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The Spurned Viscountess
Cursed with the sight and rumors of witchcraft, Rosalind's only chance at an ordinary life is marriage to Lucien, Viscount Hastings. She doesn't expect love, only security and children of her own. Determined to go through with the wedding, she allows nothing she encounters at the gloomy Castle St. Clare to dissuade her.
Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse his family has arranged for him to marry—not when he's plotting to avenge the murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not even to sire an heir.
Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she is plagued by mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close—and tempted into passionate kisses—Lucien soon finds himself in danger of falling in love with his own wife...
Refreshed version of SECOND SEDUCTION, newly revised by author.
90,000 words
Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse his family has arranged for him to marry—not when he's plotting to avenge the murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not even to sire an heir.
Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she is plagued by mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close—and tempted into passionate kisses—Lucien soon finds himself in danger of falling in love with his own wife...
Refreshed version of SECOND SEDUCTION, newly revised by author.
90,000 words
Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2005
8 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Munro
190 books389 followersUSA Today Bestselling author, Shelley lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband and a rambunctious puppy.
Typical New Zealanders, Shelley and her husband left home for their big OE soon after they married (translation of New Zealand speak - big overseas experience). A year long adventure lengthened to six years of roaming the world. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda, lazing on white sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska, searching for leprechauns in Ireland, and dealing with ghosts in an English pub.
While travel is still a big attraction, these days Shelley is most likely found in front of her computer following another love - that of writing stories of romance and adventure. Other interests include watching rugby and rugby league (strictly for research purposes), being walked by the dog, and curling up with a good book.
Typical New Zealanders, Shelley and her husband left home for their big OE soon after they married (translation of New Zealand speak - big overseas experience). A year long adventure lengthened to six years of roaming the world. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda, lazing on white sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska, searching for leprechauns in Ireland, and dealing with ghosts in an English pub.
While travel is still a big attraction, these days Shelley is most likely found in front of her computer following another love - that of writing stories of romance and adventure. Other interests include watching rugby and rugby league (strictly for research purposes), being walked by the dog, and curling up with a good book.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 4, 2010
I received this book as an ARC.
The quick summary to this book is that a young girl needs to fulfill a betrothal contract for her family, but her cousin (the elder of the two) won't do it, so it falls to Rosalind. Rosalind takes this chance for several reasons, the main two being that she wants her own family and household, and she is considered a witch because of certain gifts she has. So, marrying a viscount seems ideal, even if he is considered a madman.
One thing that bothered me about this book is that the hero, Lucien, is not mad, and doesn't behave as if he were. He has amnesia, and goes by the name Lucien, not altogether believing he is the Viscount Hastings. But I never understood why they considered him mad. After the first few pages, it was never addressed again.
Another thing that really bothered me was Rosalind. She was able to read people's thoughts if she touched them, and she had healing abilities, so it's easy to see why she was branded a witch by her village. Her family was awful to her, considering it was hereditary, you'd think that her family would have been supportive. I liked her at first, I just thought of her as a bit of a doormat.
What bothered me is that she never defended herself, never spoke up, and she went through a lot! There was a murder plot (don't worry, no spoilers) and the little idiot got bashed in the head, pushed off a cliff, shot at, pushed down some stairs, goodness you name it? It happened to her! And every time her husband warned her to take a footman, or to not leave the castle, or to ask him to go with her, she'd go off on her own! Tra-la-la down the lane just to be thrown from a cart/horse/wasps under saddle, etc. Every other page, she was being idiotic. And then she used her gift of mind-reading to interrogate the villagers without them knowing, but knowing the bits and pieces she found out endangered her. I'm all for a spunky, feisty heroine, but the stupidity level on Rosalind just grated.
Lucien, on the other hand was a piece of work. But I liked him. He woke up after a severe beating in Italy, and a woman nursed him back to health. They married (I'm assuming that's how he became Lucien, rather than George the Viscount Hastings), and when Francesca was pregnant, they decided to travel to England to see if his memory could return. Well, they were attacked and she was killed, so his trip down memory lane became a quest for vengeance.
What I liked about Lucien was that he was able to love Rosalind too, and realize that he wasn't being unfaithful to his late wife, or desecrating her memory by loving his new wife. Too often in romances, we see the hero realizing that maybe he never loved his first wife, or that is was more affection than love. He was able to make room in his heart for love again, and I appreciated that.
What I didn't like was his not consummating the marriage for almost 3 months. It was grounds for annulment, or what if he was killed? She could be stripped of her title and financial security. I also didn't like how he never gave Rosalind any credit when she finally grew a backbone and told him someone was trying to kill them.
The story picked up from there, and it was interesting. I never saw who the villain was-I was waaay off on my guess, so kudos to you Ms. Munro.
The smuggling ring and the plots to kill Hastings and Rosalind were definitely intriguing. The treasure plot felt a bit too contrived, and thrown in there for no reason other than to add a red herring. I did enjoy the foppish cousin Charles, and I hated the Lady Sophia (we're meant to dislike her).
I would say that if you want a different take on an arranged marriage with the vengeance-obsessed hero, and the witchy heroine, this is your book. While I felt some of the stupid things Rosalind did would brand her Too Stupid To Live, I did like her more and more, and I love LOVED that she saved the hero, not the other way around! The twist in the ending, with the murder plot, smugglers and even a kidnapping made the book all the more interesting.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
The quick summary to this book is that a young girl needs to fulfill a betrothal contract for her family, but her cousin (the elder of the two) won't do it, so it falls to Rosalind. Rosalind takes this chance for several reasons, the main two being that she wants her own family and household, and she is considered a witch because of certain gifts she has. So, marrying a viscount seems ideal, even if he is considered a madman.
One thing that bothered me about this book is that the hero, Lucien, is not mad, and doesn't behave as if he were. He has amnesia, and goes by the name Lucien, not altogether believing he is the Viscount Hastings. But I never understood why they considered him mad. After the first few pages, it was never addressed again.
Another thing that really bothered me was Rosalind. She was able to read people's thoughts if she touched them, and she had healing abilities, so it's easy to see why she was branded a witch by her village. Her family was awful to her, considering it was hereditary, you'd think that her family would have been supportive. I liked her at first, I just thought of her as a bit of a doormat.
What bothered me is that she never defended herself, never spoke up, and she went through a lot! There was a murder plot (don't worry, no spoilers) and the little idiot got bashed in the head, pushed off a cliff, shot at, pushed down some stairs, goodness you name it? It happened to her! And every time her husband warned her to take a footman, or to not leave the castle, or to ask him to go with her, she'd go off on her own! Tra-la-la down the lane just to be thrown from a cart/horse/wasps under saddle, etc. Every other page, she was being idiotic. And then she used her gift of mind-reading to interrogate the villagers without them knowing, but knowing the bits and pieces she found out endangered her. I'm all for a spunky, feisty heroine, but the stupidity level on Rosalind just grated.
Lucien, on the other hand was a piece of work. But I liked him. He woke up after a severe beating in Italy, and a woman nursed him back to health. They married (I'm assuming that's how he became Lucien, rather than George the Viscount Hastings), and when Francesca was pregnant, they decided to travel to England to see if his memory could return. Well, they were attacked and she was killed, so his trip down memory lane became a quest for vengeance.
What I liked about Lucien was that he was able to love Rosalind too, and realize that he wasn't being unfaithful to his late wife, or desecrating her memory by loving his new wife. Too often in romances, we see the hero realizing that maybe he never loved his first wife, or that is was more affection than love. He was able to make room in his heart for love again, and I appreciated that.
What I didn't like was his not consummating the marriage for almost 3 months. It was grounds for annulment, or what if he was killed? She could be stripped of her title and financial security. I also didn't like how he never gave Rosalind any credit when she finally grew a backbone and told him someone was trying to kill them.
The story picked up from there, and it was interesting. I never saw who the villain was-I was waaay off on my guess, so kudos to you Ms. Munro.
The smuggling ring and the plots to kill Hastings and Rosalind were definitely intriguing. The treasure plot felt a bit too contrived, and thrown in there for no reason other than to add a red herring. I did enjoy the foppish cousin Charles, and I hated the Lady Sophia (we're meant to dislike her).
I would say that if you want a different take on an arranged marriage with the vengeance-obsessed hero, and the witchy heroine, this is your book. While I felt some of the stupid things Rosalind did would brand her Too Stupid To Live, I did like her more and more, and I love LOVED that she saved the hero, not the other way around! The twist in the ending, with the murder plot, smugglers and even a kidnapping made the book all the more interesting.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
May 12, 2011
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: Available Now!
Publisher: Carina Press
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.shelleymunro.com
My Source for This Book: Amazon.com
Part of a Series: No
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
There’s one main aspect of this story not mentioned in the official blurb, and that is Lucien’s amnesia. Lucien was attacked while traveling abroad, and lost his memory. Nursed back to health by Francesca, he eventually falls in love and marries her, and soon she is expecting their first child together.
They travel back to England to investigate his past prior to him memory loss, but before they arrive at their destination, they are ambushed and both Francesca and their unborn baby are murdered. Less than a year later, Lucien marries Rosalind in an arranged marriage set forth by the man who claims to be Lucian’s father — Lucien doesn’t actually know if he’s who the man claims to be because he has yet to regain his memory.
Overall, I enjoyed it. This story was dark, angsty, at times creepy, with just enough action to keep things interesting. While I felt the pacing was a bit off in their relationship, I enjoyed both Rosalind and Lucien’s characters, as well as the mystery of the murderer’s identity, and the family drama that surrounded it.
In the end, I’d recommend this for fans of gothic historicals, heroes still mourning their lost spouse, arranged marriages, and light paranormal aspects. 3/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: Available Now!
Publisher: Carina Press
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.shelleymunro.com
My Source for This Book: Amazon.com
Part of a Series: No
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
There’s one main aspect of this story not mentioned in the official blurb, and that is Lucien’s amnesia. Lucien was attacked while traveling abroad, and lost his memory. Nursed back to health by Francesca, he eventually falls in love and marries her, and soon she is expecting their first child together.
They travel back to England to investigate his past prior to him memory loss, but before they arrive at their destination, they are ambushed and both Francesca and their unborn baby are murdered. Less than a year later, Lucien marries Rosalind in an arranged marriage set forth by the man who claims to be Lucian’s father — Lucien doesn’t actually know if he’s who the man claims to be because he has yet to regain his memory.
Overall, I enjoyed it. This story was dark, angsty, at times creepy, with just enough action to keep things interesting. While I felt the pacing was a bit off in their relationship, I enjoyed both Rosalind and Lucien’s characters, as well as the mystery of the murderer’s identity, and the family drama that surrounded it.
In the end, I’d recommend this for fans of gothic historicals, heroes still mourning their lost spouse, arranged marriages, and light paranormal aspects. 3/5 Stars
December 31, 2010
I’m a sucker for all romance but I have an especially soft spot for those stories where the hero is adamant he doesn’t want the woman being forced on him but finds himself tempted beyond his limits as she slowly works her way into his heart. I love the uncertainty, the struggle as passions ignite to the point where it seems almost impossible to deny. One look at the books description told me I’d found such a story and so with an eager smile I began to read and I have to say, I wasn’t disappointed.
THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS is a historical romance that shares the story of Rosalind, a gentle yet tenacious girl who longs for the security and love of a husband. All her life she has been plagued by a curse that has placed her life in constant threat from those who would discover her secret and label her a witch. Honor bound to her family’s wishes, Rosalind agrees to marry Viscount Hastings but it doesn’t take long before she realizes she’s not wanted, that her husband Lucien is tormented by his dead love Francesca and his need to avenge her murder. Not wanting to give up the dreams of a loving husband and mother, Rosalind refuses to be turned away and vows to make the best of the situation, hoping to win over her husband in friendship. Lucien slowly warms to her but there is mystery and danger in the air as Rosalind becomes the target of a malicious stalker, one who is hell bent on harming her. This stalker could be anybody, even the allusive and dangerous Hawk, leader of the band of local smugglers who Lucien is searching for but until the truth is revealed Rosalind must be careful. As she turns to Lucien for help, it brings them closer together and it doesn’t take long before the ice around Lucien’s heart melts, his opinion towards Rosalind changing. But is it too late for love with danger around every corner, ready to destroy them both? Or by teaming up together, can Lucien and Rosalind find the threat and overcome it? Definitely a good reason to read the book!
Filled with action, mystery and the tension that comes from struggling against the needs of the heart, I had a lot of fun reading this book and had that nice “deep sighing” reaction at the end. It was a light read that was easy enough to follow; proving it’s a perfect choice for reading on a cold winter’s day snuggled under a blanket. I enjoyed the mystery behind everything although I will admit I was a little worried when I pretty much figured out who the mysterious Hawk was early on in the book. Would the author continue to keep me engrossed or would the book be all downhill now the suspense was over. I’m really happy to announce that even though I knew the “who”, I was still shocked by the “why” and how it all unfolded. I loved the attention that the author paid to Rosalind and Lucien with the different scenes she had them together in and the warming of their relationship. Although you go into a romance “kind of” knowing the outcome of the story, it still was amazing to watch the journey both characters went through, the little twists and challenges that came up that helped chip away the barrier between them.
Almost instantly Rosalind was labeled by Lucien as a little English mouse and it didn’t take long for me to realize that she was far from it. She had fire and determination which was evident each time she challenged Lucien when he ordered her about. She knew what she wanted and even though at first she tried to act proper, she quickly began to speak freely, something necessary because with all the danger that surrounded her, no one was taking her seriously. She was brave and little too fearless for her own good but she was extremely endearing and I crossed my fingers for her through the whole book, hoping she’d get what her heart desired and come out of the story unscathed.
I couldn’t help but like Lucien either. Even though it annoyed me the way that he treated Rosalind in the beginning, I understood it because he was so deeply troubled and emotionally scarred. The last thing he needed was for some “wife” to get in the way of his revenge and his heart was still too deeply connected with his dead wife. He’d also lost most of his memory, something that frustrated him to no end so Rosalind was definitely a distraction he couldn’t afford. But I loved the way his mind turned and his heart softened. Lucien wasn’t a cruel and cold man - he was strong, sensual, passionate and a man who was at war with himself. I sighed all the way to the giddy end with him as I watched him open up and ask himself whether he’d take that second chance at love.
This was such a great book and one that left me with the feel good feeling I love so much. It kept my attention despite knowing the villain and had my heart hoping for Rosalind and Lucien from the beginning. THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS is definitely a book I’d recommend and one I’m sure all romance lovers will enjoy. Happy reading!!
THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS is a historical romance that shares the story of Rosalind, a gentle yet tenacious girl who longs for the security and love of a husband. All her life she has been plagued by a curse that has placed her life in constant threat from those who would discover her secret and label her a witch. Honor bound to her family’s wishes, Rosalind agrees to marry Viscount Hastings but it doesn’t take long before she realizes she’s not wanted, that her husband Lucien is tormented by his dead love Francesca and his need to avenge her murder. Not wanting to give up the dreams of a loving husband and mother, Rosalind refuses to be turned away and vows to make the best of the situation, hoping to win over her husband in friendship. Lucien slowly warms to her but there is mystery and danger in the air as Rosalind becomes the target of a malicious stalker, one who is hell bent on harming her. This stalker could be anybody, even the allusive and dangerous Hawk, leader of the band of local smugglers who Lucien is searching for but until the truth is revealed Rosalind must be careful. As she turns to Lucien for help, it brings them closer together and it doesn’t take long before the ice around Lucien’s heart melts, his opinion towards Rosalind changing. But is it too late for love with danger around every corner, ready to destroy them both? Or by teaming up together, can Lucien and Rosalind find the threat and overcome it? Definitely a good reason to read the book!
Filled with action, mystery and the tension that comes from struggling against the needs of the heart, I had a lot of fun reading this book and had that nice “deep sighing” reaction at the end. It was a light read that was easy enough to follow; proving it’s a perfect choice for reading on a cold winter’s day snuggled under a blanket. I enjoyed the mystery behind everything although I will admit I was a little worried when I pretty much figured out who the mysterious Hawk was early on in the book. Would the author continue to keep me engrossed or would the book be all downhill now the suspense was over. I’m really happy to announce that even though I knew the “who”, I was still shocked by the “why” and how it all unfolded. I loved the attention that the author paid to Rosalind and Lucien with the different scenes she had them together in and the warming of their relationship. Although you go into a romance “kind of” knowing the outcome of the story, it still was amazing to watch the journey both characters went through, the little twists and challenges that came up that helped chip away the barrier between them.
Almost instantly Rosalind was labeled by Lucien as a little English mouse and it didn’t take long for me to realize that she was far from it. She had fire and determination which was evident each time she challenged Lucien when he ordered her about. She knew what she wanted and even though at first she tried to act proper, she quickly began to speak freely, something necessary because with all the danger that surrounded her, no one was taking her seriously. She was brave and little too fearless for her own good but she was extremely endearing and I crossed my fingers for her through the whole book, hoping she’d get what her heart desired and come out of the story unscathed.
I couldn’t help but like Lucien either. Even though it annoyed me the way that he treated Rosalind in the beginning, I understood it because he was so deeply troubled and emotionally scarred. The last thing he needed was for some “wife” to get in the way of his revenge and his heart was still too deeply connected with his dead wife. He’d also lost most of his memory, something that frustrated him to no end so Rosalind was definitely a distraction he couldn’t afford. But I loved the way his mind turned and his heart softened. Lucien wasn’t a cruel and cold man - he was strong, sensual, passionate and a man who was at war with himself. I sighed all the way to the giddy end with him as I watched him open up and ask himself whether he’d take that second chance at love.
This was such a great book and one that left me with the feel good feeling I love so much. It kept my attention despite knowing the villain and had my heart hoping for Rosalind and Lucien from the beginning. THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS is definitely a book I’d recommend and one I’m sure all romance lovers will enjoy. Happy reading!!
October 28, 2010
Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2010/10/rev...
Favorite Quote:”After she freed her husband, she’d smack him over the head with a sharp object. That would knock some sense into his addled brain.”
Roseland Chandler is on the shelf, a poor relation, and thought to be a witch. Marrying Lucien, Viscount Hastings, was the best she could hope for in her situation. When she arrives at Castle St. Clare she is rudely told by Lucian that this marriage is not wanted. But Roseland wants security and a family of her own so she goes through with the marriage; only to discover that Lucian truly meant what he said.
Lucian has just recently returned from the continent mad for revenge for the men who murdered his first wife and unborn child. He has amnesia and doesn’t even believe he is Viscount Hastings. He hasn’t the time or inclination to marry Roseland but the marriage was contracted years ago. He may have to marry Roseland, but he will never love her. As accidents and close calls plague Roseland and threaten her life, Lucian will have to set aside his animosity and fear and find out who wants her dead and why.
Roseland comes off at first as easily intimidated and a bit silly. Never saying boo, she keeps her opinions to herself and does what she’s told. As time progresses and she is swept up in to Lucian’s problems, she begins to blossom and we see a more determined strong willed woman who does what she wants while paying lip service to Lucian and the rest of the family. I liked how Ms. Munro fleshes out her personality. It’s was a slow and believable emergence. Roseland gift is handled well and we see her use it through out the story. We are shown the good and the bad that results from it and it gives us insight into Roseland’s personality.
Lucian comes off very autocratic and aloof. In fact, he’s rather mean in the beginning. He has no time for Roseland and even goes as far as to think she is trying to seduce him into bed when she begins to tell him of the strange happenings at the castle. Rather then listen to her, he just orders her to stay home and quit getting into trouble. Lucian’s metamorphoses from cold and unfeeling to warm and attentive is nicely done. As you get his background story, you understand why he is the way he is and it goes a long way to forgiving his attitude.
Lucian and Roseland’s love for one another develops slowly over the course of the story. They aren’t forced or rushed in to bed and that makes the ending much sweeter. I also liked how Lucian is not forced to choose between his love for his first wife over his second wife. Often these stories will take the first wife out the picture completely; leave the hero to be with heroine guilt free. Ms. Munro allows Lucian both his loves.
A nice historical romance with a hint of paranormal and a suspenseful mystery. It has a Gothic overtone reminded me of works by Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney. Smoothly written with a flair for dramatics; I found the characters and their actions to be in keeping with the era of the times. Well written with a fast paced plot.
The mystery is convoluted and Ms. Munro does a fabulous job of keeping you on your toes and guessing as to the villain till almost the end. I didn’t see it coming but it works out wonderfully and ties up neatly. The secondary characters play small parts and aren’t deeply developed but do help make smooth transitions between scenes and characters.
I did feel there were a few small story lines that lacked depth and could have been developed more or just deleted. Roseland’s constant comments about babies does get a little redundant after the 5th time though. It kills the romance a little.
A nice read that held my attention till the end.
Favorite Quote:”After she freed her husband, she’d smack him over the head with a sharp object. That would knock some sense into his addled brain.”
Roseland Chandler is on the shelf, a poor relation, and thought to be a witch. Marrying Lucien, Viscount Hastings, was the best she could hope for in her situation. When she arrives at Castle St. Clare she is rudely told by Lucian that this marriage is not wanted. But Roseland wants security and a family of her own so she goes through with the marriage; only to discover that Lucian truly meant what he said.
Lucian has just recently returned from the continent mad for revenge for the men who murdered his first wife and unborn child. He has amnesia and doesn’t even believe he is Viscount Hastings. He hasn’t the time or inclination to marry Roseland but the marriage was contracted years ago. He may have to marry Roseland, but he will never love her. As accidents and close calls plague Roseland and threaten her life, Lucian will have to set aside his animosity and fear and find out who wants her dead and why.
Roseland comes off at first as easily intimidated and a bit silly. Never saying boo, she keeps her opinions to herself and does what she’s told. As time progresses and she is swept up in to Lucian’s problems, she begins to blossom and we see a more determined strong willed woman who does what she wants while paying lip service to Lucian and the rest of the family. I liked how Ms. Munro fleshes out her personality. It’s was a slow and believable emergence. Roseland gift is handled well and we see her use it through out the story. We are shown the good and the bad that results from it and it gives us insight into Roseland’s personality.
Lucian comes off very autocratic and aloof. In fact, he’s rather mean in the beginning. He has no time for Roseland and even goes as far as to think she is trying to seduce him into bed when she begins to tell him of the strange happenings at the castle. Rather then listen to her, he just orders her to stay home and quit getting into trouble. Lucian’s metamorphoses from cold and unfeeling to warm and attentive is nicely done. As you get his background story, you understand why he is the way he is and it goes a long way to forgiving his attitude.
Lucian and Roseland’s love for one another develops slowly over the course of the story. They aren’t forced or rushed in to bed and that makes the ending much sweeter. I also liked how Lucian is not forced to choose between his love for his first wife over his second wife. Often these stories will take the first wife out the picture completely; leave the hero to be with heroine guilt free. Ms. Munro allows Lucian both his loves.
A nice historical romance with a hint of paranormal and a suspenseful mystery. It has a Gothic overtone reminded me of works by Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney. Smoothly written with a flair for dramatics; I found the characters and their actions to be in keeping with the era of the times. Well written with a fast paced plot.
The mystery is convoluted and Ms. Munro does a fabulous job of keeping you on your toes and guessing as to the villain till almost the end. I didn’t see it coming but it works out wonderfully and ties up neatly. The secondary characters play small parts and aren’t deeply developed but do help make smooth transitions between scenes and characters.
I did feel there were a few small story lines that lacked depth and could have been developed more or just deleted. Roseland’s constant comments about babies does get a little redundant after the 5th time though. It kills the romance a little.
A nice read that held my attention till the end.
November 10, 2010
I've been on a historical fiction spree as of late. Actually, ever since I've read THE MASTER AND THE MUSES, I've been salivating for more books to read of that nature. So when I discovered THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS, a historical fiction with paranormal elements, I was more than excited to dive straight into this tale.
Before I begin, it is important to note that the paranormal aspects do not play a huge role in this tale. I was warned of this before I read the novel, so I didn't have any expectations about that part.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read. The storyline kept me intrigued from the first page all the way to the last. I kept wondering how Rosalind was going to win Lucien's favor. I wanted to know what would happen between the two, and whether or not Hawk, our bad guy, was going to get caught earlier rather than later. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Mary, despite how annoying she was.
The twist at the end--Hawk's identity--caught me by surprise. I definitely did not expect that person to be Hawk. Though now that I look back, it does make more sense.
I had a few problems with the tale. For starters, I found myself craving for more showing over telling. We have all of these events transpiring, and yet, I didn't always feel emotionally invested with what happened to Rosalind and Lucien. At these points, I felt more like an impassive bystander looking through binoculars.
Rosalind had a tendency to lift her chin up a lot. I would have enjoyed a few other actions used to explain her defiance or stubbornness; perhaps clenching her fists, placing her hands on her hips and narrowing her eyes, pursing her lips... there's so many. After a while, I began to roll my eyes whenever there was something about her chin. Then I began to wonder if Rosalind had a weird chin. Was it big? It always seemed to grab Lucien's attention first.
I thought Lucien's appearance towards the end was way too convenient. I also thought Rosalind should have used her powers before she wandered off with the two men she left with, especially when she began to catch glimpses of some weird thoughts. I don't know, that's what I would have done the second I felt something was off, despite any reservations about my mind reading abilities.
A word of warning for those of you using NetGalley: Formatting, I've noticed, is very wonky when it comes to NetGalley titles on a Kindle. This story is no exception, and I struggled with POV swaps because of said format. So if you decide to get this title via NetGalley, please keep that in mind.
Despite a few bumps in the reading experience, THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS was, nevertheless, a fun read. When I reached the final page, I gave a sigh in relief, now that I knew Lucien and Rosalind finally had their happily ever after.
Before I begin, it is important to note that the paranormal aspects do not play a huge role in this tale. I was warned of this before I read the novel, so I didn't have any expectations about that part.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read. The storyline kept me intrigued from the first page all the way to the last. I kept wondering how Rosalind was going to win Lucien's favor. I wanted to know what would happen between the two, and whether or not Hawk, our bad guy, was going to get caught earlier rather than later. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Mary, despite how annoying she was.
The twist at the end--Hawk's identity--caught me by surprise. I definitely did not expect that person to be Hawk. Though now that I look back, it does make more sense.
I had a few problems with the tale. For starters, I found myself craving for more showing over telling. We have all of these events transpiring, and yet, I didn't always feel emotionally invested with what happened to Rosalind and Lucien. At these points, I felt more like an impassive bystander looking through binoculars.
Rosalind had a tendency to lift her chin up a lot. I would have enjoyed a few other actions used to explain her defiance or stubbornness; perhaps clenching her fists, placing her hands on her hips and narrowing her eyes, pursing her lips... there's so many. After a while, I began to roll my eyes whenever there was something about her chin. Then I began to wonder if Rosalind had a weird chin. Was it big? It always seemed to grab Lucien's attention first.
I thought Lucien's appearance towards the end was way too convenient. I also thought Rosalind should have used her powers before she wandered off with the two men she left with, especially when she began to catch glimpses of some weird thoughts. I don't know, that's what I would have done the second I felt something was off, despite any reservations about my mind reading abilities.
A word of warning for those of you using NetGalley: Formatting, I've noticed, is very wonky when it comes to NetGalley titles on a Kindle. This story is no exception, and I struggled with POV swaps because of said format. So if you decide to get this title via NetGalley, please keep that in mind.
Despite a few bumps in the reading experience, THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS was, nevertheless, a fun read. When I reached the final page, I gave a sigh in relief, now that I knew Lucien and Rosalind finally had their happily ever after.
October 26, 2010
A classic regency romance with a strong female character and a stunningly likable male counterpart. Shelley creates a world where beauty masks ugliness and initial prejudices are pridefully wrong. The tale is packed with intrigue, scandal, plots and romance. The excitement builds through events and erupts in a heated confrontation that digresses beautifully as promised. Readers who enjoy Lauren Willig's Carnation series will certainly enjoy Shelley Munro's style and writing.
Rosiland's defiance is a touch redundant, but she is a young, strong-willed bride so it fits with her character traits. A couple phrasings were modern and I wondered if the references were factual to the time period. Lastly, the reference or word choice used for the male member was crude in comparison to the other sweet and elegant sensitivity used to describe romantic coupling.
Rosiland's defiance is a touch redundant, but she is a young, strong-willed bride so it fits with her character traits. A couple phrasings were modern and I wondered if the references were factual to the time period. Lastly, the reference or word choice used for the male member was crude in comparison to the other sweet and elegant sensitivity used to describe romantic coupling.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
July 7, 2021
Intriguing read.
November 11, 2010
This book started off a little roughly as it irritated me in a few spots where Munro would use the same turn of phrase several times within a few pages. I got the point the first time and did not need to hear that over and over. I also thought the story was a little silly and yet something about it caught my attention and kept me reading.
The Characters
Rosalind had this very cool power of being able to touch people and see their thoughts but of course during this time period that made people suspicious that she was a witch. Her character did rub me the wrong way a little because of the fact that she was so desperate to marry and have children she was willing to take any man. I can understand her desire and came to accept this but then she rationalizes at one point that she cannot let Lucien be killed because that would kill any chance of her having children. That just came across as very cold even though you know that is not supposed to be her true character. She also irritated me in that she suspected someone meant her harm and yet she continued to defy Lucien's orders to take a footman or someone else with her when she left the house. If you read my previous reviews you know that I like strong female characters but hate when they do stupid things just to prove that they won't be ordered around by the men in their lives.
Lucien initially behaves like a real ass towards Rosalind. I understand he does not want to remarry after losing the love of his life but he never stops to think that Rosalind may not have a real choice other than to marry him. He treats her horribly before he even gets to know her and I felt like although you should think he's noble for staying true to his love of his first wife a real gentleman would at least have been kinder to Rosalind. He does redeem himself later in the story so I cannot say I disliked him completely.
The Romance
I thought the build up of the romance was nicely done as we slowly see Lucien and Rosalind come to love one another. The pacing was great as you see Lucien come to terms that his feelings for Rosalind does not mean he is betraying his dead first wife. It was also nice that neither of the characters fit your standard romance mold of being stunningly handsome or beautiful.
The Story Line
I have to admit that the identity of the killer was somewhat of a surprise. There was one character I suspected all along but it turns out I was wrong. The story line itself was not bad but it was the characters actions that made the story line feel silly and hard to swallow. Like I mention above after Rosalind gets shoved out of her been, pushed off a cliff, shot at and a host of other things that makes her realize that obviously someone means her harm and she still goes on her way ignoring any attempt at caution. Then there is Lucien who despite all the evidence at first refuses to believe that anyone means Rosalind harm. It doesn't strike him as too much of a coincidence that all of this is happening to his new wife not long after someone targeted and killed his first wife?
I know this review sounds very critical of the book but I have to admit once I got into it I had a hard time putting it down. So I may not be able to put my finger on exactly what it was but it definitely had something that reels the reader in.
The Characters
Rosalind had this very cool power of being able to touch people and see their thoughts but of course during this time period that made people suspicious that she was a witch. Her character did rub me the wrong way a little because of the fact that she was so desperate to marry and have children she was willing to take any man. I can understand her desire and came to accept this but then she rationalizes at one point that she cannot let Lucien be killed because that would kill any chance of her having children. That just came across as very cold even though you know that is not supposed to be her true character. She also irritated me in that she suspected someone meant her harm and yet she continued to defy Lucien's orders to take a footman or someone else with her when she left the house. If you read my previous reviews you know that I like strong female characters but hate when they do stupid things just to prove that they won't be ordered around by the men in their lives.
Lucien initially behaves like a real ass towards Rosalind. I understand he does not want to remarry after losing the love of his life but he never stops to think that Rosalind may not have a real choice other than to marry him. He treats her horribly before he even gets to know her and I felt like although you should think he's noble for staying true to his love of his first wife a real gentleman would at least have been kinder to Rosalind. He does redeem himself later in the story so I cannot say I disliked him completely.
The Romance
I thought the build up of the romance was nicely done as we slowly see Lucien and Rosalind come to love one another. The pacing was great as you see Lucien come to terms that his feelings for Rosalind does not mean he is betraying his dead first wife. It was also nice that neither of the characters fit your standard romance mold of being stunningly handsome or beautiful.
The Story Line
I have to admit that the identity of the killer was somewhat of a surprise. There was one character I suspected all along but it turns out I was wrong. The story line itself was not bad but it was the characters actions that made the story line feel silly and hard to swallow. Like I mention above after Rosalind gets shoved out of her been, pushed off a cliff, shot at and a host of other things that makes her realize that obviously someone means her harm and she still goes on her way ignoring any attempt at caution. Then there is Lucien who despite all the evidence at first refuses to believe that anyone means Rosalind harm. It doesn't strike him as too much of a coincidence that all of this is happening to his new wife not long after someone targeted and killed his first wife?
I know this review sounds very critical of the book but I have to admit once I got into it I had a hard time putting it down. So I may not be able to put my finger on exactly what it was but it definitely had something that reels the reader in.
October 8, 2010
I enjoyed reading this book, old fasioned romance is one of my guilty pleasures. The two main characters were likeable. Rosalind isn't a weeping lady waiting to be rescued, she tries to do some rescueing of her own! She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go out and take it.
Lucien lost his memories after being beaten up in Italy, where he met his first wife, Francesca. She was shot and died in his arm, traumatizing him immensely. She was also pregnant at the time. The only reason Lucien is in England is because he heard an English name the night Francesca died and wants to find the man responsible for her death. We see him warm up to Rosalind as he finds out it's okay to open his heart to someone else again, that it doesn't mean he didn't love Francesca.
One thing I didn't understand was: why did Lucien have to marry again? His wife only died 10 months ago and I understand the need to produce an heir being the heir to the family estate himself, but why so fast? Why not find someone himself after 1 year, 2 years or more? He's still young, there's no hurry, and besides, men can have children even if they're seventy years old.
I liked that Rosalind and Lucien slowly got to know each other and their relationship flowed from that. One thing I thought was odd was how Rosalind would sense people's thoughts when touching them, but was rather naive at the end when she felt bad vibes coming from someone and did not think to act on it. The rest of the time she was much better at estimating a situation.
One thing I missed while reading this book was romantic tension to make me cry. I never once cried and I always cry, I'm such a sap I avoid reading books like this in public places because people look at me funny. Struggling lovers make me cry more than death, I can't help it. So, while this was an enjoyable read, it lacked a bit in the romance part for me.
My rating: 3 stars
Lucien lost his memories after being beaten up in Italy, where he met his first wife, Francesca. She was shot and died in his arm, traumatizing him immensely. She was also pregnant at the time. The only reason Lucien is in England is because he heard an English name the night Francesca died and wants to find the man responsible for her death. We see him warm up to Rosalind as he finds out it's okay to open his heart to someone else again, that it doesn't mean he didn't love Francesca.
One thing I didn't understand was: why did Lucien have to marry again? His wife only died 10 months ago and I understand the need to produce an heir being the heir to the family estate himself, but why so fast? Why not find someone himself after 1 year, 2 years or more? He's still young, there's no hurry, and besides, men can have children even if they're seventy years old.
I liked that Rosalind and Lucien slowly got to know each other and their relationship flowed from that. One thing I thought was odd was how Rosalind would sense people's thoughts when touching them, but was rather naive at the end when she felt bad vibes coming from someone and did not think to act on it. The rest of the time she was much better at estimating a situation.
One thing I missed while reading this book was romantic tension to make me cry. I never once cried and I always cry, I'm such a sap I avoid reading books like this in public places because people look at me funny. Struggling lovers make me cry more than death, I can't help it. So, while this was an enjoyable read, it lacked a bit in the romance part for me.
My rating: 3 stars
July 10, 2011
The book: The Spurned Viscountess by Shelley Munro
The particulars: Historical Romance, Carina Press, available as e-book
The review:
The blurb:
Cursed with the sight and rumors of witchcraft, Rosalind's only chance at an ordinary life is marriage to Lucien, Viscount Hastings. She doesn't expect love, only security and children of her own. Determined to go through with the wedding, she allows nothing she encounters at the gloomy Castle St. Clare to dissuade her.
Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse his family has arranged for him to marry—not when he's plotting to avenge the murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not even to sire an heir.
Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she is plagued by a series of mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close—and tempted into passionate kisses—Lucien soon finds himself in grave danger of falling in love with his own wife . . .
My impressions:
I picked up this book earlier this year when Carina Press offered it for free with a coupon. I never got around to read it, until now.It is a decision that I regret, because this book was really, really good.
I could almost taste the sea salt in the air when I read it. It wasn’t just the setting that felt realistic. The smugglers presence and how they affected the villagers added another layer of suspense. Both Rosalind and Lucien were scarred by the past. Those scars made them struggle with trusting each other. This was one of the most heartwrenching romances I have read in a long time. When I reached the end, I closed the book with a content sigh. I’ll definitely get more of Shelley Munro’s books!
The particulars: Historical Romance, Carina Press, available as e-book
The review:
The blurb:
Cursed with the sight and rumors of witchcraft, Rosalind's only chance at an ordinary life is marriage to Lucien, Viscount Hastings. She doesn't expect love, only security and children of her own. Determined to go through with the wedding, she allows nothing she encounters at the gloomy Castle St. Clare to dissuade her.
Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse his family has arranged for him to marry—not when he's plotting to avenge the murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not even to sire an heir.
Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she is plagued by a series of mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close—and tempted into passionate kisses—Lucien soon finds himself in grave danger of falling in love with his own wife . . .
My impressions:
I picked up this book earlier this year when Carina Press offered it for free with a coupon. I never got around to read it, until now.It is a decision that I regret, because this book was really, really good.
I could almost taste the sea salt in the air when I read it. It wasn’t just the setting that felt realistic. The smugglers presence and how they affected the villagers added another layer of suspense. Both Rosalind and Lucien were scarred by the past. Those scars made them struggle with trusting each other. This was one of the most heartwrenching romances I have read in a long time. When I reached the end, I closed the book with a content sigh. I’ll definitely get more of Shelley Munro’s books!
October 7, 2010
A very solid Georgian romance. Complete with a gothic castle, mysterious accidents, missing servants, a mind-reading heroine, and a scarred hero with amnesia.
Rosalind has set off to marry Lucien, Viscount Hastings, a man she's never met. Upon their meeting, Rosalind has glimpses of his past including a mysterious woman. As her fiancee gives her every chance to call off the wedding, Rosalind is dead set on marrying him and have the family she always wanted. However, starting on her wedding night, Rosalind is convinced someone is out to get her. Between being pushed off the bed, shot at, among other accidents, Rosalind's maid suddenly goes missing. Who is out to get her?
Lucien has absolutely no desire to get close to his wife, after what happened in his past. He is far more focused on finding out who killed his first wife and their unborn child, and getting revenge. The only information he has acquired is a mysterious man who goes by the name Hawk.
The pacing of this book was good. It took a while for Rosalind and Lucien to warm up to each other. I'm happy to say that the whole mind-reading bit wasn't as distracting as I thought it would be. It was barely there, really.
Rosalind was a real stubborn heroine, and while I admire her tenacity, I couldn't help thinking she was a bit touched in the head. With all the accidents and warnings, she kept on going out on her own only to meet... another accident.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
Rosalind has set off to marry Lucien, Viscount Hastings, a man she's never met. Upon their meeting, Rosalind has glimpses of his past including a mysterious woman. As her fiancee gives her every chance to call off the wedding, Rosalind is dead set on marrying him and have the family she always wanted. However, starting on her wedding night, Rosalind is convinced someone is out to get her. Between being pushed off the bed, shot at, among other accidents, Rosalind's maid suddenly goes missing. Who is out to get her?
Lucien has absolutely no desire to get close to his wife, after what happened in his past. He is far more focused on finding out who killed his first wife and their unborn child, and getting revenge. The only information he has acquired is a mysterious man who goes by the name Hawk.
The pacing of this book was good. It took a while for Rosalind and Lucien to warm up to each other. I'm happy to say that the whole mind-reading bit wasn't as distracting as I thought it would be. It was barely there, really.
Rosalind was a real stubborn heroine, and while I admire her tenacity, I couldn't help thinking she was a bit touched in the head. With all the accidents and warnings, she kept on going out on her own only to meet... another accident.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
September 27, 2010
THE SPURNED VISCOUNTESS by Shelly Munro is a historical romance set in 1720 England.It is the revised version of The Second Seduction. It is well written with depth, details and is fast paced. It has betrayal, tragedy, sensuality, romance, suspense,paranormal, secrets, treachery and second chances. The hero, Lucien, is scarred, strong, determined to find the murderer of his first wife, memory lost, is married for convenience, and finds himself falling in love with his beautiful new wife. The heroine, Rosalind, is beautiful, comely to some, has the gift of sight(which people claim she is a witch),a healer, the spurned by others who believe her to be a witch, looking for love, marriage, children, happiness and finds herself married to the scarred, less than happy viscount, Lucien. Together they set out to find the mysterious "Hawk", a smuggler, evil man with secrets of his own.Lucien, although, fights not to love or care about Rosalind, finds he is falling in love with her. Rosalind helps Lucien remember his past, and move on toward his future with her. This is a wonderful story of love, forgiveness and moving on with your future. I would recommend this book especially if you enjoy some paranormal aspects, true love, romance, mystery, intrigue and sweet sensuality.This book was received for review from Net Galley and details can be found at Carina Press and My Book Addiction and More.
February 18, 2011
This is a dark historical that has both mystery and mayhem. It comes with a crumbling castle, ghostly goings on, a woman who could be a witch and a scarred, amnesiac hero with a hardened heart. There might also be a crotchety old aunt and a hidden treasure. Yeah, it pretty much has all the hallmarks of AWESOME with a side of drafty hallways.
I really liked that the main characters didn't fall madly in love with one another at first sight. Lucien is mourning his recently murdered wife while trying to regain the memories of his childhood. He has no wish to remarry, but his title requires it. Rosalind is resigned to marrying the Viscount even though he terrifies her at first because the alternative is to either be burned as a witch or spend the rest of her days as a burden to her family. He is literally her last hope. She takes the hand she's dealt and she makes the best of it.
Watching Lucien fall for Rosalind is sweet. He's completely against the marriage at first, only agreeing to it for his father's sake. Slowly he comes to admire Rosalind's strength and kindness and he's able to see that loving her doesn't negate the love he had for his first wife. Like I said, it's sweet.
A quick, fun little historical with some paranormal elements (Rosalind's gift) and an easy romance.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
I really liked that the main characters didn't fall madly in love with one another at first sight. Lucien is mourning his recently murdered wife while trying to regain the memories of his childhood. He has no wish to remarry, but his title requires it. Rosalind is resigned to marrying the Viscount even though he terrifies her at first because the alternative is to either be burned as a witch or spend the rest of her days as a burden to her family. He is literally her last hope. She takes the hand she's dealt and she makes the best of it.
Watching Lucien fall for Rosalind is sweet. He's completely against the marriage at first, only agreeing to it for his father's sake. Slowly he comes to admire Rosalind's strength and kindness and he's able to see that loving her doesn't negate the love he had for his first wife. Like I said, it's sweet.
A quick, fun little historical with some paranormal elements (Rosalind's gift) and an easy romance.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
July 7, 2011
I love me some Gothic romance, and Shelley Munro's The Spurned Viscountess is certainly that, with all the right elements to yoink me right in. We have your innocent young woman with strange abilities. We have your nobleman with a mysterious secret, getting his brood on. We have your string of mysterious accidents. And we have your suitably spooky, remote mansion, chock full of potentially dangerous people. For bonus Get Anna Engaged mileage, we've even got a bit of an amnesia plot going on, since our hero has memory issues on top of his angst about the murder of his first love.
The atmosphere worked for me, and I found Munro's prose solidly executed. I'm partial to healers as characters, which inclined me to like Rosalind as a heroine, though I liked her best when she expressed worry over the fate of her lost maid; she seemed a stronger character there than she did even in her interactions with hero Lucien. The mystery of what happened to Lucien and Rosalind in Europe provided a reasonable backbone for the plot, although it never really gelled for me until the very end.
Overall I liked this one well enough, definitely enough to read it through to the end, even if it never quite managed to be more than the sum of its parts. Three stars.
The atmosphere worked for me, and I found Munro's prose solidly executed. I'm partial to healers as characters, which inclined me to like Rosalind as a heroine, though I liked her best when she expressed worry over the fate of her lost maid; she seemed a stronger character there than she did even in her interactions with hero Lucien. The mystery of what happened to Lucien and Rosalind in Europe provided a reasonable backbone for the plot, although it never really gelled for me until the very end.
Overall I liked this one well enough, definitely enough to read it through to the end, even if it never quite managed to be more than the sum of its parts. Three stars.
October 22, 2012
This was a great book. I've had it for a long time and am now wondering why I waited so long to read it.
The story was compelling, mysterious, fast and action-packed. The characters were strong and I liked to read about them.
I had the mystery figured out about midway through the book but I had to wait until almost the very end for verification which was really cool.
I loved Lucien and I related to him on a level that some people may not in that he had a scar on his face that made people want to run and hide or not look at him in the face. I have a disability that makes people want to run from me or make rude comments (yes they really do that!) and they never see me for me. Lucien was in the same situation. Nobody remembered him for being tall, dark and handsome or for having a good heart because they couldn't get by that damn scar. But Rosalind never did that to him. She never turned away or made a big deal of it because she saw him for him and she loved him for who he was. How can that be a bad thing? She really had to work and go through some heartache just to get him to notice her. It was ironic in a good way.
Anyway, I loved the book. :)
The story was compelling, mysterious, fast and action-packed. The characters were strong and I liked to read about them.
I had the mystery figured out about midway through the book but I had to wait until almost the very end for verification which was really cool.
I loved Lucien and I related to him on a level that some people may not in that he had a scar on his face that made people want to run and hide or not look at him in the face. I have a disability that makes people want to run from me or make rude comments (yes they really do that!) and they never see me for me. Lucien was in the same situation. Nobody remembered him for being tall, dark and handsome or for having a good heart because they couldn't get by that damn scar. But Rosalind never did that to him. She never turned away or made a big deal of it because she saw him for him and she loved him for who he was. How can that be a bad thing? She really had to work and go through some heartache just to get him to notice her. It was ironic in a good way.
Anyway, I loved the book. :)
November 18, 2010
I read this book right smack dab in the middle of two very heavy and depressing books that I didn't really love, so The Spurned Viscountess was a very welcome relief. Sometimes, do you just want to read a fun romance that may not be the most prolific book you ever read, but just gives you a break from your stressful life? This is just the book. The was some mystery and murder, but not emotionally heart wrenching. The mystery element was more cozy mystery that heart pumping thriller, which was good, since the book was mostly about the romance, you didn't want the mystery to drown it out. I loved the overall creepy atmosphere of the castle in the book, with the secret passageways and spy holes everywhere. This set a nice contrast for the sweet and innocent main character to fall in love with her gruff widower of a husband...
To see the full review over at The Book Buff, click here: http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/2010/...
To see the full review over at The Book Buff, click here: http://thebookbuff.blogspot.com/2010/...
July 7, 2011
So I decided to try my hand at romance again :) This time I was a little more daring though, haha!
Rosalind is a character that you can connect with easily because you know just as much as she does about her new life. It was nice to learn things with her verses having the blanks filled in by back stories and flashbacks shared between characters.
Lucien is one of those characters that you kind of love to hate right at the very beginning (love more than hate I would say!) because he's so distant and mean to Rosalind! But of course he begins to realize that he could actually be falling for her- despite the memories that he does have of his past.
From waiting to see how Rosalind and Lucien's romance will play out to wondering what on earth is going on with the mysterious Hawk character, I would definately recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read! My rating is 5 out of 5 stars :)
Rosalind is a character that you can connect with easily because you know just as much as she does about her new life. It was nice to learn things with her verses having the blanks filled in by back stories and flashbacks shared between characters.
Lucien is one of those characters that you kind of love to hate right at the very beginning (love more than hate I would say!) because he's so distant and mean to Rosalind! But of course he begins to realize that he could actually be falling for her- despite the memories that he does have of his past.
From waiting to see how Rosalind and Lucien's romance will play out to wondering what on earth is going on with the mysterious Hawk character, I would definately recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read! My rating is 5 out of 5 stars :)
September 20, 2010
A marriage of convenience--not just for financial reasons, but because the bride is fearful of being accused of being a witch, all because she has "the sight." Her husband is honoring a long-standing marriage agreement and just simply doesn't want her. But she insists, seeing this marriage as a simple matter of survival. Good story that is well-told and gives insight into the prejudices that plagued persons with any form of ESP in the 18th and 19th centuries.
April 4, 2011
I've read Ms Munro's contemp novels and enjoyed them, but in all honesty, I think it was the mystery in this that kept it going for me. It was ok, but wouldn't read another historical from this author.
July 7, 2011
Classic gothic romance, with attempts made on the heroes life, attempts made on the heroines life, servants murdered, kidnapping, smugglers, accusations of witchcraft, you name it. All in all, an enjoyable read, Ms Munro made it work.
June 9, 2009
Fluffy Gothic romance. I ate it up. Sweet and sexy without being pornographic, which is hard to find in romances these days.
Want to read
December 11, 2010Note: Bought the EPUB version directly from Carina Press
June 10, 2011
This kind of reminded me of the Victoria Holts I used to gobble up when I was aged twelve (or so). Kind of.
July 19, 2011
Can't finish it! Boring.
February 22, 2012
ok
BUT reminded me of Jane Atkin Hodge's Watch the Wall My Darling - which is a far better written book.
BUT reminded me of Jane Atkin Hodge's Watch the Wall My Darling - which is a far better written book.
June 24, 2012
A fun gothic regency. A mystery, a few murders, smuggling, a bit of romance and talk of treasure; what more could you ask for in a book.
March 20, 2016
3 to 3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews