The Seduction of an Unknown Lady

McBride Family #2

by Samantha James

Seduction is something Fionna Hawkes knows nothing about. So when she encounters a sexy stranger on a moonlit street, her first instinct is to defend herself against her darkly handsome suitor. But letting go of suspicion and allowing herself to fall for Lord Aidan McBride brings even greater danger. In his eyes, she glimpses a powerful passion she longs to fulfill. In his arms, she aches with the secret she longs to unburden. A secret that could cost her her livelihood—and her life.

Aidan could never resist a mystery, especially one as mesmerizing as the lovely Miss Hawkes! Drawing her into the shelter of his embrace, he won't rest until he convinces her to reveal everything. Braving the danger that stalks Fionna at every turn, Aidan is determined to defend her—and just as determined to claim her as his own.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Regency Romance, Fiction

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Growing up in Joliet, Illinois, Samantha James had many childhood aspirations--being a writer was never one of them. When she was ten, she was certain she was destined to be an astronomer. That soon changed (happened a lot during those pre-teen years!) when she decided archaeology was in her future. Detective work was her next goal, thanks to the Trixie Belden mysteries she was reading, and before long, nursing beckoned (courtesy of the Cherry Ames series). In college, she set her sights on teaching history, then briefly entertained the notion of becoming a flight attendant, only to discover she did not like to fly.

Having been raised in a family of avid readers, she was rarely without a book in hand. Her tastes were rather eclectic. She got hooked on the Doc Savage series and Edgar Rice Burroughs after her older brother finished them, in her teen years, moved on to Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis A. Whitney.

In the meantime, the right guy came along. They met on a semi-blind date at an office Christmas party. She was told he wanted to go out with her, and he was told she wanted to go out with him. Six months later, the U.S. Army shipped him off to Germany--and she wrote faithfully at least three times a week--she often jokes this was the start of her writing career!

Marriage followed, as well as three daughters. Samantha left the detective work to her husband and turned her attention to raising their girls. When her youngest was six months old, two things happened: 1) she read Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain and scrambled to find every historical romance she could lay her hands on; 2) her older brother revealed he was writing and submitting his short stories to big-name magazines. As he put it, "I've been rejected by the best of 'em."

The seed was planted. Rejection was a dreaded word, but Samantha figured, "Well, if he can take it, so can I."

That summer, she wrote not one book, but three--longhand, in a notebook, during naptime. Bedtime. Any time she could. The burning desire to write was a long time in coming--she was nearing thirty by then--but she discovered that once she set pen to paper, she couldn't stop.

Those three manuscripts did get the dreaded rejection letter (they're still languishing somewhere in her attic), but she finally hit pay dirt with her fourth. Samantha's brother promptly proposed collaborating on a fantasy together--alas, still unwritten... Nowadays, she's firmly convinced she's the queen of rejected titles for her books. She's only managed to retain two original titles thus far, but writing is indeed a dream come true...

To date, her books have been published in numerous foreign countries (her daughters' number one choice for show-and-tell were always the foreign editions of Mom's books). Known for her heartfelt, emotionally charged "three-hanky reads", her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and have consistently hit the bestseller lists.

Maybe someday she'll do that fantasy-romance collaboration with her brother. For now, she's having a great time spinning dramatic, passionate tales of old...

Reviews

[Tuğba Atıcı Coşar · Rating 1 out of 5]

İçimi kuruttun, beni o kadar sıkıp boğdun ki seni bitiremedim bile. Seriye devam etmeceğim. İlk kitap Akşam Yıldızı nasıl yazıldı anlamadım.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book in this series. The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell was way better. I didn't care for the mystery.

[Esra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hay dilimi eşek arısı soksaydı!
İlk kitabı öyle çok beğenmiştim ki bunun için de feci beklentilerim vardı..
Tamam, çok kötü bir kitap değildi; ama Akşam Yıldızı'nı gördükten sonra, "Bu ne be!!" diyesi geliyor insanın.
Mesela bazı yerleri çok karışıktı. Bir paragrafta kitaplardan bahsederken sonra annesinden bahsediyor ve sonra tekrar kitaplara geçiyor. Bir bütünlük yoktu. Sanki yazar bir kenara karaladığı notları nasıl sıraya koyacağını bilememiş de eline aldığı şekilde bırakmış gibiydi. Neyse ki ilerleyen sayfalarda bu durum düzeldi.
Sonra acaba çevirmen değişti de ondan kaynaklı mı diye düşündüm. Ama hayır. Değişmemiş.
Ayrıca ilk kitaptaki Alec ile buradaki Alec'i de hiç bağdaştıramadım gitti. Bakalım kendi kitabında bizi hangisi karşılayacak!
Neyse...
Sadece son kitabın daha da kötü olmamasını umuyorum.

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Seduction Of An Unknown Lady" is the story of Fionna and Aidan.

A hero who's just returned from an Indian regiment, carrying his own scars.
A heroine using a pen name to enchant the whole of London writing about paranormal intrigue, while hiding her own trauma.
A chance meeting at midnight.
Our chivalrous but wicked hero insists on escorting her, which soon turns into a series of planned encounters. She is hiding lots of secrets, but as the hero takes liking to her, he then goes around trying to unveil them all. There's a stalker causing mayhem, lusty fictional characters, intense attraction, drama and a sweet HEA with heartwarming epilogue.
SJ has never disappointed me so far and this was another feather in her hat. What a pleasurable read.

Safe
4/5

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another must have book on my short list.
Simple story with a romantic chemistry between hero and heroine that can make you dreaming , one day, this Aidan McBride come to your life hahhaa.... [image error]

Sepulang nya dari Punjab, India, Aidan McBride,mengunjungi kakaknya Alec sang duke from Scotland. Di sarankan untuk memiliki seorang wanita supaya gak kasak kusuk terus. Aidan menolak dengan tegas. Alec adalah penggemar cerita2 romance paranormal yg terobsesi dengan pengarangnya F.J Sparrow, sampai hafal semua dialog2 nya. Dan dengan setengah mati kebosanan, Aidan mendengarkan kisah tentang Rowan dan Raven , dua tokoh di buku itu. [image error]
Saking menghayati nya, Aidan sampai hafal beberapa kalimat yang di kutip Alec dari buku karangan F.J Sparrow itu.

On the way home, dia bertabrakan dengan Fiona Hawkes yang berjalan2 tengah malam yang menuduh Aidan menguntit nya. Aidan balik heran,kenapa pula ada nona2 yang jalan tengah malam tanpa pengawal...pastilah di kira perempuan gak benar.
Ngotot , Aidan memaksa untuk mengantar Fiona ke rumahnya yang ternyata berada di atas toko buku milik nya.
Besok nya Aidan mampir lagi karena terkesn dengan Fiona yang cantik dan pintar, juga mandiri, juga yg katanya persis sama dengan kutipan kata2 Raven di buku Alec ,

"I'm quite able to take care of my self, thank you very much"

Kata2 inilah yang selalu di ulang2 Fiona yang membuat Aidan akhirnya menyadari jika Fiona ini ternyata adalah si F.J Sparrow.

Ini di ketahui Aidan setelah makan malam yg luar biasa di kediaman sang duke (Fiona membaca edisi cetakan pertama buku F.J Sparrow untuk Alec, yg membuat Aidan cemburu ) [image error]

Fiona memiliki masa lalu dan masa kini yang suram, ibu nya menderita Alzheimer yang pada thn 1815 belum di ketahui diagnosa nya dan di anggap sebagai kegilaan dalam keluarga. Karena itu Fiona menyembunyikan fakta ini dari Aidan.

Aidan yang naksir berat tetap ngotot menjadikan Fiona kekasih nya, walau pun mati2an di tolaj Fiona...tapi, siapa sih yang boisa menolak daya magnet si ganteng Aidan dan kesabarannya yang luar biasa dalam pedekate [image error]
Luluh juga sih akhirnya Fiona , malam itu after dinner, uhuk2 lah mereka di sofa apartemen Fiona [image error] [image error]

Namun ramalan si ibu2 gypsi mengenai masa lalu dan masa depan Fiona, masih sealalu menghantui Fiona.

Beberapa dialog cukup lucu, karena ada Fiona's law dan Aidan's law soal percintaan mereka yg membuat tersenyum2 sendiri membaca nya.

Fionna tetap ngotot untuk menjadi teman saja, walaupun Aidan juga sangat ngotot mereka jd lovers..dialog2 disini bikin senyum2, lucu, dan kekeras kepalaan Aidan dan pertahanan Fionna di pertaruhkan.
Sampai akhirnya Aidan yg banyak akal, mengajak Fionna nonton opera, dan pulangnya di ajak lah si Fionna yg lugu ini ke rumah Aidan ehhmmm.....*cough* [image error]
Hanya Aidan maunya kali ini dia yang di rayu, maukan Fionna merayu Aidan?wooo hahhahaha..baca sendiri ya...soalnya ini so steamy.... [image error]
Mau laaaaah...so, that night after uhuk2 yg seru di perpustakaan Aidan, something happened yg membuat Fionna histeris dan menolak Aidan habis2an untuk tetap jadi kekasih nya...

Ada rahasia apa yg di simpan Fionna? Teror macam apa yg dia hadapi dan tak mau di baginya sama Aidan? Bagaimana nasib ibu Fionna yg di obati di RS si dokter gila?
Akan kah semua baik2 saja? Si ibu, sang pendeta, sang dokter...dan most of all...Aidan dan Fionna? [image error]

Mencintai memang membutuh kan banyaaaak sekali pengorbanan, perasaan, waktu , energi .... di buku ini Samantha james memukau saya dengan Aidan dan tokoh cameo yang cinta nya terpaku pada satu wanita seumur hidupnya...that's what is love should be ! [image error]

Highly recommended....and buat yang menyukai Lisa Kleypas, pasti suka buku ini...dan yang penting, I will read every single book of ms Samantha James.... [image error]

[Fani *loves angst* · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I find that Samantha James, always manages to make me empathetic about her heroes' feelings. The pros: three-dimensional personalities, a little bit of mystery and a slightly gothic atmosphere. The cons: this was not an historical; it was a contemporary romance where the hero happened to wear breeches and a hat and the heroine petticoats. Both hero and heroine were completely out of their place and time. I cared enough for the hero and heroine to not overly mind the historical innaccuracies, but I think this one is the definition of wallpaper historical. However, I enjoyed it a lot and had a good time reading it.

[Damla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macbride ailesinin en sevdiğim kitabı oldu. yanlışlıkla 2 diye 3. kitabı okumuştum :) Neyse kadın karakterimiz Fionna bir yazar ve çok okunuyor. Ama kimse onun adını ve kim olduunu bilmiyor. Fionna geceleri geç saatlerde yürüyüşlere çıkıyor. Takip edildğini düşünüyor ve bir gecede arkasından gelenin takipçisi olduğunu sanıp saldırıyor ama arkasındaki Lord Aidan :D Böyle başlıyor işte :P

[kookyquinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unpopular opinion: This book was so hard for me to finish. This was one of the most annoying, awful heroines I have read in a long LONG time.

Based on all the the glowing positive reviews it was probably just a "not for me" thing. But WOW was this "not for me" lol

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging novel that centers around a bookkeeper and a former soldier. 🥰

[HÜLYA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Samantha James çok okumayı özlemişim.Fakat bu kitap da Akşam Yıldızı'ndaki büyü başlarda yok gibi idi..Başlarda hikaye bana oldukça durağan geldi.Her ne kadar gotik temalar varsa da hikayenin içine giremedim bir türlü.
Fakat kitabın ortalarına gelmeye başladığımda hikaye biraz hareketlenmeye başladı.Romanda duygusal çekim çok güzel idi ama sanki kadın ve erkek karakterin hikayesi biraz daha heyecan verici olabilirdi.Yine de kitabı kurgu bakımından biraz zayıf bulsam da beğenerek okudum..Yazarın büyüleyici kalemi özellikle çevirinin bence başarısı kendini gösteriyordu ki kitabı yine de sevdim....İkili arasındaki duygu ve çekim yoğunluğu müthiş idi ...
Erkek karakter Lord Aidan McBride Hindistan'dan gelmiş bir asilzade ilk kitapdaki kadın karakter Annie'nin ağabeylerinden.Eski bir asker orada çok fazla bir süre neredeyse on yıl kalmış..Orada yaşadığı kötü olay onda çok derin etkiler bırakmış olduğu gibi vicdan azabı duymasına sebep oluyor..Bu olayı sadece ağabeyi Alec biliyor..Yeni geldiği vatanında komşusu Fiona Hawkes ile bir gece yarısı tanışıyor..
Sıradışı bir kadın olan Fiona aynı zamanda bir kitapevi sahibi ve hiç kimsenin bilmediği başka bir sırrı da var aynı zamanda fantastik ve korkulu bir serinin yazarı.Bunu çok gizli tutuyor..İki tarafında sırları ve korkuları var.Ama birbirleri ile ilişkileri atkadaşlıkları sıra dışı başlasa da çekime daha fazla karşı koyamıyorlar..Fakat aralarında ki sırlar Fiona'nın Aidan'a bir türlü güvenememesi ilişkileri oldukça zorluyor..Bunun gelgitleri çok kuvvetli yaşansa da Aidan oldukça etkilendiği bu kadının peşinin bırakmaya ne olursa olsun niyetli değil..
Aralarında resmen baştan çıkarılma savaşı yaşanıyor..Kimin kazanacağının pek de önemi olmayan bir savaş aslında..İki tarafta korkularını yenmek zorunda..Kısaca hikaye güzeldi biraz daha heyecanlı olabilseydi..Okuyacak arkadaşlara keyifli okumalar...

[Tabetha Waite · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was 50/50 on this book, hence the 3 star rating, while there is no 2 1/2. The book started out strong with family and personal secrets, but while the chemistry was good, it wasn't as breathtaking as some novels, simply because I felt Aidan tried a bit too hard and Fionna was almost ridiculous at times. Perhaps if there had been more interaction with the brother or the nosy neighbor to add a lovely spice of intrigue that was a bit weak, then this would have been full stars. So, close but 'no cigar.'

[Senem Özgün · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yazarın ilk kitabı okuduğum historicaller arasında ilk sıralarda yer alırken bu çıkan ikinci kitabı nasıl bu kadar kötü olabilir hala bunu düşünüyorum.
Karnım ağrıyor.Ben bu kitabı hangi kafayla almış olabilirim.
Tavsiye etmiyorum okumayın almayın.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona Hawkes, owns a bookstore and is secretly a writer of famous horror novels, that have swept across London. She is known as F.J. Sparrow, and everyone in London raves about her writings. However she has to keep her secret, it would be a great scandal if it would be found out that Sparrow is actually a woman writer. There is also another reason she keep such a secret, her father has passed away and her mother is in a Asylum, mad with grief. The best time for her to think is at night, where she goes for walks since she is a woman of the night, especially according to her novels. Then she thinks she hears someone behind her, like a ghost, but no one is there. But then she turns around and comes face to face with Lord Aiden McBride, so what does a woman do at night and there is a strange man behind her? Well you defend yourself but against a military man that may be more challenging which Aiden points out to her. Lord Aiden Mcbride has recently come back from India having resigned his commission over guilt of thinking he killed 47 of his men that were under his command. After coming home to England and he visits with his brother, he suggests to him what he needs most is the soft touch of a woman. So while out taking a walk Aiden is attacked by a beautiful and enticing young woman, or at least she attempts to attack him, and thus begins the road to their courtship. Aiden is captivated by this woman of secrets, who keeps to herself but has a hidden passion beneath that exterior that heats his blood. Fiona will learn the rough road of learning to trust and the true test of love, amidst the dangerous plot that may destroy them both.

The Seduction of an Unknown Lady is the second book in the MacBride Family Series. Which after reading this one I want to read the other two books in the series. This is one of her more newer books, since I haven't read her in a few years, it was good to start a unknown series. Her other books and series I have read from, but this one is totally new to me, and it was a adventure. Its a little bit different than her other ones, since the ones I have read from her took place in the Highlands, so it was a chance of scene. But whatever she writes, she does good with and the same is true with this one. Fiona had her good and bad moments I think for me I loved her as a heroine but what I didn't really agree with about her character is that she wasn't willing to tell her secrets to the one that she fell in love with. Especially since he has this deep tormented past, that he can't find himself to forgive for and has only told his brother about, but when he confides in her she is unable to do the same. For some reason, that was the only disagreement I had with the book. I mean it obviously caused some tense moments for sure, but what I loved about this book is that their love was strong enough to withstand anything coming against them. It had the perfect amount of passion, danger, suspense, strong characters that make for a spectacular read!!!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to write a review for this one. I enjoyed it thoroughly, though I didn't realize it was the sequel (2nd in a series) of a book I'd previously read until about 15 pages in. I can be oblivious. But, onwards!
This book:
-Delightfully overwrought! I say that with complete sincerity. I'm not usually a fan of that sort of melodramatic style, but it worked REALLY well in this story.
-Red herring is super-effective! I felt so silly for falling for the red herring. I was convinced pretty early on that I knew who the villain had to be...and I was right. But the author had me doubting myself even though the red herring was SUPER obviously a red herring.
-Plot twist! I thought the plot twist (which is very much related to the red herring) was such a great little addition to the story. It's not a main plot point, but in some ways that made me enjoy it more.
-Drama queen! The heroine is.
-Wounded hero! Don't they always make you swoon?
-Quick read! Which is probably why I was able to hand the overwrought better than is typical.
Very much enjoyed this book, do recommend it. You do NOT have to read the first book in the series before this one, it stands on its own quite nicely. I will be checking the library to see if they have the third book in this series.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. The only reason it gets a 4 out of 5 instead of a 5 out of 5 is because the first hand full of chapters seemed a bit long. There was a lot of redundancy in my opinion that if cut out or was only referenced half as much would of helped the story along in those first few chapters. After them though, the book was great! There is a lady, who's father was country gentry, who lives over her book shop taking care of her ill mother. She keeps to herself to hide her secrets, being her mothers apparent madness and her secret life as a gothic author. Then there's a second brother to a Duke, Aiden, newly returned from India an who has a tormented soul from his time there. Their interactions are great. Both are strong willed and determined to have their will win out. In the end the both find what their looking for even if it's not what they initially expected.

I loved the courtship and the clashing of wills the hero and heroine had and I also loved the little twist at the end. I was second guessing who I suspected the evil character was. I love when I am kept on my toes while reading a book. Highly recommend.

[Fae · Rating 2 out of 5]

it pains me to stop at chapter 11 and decide to give this book a 2 star rating because I absolutely loved Samantha James' Sterling Trilogy.

i didn't want to read on further because i just could not like Aiden and Fionna. i had hoped i would warm up to them eventually but when i reached half of the book and still did not like them, i decided to just stop reading.

Aiden was too pushy for my liking. he just keeps pushing Fionna into spending time with him when she obviously didn't want to. i liked his teasing side but that's all he has going for him. Fionna is too distrustful and is not a nice person.

i felt that they had absolutely no chemistry, none whatsoever, because Aiden is always baiting or teasing Fionna and she often snaps at him or just argues with him. i honestly have never seen a heroine so unfriendly, who did not become nicer over time whereas other heroines have. i disliked Fionna.

as compared to the Sterling Trilogy series, this book had too many inner thoughts and i couldn't be bothered to read them. i will read the other 2 books in this series and hope that they will be better.

[Beckyloohoo Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ aka Mrs. Acheron Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first Samantha James book I have ever read (I think). The story centers on a 26 year old woman who writes a serial novel under the mistaken guise of a man, in order to pay for her mother's mental treatment. The hero is a tormented ex-military man who is suddenly fascinated with her. It had a few historical inaccuracies (but I'm no expert so who am I to judge?), but all in all I liked the book. The heroine was beginning to grate on my nerves though with her "I want you...no! Go away!". And the big conflict resolution scene was a bit short and disappointing to me. I mean, the whole book has been building to that one confrontation and it was over very quickly.

Did I enjoy the book overall? Yes. Would I recommend it to a friend? OK. Would I read it again? No. Is it as good as a Julia Quinn (my all-time fav historical romance author)? No. Would I try another Samantha James book? I won't rush to the book store for one, but if I'm there and see one, I might buy it.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seduction of an Unknown Lady by Samatha James is a historical romance novel that follows the story of Fionna and Aidan. Aidan is a military man, back from India. Fionna is a bookstore owner near his home. Both of these characters carry around hidden pasts, secrets, and burdens that neither want to readily share. But when danger lurks around the corner for Fionna, she and Aidan must decide if their love is worth bearing their souls to each other.

I really liked this book, though the secondary plot of Fionna being stalked by an unknown admirer fell a little flat for me. When I picked up this book, I knew the two characters would fall in love at some point--it's a romance book after all--which should have left ample room for the stalker's plot to come through. I had much more interest in seeing that develop than the romance, but there were large portions of the book where the stalker seemed to be forgotten. Overall though, I really loved the characters because they were strong and sassy. It was a fun read.

*Reviewer received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fiona Hawkes is a secret novelist. She writes a series of sensational novels but keeps it quiet because her mother is mad and she doesn't want anyone to know because her stories are filled with demons and people may assume that Fiona is mad as well. By day, Fiona is a shopkeeper. But she is often restless and night and that's how she meets Lord Adrian McBride. He is walking home one night and encounters her in the street. A woman? Walking alone? At night? Adrian is intrigued. Intrigued enough to visit her bookstore the next day. Where he starts to figure out that this on-the-shelf maiden is everything he wants in a wife. The two fall into bed and then into love. All the while not discovering that Fiona has an admirer who has grown tired of waiting for her to notice him...

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am well aware (and frequently enjoy) that romance novels are contrived, but this plot annoyed me! The heroine is a popular writer published under a male pseudonym, her mother is housed in an insane asylum, and she has a stalker! On the other hand, the hero is milk-toast. So he romped around India and killed a few people…so what? It is all history and I did not feel that it added much depth to his character. I fear that Ms. James struggled with balance in this book. Everything in the story is a la deus ex machina, especially the ending.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. I haven't read much of James works in the past, she is a new author I've picked up recently to supplement my options after running out of my usual authors. I was not disappointed with this particular book. While the time span of the book is literal weeks, and many of those days our couple are separated simply by their own business it still worked. It is a nice change that the hero, Adain, is not immediately driven by lust and seduction, but rather he is genuinely interested in Fiona and actually courting her with genuine in intentions, of course that doesn't mean the physical interest is there. Another aspect I liked was that Fiona had a profession as not only owning a bookshop but also in writing, although the second is secretly done under and pen name. The big climatic moment comes late in the novel and is quickly handled, however, the work up really sells it-- the addition of Fiona's mother's mental health and her writing of mystery novels really play into the mystery of her psychotic secret admirer. The one down side for me was that I would have enjoyed more in the climax as the idea was very interesting.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Victorian romance. Copyright 2008. This is the 2nd book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. This is a reread for me, but not a favorite.

In fact, I couldn't remember the plot at all. It turns out to be a "by the numbers" romance. Utterly forgettable. The dialogue is weird. The plot tired. Fionna is one of those independent Victorian women who write their own novels & don't need a man. Aidan was a Colonel in the British army stationed in India. He was half blinded in a skirmish & comes back to England to get his life together. He meets Fionna & they fall in love. There's a hidden danger to Fionna & at times she acts TSTL. It all works out in the end. Yawn...

Oh! I liked the cover.

[Sharyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book a little more than the first in the series because of the fact that the heroine is an independent book store owner and author. Fionna harbours the secret because women did not write in those days and she was afraid of being found out. The hero Aiden is also filled with guilt because of things that happened when he was in the Army in India. There is a mystery of who is following Fiona and I only had a small idea of who the villain was going to be, but it did make the story interesting. Another reason the book was enjoyable was that each chapter began with a quote from Fiona's Gothic story that was she was writing. Now on to the third in the trilogy, Alec the Duke's book.

[Monique Takens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het beste verhaal wat ik tot nu toe van S.J. heb gelezen . Ik heb bij eerdere boeken aangegeven dat ik veel tekst oversla omdat ik het maar opvul blablabla vind en ook bij dit verhaal heb ik wel tekst overgeslagen maar minder dan in de vorige boeken . Helaas was het einde zo in elkaar geflanst en de heldin werd om het minste of geringste hysterisch - wat niet erg klopt met haar personage als een horror boeken schrijfster - dat ik dit verhaal toch niet hoger waardeer dan de vorige 4 boeken van deze auteur .

[Liz Clappin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really strong romance because it had a surprisingly believable plot for a historical. Reasonable attraction, a fairly realistic courtship and development of a relationship. The characters were likable and though they had an understandable amount of baggage, they overcame in a somewhat dramatic but not over blown way. Slow burn, but sexy as hell. A nice little surprise bought at a used book store.

[Cordelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, just Ok

I am not a fan of my historical romance being about an aristocrat and a shopkeeper. Most of the time the man takes advantage of the woman because she has no protection or family, and he just boguard his way into her home or shop and on top of that, this aristocrat has one eye. I dare him, would he have wanted her with one eye? I digress, I gave the story 3 stars because of the author and the steamy, hot sex.

[Monique Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy Fiona as a female lead. The pacing was off throughout the whole book, with everything feeling rushed towards the end. Fiona's stubbornness annoyed me a lot in the latter half of the story. The secret of her mother being in the asylum, did not seem as important as Aidan's secret. It's rare that I like the male lead more than the female lead.

[Emanuellen Trizi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aidan its a typical male characther, but OH SO CHARMING! Fiona has a incredible background and all the mistery around her is fascinating. I longed for a little a development about Aidan's eye, but in the end it doesnt matter much because Fiona won the day! I really enjoyed the parallels between Fiona stories and the characters. And now, to the Black Scotsman! yuupi

[♡PıNaR DeğiRmeNci ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gönül Avcısı
Samantha James
Eh dün akşam başlamıştım yeni bitirdim
İlk kitap kadar heyecan vermese de kitabı beğendim tabi
Ama acaip hızlı aktı gitti kolay üslup kolay çerezlik bir kitaptı
Özellikle aidan garip ama ona suçluluk hissi verilmiş ama onu hissettirmemiş ya kızımız çok inatçıydı fakat bazı yerlerde yaptığı şeyi saçma buldum
Ama yinede okuttu tabi şimdi sıra Alec'te

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona was tough cookie to like, until you realize that she had her reasons.She was under so much pressure to take care of her mom and keep her job a secret. Just shows how awesome women writers are! Aiden is so so swoon worthy.