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The Devil Earl
(Regency Quartet #2)
by
Out Of A Midnight Coach Stepped Ravenscar The Perfect Gothic Mystery Man
Dark and brooding and rumoured to have done murder, the Devil Earl was everything Prudence Lancaster's imagination could conjure. But he was also flesh and blood, and infinitely more seductive than anything she had ever created. In his presence, the dreamy authoress became a sultry sleuth, hungry to ...more
Dark and brooding and rumoured to have done murder, the Devil Earl was everything Prudence Lancaster's imagination could conjure. But he was also flesh and blood, and infinitely more seductive than anything she had ever created. In his presence, the dreamy authoress became a sultry sleuth, hungry to ...more
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Mass Market Paperback, Harlequin Historical #317, 304 pages
Published
March 25th 1996
by Harlequin Books
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Start your review of The Devil Earl (Regency Quartet, #2)

"The Devil Earl" is the story of Prudence and Sebastian.
Our h is Prudence, an authoress to gothic novels that are wildly popular. At 24, she thinks of herself on the shelf, and tries to focus her energy on sponsoring her younger, more beautiful and flighty sister Phoebe. She is also had an intense fascination with the legacy of the "Devil Earl", infamous name give to Sebastian Ravenscar, owner of Wolfinger Abbey, and has based her characters on him.
When Sebastian's brother goes missing after a f ...more
Our h is Prudence, an authoress to gothic novels that are wildly popular. At 24, she thinks of herself on the shelf, and tries to focus her energy on sponsoring her younger, more beautiful and flighty sister Phoebe. She is also had an intense fascination with the legacy of the "Devil Earl", infamous name give to Sebastian Ravenscar, owner of Wolfinger Abbey, and has based her characters on him.
When Sebastian's brother goes missing after a f ...more

Prudence Lancaster is a published gothic writer, but she's been lacking inspiration for her next work. She takes a break to ponder her favorite muse Wolfinger Abbey from her window. She has adored the structure, the history, the legends of it; since childhood. Pru is interrupted from mooning over the creepy abbey next door by her chirpy younger sister, who gifts us with a dramatic account of the sparkly dandy she met in town; blah blah blah, he's one of the heirs of the Abbey, blah blah, and isn
...more

Wow! It takes quite a bit to "blow me away", and this book does it from page 1!
This was my first taste of Deborah Simmons, and believe you me, I want more! This is a wonderful "reformed rake" type of story (which is my favorite story line)!
The best part of this book is the heroine. She is a self proclaimed "spinster" who is a talented gothic authoress. She is wonderful. Honest, curious, loyal, and trustworthy...she believes in Sebastian and is his champion when everyone else believes the worst ...more
This was my first taste of Deborah Simmons, and believe you me, I want more! This is a wonderful "reformed rake" type of story (which is my favorite story line)!
The best part of this book is the heroine. She is a self proclaimed "spinster" who is a talented gothic authoress. She is wonderful. Honest, curious, loyal, and trustworthy...she believes in Sebastian and is his champion when everyone else believes the worst ...more

Jan 25, 2011
Shabby Girl ~ aka Lady Victoria
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
top-100-fave-books,
favourite-rereads
I read this book quite a while ago, but never did a review. I absolutely adored it. You know how sometimes a book isn't so popular, but it doesn't matter that others didn't like it, it just captivates you ... this one did me. I've read a few of Deborah Simmons' books since this one, and I think I just really like her writing style.
Okay, of course I'm going to love this as the H is tortured and a rake (a real unconscionable rake) and is past caring about anything. And the h is a spinster that no- ...more
Okay, of course I'm going to love this as the H is tortured and a rake (a real unconscionable rake) and is past caring about anything. And the h is a spinster that no- ...more

This was a cute, light read that didn't annoy me. Go figure. *shrug*
True, I could've done without that barfy epilogue. It's a lame closure that reeks of editorial interference. My recommendation: physically remove the final 3 pages & close with the last image of them in the library. It's a much better ending.
...But otherwise, good. I liked Pru's determination to write gothic novels & become the Earl's mistress, nevermind what anyone thinks. To hell with society! And she actually means it, whic ...more
True, I could've done without that barfy epilogue. It's a lame closure that reeks of editorial interference. My recommendation: physically remove the final 3 pages & close with the last image of them in the library. It's a much better ending.
...But otherwise, good. I liked Pru's determination to write gothic novels & become the Earl's mistress, nevermind what anyone thinks. To hell with society! And she actually means it, whic ...more

So this book, for nearly ten years, was my absolute favorite romance novel. Seriously. Nothing else could hold a candle to it.
It's been knocked off the pedestal, but not very far. I still read it at least once a year.
Clever heroine? CHECK.
Clever hero? CHECK.
Wishing I were the heroine? CHECK.
Witty repartee? CHECK.
Actually I'm about due to read it again. ...more
It's been knocked off the pedestal, but not very far. I still read it at least once a year.
Clever heroine? CHECK.
Clever hero? CHECK.
Wishing I were the heroine? CHECK.
Witty repartee? CHECK.
Actually I'm about due to read it again. ...more

A spectacle wearing writer of gothic novels adores the neighboring gothic abbey owned by a descendant of the "Devil Earl".
This is a lot of fun, if you don't take it too serious that is. Its a bit silly and over the top, but very entertaining. There are caves and smugglers, pirates and dark and stormy nights.
What I liked the most about it was how the Hero adores the heroines quirks. And she has a few of those :).
There were a few scanning errors in the Kindle book which annoyed, but weren't ove ...more
This is a lot of fun, if you don't take it too serious that is. Its a bit silly and over the top, but very entertaining. There are caves and smugglers, pirates and dark and stormy nights.
What I liked the most about it was how the Hero adores the heroines quirks. And she has a few of those :).
There were a few scanning errors in the Kindle book which annoyed, but weren't ove ...more

I thought this was a fun book - definitely a fluff read but my kind of fluff, which is why I gave it 4 stars :)
I love it when the hero and heroine don't waiver back and forth between whether to get together or not; I prefer my drama to come from outside the relationship and the couple to work through whatever happens together. Although I agree with the reviews that the supporting characters were either annoying, ridiculous, or slap-worthy I wasn't reading this for them so I'm ok with that... ...more
I love it when the hero and heroine don't waiver back and forth between whether to get together or not; I prefer my drama to come from outside the relationship and the couple to work through whatever happens together. Although I agree with the reviews that the supporting characters were either annoying, ridiculous, or slap-worthy I wasn't reading this for them so I'm ok with that... ...more

I read this book for the first time when I was only 16!!! I accidentally left it when I moved and have been looking for it everywhere ever since, but I could not remember the name!! I just remember the plots and have been looking and looking. I'm not really one for mushy romance novels, but I LOVED this book! So glad I finally found it! :)
...more

This one was just plain dull and having food without salt. The hero with his oh I am so evil and heroine with her rosy glasses just annoyed me.

Prudence is not interested in being ordered around. She knows what she wants to do, and she does it! A wonderful heroine. And the Earl adores her for her mind just as much as her body. They enjoy each other's company in bed and out of it. One of my favorite reformed-rake stories.
"She realized, belatedly, that she ought to feel ruined and disgraced and doomed. If one of her heroines had been so compromised, the poor creature would probably have thrown herself from the high window onto the rocks b ...more
"She realized, belatedly, that she ought to feel ruined and disgraced and doomed. If one of her heroines had been so compromised, the poor creature would probably have thrown herself from the high window onto the rocks b ...more

Enjoyed the simplicity of the H/h and the no angst between the. With the suspense surrounding the H, I am glad he had the sense to not put off his feeling for the h. I liked that they had some chemistry and the love scenes were good. Overall a nice, simple, sweet romance book. Kept me turning the pages for what was to happen next. The h was good and a strong character. She stood her ground and had enough sense to know what she was feeling as well. Will keep for future rereads. I have yet to be d
...more

I didn't finish it. Mind you I'm a fan of the old time romances! The Wolf & The Dove was the first romance I ever read. This one was SLOW. The characters took a long time to develop and even once I'd spent a great deal of time with them I didn't like either one very much. Prudence because she was dotty and the hero because he was conflicted. I read some good reviews of it but all I can say is it wasn't to my taste. I read Loretta Chase, Madeline Hunter, Lisa Kleypas.
...more

Complete drivel
I can't respect a historical romance that bears no resemblance to history. The characters, Prudence and Phoebe would have been ostracized immediately for their many indiscretions. The Earl would have been given the cut direct as soon as his brother went missing. The "heroine" and "hero" are beyond selfish. How do you offer your sister a Season and proceed to ignore her the entire time when you are supposed to be squiring her about, and then on a whim, want her to return without no ...more
I can't respect a historical romance that bears no resemblance to history. The characters, Prudence and Phoebe would have been ostracized immediately for their many indiscretions. The Earl would have been given the cut direct as soon as his brother went missing. The "heroine" and "hero" are beyond selfish. How do you offer your sister a Season and proceed to ignore her the entire time when you are supposed to be squiring her about, and then on a whim, want her to return without no ...more

While I did finish this, it was hard to. I wanted to finish so I would know what happened but that was it. It could have really been a great story plot but it was just, OMG too slow! SPOILERS!
I couldn't stand Mrs. Bates, who was she anyhow? If she wasn't family, then she needs to keep her nosey butt elsewhere. Phoebe was just too much of a selfish baby. I couldn't stand her.. After her sister spends her money to take her to court, she is gonna be that petty! So had the book not went on so slow, ...more
I couldn't stand Mrs. Bates, who was she anyhow? If she wasn't family, then she needs to keep her nosey butt elsewhere. Phoebe was just too much of a selfish baby. I couldn't stand her.. After her sister spends her money to take her to court, she is gonna be that petty! So had the book not went on so slow, ...more

I just love the brooding, ne'er-d0-well, roguish hero in this book, and Prudence is a likable heroine who isn't afraid to give Ravenscar a run for his money. There are some super sexy scenes in this book that are still very vivid in my mind, even though I haven't read it in a few years. The first time I read it was about 20 years ago, and I still have my original copy. There are also pirates, and danger, and adventure, which always adds so much more to a romance! If and when it wears out, I will
...more

Dude. Horrible, awful cover---one of the worst at depicting the actual characters, ever. Horrible title. But...I liked it. I'm still in shock.
I just---heh. I dunno.
But this hopefully ends my strange need to fill the "romance" portion of the shelf. I mean, I am a housewife. I cook, I clean, and it would seem there are many who assume my other duty is to dote over silly romances.
Can't dissappoint. 'Cause I'm all about not dissappointing people, har, har, har. ...more
I just---heh. I dunno.
But this hopefully ends my strange need to fill the "romance" portion of the shelf. I mean, I am a housewife. I cook, I clean, and it would seem there are many who assume my other duty is to dote over silly romances.
Can't dissappoint. 'Cause I'm all about not dissappointing people, har, har, har. ...more

This could have been a four star book with a better editor, less predictable sex and a less contrived ending. There are only so many things that can be done before a book slides into pornography, so why do the same things over and over. Readers can only believe that the souls merge as one with the stars so many times until it's "like really?" who cares. New plot, better character building, and less repetition.
...more

As mentioned by several other people, the hardest thing to get over in this book is the constant comparisons you keep drawing in your head with Georgette Heyer. It did feel like the author said "You know what would be awesome? If Sylvester had more explicit sex scenes and smugglers!"
That said, on the whole I enjoyed this book. It definitely made me interested to read more by the same author. ...more
That said, on the whole I enjoyed this book. It definitely made me interested to read more by the same author. ...more

One of my favorite romance novels of all time. I am not a huge romance novel person, but sometimes you just want a light read. For me, this is basically the perfect romance novel. The main characters are complex, brave, and intelligent. The events and dialogue is absolutely funny. No drummed up fake drama, just plain old fun romantic adventure. I am still looking for other books this fun, witty, and sexy, but I haven't found many that can compare.
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Historical Romance set in Regency England, an old 'gothic' estate. Also, I think it might have had Pirates... [s] | 4 | 40 | Nov 22, 2012 12:15AM |
Deborah Simmons is the author of twenty-five historical romances and novellas, published by Avon, Berkley, and Harlequin.
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestsellin ...more
A native midwesterner, Simmons graduated cum laude from Wittenberg University and was a journalist before turning to fiction. Her first book, Heart's Masquerade, was published by Avon in 1989 and was followed by a number of Harlequin Historicals, including a USA Today Bestsellin ...more
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Regency Quartet
(4 books)
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