doom? Because this prose is terrible.
(Meanwhile, somewhere else…)
ALEX: I’m the hero. I have hawk-like features & fierce golden eyes. I’m unobservant as hell. I’m a devil. I hate women.
PETER: Damn, bro. You’re awful harsh about stuff. And apparently you’ve killed people with pistols.
ALEX: You forgot how much I hate women.
PETER: Yeah, what’s up with that?
ALEX: I dunno. It’s a big freakin’ mystery that I might not bother to explain, like, ever. But it makes women crave my peen, so there you go.
EVIL GUY NAMED JASON: Muahahaha!
ALEX: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
EVIL GUY NAMED JASON: My name is Jason, Lord WhoGivesaFuck. I’m planning to sabotage your social standing because you thwarted my marriage to some chick who was your ward for reasons that nobody bothered to explain.
ALEX: Huh? Oh, that’s right...she’s not in this book. What’s her name again?
EVIL GUY NAMED JASON: Die, damn you! Or at least be ostracized from Almack’s. I loathe you with the unreasonable passion of a thousand fiery suns!
ALEX: Of course you do, moron. Thanks for dropping this pretty girl in my bed.
ELYSIA: Oh noes! Someone drugged my rum toddy.
ALEX: Do I frighten you?
ELYSIA: Yes.
ALEX: Good, because I hate women. Let’s get married. It will solve a bunch of nonsensical plot issues.
ELYSIA: You’re a devil! And I wanted true love. Boohoo, woe is me.
ALEX: True love is for pussies.
ELYSIA: Well, I suppose marrying you is better than having to work for a living.
ALEX: Put your fugly dress back on. We’re hittin’ up the parsonage.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Woah, spare my sensibilities & slow this wacky clown car! All these infodumps are giving me motion sickness.
(A couple weeks later…)
ELYSIA: I think I’ll take a horseback ride. Alone. Through unfamiliar lands. Just like Alex told me not to do, because reasons.
WISE OLD STABLEMASTER: Hey, you’re that girl I used to know. Go figure.
ELYSIA: I’m married to Alex now. Woe is me.
WISE OLD STABLEMASTER: Here, this will cheer you up.
ELYSIA: Why, it’s Ariel! This is the horse I raised since he was born & who won’t let anyone ride him but me!
ALEX: I’m not excited that this pleases you. Because I hate women.
ELYSIA: And I’m not excited that you’re not pleased to have pleased me. Because you’re a devil.
ALEX: Well, whatever. Now that you’re happy here, my hawk-like features & intense golden eyes demand that you put out.
ELYSIA: You’re a devil!
ALEX: Yeah, but you like me kissing your boobies.
ELYSIA: This might be true love.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Huh?? Two pages ago you hated the guy!
(The next chapter…)
ELYSIA: Men keep their wives chained by social requirements & marriage because they fear us being their intellectual equals.
ALEX: Whatever. I hate women.
ELYSIA: You’re a devil!
ALEX: Let’s go enjoy more antagonistic sex.
ELYSIA: Woot!
PETER: Whassup, everyone?
ELYSIA: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
PETER: I’m Alex’s brother. I’m not a devil. And I killed that jerkoff Evil Jason in a duel nobody saw but me & my buddy Charles.
EVIL GUY NAMED JASON: Muahaha! I died cursing your face, Alex.
ALEX: U dead, moron. Shut up now.
PETER: You’re a devil.
ELYSIA: But I like kissing him anyway.
CHARLES: Hey, guys!
ALEX: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
CHARLES: Nothing, really. But I’m more interesting than everyone else because I’m the foppish comic relief.
ALEX: Nice to meet you. Stay for dinner. I hate women.
ELYSIA: Have you met my white horse? His name is Ariel & I raised him since he was born, so now he won’t let anyone ride him but me. I also had a brother named Ian, but he’s dead. Woe is me.
LOUISA: I inexplicably crave your friendship because it serves future plot devices. Also, I’m in love with some mystery man that roams around the moors. He might be a sailor & thus totally unsuitable for my station.
ELYSIA: Yay, I has a bestie!
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Headdesk. Headdesk. Headdesk.
(A few minutes afterward…)
EVIL EX MARIANA: Muahahaha! I’ve arrived to ruin your tenuous hold on marital contentment.
ELYSIA: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
EVIL EX MARIANA: I want Alex. And his money. And his title. And his man-bits. I loathe you with the unreasonable passion of a thousand fiery suns!
ALEX: Go rot in a hole, you stupid bitch.
EVIL EX MARIANA: You’re a devil!
ALEX: I hate women. I want to bone my wife.
EVIL EX MARIANA: Alex would rather bone me, you know.
ELYSIA: For some reason I trust that your words are totally accurate. Boohoo, woe is me! But if I continue to pretend that I hate this man, perhaps he will reward me with everlasting true love. I’ve reached this important life-changing decision based solely on a single conversation with someone who hates me, so it’s vitally important that I not speak to my husband & clarify the truth.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Oh, dear god. Not the Big Mis.
(Several chapters later…)
ALEX: I think I’ll hang out with my Evil Ex Mariana, because reasons. But don’t worry. I’m still faithful to my wife, even though I hate women.
ELYSIA: You’re a devil! …Oops, I’ve been shot.
RANDOM GUY: Omg, Elysia! You’re bleeding! Someone has tried to kill you!
ELYSIA: Ian?! Wtf are you doing here??
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: Yes! ‘Tis I, your brother who was long dead!...Except not really.
ELYSIA: Look! I also found Ariel, the horse that I raised since his birth & who won’t let anyone ride him but me.
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: Cool beans. So guess what? I’m a spy. And I’m in love with Louisa, but I told her my name was David. It’s part of my super-secret spy routine to defeat smugglers. Just remember, on no account can you speak of any of this to anyone. My presence must remain a secret, especially from Alex. Because, y’know. Spy stuff.
ELYSIA: Yes, my husband is a devil.
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: I hear he also hates women.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: …These people need to die in a fire.
(A few days after…)
ALEX: You are boning this mystery man whose name is Ian! I’ve deduced this because you refuse to tell me anything about him, therefore you’re obviously a faithless hellspawn whore!
ELYSIA: I’m not a hellspawn whore, thankyouverymuch. But you’re a devil.
ALEX: I hate women. And I hate you too. We’ll never have hatesex again, dammit!
PETER: Da fuck is wrong with you morons?
ELYSIA: Woe is me! Mariana was totally right. Alex hates me. I am like a bud that had begun to open & flower, half-opened by the first warming rays from the sun & nourishing drop of moisture from the rain, but it would now wither & die from neglect.** [**direct quote]
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: Muahahaha! I loathe you with the unreasonable passion of a thousand fiery suns!
ELYSIA: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: I’m some resentful nobody that hates you because reasons. I’ve created the most dumbfuck Cunning Plan that ever existed & set an obvious trap to cause you harm.
ELYSIA: Duuuuuur…
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: Look, your precious husband is injured!
ELYSIA: Where?!
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: I lied. Now I’ve shoved you down some stairs in a secret passage.
ELYSIA: Woe is me!
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Words cannot convey how much I hate y’all.
(And finally the climax arrives…)
LOUISA: Look, it’s Ariel, the horse that Elysia raised since he was born & who won’t let anyone ride him but her. My dear friend is in danger! Why are my parents so evil?!
ARIEL: I’ll let you ride me, because whatever. I’m just trying to bring this soggy drama to an end.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Thank god somebody is on my side.
SMUGGLERS: Woohoo, gunfight!
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: Taste my pain, assholes!
ALEX: I hate women! Where’s my wife, dammit?!
LOUISA’S EVIL FATHER: I died. Not that anyone cares, since I only had, like, four lines.
ELYSIA: Gosh, I hope Louisa’s mother is okay.
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: I’m the attacker, you moron! How is it you’re not dead yet? You are my nemesis that refuses to die! Burn in hell, you beauteous bitchwhore! That’s for stealing Alex & ruining our plans for increased social standing by browbeating Lousia into a marriage she’d hate!
ELYSIA: Woe is me.
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: STFU & listen to an epic infodump about how I’m an criminal mastermind. Look how insanely evil & awesome I am! See, I’m literally frothing at the mouth. Fear me! …Oops, I fell on some pointy rocks.
SMUGGLERS: We’re all dead, too. Does anybody care? Nah.
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: Louisa! I love you. I’m sorry I had to lie about the spy stuff. I’m actually a respectable lieutenant in the British navy.
LOUISA: I love you, David! Or Ian. Whatever your name is.
ELYSIA: Yay, now we’ll be in-laws!
ALEX: How dare this man hug another woman when he’s boning you! Elysia is mine! Mine! All for me! Nobody else will ever touch her, you wife-stealing bastard! My toys are my own! Waaaaah!
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: For fuck’s sake, dumbass. She’s my sister.
ALEX: …Oh. I feel stupid. Maybe I should’ve, y’know, asked some logical questions instead of charging around like a wanky dunderhead.
ELYSIA: That’s just how you are, darling. You’re a devil.
ALEX: But I love you.
ELYSIA: D’aww! You’re so cute. ^___^
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Can’t breathe…book…smothering…will…to live…
THE END.
I'm well aware that Devil's Desire is the great-grandmother of many historical romances today, so I'm willing to let the predictable plot & cheeseball suspense slide. But the flat characters & terrible writing are inexcusable. This author is labeled one of HR's grande dames, yet I saw nothing to earn that title aside from the mid-1970s publishing date. The bulk is a mash of clunky infodumps, adverbial orgies, & sloppy writing with a wallpaper-thin Regency backdrop. Backstories are repeated ad nauseam -- except when key points are never explained at all, or other characters plop in with no prior histories whatsoever. Minor personages are abruptly dropped when no longer needed. Everyone stands around yammering for 95% of the book before some crazy frothing-at-the-mouth villain takes over in a scene straight out of Scooby Doo. The hero was a paltry rake who's one step away from stompy-ass Harlequin Presents idiocy, & the heroine was a standard "spunky" Regency miss who feels oppressed by "normal" feminine activities but loves to read & ride horses (still the favored template in genre HR).
Blech.
And so, I present...
DEVIL'S DESIRE;
or,
MY MISUNDERSTANDING IS BIGGER THAN YOURS.
-a parody in screenplay-
(Includes spoilers & swearing, of course. :P)
ELYSIA: Boohoo, woe is me. I’m the heroine. I have flaming red hair & shining green eyes. I used to have a mother, a father, a brother named Ian, & a white horse named Ariel. I raised Ariel since he was born & he let nobody ride him but me.
EVIL AUNT AGATHA: Muahahaha!
ELYSIA: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
EVIL AUNT AGATHA: I’m your evil aunt, & I loathe you with the unreasonable passion of a thousand fiery suns!
ELYSIA: But I don’t understand why.
EVIL AUNT AGATHA: Blah, blah, blah. Here’s a long-winded backstory about how I’m a psycho bitch who holds grudges for thirty years. And by the way, I’ve arranged a marriage for you.
ELYSIA: Oh noes!
EVIL AUNT AGATHA: Yes, he’s a lecherous fat guy with three shrewish daughters. Enjoy yourself.
LECHEROUS FAT GUY: Muahahaha! You haz boobies.
ELYSIA: I shall run away so none of these people can find me again.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Is it too early to be gripped by a nebulous sense of doom? Because this prose is terrible.
(Meanwhile, somewhere else…)
ALEX: I’m the hero. I have hawk-like features & fierce golden eyes. I’m unobservant as hell. I’m a devil. I hate women.
PETER: Damn, bro. You’re awful harsh about stuff. And apparently you’ve killed people with pistols.
ALEX: You forgot how much I hate women.
PETER: Yeah, what’s up with that?
ALEX: I dunno. It’s a big freakin’ mystery that I might not bother to explain, like, ever. But it makes women crave my peen, so there you go.
EVIL GUY NAMED JASON: Muahahaha!
ALEX: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
EVIL GUY NAMED JASON: My name is Jason, Lord WhoGivesaFuck. I’m planning to sabotage your social standing because you thwarted my marriage to some chick who was your ward for reasons that nobody bothered to explain.
ALEX: Huh? Oh, that’s right...she’s not in this book. What’s her name again?
EVIL GUY NAMED JASON: Die, damn you! Or at least be ostracized from Almack’s. I loathe you with the unreasonable passion of a thousand fiery suns!
ALEX: Of course you do, moron. Thanks for dropping this pretty girl in my bed.
ELYSIA: Oh noes! Someone drugged my rum toddy.
ALEX: Do I frighten you?
ELYSIA: Yes.
ALEX: Good, because I hate women. Let’s get married. It will solve a bunch of nonsensical plot issues.
ELYSIA: You’re a devil! And I wanted true love. Boohoo, woe is me.
ALEX: True love is for pussies.
ELYSIA: Well, I suppose marrying you is better than having to work for a living.
ALEX: Put your fugly dress back on. We’re hittin’ up the parsonage.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Woah, spare my sensibilities & slow this wacky clown car! All these infodumps are giving me motion sickness.
(A couple weeks later…)
ELYSIA: I think I’ll take a horseback ride. Alone. Through unfamiliar lands. Just like Alex told me not to do, because reasons.
WISE OLD STABLEMASTER: Hey, you’re that girl I used to know. Go figure.
ELYSIA: I’m married to Alex now. Woe is me.
WISE OLD STABLEMASTER: Here, this will cheer you up.
ELYSIA: Why, it’s Ariel! This is the horse I raised since he was born & who won’t let anyone ride him but me!
ALEX: I’m not excited that this pleases you. Because I hate women.
ELYSIA: And I’m not excited that you’re not pleased to have pleased me. Because you’re a devil.
ALEX: Well, whatever. Now that you’re happy here, my hawk-like features & intense golden eyes demand that you put out.
ELYSIA: You’re a devil!
ALEX: Yeah, but you like me kissing your boobies.
ELYSIA: This might be true love.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Huh?? Two pages ago you hated the guy!
(The next chapter…)
ELYSIA: Men keep their wives chained by social requirements & marriage because they fear us being their intellectual equals.
ALEX: Whatever. I hate women.
ELYSIA: You’re a devil!
ALEX: Let’s go enjoy more antagonistic sex.
ELYSIA: Woot!
PETER: Whassup, everyone?
ELYSIA: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
PETER: I’m Alex’s brother. I’m not a devil. And I killed that jerkoff Evil Jason in a duel nobody saw but me & my buddy Charles.
EVIL GUY NAMED JASON: Muahaha! I died cursing your face, Alex.
ALEX: U dead, moron. Shut up now.
PETER: You’re a devil.
ELYSIA: But I like kissing him anyway.
CHARLES: Hey, guys!
ALEX: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
CHARLES: Nothing, really. But I’m more interesting than everyone else because I’m the foppish comic relief.
ALEX: Nice to meet you. Stay for dinner. I hate women.
ELYSIA: Have you met my white horse? His name is Ariel & I raised him since he was born, so now he won’t let anyone ride him but me. I also had a brother named Ian, but he’s dead. Woe is me.
LOUISA: I inexplicably crave your friendship because it serves future plot devices. Also, I’m in love with some mystery man that roams around the moors. He might be a sailor & thus totally unsuitable for my station.
ELYSIA: Yay, I has a bestie!
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Headdesk. Headdesk. Headdesk.
(A few minutes afterward…)
EVIL EX MARIANA: Muahahaha! I’ve arrived to ruin your tenuous hold on marital contentment.
ELYSIA: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
EVIL EX MARIANA: I want Alex. And his money. And his title. And his man-bits. I loathe you with the unreasonable passion of a thousand fiery suns!
ALEX: Go rot in a hole, you stupid bitch.
EVIL EX MARIANA: You’re a devil!
ALEX: I hate women. I want to bone my wife.
EVIL EX MARIANA: Alex would rather bone me, you know.
ELYSIA: For some reason I trust that your words are totally accurate. Boohoo, woe is me! But if I continue to pretend that I hate this man, perhaps he will reward me with everlasting true love. I’ve reached this important life-changing decision based solely on a single conversation with someone who hates me, so it’s vitally important that I not speak to my husband & clarify the truth.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Oh, dear god. Not the Big Mis.
(Several chapters later…)
ALEX: I think I’ll hang out with my Evil Ex Mariana, because reasons. But don’t worry. I’m still faithful to my wife, even though I hate women.
ELYSIA: You’re a devil! …Oops, I’ve been shot.
RANDOM GUY: Omg, Elysia! You’re bleeding! Someone has tried to kill you!
ELYSIA: Ian?! Wtf are you doing here??
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: Yes! ‘Tis I, your brother who was long dead!...Except not really.
ELYSIA: Look! I also found Ariel, the horse that I raised since his birth & who won’t let anyone ride him but me.
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: Cool beans. So guess what? I’m a spy. And I’m in love with Louisa, but I told her my name was David. It’s part of my super-secret spy routine to defeat smugglers. Just remember, on no account can you speak of any of this to anyone. My presence must remain a secret, especially from Alex. Because, y’know. Spy stuff.
ELYSIA: Yes, my husband is a devil.
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: I hear he also hates women.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: …These people need to die in a fire.
(A few days after…)
ALEX: You are boning this mystery man whose name is Ian! I’ve deduced this because you refuse to tell me anything about him, therefore you’re obviously a faithless hellspawn whore!
ELYSIA: I’m not a hellspawn whore, thankyouverymuch. But you’re a devil.
ALEX: I hate women. And I hate you too. We’ll never have hatesex again, dammit!
PETER: Da fuck is wrong with you morons?
ELYSIA: Woe is me! Mariana was totally right. Alex hates me. I am like a bud that had begun to open & flower, half-opened by the first warming rays from the sun & nourishing drop of moisture from the rain, but it would now wither & die from neglect.** [**direct quote]
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: Muahahaha! I loathe you with the unreasonable passion of a thousand fiery suns!
ELYSIA: Who are you & what is your function in this story?
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: I’m some resentful nobody that hates you because reasons. I’ve created the most dumbfuck Cunning Plan that ever existed & set an obvious trap to cause you harm.
ELYSIA: Duuuuuur…
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: Look, your precious husband is injured!
ELYSIA: Where?!
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: I lied. Now I’ve shoved you down some stairs in a secret passage.
ELYSIA: Woe is me!
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Words cannot convey how much I hate y’all.
(And finally the climax arrives…)
LOUISA: Look, it’s Ariel, the horse that Elysia raised since he was born & who won’t let anyone ride him but her. My dear friend is in danger! Why are my parents so evil?!
ARIEL: I’ll let you ride me, because whatever. I’m just trying to bring this soggy drama to an end.
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Thank god somebody is on my side.
SMUGGLERS: Woohoo, gunfight!
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: Taste my pain, assholes!
ALEX: I hate women! Where’s my wife, dammit?!
LOUISA’S EVIL FATHER: I died. Not that anyone cares, since I only had, like, four lines.
ELYSIA: Gosh, I hope Louisa’s mother is okay.
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: I’m the attacker, you moron! How is it you’re not dead yet? You are my nemesis that refuses to die! Burn in hell, you beauteous bitchwhore! That’s for stealing Alex & ruining our plans for increased social standing by browbeating Lousia into a marriage she’d hate!
ELYSIA: Woe is me.
LOUISA’S EVIL MOTHER: STFU & listen to an epic infodump about how I’m an criminal mastermind. Look how insanely evil & awesome I am! See, I’m literally frothing at the mouth. Fear me! …Oops, I fell on some pointy rocks.
SMUGGLERS: We’re all dead, too. Does anybody care? Nah.
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: Louisa! I love you. I’m sorry I had to lie about the spy stuff. I’m actually a respectable lieutenant in the British navy.
LOUISA: I love you, David! Or Ian. Whatever your name is.
ELYSIA: Yay, now we’ll be in-laws!
ALEX: How dare this man hug another woman when he’s boning you! Elysia is mine! Mine! All for me! Nobody else will ever touch her, you wife-stealing bastard! My toys are my own! Waaaaah!
RANDOM GUY WHO IS IAN: For fuck’s sake, dumbass. She’s my sister.
ALEX: …Oh. I feel stupid. Maybe I should’ve, y’know, asked some logical questions instead of charging around like a wanky dunderhead.
ELYSIA: That’s just how you are, darling. You’re a devil.
ALEX: But I love you.
ELYSIA: D’aww! You’re so cute. ^___^
SARAH WHO IS READING THIS: Can’t breathe…book…smothering…will…to live…
THE END.
December 3, 2020
Ah romance and nostalgia.
An old favorite as it was one of the first romances I ever read that went beyond Barbara Cartland's ellipses and saccharine sweet heroines.
An old favorite as it was one of the first romances I ever read that went beyond Barbara Cartland's ellipses and saccharine sweet heroines.
June 29, 2009
Well this book wasn’t for me and for soooo many reasons. For the record, I really, really, really tried to like it but it was a no go. Now I know it’s a bodice ripper from the 70s and there was a certain “style” to those romances that doesn’t really exist in today’s romance novel, but this one I thought was not only poorly written, it had the most unlovable and irredeemable historical romance hero imaginable (ugh, eesh and **shudder shudder**).
It has a very Gothic feel to it –creepy castles/manors/houses on rocky crags, lots of rain and foreboding weather etc etc, but there is an endless amount of beyond irritating narration, we’re talking five pages straight of droning narration, enough to kill even the very patient reader. Reminded me of Lolah Burford’s painful novel Alyx where there was barely a hint of dialog what for all the telling and not showing as the saying seems to go. The h/h don’t even meet until around page 113 which is insane. I’m all for building tension but if you don’t give the reader even a little morsel they’ll get fed up fast –at least I do.
The hero is an ass. He's totally into the "you are my chattle" thing and "you will obey me". You can have a hero like that but the heroine has to be his foil, well no such thing existed here. He actually hurts the heroine physically, he’s not beating her or anything but he flies off the handle for no real reason, apart from the fact that he’s a boor and Class A jerk, he likes to shake her hard or squeeze her arms or waist until it hurts. I don’t know but I can’t like a guy like that. I love the rake and it’s impressive really how an author can make a true s.o.b into a great guy underneath it all but this guy needed a smack-down :-o He even has a “dalliance” with an ex-lover knowing that the heroine is hiding in the room –like, ew! That’s not forgivable even if you are trying to get revenge. The guy is so arrogant and full of himself that it’s a wonder that anyone can stand to be in the same breathing space as him –and that’s man or woman. There were the odd moments when you thought he may be turning over a new leaf but then BAM! He goes nutso! Freakin’ out like a crackhead! The hero reminded me of Anne Stuart’s hero James Killoran from To Love a Dark Lord, no doubt written around the same time period.
As for the heroine, the author tried to have her hold her own but I guess she was a victim of her times and just “forgave” and “understood” –blech! She should’ve shot the bastard when she had the chance if you ask me :-/
There are also way too many sub-stories, (think Patricia Gaffney’s Lily --everything and the kitchen sink). The dead guy that comes back to life right where the heroine lives to boot, the long lost horse that turns up right where she is too, smugglers who deal in human trade, the crazy broad that no one suspects to be the villain, French spies, a clandestine love affair, you name it, it’s in here. All of this “filler” detracts from the h/h and their “relationship”. I was skimming all this stuff towards the end in the same way I was skimming over the excessively annoying parts about the Lessers in JR Ward’s Lover Avenged --enough already, let’s get back to the main story (!). Elysia and Alex rarely spoke because he was always in a mood or downright raggin’ at her and then shazam they’re in love! They hardly spent any real time together how can they be in love????
Now maybe I’m being harsh (but I don’t think so—lol!) maybe if you’ve read a lot of these kinds of romances and you’re used to them you might think they’re really good but I for one prefer my romances post-1990 it seems where the author has dialog, interaction between the h/h before the reader falls asleep, and a believable story –well in an escapist romantic kind of way that is (lol!) For all you insomniacs out there, this one’s for you :D
It has a very Gothic feel to it –creepy castles/manors/houses on rocky crags, lots of rain and foreboding weather etc etc, but there is an endless amount of beyond irritating narration, we’re talking five pages straight of droning narration, enough to kill even the very patient reader. Reminded me of Lolah Burford’s painful novel Alyx where there was barely a hint of dialog what for all the telling and not showing as the saying seems to go. The h/h don’t even meet until around page 113 which is insane. I’m all for building tension but if you don’t give the reader even a little morsel they’ll get fed up fast –at least I do.
The hero is an ass. He's totally into the "you are my chattle" thing and "you will obey me". You can have a hero like that but the heroine has to be his foil, well no such thing existed here. He actually hurts the heroine physically, he’s not beating her or anything but he flies off the handle for no real reason, apart from the fact that he’s a boor and Class A jerk, he likes to shake her hard or squeeze her arms or waist until it hurts. I don’t know but I can’t like a guy like that. I love the rake and it’s impressive really how an author can make a true s.o.b into a great guy underneath it all but this guy needed a smack-down :-o He even has a “dalliance” with an ex-lover knowing that the heroine is hiding in the room –like, ew! That’s not forgivable even if you are trying to get revenge. The guy is so arrogant and full of himself that it’s a wonder that anyone can stand to be in the same breathing space as him –and that’s man or woman. There were the odd moments when you thought he may be turning over a new leaf but then BAM! He goes nutso! Freakin’ out like a crackhead! The hero reminded me of Anne Stuart’s hero James Killoran from To Love a Dark Lord, no doubt written around the same time period.
As for the heroine, the author tried to have her hold her own but I guess she was a victim of her times and just “forgave” and “understood” –blech! She should’ve shot the bastard when she had the chance if you ask me :-/
There are also way too many sub-stories, (think Patricia Gaffney’s Lily --everything and the kitchen sink). The dead guy that comes back to life right where the heroine lives to boot, the long lost horse that turns up right where she is too, smugglers who deal in human trade, the crazy broad that no one suspects to be the villain, French spies, a clandestine love affair, you name it, it’s in here. All of this “filler” detracts from the h/h and their “relationship”. I was skimming all this stuff towards the end in the same way I was skimming over the excessively annoying parts about the Lessers in JR Ward’s Lover Avenged --enough already, let’s get back to the main story (!). Elysia and Alex rarely spoke because he was always in a mood or downright raggin’ at her and then shazam they’re in love! They hardly spent any real time together how can they be in love????
Now maybe I’m being harsh (but I don’t think so—lol!) maybe if you’ve read a lot of these kinds of romances and you’re used to them you might think they’re really good but I for one prefer my romances post-1990 it seems where the author has dialog, interaction between the h/h before the reader falls asleep, and a believable story –well in an escapist romantic kind of way that is (lol!) For all you insomniacs out there, this one’s for you :D
April 19, 2022
One of her best forced marriages
May 12, 2025
05/10/2025 - Wow! This book is 49 years old and reads better than any Historical Romance I have read recently. Timeless tale of the hero and heroine caught in a compromising position and being forced to marry. Except this hero plays by his own rules, is an arrogant SOB and powerful enough to flaunt the rules of society should he chose. As a first book, Laurie McBain wrote a great one. My only disappointment is that I would have liked to see the aunt get her just deserts. I love Alex, the hero, he displays all the lovely not Woke or PC traits a man of his station has and wields without any thought to anyone else. Elysia, the heroine, starts the story beaten down and after meeting Alex finds her true inner strength and spirit. The baddies, except the aunt, get their just desserts and Alex and Elysia get their HEA.
Lady Elysia Demarice had a charmed life, parents who loved each other and her and a dotting big brother. It all came crashing down with the deaths of her parents and news her brother was lost at sea. With everything sold, she is forced to live with an aunt who treated her worse than any servant in the household. The final straw was the prospect of an arranged marriage that sent Elysia fleeing for London, and a great unknown.
Lord Alex Trevgne is his own rule. No one tells him what to do and society certainly can't. When he is caught in a compromising situation with a lovely, spirited, red headed beauty, well he decides to marry her, over her very loud objections. Now the fun begins, he just has to deal with her and that is no easy task for a man used to having his every desire granted without question. Alex finds himself in a battle he may not win with a woman who lights a passionate fire unlike any he has ever known. Throw into this pot an ex who is not going away, neighbors who wanted Alex for their daughter and mysterious goings on along the cliffs of Cornwall.
05/09/1976 - They say you never forget your first, and for me I will never forget Devil's Desire, my first historical romance. I was so caught up with the characters and plot that now, almost 50 years later I can still recall the plot and the ending. I loved this book and was devastated when Laurie McBain stopped writing.
Lady Elysia Demarice had a charmed life, parents who loved each other and her and a dotting big brother. It all came crashing down with the deaths of her parents and news her brother was lost at sea. With everything sold, she is forced to live with an aunt who treated her worse than any servant in the household. The final straw was the prospect of an arranged marriage that sent Elysia fleeing for London, and a great unknown.
Lord Alex Trevgne is his own rule. No one tells him what to do and society certainly can't. When he is caught in a compromising situation with a lovely, spirited, red headed beauty, well he decides to marry her, over her very loud objections. Now the fun begins, he just has to deal with her and that is no easy task for a man used to having his every desire granted without question. Alex finds himself in a battle he may not win with a woman who lights a passionate fire unlike any he has ever known. Throw into this pot an ex who is not going away, neighbors who wanted Alex for their daughter and mysterious goings on along the cliffs of Cornwall.
05/09/1976 - They say you never forget your first, and for me I will never forget Devil's Desire, my first historical romance. I was so caught up with the characters and plot that now, almost 50 years later I can still recall the plot and the ending. I loved this book and was devastated when Laurie McBain stopped writing.
July 10, 2016
What I most loved about this story is the mystery of the war-time smugglers. Alex and Elysia are wonderful, but the drama and angst and misunderstands due to lack of communication had me wanting yo tear my hair out! LOL!
Ah, well. Still all in all a wonderful read!
Blurb....
They called him the devil...
With his seductive golden eyes and sin-black hair, it's no wonder Lord Alex Trevegne has earned himself the sinister title-not to mention his reputation as one of the most notorious rakes in England.
And she's the only one who can conquer him...
When fate throws Alex and Elysia into a scandalous situation, Alex suddenly finds it surprisingly difficult to tear himself away from her.
As an unexpected passion blossoms between them, Elysia begins to wonder if after a lifetime of heartache she's finally found heaven in the arms of the devil.
Ah, well. Still all in all a wonderful read!
Blurb....
They called him the devil...
With his seductive golden eyes and sin-black hair, it's no wonder Lord Alex Trevegne has earned himself the sinister title-not to mention his reputation as one of the most notorious rakes in England.
And she's the only one who can conquer him...
When fate throws Alex and Elysia into a scandalous situation, Alex suddenly finds it surprisingly difficult to tear himself away from her.
As an unexpected passion blossoms between them, Elysia begins to wonder if after a lifetime of heartache she's finally found heaven in the arms of the devil.
January 12, 2025
This was an okay read for me. I was mostly uninterested in the mystery elements and kinda skimmed those sections. The MCs have a few arguments and squabble over things to emphasize their individual strengths of spirit. I would have preferred some sweeter moments between the two to build upon their relationship other than a horse ride and a sex scene. But that's me.
Overall, it was okay and a nice read on a day where I didn't want to do much other than read romance.
Overall, it was okay and a nice read on a day where I didn't want to do much other than read romance.
March 15, 2023
I can depend on 1975 to deliver plenty of torrid embraces and honest to god bodice ripper scenes. 😍😍
This was a fun book with an innocent but fiery heroine and a cynical rake of a hero. I loved the Cinderella feel.
The only reason it doesn’t get 5 stars is because I wanted more of a grovel and explicit explanation about his activities with the OW during the time he thought the h was actively cheating on him. AND this was missing a confrontation and comeuppance for the OW. She just fades away as if she wasn’t important. Same with the evil step aunt… why didn’t we get scene where she gets to wallow in her misery seeing the h blissfully happy and pampered?
Bottom Line? I really loved this book with tons of my favorites stuff. I will be trying more from this author. I just wanted more closure. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fun book with an innocent but fiery heroine and a cynical rake of a hero. I loved the Cinderella feel.
The only reason it doesn’t get 5 stars is because I wanted more of a grovel and explicit explanation about his activities with the OW during the time he thought the h was actively cheating on him. AND this was missing a confrontation and comeuppance for the OW. She just fades away as if she wasn’t important. Same with the evil step aunt… why didn’t we get scene where she gets to wallow in her misery seeing the h blissfully happy and pampered?
Bottom Line? I really loved this book with tons of my favorites stuff. I will be trying more from this author. I just wanted more closure. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 3, 2021
For me Devil's Desire was a bland Regency romance with the heroine on the run from bland, evil enemies. It's ok, nothing special. From the writing, you can tell it's a "first book." Supposedly, the rumor was that McBain co-wrote her novels with her father (It sounds kind of weird to be writing romance novels with your dad, but hey, that's just me.) After he passed away, she stopped writing, so that rumor might have more than a grain of truth in it.
The read was rather ordinary and predictable, but not terrible. Lots of cliches, including the rakish hero (who's really not that much of a rake) an evil ex-mistress, and a Cinderella heroine with emerald-green eyes and red-gold hair, whose the most beautiful lady in all of England, and pure as the driven snow. (Hey, cliches in a review are appropriate for a book riddled with them!)
I don't know how Laurie McBain ever got categorized as a bodice ripper author, because she's not. Maybe it's that since she was one of the original Avon ladies from the 1970s, that label stuck with her. Even though some of her books were epic in scope, spanning years and/or continents (not here in Devil's Desire though) there was never any forced seduction (i.e. rape by the hero), her heroines were virginal, and bodices were rarely. if ever, ripped.
She's "old-skool" romance, and there's more drama from the villains than any of her heroes or couples. This one's not memorable, but not overly terrible. I much preferred her second novel Moonstruck Madness, which was far more action-packed, with a true rakish hero.
2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3 because I was feeling generous the day I read it.
The read was rather ordinary and predictable, but not terrible. Lots of cliches, including the rakish hero (who's really not that much of a rake) an evil ex-mistress, and a Cinderella heroine with emerald-green eyes and red-gold hair, whose the most beautiful lady in all of England, and pure as the driven snow. (Hey, cliches in a review are appropriate for a book riddled with them!)
I don't know how Laurie McBain ever got categorized as a bodice ripper author, because she's not. Maybe it's that since she was one of the original Avon ladies from the 1970s, that label stuck with her. Even though some of her books were epic in scope, spanning years and/or continents (not here in Devil's Desire though) there was never any forced seduction (i.e. rape by the hero), her heroines were virginal, and bodices were rarely. if ever, ripped.
She's "old-skool" romance, and there's more drama from the villains than any of her heroes or couples. This one's not memorable, but not overly terrible. I much preferred her second novel Moonstruck Madness, which was far more action-packed, with a true rakish hero.
2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3 because I was feeling generous the day I read it.
July 23, 2025
3.5 stars! Devil’s Desire is the first book released from Laurie McBain, first published in 1975 (so it’s 50 years old when I read it). Laurie McBain is often referred to as one of the “great grandmothers”/pioneers of historical romance, specifically in the “newer romance style” a la Kathleen Woodiwiss. I recently read Moonstruck Madness by her and absolutely loved it so I wanted to read more of her books. She actually only published 7 romances after retiring in 1985 after just a decade of writing and her two books Devil’s Desire and Moonstruck Madness selling over one million copies each.
So I absolutely loved Moonstruck Madness and while this book didn’t live up to that same level for me, it still kept my attention and was entertaining. As with many old school historical romances, the adventure and drama is over the top and you have a handful of tropes tossed in, but I expect that. This book has light Cinderella vibes. Lady Elysia had a wonderful childhood and her life was idyllic, until her parents deaths and her older brother lost at sea. After everything in her home is sold, including her beloved horse Ariel, Elysia is forced to live with an awful aunt who treats her horribly. Her aunt arranges a marriage for Elysiq to someone awful so she ends up running away and happening across the hero Alex. They’re caught in a bit of a compromising situation so it leads to a marriage between them instead.
Alex is the type of hero who is convinced marriage is not for him, he’s got issues with women and doesn’t know what to do with a wife (besides the obvious lol). He’s used to doing what he wants and his life is definitely thrown for a loop with spirited Elysia. The story goes from there and is filled with lots of drama, side characters who thought they’d have their say on the hero and heroine’s individual futures, an ex, smugglers, deceit, betrayal, misunderstandings, family secrets, and more! Set in Cornwall amongst the glorious cliffs and moody vibes. The ebook for this is on Kindle Unlimited.
So I absolutely loved Moonstruck Madness and while this book didn’t live up to that same level for me, it still kept my attention and was entertaining. As with many old school historical romances, the adventure and drama is over the top and you have a handful of tropes tossed in, but I expect that. This book has light Cinderella vibes. Lady Elysia had a wonderful childhood and her life was idyllic, until her parents deaths and her older brother lost at sea. After everything in her home is sold, including her beloved horse Ariel, Elysia is forced to live with an awful aunt who treats her horribly. Her aunt arranges a marriage for Elysiq to someone awful so she ends up running away and happening across the hero Alex. They’re caught in a bit of a compromising situation so it leads to a marriage between them instead.
Alex is the type of hero who is convinced marriage is not for him, he’s got issues with women and doesn’t know what to do with a wife (besides the obvious lol). He’s used to doing what he wants and his life is definitely thrown for a loop with spirited Elysia. The story goes from there and is filled with lots of drama, side characters who thought they’d have their say on the hero and heroine’s individual futures, an ex, smugglers, deceit, betrayal, misunderstandings, family secrets, and more! Set in Cornwall amongst the glorious cliffs and moody vibes. The ebook for this is on Kindle Unlimited.
October 26, 2010
DEVIL'S DESIRE by Laurie McBain is an exciting, thrill ride of historical romance/suspense set in Regency England. It is a reissued work from 1975. It is well written with details, depth, fast paced, twists, turns and thrill ride to be sure. It has romance, deceit, betrayal, passion, spies, smugglers,defiance, stubborn-willful woman, a determined, arrogant man, adventure,intertwined story throughout, colorful characters, and love of country. The hero, Alex, is arrogant, seductive, a rake, considered the Devil himself, lucky at everything he does and about to meet his true love. The heroine, Elysia, is beautiful, penniless, strong willed, independent, hair red gold, and about to meet Alex, the Devil himself and her true love. Alex is bewitched by Elysia. They are throw together a scandal together. Alex determined to marry her for he has ever meet anyone so bewitching. They marry, out necessary for Elysia, but sparks fly, wits matched. What Alex believes is betrayal does and say hurtful things to Elysia, who has fallen in love with him. Things are amidst, as a smuggler ring is close, Elysia's brother who she believes is dead is not. He is actually undercover to capture a French spy. Alex knowing little of Elysia's past, feels betrayed, distance himself from her. Elysia, believes Alex is in love with someone while Alex believes she has a lover.This is a wonderful, compelling story of how to learn to trust, love and find true happiness.This is the first of this author's books I have read, and I will be looking forward to her next. I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy a happy ending, adventure, suspense and finding yourself.You will laugh, cry and set on the edge of your seat hoping everything will work out for this wonderfully matched couple. This book was received for review from the publisher and details can be found at Sourcebooks and My Book Addiction and More.
November 11, 2010
Devil’s Desire was a wildly popular romance novel that was first published in 1975. It was author Laurie McBain’s first novel, and she continued on to have a very successful career as a romance novelist in the 1970’s and 80’s. Sadly Devil’s Desire had gone out of print, but Sourcebooks has published a new edition of this novel this month.
Elysia Demarice is the beautiful daughter of aristocratic parents that has fallen on hard times since her parents’ untimely death in Regency England. When Elysia’s evil Step-Aunt tries to force her to marry an odious man, she runs away to London. On her way, she crosses the path of Lord Alex Trevegne. Known as “the Devil,” Alex has a temper and is a known seducer of women. Elysia is not impressed by Alex, and he finds himself attracted by the only woman who dares to talk back to him. When scandal forces them together, will Elysia and Alex be able to find true love and happiness?
I liked the Cinderella aspect of this story and loved heroine Elysia. She has grit and beauty. Elysia starts the book with nothing but the rags on her back, but is able to rise above it all to find love.
My only problem with this novel is the hero, Alex. Alex is a vintage 1970’s hero that takes what he wants and is not a very nice guy. He is handsome, but he spends his time misunderstanding Elysia and being cruel to her all in the name of love. I just wanted to yell at Alex, “Just talk to her you idiot!”
Devil’s Desire had romance, adventure, a great heroine, and a fantastic secondary romance story (Louisa and Ian). The only drawback for me was that I didn’t really like Alex and I also thought the ending was a bit abrupt.
Elysia Demarice is the beautiful daughter of aristocratic parents that has fallen on hard times since her parents’ untimely death in Regency England. When Elysia’s evil Step-Aunt tries to force her to marry an odious man, she runs away to London. On her way, she crosses the path of Lord Alex Trevegne. Known as “the Devil,” Alex has a temper and is a known seducer of women. Elysia is not impressed by Alex, and he finds himself attracted by the only woman who dares to talk back to him. When scandal forces them together, will Elysia and Alex be able to find true love and happiness?
I liked the Cinderella aspect of this story and loved heroine Elysia. She has grit and beauty. Elysia starts the book with nothing but the rags on her back, but is able to rise above it all to find love.
My only problem with this novel is the hero, Alex. Alex is a vintage 1970’s hero that takes what he wants and is not a very nice guy. He is handsome, but he spends his time misunderstanding Elysia and being cruel to her all in the name of love. I just wanted to yell at Alex, “Just talk to her you idiot!”
Devil’s Desire had romance, adventure, a great heroine, and a fantastic secondary romance story (Louisa and Ian). The only drawback for me was that I didn’t really like Alex and I also thought the ending was a bit abrupt.
December 18, 2010
In Devil's Desire Laurie McBain is not afraid to have her romantic lead go through a tortuous path of trials and tribulations.
It opens with Elysia after she'd been orphaned and been taken advantage of by an aunt that she'd had no previous contact with. As the nonstop abuse is destroying her spirit, Elysia takes matters into her own hands and runs away. Her first attempt at freedom shows how unprepared she is for the world. But she's smart, beautiful and in the right place at the right time - and we all know how that last one is key. Alex, the man she meets during her first adventure has the worst reputation but he takes her under his wing, offers her protection.
They're both surprised at how quickly they bond. Although there are obstacles to their happy ever after, such as jealous former mistresses, the usual hurt feelings and misunderstandings, Devil's Desire is a fun romantic escape with its likable characters, plot twists and satisfying ending. I think it's a keeper.
ISBN-10: 1402242417 - Paperback $7.99
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (November 1, 2010), 312 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
It opens with Elysia after she'd been orphaned and been taken advantage of by an aunt that she'd had no previous contact with. As the nonstop abuse is destroying her spirit, Elysia takes matters into her own hands and runs away. Her first attempt at freedom shows how unprepared she is for the world. But she's smart, beautiful and in the right place at the right time - and we all know how that last one is key. Alex, the man she meets during her first adventure has the worst reputation but he takes her under his wing, offers her protection.
They're both surprised at how quickly they bond. Although there are obstacles to their happy ever after, such as jealous former mistresses, the usual hurt feelings and misunderstandings, Devil's Desire is a fun romantic escape with its likable characters, plot twists and satisfying ending. I think it's a keeper.
ISBN-10: 1402242417 - Paperback $7.99
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (November 1, 2010), 312 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.
February 20, 2012
Başları cidden sıkıcı,zaten kızla-üvey teyzesi midir nedir onunla arasındaki ilişki bildiğin kül kedisi masalı.ama nedensizce uzatılmış,insan eee hadi ne zaman başlıyor falan diye düşünüyor.Tam esas çocuk çıkıyor hareketlenir ortalık diyoruz,çocuğun da babasının arkadaşıyla bir muhabbet ettiği sahne var ki içim bayıldı ve neden bahsettiklerine dair en ufak bir fikrim bile yok.Boşuna yazılmış en az 60 sayfası var yani yazarın,ilerleyince pek beğeneceğimi sanmıyorum ama neyse.
Evet kitap bitti.yazarda judith havası sezdim ben,tabi yanına bile yaklaşamaz ama olaylar arasındaki benzerlik bu sefer aşırı benzerdi.Gerçi hangi hist diğerine benzemiyor ki ?
İlk başlarda tutuktu ama sonradan açıldı.Kızın hala süzme salak olduğunu düşünüyorum,sırf bu kızlara inat bir tane zehir gibi kız yazacam görecek bu yazarlar.Bundan sonra okunacak yazarlar listemde,kitabı çıkınca sevinçten kafayı yemem ama aa laruie kitap yazmış bir bakayım vs derim.
Evet kitap bitti.yazarda judith havası sezdim ben,tabi yanına bile yaklaşamaz ama olaylar arasındaki benzerlik bu sefer aşırı benzerdi.Gerçi hangi hist diğerine benzemiyor ki ?
İlk başlarda tutuktu ama sonradan açıldı.Kızın hala süzme salak olduğunu düşünüyorum,sırf bu kızlara inat bir tane zehir gibi kız yazacam görecek bu yazarlar.Bundan sonra okunacak yazarlar listemde,kitabı çıkınca sevinçten kafayı yemem ama aa laruie kitap yazmış bir bakayım vs derim.
July 28, 2012
Bi şeyler eksikti beni içine çekemedi kitap bitsin diye sayfaları hızlı hızlı çevirdim diyebilirim.
Kızımızın anne babası fayton kazasında ölüyor abiside donanmadayken gemisi batıyor ölüyor(en azından öldü sanılıyor) bunun üzerine üvey teyzesi kızı alıyor anne babasına garezi varmış geçmişten kıza kötü davranıyor istemediği biriyle evlendirecekken kız kaçıyor marki ile karşılaşıyor sonra markiye garezi olan birini oyunu sonucu markiyle evleniyor falan ilk yarısı cidden çok sıktı beni ikinci yarı daha iyiydi ama ordada tam yakalamamıştı fransızları napolyon kaçakçılık falan soktu işin içine yazar tamam da ben birde üvey teyze olayının devam etmesini bekliyordum ordada bişey olmadı ee o olay devam etmeyecekse o kadar başta sayfalarca şey yazmana ne gerek vardı
Neyse kötü değil okunur bir kitap ama aman aman bişey beklemeyin bence..
Kızımızın anne babası fayton kazasında ölüyor abiside donanmadayken gemisi batıyor ölüyor(en azından öldü sanılıyor) bunun üzerine üvey teyzesi kızı alıyor anne babasına garezi varmış geçmişten kıza kötü davranıyor istemediği biriyle evlendirecekken kız kaçıyor marki ile karşılaşıyor sonra markiye garezi olan birini oyunu sonucu markiyle evleniyor falan ilk yarısı cidden çok sıktı beni ikinci yarı daha iyiydi ama ordada tam yakalamamıştı fransızları napolyon kaçakçılık falan soktu işin içine yazar tamam da ben birde üvey teyze olayının devam etmesini bekliyordum ordada bişey olmadı ee o olay devam etmeyecekse o kadar başta sayfalarca şey yazmana ne gerek vardı
Neyse kötü değil okunur bir kitap ama aman aman bişey beklemeyin bence..
September 17, 2015
An older "bodice ripper" romance, originially published in the 1970s, that I love. Not a great fan of heroes that are arrogant jerks but I did come to like Alex before the end of the book.
December 20, 2013
I love Elysia's personality.
December 10, 2016
PUBLISHING INFO: Avon, 1975
REISSUED: Sourcebooks, 11/2010
GENRE: Historical Romance
SETTING: England
AUTHOR IMAGE: link
MY GRADE: D
SPOILER REVIEW: This was awful. I don't know what year this took place or how old Alex and Elysia are. I'm going to assume this was the 1800's, possibly 1700's. Elysia's parents and brother died two years before and she's been living with her abusive and mentally ill aunt since. Her aunt is her mother's step-sister and she's extremely jealous of her, has been since they were little. After being locked into her bedroom, Elysia can't take it anymore and runs away by jumping out the window. She ends up at an inn called Wayfare's Rest and that's where she meets Alex. We never hear from Aunt Agatha again.
There's a villain, Jason Bellingham, who's out to get Alex. He hates him for not allowing him to marry his ward, Catherine, but Jason doesn't let his hatred for Alex show. They're at the inn together and Jason comes up with a plan to drug both Alex and Elysia so he can put them in bed together so Alex will have to marry her due to a presumed scandal. His plan worked but also backfired on him, as Alex and Elysia were fine with marrying each other. That part bugged me greatly. Neither of them were angry about what happened. The marriage happened too early on in the story, about a third of the way. They married and got along for awhile then Alex turned into a jealous, abusive ass. He once grabbed her by the arm and later shook her by both arms two different times and told her he'd hit her in the face if he wasn't a 'gentleman'. It was said too many times that he had 'hawk-like features'.
The story got worse. Another crazy nut, Mrs. Blackmore, was out to kill Elysia and tried to twice. She's jealous because her teen daughter, Louisa, can't marry Alex because he's now married to Elysia. While laying there injured in the woods, her 'dead' bother Ian showed up after being presumed dead for two years. Adding him to the story was so unnecessary. All it did was add a bunch of BS to a story that wasn't good anyway. Adding Alex's brother Peter to the story was a waste too.
There were too many jealous, mentally unstable people in this book; Abusive aunt Agatha, Jason, Mrs. Blackstone, and Alex's ex-mistress, Mariana Woodley.
I was enjoying the story until Alex and Elysia were OK with getting married. The only parts l liked were those involving Jason. I'd hoped he would be out to sabotage their marriage but it wasn't to be. He did his evil deed and was done away with. He could have gotten together with Alex's ex-mistress and done some real damage.
I absolutely hate the new cover. Elysia's supposed to have red-gold hair, not auburn. On the original cover her hair color is right but it's not curly like stated in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2012
Early Regency Still Entertaining
An early Regency romance and the author’s first novel, published in 1975, DEVIL’S DESIRE sold over a million copies. It tells the Cinderella-like story of an orphaned young woman, Elysia, raised in aristocracy but reduced to rags by an evil, jealous aunt. She escapes that cruelty only to find herself manipulated into a compromising position with a hardened rake, Lord Alex Trevegne.
McBain’s style included long narrative passages at the beginning that slowed the pace but it picked up to become quite entertaining. However, there were some improbable elements along the way: Having read (and imagined) fighting a forced seduction, it was clear Elysia didn’t fight very hard (if at all); and for a supposedly intelligent girl, she was dismally slow to figure out her aunt’s schemes. Then when she is told she will marry Alex, she just accepts it. She didn’t have to marry him; all she had to tell the bishop was “no.” She came across a bit like a wet noodle at that point, though she did perk up as the story moved along.
I’m giving it 4 stars because the story held my interest and kept me turning pages even with its rather slow beginning.
An early Regency romance and the author’s first novel, published in 1975, DEVIL’S DESIRE sold over a million copies. It tells the Cinderella-like story of an orphaned young woman, Elysia, raised in aristocracy but reduced to rags by an evil, jealous aunt. She escapes that cruelty only to find herself manipulated into a compromising position with a hardened rake, Lord Alex Trevegne.
McBain’s style included long narrative passages at the beginning that slowed the pace but it picked up to become quite entertaining. However, there were some improbable elements along the way: Having read (and imagined) fighting a forced seduction, it was clear Elysia didn’t fight very hard (if at all); and for a supposedly intelligent girl, she was dismally slow to figure out her aunt’s schemes. Then when she is told she will marry Alex, she just accepts it. She didn’t have to marry him; all she had to tell the bishop was “no.” She came across a bit like a wet noodle at that point, though she did perk up as the story moved along.
I’m giving it 4 stars because the story held my interest and kept me turning pages even with its rather slow beginning.
October 22, 2014
An oldie but goodie! Very good audible narration.
I really enjoyed listening to this story. I do believe I read this book back in the 1970's. But wanted to give the audible a try. I liked the characters, and character development. I did think that Alex the hero of the story was a bit too hard and cold, but still likable. Elysia, the heroine, was a strong for the most part, she had her stupid moments though.
The story had a little mystery, deceit, smuggling, and romance.
There was not much dialogue in this book and would have like more, but the story was good.
Historical romance stories and writing sure has changed since the 1970's. There was sex in the book, not graphic in anyway but it was there.
For a book written almost 40 years ago it was enjoyable and entertaining.
As for the narration, she did a great job. The men sounded like men, and everyone had their own distinct voice. Marian Hussey is very pleasant and relaxing to listen too.
I got this book on my KU for free and paid 3.49 for the audible. So yes it was worth the money for sure.
I really enjoyed listening to this story. I do believe I read this book back in the 1970's. But wanted to give the audible a try. I liked the characters, and character development. I did think that Alex the hero of the story was a bit too hard and cold, but still likable. Elysia, the heroine, was a strong for the most part, she had her stupid moments though.
The story had a little mystery, deceit, smuggling, and romance.
There was not much dialogue in this book and would have like more, but the story was good.
Historical romance stories and writing sure has changed since the 1970's. There was sex in the book, not graphic in anyway but it was there.
For a book written almost 40 years ago it was enjoyable and entertaining.
As for the narration, she did a great job. The men sounded like men, and everyone had their own distinct voice. Marian Hussey is very pleasant and relaxing to listen too.
I got this book on my KU for free and paid 3.49 for the audible. So yes it was worth the money for sure.
August 26, 2014
This is the first book by Laurie McBain that I have read. I had thought that this would be a great bodice ripper but I wouldn't category it as such, it's more of an old school romance. The writing was really good and they story flowed nicely.
Elysia (h) had lived the life of a much loved daughter until her parents were killed in a carriage accident. She then went to live with an aunt who hated her and treated her as a maid. The day she found out that the aunt was going to force her to marry an old man, she ran away....and ran strait into trouble.
Lord Alex (H) had to get away from London and all of the things he hated about it and spend sometime in his country estate. He had to spend the night at an Inn on the way and ran into one of his enemy's. He did realize how much this person hated him until he woke up from a drugged sleep with a naked innocent woman in his bed....who also appeared drugged.
Elysia (h) had lived the life of a much loved daughter until her parents were killed in a carriage accident. She then went to live with an aunt who hated her and treated her as a maid. The day she found out that the aunt was going to force her to marry an old man, she ran away....and ran strait into trouble.
Lord Alex (H) had to get away from London and all of the things he hated about it and spend sometime in his country estate. He had to spend the night at an Inn on the way and ran into one of his enemy's. He did realize how much this person hated him until he woke up from a drugged sleep with a naked innocent woman in his bed....who also appeared drugged.
August 18, 2011
This was either a free or very cheap read on the Kindle. While it wasn't the best story I have ever read and it was a little slow to get going it was still entertaining. The first half of the book was for around 2 stars and the second half was probably closer to 4 stars. So I met int he middle with 3 stars.
Elysia had a good family and a good home and a really good life until her parents die and her brother is missing. Her evil aunt takes her home and treats her horribly making her clean and sleep in the freezing attic room. When her aunt tries to force her to marry Elysia decides she will run away.
Alex is an arrogant rich marquis. When he is caught in a bad situation with Elysia he decides her will marry her but man their relationship is anything but good.
The side story of the smuggling and how the author intertwined at the end was probably the most entertaining bits of the story. Loved Ian and Louisa!
Elysia had a good family and a good home and a really good life until her parents die and her brother is missing. Her evil aunt takes her home and treats her horribly making her clean and sleep in the freezing attic room. When her aunt tries to force her to marry Elysia decides she will run away.
Alex is an arrogant rich marquis. When he is caught in a bad situation with Elysia he decides her will marry her but man their relationship is anything but good.
The side story of the smuggling and how the author intertwined at the end was probably the most entertaining bits of the story. Loved Ian and Louisa!
July 18, 2022
My first foray into McBain.
I just love old school authors - no one does crazy like they do. Unfortunately publishers don't seem to think that crazy will sell anymore because everything under the sun is now PC af.
But I'm telling you, the crazy market still exists!!!! There are still those who read as a form of escapism and who don't mind the batshit nutso alpha males.
Although the MMC in this was a little cookie cutter alpha. Like he was a dick and patronizing and subjugating but for no reason haha. Whatever - I still like the power imbalance kind of dynamic.
But McBain kind of lost the plot at the end. What a circus freakshow.
I just love old school authors - no one does crazy like they do. Unfortunately publishers don't seem to think that crazy will sell anymore because everything under the sun is now PC af.
But I'm telling you, the crazy market still exists!!!! There are still those who read as a form of escapism and who don't mind the batshit nutso alpha males.
Although the MMC in this was a little cookie cutter alpha. Like he was a dick and patronizing and subjugating but for no reason haha. Whatever - I still like the power imbalance kind of dynamic.
But McBain kind of lost the plot at the end. What a circus freakshow.
March 8, 2011
I'm giving up on this book now. I'm tired of seeing it on my currently reading shelf. It's been months and I can't even bring myself to finish it even though I got half way through. The heroine's personality lacks spark, and the "rake" hero marrying her so quickly because he compromised her was too ridiculous to buy into. I've read historical for years, and still can't buy into that theme.
February 13, 2025
I normally like her books but this one was drawn out and didn’t make much sense. One minute she hates him and the next she’s in love? I mean literally, they didn’t spend any time getting to know each other, he snips and never says a kind word but all of a sudden she can’t live without him? Yeah i couldn’t even finish the book.
February 14, 2015
Beautifully well written. A trip in time with characters that she brings to life with passion and character.
November 26, 2022
Okay ... not bad for a historical romance / forced marriage / rich Hero vs poor heroine type of story.
Loved the heroine and all her baggage story - but I kept anticipating a come back of her sinister aunt and when it never did, I became disappointed. I thought it would add a nice 'complication' to the whole story. I felt that such a detrimental bump of her life (two agonizing years) should be highlighted more. It appeared as if the whole debacle was swiped under the rug, just like that.
The other thing that I never appreciate was when Heroes knowingly crossed the line by kissing the other woman for the sake of making the heroine jealous. It was hard to accept and admire such Heroes and this one did just that; knew fully the heroine was hiding in the library and could hear everything he and his former mistress said and did. Lastly, he needed to grovel more.
Heroine was badly beaten and bruised and she almost got raped - for goodness sake - but all those nasty things seemed to also appear conveniently ignored. I mean, she's a female and having had to go through all those hell should be a big deal. The author made it seem as if she just took a fall whereas everyone - especially the Hero - should feel extreme remorse and guilt for what happened to the heroine.
But did it happen? No, he ignorantly only apologized and voila, all's forgiven. Dang. If I were the heroine, I would make him crawl - sing and dance - and essentially, grovel more.
So, even though I finished this book in a day - and I loved the plot - some things could be made better.
Loved the heroine and all her baggage story - but I kept anticipating a come back of her sinister aunt and when it never did, I became disappointed. I thought it would add a nice 'complication' to the whole story. I felt that such a detrimental bump of her life (two agonizing years) should be highlighted more. It appeared as if the whole debacle was swiped under the rug, just like that.
The other thing that I never appreciate was when Heroes knowingly crossed the line by kissing the other woman for the sake of making the heroine jealous. It was hard to accept and admire such Heroes and this one did just that; knew fully the heroine was hiding in the library and could hear everything he and his former mistress said and did. Lastly, he needed to grovel more.
Heroine was badly beaten and bruised and she almost got raped - for goodness sake - but all those nasty things seemed to also appear conveniently ignored. I mean, she's a female and having had to go through all those hell should be a big deal. The author made it seem as if she just took a fall whereas everyone - especially the Hero - should feel extreme remorse and guilt for what happened to the heroine.
But did it happen? No, he ignorantly only apologized and voila, all's forgiven. Dang. If I were the heroine, I would make him crawl - sing and dance - and essentially, grovel more.
So, even though I finished this book in a day - and I loved the plot - some things could be made better.
December 30, 2017
leído en Junio 2012
February 9, 2024
70s romance novels are wiiiiild
February 21, 2025
The heroine is incapable of critical thought.
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